Xiao Yuehan felt strange, but she didn't ask directly.
Why didn't her son bring the talisman she had someone send out?
Following Qi Xiao's words, she complained, "Those old fogies in the Imperial Hospital, apart from the Imperial Physician who has some skill, spend all day guarding His Majesty, and they only prescribe the same few prescriptions over and over again. What kind of effect can they possibly have?"
"This time, I really have to thank that little girl. Although she's young, she's quite capable. I always carry the talisman she gave me last time with me, and I feel much better now."
"Really? That's wonderful! I'll visit the little princess whenever I have time. Since my uncle has recognized her as his goddaughter, she's practically my sister now." Qi Xiao's tone was filled with joy.
Xiao Yuehan then asked, "I had someone send you a copy last time, why didn't you bring it with you this time?"
Qi Xiao also had some jade pendants and metal on his waist, but no purse, which naturally couldn't be hidden from Xiao Yuehan.
"Yes." He nodded and replied, "When my mother sent it over before, she only said it was a peace charm. I thought that I, a grown man, didn't need to be afraid of any ghosts or demons, so I gave it to the imperial concubine to carry with her, so that I could feel at ease."
Qi Xiao is now in his early twenties. He was engaged to the daughter of the Minister of Works when he was eighteen, but they have been married for many years and still have no children.
Xiao Yuehan had always looked down on her daughter-in-law, and now that she heard that her son had given such a good talisman to that woman, she felt even more uncomfortable.
“You two have a good relationship, and I’m happy to see that. But you’re always walking in the court, and who knows how many people want to harm you… Here, take this talisman with you, as if it’s your mother looking after you.” Xiao Yuehan said, about to hand her talisman to Qi Xiao.
Qi Xiao quickly stopped her, saying, "Mother, how can you do this? I already feel guilty that you are not being looked after by me in the palace. Besides, your health still depends on this talisman. How can your son take your things? You should keep it yourself. Only when you are healthy can your son do his job with peace of mind."
Xiao Yuehan smiled as she listened to her son's words, feeling extremely comfortable.
“Take it. Since it’s something I gave you, there’s no reason to take it back. Besides, I have another one here with Jade.” Xiao Yuehan winked at her head maid.
The head palace maid, Emerald, immediately took out her share from her purse and presented it to Xiao Yuehan: "Your Majesty."
Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Qi Xiao had no choice but to accept Xiao Yuehan's kind offer.
However, just as he was about to hang it on his waist, he accidentally dropped the brocade pouch on the ground, where it got dirty with the dirty water.
As the weather gets warmer, the snow on the ground gradually melts in this warm climate.
The courtyard where Consort Xiao lived in Chunqiu Pavilion was often cleaned, but even if the snow and dirt were swept away, the ground was still somewhat dirty due to the constant flow of people.
Qi Xiao quickly picked up the brocade pouch from the ground and said to Xiao Yuehan somewhat embarrassedly, "I'll have someone wash it clean when I get back and then I'll carry it with me. Mother, you don't need to worry."
"How did it get so dirty... Sigh, when you get back, have the Imperial Concubine wash it for you. She's a wife after all, how can such an important thing be left to someone else? It's only sincere if she does it herself." Xiao Yuehan's expression was indeed a little unhappy when she saw that the brocade pouch containing the talisman had fallen to the ground.
However, she was unwilling to vent her displeasure on her beloved son, so she only wanted to scold the eldest princess who had suffered an undeserved calamity.
"Yes." Qi Xiao readily agreed, and said somewhat apologetically, "I'm so sorry to have troubled you with my worries, Mother. I will definitely bring this brocade pouch with me tomorrow."
Xiao Yuehan reluctantly agreed, and then had Qi Xiao stay in the palace to have a meal with her before leaving the palace to go back.
After returning to his residence, Qi Xiao immediately ordered someone to wash the brocade pouch clean.
The maidservant serving him was very attentive. She first opened the brocade pouch and saw a talisman inside. She then asked, "Your Highness, would you like to find another pouch to put this talisman in?"
"No need, just throw it away. Just wash this purse clean," Qi Xiao coldly ordered.
He had already made up his mind. Since his mother was unlikely to open his pouch to look at it, he only needed to wear the pouch whenever he entered the palace, and Xiao Yuehan would not bring it up again.
"Yes," the maid replied, taking the things and leaving.
This maid was indeed loyal to Qi Xiao, but this time she did not follow Qi Xiao's instructions and simply threw the things away.
She recognized it from the brocade pouch itself; it seemed to be one of the brocade pouches bestowed by the palace before. It was said that it contained a peace charm specially drawn by the little princess, which had the magical effect of turning bad luck into good and warding off evil.
Originally, the people didn't really believe it. Even if it were really that powerful, the servants wouldn't get even a single one.
No matter how amazing something is, you can only listen to it once.
The maid heard that the Grand Princess had also gotten one a few days ago, and that she wore it on her body all the time, which made her feel much more comfortable.
Although she didn't know why her master disliked the amulet, the maid couldn't resist a little greed and secretly folded it up and put it in her purse.
...
Before we knew it, it was May. Even in the northern capital, the weather was getting warmer day by day, and spring was in full bloom everywhere. Forsythia was blooming all over the courtyard.
The fields outside the capital were also being revitalized, and a variety of inexpensive vegetables were being delivered into the city. Taking advantage of this trend, many food vendors became more active.
This did slightly impact the business of the Lin family's shop on Jinbao Street.
With more choices of food available, people are less likely to queue up to buy food from Lin's shop.
The things in Lin's shop are indeed cheap and affordable, but there is one downside: the long queues are nerve-wracking.
Noble families naturally spared no expense in manpower, simply ordering a few servants to line up, so that they could eat as much as they wanted.
However, ordinary families don't have the money for such a gift, and since they can't get in line, they naturally choose something else.
Fortunately, the Lin family's livelihood no longer depends solely on that small shop on Jinbao Street; the bulk of their annual income has now come from the Lin family's rice business.
That day, Lin Weiming was returning from court when he passed by Jinbao Street. Finding nothing that needed help, he prepared to head home. On the way, he happened to meet Lin Yanping and asked to go to the Lin family with him.
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