Chapter 36: Doing Things for Mother

"So, does that mean we are frien..."

"Your Highness."

A man’s voice suddenly echoed through the garden. Jia’an’s words were cut short; she hurriedly wiped away her tears and stood up, her face betraying a rare sense of panic.

A servant from the Shuxin Pavilion hurried over and said respectfully, "The Eldest Princess is looking for you. Please come back with me at once."

Jia’an glanced at Sheng Mingyue, then cast a quick look at the servant. After a moment of hesitation, she said, "I must return now. I will come to see you when I have time. As for that—that girl... I will apologize to her."

Before Sheng Mingyue could react, Jia’an had already followed the servant away.

Stepping into the courtyard of the Shuxin Pavilion, Jia’an found the place strangely quiet. Her heart filled with trepidation, terrified that she had once again done something wrong to displease her mother.

After steeling herself for quite some time, Jia’an finally summoned the courage to push open the door and step inside.

Rong Min sat by the side of the luohan bed, her head bowed as she sipped tea. On the small table beside her sat several plates of refreshments.

Hearing the movement at the door, Rong Min slowly raised her eyes. When her gaze landed on Jia’an, it softened instantly. "You’re back? Come, sit here."

In her memory, her mother had rarely shown such a gentle and pleasant expression toward her in private.

Jia’an hesitated, remaining rooted to the spot, feeling more uneasy than ever.

Rong Min arched a brow, maintaining a gentle smile. "It is cold outside; why do you stand at the door instead of coming in?"

Jia’an picked at her fingers, moving slowly until she reached her mother’s side.

"My dear Jia’an, look, Mother has prepared many snacks for you—things you have never tasted before. Do try them." Like a typical mother, Rong Min placed the items into her daughter’s hands.

Jia’an was stunned by the sudden favor. She held the pastry in both hands, murmuring, "Mo—Mother, what is the matter?"

Rong Min smiled with maternal affection, her voice soft. "I have neglected you in the past and failed to fulfill my duties as a mother. From now on, I want to treat you well."

Hearing this, Jia’an’s eyes turned red in an instant. She hurriedly explained, "Mother, I have never been angry with you, truly!"

Rong Min smiled and, while holding her hand, quietly slipped something into her palm. Lowering her voice, she said, "My dear Jia’an, go and do one thing for Mother. Once it is accomplished, Mother will love you even more."

Jia’an looked surprised. She looked down at the object in her hand and whispered, "What does Mother want me to do?"

Seeing that she was being sensible, Rong Min patted the back of her hand with satisfaction and whispered, "Sprinkle this packet into your little uncle’s medicinal meal. Be careful and make sure no one notices."

Jia’an’s body stiffened. Her eyes widened, and she quickly dropped the object, as if it were a burning coal. "Mother... what are you planning to do to my little uncle?"

Seeing her reaction, the smile on Rong Min’s lips faded little by little. "You need not concern yourself with what I am doing. I only ask you this: are you willing to do it or not?"

Jia’an shrank back, fear flashing in her eyes. "Mother, the Prince’s estate is crowded with people; I have no way to get close to the kitchen..."

Rong Min slanted a glance at her, her tone indifferent. "I have already inquired. During this time, that lowly servant girl is responsible for your uncle’s medicinal meals. If you can get close to her, you will be halfway to success."

Sheng Mingyue...

Sheng Mingyue’s smiling face surfaced in Jia’an’s mind. Her fingertips trembled uncontrollably, and she lowered her head, not daring to meet her mother’s eyes.

"Jia’an?"

Rong Min’s face showed impatience, and her voice grew cold, as if she were a different person entirely. "I am speaking to you. What are you daydreaming about now?"

"Mother..." Jia’an’s eyes felt warm, and she whispered, "I am afraid..."

"Useless thing." Rong Min stared at her, the last trace of kindness in her eyes vanishing. "If you cannot finish this task, then from this day forward, you no longer have me as your mother."

Jia’an looked up in a panic. "Mother..."

Rong Min had already turned away, returning to the couch, her back to her daughter, saying nothing more.

No one answered Jia’an; only silence remained.

Tears fell down her cheeks. Jia’an looked hesitantly at the small paper packet she had discarded, feeling utterly lost.

On one side was her mother; on the other was... a friend.

No matter which she chose, it would be like driving a knife into her own heart.

-

Juxin Garden.

Sheng Mingyue sat on a small wooden stool, sorting medicinal herbs. Song Guo was sweeping the fallen leaves in the courtyard, and medicine was brewing on the stove, filling the air with a medicinal fragrance.

"Miss, have you recognized all the herbs yet?" Song Guo turned to look at her, her tone teasing.

Sheng Mingyue shook her head, her uninjured right hand busy picking and choosing. "I have only managed to memorize the ones the Prince takes often. There are simply too many types of herbs; I cannot learn them all."

As she spoke, Sheng Mingyue caught a glimpse of blue-green at the courtyard gate.

It was the color she had chosen for the Princess just that day.

Sheng Mingyue raised her eyes and met the gaze of the person at the gate. She exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness? You are free so soon?"

Jia’an stood at the gate, looking somewhat flustered, her gaze sweeping past Song Guo, who was not far away.

When Song Guo saw her, she snorted coldly and performed a reluctant bow before turning away, clearly still angry.

Jia’an felt conflicted. She walked slowly into the courtyard, looked at Sheng Mingyue first, and then moved toward Song Guo.

"Hitting you with fruit earlier and tying you up with rope... that was my fault. Please, do not hold it against me..."

Hearing this, Song Guo turned around in astonishment, unable to believe her ears.

A noble lady was actually apologizing to her...

It was completely upside down!

Jia’an’s eyes were slightly moist as she whispered, "If that is not enough to calm your anger, you may throw fruit at me, or tie me up as well."

Song Guo waved her hands repeatedly, breaking into a cold sweat; she almost knelt before Jia’an. "I am just a commoner; I cannot bear such words from Your Highness. Actually... actually, I was also at fault today for saying things that displeased Your Highness..."

Seeing the two of them apologizing to each other, Sheng Mingyue could not help but smile. She stood up and walked over, saying softly, "Both the Princess and Song Guo are good girls. Let the misunderstandings of the past be buried."

Song Guo scratched her head, returning to her usual carefree demeanor. "I must say, Your Highness, your skills are truly impressive. In the blink of an eye, I was wrapped in several layers of rope—you are even better than the heroes in the storybooks!"

Jia’an lowered her head in shame and gave a helpless smile. After a long moment, she turned to Sheng Mingyue and said softly, "The courtyard smells wonderful. What are you brewing?"

"I am brewing medicine for the Prince and preparing to make some medicinal meals," Sheng Mingyue replied, suspecting nothing. "The Prince refuses to drink the usual bitter decoctions, so I have to think of ways to make more palatable medicinal dishes."

Jia’an looked at her features and opened her mouth, but the words would not come out.

Sheng Mingyue noticed something was wrong. She frowned slightly and asked softly, "Your Highness... is something troubling you?"

Jia’an’s eyes grew red, and she lowered her head involuntarily, not daring to look into those pure, clear eyes. "It is nothing... it is just that my mother has been coughing a lot these past few days. I do not know if she caught a cold on the road."

"I would like... to ask you for a bowl of medicinal soup."