Chapter 75: Recklessness

 Chapter 75: Recklessness

Chu Qianchen nodded slightly, signaling Hu Po to go ahead.

Hu Po withdrew quietly.

In the small study, only Chu Qianchen remained, gazing out the window.

In the courtyard, the snow-white gardenias were in full bloom, their fragrance filling both the inside and outside of the room. The sun shone through the treetops, casting dappled shadows. The entire Wanyan Courtyard was peaceful and silent.

Chu Qianchen didn't hesitate for long.

Since she had made her decision, she wouldn't regret it.

In her past life, she had been confused, never even figuring out who had wronged her. In this life, with the chance to start over, she was determined to uncover the truth and see clearly just how many people in the Chu family had hidden agendas and ulterior motives...

Chu Qianchen walked up to the desk, spread out a piece of paper, and poured a bit of clear water from the inkstone. She then picked up an ink stick and began grinding it.

With each turn of the ink stick on the stone, the water gradually turned into dark ink.

Chu Qianchen ground the ink slowly, watching the stick rotate in circles, and her mind gradually calmed down...

She picked up a wolf-hair brush, dipped it in the ink, and began to write out a prescription: gypsum, cold water stone, magnetite, talc, rhinoceros horn, antelope horn, wood fragrance...

This prescription was from the "Qianjin Yifang," an ancient remedy called Purple Snow Powder.

It wasn’t a secret formula, but a common remedy for clearing heat, detoxifying, settling spasms, and opening the senses to calm seizures. It was frequently used in emergencies.

Pharmacies in the capital often sold a prepared version of Purple Snow Powder, but the color was never quite right, and its effectiveness was always lacking.

In her past life, she had tried improving the formula, but no matter how she adjusted the ingredients, the result was always unsatisfactory. Later, she scoured through medical books from various dynasties and discussed with experienced pharmacists before discovering a secret method, using a golden spatula and silver pot to create the true Purple Snow Powder.

Tomorrow, she would need to find a goldsmith to have a custom golden spatula and silver pot made.

While thinking, Chu Qianchen set the prescription aside to dry and spread another sheet of paper, sketching a pot and spatula.

When Hu Po returned, she saw Chu Qianchen deeply focused on her drawings and couldn’t help but wonder. Could her mistress be planning to set up a small kitchen in Wanyan Courtyard?

Once she finished the drawing, Chu Qianchen put down her brush and casually asked, "Did they leave?"

"They have," Hu Po nodded and couldn’t help but laugh. "Young Master Yun is quite the 'rascal.' He and Young Master Mo not only shot down the Marquis' plaque with an arrow, but Young Master Yun also borrowed drums from the bystanders and beat them loudly, claiming it was the work of the Prince of Chen’s Manor."

"The noise was so loud that it drew attention from other residences on Songhe Street."

"Young Master Yun said that they dared to take responsibility, and if the Marquis disagreed, he could go to the Prince of Chen’s Manor to argue with His Highness."

"I suspect that by tomorrow, the whole capital will know about this..."

Chu Qianchen smiled as she listened.

With Yun Zhan’s ruckus, not only would the Yongding Marquis’ residence be affected, but anyone from the noble families or high-ranking officials in the capital who might try to cause trouble at Jishi Hall or seek the miraculous physician’s help would now have to consider whether they dared to challenge the Prince of Chen’s Manor.

The prince was her pillar of support! Chu Qianchen thought happily, just as it had been in her past life, and still was now.

Her mood was excellent, but the other masters of the Marquis’ residence were all furious and anxious.

Especially Chu Lingxiao, the Yongding Marquis.

At this moment, Chu Lingxiao stormed into the Old Matriarch's Rongfu Hall, his face dark.

"Ah Xiao," the Old Matriarch immediately asked with concern, "Is the plaque... is it..."

She tightly gripped the string of pearls in her hand, unable to finish the sentence.

Chu Lingxiao nodded heavily, his face as black as the bottom of a pot, and he sat down angrily on a low bench.

The Yongding Marquis’ plaque had indeed been split in half by that arrow.

"..." The Old Matriarch couldn’t catch her breath, her face turning pale before quickly shifting to green. She almost fainted.

The maid, Wang Mama, hurriedly offered tea and tried to help the Old Matriarch calm down.

It took a long while before the Old Matriarch could breathe again, her voice hoarse as she said, "Ah Xiao, what exactly happened? Why would the Prince of Chen..."

"Isn’t it all because of Ling’er’s mess?" Chu Lingxiao snapped, his tone harsh. "Wasn’t it Ling’er who had Jishi Hall smashed the other day? Yun Zhan came today to stand up for them!"

"Mother, Ling’er really needs to be taught properly. How can a young miss act like this?"

"Besides, Jishi Hall has the Prince of Chen backing them. Even the Marquis of Zhongyong can’t do anything to Jishi Hall!"

"Our Marquis' residence is already in a turbulent time, and now Ling'er acts so recklessly, causing trouble for no reason..."

Chu Lingxiao thought the second branch was truly failing in raising their daughter, causing harm to the whole family.

The Old Matriarch's face was as calm as water, but her thoughts were far from peaceful.

She too felt that Chu Qianling was in the wrong, but...

"Prince Chen is going too far!" The Old Matriarch spoke with a deep voice, her dignified face betraying her anger. "Ling'er only destroyed a medical hall, but the Prince of Chen destroyed our family's plaque!"

Prince Chen’s actions were like a slap in the face to the Marquis' residence.

By tomorrow, when this news spread through the capital, the Marquis' residence would have lost all face and might become the laughingstock of the city...

Chu Lingxiao’s expression was even darker than the Old Matriarch’s. He already imagined how many strange glances he would face when he went to the court tomorrow.

"Bang!"

Chu Lingxiao slammed his fist onto the tea table, causing the fruit bowl and teacups on it to shake.

"Prince Chen is unreasonable and arrogant!" Chu Lingxiao coldly said, "This matter was caused by Ling'er’s mistake, but the Prince of Chen sent someone to demand accountability. It’s understandable. But Mother, you didn’t see it—Yun Zhan immediately ordered an arrow to shoot down our plaque!"

"Like master, like servant. They’re all so arrogant. No wonder the Prince of Chen returned to the capital and disregarded the Emperor’s authority. Later, he even ignored the Emperor's summons. He thinks he's too powerful!"

The Old Matriarch's anger flared up again, her lips trembling as she gritted her teeth and said, "Prince Chen is too disrespectful, and he doesn’t care for the noble consort or the Second Prince at all."

"He’s so arrogant, he’ll definitely suffer the consequences!" The Old Matriarch angrily slammed the table.

To the Old Matriarch, if the Prince of Chen didn’t show respect to the Marquis’ residence, he should at least show some to the Second Prince.

Chu Lingxiao sneered disdainfully, "Prince Chen is too delusional. He won’t even be able to protect himself, yet he’s still meddling in things!"

There’s a saying that those who understand the times are wise.

This was no longer the time of the previous Emperor, who favored the Prince of Chen. The current Emperor was wary of him, and everyone in the court knew the Emperor was just waiting for a chance to deal with the Prince of Chen!

Prince Chen’s actions would only increase the Emperor’s displeasure.

When the Emperor eventually took back military power and solidified his position, the Prince of Chen would surely be punished. By that time, he would either lose his life or be confined. Either way, his future didn’t look good.

Chu Lingxiao smirked, as if seeing through the entire political situation.

At that moment, a young maid nervously reported from behind the curtain, "Old Matriarch, Marquis, Second Master is here."

"Let him in."

The moment the words fell, the curtains parted, and Chu Lingxiao’s second brother, Chu Lingyu, entered briskly, his expression complex, a mix of anger, anxiety, and concern.

It was Chu Lingxiao who had called him here.

Before Chu Lingyu could speak, Chu Lingxiao berated him sharply:

"Second Brother, you shouldn’t just focus on your official duties. Your wife spoils her daughter, and you should be a stricter father and discipline Ling’er properly."

"Look at what happened—she destroyed Jishi Hall the other day. What’s next?! If she causes trouble in someone else’s house, the reputation of a daughter of the Marquis' residence will be ruined!"

"Today it’s our plaque being destroyed, but what’s next? The next step could be the destruction of the family!"

"How many times has one person’s mistake brought disaster to the whole family?"

...

Chu Lingxiao vented his frustration, but despite all his words, he still felt unsettled inside.

Chu Lingyu stood silently in the hall, his face growing darker with each rebuke.

As he listened, all he felt was unfairness. He had heard from Liu Shi about what happened the other day in the main courtyard.

Yes, his daughter was wrong to destroy Jishi Hall, but wasn’t it his eldest branch’s two daughters who caused trouble first?

Chu Qianhuang had incited his daughter to ruin Chu Qianchen’s appearance, and Chu Qianchen was equally at fault. She had the complete medicine from the miraculous physician but hid it from his daughter. If not for that, his daughter wouldn’t have destroyed Jishi Hall.

Truth be told, this matter was the result of a dispute between the two sisters of the eldest branch, but they had used his daughter as a pawn!

The more Chu Lingyu thought about it, the more upset he became, his fists tightly clenched.

But right now, Chu Lingxiao was furious, and the Old Matriarch was clearly supporting the eldest branch. On the surface, this trouble was caused by the second branch, so Chu Lingyu could only obediently accept the scolding.

That day, everyone in the Marquis' residence knew the masters were in a bad mood, and the entire house was filled with a heavy atmosphere.

The next morning, Chu Lingxiao submitted a memorial to the Emperor during the morning court session, openly accusing Yun Zhan and requesting severe punishment for him.

The Emperor, seizing the opportunity to suppress Gu Jue, issued an edict to strip Yun Zhan of his position as Colonel of the Northern Army. However, shortly after the imperial decree was sent to the Prince of Chen’s residence, it was returned without any changes.

Chen Su also brought back a message from Gu Jue:

"The appointments and dismissals of the soldiers in the Northern Army are under my control."

This implied that the Emperor’s authority did not extend to the Northern Army, and the Emperor was too overreaching.

It was said that the Emperor was so enraged that he smashed everything in the Imperial Study.

It was also rumored that the Emperor was so furious that he refused to meet with several ministers from the Cabinet.

Since Gu Jue’s return to the capital, the Prince of Chen’s residence had become the focus of everyone’s attention. Many court officials and nobles were watching closely.

Prince Chen’s audacity left them speechless, and it made them start questioning the earlier rumors about his serious illness. If the Prince of Chen was truly ill, shouldn’t he be hiding his strength and avoiding conflicts with the Emperor?

However, the news about his illness had been relayed to the Crown Prince by the Emperor, and although people had their doubts, they dared not openly question it.

Many people’s attention was now focused on the Marquis' residence. In the capital, the only noteworthy thing about the Marquis' residence was that it was the maternal family of the Second Prince. Apart from that, the residence had no other accomplishments worth mentioning.

Now, it seemed that the Marquis' residence had directly confronted the Prince of Chen. Would the Prince of Chen let it slide?

The onlookers were eagerly watching the drama unfold.

Chu Lingxiao, having met with failure, felt that everything was going wrong lately. Especially since Shen Shi had gone to the palace to refuse the Princess's request to have her daughter, Chu Qianhuang, be the Princess’s reading companion. This would have been an honor for the Chu family, especially as their influence waned.

Furthermore, Shen Shi had repeatedly rejected his attempts to have her speak on his behalf at the Mu State Marquis’s residence.

Chu Lingxiao was boiling with anger inside.

He didn’t go to see Shen Shi, knowing it would only lead to arguments. He didn’t want to face her haughty attitude, completely lacking the gentleness and submission a woman should have.

After returning home, Chu Lingxiao went to Qinghui Courtyard.

Concubine Jiang served him tea and water, her soft and attentive demeanor offering him comfort and soothing his mood.

In Chu Lingxiao’s eyes, women like Concubine Jiang, gentle, virtuous, and considerate, who saw him as her world and prioritized him above all else, were truly admirable.

In her presence, Chu Lingxiao felt like a man.

That night, Chu Lingxiao stayed in Qinghui Courtyard, and the next morning, as he left, a woman dressed in a pale red gown followed him. They headed for the main courtyard.

Without waiting for an announcement, Chu Lingxiao directly entered the Left Wing Hall and said to the woman behind him, "You should kneel and offer tea to the madam."

The room fell silent.

Both Shen Shi and the servants understood Chu Lingxiao’s intention.

It was clear that he intended to take a concubine!

The servants exchanged strange glances at the woman by Chu Lingxiao’s side.

Wasn’t this the girl, Liu Li, who used to serve in the second young miss’s room?

Liu Li had already changed her hairstyle to a married woman’s, revealing a smooth forehead, her face flushed with a slight blush, her eyes full of tenderness, shy and unwilling to meet Shen Shi’s gaze. She looked fragile and delicate, exuding the charm of a newlywed woman.

Soon, a maid brought tea, and another brought a cushion.

Liu Li knelt on the cushion, accepting the tea cup from the maid. She shyly glanced at Chu Lingxiao, who was seated next to Shen Shi, before offering the tea to Shen Shi with both hands. Her voice was soft and sweet, "This servant offers tea to Madam."

Chu Lingxiao, with a half-smile, picked up his own tea cup, his lips curling in satisfaction. He was pleased to see Shen Shi’s reaction: she truly thought he had no control over her. He was the true master of the Marquis' residence!

Shen Shi slightly turned away to avoid receiving the tea.

Liu Li’s movements stiffened. She looked at Chu Lingxiao with a pitiful expression, waiting for him to step in.

Liu Li thought to herself: As the concubine said, I was given to the Marquis by the concubine. The madam probably doesn’t like it, and will likely make things difficult for me.

Seeing this, Chu Lingxiao’s smile widened as he waited to see Shen Shi’s reaction.

However, Shen Shi didn’t even raise an eyebrow, her gaze cold as she looked at Chu Lingxiao. "Does the Marquis know where she originally served?"

Shen Shi truly didn’t want to bring up Chu Qianchen, but Liu Li had once been a maid in Wanyan Courtyard, closely serving Chu Qianchen. For a daughter’s maid to become her father’s concubine—what kind of precedent would that set if it spread?

Chu Lingxiao didn’t know this, so one of his maids whispered it to him.

Chu Lingxiao’s face stiffened, and the tea cup he had just lifted froze in mid-air.

He had never paid attention to what Chu Qianchen's maids looked like before, so naturally, he didn’t know that Liu Li had once served in Wanyan Courtyard.

Shen Shi didn’t care how many concubines or secondary rooms Chu Lingxiao took in his household. After all, none of these women could threaten her position as the official wife. Even if one of them bore a son or daughter, it would only result in a share of inheritance or a dowry, and the Marquis' residence would always belong to Mu Ge’er.

Shen Shi couldn’t be bothered to argue with someone like Chu Lingxiao. She stood up gracefully and brushed off her sleeves, saying, "It’s almost time. I should go pay my respects to Mother."

With that, Shen Shi left, and Chu Lingxiao sat on the luohan couch, his face dark as he watched her retreating figure.

As for Liu Li, the rosy flush on her face quickly faded, replaced by an ashen pallor, and her eyes dimmed with despair.

If Shen Shi didn’t recognize her, neither would anyone else in the house. She would have no status, no title, and would be considered lower than a concubine or secondary wife—anyone could trample over her.

Liu Li felt the scornful gazes of the other maids and servants piercing her. It made her feel embarrassed, panicked, and uneasy.

Just a moment ago, before entering this courtyard, she had felt like she was walking on clouds, high and above everyone.

But now, she was plummeting straight down, crashing into an unfathomable abyss.

Chu Lingxiao tightly gripped the tea cup in his hand, almost crushing it. He had originally hoped to suppress Shen Shi’s arrogance by taking a concubine and reasserting his authority, but he never expected to be embarrassed by her.

No matter how displeased Chu Lingxiao was, he had to accompany Shen Shi to Rongfu Hall to pay respects to the Old Matriarch.

The Old Matriarch invited only Chu Lingxiao to speak, once again shutting Shen Shi out.

Since the time when Shen Shi punished Chu Qianhuang in the small Buddhist hall, the Old Matriarch had refused to see her, using various excuses, clearly showing her animosity toward Shen Shi.

Shen Shi didn’t mind at all. After all, paying respects to the Old Matriarch was merely a formality. Whether the Old Matriarch saw her or not didn’t matter to her.

She left, unaware that after she had gone, the Old Matriarch had called Chu Lingxiao in and scolded him for a while.

Although the Old Matriarch disliked Shen Shi, she still thought that the affair between Chu Lingxiao and Liu Li was too absurd and improper. If this became public, people would surely ridicule the Marquis' household for lacking discipline.

Chu Lingxiao was in the wrong, so he could only listen quietly, his anger growing even stronger. He resented Shen Shi even more now. She knew that Liu Li had been Chu Qianchen’s maid and yet didn’t tell him earlier. Instead, she chose to embarrass him today.

The news of Shen Shi rejecting Liu Li’s tea offering spread quickly throughout the household. The servants secretly mocked Liu Li for being so foolish, thinking she had gained favor, only to lose it all. No one took her seriously.

These events reached Chu Qianchen’s ears through Hu Po’s whispers.

As expected, Chu Qianchen felt no surprise. In her previous life, Liu Li had ended up as Chu Lingxiao’s secondary wife, and this life was no different.

However, in her past life, when Liu Li became his concubine, Shen Shi, already deeply affected by Chu Yunmu’s death and suffering from severe illness, couldn’t manage these matters anymore.

Chu Qianchen left the house again to visit the gold shop where she had ordered the custom silver pot and golden spatula for making needles. She paid the deposit and arranged for the delivery time. After that, she went to Jishi Hall to purchase some herbs for making the Zixue powder.

For the next few days, Chu Qianchen didn’t leave the house. She had Hu Po pick up the silver pot and golden spatula from the shop.

On the first morning of May, Hu Po had just returned when Chu Qianhuang arrived.

Her delicate and exquisite face looked a little pale, but she still tried to appear cheerful, smiling faintly, creating a warm, approachable image.

"Second sister," Chu Qianhuang said straightforwardly, "I’ve come to apologize today."

Chu Qianchen invited her to sit by the window and instructed Hu Po to serve tea.

It was early summer, and the lotus leaves in the pond outside were starting to unfurl, with schools of carp swimming beneath them, wagging their tails.

Hu Po soon brought the tea and quietly observed Chu Qianhuang.

Chu Qianhuang wore a delicate red ru skirt, her hair loosely tied in a simple bun, with no jewelry or ornaments, only a few red silk threads woven into her hair.

She had been kneeling in the small Buddhist hall for ten days and had just been released today. She looked quite exhausted, having lost a significant amount of weight, and her hands were wrapped in bandages.

Chu Qianhuang and Chu Qianchen were born on the same day, just hours apart.

In the past, Chu Qianchen was fragile and timid, while Chu Qianhuang was radiant and composed, exuding the demeanor of an elder sister. People would often notice the bright, sun-like Chu Qianhuang first, and overlook the shadow-like Chu Qianchen sitting beside her.

Now, Chu Qianchen had changed. She shone like a brilliant pearl, radiating her own light.

When the two sisters sat together, it was like the sun and moon shining side by side, with no clear distinction between them... In fact, Hu Po even thought her mistress subtly outshone the eldest young miss.

After this incident, although Chu Qianhuang appeared more composed than before, she lacked the calm and grace that Chu Qianchen now displayed.

"Second sister, it’s all my fault," Chu Qianhuang said, her dark eyes filled with guilt. Her voice was soft and strained. "I hope you will accept this small token of my apology."

She gave a discreet glance, and a servant placed a box of jeweled flowers in front of Chu Qianchen.

The box contained a variety of exquisite, novel designs.

Chu Qianchen accepted it without hesitation.

She was in need of money, and someone was offering it to her, so why refuse?

"……" Chu Qianhuang looked at Chu Qianchen, her eyes filled with unspoken words, but in the end, she didn't say anything more. Not even a sip of the flower tea she had just been served was touched before she quickly took her leave.

Hu Po personally escorted Chu Qianhuang out. After returning, she looked at the box of jeweled flowers on the table and said, "Miss, I think the eldest young miss has changed..."

At first, she thought Chu Qianhuang had become more composed, but upon further reflection, she felt that Chu Qianhuang had only concealed her sharp edges, becoming more profound.

Everyone believed that Chu Qianhuang had no ill intentions toward Chu Qianchen. Until today, Hu Po had thought so as well.

But today, for some reason, she began to question that assumption.

Was Chu Qianhuang really innocent?!

Chu Qianchen didn’t respond. She simply instructed Hu Po to take out the golden spatula and silver pot she had just retrieved, then focused on preparing medicine.

Except for a brief visit to Yuanqing Temple to have Gu Jue’s condition checked, she barely left the house, working tirelessly for three or four days before finally completing the Zixue powder.

The Zixue powder was purple in color, resembling frost or snow, and it was extremely cold in nature, which is why it was named Zixue Powder.

To distinguish it from other versions, Chu Qianchen had intentionally made hers into pearl-sized pills and renamed them "Zixue Dan" (Purple Snow Pills). She had made two hundred pills in total, dividing them into four small porcelain bottles and instructed Hu Po to deliver them to Jishi Hall.

Hu Po loved visiting Jishi Hall, or rather, the Huahong Street area. Not only was Jishi Hall there, but also a variety of snack shops, cosmetics stores, bookstores, and embroidery shops.

Each time, Hu Po would stop by to buy some snacks or bring medical books and novels for her mistress.

She didn’t stay long at Jishi Hall. She handed over the four bottles of Zixue Dan to the young physician Liu and conveyed Chu Qianchen’s instructions before hurriedly leaving.

In her haste, she didn’t notice that as soon as she exited, an elderly man with graying hair in a green robe emerged from the back hall.

"Grandfather!" Young Physician Liu eagerly called out, "Come quickly and see, this is the Zixue Dan that the young miss just had someone deliver."

The elderly man in the green robe was none other than the true head of Jishi Hall, Old Physician Liu.

Old Physician Liu had been called out of the capital in March to treat a patient, then had returned to his hometown. He had only just come back yesterday, so he hadn't yet met the legendary "little divine physician" whose medical skills were said to rival Hua Tuo's. He had only heard his grandson and the staff of the medical hall praise the young physician’s skills in extravagant terms.

Young Physician Liu placed the Zixue powder made by Jishi Hall and the Zixue Dan given by Chu Qianchen on two small plates.

At a glance, the differences were immediately apparent.

The Zixue Dan was inspired by the story of Hu Qingyu Tang.

(End of Chapter)