The next morning, Mo Lixia woke up early. She preferred to wash and dress herself before calling the maids inside. Initially, Hongshang and Xiqiu thought their mistress disliked them, but over time, they realized the Young Miss was simply a person of few words who preferred independence. She was quiet and could spend half a day immersed in her pharmacy without making a sound.
As they grew accustomed to her routines, the two maids became more adept at serving her. For instance, they now knew the Young Miss truly did not know how to style her own hair. Xiqiu and Hongshang had even cried behind her back about it—how much suffering must their mistress have endured in the mountains to not even have anyone teach her how to do her hair?
"Xiqiu, have you met my sister-in-law before?" Mo Lixia asked, looking at Xiqiu through the bronze mirror.
"Young Miss, Hongshang and I have only seen her from a distance a few times when the Young Master brought her to visit the Madam," Xiqiu replied.
"I see."
"Does this hairstyle suit you today, Miss?" Xiqiu had given her a simple half-up style, tucking the side tresses neatly behind her ears. She knew Lixia disliked complexity. Besides, Lixia's hair was shorter than that of most noble ladies, reaching only to her mid-back. Xiqiu had tried to persuade her to let it grow to her waist, as was the fashion, but Lixia had cut her off, saying long hair was too heavy. She had even tried to convince the maids to cut their hair short, which had sent them scurrying away in a fright for half a day.
Hongshang brought out a pale green gown. It was one her mother had sewn for her recently. Lixia loved the color; it felt fresh and cool.
When Lixia arrived at the living room, her mother and brother were already waiting.
"Mother, where is Father?"
"Your father had urgent business and had to leave early," Ye Qingwan said, taking Lixia's hand and smoothing her skirts.
"Sister, let's go. I'll escort you both today," Mo Zhanchen added. He was dressed in a blue and white robe, looking steady and heroic.
Zhanchen explained that for convenience, Leng Xue didn't usually stay at the Leng estate but lived in a small courtyard behind her shop. When they arrived, the future sister-in-law was already waiting.
She was a breathtaking beauty. Her eyes held the clarity of spring water, and an emerald dragon-and-phoenix hairpin was nestled in her elegant bun. Her skin was as fine as warm jade, and her cherry-red lips were naturally vibrant. Two locks of hair brushed her cheeks in the breeze, adding a touch of charm. However, her face was pale, and she was plagued by a persistent cough.
Seeing them approach, Leng Xue hurried forward and bowed to Ye Qingwan. "Aunt Ye, please forgive me. I should have been the one to visit you, but instead, I've made you come here."
"Silly child," Ye Qingwan said, taking her hand. "Have you seen a doctor for this cough?" She led Leng Xue into the shop.
Lixia followed behind, noticing that her brother's eyes hadn't left Leng Xue for a second. His gaze was filled with worry. Lixia realized her previous fears were unfounded; her brother was clearly head-over-heels for his fiancée.
"Brother," Lixia whispered. "In a bit, I'll lure Mother away so you and Sister-in-law can have some... 'quality time'."
"You little rascal," Zhanchen whispered back, his face reddening with a shy smile. "But... thank you."
"This must be... cough... Sister Li'er," Leng Xue said warmly, taking Lixia's hand as they entered the shop.
"Sister-in-law," Lixia smiled, her address making Leng Xue blush slightly.
"Are you very ill?" Lixia asked.
"Oh, it's nothing serious. Just a lingering cold that won't go away," Leng Xue replied. She gave instructions to the shop assistant and led them to the back courtyard.
The courtyard was a quiet, two-tiered space. It lacked extravagant rockeries or ponds but was impeccably clean and filled with vibrant plants. Leng Xue led them to the sitting room. "Xichun, serve the tea."
"Snowy, it's not safe for a girl to live here alone," Ye Qingwan frowned as she looked around. "I was unwell before, but I'm better now. No one will dare gossip if you move into the General's Manor."
Leng Xue smiled awkwardly at the siblings and took Ye Qingwan's hand. "Aunt Ye, I'm doing well here. Once the mourning period is over and I marry Zhanchen, I'll accompany you every day." She stole a tender glance at Mo Zhanchen as she spoke.
"Fine, but have Zhanchen visit more often," Ye Qingwan sighed. "If there's anything in the business you can't handle, let him help you."
"I understand... cough... Aunt Ye."
Seeing her cough so violently, Zhanchen was pained. "Snowy, let Li'er examine you. She knows medicine."
"Oh, I almost forgot! My Li'er is a doctor," Ye Qingwan added.
"Sister-in-law, my skills are humble," Lixia joked. "If I can't cure you, you mustn't laugh at me."
"How could I?" Leng Xue smiled and extended her wrist.
After a moment, Zhanchen asked anxiously, "How is it?"
Lixia rolled her eyes at her brother. "Look at how impatient you are!"
"Li'er, stop teasing me," Zhanchen pleaded. Leng Xue lowered her head shyly.
"Sister-in-law is fine, she just has too much internal heat. A few doses of medicine should do it."
Leng Xue frowned. "But I've been taking medicine for days, and it hasn't helped."
"Do you still have the herbs?"
"Yes. Xichun, fetch the medicine packets for Li'er to see."
The maid, Xichun, hurried out and returned with a packet. Mo Lixia inspected the contents. "The prescription is correct for a cold, but it has an extra dose of Reed Root (Lugen). That is a cooling herb; it shouldn't be in here for your specific condition. It's likely what's making the cold linger."
"A cooling herb?" Xichun gasped. "That old doctor must have messed up again!"
"Again?" Lixia asked.
"Li'er, you see," Leng Xue explained, "the doctor at the nearby pharmacy is over ninety years old. He's a bit senile, though his skills were once excellent. Since his shop is close, everyone nearby goes to him for minor ailments."
"Fortunately, we caught it," Ye Qingwan said. "Snowy, don't go back to that shop."
Zhanchen looked at his fiancée with lingering worry. Lixia, seeing her chance, dragged her mother away to "look at the new clothing styles" in the front shop, giving the couple a knowing look. Both Zhanchen and Leng Xue turned bright red.
Lixia admired Leng Xue. She was smart, composed, and independent. The fact that she was running a successful clothing shop—specializing in exquisite embroidery—showed she was a "career woman" in a modern sense. Most importantly, Lixia respected her parents even more for allowing their future daughter-in-law such freedom.