Inside the infirmary, physician Lu pointed out to the chair and asked aunt Gu Ju to have her seat and he came with two small wooden chest boxes.
I unrolled the tissue on the table.
"Well, I have brought you here for these." Among the tissue were pills she made and the other element inside one of the chests was a test tube with fluid content.
"Yes, it is my father's remedy."
The physician tried to suppress his smile so it appeared faintly on his lips. "Cowpat! It shouldn't be a part of the ingredients, why are you avenging Li Shu? If it wasn't for the dragon herb, she should have been poisoned."
Aunt Gu Ju clenched her skirt, between her fingers. She couldn't predict that this young physician was this experienced. But she never wanted to hurt Li Shu, although she was wicked.
"Would you tell the princess?"
The outcome of this result was not good, indeed. No one could trust her after realizing the contents used in her pills. On the other hand, if Li Shu realized this, she would sharpen her blade to detach her head.
"It depends on loyalty! I need to trust you, if you convince me then I will ask them to forgive you."
The woman's eyes ran wide! He was going to take advantage of her misery, anyway, it was better than nothing, therefore she would accept it blindly, even deafly.
"I will do whatever you wish, physician Lu!"
"Good, Lady Ju!"
Lady Ju? No one ever addressed her this way, barely people used to bother to respect her, when they needed her, indeed! Believing that she was a feeble-minded woman. Most of the time, children used to banter with her, and mock her, throwing tomatoes on her.
Tears rolled in her eyes, then welled down on her cheeks, she was always keeping a sheepish smile on her face, pretending that she didn't care about how people behaved toward her, but in the end, when she was alone at night, it was her tears that left her eyes. But it changed when Li Shu came, she wasn't sure whether to love her or hate her. But she was the end of being a weakling.
All she realized after Li Shu left was that she couldn't live without the savage monster girl. The bracelet or whatever the reason was, she didn't want to be away from her. However, this girl always had many beneficial aspects that brought with her. One was wealth! One was joy, and one was justice, either time people bullied aunt Gu Ju, she appeared and twisted ears.
"It wasn't avenging that made me use the cowpat essence! A magician told me to add it if I want her to get rid of her night disease!"
Physician Lu pinched the bridge of his nose. This was foolish but also funny! He didn't know how to feel, so embarrassing, too unusual! Ah, this family!
"Fine, don't use excuse to defend yourself, this might make it even worse if you tell it to her. She might think you wanted to put some spell on her and turn her into a cow."
The man bit his lip not to laugh at what he just uttered, rolled his eyes down, and put out the other small box, opening it, he added, "Dragon herb and the rest of the materials you used in this pill. Where did you find such expensive plants? How do you know the herbs?"
...Really?
Would they respect her if she gives them the clue?
"My father used to collect herbs and sold them to make our living, I had learned from him. They grow on the ridged rough rocks of Xin mountain behind the temple."
"It is cold there, no wonder they grew there."
The woman nodded, "Here in Da mountain there must be some of it, they herb likes snow."
"Perhaps, but Da mountain is dangerous, we will need men to search in there. Would you mind joining me?"
"Sure, better than cleaning muck."
The physician wrapped what was on the table and trailed off, "there were plenty of herbs that you added, where did you get them?" He got up to his feet.
The woman stood up, wondering how could this man realize and separate the essences? Ah, it wasn't rude to ask, was it?
"They were in the forest, you need sharp eyes and nose of a pig to find them, if you hire me, I can help you."
The man grinned, she was talented, he could teach her things.
Han Ling who was setting the herbs inside their shelves turned back in surprise, the physician caught that jealous look and beamed, "Han Ling, she is not a physician but I guess she can be hired as our herb seeker. She knows rare medical plants."
Han Ling blushed, why was he so cautious when it came to her reactions? Just why? She slouched, letting steam out of her head.
'Could it be affection?' shaking her head, she shrugged her head off and ran out.
"Huh! What is her problem, why is everyone acting as if a demented lover around me!"
The physician coughed, "What do you mean?" Rubbing his forefinger on the shelf pretending as if it was dust there.
"The princess likes Li Shu! This girl likes you!"
Shaking his head, the man brought a list from his main table where some books were sitted, "if you want your head on your body, don't make rumors here, these words are dangerous."
Aunt Gu Ju's hand ran on her neck, but soon grabbed the paper that Lu Mingyu held to her side.
"These are the herbs I need; do you know them?"
The woman took the paper, turning it around, this hesitant and weird look... she attempted to read but… could she?
The man gazed at her blankly, "I got it, you can't read!"
She panicked; she didn't want to lose the job.
"Please, let it be, I will learn from Li Shu to read it."
"No, don't disturb her, I will read them for you."
He began to read the names and the woman's face flourished. These were all the herbs her father sought for his whole life. He used to say that they were like treasure, but she mocked either time for not making so much fortune and coins, what treasure was considered to be cheap exactly? This matter always made disputes between them.
"This is fascinating, Lady Ju! From now on, you and one of my young alchemists who lives out of the castle will seek for them. You don't mind living out of the castle, right? Your income is five silver coins and a place to live."
The woman's mouth dropped, "Of course, I don't mind it! I came for the prize…" she just realized that she must think before uttering nonsense; corrected herself,
"…Ah, because of Li Shu… this offer is accepted."
The physician smirked, this way, she was going to be away from the castle. This woman was greedy and prince Xing Bolin or even the rest of the rivals could use her greed. Although he just realized that she was protective when it came to Li Shu, she was getting emotional while speaking of her illness.
"I need you to promise me something!"
"Anything you ask!" She stood carefully, lending her ears all to him.
"You should never betray me or the princess, otherwise, I will be the threat bringing your end!"
She swallowed; after all of that generosity he came to a menace! Why would he menace her? She had no danger for the princess!
"I can assure you that I am harmless."
…
Inside the bazaars, the princess was walking among the flooding crowd of people, when her brother got tired. She could do the rest of the investigation all along. He should have gone to see his mother earlier. Besides, soon the weather was coming into a sudden rain.
"Sister, I would like to leave as long as you prefer to eat outside." He had also trust issue, as his mother always warned, he had never accepted food from strangers nor had it in the best restaurants beyond the castle walls.
"As you wish, brother."
He bowed his head and left with his men. The princess looked at Li Shu. She was watching some hair accessories.
'These accessories are beautiful; they might look good on her. But, she has so many already!' Li Shu thought, as Merchant Raz Long Sheed, he would attend to her, not a bad idea to buy her a gift for not revealing about him to the detectors.
"Do you like it?"
Li Shu flinched, what the heck! 'Why should I like women's stuff!'
"No, they are ugly!"
The princess smiled and walked forward, picking a blue butterfly hairpin, she closed it to her face, "It suits your skin. I'll buy it for you."
She moved ahead and adjusted the beautiful butterfly hairpin into her hair, she was close enough that Li Shu could feel her breath on her skin. Li Shu clenched her fist, holding her breath, rolling her eyes off those red-pink lips that approached her. 'Why is this happening now! This ridiculous curse is making a fool out of me. I have mixed confusing desires fighting each other.'
The princess stepped back and smiled satisfyingly; Li Shu glimpsed at the frowning Chaoxiang. He hated any closeness to the princess, not unless it was urgent or vital.
Taking the jewel out, she reached her hand to the princess, "I can't accept this!"
Master Qin snorted, now that the prince was away, he could get close in relief.
"How dare your reject her highness's hand?" The old man nagged.
Paying the seller who was so happy that his princess bought his jewel, she said, "your wish is rejected."
Putting her hands behind her, she passed by her. Ke Xin yanked the startled girl, "You are lucky, don't be a fool."
She growled and pushed Li Shu forward.
"Did you just call me a fool!"
Li Shu mumbled but instead received a sweet smile and blushed face, why was she always happy! Was it for Chaoxiang?
Reaching the Tian guesthouse, the princess asked master Qin to bring the old woman chef and her grandson, she would want to eat with them and then take them to the castle.