Chapter Sixteen: Long Time No See
At the same time, a loud bang came from the secret chamber of Prince Jing's mansion.
In the pitch-black stone chamber, only the central cold pool shimmered with a faint blue light, reflecting Mu Cenlin's sinister profile.
He gripped the black stone by the pool tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.
A sharp pain shot through my left shoulder.
This damn woman is actually harming herself!
Amidst the misty haze of the cold pool, Mu Cenlin lowered his eyes to look at his unharmed shoulder.
There was no wound there, yet a burning pain was shooting through me.
From the moment he was thrown to the border, his uncle taught him to endure pain using a rattan cane dipped in salt water.
At the age of twelve, he was still able to kill seven enemy generals despite having an arrow wound that pierced his chest.
It had been a long time since he had been injured and felt pain.
"Li Bao'er," he murmured the name.
How did she manage to endure it with her frail and delicate body?
Water splashed everywhere, and Mu Cenlin suddenly stood up.
Water droplets rolled down his well-defined chest and condensed into tiny ice crystals on the edge of the cold pool.
Feng Li, who was dozing off, suddenly jumped up and frantically grabbed his robe.
"Master, why are you out so early today?"
Strange, in the past, the prince would soak in the cold pool for three hours every month to temper his body.
Life on the border was harsh and cold, a habit the prince had developed from childhood.
Suddenly, Feng Li noticed that his master's right shoulder was strangely red, as if it had been pinched hard.
But apart from the prince, not even a mosquito could fly into this secret room!
"Go and find out when is a suitable day for marriage," Mu Cenlin said, ignoring Feng Li's question.
He left after saying a few words.
Feng Li's mouth was wide enough to fit two eggs.
Only after his master's figure disappeared at the end of the secret passage did he suddenly come to his senses and grab Yuan Ting, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion:
"It's over! The prince is possessed!" Feng Li shook Yuan Ting's shoulders frantically.
"He's actually going to marry that daughter of the Prime Minister who bullies him every day!"
Yuan Ting, swaying weakly like a piece of seaweed, raised his hand and said, "If you shake me any more, I'm going to throw up on you."
Ugh, disgusting.
Feng Li let go as if he'd been electrocuted, taking three steps back in disgust. "Did you sneak a bite of the garlic-flavored pork knuckle from the kitchen again this morning?"
After the two left, the secret room returned to silence.
Meanwhile, inside Qingfeng Courtyard.
Li Bao'er, who was shivering under three layers of bedding, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She tentatively moved her limbs and was pleasantly surprised to find that the biting cold had finally subsided.
Linglong happened to bring in a cup of ginger tea. Seeing that her mistress had finally emerged from under the covers, she breathed a sigh of relief: "Miss, would you like some more ginger tea?"
"Drink!" Li Bao'er snatched the bowl and drank it all in one gulp. The spiciness of the ginger brought tears to her eyes.
The pain seemed to be branded into her bones, causing her to shiver involuntarily.
Linglong looked at her young mistress, who had become even thinner recently, with a pained expression. "Miss, have you been suffering these past few days? How about I make you sweet and sour pork tomorrow?"
Li Bao'er felt a warmth in her heart, "Okay, Linglong's cooking is the most delicious in the world."
The candlelight cast silhouettes of the master and servant.
Linglong was originally a tea maid in the front hall of the Prime Minister's mansion. When she was about to be sold off for talking back to Li Yan, Li Bao'er took her to Qingfeng Courtyard.
Linglong will always remember what her mistress said to her on that rainy night: "I'll take this maid from my courtyard."
“Oh, right, Miss,” Linglong said, taking a letter out of her sleeve.
"Juxiang Pavilion sent word that the sandalwood from the Western Regions will arrive in the capital in three days. I heard that Prince Jing's mansion has also ordered ten catties."
Li Bao'er paused, "Why did the Prince's Mansion order this incense?"
"Then I'll go to the store tomorrow."
*
The next morning, Li Bao'er felt increasingly unwell. Ever since she was poisoned ten years ago, her body had gradually weakened.
Linglong paused, looking at her mistress's pale face.
"Miss, why don't you rest in your room tonight?"
Autumn is approaching and the weather is getting colder. Linglong is worried that Li Bao'er won't be able to hold on.
"I have important business to attend to today."
Li Bao'er dipped her fingertip in rouge and smeared a vibrant color onto her lips.
The person in the mirror suddenly came to life; their pale skin contrasted sharply with their crimson lips, revealing a breathtaking beauty.
This body is indeed a bit weak, but she will settle this score with Zhang Yingying sooner or later.
She wore a bamboo-green brocade dress with gold trim today, and her long hair was loosely tied up.
The moment the door was pushed open, her clothes fluttered in the wind.
When the master and servant arrived at Juxiang Pavilion, the shop was already bustling with people, and there was a long line of people waiting to buy incense.
"Miss Li, it's been a long time since you've been to our shop. Please come to the third floor."
"Miss, be careful on the steps." Linglong gently helped her mistress step over the threshold. Inside the shop, on the golden nanmu wood counter, was a glass incense box containing the incense that her mistress had carefully blended.
A soft laugh suddenly came from behind the counter.
Xiao Yuanbo, dressed in a moon-white robe, leaned against a table, holding a brush and applying incense to the wrist of a noble lady.
His brows were full of affection, and his brushstrokes, as fluid as dragons and snakes, made the girl blush.
"Manager Xiao is in high spirits today," Li Bao'er had just begun to speak when the man's vermilion brush suddenly paused.
Upon seeing the two people enter, Xiao Yuanbo immediately dropped his nonchalant demeanor.
"Miss, the newly arrived Canaan incense has been prepared in the private room on the third floor."
As he bowed to lead the way, the ladies queuing behind the counter all turned their heads to look.
Who doesn't know that the handsome manager of Juxiang Pavilion is always arrogant and haughty? When has he ever been so respectful to anyone?
Just as Li Bao'er was about to move, she suddenly heard a commotion at the door.
How could Li Bao'er attract such preferential treatment from Manager Xiao?
"Who's making such a grand entrance? It's you, sister!" A sweet, cloying voice broke the silence.
Li Bao'er couldn't help but roll her eyes. As expected of Li Yan, who was like a stubborn pest.
How come I can't shake them off no matter where I go?
Li Yan strode into the shop, fanning herself with a round fan, followed by four burly old women.
She deliberately traced the celadon incense burners on the counter with her fingertips, making a tinkling sound: "I remember you don't know anything about incense, why are you suddenly interested today?"
Li Bao'er covered her mouth with her fan and continued, "Could it be that you, sister, have arranged to come here with someone?"
The noble ladies around them began to whisper among themselves.
"This is Li Bao'er, the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's family? I've heard she's the Third Prince's shadow."
"Isn't that right? He usually loves to come to the palace and stick close to the Third Prince."
"All that good looks, and her behavior is so immoral in private?"
Xiao Yuanbo's eyes darkened, and his fingers clenched into a fist hidden in his sleeve.
This ignorant brat actually dared to bully his master right in front of him. Xiao Yuanbo wished he could go up and slap her across the face right now.
But then Li Bao'er gently shook her head, a strange smile appearing on her pale face.
"Sister, be careful what you say. I know you don't like to listen to discipline, but please don't spread rumors outside."
Li Yan was speechless for a moment, closed her fan, and shrieked, "You!"
"Bao'er"
A gentle, warm voice suddenly came from the shop door.
Everyone turned around and saw the Third Prince Mu Yuan standing in front of the Juxiang Pavilion with a smile, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe.
His features were exquisite, and his every move exuded royal grace, causing the noble ladies in the shop to blush.
Li Yan immediately changed her expression and said in a sweet voice, "Why has Your Highness the Third Prince come?"
Mu Yuan didn't look at her, but instead focused his gaze on Li Bao'er, and said gently, "Bao'er, it's been a long time."
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