Chapter 43: The Enchanting Bloom (Part One)

Anran set out for the Qin residence early the next morning. Before leaving, she prepared a nourishing bird’s nest porridge for Lu Xuexin, along with two portions of delicate pastries, and brought them to her. Although the poison in Lu Xuexin’s body had been purged, her constitution was weak from birth and illness had left her frail; she needed slow, gentle care to recover—any haste would only do more harm than good.

A servant greeted Anran respectfully at the gate. “Miss Anran, the young master specifically instructed me to await your arrival.” He led her with nervous deference through the main gates, past the lotus pond, and into Madam Qin’s quarters.

Madam Qin lay upon her bed; her features, though still elegant, seemed even more weary than yesterday. Her eyes, however, retained their vitality. Sitting at her bedside was Qin Ruoyang, freshly returned from court, still dressed in his official robes.

Yesterday, Jun Moli had teased him by calling him Chief Justice of the Dali Temple. Now, seeing Qin Ruoyang in his formal attire, upright and proper, his gentle face gained a new measure of authority and dignity.

“Miss Anran,” Qin Ruoyang acknowledged her with a nod, his expression warmer and more cordial than it had been the day before.

“I hope you’ve been well, Young Master,” Anran replied with a cool, faintly mocking smile, which left Qin Ruoyang momentarily awkward.

Anran stood silently to one side. She was never comfortable treating the ailments of nobles and officials—the rituals and formalities were endless. If not for Jun Moli’s urging, she would never have agreed to come to the Qin residence.

“Didn’t you say yesterday that there was nothing seriously wrong? Why have you returned today?” Madam Qin’s puzzlement was evident. As soon as morning court ended, Ruoyang had hurried home, claiming the young lady from yesterday would visit again. Madam Qin found it odd—Anran had said she couldn’t reach a diagnosis, so what was the purpose of a second visit? What more could she discover?

“I owe Prince Li a favor, and your son is most filial. Thus, I took the liberty of coming again,” Anran explained, bowing once more. She stepped forward, “Madam, would you please extend your hand? I should take your pulse once more.”

With those words, she had cleverly shifted the debt onto Jun Moli.

Though still full of questions, Madam Qin offered her hand for examination. Anran felt her wrist, observing carefully not only the pulse but also Madam Qin’s complexion and fingertips, which looked paler and more sallow than the day before. The black line on her wrist had lengthened, and her nails had grown even darker.

In the corner by the window, a pot of intoxication flowers was in full, splendid bloom, filling the room with a rich, calming fragrance.

“Madam, this pot of intoxication flowers is truly flourishing,” Anran remarked.

She withdrew her hand, ignoring the anxious look from Qin Ruoyang, and walked straight to the flower.

Several blossoms, each the size of a fist, were inky black, their petals densely covered in fine, short hairs. The thick, cylindrical stems were pale green, and the leaves, shaped like polished stones and tapering to a point, looked lush and well cared for.

“Yes, Xi’er gave those to me. When I’m feeling well, I tend them myself,” Madam Qin replied, her mood brightening at the mention of the flowers—and of Xi’er, whose thoughtfulness always warmed her heart.

Anran’s eyes curved with a casual smile, her tone indifferent. Madam Qin noticed nothing amiss, but Qin Ruoyang sensed a subtle implication.

“Is there something wrong with the flowers?” he asked. Everyone knew his mother’s love for flowers; even his sister had only a few pots, yet she had gifted two to their mother. Qin Ruoyang himself had sought out many rare and exotic plants for her over the years.