Chapter Six

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Xie Junting was certain—the lotus bracelet belonged to his mother. It was the very bracelet she wore ten years ago, the day she went out to see the peach blossoms. His hand tightened slightly; the cold, hard lotus bracelet left a deep impression in his palm, a subtle pain spreading through him, but he did not mind. At this moment, he needed this kind of pain to remind him that everything was real—not just a fleeting illusion from his childhood afternoons, when he would wake up, run barefoot out the door, and call out loudly for "Mother."

"I want to buy these two pieces of jewelry. Price is no object, as long as you're willing to sell them to me."

Xie Junting lifted his head, his face filled with sincerity. Though still youthful and somewhat awkward, his clear, pure eyes brimmed with hopeful longing, the corners reddened with a faint moisture. Who could refuse such a delicate and earnest gaze from a finely featured young boy?

Cuicui’s eyes nearly crossed from surprise but she still gripped her lady’s arm, reminding her, “But Madam Guo’s banquet is in three days. The jewelry in other shops might be…”

If there were suitable pieces, they had long since been snatched up. The rest were either too expensive or too plain—none were quite right.

Huang Yuelan hesitated upon hearing this.

Xie Junting immediately said, “I won’t let you suffer a loss. Five hundred taels—is that acceptable?”

Huang Yuelan exchanged a surprised glance with Cuicui.

They had paid just over a hundred taels for those two items…

Five hundred taels—even in Bianjing—that could comfortably sustain a whole family for ten years!

“Please don’t be polite with me. These two items are meant for me. You can take the money and buy more beautiful, fashionable jewelry. It’s a win-win; no one is taking advantage.”

Having grown up beside a shrewd father and brother, Xie Junting, though not corrupted by them, had absorbed some of their sharpness. Watching Huang Yuelan’s tempted but hesitant expression, he grew slightly impatient, though his face remained earnest.

Huang Yuelan’s cheeks flushed deeper.

This young boy, more delicate and beautiful than most girls, called her “sister” so obediently, spoke so thoughtfully…

Seeing Huang Yuelan nod, Xie Junting exhaled slightly. “I don’t have that many silver taels on me right now. Please accompany me to Hongtai Money Shop. Once the payment is settled, we can both be at ease.”

Naturally, Huang Yuelan and Cuicui agreed.

The Xie family matriarch doted on her grandson, and the other elders were generous too. Xie Junting, though often absent, had no extravagant habits and had saved some money.

After the transaction was complete, Huang Yuelan blushed lightly and wanted to invite Xie Junting to a nearby teahouse to rest, but when she looked back, she saw only the tall, hurried figure of the young boy disappearing.

Cuicui sighed regretfully, “It’s just a pity the young master looks a bit too young—he must be three or four years younger than you, my lady. Otherwise, perhaps the madam could keep an eye out for you too…”

Huang Yuelan glared at her in embarrassment, “What nonsense!”

Whatever the two servants thought or said was of no concern to Xie Junting.

He clenched the lotus bracelet tightly, the cold gold hairpin in his pocket sending a warm glow through him. His heart fluttered with a mixture of joy, anxiety, and confusion, like water boiling to a furious roar.

Mother, mother...

He called her silently in his heart.

Xie Junting had always known that beneath that cold grave lay only a few of his mother’s clothes. A living person, a corpse to see; yet despite searching for so long beneath the cliff, no trace of his mother’s remains was found.

Ten years had passed, and not a single trace of her remained in this world. No matter how unwilling he was to accept it, Xie Junting knew deep down she might truly be gone.

But today, a sudden turning point appeared before him.

He knew his father might not have cherished his mother like ordinary couples do, but out of responsibility as a husband, if any of her hairpins, bracelets, or clothing had fallen beneath the cliff during the search, his father’s men certainly would not have missed them.

Yet there was nothing.

But now, those very items had reappeared in his sight, brought into Bianjing one day by a rural man.

Recalling the pawnshop owner’s words, Xie Junting silently tightened his grip on the lotus bracelet.

As long as he could find that countryman and ask where he had obtained the two pieces of jewelry,

then he would be one step closer to seeing his mother again.

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The peach blossoms of Shanshui Village were indeed beautiful. Daya helped Shi Lingyao wash the delicate petals clean, then spread them out on bamboo trays to dry. Innocently, she asked, “Lady Shi, why do you collect these peach blossoms?”

In Daya’s simple mind, peach blossoms were just something to admire while on the tree; once they fell, they were merely fertilizer for the peach tree. She saw nothing special about them.

Shi Lingyao feigned mystery, “These peach blossoms can be sold for silver.”

“What?” Daya’s eyes widened in surprise. She blurted out a rustic phrase, and upon realizing what she’d said, blushed deeply looking into Shi Lingyao’s smiling eyes. “Lady Shi, don’t worry—I won’t compete with your business!”

Mother had said Lady Shi had given them so much money, one must not forget one’s roots, nor be greedy.

Even now, though those tender pink-white peach petals seemed like copper coins to Daya, she would not waver.

Shi Lingyao was amused by Daya’s antics; she clapped her hands and patted the silk flower on Daya’s head with a smiling squint, “Hmm, I believe you, Daya.”

Daya’s face showed a shy but happy smile.

The peach blossoms didn’t know what Shi Lingyao was busy with, but after last night hearing the man recount the events at the tea house, she admired Shi Lingyao even more.

A noble person is a noble person—her mind may not be the sharpest, but she was far above those who struggled to scrape by in the fields!

Peihong, this way thinking, swiftly lifted the pot lid, releasing a thick white steam mingled with sweet fragrance.

“It’s mugwort dumplings!”

Daya took a deep breath of the fragrant aroma, surprised.

Peihong picked a few dumplings and offered them over, inviting them to eat: “In the countryside, there’s not much good food. Lady Shi, please don’t disdain it.”

“Peihong sister, if you’re so polite, I won’t eat,” Shi Lingyao feigned annoyance.

Daya stared blankly, then quickly took Shi Lingyao’s hand and shook it.

She whispered, “No, no, my mother’s mugwort dumplings are very delicious…”

Peihong looked at Shi Lingyao at a loss, repeatedly wiping her hands on the cloth around her waist, seeming a bit embarrassed.

Shi Lingyao burst out laughing, “Peihong sister’s skills are so good, I have to eat several just to be satisfied! How could I possibly refuse?”

She laughed, and Peihong’s heart relaxed, quickly urging, “Yes, yes, please eat.”

Shi Lingyao took a dumpling from the bowl, its jade-green oiliness gleaming. She bit into it; the aroma of wild herbs was fresh within the soft, glutinous dumpling. A second bite released a savory, oily fragrance.

Spring bamboo shoots, diced pork, wild vegetables, and perhaps other unidentifiable ingredients combined into a juicy, flavorful taste that filled her mouth instantly.

“Peihong sister, your cooking is truly excellent!” Shi Lingyao ate happily, a bit envious, “It’s just a pity I’m clumsy and can’t make such delicious dumplings.”

Peihong smiled joyfully, then quickly waved her hand, “Lady Shi, if you want some, just say the word and I’ll make them for you. Someone as noble as you shouldn’t have to cook yourself.”

Shi Lingyao’s gaze fell on Daya and Gou Dan, who were eating eagerly. Her eyes softened with a tenderness Peihong couldn’t understand: “I was thinking that if I could cook, I might make them for my own children someday.”

She only knew how to prepare fragrant ointments and powders; as for cooking, she had no talent whatsoever.

During the early days of her marriage to Xie Zongwei, to show her virtue as a new wife, Shi Lingyao had asked the cook for lessons, spending half a day in the kitchen to barely manage a sweet soup to send to Xie Zongwei.

Time passed, and she barely remembered his expression at the time.

She only recalled that the next day, the steward came with four or five cooks, saying it was Xie Zongwei’s order.

She had just eagerly delivered the sweet soup yesterday, and today Xie Zongwei summoned new cooks—clearly dissatisfied with her skills!

Shi Lingyao had been both angry and hurt, and never cooked for Xie Zongwei again.

As for Dabao and Xiaobao…

To be honest, Shi Lingyao did not want to subject the two children to her cooking.

They should eat something good.

But watching Daya and Gou Dan eat so contentedly now, Shi Lingyao’s thoughts turned deeply to her twins.

Shi Lingyao’s casual remark was taken by Peihong as referring to children yet to be born.

After all, she looked so young, kind, and cheerful—not like a woman who had already married and borne children.

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After eating two mugwort dumplings, Shi Lingyao’s belly was full, and she worked with renewed vigor.

The batch of fragrant powders from Zhou Jun could no longer be used. Shi Lingyao pondered all day yesterday and decided to make a type of perfume powder she had concocted before.

Coincidentally, it was spring now, and she thought again of the peach blossoms in Shanshui Village.

When she awoke from the chaos, that delicate, radiant peach blossom was the only bright spot in the world.

Shi Lingyao conceived an idea, adjusting her old perfume recipe slightly, and thought it feasible. Now she only awaited the finished product to see how it turned out.

If successful, it might bring Peihong and the others a nice additional income.

Thinking this, she felt her whole body brimming with energy. The heaviness she’d felt when she accidentally recalled Xie Zongwei earlier vanished.

Her life now held promise; why think about that cruel, heartless man?

She looked down at the flower petals in the stone mortar, each petal seeming to bear the same handsome yet indifferent face.

Shi Lingyao pressed her lips tightly and pounded the petals fiercely.

So vexing, so vexing!

…

Xie Zongwei was reviewing memorials when a sudden dull pain pressed on his chest, causing him to frown.

“Are you unwell, sir? Perhaps you should return home early to rest,” Yan Shili, the Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion seated beside him, spoke gently with concern.

Xie Zongwei waited for the sudden pain to subside, then continued reading the memorials: “No need.”

Seeing Xie Zongwei sitting like a jade statue, cold and unyielding, with no intention of returning home, the others inwardly sighed.

Of course, anyone who ascended to the Inner Cabinet and reached their position was a prodigy.

They served the nation and people diligently for decades, but no matter how high the office, one still had to go home and eat with family!

Minister Wang Minzhong thought of his wife’s instructions at home, set down the memorial, and prepared to leave.

Everyone quietly read the documents, the only noise a sudden spark from a lamp, making Wang’s movements stand out.

He explained, “Today is my granddaughter’s hundredth day. The family planned a meal to celebrate; it would be improper to miss it.”

Everyone suddenly understood and offered congratulations.

Xie Zongwei nodded in response, also congratulating and mentioning he would bring a gift tomorrow.

Wang Minzhong waved his hands repeatedly, “It’s just a child’s affair; no need for such fuss.”

“If it were a boy, that would be different. For a girl, one cannot neglect her.”

After saying this lightly, Xie Zongwei lowered his eyes to continue reviewing documents.

Everyone exchanged glances, knowing the Prime Minister had two young masters—one of extraordinary talent, the other quite mischievous. It was said the father and son relationship was cold.

Looks like even the Prime Minister has to worry about his wayward sons.

…

Xie Junting, on the verge of a breakthrough in finding proof his mother was still alive, was abruptly stopped at the city gate.

The man blocking him wore a moon-white round-collared robe embroidered with cranes. His sharp, clean-lined face was framed by thick eyelashes and high brows. When he glanced at Xie Junting, his deep, frost-like eyes radiated a dignified presence.

Xie Junting bore no affection for this elder brother, who consorted with the Prime Minister. He had no intention of sharing today’s discovery.

“What are you doing here? Not busy writing for the poetry gathering?”

Xie Junting sneered at his brother’s youthful ambition.

“If I don’t come, Father will,” Xie Junyan said coldly, staring at his defiant younger brother. “Now tell me, where did you spend five hundred taels?”