Chapter 30 Ginseng For the humble woman.

Chapter 30: Ginseng for the Humble Woman.

Zhong Yao looked soft and fragile, crying incessantly when faced with difficulties, as if crying was all she knew how to do. In reality, she was exceptionally adept at sizing up a situation. When danger arose, she would play the innocent, red-eyed little rabbit; once she sensed the environment was safe, she would start causing mischief.

Looking back now, Xie Chi realized that Zhong Yao's true nature had already begun to reveal itself when they first met.

He could only blame his own foolishness. If he had agreed to her request that day and simply snapped her neck, none of today's troubles would exist.

Unless she could truly transform into a vengeful ghost to haunt him.

But what difference was there between the current situation and being haunted by a vengeful ghost?

"Yesterday, a letter from my father arrived at the mansion. He and Xu Guozhu's family are still searching everywhere along the Xu River. Both sides are terrified the other will find the person first, keeping a close watch on each other day and night. So, I definitely won't leak any news about Second Brother."

Zhong Yao chattered on beside him.

Xue Fang ignored her. Xie Chi had also relented, pretending to rest with his eyes closed, letting her prattle on.

This did nothing to dampen Zhong Yao's enthusiasm. Sitting beside Xie Chi, she continued, "My eldest brother can't even handle Chen Luoling; he's too useless. I can't tell him either. I only trust you, Heir Xie. Please go to Misty Mountain with peace of mind; I won't let anyone hold you back!"

Her voice was full of conviction, sounding very sincere and earnest.

Somehow, though, these words were profoundly unsettling.

"You said the same thing last time when protecting my eldest brother's virtue, and then you thoroughly ruined him!" Xue Fang angrily accused.

Xie Chi's mouth twitched, nearly opening his eyes to drag him over for a beating.

He restrained himself.

Because once he opened his eyes, he would face even more vexing entanglements.

One way or another, he couldn't stop it. Since he couldn't stop it, and given the choice between being pulled by the sleeve to listen to nonsense and resting with his eyes closed, he preferred the latter, letting the two beside him bicker.

However, Zhong Yao didn't argue with Xue Fang, nor did she dispute that it was Xue Fang who had pushed her into the room that day.

She just anxiously said, "Don't expose your eldest brother's shortcomings! Men care about their pride. Be careful, or he'll fly into a rage out of shame later and threaten not to take you to Misty Mountain."

The conclusion was right, but the reasoning was wrong. Yet, such an absurd statement, Xue Fang actually believed it.

He immediately changed his tune, stiffening his neck and saying, "My eldest brother has plenty of virtue left! You wretched humble woman, even if you tried your hardest, you couldn't ruin it all!"

"..." A vein throbbed violently on Xie Chi's neck.

Zhong Yao was also choked up by that address.

These two were both unreliable. In the end, it was the loyal guard who saved the day with a single "We're docking," preventing Xie Chi from bearing the infamy of hitting his sister and a young lady.

Xie Chi opened his eyes and said to Xue Fang, "Escort this humble woman safely back to the Zhong residence."

He didn't want to stay a moment longer. After speaking, he stood up, took two strides to the cabin entrance, and was about to leave when his sleeve was tugged once again.

Xie Chi turned his head, his gaze following the sinful finger clutching his sleeve upward, finally resting on Zhong Yao's face.

"Get to the point, I know you will." Zhong Yao smiled at him, putting on an obedient expression. "I know you've been ignoring me these days because you think men and women should maintain distance. Don't worry, Heir Xie. Once my second brother returns and things settle at home, my mother will surely start arranging a marriage for me again. Then I won't have time to come find you. I definitely won't ruin your reputation or delay your marriage prospects!"

Xie Chi gave her face a couple more glances, then casually pointed outside and said, "Why is there a dog over there?"

Zhong Yao's expression tightened in alarm. She hurriedly looked in the direction he pointed, only to see the rippling, emerald-green river surface outside. Where was there any dog?

When she turned back, Xie Chi was already gone.

Xie Chi went to see the Crown Prince.

"What brings you here?" the Crown Prince asked.

He and Xie Chi had known each other since childhood, but back then, each had their own concerns and they never grew close. Later, Xie Chi traveled abroad, and the Crown Prince left the capital incognito to investigate a case. They happened to meet, got acquainted anew as strangers, and actually got along better than before.

It was just that Xie Chi's nature was somewhat aloof. After learning he was the Crown Prince, Xie Chi deliberately distanced himself.

The Crown Prince was keen on befriending Xie Chi. However, because Xie Chi was investigating that failed palace coup case, and knowing the Emperor's concerns, the Crown Prince had avoided contact with him recently to steer clear of suspicion. He was somewhat surprised that Xie Chi had sought him out suddenly.

Xie Chi had a purpose.

"I will be leaving the capital soon and may not return before your wedding."

The Crown Prince gave a light laugh. "What of it?"

Xie Chi added, "Has Your Highness considered moving the wedding date forward?"

The wedding date for the Crown Prince was chosen by the Imperial Astronomers. How could it be changed arbitrarily?

This question was truly unbecoming of Xie Chi's status. The Crown Prince couldn't help but be taken aback. "Why do you ask?"

"Nothing." Xie Chi suddenly changed his tune. "The day I leave the capital, only my grandmother and my newly adopted sworn sister will remain in the mansion. I ask that Your Highness look after them a little."

The Crown Prince said, "You jest again. Who would dare show disrespect to the Dowager and your sister? If you're truly uneasy, another day I'll have someone speak to the Minister's residence, have the ladies from their household socialize more with your sister."

The ladies from the Minister's residence naturally referred to Chen Luoling. It was no secret that she had fallen into the water and been rescued by Xue Fang.

Xie Chi had been waiting for this statement. After expressing his thanks, he prepared to leave.

His coming and going were too hurried, suggesting another purpose.

"Wait."

The Crown Prince stopped Xie Chi, quickly running through recent events related to Xie Chi's so-called sworn sister. He then connected it to Xie Chi's abrupt mention of his own wedding with Chen Ruofeng, suspecting there was more to Xie Chi's words.

But Xie Chi hadn't said it outright. Perhaps there were hidden circumstances or something inconvenient to mention; he would have to investigate himself.

The Crown Prince's thoughts completed a circuit, and he smiled instead. "If you could be as patient with other young ladies as you are with this sworn sister of yours, you wouldn't still be without a good marriage prospect by now."

Xie Chi: "..."

Was he not patient enough?

If he were any more patient, a certain someone would truly climb onto his head and start throwing their weight around.

This was the second time today someone had brought up his marital prospects. Unexpectedly, upon returning to the mansion, he encountered a third time.

Only this time was more indirect: an old friend of Dowager Xie had come to the mansion to reminisce, bringing along their children and grandchildren.

Unexpected, yet within reason.

In front of outsiders, Xie Chi never embarrassed Dowager Xie. Upon hearing the steward's report, he went to the side hall.

Upon arrival, he saw Xue Fang had already returned and was sitting beside Dowager Xie, playing the role of the cold-faced, warm-hearted granddaughter. Two others were in the hall, a man and a woman of similar age. Upon introduction, they turned out to be a brother and sister pair.

Another brother and sister.

After the polite introductions and a conversation that lasted until dusk, the guests took their leave. Once they were gone, the Dowager asked, "Did you like that girl? Usually, you'd make an excuse to leave after a few minutes, but today you were much more patient!"

Xie Chi had indeed stayed a while longer and paid more attention than usual to the young lady, but it wasn't because he was interested. Rather, he found it strange.

They're both someone's younger sister, so how come some are gentle, considerate, and caring toward their elder brothers, while others are solely focused on stealing their brother's private stash?

It seemed the problem still lay with Zhong Yao.

"In that case, the future bride you should be most concerned about is Xue Fang," Xie Chi said.

Xue Fang looked utterly confused, while the Dowager shot him a glare. "You'll be the death of me sooner or later!"

Xie Chi couldn't actually upset his grandmother. "I'm just telling you not to talk nonsense. Be careful not to ruin a young lady's reputation, or else a good match might fall through and turn old friends into enemies."

The Dowager retorted irritably, "There's not even a hint of a match yet. Where would I go spreading rumors? I was just asking for your opinion. If you don't like her, just say so!"

"I don't like her," Xie Chi said.

The Dowager had already prepared for this and took the chance to dig deeper. "Then what kind of person do you like?"

Xie Chi pondered for a moment before replying, "I like someone who doesn't talk."

This was his genuine thought at that moment, but unfortunately, the Dowager took it as an excuse to dismiss his elder and angrily shooed him away.

As soon as Xie Chi left, Xue Fang immediately followed, leaving the Dowager alone once more.

Annoyed by Xie Chi, she had no interest in listening to stories. Leaning on the daybed, she thought of her son, who seemed detached from worldly affairs and wholly devoted to Taoist cultivation. Sighing for a long while, she felt that carrying on the family line might have to rely on Xue Fang.

But that would still be several years away, and she might not even live to see it.

Unable to sleep, the Dowager had someone fetch the ledger of the treasure vault. As she flipped through it, mentally calculating the distribution of betrothal gifts, she suddenly let out a surprised "Huh?" and asked, "Why is this thousand-year-old ginseng crossed out? Who took it?"

A thousand-year-old ginseng was a rare treasure, not easy to find, and the Marquisate only had this one intact root.

The maid didn't know and went to ask the steward. She returned with the reply, "They said the Young Marquis took it. It seems he needed it as an ingredient for some medicinal salve. He also took many other herbs."

"What kind of salve? Who's injured?"

Seeing the Dowager somewhat worried, the maid quickly said, "I don't know, but it's definitely not the Young Marquis or the Young Lady."

The Dowager recalled that both of them moved normally and indeed showed no signs of injury, which put her mind at ease.

But she still felt somewhat uneasy and didn't sleep well that night. Early the next morning, after Xie Chi had left the estate, Xue Fang came to join her for breakfast, and she asked him.

"You're with your elder brother all day. Do you know what medicine he needed that ginseng for?"

"For a scar-removing ointment," Xue Fang replied. "The old camp doctor said ginseng is nourishing. Mixed into a scar-removing ointment and used regularly over time, it can have some effect."

The Dowager thought for a moment and asked incredulously, "Is your elder brother being this attentive to the Fourth Prince?"

Xue Fang, being a growing teenager with a big appetite who got hungry quickly, was currently eating heartily. Hearing this, he replied casually, "It's not for the Fourth Prince. It's for the humble woman."

"The humble woman?" The Dowager found it strange. "For you? You're so young. Where on your body could there be such a severe scar?"

She obviously mistook "humble woman" as Xue Fang's self-reference. Though puzzled, she accepted it, considering this grandson hadn't received much education.

"It's not me, it's for..."

"Who? Is it Zhong Yao?"

Xue Fang wanted to say yes, but seeing the Dowager's look of being on high alert, he remembered Xie Chi had said she didn't like Zhong Yao and not to say anything inappropriate in front of her.

So he swallowed his words and said, "I don't know either. Anyway, elder brother said it's for the humble woman!"

The Dowager vaguely suspected it was Zhong Yao. After all, it was rare for a well-bred young lady to sustain injuries severe enough to leave scars. The only one she knew of was Zhong Yao, and her scars were related to their own household.

But this "humble woman" title was odd and awkward. Coming from Xue Fang was one thing, but Xie Chi would absolutely never say such a thing.

Moreover, this "humble woman" might not necessarily be a young lady. Previously, there was someone named "Yao Qianjiao" who entered Xie Chi's room late at night and stayed there the whole night.

At the time, the Dowager thought it was a young lady and agonized over it for a long time. When she was bursting with things to say, she discovered the person was a Deputy General with a bushy beard.

Thinking of this, the Dowager's guess about the "humble woman" leaned toward a man, perhaps some general.

Her grandson was incapable of being this attentive to a young lady.

"That young lady yesterday was so nice. How could your elder brother not like her? Do you think he might be saying one thing but meaning another?"

"No," Xue Fang said. "That young lady stumbled yesterday, and elder brother didn't even go to help her up."

Hearing this, the Dowager remembered. Yesterday, when that young lady stood up to come over and speak with her, she indeed lost her balance and nearly fell, but was caught by her elder brother in the end.

"Your elder brother did go to help her," the Dowager said.

"He was pretending."

Xue Fang was very certain because Xie Chi was sitting at the time. When he went to help, he first stood up, then took a step forward. That was too slow; by the time he reached her, the young lady would have already fallen.

In contrast, the young lady's elder brother took a large step forward as he stood up and successfully caught her.

The Dowager also recalled this point and added, "Maybe your elder brother was just a bit slow to react?"

Xue Fang shook his head with absolute certainty. "Impossible!"

Just yesterday, he had personally seen Xie Chi catch Zhong Yao. His movements were so agile even in the cramped cabin of a boat. How could he be slow to react? He was clearly just putting on a show, not genuinely intending to help.

The Dowager's attempt to fool herself was exposed again. She sighed for a while longer and asked, "Does your elder brother truly have no young lady he likes?"

"No," Xue Fang said.

There was one he interacted with frequently, but she was too annoying. Elder brother was only doing it because she was calling in a favor; it wasn't that he liked her.

But if he didn't like her, why would he favor her, have medicine made for her, and not hit her even though she was so bothersome?

Thinking this, Xue Fang suddenly became alert.

Later, when Xie Chi returned to check his schoolwork, Xue Fang asked him righteously.

This was the fourth person in two days to show concern about Xie Chi's marital prospects.

Xie Chi had always believed that in life, no matter how grandly something was justified, its fundamental root was often domestic trivialities. For example, the struggles among imperial descendants were essentially about vying for favor; the Fourth Prince's harassment of Zhong Yao was fundamentally about revenge against the Marquisate; and Xue Fang's current questioning stemmed from the unfair treatment he felt he was receiving.

Flipping through the pages of messy handwriting without looking up, Xie Chi said, "I'm just indulging her. She cries easily, and her crying is annoying. I can't be bothered."

He also felt it was unfair. Why was it that no matter who bullied Zhong Yao, he ended up suffering the consequences?

It was the same when Grandmother bullied her, when they encountered Fei Anxuan, and now with the Fourth Prince—why was it always him?

Thinking of this, for the sake of his own peace, Xie Chi casually instructed, "You should also avoid provoking her in the future."

"Oh." Xue Fang said, moving closer to Xie Chi to watch him annotate his homework.

Xue Fang had only started learning to read and write after Xie Chi took him in. During the earlier years in the military, Xie Chi hadn't been able to teach him personally. The more characters he saw, the deeper his frown became.

After finishing the annotations, Xie Chi turned with a furrowed brow to reprimand Xue Fang, only to find him putting on a pitiful look—his eyes dropped, his lips went into a pout, and he started fake-crying in a pinched voice.

The act was over-the-top and stomach-churning, yet it clearly had a three-percent Zhong Yao vibe.

Xie Chi: "..."

His eye twitched. He raised his hand, grabbed Xue Fang by the neck, and slammed him down hard on the desk with a loud "thud."

"..."

This time, Xue Fang genuinely cried.