Volume One, Chapter 20: The First Pot of Silver

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Yu Siwen summoned several more attendants to enter. Men and women, old and young alike, their sole commonality was that they had all served at the Rong’en Hall. Shi Zhao leaned against Aunt Lan, watching as those people lowered their heads and passed by her. None dared meet Shi Zhao’s gaze; once inside the courtyard, they all headed straight to the places where they once served, beginning a thorough search. Xiaoxi, young and hot-tempered, was vexed nearly to death, pleaded with Shi Zhao, then stormed into the house, unwilling to see those people any longer. Yet Shi Zhao remained indifferent. In their positions, they must do their duty. These people no longer belonged to Rong’en Hall, so naturally, they had no obligation to side with it. Time passed little by little, all their efforts in vain. Yu Siwen added several hundred taels of silver, but still found nothing. Growing frustrated, Yu Siwen lowered his head and asked Yu Xuanyao, “Is Peihong really at Rong’en Hall?” Yu Xuanyao had no better idea and could only repeat, “Peihong is inside; she is at Rong’en Hall...” But after searching so long without result, facing Shi Zhao’s faintly mocking gaze, Yu Siwen’s face grew uneasy. Shi Zhao sneered, “I told you, Peihong didn’t send me any pastries.” Then she cast Yu Siwen a sidelong glance. “Do you have any money left? Want to keep searching?” Yu Siwen awkwardly looked away. What had once been a thick stack of silver notes was now reduced to a thin few. He gradually leaned toward Shi Zhao. “Xuanyao, I don’t think Peihong is here. I’ll go with you to petition the authorities. Let’s leave quickly.” The men he had recruited were long-time workers at Rong’en Hall; if even they couldn’t find her, that meant Peihong definitely was not there. Yu Xuanyao bit her lip, feeling bitter as her brother did not stand with her. She wanted to search Rong’en Hall once more, but checking her purse, she found she didn’t even have a hundred taels left. Looking pleadingly at Yu Siwen, she said, “Brother, lend me a hundred taels. I want to go in and see for myself.” Yu Siwen disapproved. “You haven’t been to Rong’en Hall much; you won’t find anything. Come on, let’s go.” He spoke plainly but kept urging her; all he wanted was to leave quickly. Trying to stand up for his sister had only ended in this embarrassing situation. Yu Siwen felt he had no dignity left in Shi Zhao’s eyes—he was a joke! Thinking of the grand promises he had just made to Shi Zhao, Yu Siwen grew restless. He vowed never to come to Rong’en Hall again. Seeing Yu Siwen and Yu Xuanyao starting to quarrel, Shi Zhao said calmly, “I need to go to the Ji Min Clinic for a follow-up with Doctor Li. I won’t see you two off.” Yu Siwen was stunned. He shook off his mood and suddenly remembered today was Shi Zhao’s tenth day back. Doctor Li had instructed Shi Zhao to visit Ji Min Clinic every ten days. Yu Siwen was full of regret—how could he have forgotten!

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He anxiously glanced at the sun; it was already past noon, time might be tight. Furrowing his brows tightly, Yu Siwen said, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I’d have taken a carriage to send you.” Shi Zhao waved her hand, eyes scanning Yu Siwen before speaking bluntly, “No need. Your Highness, please don’t waste my time again next time.” Yu Siwen’s face instantly flushed red, muttering speechlessly. Shi Zhao continued, “I’ll just accept this fifteen hundred taels of silver without further ado.” Yu Siwen was stunned. Did he really give Shi Zhao that much money? His monthly allowance was only a hundred taels. Much of that fifteen hundred included his mother’s personal funds, meant for entertaining his master’s friends. It was barely mid-month; without that money, how would he survive the rest of the month? His face turned pale. Yet Shi Zhao paid him no mind, happily instructing Aunt Lan and Xiaoxi to watch the house, then set off with Tian Yong and Xiao Lu. Watching Shi Zhao’s retreating figure, Yu Xuanyao clenched her teeth, biting down hard: where exactly had Shi Zhao hidden Peihong? ——— After settling into the carriage, Xiao Lu cheered loudly. “Wonderful, Miss! We have money now!” Shi Zhao smiled, counting the silver notes again, carefully tucking them away. Since returning to the Wen’an Marquis residence, whether intentionally or not, the Rong’en Hall had not received its usual monthly allowance. Along with the funds spent renovating Rong’en Hall and Shi Zhao’s own small treasury, money was running dangerously low. Although her grandmother had left her some dowry, Shi Zhao was reluctant to use it lightly. Fortunately, the Wen’an Marquis residence had a generous benefactor. “Hehe, they’re still rummaging through Rong’en Hall, digging three feet deep and still can’t find Peihong,” Xiao Lu admired Shi Zhao. “Miss is truly formidable.” Shi Zhao smiled and patted Xiao Lu’s head. She knew Yu Xuanyao was not one to sit idly by. Even if her people kept watch on Rong’en Hall, had they checked the daily food scraps and waste buckets? Shi Zhao sneered coldly, lifting the curtain to Tian Yong, “Once we reach Ji Min Clinic, buy some food, then go see Peihong.” Tian Yong nodded. The carriage swayed onto the bustling main street, lined with shops and thronged with people. Vendors shouted loudly, enticing passersby; the crowds gathered thickly before various food stalls, with enticing aromas filling the air.

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Shi Zhao lifted the carriage curtain, taking in the bustling crowds and dazzling array of goods; occasionally, a carriage rattled past. The lively market atmosphere brought a faint smile to her lips. In less than half an hour, the carriage stopped. “Miss, we have arrived at Ji Min Clinic,” Tian Yong said. A long line already stretched before the clinic’s door. Behind the pharmacy counter, several gray-robed apothecary assistants busily measured and packed herbs with skilled speed. An elderly man with white hair and beard sat inside; Doctor Li was concentrating on taking a pulse. Shi Zhao, accompanied by Xiao Lu, entered the clinic. Doctor Li noticed her and, after finishing with his patient, came forward. “Didn’t expect Little Master Shi to be so punctual—a very good patient.” Shi Zhao raised an eyebrow at the title. “Doctor Li, do you all know about me?” Doctor Li led Shi Zhao to a tasteful private room, smiling. “Little Master Shi’s story has long spread throughout the capital.” First imprisoned, then granted favor, yet choosing to become a devout Buddhist. Everyone was curious about such a young practitioner as Shi Zhao. The room was simply decorated, with a soft couch in the center and delicate porcelain vases beside it; a folding screen provided privacy. Doctor Li held silver acupuncture needles, his expression focused and steady. He gently rolled up Shi Zhao’s right sleeve, revealing reddened, swollen skin, then expertly inserted needles into the acupuncture points. As the needles penetrated, Shi Zhao felt a warm current flow through her body, dull pain and discomfort gradually fading. Yet Doctor Li’s face remained grave. “Little Master Shi, your injury... I honestly cannot guarantee...” Shi Zhao lowered her gaze. “It doesn’t matter. Doctor Li, just do your best to treat it.” She had long lost hope for her right hand. After finishing the acupuncture, Doctor Li lit moxa sticks and placed them nearby. The curling smoke carried a faint herbal fragrance. Shi Zhao breathed in softly, as if all her pain vanished. Doctor Li packed away his tools. “The moxa treatment will take two quarters of an hour. I have other patients; Little Master Shi may leave then.” Shi Zhao nodded. “Thank you, Doctor Li.” She waited quietly; the room was warm and comfortable. Leaning against the soft couch, she soon drifted into a light sleep. Xiao Lu lay beside her, sound asleep. In the quiet tranquility, the window quietly creaked open. Shi Zhao opened her eyes without a sound. Someone climbed in through the window.