Chapter 97: Chinese Medicine

The next morning, sunlight illuminated the sea of clouds, as resplendent as brocade.

Su Qingwan slowly woke from his sleep. As he reached out to touch the spot beside him in his drowsy state, he realized there was no one there.

He suddenly sat up startled, looking at the empty space beside him, and hung his head dejectedly: “Where is Elder Sister Yuner? When did she leave? Could it be… Elder Sister Yuner lulled me to sleep and snuck away in the middle of the night again?”

Hearing sounds from the room, Xiao Yuan pushed open the door and entered. Seeing the person on the bed searching for something with a downcast expression, just as Lu Boshi had predicted, he spoke: “Young Master, you’re awake. Lu Boshi woke up early to help Shopkeeper Mu check the accounts at the counter. Seeing you were still asleep, she was worried you wouldn’t be able to find her when you woke up, so she had me wait outside the door.”

The light instantly rekindled in Su Qingwan’s eyes as he sought confirmation: “You’re saying… Elder Sister Yuner left from here this morning? And she had you waiting here the whole time?”

Xiao Yuan nodded: “Yes.”

Confirming that Elder Sister Yuner had spent the night here, Su Qingwan first breathed a sigh of relief, then the corners of his mouth turned up in a slight smile, his mood visibly brightening.

At least this time, Elder Sister Yuner hadn’t abandoned him halfway. It was just that waking up and opening his eyes without seeing her left him feeling somewhat disappointed.

Xiao Yuan stood quietly to the side. He had been waiting outside the door the whole time and had never entered before. Now looking at the slightly disheveled bedding on the bed, he steeled himself to voice the thoughts he had been suppressing for a long time: “Young Master, as a servant I shouldn’t speak out of turn, but you and Lu Boshi are not yet married. You really shouldn’t be sleeping in Lu Boshi’s room, let alone sharing the same bed with her.”

“People’s words can be fearsome. If others were to find out about this, your reputation and face would be ruined.”

Hearing these words, Su Qingwan instead replied with a relaxed expression: “I’ve never cared about what others think. Whether it’s my reputation or chastity, I’m only going to marry Elder Sister Yuner anyway. As long as I’m in her heart, that’s all that matters. I couldn’t care less about others.”

Su Qingwan propped up his chin, his tone carrying a hint of frustration as he sighed helplessly: “Ah! Even though I sleep together with Elder Sister Yuner, even if I wanted something to happen, Elder Sister Yuner is just too proper and won’t touch me at all.”

“You’ve seen it too, haven’t you? If she were truly infatuated with me, how could she bear to leave me alone here so early in the morning? With soft fragrance in her arms yet no greedy thoughts, as a man I can’t even keep the heart of the woman I love.”

“Xiao Yuan, tell me, what use is there in being mindful of a man’s propriety and protecting my reputation? If I don’t take the initiative, Elder Sister Yuner won’t come close to me at all.”

Xiao Yuan’s eyelashes trembled slightly, but in his heart he gained more respect for Lu Boshi. He hadn’t expected Lu Boshi to be so mature and steady, perhaps because she had considered the same issues he was thinking about, and thus wouldn’t overstep boundaries or do anything inappropriate.

He understood the Young Master’s temperament – he wouldn’t give up until he achieved his goal. Faced with the Young Master’s various thoughts and tactics, in order not to let the Young Master feel hurt or upset, yet having to make concessions, it was indeed quite difficult for Lu Boshi.

Su Qingwan lifted the covers and got out of bed, taking the clothes from the wooden rack and putting them on while saying: “You just said Elder Sister Yuner is helping Aunt check the accounts at the counter?”

The Young Master had said he didn’t want him to serve, so Xiao Yuan could only stand by: “Yes, but I noticed that Lu Boshi seems quite familiar with business matters. This morning before dawn, Autumn Steward called me to the study on the west side, saying he had something to instruct me.”

“As soon as I entered, I saw Lu Boshi looking at the account books while quickly manipulating an abacus, her movements extremely skillful. I guess that Shopkeeper Mu is a merchant, though I don’t know what kind of business. But judging from Shopkeeper Mu’s mansion, the business must be quite substantial.”

“And it’s clear that Shopkeeper Mu regards Lu Boshi as her own child, so she entrusts these business matters to her. That’s why Lu Boshi helps Shopkeeper Mu organize the accounts every time she comes to Jinling Prefecture.”

After dressing, Su Qingwan neatly folded the bedding and furrowed his brow at Xiao Yuan: “From what you’re saying, it turns out Elder Sister Yuner is not only beautiful and kind-hearted, but also very filial.”

“With such a nearly flawless woman, apart from that Tang young master, there must be many other men in Jinling Prefecture who have taken a liking to Elder Sister Yuner. Xiao Yuan, do you think I should turn the uncooked rice into cooked rice?”

Hearing this outrageous proposal, Xiao Yuan hurriedly tried to dissuade him: “Young Master, you absolutely must not. Besides, Lu Boshi wouldn’t agree to it either.”

Su Qingwan sighed lightly, “That’s true! Elder Sister Yuner won’t touch me, but I’m worried about Elder Sister Yuner encountering people with ill intentions. If someone were to take advantage of her… Elder Brother Nanxi once told me that the better a woman is, the more people will covet her. Even if Elder Sister Yuner has me in her heart, I’m still worried that someone might harbor malicious intentions towards her.”

Seeing the Young Master’s concerns, Xiao Yuan comforted him: “Young Master, aren’t you worrying too much? You’re only creating unnecessary troubles for yourself. Lu Boshi is so intelligent and devoted to you, how could she be easily swayed by others? Besides, you know Lu Boshi’s self-control better than anyone, don’t you?”

Hearing this, Su Qingwan’s eyes flickered, “…”

Xiao Yuan changed the subject: “By the way, Young Master, Lu Boshi said she might not have time to accompany you today. If you’re bored, she’ll have Young Master Mu take you to visit the market streets. You should go wash up and have breakfast soon!”

“Elder Sister Yuner is so busy today!” Su Qingwan drooped his head, “Ah! Without Elder Sister Yuner accompanying me, visiting the market streets would be dull. I’ll just have breakfast and stay in Qinsi Garden!”

At Mu’s Silk Shop.

Mu Xuan arrived at the shop by carriage. Before she even entered, an old woman came out smiling to greet her, bowing and saying: “Shopkeeper, Manager Liu, you’ve arrived.”

Liu Yang nodded in acknowledgment, while Mu Xuan smiled at her, noticing she seemed happier than usual. Without dwelling on it further, she walked into the shop, asking: “How’s business today?”