Chapter 39: The Medicine Pouch of Summer Solstice
Suyuxin, in a whim, instructed the embroiderers in the mansion to create several sets of new garments. These were fashioned based on the colors corresponding to their names: Crimson Flame in red, Orange Garment in orange, Azure Sparrow in blue, and Violet Kite in purple. They were not only visually pleasing but also exuded vivacity. In a sudden flight of fancy, Suyuxin pondered that if there were more young maidservants in need in the future, she would likewise modify their names to be associated with colors. Forming a rainbow in this manner seemed rather intriguing. Lost in these whimsical thoughts, she heard Maizi's voice saying, "Summer Solstice, what brings you here? Is there something you need?"
Upon hearing this, Suyuxin, reclining on her chair, sat up to see half of Summer Solstice's figure. He held something indistinct in his hand and spoke in a low voice. "Summon Summer Solstice to converse," Suyuxin proclaimed loudly.
At these words, Summer Solstice, almost instinctively, trembled slightly. The pain from the twenty lashes was etched too deeply. "Don't be afraid; the lady is very gentle," Maizi reassured him softly, holding Summer Solstice's hand. "Hmm," Summer Solstice nodded firmly. He wasn't one to hold grudges, but he understood gratitude. Though Suyuxin had ordered him to be punished, he felt aggrieved but harbored no hatred. However, when Suyuxin spared no effort to summon a peculiar healer to save his life, he cherished that favor deeply.
Maizi led Summer Solstice in front of Suyuxin. "Pay your respects to the madam," Summer Solstice said as he knelt.
"Please rise," Suyuxin helped Summer Solstice to his feet, surveyed him, and nodded approvingly. He seemed more robust than a few days prior, albeit slightly darker.
"This, present it to the madam," Summer Solstice spread out his hands and presented a simple yet not particularly attractive sachet before Suyuxin.
"Did you make this?" Suyuxin accepted it, placing it near her nose, catching a faint scent of sweet almonds.
"Yes," Summer Solstice nodded. "This is a medicine pouch, effective against mosquitoes and bugs."
"A medicine pouch?" Suyuxin asked curiously. "Who taught you to make this?"
"I prepared it myself," Summer Solstice truthfully replied.
"Herbs, although they can heal, can also be harmful if mismatched," Suyuxin said gently.
"I am aware," Summer Solstice nodded. "Madam, rest assured; this pouch contains only three types, none conflicting with each other."
"Do you understand how to discern and blend herbs?" Suyuxin seemed surprised.
"Yes," Summer Solstice scratched his head awkwardly. "I chanced upon a medical book and learned from it."
"Do you now know how to read and write?" Suyuxin's eyes brightened.
"A little," Summer Solstice smiled shyly. "I used to eavesdrop on the teacher speaking while hiding outside the window."
"You're truly a bright child," Suyuxin rubbed Summer Solstice's head. "I greatly appreciate this medicine pouch; thank you."
Praised by Suyuxin, Summer Solstice's face immediately flushed red, although excitement gleamed in his eyes. After all, he was merely a seven or eight-year-old child, his emotions evident on his face. After Summer Solstice left, Suyuxin sat contemplating the medicine pouch, lost in thought. Lao Mo showed concern, "Madam, perhaps this medicine pouch should be kept by the old servant."
After all, Summer Solstice was just a child and had never studied under a physician. He relied solely on a book he had stumbled upon. What if it adversely affected the madam? This wasn't a trivial matter.
"It's fine," Suyuxin snapped out of her reverie and smiled. "Lao Mo, don't worry; I have my reasons."
With a gesture, she called Qingque, "Prepare; I'm going out of the mansion."
"Where is madam headed?" Qingque inquired. Different destinations necessitated different preparations.
"Ren'an Hall," Suyuxin stated.
Ren'an Hall was located in the busiest section of Ping'an Avenue, and its gilded signboard could be seen from afar. This time, Suyuxin went out with Qingque, along with Crimson Flame and Orange Garment, without a single guard. This display seemed rather austere. Near the entrance of Ren'an Hall, they encountered Lü Mingxia.
Lü Mingxia was Lü Jingwei's younger sister, just fourteen years old. While Lü Jingwei was handsome, she could only be considered of average appearance. There were faint freckles on both sides of her nose. Her eyes weren't small, yet her nose and mouth were large, coupled with a round face, rendering her rather unremarkable.
She never took kindly to Suyuxin. Firstly, because Suyuxin was exceptionally beautiful. Secondly, because from a young age, Suyuxin had shown admiration for Lü Jingwei. She never favored any woman who approached Lü Jingwei. Therefore, she was filled with animosity towards Suyuxin. Each encounter resulted in a quarrel, but it always concluded with Lü Mingxia's victory. Previously, Suyuxin, due to her respect for Lü Jingwei, used to endure it. Lü Mingxia had become accustomed to displaying superiority in front of Suyuxin. Therefore, today, upon meeting, Lü Mingxia wore the same disdainful expression, snorted, then drawled, "The General himself sought marriage, yet the result is this. Perhaps he regretted it after discovering he married an incompetent woman. Look at this lackluster appearance..."
Suyuxin didn't spare her a glance and simply walked past Lü Mingxia. She was disinclined to argue; she had important matters to attend to today. However, Lü Mingxia wasn't willing to let her go so easily and moved to block Suyuxin's path.
"I heard that the General intends to divorce you? Why don't you plead with the General; after all, being discarded by the General is quite pitiful," Lü Mingxia sneered maliciously.
"A good dog does not block the road," Suyuxin raised her eyes, looking coldly at Lü Mingxia, her gaze profound and dark.
"Who are you calling a dog?" Lü Mingxia frowned, staring at Suyuxin.
"Whoever fits the shoe," Suyuxin arched an eyebrow. "You took offense; it's on you."
"What are you, daring to insult me?" Lü Mingxia's expression changed, raising her arm to slap Suyuxin's face.
She had bullied Suyuxin for years, relying on Lü Jingwei's status, and had slapped her face not once but many times. Each time, Suyuxin had tearfully complained, but it always ended inconclusively. Because neither the Su family nor the Lü family cared about her. Oh no, Lü Qing
zhou cared, but unfortunately, he resided in Yunnan Prefecture and couldn't intervene.
Lü Mingxia assumed this time would end the same way as before, making Suyuxin lose face in public. But before she could strike, someone firmly seized her wrist.
It felt like an iron clamp, squeezing her bones to the point of shattering.
Lü Mingxia cried out in pain, her round face wrinkling into a grimace, her features, never remarkable, now appearing even more unsightly.
The one holding her arm wasn't someone else; it was Crimson Flame.
Crimson Flame had always been cold, and her cultivation of extreme cold internal energy could turn water into ice as a hidden weapon.
Lü Mingxia felt not only excruciating pain but also shivered from the coldness. Trembling uncontrollably, she couldn't utter a word.
Suyuxin looked down at Lü Mingxia coldly, a faint, icy smile playing on her lips. "Remember, don't casually obstruct someone's path. After all, a good dog doesn't block the road."
With that said, Suyuxin walked straight into Ren'an Hall. Crimson Flame loosened her grip and followed inside.
Lü Mingxia sat in disarray on the ground, cradling her wrist, tears and mucus streaming down her face. Half was due to the pain, and half due to her indignation.