Chapter 33 Applying Medicine Under the Moonlight, A Tale of First Love
At four quarters past noon, Zhang Ting still hadn't returned, so Xiao Yi ate her meal alone.
After washing up, he put on clean undergarments and quietly squatted on the bed, hugging his knees and lost in thought.
The moon is as bright as day tonight, and its light shines into the courtyard, illuminating every corner clearly.
He recalled his days in the manor, when the moonlight seemed as bright and clear as it was tonight. He shook off the servants and secretly ran off to find his mother, but unexpectedly encountered his grandmother on the way. Startled, he quietly hid behind the artificial hill, but his grandmother's discussion with the steward dragged on for a long time, and he grew so tired that he fell asleep…
He vaguely heard his mother anxiously calling, "Xiaoyi! Xiaoyi!" in his sleep, and only then did he wake up.
"Xiaoyi".
He was startled, then suddenly looked up towards the source of the sound.
The woman stood backlit by the window, waving something in her hand to signal him to come over.
He froze, forgetting even the strict separation between men and women, and walked over uncontrollably, finally seeing the person's face clearly—it was Zhang Ting.
He lowered his head, utterly dejected.
"What brings you here so late, Miss?"
When Zhang Ting returned, she reeked of alcohol. She had washed up before coming. She handed the pastries in her hand to Xiao Yi so he could eat them for fun.
He took the pastries and casually placed them on the table beside him, showing little interest.
Zhang Ting frowned slightly. "What's wrong?"
Xiao Yi wanted to shake her head to avoid the topic, but when she saw Zhang Ting looking at her with a serious expression, the perfunctory words stopped on her lips.
He mumbled, "I miss home."
Zhang Ting is a person with strong boundaries and will never easily step into other people's private space.
However, based on Xiaoyi's various behaviors, it can be inferred that he was born into an exceptionally wealthy family with a prosperous clan, strict rules, numerous servants, and was pampered by many people.
He has excellent taste and dignified manners, which shows that his parents are of high status.
However, he fell into the hands of Cui Yagong, a private broker, and became a private slave. Zhang Ting guessed that he had been kidnapped and sold.
Otherwise, according to the laws of this dynasty, people of his background, whether they commit crimes or are implicated, should be demoted to government slaves.
The gentle moonlight bathed Zhang Ting, highlighting her serene face and soft features. "If your family comes looking for you in the future, you should go back with them."
Going back to one's own home is always better than living under someone else's roof and having to be at the mercy of others.
Of course, there's a prerequisite: you have to return the money to her first.
It was all because the moonlight was so beautiful that Xiaoyi was instantly drawn into those clear and bright eyes, falling into the tenderness within them.
A smile unconsciously crept onto his lips. "Okay!"
Zhang Ting was infected by his emotions, and a faint smile appeared on her lips as she asked him to extend his hands.
Xiaoyi didn't understand, but she trusted her completely, so she obediently stuck her hand out the window.
Zhang Ting opened the jar, scooped out a piece of paste, applied it to his hand, and gently spread it with his fingertips, his expression focused, as if he were doing something of utmost importance.
Xiao Yi glanced at her face, then at the movements of her hands, feeling the warmth of her fingertips on the back of his hand, a tingling sensation. He pursed his thin lips, controlling his gaze, and his nose, amidst the rich medicinal fragrance, discerned the faint scent of soapberry on her body, a sweet feeling spreading through his heart.
Zhang Ting wiped his right hand, then went to tend to his left hand. Once she finished the task, she was completely satisfied.
It would be such a shame if these hands became swollen and thickened from frostbite.
Once her injuries have fully healed, she will likely regain her previous slender and jade-like appearance.
Zhang Ting put the cap on, handed the medicine bottle to Xiao Yi, and instructed him: "Apply it once in the morning and once at night. Do not touch cold water during this time. If you need to do laundry, please ask Xiao Rong and the others to do it for you."
He took the medicine jar and held it in his arms, his eyes sparkling, filled with innocent and budding emotions.
Her voice was clear and soft: "Thank you, Miss."
Zhang Ting was taken aback, then raised an eyebrow with a playful expression.
She teased him, "No need to thank me. Once you've fully recovered and it's almost summer, you can continue sweeping and cleaning, and take charge of the inner courtyard."
She said earnestly, "Xiaoyi, you know that the cleanliness of the inner courtyard is inseparable from your efforts."
Xiao Yi's pupils contracted upon hearing this, as if struck by lightning. She stammered, "But...but Miss clearly told me to manage the household."
"Since Xiaoyi is so capable, she should be given more work."
He widened his eyes and waved his hand in refusal: "I can't do that much work by myself..."
"Hey, human potential is limitless. How do you know you can't do it if you don't try?"
He hung his head dejectedly, listless and utterly dejected.
Zhang Ting shook her head silently with a smile, then turned and went back into the house.
As the night deepened, the night watchman struck the clapper to announce the time.
The moon rises and the sun sets, and it's another brand new day.
I had breakfast in the lobby, and everything seemed normal.
But when Zhang Ting finished reading a book in the study and came out for lunch, she saw a table of bland food and frowned.
But this person came prepared, proudly raising his chin, and opened the account book to show her the expenses for lunch and dinner, especially criticizing her for using too much chili, which caused a considerable burden on the household.
If calculated using the previous amount of silver, there would have been more than enough to provide Zhang Ting with food, but now that the amount of silver has been halved, he is naturally in dire straits.
Zhang Ting's desire for food was not worth slapping herself in the face, and she fully supported Xiao Yi's arrangements.
Besides, if she really craves something sweet, she can always go out for a treat.
However, when chili peppers are mentioned, Zhang Ting can't help but recall the first meal someone had when they arrived, which almost made them cry from the spiciness.
She thought leisurely, wondering if this was also the reason for punishing chili peppers?
Xiao Yi was somewhat surprised by Zhang Ting's cooperation, but she did not back down. She bit her lip and took the fabric and accessories he had ordered a few days ago, gently stroking the turquoise fabric that shimmered with gold.
"With such difficulties at home, let's return all of these; at least we can get some money to tide us over."
Zhang Ting was indeed greedy and felt bad about spending the three thousand taels, but the matter was already settled. If she were to return the money, she didn't know what people outside or the servants at home would think of her.
“Since I made a promise to you, I will certainly not go back on my word. Even if my family is in financial difficulty, I can still afford to pay these three thousand taels.”
Xiaoyi was already eagerly anticipating this unfinished dress, and upon hearing Zhang Ting's words, her heart leaped with joy, and her face lit up with a smile.
He sat down, holding the cloth, and began to discuss his business plans with Zhang Ting.
"One cannot simply sit around and live off one's savings; one must acquire shops to ensure a stable income. Whether it is renting them out to others or training servants to run them, both are excellent options."
Zhang Ting wasn't surprised by his foresight and casually asked him, "If it were a family business, what kind of business do you think would be best?"
Xiaoyi pondered for a moment and replied, "There are many noble people in the capital, and they love incense. If you have enough money, Miss, you can set up an incense shop to make incense cakes or incense balls for sale."
Zhang Ting doesn't like incense, doesn't understand incense recipes, and pays very little attention to them.
But Xiaoyi smiled, her eyes sparkling with tiny glints, and confidently patted her chest like a proud peacock, "Mere spices, easy as pie."
A gentle breeze ruffled his tousled hair, and the bright light from the window shone in, making his face appear as white as jade, and the beauty mark under his eye even more stunning.
Zhang Ting crossed her arms, carefully examined him, pondered for a moment, and decided to invest in him.
The shops were almost exclusively opened for dignitaries, and it was best to choose a location in the east or north of the city. The price of a shop there was about 1,000 to 1,500 taels. Zhang Ting withdrew 2,500 taels to him and also lent him Zheng Erxian.
“Zheng Er is clever and reliable. You can ask her to do anything.”
Xiaoyi nodded, glanced at her strangely, and hesitated to speak.
Zhang Ting was afraid that he might be indecisive and keep quiet, which would cause her to lose money, so she urged him to speak frankly.
But then he pursed his lips and said, "I've noticed... Miss is really strange."
"Even though he held the indenture in his hands, he was exceptionally kind to his servants, always willing to discuss things with them, and never lost his temper even if someone didn't do a good job."
"They don't seem like the master of the house, but rather... more like the manager."
This means she doesn't resemble a slave owner, but rather a managerial, overworked employee.
Zhang Ting laughed, always lacking experience the first time, and tried to fool him: "Do you think everyone is like you? Daring to disobey me so easily?"
"I only consult with others because they don't understand my needs. If they did understand, why bother?"
Xiaoyi thought what she said made some sense, but also felt that something was not quite right, so she wanted to ask again.
Zhang Ting was afraid of him, so she stuffed food into his mouth and said, "Eat quickly, the food is getting cold."
Xiao Yi had been working hard all morning and was very hungry. She put the cloth on the table next to her, sat down to eat, and carefully glanced at Zhang Ting's expression, wanting to see her get embarrassed, but also thinking that it was too shabby for her to eat such a meager meal.
Zhang Ting wasn't dissatisfied at all; if there were too few dishes, they could just ask for more rice, which would save money.
After a satisfying meal, rinse your mouth with tea.
After a short while of digestion, I'll go back to my room for a half-hour nap before continuing my studies in the study.
Zhang Ting was engrossed in reading the book, pondering how to apply this passage to his policy essay, when he heard someone knocking on the door.
It was Zheng Er; Zhang Ting let her in.
"Master, Manager Wang sent someone to say: the shop assistant who was scared out of his wits earlier has come to his senses and is making a fuss about seeing you."
See her?
Zhang Ting asked in surprise, "What did she say?"
"The messenger only said that she had something important to report to you, and didn't mention anything else."
Zhang Ting rested his chin on his hand and thought for a moment before standing up. "You will stay in the manor and be at Xiao Yi's beck and call. In the coming days, he may need your help with some matters."
"In addition, arrange for Li Ruilian to accompany me to Keyinglou."
Zheng Er nodded and went to arrange the itinerary.
The carriage slowly drove out of the street, the wheels making a soft rustling sound as they rolled over the stone slabs. Outside the carriage, the cries of vendors filled the air, and the bustling crowds created a vibrant and prosperous scene.
Zhang Ting led Li Ruilian into Keyinglou Restaurant, where the scene was bustling and lively. There were only one or two empty tables in the main hall. Thinking of the profits for the month, a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips, and he felt extremely happy and satisfied.
"Sister Song, have you heard?"
"What is it?"
"That Dr. Zheng who teaches at the Imperial Academy committed suicide in his residence."
Zhang Ting's smile suddenly froze, and her ears began to ring.
Time seemed to stand still. She turned her head sharply towards the source of the sound. The people at that table were discussing the matter in hushed tones, their voices fading into silence.
She slowly turned around, her face returning to normal, and went to the backyard as usual, but a chilling feeling crept up her spine.
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