Two weeks later,
Master Hong was treating a patient, "Changxi, can you pass me the mixture?"
Not getting any reply, he looked in that direction. Changxi was standing stiff. Following her line of sight, he saw Chen covering his eyes to avoid the light reflection of a bronze mirror, "This…"
Changxi went towards Chen. It was the first time he was responding to a light, "Chen, why are you covering your eyes?" Chen said, "This light came unexpectedly." She moved the mirror, "How about now?" Chen replied, "It is constantly moving."
The old man asked, "Wh-What happened Master Changxi?" Changxi creased her forehead, "Chen's body is responding to our treatment faster than I thought. It's been just a couple of weeks and he can already recognize the light." The old man looked at his grandson with wide eyes. "I had a mild headache when I woke up," Chen informed.
Master Hong said, "Changxi, his body is ready to accept the last phase of the treatment. You have to take advantage of it."
Changxi decided to follow Master Hong's advice. "Master, where did you get these herbs? I need them urgently," she asked. Master Hong replied, "Aah, that I got them from the forest of North-eastern Valley—" Seeing her narrowed eyes, he continued, "Don't even think! It's far away, it will take more time."
The patient said, "Master Hong, isn't there a huge herbs shop in the town market? The owner has returned." "Oh right! Changxi, you can go to the town market with Xinxin…" Master Hong turned to Changxi only to see her annoyed face.
Right! He forgot that the only thing Changxi hates the most is going to a crowded place.
Just then, Xinxin and Dihao came inside. "What! Are we going to the town market?" Xinxin hopped in joy, but her smile faded as Changxi declined, "No need. Dihao, are you going to market today?"
Before he could say anything, Xinxin shot Dihao a meaningful look and pleaded Changxi with puppy eyes, "Of course we need to! Only you can select quality herbs and Spring Festival is around the corner, I want to buy new clothes, please please! Even Chen wants to go, right Chen?" she asked. For the past couple of weeks, they have been including Chen with them whenever they go anywhere.
Chen agreed. Seeing the excitement in his unfocused eyes, Changxi gave up and nodded.
…
Town Market,
In the Herbal Shop,
The shop owner was sorting the herbs when the door opened with a bell. "Welcome, what do you, Oh!" the Shop owner stopped seeing Changxi.
Whereas, after coming out from the crowd, Changxi was relived seeing a quiet shop with no customers, "Hello. I am—"
"Changxi! Master Hong's daughter!" the Shop owner said with a huge smile. Changxi sighed and nodded. She was now used to this identity. "This way," the Shop Owner showed them and sent a helper.
Ding!
A moment later, another person visited the shop.
"I need this concoction," the Nobleman said while handing over the envelope. Seeing the ingredients, the Shop Owner's eyes shined, "Sure Sir, but this will cost--" his eyes widened when the Nobleman took out the shiny silver coins from the pouch, "It's ok, I just need the best herbs you have," the Nobleman said with a soft smile. "Sure, Master," the Shop Owner was over the moon.
"What happened?" Chen asked when he realized her hand stopped while checking the herbs. "It's rare to see a handsome and humble Nobleman," Changxi said with a small unnoticeable smile. But, for some reason, Chen felt a strange burning in his chest when he caught an unexpected softness in her usual harsh tone.
On the other hand,
"don't know, maybe the garment shop. Here is the money, and…"
Hearing the familiar voice, the Nobleman paused and turned in that direction. Looking there, he saw a young couple near the counter. The lady was instructing something while handing the money.
When the Shop Owner came, the Nobleman asked, "Who was that girl?" The Shop Owner got confused, "Who? Oh! She was Changxi, our famous physician Master Hong's daughter."
"Master Hong's daughter, Changxi," the Nobleman mumbled and looked at her silhouette, 'She sounded like our Xiao Mei,' he thought.
…
In the Garment Shop,
"Oh! Very Good Morning Madam! How can this lowly person help such a beauty?" the shopkeeper said while welcoming a beautiful Noblewoman.
"We would like to see the best silk you have," the Noblewoman said with a soft smile.
"Perfect!" the shopkeeper said with wide eyes, "I finally found the perfect owner for them!" The Noblewoman and her maid laughed and followed him upstairs.
Just then, someone came with a parcel, "Master? We received the parcel," the man called the shopkeeper while opening the silk box.
The Shopkeeper went down, "Which parcel— Oh this? Thank God! We have told them to collect today anyway, that's good." Returning to the pair, he said, "Finally it's done, I don't understand why people like to fix clothes when they can buy new ones."
The Noblewoman smiled, "Maybe that dress has a strong deep memory," she glided her fingers from the light pink silk. The Shopkeeper shook his head, "and quality as well. Oww fixing silk with double embroidery is a pain in the ass," he said while holding his back neck.
The Noblewoman was shocked, "Is it available here as well?" The Shopkeeper denied, "No Madam, I had to send it all the way to the East Coast to fix it." Looking at the pink fabric in Noblewoman's hand, he sighed, "I did it just because of my good relationship with them. Instead of fixing it, they could have bought this piece—"
"Can I see it?" The Noblewoman said with shocked eyes.
"S-See what?"
"That parcel. Can I see that dress?" there was a slight eagerness in her voice.
Confused, the Shopkeeper looked at the maid, who nodded with pleading eyes. "O-Of course, you can," he agreed, getting a tearful smile from the noblewoman.
Coming down,
The Shopkeeper said, "Here you can see," he stopped seeing the Noblewoman's face.
Whereas there was a cluster of emotions on the Noblewoman's face. In front of her, a girl was standing with her back facing them. She was wearing a pink hanfu made with luxurious silk. It had a beautiful embroidery of cherry blossoms on it.
Even the maid was shocked. She said inwardly, 'Same dress! Same silhouette… Is she—'
"X…Xiao Mei?" the Noblewoman called out softly. She held her breath as the girl stopped and turned around.