Chapter 555: Qing Dynasty Transmigration: Immortal Spring System (6)

Upon entering the Main Courtyard's hall, Xie Yang immediately felt a coolness so comfortable it made her want to sigh; as expected of the Fujin, she was already using ice buckets by midday.

"Big Sister."

Honghui, who had been sitting on the couch next to his mother, slid down the moment he saw Xie Yang and walked over to her: "Thank you, Big Sister, for saving Honghui."

Xie Yang saw that his complexion was still a bit pale, but his spirits were quite good, and she said with a smile: "No need for formalities, Brother Honghui; you saved me once before, too."

Honghui shyly scratched his smooth forehead: "Sister, sit down quickly. Mother obtained some lotus seeds from Jiangnan and had the kitchen make lotus seed soup; let's eat together."

Si Fujin looked at her son with doting laughter: "You little glutton, you've only just recovered and you're already thinking about food."

But she did indeed have the servants bring out the bird's nest, lotus seed, and lily bulb soup, which had been stewed, cooled, and chilled in an ice basin for a short while.

One bowl for each person.

In front of Xie Yang, there was an extra plate of lotus root starch and osmanthus honey cake.

Si Fujin said with a smile: "Don't share it with Honghui; he already ate during breakfast. This is kept for you; taste it and see if it suits your palate."

"Thank you, Di-mother."

Si Fujin nodded with a smile, secretly observing her for a few moments.

In the past, she had only felt that this concubine-born daughter took after Li Shi; the mother and daughter were equally introverted and timid, following rules to the letter. Therefore, she was happy to let the Master visit Li Shi's room—it was better than him going to the rooms of those few little sluts who had wild ambitions.

It wasn't until yesterday, when Honghui's high fever persisted and he fell into a coma, and even the most capable Imperial Physician Chang in the palace sighed and expressed his helplessness, that she discovered this usually reticent concubine-born daughter not only understood a bit about Chinese herbs but could also ponder and refine medicinal pills herself.

This life-saving favor was something she, Ulanara Yahui, would remember for a lifetime.

Every drink and every peck is predestined.

She was glad that she hadn't skimped on Li Shi and her daughter in the past, glad she hadn't used her position as Fujin to deal with them, and even more glad for Honghui's act of kindness two years ago—saving Haiyin when she had slipped and fallen into the lake.

Otherwise, she would have lost her only son yesterday.

At the mere thought of Honghui nearly dying young at such a tender age, she felt a pain so sharp she couldn't catch her breath.

She couldn't imagine what her life would be like if Honghui were truly gone; most likely... even if she were alive, she would be a walking corpse.

Thinking of this, Si Fujin took a deep breath.

Fortunately, fortunately!

Her Honghui was fine!

At the critical moment, Haiyin had offered a pill that was like an immortal elixir, stubbornly pulling Honghui back from the road to the Yellow Springs.

Mentioning the pill, Si Fujin couldn't help but recall the matter the Master had mentioned before going to the morning court...

Xie Yang contentedly finished off the lotus seed soup and lotus root cake, lamenting that the Main Courtyard's small kitchen was indeed a cut above the main kitchen; simple ingredients were prepared so exquisitely and deliciously.

Especially this lotus root starch and osmanthus honey cake; it was sweet but not cloying, melting in the mouth, with the fragrance of osmanthus and honey intertwined—very much to her taste.

Seeing that the bowl and plate in front of the concubine-born daughter were empty, Si Fujin spoke with a warm smile: "It seems it suits Haiyin's palate; that is good! By the way, Haiyin, the pill you brought out yesterday, does it have any origin?"

Xie Yang had long guessed that she or her cheap father would ask, and she had already prepared her story yesterday, so she immediately said: "I bought the Immortal Grass from a merchant from the Western Regions. At the time, the merchant boasted about the Immortal Grass to the heavens, saying that even in the Western Regions, this Immortal Grass was a rare existence. I was... cough, I had just received my monthly Silver, and in a moment of impulse, I bought both the Immortal Grass and the Immortal Grass Seed he mentioned. It's just that the Immortal Grass isn't easy to preserve, so I followed a medical book, boiled it into a medicinal paste, and rolled it into pills."

Speaking of this, she sighed dejectedly: "It's just that those seeds were too hard to sprout; I wasted several, and only one sprouted, but it withered after a few days."

Si Fujin nodded; a merchant from the Western Regions? That was possible.

No wonder the imperial physicians didn't recognize this medicinal ingredient; it was clearly indeed rare.

"Good child! You saved Honghui, and as his Di-mother, I should reward you heavily. Your mother has strictly followed the rules and focused on continuing the lineage for the mansion since entering it. After discussing it with your father, we have decided to request her promotion to Side Fujin."

Xie Yang almost failed to keep her expression steady.

Wasn't she going to be rewarded heavily? Why was it all about raising Li Shi's status after talking for so long?

Although, if her cheap mother were promoted to Side Fujin, she would indeed rise along with her, but that wasn't how things should be done, right?

"... Additionally, do you have anything you want or any wish you would like to see fulfilled?"

Hm?

Hearing this, Xie Yang perked up.

A single copper coin can stump a hero; could she just ask for Silver?

Although there was an uncountable amount of gold, Silver, and jade in the Aircraft Cargo Hold, she had no way to bring it out into the open.

Si Fujin smiled at her, encouraging her to speak.

Xie Yang: "Silver?"

Si Fujin: "..."

"Pfft—"

A stifled laugh came from the doorway.

Immediately followed by a helpless, low reprimand: "Thirteen!"

"Thirteenth Uncle!"

Honghui's eyes lit up, and he quickly slid off the chair and ran toward the door.

"Haha! Little Honghui! Thirteenth Uncle has come to see you!"

The youthful and vibrant Thirteenth Uncle stepped into the hall with a brilliant smile, first bowing to his Fourth Sister-in-law, then picking up Honghui and weighing him: "You've lost weight! But your spirits are good!"

"They are good." A hint of a smile appeared on Si Ye's cold face, "Yesterday for dinner he ate a bowl of vegetable and chicken noodle soup, and before sleeping he called out that he was hungry and ate a bowl of bird's nest soup; he also slept very soundly through the night."

Yinxiang flicked Honghui's nose: "If you can eat and sleep, you will recover quickly. After resting for a while longer, Thirteenth Uncle will teach you archery and horsemanship."

Honghui nodded vigorously: "Okay."

Only then did Yinxiang turn his attention to Xie Yang, his gaze gratified yet carrying a bit of curiosity: "This must be my eldest niece, Haiyin, right? I haven't seen you for a while, you seem much more composed."

The last time they met was at the New Year's Eve banquet in the palace; now it was early June, and having not seen her for half a year, Yinxiang couldn't quite remember if his Fourth Brother's eldest niece looked like this. Why did she feel so different from his impression?

But he was even more interested in her answer just now.

"Eldest niece, what a great opportunity to ask for a reward, why did you only want Silver? Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law wouldn't skimp on your monthly allowance, would they? Haha!"

"..."

Only Thirteenth Uncle dared to be so outspoken in the Fourth Prince's Mansion.

Xie Yang said earnestly, "Thirteenth Uncle, rare medicinal herbs cost a lot of Silver."

"Is that so? Then Thirteenth Uncle will give you the Silver; how about you help Thirteenth Uncle buy one later?"

Yinxiang placed Honghui back on the couch, unfastened the pouch from his person, handed it to Xie Yang, and said with a smile, "See if this is enough; if it isn't, Thirteenth Uncle will have someone send more to you later."

"Thirteen!" Si Ye frowned.

Why was Thirteenth Brother also pulling this stunt?

Before coming, he had not said he wanted to find Haiyin to inquire about the Immortal Grass.

Recalling that after the morning court session ended, he was first called to the Imperial Study by Imperial Father to ask a few questions about Honghui's condition—evidently, he had heard from the imperial physicians that Honghui had been saved by a pill from Haiyin—he had truthfully recounted the sequence of events and stated that he would return to ask Haiyin if there were any more Immortal Grass.

Just after leaving the Imperial Study, he was stopped by the Crown Prince for a few questions, and before even leaving the palace, he ran into Lao Ba, Lao Jiu, and Lao Shi. The three brothers, who were usually inseparable and acted as if they didn't see him whenever they crossed paths, had actually taken the initiative to greet him today, which was unprecedented.

Having finally shaken off Lao Ba, Lao Jiu, and Lao Shi, he had only just exited the palace gate when he ran into Thirteen. He had thought this younger brother was genuinely here to visit Honghui, but he hadn't expected...

At this moment, Si Ye suddenly felt stifled; they were all like lotus roots riddled with holes—so many hidden agendas that they were impossible to count.