undercurrent

Lin Qingyan's visit came faster than Xu Xianyue had expected.

On the third day after the gathering, when the afternoon sun was shining brightly, Lin Qingyan appeared at the door of Xianyue Pavilion carrying two bags of high-quality Hui ink and Hu brushes brought from the capital.

He had changed out of his official robes for an ordinary blue robe, which made him look more elegant and gentle. Standing in the shop filled with exquisite velvet flowers, he felt a little uneasy, but his eyes were surprisingly bright, like a child who had discovered a treasure.

"Doctor Lin." Xu Xianyue walked out from the inner room, still looking calm. She just nodded slightly at the gift in his hand, without refusing it, and asked Wan Cui to accept it.

"Miss Xu's shop... is truly unique." Lin Qingyan looked around at the various, vibrant velvet flowers, admiring them wholeheartedly. "Each one seems to have life. No wonder they were able to establish themselves so quickly in Lin'an."

"It's just a trifle, just enough to make a living." Xu Xianyue said in a flat tone, led him to sit at the tea table by the window, and brewed tea himself.

The tea is Longjing tea before the rain, with a refreshing fragrance.

Lin Qingyan took a sip of tea, but his eyes never left Xu Xianyue. He looked at her calm profile, which seemed enveloped in a soft halo under the gentle Jiangnan sunlight. It was less angular than in the capital, yet more distant and untouchable.

"Miss Xu seems...very safe here." He spoke tentatively.

"Hmm." Xu Xianyue put down the teapot and looked at the river flowing outside the window. "This place is very nice. No one disturbs my peace and quiet."

Her words were full of meaning, how could Lin Qingyan not hear it? His expression darkened slightly, and after a moment of silence, he whispered, "The prince...didn't mean to disturb you. It's just that he's too concerned."

Xu Xianyue turned her gaze back to him, her eyes clear and sharp: "If Imperial Physician Lin came here today only to pass on a message, then the tea has been served and the message has been delivered. You may return now."

Her directness made Lin Qingyan's face flush, and he quickly waved his hands: "No, no, young lady, you misunderstood! Qingyan came here today, firstly to visit an old friend and see if you are okay; secondly, I do have some medical questions that I would like to discuss with you."

His expression turned serious. "Young lady, your method of using velvet flowers to guide the medicinal properties and soothe the soul is truly unprecedented. After returning to the capital, Qingyan pondered it over and over again, combining it with the classics of the Imperial Hospital. I feel that this method may be applicable to more difficult and complicated diseases, especially those related to the mind and emotions. However, the key to it, the grasp of the 'rhythm', the integration of medicinal materials and silk thread... Qingyan is completely puzzled, and I hope the young lady will be generous with her guidance."

His attitude was sincere and his eyes were pure, and he was really seeking medical advice.

Xu Xianyue looked at him, her icy expression softening slightly. She admired Lin Qingyan's sincerity and perseverance in medicine.

"The path of rhythm lies within the heart, difficult to describe," she mused. "The key to blending medicinal herbs with silk lies in the resonance of 'nature' and 'rhythm', rather than simply attaching the medicinal properties. One must sense the essence of the herbs, then use a unique weaving technique to 'lock' them into the rhythmic structure of the silk thread..."

She rarely said a few more words, and although she did not mention the core secret method, she did point out the direction.

Lin Qingyan listened with rapt attention, sometimes lost in thought, sometimes suddenly struck by enlightenment. Over the aroma of tea, the two of them actually discussed the integration of medical theory and craftsmanship, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Wan Cui was listening on the side, and seeing her daughter having a great time talking with Doctor Lin, she felt relieved, but also a little bit of indescribable worry in her heart.

However, this brief tranquility did not last long.

Just five days after Lin Qingyan's visit, a piece of news, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, quietly created ripples in certain circles in Lin'an Prefecture.

Mrs. Su, the owner of the most famous "Jinxiu Pavilion" in the east of the city, who is said to have close relations with the imperial merchants in the capital and plays an important role in the Jiangnan Silk Weaving Guild, personally sent an invitation to Mr. Xu from "Xianyue Pavilion" to come to her house in three days to discuss the "velvet flower craftsmanship".

The post was politely worded, but it carried an irresistible tone.

Wan Cui held the gold-sprinkled invitation, her face filled with worry. "Miss, this Madam Su... I heard she has a powerful background and a strong personality. She came here so suddenly, I'm afraid... she has bad intentions."

Xu Xianyue looked at the post, her expression unchanged. A tall tree attracts the wind. Although her "Xianyue Pavilion" was low-key, her unique works had eventually attracted some attention. She just hadn't expected such a person to come.

"No problem." She put the post aside and said, "Go and take a look."

Three days later, Xu Xianyue went to the Su Mansion as agreed.

The Su Mansion was located in the most prosperous area east of Lin'an City, with its vermilion gates and high walls, and it was an imposing place. The maid who led the way was well-dressed and well-mannered, but she couldn't hide the arrogance between her eyebrows.

After passing through several courtyards, we arrived at a flower hall. The hall was decorated with the utmost luxury, with precious porcelain and jade items stacked on the treasure chests, and the air was filled with rich sandalwood.

In the main seat sat a woman in her forties, wearing a crimson-purple jacket with gold-embellished sleeves, her hair styled in a high peony bun, and a set of gold and ruby ​​headpieces. She was graceful and elegant, with a commanding presence even without anger. It was Madam Su.

When she saw Xu Xianyue come in, she didn't stand up, but just raised her eyelids, and her eyes swept over her like a searchlight. Especially when she saw the inconspicuous gray jade velvet flower hairpin in her hair, she frowned almost imperceptibly.

"Is this Mr. Xu? He's indeed young." Madam Su spoke, her voice lazily and scrutinizing, "Please take a seat."

"Mrs. Su." Xu Xianyue nodded slightly and sat down on the chair below her. He was calm and not at all embarrassed by the other party's presence.

The maid served tea and snacks.

Madam Su leisurely fiddled with a tourmaline bracelet on her wrist. Without exchanging pleasantries, she got straight to the point: "Mr. Xu's velvet flowers have become quite famous in Lin'an recently. Even Mrs. Li Hanlin's wife has praised them highly. I invited Mr. Xu here today to discuss cooperation."

Xu Xianyue looked up at her, waiting for what to say next.

"Your shop's craftsmanship is decent, but the scale is too small." Madam Su's tone was flat, yet it carried a condescending judgment. "How much money can you make from running that small shop? Why not merge your craftsmanship with my 'Jinxiu Pavilion'? I'll provide the best materials and the largest shop, help you make a name for yourself, and we'll split the profits 30% to 70%. You get 30%, I get 70%. How's that?"

After she finished speaking, she looked at Xu Xianyue leisurely, as if she was certain that the other party would be ecstatic about these "generous" conditions.

Xu Xianyue held the teacup, his fingertips gently caressing the warm porcelain wall. He didn't look at Madam Su, but instead fixed his gaze on a cluster of peonies in full bloom outside the hall. He spoke calmly, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam Su. It's just that I'm used to being unrestrained and have no intention of relying on others."

Madam Su paused fiddling with her bracelet, her face darkening slightly. "Do you think my Jinxiu Pavilion is too small to accommodate a giant like you? Or do you think this division is unfair?"

There was a hint of displeasure and oppression in her tone.

Xu Xianyue finally turned his gaze back to her, his eyes cold and frank: "It's not that the temple is small, nor is the profit distribution unfair. It's just that Xianyue doesn't seek fame or fortune. I opened this shop just to find a place to settle down and to have the freedom to follow my heart. Madam Su's conditions are good, but they are not what I want."

"Freedom?" Madam Su sneered, as if she had heard something amusing. "In this world, without power and wealth, how can you talk about freedom? Mr. Xu, you are too naive."

She stood up and walked in front of Xu Xianyue, looking down at her. Her voice was low and threatening, "I advise you to think carefully. In Lin'an, there is nothing that my Su family can't get if we want it. If you know what's good for you, we can cooperate happily. If you don't..."

Her unfinished words were full of warning.

Xu Xianyue slowly put down her teacup and stood up. She was not as tall as Madam Su, but her aloof and proud demeanor was no less impressive.

"I appreciate Madam Su's 'kindness,'" Xianyue said, bowing slightly. Her tone remained calm, yet it carried an undeniable determination. "But we have different ideals, so we cannot work together. Farewell."

After saying this, she no longer looked at Mrs. Su's face which had suddenly turned ugly, turned around, and left the flower hall calmly.

Behind him, there was the sound of a teacup being placed heavily on the table, and Mrs. Su snorted coldly with suppressed anger.

Xu Xianyue walked out of the magnificent red gate of the Su Mansion and looked up at the sky above Lin'an City, which was cut by wealth and power.

It seems that Jiangnan is not entirely a gentle water town.

The undercurrent is already surging.

When she returned to Xianyue Pavilion, Wan Cui immediately came to greet her and asked anxiously, "Miss, how is it? Did Madam Su give you any trouble?"

Xu Xianyue shook her head, walked to the workbench, picked up a piece of unfinished silk, felt the delicate touch with her fingertips, and her eyes gradually became sharp.

"Wan Cui," she said softly, "For the past few days, carefully store all the valuable materials and completed works in the shop."

Wan Cui's heart trembled: "Miss, you are worried..."

"It's better to be prepared." Xu Xianyue interrupted her and looked out the window calmly.

She is not afraid of wind and rain.

I'm just a little tired of these endless calculations and struggles.

Maybe she should consider changing places?

As soon as this thought came to her mind, she suppressed it herself.

No, you can't retreat.

Since she has chosen this path, she must go on.

No matter there is a smooth road ahead or stormy waves.

The silk thread on her fingertips is her sharpest weapon and strongest armor.

Let the undercurrent of Jiangnan come.

She wanted to see what kind of turbulence was hidden beneath the calm surface of the water.