Translator: Artsy
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While studying Qian Jiujiu's actions, Hong Ling could not help furrowing her eyebrows as she could not see any unfamiliarity or sense of violation with Qian Jiujiu holding a brush.
On the other hand, Qian Jiujiu did not seem to notice Hong Ling's reaction at all. She was all focused on drawing the silver needles, and when she was done with it, she turned to question the shopkeeper.
"Shopkeeper, I want pure silver, can you forge this? Around how many days do you need?"
"Miss, don't worry. It can be done, of course. It'll only take three days. After three days, come and collect them."
While speaking, the shopkeeper pondered and looked at Qian Jiujiu.
"But, miss. Just a friendly reminder, did you forget to draw something? There's no hole at the back, how do you thread the needle then?"
Blinking her eyes a few times, Qian Jiujiu answered with some displeasure, "This is not for embroidery, you'll just have to forge them according to the picture."
Seeing Qian Jiujiu's frustration, Hong Ling quickly went over to settle the bill. She also made the arrangements to collect the needles after three days.
Exiting the smithy, Hong Ling then watched Qian Jiujiu's carefully.
"Little Jiu, are we going back now?"
Qian Jiujiu took a look at the busy streets. "Are we out for a long time? I was thinking of having some fun!"
Hong Ling could not find a response to that, but Qian Jiujiu was just saying. "Never mind, never mind, let's go back."
When they were back to the manor, Qian Jiujiu received the news from the housekeeper that the medicinal herbs had already arrived.
Qian Jiujiu carried all the medicinal herbs into her room and locked herself in to start making the health pills.
Hong Ling stood by the door and reminded, "Princess Consort, if you need any help remember to tell me."
Qian Jiujiu simply answered, "I know. I'll call you if there's anything. You just have to guard by the door for now."
Finish her words, Qian Jiujiu continued to ignore Hong Ling. After some time standing by the door, Hong Ling did not hear Qian Jiujiu asking for her help too.
Just then, Nan Feng came. "Hong Ling, His Highness requested your presence." Only then did Hong Ling follow Nan Feng away from the room. When she arrived before Mu Yexiao, Hong Ling kneeled down.
"Greetings, Your Highness. Your Highness, do you any instructions for me?"
Mu Yexiao glanced at Hong Ling and said, "Tell me every detail about Qian Jiujiu's trip out of the manor."
Of course, Hong Ling would not lie. Starting from the moment they went out the door, she told the entire story.
After finishing the story, she did not forget to bring up her suspicion. "There's one thing that I feel strange though. From what I saw, the Princess Consort was so familiar with using the brush to draw."
Mu Yexiao peered at Dong Chen. "Dong Chen, tell me the result of your investigation."
Dong Chen gave Hong Ling a look and said, "The Princess Consort grew up in a village. According to intel, she should not have known how to write or draw even a single character."
"However, according to further investigation, I found that the Princess Consort has been learning how to read and write in secret. So, it's not strange for her to know how to use the writing brush."
"Regarding the Princess Consort's medical skills, I did not find any clue. So, this cannot be verified."
With that, Dong Chen looked toward Mu Yexiao and noticed a faint smile on Mu Yexiao's face.
"This is easy. Didn't she just buy a batch of detoxification pills? Let the imperial doctor examine them and we'll eventually know if she's lying."
That gave Dong Chen a stun. Who would have guessed that this is the actual reason for the Prince to give so much money to Qian Jiujiu so willingly?
Just as he thought, how would his wise and great Prince get fooled by Qian Jiujiu?!
The only question left now was, when would they get their hands on Qian Jiujiu's detoxification pills?