Chapter 26: 26

Mother Luo was rendered speechless by her son’s words. Her complexion gradually changed color as she clutched the table and shrieked, “Ah Yu, your sister’s life is miserable! She only wanted to live a good life and was temporarily confused when she had an affair with Wu Yongye. If she really won’t be given a title and will give birth to that piece of meat in her belly in vain, how can this be good?”

Luo Yu was a man of few words, but now he had to explain to his mother repeatedly, “Only by aborting the child can Xinyue be a proper person. If she becomes a concubine, she will be at the mercy of the Madam from the House and may not even be able to save her life.”

At these words, Mother Luo cried out in anguish. She cursed fiercely, detested God for his injustice, loathed Father Luo for his early death, and hated Luo Xinyue for not living up to her expectations. But even though she cursed miserably, it was of no use.

Luo Yu’s eyes were cold, thin lips pursed into a line, and there was an overwhelming exasperation in his heart. Instead of comforting her as usual, he went straight back to his room and tightly shut the door, not leaving a gap.

——

Previously, when Zhou Qing went to the Xie estate, Xie Ling slandered her. The matter reached the commander’s ears. The next day, Xie Yi sent a gift to make amends.

Zhou Qing wanted to resist but saw the neatly placed herbs inside the crate. The almond eyes showed obvious reluctance. As the saying goes: It is difficult for a clever woman to cook without rice. She was a lover of herbs, and the Zhou family’s Herbal Store had been operating for decades. However, top-quality herbs were still rare, and non-dignitaries could not take possession.

Now Xie Yi sent Lobster herbs, Brahmi herbs, and Sink Water herbs, which would be exported from the countries of Brahmi and Tianzhu. As long as a small portion of such good herbs was used, it could awaken the mind, and the fragrance would be more distinct and pervade further.

Because of her excitement, the woman’s snow-white face was tinged with scarlet, like the peach blossoms in March and begonias in April. It was exceptionally breathtaking. If it wasn’t for the lady’s combed hairstyle, the person who proposed marriage would be afraid to step through the threshold of the Zhou family.

Xie Yi averted his gaze and laughed, “Mrs. Luo need not be polite. These things are all stacked in the Xie House Treasury. The commander is not half interested in the herbs except for the tranquilizing fragrance. If these were still left in the darkroom of the treasury – and a slight error occurred during storage – the smell would change. Wouldn’t that be a waste of precious goods? Besides, when I came here, His Excellency had explained that if you don’t want the herbs, you can just dump them in the moat and don’t need to take them back to the house.”

The words have been said to this point, Zhou Qing – who had no other choice – had to accept it. She quickly thanked Xie Yi, instructed Yu Fu to send him out the door, and only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.

The small hand held the palm-sized wooden box, looking at the snow-white lobster brain inside. She came closer to gently smell it and discovered there was a hint of bitterness in the scent, which brought substantial calmness to the mind.

No wonder this thing, together with the sandalwood herbs and the others, was called “One of the five Tantric fragrances.” Just by this Buddhistic nature alone, it was worthy of its name.

After carefully putting away the herbs, Zhou Qing took the silver with her and prepared to go to the silk shop to buy some fabric to make clothes for Zheng’er.

The most famous silk house in the capital was called Yunmengli, where silk was divided into three grades: Premium, Mediocre, and Low. Even so, the low-grade material was much better than other cloth houses. Although the price was slightly more expensive, the quality was excellent. There was an endless stream of customers, and it has long built a considerable reputation in the capital city.

The owner of Yunmengli was the Princess of Zhaowei County. She was the first niece of His Majesty, had the status of a noble, and was greatly favored. The year before, she married the new scholar Liu He Nian. The couple had a very close relationship. Unfortunately, the beauty’s life was short. In three months, she would have difficulty giving birth and die. The Yunmengli would be taken over by others and no longer be bustling like now.

With a discreet sigh, Zhou Qing has nothing to do.

As a commoner, it was naturally impossible to rush to the Zhaowei County Princess and point out with certainty that the state of her fetus was different. Even if the County Princess was gentle and unwilling to coerce people, Zhou Qing was afraid she wouldn’t take such an offense.

The finger on the belly gently swept across the cloud brocade, feeling the cool and silky touch. Zhou Qing examined the color and could not pick out any flaws. Just as she took the cloth to the counter and was about to settle the bill, she saw the smile on the shopkeeper’s face. He was bowing to the woman walking in front of her.

The woman’s facial features were soft and gentle. Although her appearance wasn’t beautiful, her goose-yellow dress and the light shade of hue on the corners of her eyebrows gave her a unique sense of beauty.

The sounds of greetings entered her ears. Zhou Qing fixed her sight on the woman’s protruding belly, her face ashen, and her lips kept trembling.

“Madam is not feeling well? Seeing that you look so pale, why don’t you rest first to save yourself from exhaustion?” The Zhaowei Princess smiled lightly and spoke, not showing half the air of nobility.

After biting the tip of her tongue, Zhou Qing finally found her voice and said in a cracked tone, “I have something to say to the county princess. I wonder if it’s convenient?”

The female official following behind the Zhaowei Princess frowned. She never thought that this woman in front of her would be so ignorant of the rules. Since she knew the identity of the County Princess, she still dared to make such a request. She was afraid that she was not a madman.

The princess wanted to say no, but she looked at the anxious woman in front of her and couldn’t help but feel some pity. Helpless, she smiled, “Very well, follow this County Princess into the side hall.”

After hearing this, Zhou Qing disregarded the disgusted looks of the subordinates and hurried to follow.

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Yunmengli’s side hall was not for guests. It was impeccably clean. Zhou Qing sat on a mahogany stool, holding a bowl of flower tea in her hand, and spoke softly, “I was born in a family who dealt with herbs and grew up learning to mix herbs with my father. My sense of smell is much more sensitive than normal people’s. If I am not wrong, the County Princess should be using a strong plum fragrance of Han Wei Gong today.”

The Zhaowei Princess nodded and said, “It is indeed the Soul Rejuvenating Plum. This is the herbal recipe of the previous dynasty. The people in the estate had a hard time getting it and only sent it after it was prepared.”

A thin layer of sweat seeped out of her palm; Zhou Qing couldn’t help frowning, “Does Your Highness know what kind of herbs are used to prepare the Soul Rejuvenating Plum?”

“This is not very clear, but I am pregnant. The herbs used are relatively light. I estimate they are ordinary flowers and trees.”

Zhou Qing’s voice was hoarse and strained, “This fragrance is made of black horn sink, clove, tulip, wax tea end grind, but the main ingredient is musk.”

The Zhaowei Princess was at least a member of the Imperial family. Although she was kind-hearted and did not like those evil tricks, she was not a fool. She naturally knew how harmful the musk was to pregnant women. She sharply rose, protecting her belly with both hands, her expression tense as she questioned, “Why are you lying? How can there be musk in the Soul Rejuvenating Plum? This is the County Magistrate–”

The words abruptly stopped. Even if the Zhaowei Princess did not finish, Zhou Qing was clear on the origin of the thick plum fragrance of Han Wei Gong. This fragrance was sent by the County Magistrate Liu He Nian. In the eyes of the world, he and the County Princess’ love was mythical. How could he plot to harm the person he shared pillows with?

Zhou Qing couldn’t help but sigh, she didn’t expect that the fate of the Zhaowei County Princess was similar to hers. Both harmed by their husbands.

The world was full of lovelorn women with broken hearts. Liu He Nian was lucky to have such a good wife, but Zhou Qing never thought this person would be ruthless enough to not even spare his unborn flesh and blood.

The most merciless husband, this was true.

“If you don’t believe me, you can ask another master perfumer to identify it carefully. Because the recipe for the Soul Rejuvenating Plum is complex, the smell of musk is not obvious that even the Imperial Physician can’t detect it.” Zhou Qing said.

The Zhaowei County Princess’ face turned blue and white. The whole person fell into a chair with empty eyes, like fallen leaves ravaged by the wind and rain. One could not find a trace of vitality.

She waved her hand and asked the female officer beside her to send Zhou Qing away.

As the two walked out side by side, the female officer, with a gloomy face, asked gravely, “Madam, is there really musk in that Soul Rejuvenating Plum?”

“Why should I lie to you? If such a woman lost her life because of the musk, I would feel sorry for her.” After a pause, she continued, “The herb was used well. Indeed, it can aid in concentration and meditation, but in the hands of those who have a caring heart, it becomes a lethal knife. Without having to see blood, it can take a life.”

The lady officer nodded and solemnly thanked her, “Thanks to the lady’s reminder today. If the County Princess’s body was really damaged by the herb, the consequences would be unthinkable.”

Even if the person she met today was not the Zhaowei County Princess but a pregnant woman of ordinary status, Zhou Qing would still say something. After all, she had been a mother before and was also clear on how difficult it was for women to survive in this world.

With the brocade in her arms, she left Yunmengli and walked slowly toward home. Just through a small alley, she heard the sound of horse hooves. Zhou Qing was ready to wait until the caravan had passed when a strong force came from behind her and pushed her straight out!

Seeing the horse’s hooves were about to step over her body, she closed her eyes tightly. A deep sense of despair and resignation surged from the bottom of her heart.

The expected pain did not appear, and her waist abruptly tightened. She opened her eyes and found the surrounding scenery rapidly spinning. Xie Chong’s handsome and profound face was particularly close.

Zhou Qing’s heart trembled, and her nose couldn’t help but sour.

Almost, just a little bit, she would die under the rolling wheels. In this life, Zheng’er had not yet been born. If she died, how could she accept this?

The woman’s slender arms wrapped around the commander’s neck. The two were intimately close. The inconspicuous, light scent of orchids went straight to the nose.

Xie Chong’s adam’s apple slid, and his dark eyes became deeper than usual. He did not let go of his hold. Instead, he reached out with his calloused, bronze finger and gently wiped away the crystal tears on her pink cheeks. With a husky voice, he asked, “Can you stand still?”

Hearing these words, Zhou Qing came to her senses and realized that her actions were too imprudent. She nodded and stepped back. She lowered her gaze, not daring to look at him again.

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