Chapter 24

Invigorating the Mind, Blessing with Offspring

Seeing Baishi as elusive as the rumors suggested and unorthodox in approach, Duan Yan felt out of options, especially with Stone Meimei's sharp wit coming to Baishi's aid, leaving him no angle to attack.

As he pondered his next move, Qin Die interjected, "Fourth Master, this matter doesn't concern our Ghost Knife Villa much. Maybe you should head back to Qian and investigate thoroughly."

Duan Yan, inwardly reluctant but lacking evidence to pin anything on Baishi, wondered if the item wasn't with Baishi after all.

"Young Master." An older man at the table gave Duan Yan a meaningful look, suggesting with his eyes - there are too many people here, and Baishi came prepared. Let's plan for the long term.

Understanding the hint, Duan Yan gave a slight smile and said to Baishi and Qin Die, "If so, if Master Baishi uncovers the real culprit, I hope you'll inform me so I can retrieve the White Jade Buddha."

"Hehe, of course, of course," Qin Die hurriedly responded, calling to the waiter, "Bring some crabs, we'll take them to the boat to eat." Seeing Stone Meimei and others enjoying theirs, he added, "And prepare two more fresh boxes for the Xiangfen House."

Stone Meimei and Zan Yuye exchanged glances, and Zan Yuye turned to thank Qin Die.

Qin Die eagerly returned the gesture, thinking to himself, "Ah, such beauties!" Just then, he caught a stern look from Hongye - unnecessary generosity often hides ulterior motives!

Qin Die touched his nose, finding the situation amusing, thinking how fierce Hongye was.

Baishi, having other matters to attend to, stood up, handing over the snuggly Little Fortune to Stone Meimei.

Stone Meimei took the cat, noticing Baishi's smile and his quiet words, "I have other matters to attend to, I must leave now."

Stone Meimei nodded, and as Baishi turned to leave, Zan Yuye and Hongye exchanged looks - it's true, Baishi seems to see no one but Stone Meimei.

Qin Die energetically bid farewell to the group, hurriedly following Baishi while calling out, "Hey, Little Bai, wait up, I've got the crabs! Hey boss, make sure they're female ones!"

……

Stone Meimei and the others exchanged glances, marveling at the stark contrast in personalities.

With Baishi safely departed, Stone Meimei felt relieved. The crabs were nearly finished, and when Xianger called the manager to pay, they were informed that an elderly couple had already covered their bill, expressing their gratitude to the ladies.

Stone Meimei felt cheerful, musing on the intriguing nature of people from the martial world.

Soon after, the group rose to leave.

Luan Jingyi absentmindedly poked at the crabs on her plate, her mind preoccupied with what she'd just heard about the treasure and the jade Buddha. She wondered if any of it could be of use to the prince.

Mingfu, lacking such schemes, was simply displeased with Stone Meimei. After the others left, she began to complain about her to the other ladies, who quickly joined in criticizing.

Mingfu's loud voice allowed Duan Yan's table to overhear everything clearly, leaving them surprised to learn that the recent visitor was the esteemed Princess Xiangfen.

……

Leaving Mingfu and her gossip behind, let's return to Stone Meimei and her companions.

They took the painted boat back, admiring the lake and mountain scenery along the way, inevitably discussing the jade Buddha case again.

Zan Yuye asked, "Meimei, is that treasure really significant?"

Stone Meimei shook her head, "It's not detailed in books, just mentioned as a national treasure, so it must be substantial."

"Did the Duan family ever have an emperor?" Hongye inquired, "Or was the person who offered the jade Buddha a Duan ancestor?"

"That seems unlikely," Stone Meimei pondered, then added, "There was something suspicious I noticed just now."

"Where?" the others asked curiously.

"Duan Yan mentioned that the jade Buddha is their family heirloom," Stone Meimei explained. "But why isn't this heirloom at home? Why did they have to come to the capital to retrieve it?"

Hongye, stroking her chin, realized the inconsistency, "Hmm... that's a good point!"

"The last ruler of the fallen dynasty also had his capital here in the city, near the Dayu Mountain to the west," Stone Meimei added.

"Then it's simple," Zan Yuye suggested. "On our way back, let's stop by a bookstore and look for local chronicles about the Dayu Mountain area. If the last emperor didn't bear the Duan surname, then their claim of the treasure being related to their family is baseless!"

"Right!" Stone Meimei and Hongye agreed.

As they disembarked and thought to visit a bookstore, a servant from Xiangfen Manor hurriedly approached, whispering to Xiao Xi.

Xiao Xi frowned slightly and relayed to Stone Meimei, "Miss, Zhong Bo says a distinguished guest has arrived at Xiangfen Manor and is asking if you can return soon."

Surprised, Stone Meimei inquired, "Who's the guest?"

"Prince Chahak."

Stone Meimei, looking at Zan Yuye and Hongye, wondered, "Chahak? What does he want at Xiangfen Manor?"

"He's come to request a special incense," Xiao Xi explained. "He wants the 'Early Birth of a Precious Child' incense."

Stone Meimei couldn't help but find the request amusing, thinking to herself that he should be praying to the Goddess of Childbirth, not her.

Xiao Xi added, "The Empress Dowager sent an official message through Eunuch Liu, emphasizing Chahak's special status and asking you to assist him as much as possible."

"Oh..." Stone Meimei nodded, somewhat troubled, and joined Zan Yuye and the rest in the carriage. They decided to return to Xiangfen Manor first, postponing the bookstore visit for another day.

The entrance to Xiangfen Manor was lined with several impressive carriages.

Stone Meimei hurried inside after alighting from the carriage, where she found Zhong Bo serving tea in the living room.

Seated on the western guest chair in the living room was a young man. He had a somewhat exotic appearance to the Central Plains people, with a hawk-like nose and deep-set eyes, but his gaze was particularly piercing.

As Stone Meimei entered with Xiang Er, the young man promptly stood and bowed respectfully, "Prince Chahak greets the Princess."

Stone Meimei courteously returned the greeting and took a seat.

Xiang Er served tea, and Chahak observed Stone Meimei for a while before nodding with a smile, “Indeed, the Princess is as beautiful as the rumors suggest."

Amused, Stone Meimei quipped, “It seems the only credible part of the rumors is the phrase 'heavenly beauty'.”

Chahak laughed heartily, appreciating her straightforwardness. “Indeed, the only truth in rumors is your heavenly beauty; the rest is all nonsense.”

Stone Meimei, still smiling, asked, “I hear Your Highness seeks a special incense?”

Chahak turned earnest, “Yes, I’ll be straightforward. I seek the 'Early Birth of a Precious Child' incense from the Princess.”

Sipping her tea, Stone Meimei inquired, “The composition of this incense varies depending on different factors. Could Your Highness share more about your specific situation?”

Chahak blushed slightly, glancing at Xiang Er behind Stone Meimei.

Stone Meimei suggested, “Xiang Er, please wait outside.”

Xiang Er pouted, as if to say, ‘How can I leave you alone with him?’

Chahak waved his hand, “Well, Miss Xiang Er, you can wait nearby and just cover your ears. I’ll speak softly; there’s no need to leave.”

Xiang Er found this arrangement agreeable, nodding and stepping back about ten steps, covering her ears while keeping her eyes on Stone Meimei and Chahak.

Stone Meimei asked Chahak, “Is this arrangement alright for you?”

Chahak, appearing a bit uneasy, took a sip of water to compose himself, and confessed, “Princess, to be honest, I have a peculiar issue.”

“What kind of issue?”

“As soon as my head touches the pillow, I fall asleep instantly!” Chahak revealed.

Shimei, finding it amusing, said, "Lord, that's a good thing."

“It’s not,” Chahak sighed in frustration. “I married the most beautiful woman in my principality, but every night as soon as I lie down, I fall asleep. It’s been over a year, and we haven’t consummated our marriage!”

Surprised, Stone Meimei inquired, “Do you mean to say you fall asleep immediately upon lying down?”

“Exactly!” Chahak said helplessly, spreading his hands. “How can I consummate our marriage like this? At first, my wife thought I was considerate, but then she felt I didn’t love her, crying daily. I’m at my wit’s end.”

Shimei also felt like laughing, struggling to hold it back. Chahak didn't know that just a screen separated the living room from the courtyard where Zanyue and Hongye were eavesdropping. They had feared the prince would cause trouble but couldn't help but stifle their laughter at the absurdity of it all.

“So, what are you suggesting, Prince?” Stone Meimei asked.

“I need an incense that keeps me awake after getting into bed, so I can be intimate with my wife and have many children,” Chahak explained blushingly. “Please don’t find me rude, Princess. I’m over twenty and it’s getting urgent. Without an heir, my wife might even consider suicide!”

Stone Meimei pondered, “Have you consulted any physicians about this? Could it be a medical condition?”

"I have searched," Chahak nodded. "I brought the best physicians in our nation, and they all say there's no illness!"

Stone Meimei felt somewhat challenged, considering incense is typically used for its medicinal properties. If the issue was innate, she wondered if incense would even be effective.

Reflecting on this, Stone Meimei said, “Give me some time, Prince. I’ll research and see what I can do.”

"Of course!" Chahak nodded with a laugh. "I've planned to stay in the capital for a few months, firstly for the investiture and secondly to tour the city with my beauty... There are many skilled people here, and I hope to find someone who can cure my peculiar condition."

Stone Meimei nodded, finding his plan reasonable.

"By the way," she inquired further, "has Your Highness always had this unusual condition, or did it develop recently?"

"It started just this year!" Chahak explained. "I don't know what happened. I was never like this as a child!"

Hearing this, Stone Meimei grew more puzzled... A sudden onset of a strange ailment? Could it be related to some medication?

"In the past year, have you suffered any injuries, or experienced any significant events?"

Chahak pondered for a moment and shook his head. "Nothing unusual, except for unexpectedly winning the affection of a beautiful lady."

……

After seeing off a blushing Chahak, Stone Meimei found Zan Yu and Hong Ye giggling together in the backyard.

Hong Ye commented, "This prince is hilarious... Who ever heard of such a thing!"

Zan Yu nodded in agreement, "His lady is so unfortunate, unable to consummate their marriage because of this."

Stone Meimei shook her head, "Don't laugh, he's actually quite pitiable."

"Can it be cured?" Zan Yu asked, holding her cup, "Doctors couldn't help, so could a simple incense really work?"

Stone Meimei sighed, "Well... I can only try giving him an incense that's invigorating and stimulating... As for its effectiveness, it's uncertain."

Following this, Stone Meimei dedicated herself to researching incense. She gathered various stimulating herbs and combed through many of Chen Zhuomei's notes and books, beginning to concoct a formula.

One noon, Stone Meimei stepped out from the fragrance workshop with a book in her hands, ready for lunch. She saw Zan Yu reading at the table and asked, "Where's Hong Ye?"

"She's gone hunting at the hunting grounds," Zan Yu replied.

"Hunting grounds?" Stone Meimei was puzzled. "Aren't there only royal hunting grounds in the capital?"

"Yes," Zan Yu nodded. "It's that one. It's been opened because Prince Chahak is staying in the capital for three months. The emperor, knowing his fondness for horseback hunting, specially allowed him access. Chahak said it's no fun alone, so the grounds were opened to all skilled hunters. Hong Ye went to catch a couple of live deer."

"That's interesting," Stone Meimei put down her book. "Chahak must be quite special for the emperor to treat him so favorably."

"Indeed," Zan Yu laughed. "These vassal states, no matter their size, are all dominant in their regions. Plus, they're always on horseback, so they're fierce. Treat them well, and they'll be loyal; treat them poorly, and they might rebel!"

"Makes sense," Stone Meimei nodded. Just as she was about to eat, she heard two maids outside exclaiming, "Wow, Hong Ye is so amazing!"

Stone Meimei and Zan Yu rushed out to see Hong Ye entering with two little sika deer.

"They're so cute!" Stone Meimei and Zan Yu went to hold the deer, which were so scared they didn't dare to move.

Hong Ye clapped her hands, saying, "These two, a male and a female, make a perfect pair."

A maid brought a basin with lotus leaves for Hong Ye to wash her hands, preparing for the meal. "Today, I saw Chahak and his beauty!" Hong Ye said while washing, speaking to Stone Meimei and Zan Yu.

"How beautiful is she?" Zan Yu asked with interest. "Foreign beauties always have a wild charm, right?"

"Indeed," Hong Ye gestured in front of her chest. "Quite ample."

Stone Meimei and Zan Yu laughed.

"But, men from the Central Plains might not like that type," Hong Ye said, sitting down with her bowl of rice. "I always feel she's a bit stout and quite fierce." She suddenly remembered something and said to Zan Yu, "Hey, can you help me draw something later?"

"What drawing?" Zan Yu asked, holding her bowl of rice.

"Yes, I just saw that beauty wearing a unique dress. It was unwaisted, with the waistline directly under the bust. She looked a bit plump in it, but we might look good in it, maybe even a bit voluptuous," Red Leaf said, pinching Stone Meimei's arm. "Look at how thin you are."

"Ow!" Stone Meimei dodged playfully, leading to a playful scuffle among the girls.

As they served soup, Xiang'er warned, "Such dresses shouldn't be worn carelessly, especially by unmarried girls. It could hinder your marriage prospects."

"Why's that?" both Red Leaf and Stone Meimei asked curiously.

"Xiang'er is right!" Zan Yu nodded. "Unwaisted dresses hide the belly. They're often worn by pregnant women. If an unmarried girl wears it, people might mistake her for being with child. Who would dare to propose marriage then?"

"I see," Red Leaf said thoughtfully. "Then it's best not to make such a dress. Marriage is more important."

Stone Meimei laughed, but their conversation was interrupted as Little Xi'er rushed in with a large basin of steamed prawns. "These are from Qin Daifu of the neighboring White Residence, hundreds of them."

"So many?" Stone Meimei felt awkward. "Please share them with everyone and thank him for me."

"Already did," Little Xi'er replied, then added, "He also said he brought exotic fruits and flowers from the south. He's inviting you to enjoy them, have some fruit, and watch a play this afternoon."

Looking at the others, Red Leaf suggested eagerly, "We should go! Bai She has money, and everyone knows it. He must have rare treats, maybe even better than those in the palace!"

Stone Meimei agreed and asked Little Xi'er to convey their acceptance after lunch.