Chapter Eighty-Two: Gathering Medicine

Madam Su urged, “Calm yourself, Master. Let us first ascertain the facts before deciding anything.”
Su Hong suppressed his anger and nodded, replying, “Mother, you are right. I will do as you say.”
Madam Su’s expression darkened as she turned to Su Lilu, “Lilu, you tell me—what exactly happened? How did you and Shan’er end up in the water?”
Su Lilu’s eyes were red as she spoke softly, “Grandmother, Third Sister invited me to meet Miss Yao and Second Sister. As we passed by the lake…” Su Lilu recounted the entire incident in detail.
Su Baizhi clenched her lips upon hearing her own name, anxiety flickering in her eyes as she glanced at Madam Su. Seeing that she was not being watched, she stood aside, heart pounding, afraid that Su Lilu might say something else about her.
Madam Su, noting that Su Dongxuan had been present as well, turned a steely gaze on her and pressed, “Xuan’er, tell me truthfully—what happened at that time?”
Su Dongxuan was about to reply when Su Baizhi, forcing a smile, looked at her, a cold gleam in her eyes. “Fifth Sister, think carefully about what you say. Some things are better left unsaid.”
Madam Su shot Su Baizhi a sharp look. Su Baizhi immediately explained, “Grandmother, I only worry that Fifth Sister might become nervous and forget what she wants to say.”
“Or perhaps Second Sister fears that Fifth Sister might expose someone’s scheme?” Su Lilu shot back with biting sarcasm.
Tears welled in Su Baizhi’s eyes as she protested, “Elder Sister, what do you mean by that? I do not understand.”
Su Lilu only gave a cold, mocking laugh, then turned to Su Dongxuan, encouraging her, “Fifth Sister, do not be afraid. Simply tell what you saw.”
Su Dongxuan, trembling, stammered, “Grandmother, I only saw…” She kept her suspicions to herself, relating only what her eyes had witnessed. When she finished, Madam Su slammed the table in fury, “Well! You pretend to be so proper, but who would have thought your heart could be so malicious!”
Su Hong’s face was grim. “Mother, how do you wish to punish this? If we do nothing, the household will be thrown into chaos.”
He cast a fierce glare at Yao Ruoshui, who, full of grievances she dared not voice, could only look at him with tear-filled eyes. Su Hong was unmoved by her tears.
“Does Master have the heart to punish her?” Madam Su looked at Su Hong calmly. Instantly, he understood her meaning; his face flushed with embarrassment, clenching his fists, he said resolutely, “As Mother commands. I will not object.”
“Very well. Since you say so, Second Madam has failed in her duty to discipline her daughter. She shall copy the Commandments for Women one hundred times and forfeit three months’ stipend. Master, what say you?” Madam Su turned to Su Hong, who nodded, “As Mother wishes, I have no objections.”
Resolving to set aside his affection for Concubine Shu for the sake of the family’s future, Su Hong’s face remained stern as he ordered the maids to tend to the young lady before returning to his study.

Madam Su’s expression softened as she instructed the maids, “Quickly help the eldest miss back to rest.”
Su Lilu, drained of strength, allowed the maids to support her as she gave her respects and returned to her own quarters.
Madam Su arranged for someone to watch over Su Shan’er, then, assisted by Granny Hua, withdrew to her chambers.
Yao Ruoshui looked coldly at Su Baizhi, then turned to Su Shan’er’s maid, warning, “Take good care of Third Miss. If anything happens, I will not forgive you.”
The maids, terrified, bowed low, “We understand. We will look after Third Miss with utmost care.”
Stifling her anger, Yao Ruoshui could only lead her daughter away, her humiliation raw after Su Hong’s public rebuke.
Back in her courtyard, Su Lilu immediately ordered Liuzhu and Liuying to stoke the fire. Wrapped in thick quilts, she called anxiously, “Yuxin, come in quickly.”
Yuxin, seeing her mistress shivering, hurried forward, “Miss, why not take a hot bath to drive out the chill?”
“Liuzhu and Liuying will handle those things. You must go at once to the prince’s pharmacy and fetch some medicine with this prescription.” Su Lilu handed her a formula she had found in a medical text for treating cold in the womb. The physician had warned that her health had suffered, and she was determined to take precautions.
Yuxin looked at her with concern, “Miss, are you unwell?”
Su Lilu smiled to reassure her, “I’m fine for now, but I want to take medicine so I don’t fall ill. Go quickly and return soon.”
Yuxin nodded and hurried out. Liuzhu prepared ginger tea and warmed several hot bricks, tucking them into Su Lilu’s bedding. “Miss, warm yourself—ah, your hair’s still wet! Let me dry it for you.”
As she gently dried Su Lilu’s hair, Liuzhu’s tears fell, her voice choked, “Miss, you’ve suffered so much.”
Su Lilu grasped her hand, comforting her, “I’m all right now. Don’t cry.”
Not wanting to distress Su Lilu, Liuzhu hastily wiped her tears, mumbling, “I won’t cry, I won’t cry.”
Yuxin entered the pharmacy with the prescription. The shopkeeper recognized her at once, “What brings you here today?”
“I’ve come to fetch some medicine for my mistress. These are the herbs we need—please prepare them quickly,” Yuxin said anxiously.

The shopkeeper examined the prescription, troubled. “These herbs are costly; I must first ask the prince’s permission. Please wait a moment.”
Coincidentally, Yun Yan Yi was in the pharmacy that day. The shopkeeper hurried upstairs to report the matter to him. Curious, Yun Yan Yi asked, “What is this medicine for?”
The shopkeeper replied calmly, “Your Highness, the herbs Miss Su requested are for nourishing the body and treating cold in the womb.”
At the mention of this, Yun Yan Yi’s face darkened. Knowing Su Lilu needed the medicine urgently, he ordered, “Prepare the medicine for her first.”
The shopkeeper received the order, went downstairs, carefully packed the herbs, and handed them to Yuxin, who thanked him profusely before hurrying out.
Yun Yan Yi called out, “Leng Feng.”
A man in black entered, knelt, and bowed his head. “Your Highness, what are your orders?”
“Go and find out exactly what happened to Miss Su today.” Leng Feng accepted the command and withdrew.
With coldness emanating from him, Yun Yan Yi stood staring at a porcelain vase.
An hour later, Leng Feng returned to report, “Your Highness, today Miss Su accompanied the Prime Minister’s wife to the Yao residence, and then…”
“What? She fell into the water? Who did it?” Yun Yan Yi’s anger and worry flared—on such a cold day, for Su Lilu to fall into the water must have been torment.
Leng Feng relayed all he had learned. Yun Yan Yi’s face grew darker—Su Lilu was his, and for her to be harmed under his watch was intolerable.
“Shall I take action, Your Highness?” Leng Feng asked, seeing his master’s rage.
“Not yet. Let her be for now; we’ll deal with her properly in the future.” Leaving these words, Yun Yan Yi strode out of the room.