09
Si Mianmian's illness came on suddenly but went slowly. She lingered in bed for five or six days. Although her high fever subsided, her cough persisted intermittently, and she felt weak and powerless. The Zhuixia Pavilion was filled with a faint medicinal fragrance all day long. Wen Pin and Qiu He stayed by her bedside without changing their clothes, their brows furrowed with worry.
That afternoon, Si Mianmian had just taken her medicine and was resting against her pillow when she heard a slight commotion and hushed conversation outside the window. Qiu He tiptoed in, her face showing a mixture of surprise and uncertainty, and whispered, "Your Highness, Princess, the eunuch from the Sixth Prince's side has arrived. He says His Highness ordered him to deliver some things to the Ninth Princess."
Consort Wen was taken aback by these words and subconsciously looked at Si Mianmian. Si Mianmian also slowly opened her eyes, a barely perceptible glint flashing in them. The Sixth Prince, Si Yujin? That quiet, reclusive, "sickly" elder brother she had met once in the Imperial Garden?
Survival Handbook Rule #9: It's easy to add flowers to brocade, but difficult to offer charcoal in the snow. Any kindness received in times of trouble deserves careful consideration of its deeper meaning and a fitting response.
"Please come in quickly." Consort Wen hurriedly straightened her clothes and gestured for Qiuhe to invite the person in.
The young eunuch who entered was handsome and composed. Although he was not old, his greetings were impeccable, clearly indicating that he was a trusted and well-mannered servant of the Sixth Prince. He carried a small sandalwood box, and behind him followed two other eunuchs carrying a slightly larger trunk.
"This humble servant, Xiao Luzi, has come on the orders of His Highness the Sixth Prince to visit the Ninth Princess and to deliver a small token of His Highness's regards." Xiao Luzi's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but rather respectful.
"Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness the Sixth Prince," Consort Wen said gently.
Xiao Luzi gently placed the sandalwood box on the small table beside the bed and opened the lid. Inside, it was divided into several compartments, with various items neatly arranged. On top was a layer of medicinal herbs wrapped in fine Xuan paper, emitting a slightly bitter medicinal fragrance. Xiao Luzi explained, "This is His Highness's usual 'Lung-Nourishing and Voice-Clearing Ointment' and several other mild tonic herbs. His Highness said that the princess's illness this time stemmed from a cough caused by lung heat, and this ointment might provide some relief."
The next compartment contained two seemingly ancient books with plain blue silk covers and no titles. Xiao Luzi said, "These two scrolls are His Highness's handwritten copies of the 'Qingjing Jing' and 'Yangsheng Zhu.' His Highness said that he was feeling restless during his illness, and these might serve as a way to relieve his boredom. His handwriting is clumsy, so please don't mind, Princess."
At the bottom was a small, well-sealed jar of honey and a packet of exquisitely beautiful wintersweet petals. Xiao Luzi added, "His Highness said the medicine was hard to swallow; this honey might make it palatable. These wintersweet petals were collected last year; their fragrance is refreshing, and placing them by your pillow might have a calming effect."
Then, he instructed the eunuch behind him to open the larger chest, which contained neatly stacked high-quality silver frost charcoal. "His Highness has heard that the climate in Zhuixia Pavilion is rather cold, which may not be conducive to the princess's recovery. Therefore, he has specially ordered this servant to bring some silver frost charcoal so that it can be burned at night to warm the room."
These gifts were all understated, practical, and perfectly suited to Si Mianmian's current situation and needs during her illness. The medicine was appropriate, the scriptures calmed her mind, the honey added flavor, the silver charcoal provided warmth, and even the possible boredom she might experience while ill was addressed with winter plum blossoms that could be used as offerings or added to tea. The silver charcoal, in particular, was a godsend for Zhuixiaxuan, where the winter was cold and rations were often cut. What was even more remarkable was that none of the items were extravagant, avoiding any possibility of giving anyone grounds for criticism, yet each item revealed meticulous and thoughtful care.
This sentiment is far more meaningful than those flashy but impractical jewelry ornaments.
Tears of emotion welled up in Consort Wen's eyes. In this snobbish and cold-hearted harem, she and her daughter had been neglected. Apart from the few acts of kindness shown by the Eldest Princess recently, which prince had ever shown such thoughtful care? Especially not the Sixth Prince, who was known for his "aloofness".
Si Mianmian leaned against the pillow, her face showing a weak expression of being flattered, her voice trembling with a slight sob: "Sixth Prince... such kindness, how can Mianmian... Mianmian dare to accept it. Please, Your Excellency, be sure to convey my gratitude to Sixth Prince on behalf of Mianmian and my mother. Once Mianmian has recovered a little, I will definitely go to Chonghua Palace to express my thanks in person."
Her words were sincere and humble, perfectly expressing the fear and gratitude of a neglected princess who had suddenly gained attention.
Xiao Luzi respectfully replied, "I will certainly convey the princess's words. His Highness also instructed me to tell the princess to rest and recuperate peacefully and not to overthink things. His Highness said that health is more important than anything else."
Si Mianmian nodded gratefully and had Qiuhe give Xiao Luzi and the eunuch he brought a heavy purse as a reward. Xiao Luzi couldn't refuse, so he respectfully accepted it, bowed again, and then quietly left with his men.
As soon as they left, Consort Wen couldn't help but pick up the jar of honey and touch the soft, silvery charcoal. She said to Si Mianmian, "Mianmian, your sixth brother... he is truly a kind-hearted person. I used to think he was aloof and didn't interact with others, but I never expected him to be so considerate."
Si Mianmian gave a soft "hmm," but her gaze remained fixed on the sandalwood box, her mind churning with thoughts. Si Yujin's actions were definitely not ordinary.
He had only met him once in the Imperial Garden, and although the man's words seemed to uphold justice, his attitude was distant and he wasn't particularly warm towards him. Why, then, would he suddenly send such a thoughtful and clearly considerate gift while he was ill?
Was it simply brotherly concern? Si Mianmian dared not fully believe it. In this cutthroat imperial harem, every action could conceal a deeper meaning. Si Yujin's mother, Consort Liang, had a distinguished background; though not particularly favored, she held considerable power within the palace. He himself was physically weak and seemingly far removed from the center of power, yet he had managed to grow up safely in this treacherous palace and earn the title of "First Talent"—he was no ordinary person.
Was his overture a sign that he recognized his "value" and wanted to invest in or form an alliance in advance? Or was it because he had "dealt with" the books that had been soaked that day, and he was returning the favor? Or did he have a deeper scheme, wanting to use him to test or contact the Third Prince Si Jingjin? After all, Si Jingjin was currently at the height of his power, and Si Yujin and he were not born of the same mother, so there was a subtle competitive relationship between them.
It's also possible that he was truly acting out of pure goodwill and compassion for the weak, as he claimed? Si Mianmian dared not completely rule out this possibility, but in the deep palace, placing one's hopes on the pure goodwill of others was undoubtedly dangerous.
Survival Handbook Note: Never readily trust sudden acts of kindness, but don't rush to refuse them either. Accept the goodwill, observe its aftermath, and time will reveal the true motive.
Regardless, Si Yujin's timely act of kindness is more beneficial than harmful to Si Mianmian at present. It not only genuinely improved her environment for recuperation, but more importantly, it sent a signal: Princess Si Mianmian is not entirely ignored. Even the usually reclusive Sixth Prince sent someone to visit her and deliver gifts, which is enough to make the sycophantic servants in the palace think twice.
Sure enough, the next day, the eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department who delivered the allowance were noticeably more respectful, and even the medicine prepared by the Imperial Pharmacy seemed more concentrated and timely. There are no secrets in the palace, and the news that the Sixth Prince was sending medicine and charcoal to the Ninth Princess must have already quietly spread in certain circles.
Si Mianmian stroked the scroll of the "Qingjing Jing" handwritten by Si Yujin. The handwriting was slender and elegant, exuding a cold solitude far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world. A thoughtful smile curved her lips slightly.
This sixth prince seems more interesting than I imagined. He's like a deep pool, calm on the surface, but with undercurrents surging beneath. One must be more cautious when dealing with him.
However, this also means that a potential, high-quality "ally" or "target" seems to be actively entering her field of vision. This game of palace survival has been given new variables and possibilities because of Si Yujin's gift.
Si Mianmian carefully placed the scroll back into the box and whispered to Qiuhe, "Light some of that silver frost charcoal, and take a few plum blossoms and place them in front of the window with clean water."
The hall gradually warmed up, the cool fragrance of plum blossoms mingling with the aroma of medicine, creating a strange sense of tranquility. Si Mianmian closed her eyes, savoring this rare comfort, already planning in her mind how, after recovering from her illness, she could "naturally" yet "properly" visit Chonghua Palace to thank her thoughtful sixth brother.
A reminder from the survival manual: Every act of help received creates a debt of gratitude, and also a bond for future relationships. How and when to repay this debt tests one's wisdom and perspective.
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