Chapter 625: The Peony Among Flowers

Qin Yuan understood.

This meant that the bond between Prince Qi and Marquis Gu was deep, and when they obtained something good, they hurriedly sent someone to deliver it, not those ceremonial gifts exchanged out of etiquette.

It just happened to coincide with the Mid-Autumn Festival, and there were many rare gifts from the subordinates.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "That’s really great. Yesterday our mansion steamed mooncakes that mimic the style from the South. The filling and crust are unlike anything in the North. Take some back for the Marquis to taste. The lamb from the Northern Border, marinated with spices unique to that region, is grilled without any gamey taste and is very delicious. The rich wine is perfect to accompany a meal. Prince Qi has surely not tasted this flavor."

Such words made even the Prince Mansion Chief Historian’s fingers twitch with desire.

Qin Yuan ordered someone to pack a box, and the Chief Historian laughed, "Prince Qi initially wanted to come in person, but he’s been busy running around for Princess Fuyun’s injury and is somewhat exhausted."

Qin Yuan asked, "What injury did Princess Fuyun suffer? I’ve been busy with the mansion’s affairs these past two days and didn’t know at all."

The Chief Historian slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "I said the Dingbei Marquis Mansion certainly didn’t know, or else they wouldn’t have remained indifferent."

"What happened? What’s going on, please shed some light."

It seems this was the Chief Historian’s purpose for coming.

The Chief Historian looked pained: "Princess Fuyun was injured at Duke Zhen’s Mansion, the wound on her face is so deep and long that Prince Qi is worried she’ll scar. He’s been begging everywhere in the palace for Jade Beauty Cream the past two days, but the concubines all say there’s none."

"Jade Beauty Cream?"

The Chief Historian nodded heavily.

"I’ve heard Miss Song was injured playing polo recently, and the Seventh Miss from your mansion sent some Jade Beauty Cream, there was some left which Miss Song gave to Prince Qi."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Treasure Bead took the lead in making a Life and Death Document with the Yelv people, causing several young ladies to get injured. She felt it was all caused by her and pestered me for the Jade Beauty Cream. It was all we had left, and now it’s all been given away."

The Chief Historian’s throat was dry: "What? It’s all gone."

Qin Yuan spread her hands, "Indeed, I don’t have any here either. Let Princess Fuyun focus on healing first. I’ll find someone to prepare some and send it over. As long as the scar hasn’t fallen off, there’s still time."

The Chief Historian was overjoyed, "I see, many thanks to the Marchioness. Prince Qi also said if the Marchioness knew, she would certainly have sent some. It was I who overthought, what Miss Song sent over was just some leftovers, with Princess Fuyun’s deep and long wound, I’m afraid it’s not enough, so I came to ask the Marchioness rashly."

Qin Yuan offered him more tea and laughed, "This is nothing, but the medicine isn’t easy to prepare."

The Chief Historian replied, "This was caused by the Ninth Princess’ injury. Whatever medicine is needed, the Empress will find a way to provide it. The Marchioness just needs to send over the list."

Qin Yuan said, "Then I need to ask around. If it’s easy to get, it’s fine; if not, you all think up a way."

The Chief Historian immediately agreed, "It should be this way."

He did not linger any longer, took the festival gifts Qin Yuan provided, and left to report back to the mansion.

Qin Yuan smiled, "It seems we should let Empress Lin bleed a little."

She immediately wrote down a few lines and sent someone to Renhe Hall.

Doctor Li was overseeing Xiao Dong grinding medicinal herbs.

The two men, caught up in the happy occasion, were in high spirits and didn’t want to rest, well-fed and enjoying life, they kept busy each with their own business in the backyard.

"This golden sore medicine is going to make us a good sum. Tomorrow we need to hire more hands to handle the herbs," Doctor Li calculated, "We’ll need to set up several earthen stoves in the yard, buy ten ceramic jars, ten water vats, ten ceramic pots, and have a few nannies from the alley help bottle the medicine."

Oh my, Renhe Hall is about to prosper.

Xiao Dong diligently ground the medicinal powder.

The golden sore medicine was from his senior sister’s recipe, but the medicinal powder business was his own doing. In the future, he’d follow Gu Baoshu to sell it at White Crane Academy.

The business across the great lands of Jiangnan and Jiangbei would be his.

Who wouldn’t praise him, saying, "The young phoenix’s voice surpasses the old phoenix’s sound."

Outside, someone knocked on the door. The master and apprentice debated for a while, and finally, it was Xiao Dong who went to open the door, swiftly leading the guest into the backyard.

Doctor Li frowned in dissatisfaction; the backyard was for medicine-making, not just anyone could enter.

He saw Gu Shiba smiling as he handed over a letter.

"Congratulations, Doctor Li, the Marchioness has secured a big order for you, saying you can specify whatever medicinal ingredients you need."

Upon opening the letter, Doctor Li immediately understood Qin Yuan’s intention and quickly washed his hands.

"You wait here, I won’t be polite," he said.

Doctor Li demanded extravagantly, writing a lengthy list of medicinal ingredients, some unnecessary, some necessary.

No one could find fault with such a practice.

After all, most recipes were ancestral secrets, and making some concealments so outsiders couldn’t decipher them was only natural.

Gu Shiba took the list of medicines and sent it straight to Prince Qi Mansion.

Prince Qi personally delivered it to the Dragon Desk, clarifying that it needed to be procured promptly for the sake of Princess Fuyun’s face.

The list included many rare items, so the Emperor opened the inner treasury, and Empress Lin brought out her treasured medicinal ingredients just to barely complete the supplies.

The two Purple Blood Ganodermas originally intended as part of Ninth Princess’s dowry weren’t spared.

"Fuyun’s face spent half a year of Suzhou and Hangzhou’s taxes," Empress Lin lamented reluctantly.

Hearing this, the Emperor frowned, unlike his usual gentle appeasement, he straightforwardly said, "Wasn’t it all because of the Ninth? She acts impulsively, and so much silver is wasted."

"I see she has no remorse, still enjoying her meals and drinks as if nothing happened, without considering the trouble she’s caused you. So much silver, you practice thrifty living in the palace trying to save every bit, whereas she and the Crown Prince were born of the same mother. Why is she not as filial as the Crown Prince? Clearly, it is your failing in teaching."

Empress Lin was displeased, her face clouding over.

But the Emperor was even more displeased and turned stern: "Everyone knows Prince Qi has been tirelessly seeking medicine for Fuyun. Finally acquiring a formula, if you don’t give it to him now, others would say you’re unkind. You’ve been through these years. Why let gossip arise over such trivial matters?"

With this continuous reprimanding, Empress Lin would lose all dignity and face.

She immediately forced a smile, saying, "This palace was only concerned that spending so much might not yield results, leading to rumors."

The Emperor scoffed, "Enough, hasn’t Earl Chengen heard his share of gossip? If you wish to be a virtuous empress, do so thoroughly, or else you would be ridiculed."

That left Empress Lin speechless.

After sending off the Emperor, Empress Lin studied herself closely in the bronze mirror.

Indeed, age has caught up.

In the past, a mere pout would draw the Emperor’s concern. Now her beauty fades, and maintaining the dignity of a principal wife of virtue seems excessively composed and frugal.

No man dislikes good looks.

Empress Lin immediately ordered the six palaces’ concubines and beauties to care about the hardships of the people, urging them to refrain from wearing flamboyant and colorful clothing, and since the Empress Dowager’s birthday was approaching, not to be overly plain either.

This palace is akin to the peony among flowers. Whether resplendent or elegant, no one should surpass this palace.