"Miss, you might not know this yet, but the madams and young ladies who have visited Miss Leng Xue's shop recently absolutely love the new designs! Business has improved significantly. Miss Leng Xue is clever, too; she places those flowers and animals perfectly on the fabric."
"Is that so?" Mo Lixia smiled with satisfaction. "It seems the method is effective."
Prince Kang's Manor
"I understand. You may leave."
In a secluded and somewhat desolate water pavilion, a man in green robes sat in a wheelchair, gazing indifferently at the lake outside. His face was handsome and clear, carrying a trace of gentleness, yet his pristine eyes held a chill that made anyone who met his gaze shiver.
Steward Mo, whose face usually looked harsh due to its severity, showed a trace of helplessness. He looked at the lonely figure of his master, wanting to speak but stopping himself. Eventually, he said nothing and retreated silently.
"Brother, guess what good things I brought you today?"
From the other side, Yi Liujing, a man in red brocade with flying eyebrows and otherworldly beauty, strode forward. He sat down beside Yi Junlan (Prince Kang). Ignoring whether the host agreed, he picked up chopsticks and started eating the food Steward Mo had packed from Julong Zhai.
"Mmm, not bad. Did Julong Zhai change chefs recently?"
Yi Junlan lowered his eyes, staring quietly at his hands resting on the wheelchair armrests.
Yi Liujing, accustomed to his brother's demeanor, didn't mind. He snapped open his folding fan and fanned himself leisurely. "What did the 'Hundred-Life Divine Doctor' say? Can it be cured?"
Yi Junlan looked into the distance and shook his head.
Yi Junlan was already twenty-three, the age when he should have been married. But which noble daughter in the Capital didn't avoid him like a scorpion? Now... his only hope was to cure the injury in his legs. However, there was no guarantee that Prince Su and Prince Liang wouldn't secretly interfere.
Yi Liujing frowned, looking at him with worry. "Brother, don't think about that for now. In a few days, I'll secretly stir up some trouble so they start biting each other. Then they won't have time to bother us."
"Come, taste this. The food from Julong Zhai is really good..." He took a bite, then suddenly remembered something. "Ah, right. I bought a special gift for you today."
"Xing'er, bring that cushion here."
"Yes, Master." The servant boy stepped forward and handed a soft cotton cushion to his master.
"Brother, this is the most popular style these days. Look at the pattern on it. What do you think?" Liujing pointed to the custom-made cushion.
Yi Junlan drew his gaze back and glanced at it. Instantly, he was captivated by the drawing. He picked it up, his brow furrowing. This mouse... it looks so familiar.
Seeing his brother examining it closely, Liujing assumed he liked it. "This cushion fits the wheelchair perfectly. If you like it, Brother, I'll have them make more."
"Where did you buy this?" Yi Junlan, who had been silent, finally spoke.
"South Street, at the embroidery shop owned by Mo Zhanchen's fiancée. When I told them it was for you, they refused to take a single silver tael. It made me feel quite embarrassed. But I've told my friends to go there and support their business." Liujing chattered on, then noticed Junlan staring at the 'Dragon Cat' (Chinchilla). He laughed, "That Dragon Cat looks good, right? I chose it myself. Does it suit your taste?"
Yi Junlan remained expressionless but nodded. "Ah Jing, thank you."
Liujing felt a bit frustrated by the lack of reaction. He put on a mournful face. "Brother, you act as if nothing concerns you every day. Go out for a walk! Where do you want to go? I'll accompany you. The old man won't let me leave the Capital these days, and I'm bored to death."
Seeing Liujing like this, a flicker of expression finally crossed Yi Junlan's face. He raised an eyebrow. "Ah Jing, with this body, I am a 'spectacle' wherever I go. I don't want to go anywhere."
Liujing slumped in his chair, defeated, and buried his head in his food.
After Liujing left, Yi Junlan locked himself in the study with the cushion. From a hidden long box on a bookshelf, he took out a beautifully mounted painting.
He unrolled it. It revealed a portrait of a clear, beautiful lady in white, standing by a cave entrance, turning sideways with a slight smile. Beside her was a creature that looked very similar to the one on the cushion... a Dragon Cat?
Ah Jing called this little thing a Dragon Cat?
Could it be her?
The General's Manor
Today, the men of the family were off duty, but Father still had matters to attend to at the military camp. After the family finished lunch and rested in the pavilion for a while, Father rose to leave.
"In the future, when you go out, have Xiqiu and Hongshang accompany you. You must return home by the Hour of You (5 PM - 7 PM)," Mo Wushang said. He knew Lixia had been used to freedom for so many years and wouldn't be accustomed to being cooped up like other noble ladies. Their military family didn't have too many strict rules. It was good for her to have something to do; even after marriage, she would need to manage social affairs. The south of the city was close to the manor.
"I understand, Father," Mo Lixia nodded happily.
Seeing this, Madam Mo felt a pang of guilt. Perhaps she had been too cautious. The children of the Mo family were never meant to be caged birds. "Go if you wish, but don't let Mother go days without seeing you, alright?"
"Yes, Mother." Lixia felt blessed to have such parents.
"Godfather, Godfather! Can Mochen go to the military camp with you?" Mochen was very interested in fighting and martial arts. Back in the mountains, he had loved Brother Shen's bow and arrows.
Mo Wushang patted Mochen's head. "If you want to go, come along. But you mustn't run around once we're there, understand?"
Mochen nodded excitedly.
"Father, I have nothing to do today either. I'll come along and keep an eye on Little Brother," Zhanchen added, fearing his father might be too busy to watch Mochen.
"En, that sounds good."
Lixia had originally planned to take Mochen to the pharmacy, but seeing his high spirits, she didn't stop him.
That morning, Lixia took A'Mu and accompanied her mother to the back garden, helping her tend to the flowers and plants.
According to Nanny Guirong, this garden was built by her father when they were first married, knowing that her mother loved flowers. It contained many rare and precious plants. It was easy to see how much effort her father had put into it back then.
"Mother, the flowers are starting to wither. What a pity," Lixia said, picking up a few scattered rose petals from the ground.
Madam Mo, holding a small flower spade, turned the soil. She looked like a lady from a painting. "The petals aren't wasted. We can steep them for tea, make sachets, or use them for baths. Use them however you like. There are so many flowers in the garden we can't use them all. If they wither, let them wither. Our family doesn't lack for this."
Lixia gave a bright smile. Her mother had a willful side too. Looking at the petals in her hand, Lixia suddenly had an idea.
"Hongshang." Action followed thought immediately.
"Miss, what are your orders?"
"Go out and buy me some stone wax (paraffin) and sweet almond oil."