Qin Sheng was taken aback and blurted out, "Eunuch?"
Caiyue was also taken aback. Neither she nor her cousin had ever been to the palace, so they had never seen what eunuchs looked like.
Qin Sheng, however, knew this.
When she was a child, she often went to the palace and knew that eunuchs would never grow a beard again after being castrated. Moreover, because the wounds were painful during the period immediately after castration, the eunuchs would walk with their bodies hunched over to avoid aggravating the wounds. Over time, they got used to this walking posture.
Qin Sheng was shocked. A eunuch in his fifties... Could he be one of the old men Emperor Hui served back then?
I never expected Yin Wenxiao to have this skill!
Then the identity of Ye Jiaoniang should be pretty much confirmed.
Therefore, Qin Sheng prepared herself for the possibility that Yin Wenxiao would divorce her.
After all her calculations, she had sown discord between him and Ye Jiaoniang, cutting off his path forward. Who knew that Yin Wenxiao was truly destined to survive!
Qin Sheng gritted her teeth in anger.
At the same time, she became even more disciplined in managing the people in her courtyard. If things really came to that, she would never accept being divorced; the only option would be a peaceful separation!
...
Half a month after falling into the water, Qin Sheng's 'illness' was finally completely cured.
With the Lunar New Year just a month away, everyone in the household has already started getting busy.
Qin Sheng got up early and had a rather rushed breakfast, spending the entire morning meeting with the stewards from the estate.
Madam had little appetite for lunch, so Granny Fu from the small kitchen made her some minced meat porridge.
While Qin Sheng was having lunch, Bi Mama from the manor spoke to her in her room: "...The old lady said it's up to you, Madam. What do you think should be done with Mingyue Pavilion?"
Three days ago, Ye Jiaoniang had already moved out of the mansion.
The reason given by Madam Yin and Yin Wenxiao was that since Consort Ye's health had not improved after falling into the water, and with the end of the year approaching and everyone in the household busy, they were worried that Consort Ye would not be able to recover properly, so they suggested that she temporarily move to another courtyard.
After Aunt Ye moved out, Mingyue Pavilion was left empty, and there were still several servants inside who had not been settled.
Qin Sheng put down the silver spoon and wiped her lips with a handkerchief: "Clean the house thoroughly, replace the furniture as needed, and as for the maids left in Mingyue Pavilion, let them stay there for now, in case Aunt Ye comes back one day."
Granny Bi nodded, curtsied, and went to make the arrangements.
Qin Sheng had a premonition that perhaps... Ye Jiaoniang would not come back, or perhaps she would not come back as Ye Jiaoniang.
It seems that Madam Yin and her son are already making preparations.
After a day of dealing with matters, in the evening, Qiao'er and Fei Cui helped the lady bathe, lit some calming incense, and then withdrew.
The fragrance has a fresh and elegant name: "Forget Your Worries".
The spice that Qin Sheng has used since childhood is blended by the master craftsman at the Qin family's spice shop. There is only one such shop in the entire capital, and it is only available in limited quantities every month.
However, Madam Qin knew that her daughter liked to use this calming incense, so she would have the shopkeeper set aside some for Qin Sheng every month.
Just tonight---
Qin Sheng was exhausted today. As she lay on the bed, feeling drowsy, she noticed that the calming incense smelled a little different.
Early the next morning.
When Qin Sheng got up, she felt a dull pain in her chest, but it only lasted for a short while and then it was fine.
Today I must see the steward of the estate again.
I'm exhausted after a long day.
In the evening, after helping the lady to wash up, Emerald went to the window and lit some calming incense in the triangular bronze censer with a mythical beast design.
"Please rest well, Madam. This servant will take her leave now," Emerald said, turning to leave.
Qin Sheng suddenly frowned and called out to her, "Wait a minute, Emerald, was this 'Forget-Me-Not' still delivered by my mother from the Qin family's spice shop?"
“Yes,” Emerald said, puzzled. “It’s always been Madam who has the spice shop’s clerk deliver it monthly. What’s wrong, Madam?”
"fine."
Qin Sheng frowned, thinking that she might be overthinking things, and told her to go out first, while she lay down next to her.
Qin Sheng was extremely tired today, but for some reason, she couldn't fall asleep after lying down.
Many things flashed through my mind at once.
It was all a mess. When Qin Sheng closed her eyes, it felt like she was trapped in some bizarre and fantastical world.
Her mind gradually went blank, and just as she was drifting off to sleep, her body seemed to suddenly become conscious, and she abruptly opened her eyes.
Qin Sheng suddenly threw off the covers and sat up.
She wasn't even wearing shoes; she walked barefoot to the window and took a deep breath over the bronze incense burner with the triangular mythical beast design.
Something's not right!
This "Forget-Worry" perfume is one that Qin Sheng has used since childhood. She had even visited a spice shop before to listen to the master craftsmen talk about perfumery.
Although the smell was very subtle, Qin Sheng could still detect something was wrong at such a close distance.
There seems to be... a different smell inside.
Qin Sheng dared not smell it any longer. She looked up, picked up a cup of cooled tea, opened the lid of the bronze stove, and poured it in.
With a "sizzle," the spice went out.
The smell suddenly became strong and pungent, and Qin Sheng quickly stepped back a few paces, raising her hand to tightly cover her mouth and nose with her sleeve.
It took about fifteen minutes for the strong, pungent smell to gradually dissipate.
Qin Sheng found a handkerchief and carefully poured out the contents of the triangular auspicious beast bronze incense burner.
The incense had burned and then been extinguished by the tea, so now it looked like a few dark, indistinct pieces.
After wrapping the items in a handkerchief, Qin Sheng placed them on the table, washed her hands, and lay back down on the bed, but she could no longer fall asleep.
...
Meanwhile, late at night, in the royal palace.
The imperial study was brightly lit.
Yue Rongheng and his nephew Yue Rongxiao, along with several cabinet ministers, were still discussing matters, all with furrowed brows.
Since the beginning of winter this year, three places have been hit by snow disasters, and the Western Rong troops are stationed on the border, watching with predatory eyes.
This year's New Year is probably destined to be a bad one.
Outside the gate, Yunyin stood guard like a wooden stake, sword in hand, and no one dared to approach.
but---
"Lord Yun---"
Grandpa Xifu came from around the corner and called to Yunyin with a slightly anxious expression, gesturing for him to speak to him privately.
Yunyin glanced at him, then walked over. "What is it?"
Grandpa Xifu bent over, looked around, and then tiptoed to whisper a few words in Yunyin's ear.
Yun Yin was taken aback, and without thinking, he turned around and went into the Imperial Study.
While everyone was still discussing which general should be sent to guard the border where the Western Rong troops were stationed, all eyes fell on Yun Yin when they saw him enter.
"Master..." Yun Yin bowed, his face showing urgency.
Yue Rongheng hasn't had dinner yet; his headache has flared up, and the fatigue between his brows is almost impossible to hide.
"You may continue your discussion." Yue Rongheng said, standing up and walking out. Yun Yin quickly followed.
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