Chapter 437: The Reblooming of Qionghua
After finishing breakfast, Shen Xihe did not return immediately. Having rarely ventured out and with no scorching sun today, she strolled out with Bu Shulin for a leisurely walk.
Perhaps due to its proximity to the capital, this small town boasted the bustle of a county seat, offering unfamiliar snacks and folk crafts. The two eventually wandered into a street selling flowers and plants, where Shen Xihe unexpectedly spotted qionghua.
The flowers were large and meticulously preserved by the florist, likely picked the previous night, still vibrant and fresh. "Elder, how much for the qionghua?"
The florist was a gaunt, elderly man in his fifties, his face weathered and dark. Glancing at Shen Xihe and Bu Shulin, he noted their clean, unidentifiable yet evidently luxurious attire, as if seeing a glimmer of hope. His dry eyes lit up slightly. "One... one tael of gold per plant."
"How much?" Bu Shulin exclaimed in disbelief, her voice rising sharply.
The florist shrank back timidly. A younger vendor nearby interjected, "Noble guests, please do not take offense. Uncle Chen here has suffered a family disaster and needs twenty taels of silver to survive. He picked these two qionghua plants and tended to them carefully, hoping to fetch a good price. He has no intention of deceiving you. If you find the price too high, please treat it as a jest."
One tael of gold was equivalent to ten taels of silver, which amounted to two to three years of income for a farming household, let alone twenty taels.
Shen Xihe observed the two men and glanced around. The onlookers seemed to pity the florist surnamed Chen, aware of his plight, and instead of mocking him, they offered their support.
"Where were these flowers picked? Are there more?" Shen Xihe asked.
The flowers had been harvested at their peak. Xiao Huayong still needed qionghua, but last year, by the time he learned of it, the blooming season had already ended. This year, however, was just the beginning. Shen Xihe had already sent people to search for the flowers, though this particular variety was scarce.
"Yes, noble guest. If you wish, this old man can take you there, though it's unlikely they will bloom at this time," the florist replied hoarsely.
"Then I must trouble you to lead the way," Shen Xihe said with a smile. "I will pay you for your guidance."
Qionghua could only alleviate Xiao Huayong's poison, reducing the frequency of his episodes or easing his suffering during them. This method had been suggested by Sui Axi, and the Crown Prince had already dispatched people to gather qionghua. However, they struggled to time it correctly, resulting in significant losses.
Even a small guide fee was better than nothing. Selling qionghua was a desperate attempt, a faint hope for survival, though deep down, they knew it was unlikely to succeed—everyone who inquired had walked away.
On the way, led by the old man, Shen Xihe asked if he knew of other places with such qionghua and probed further about their expertise in harvesting the flowers.
Satisfied with the answers, they found a small grove of qionghua. A rough count revealed about ten to twenty plants. Pleased, Shen Xihe instructed Zhenzhu to give the old man one tael of gold. "This is a deposit. These two qionghua plants are not worth two taels of gold, but if you can guard this grove until each plant blooms—"
Shen Xihe raised the two plants in her hand. "—just like these, harvest them at their peak and deliver them outside the temporary palace. I will give you another tael of gold."
The old man fell to his knees with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly to Shen Xihe. Helped up by Zhenzhu and Biyu, Shen Xihe gave him detailed instructions before departing."Why do you need so many Jade Flowers?" Bu Shulin felt that Shen Xihe wasn't purely doing good deeds. Otherwise, there would be no need to send people to guard the Jade Flowers—it was backbreaking work, staying awake all night long.
Moreover, it was currently the busy farming season, so the farmers couldn't catch up on sleep during the day either.
"They're lovely," Shen Xihe replied with a faint smile.
Since it concerned the poison in Xiao Huayong's system, Shen Xihe couldn't elaborate to Bu Shulin.
Bu Shulin understood that everyone had secrets they couldn't share with outsiders. She didn't take it to heart and naturally changed the subject: "Shall we head back?"
"Not yet, there are still some matters to attend to," Shen Xihe said, lowering her head to gently sniff the Jade Flower.
"Hmm?" Bu Shulin was puzzled at first, then pouted indignantly. "Who was the one dragged here reluctantly? Now you have things to do?"
With a flicker in her eyes, Shen Xihe glanced at Bu Shulin. "A sudden inspiration."
Having said that, she walked off ahead, leaving Bu Shulin behind. Bu Shulin pouted, feeling aggrieved.
This person was utterly unromantic—didn't she know how to act coy or yield a little to make her happy?
She only dared to grumble inwardly, not aloud. After walking a few steps, Shen Xihe noticed Bu Shulin hadn't followed and turned to see her sulking with a long face. Shen Xihe asked with a teasing smile, "Are you complaining about me in your heart?"
Bu Shulin immediately perked up, forcing a smile. "No, no."
Shen Xihe chuckled softly, holding the Jade Flower in her hand, and returned to the inn in high spirits, instructing Moyu to send the Jade Flowers back to the temporary palace.
"County Princess, Liyang County Lord and Second Miss Yu will return to the temporary palace this evening," Pearl reported after Shen Xihe's midday rest.
Yu Sangning had used Gu Qingshu as cover to come here. Returning to the temporary palace during the day would attract attention, but departing last night and returning tonight, with a day in between and Yu Sangzi's assistance, no one would be any the wiser.
"We depart tomorrow. Make proper arrangements for tonight's matter. Liyang County Lord has guards with her; you'll need to draw them away," Shen Xihe instructed.
"Acknowledged," Pearl replied and withdrew.
Bu Shulin, who had just entered the room, overheard and her eyes lit up. She leaned in eagerly. "Are you going to teach Second Miss Yu a lesson?"
"What? Do you want to take over?" Shen Xihe asked, eyeing her.
"Yes, yes!" She was bored anyway.
"Fine, you'll be responsible for drawing away Liyang County Lord's guards," Shen Xihe said.
That wasn't what she wanted! She wanted to personally teach Second Miss Yu a lesson—that woman was too malicious.
It wasn't about seeking justice either. If Shen Xihe wasn't taking action, she wouldn't either, but since Shen Xihe was, she wanted to join in the fun.
Shen Xihe wasn't one to meddle in others' affairs, so Yu Sangning must have done something to provoke her.
Seeing her dissatisfaction, Shen Xihe smiled faintly. "Should I leave it all to you and wait for your good news?"
"No, no! I'll go draw away Liyang County Lord's guards," Bu Shulin shook her head and obediently agreed.
If Shen Xihe didn't get involved and she handled it alone, Liyang County Lord was backed by Xiao Changqing, and Prince Xin was somewhat unpredictable. She didn't want to provoke unnecessary trouble for herself.
Glancing out the window, it was still overcast, with white clouds drifting—it probably wouldn't rain. "Let's go enjoy the lotus blossoms at Ten-Mile Pavilion."There stood a Ten-Mile Pavilion, built by a wealthy merchant of the previous dynasty. The pavilion was situated one li above the Yangsheng River, which stretched for ten li and was entirely covered with lotus flowers. In the height of summer, when the lotuses bloomed, the endless green leaves connected with the sky, a sight no less magnificent than West Lake.
Bu Shulin, who loved venturing outdoors the most, happily agreed.
The two set out together for the excursion, and the Jade Flower was also delivered into Xiao Huayong’s hands.
(End of Chapter)
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