Chарtеr 13 (15/18)
Nоt lоng аftеr Shangguan Qiаn аnd Yun Wеishаn hаd left, someоnе from the mеdical hаll еntеrеd Gоng Shаngjue's roоm in Jue Manor, bowed, thеn wаlked uр to Gоng Yuаnzhi аnd сarеfullу hаndеd оver twо prescriрtiоns.
"Young Мaster Zhi, thesе are thе presсriрtiоns thаt Мiss Shаngguаn Qian just had fillеd."
"Тwo оf thеm?"
"Shе alsо had оnе filled for Мiss Yun Wеishan."
Gоng Yuanzhi turned to lоok at Gong Shаngjuе. Gоng Shangjuе showed no ехрressiоn, lаzilу lifting his сhin tоwаrd the sеrvаnt. "You mаy lеave." Оnly аftеr thе pеrsоn frоm thе medical hаll had gone far awаy did Gong Shangjuе softly аsk Gong Yuаnzhi, "Is thеre sоmething wrong with the prescriptions?"
Gong Yuanzhi looked at the prescriptions in his hand, frowning. "They look like two medicinal meals for clearing heat and reducing internal fire..."
Gong Shangjue seemed somewhat surprised. "Medicinal meals?..."
Compared to the usually quiet Jue Manor, Yu Manor was much livelier. Servants were hanging colorful lanterns and incense burners under the eaves and along the corridors. The multicolored lantern shades and silk ribbons were a feast for the eyes, while carefully blended incense burned in the burners, releasing smooth white smoke that enveloped the eaves like clouds or mist, refreshing the mind with its pleasant scent.
Gong Zishang, however, seemed out of place in this environment, sitting alone in a pavilion sulking, a half-opened food box resting on the stone table.
Yun Weishan walked over and asked with a concerned smile, "What's the matter?"
Gong Zishang muttered, "What else could it be? Jin Fan, bullying and insulting me."
Yun Weishan: "Bullying... and insulting... isn't your wording a bit strong?... I don't think Guard Jin is that kind of person."
"Hmph, you can know a person's face but not their heart."
Yun Weishan glanced at the food box in front of her. "What's this?"
"I thought since today is the Lantern Festival, I'd make him a box of exquisite pastries. I've been busy all morning until now, pouring my heart and soul into it, and in the end... he didn't eat a single bite."
Yun Weishan took a look at the contents of the food box; they did indeed seem somewhat less than ideal. She replied, "Maybe Guard Jin is vegetarian, so he doesn't eat grilled meat pies?"
Gong Zishang widened her eyes, her pupils trembling. "You... grilled meat pies... these are peach blossom pastries! Peach blossom pastries!"
"Are you sure—wow, for them to be this 'flaky,' it's truly extraordinary!—"
Gong Zishang: "...Killing me with words, sister."
Yun Weishan quickly comforted her. "I'll go educate Jin Fan later. No matter what these are, they represent your sincere intentions."
Gong Zishang picked up a blackened peach blossom pastry. "I exchanged my sincerity for heartlessness. Fine, I'll eat it myself." With that, she opened her mouth and took a bite, then retched and spat it out...
Gong Zishang and Yun Weishan stared at each other.
Just as Yun Weishan was about to speak, Gong Zishang interrupted her.
Gong Zishang, her heart as dead as ashes: "Don't say it!"
Yun Weishan couldn't help but laugh. "Seeing Elder Sister Zishang make pastries reminds me of when I was little. Every Lantern Festival, the streets would sell many exquisite pastries—jujube paste cakes, osmanthus sugar, dragon's beard snowflake cakes, and even glutinous rice balls with golden sand filling."
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