Chapter 7: Unwelcome Guests

After the Imperial Medicine Hall changed hands to the Eldest Young Miss, the managers mostly adopted a wait-and-see attitude. They whispered among themselves, saying the Eldest Young Miss was too young; she had talent, but her methods were unknown. Who would have thought that in just two short years, the Imperial Medicine Hall had not only retained the handling of the palace’s imperial medicinal supplies but also opened branch offices in the Secondary Capital and two neighboring major cities.

This time, the managers from various routes were truly convinced. When meeting the Eldest Young Miss, they no longer flaunted their seniority and greeted her according to protocol. No one dared to gossip behind her back anymore either.

In early summer, when grass grows and orioles take flight, everything should have been thriving. But on this day, two unwelcome guests arrived at the Chu Family Manor.

“Aiyo, Madam Chu, the Old Lady of the Li Family has fallen ill from anger over this matter. If something worse happens, it’ll look bad for everyone. Listen to my advice. It’s best if our two families part on good terms now. If there’s anything you need help with in the future, just say the word, and we’ll certainly lend a hand, wouldn’t you say?”

The matchmaker from back then couldn’t stop her flapping lips. The Madam of the Li Family sat upright on a high-backed chair, maintaining her status. Though she rarely spoke, her expression was one of undisguised arrogance.

Madam Chu, Qi Xiaolong, was both furious and anxious. The other party was here to break off the engagement! But this was a marriage pact made when her master was still alive, between him and the Li family. It had been four or five years since then. By rights, her daughter should have been married at sixteen. Who knew that the master would suddenly fall ill, never rise again, and pass away hastily before his eldest daughter could marry.

Her daughter, dutifully observing the mourning period as an unmarried daughter, had persisted for three whole years. Now, her eighteenth birthday had passed, and Qi Xiaolong was so anxious she couldn’t sleep. She had fully expected that once the mourning period ended in a few more months, the two families would quickly finalize the wedding.

When a servant reported that the Li family’s Madam had come calling today, she thought they were here to discuss betrothal gifts and dowries! She had even greeted them with a smiling face! But this is… what is the meaning of this!!!

“Madam Li.” Qi Xiaolong held back, but couldn’t hold it in. Her voice was filled with indignation. “This marriage was personally arranged by the two family masters back then. The so-called ‘Three Letters and Six Rites’—the Betrothal Proposal, the Name Inquiry, the Engagement Gifts, the Betrothal Gifts—all were completed without flaw. Now, we should be at the step of Date Setting! For you to come and break off the engagement now… aren’t you going too far to bully us?!”

“I’m going too far?” Madam Li sneered coldly, no longer bothering to keep up appearances. “I might as well be blunt! My Shaohua has been free of illness and disaster for twenty years. A few days ago, when the family mentioned setting a wedding date for him, he immediately developed a fever that night. No cure worked. It worried our Old Lady to the point she cries every day by his bed! Then an old servant of the household reminded us… saying your Eldest Young Miss grew up surrounded by medicine, has seen countless patients, diagnosed countless hidden ailments. Perhaps… it’s the bad omen… Hey, don’t you get angry. The elders said so, we can’t do anything about it. Anyway, the point is, the Old Lady threw a fit and forced us to break the engagement. We, the younger generation, have no choice but to obey, right? We can’t let a child’s marriage frighten the child into illness and then have the Old Lady throw another tantrum. How could we handle that?”

Frightened into illness?

Hearing this, Qi Xiaolong was so angry she felt dizzy. But she was a woman of the inner chambers, not used to arguing. She just clutched her chest, her face pale.

The matchmaker and Madam Li exchanged a glance. Madam Li signaled with her eyes. The matchmaker, catching on, blinked and was about to speak again when light footsteps sounded outside the side hall.

Just as the door opened halfway, a clear, cold voice came from behind the screen: “If he is ill, then he should seek medical consultation. If the Li family finds it difficult, considering our past ties, my Imperial Medicine Hall could even arrange a highly respected Old Master Healer. Oh, perhaps there’s no ‘past ties’ to speak of anymore…” Chu Mingxi walked into the hall. Her slightly cold gaze swept around the room. With a semblance of a smile, she asked, “I wonder, is it your son who needs a physician, or the Old Madam who needs medicine?”

Aiyo! Who is this! How dare she curse my son! Madam Li was choked speechless, her face frosty. When she recognized the speaker, her expression darkened further. She hasn’t even married into the family yet and she already dares to openly defy me like this? If she actually marries in, what then?! With this kind of temperament, this engagement must be broken off! No matter how pretty her face, she’s not worthy of my son!

The matchmaker, ever quick to change with the wind and already having pocketed Madam Li’s pouch, quickly put on a smiling face and shifted the conversation, directing her words at Qi Xiaolong: “They say it’s the parents’ command and a matchmaker’s word. The elders are discussing matters, yet the Eldest Young Miss runs out here by herself? If word gets out, she’ll be a laughingstock.”

Qi Xiaolong looked at her eldest daughter and said nothing. Although she lived deep within the courtyards, she was no fool. She would never contradict her own daughter at a time like this.

An awkward silence fell over the hall. Both family madams were fuming. The matchmaker tried to smooth things over herself: “Madam Chu, things have come to this. Why don’t you just bring out the marriage contract and return it to the Li family?”

Madam Li looked up at this, glaring at Qi Xiaolong. Qi Xiaolong could only look at her eldest daughter, who had been managing the family for the past two years.

Chu Mingxi gave a light laugh. “Had we known the Li family’s attitude would be like this, even if the wedding were tomorrow, I would still dissolve this engagement today.”

Madam Li was stunned. Just as she was about to speak, the matchmaker jumped in: “Then Eldest Young Miss, be straightforward. Bring out the marriage contract.”

“When the servant reported earlier, I already guessed the purpose of your visit. The marriage contract and betrothal gifts are both prepared in the back hall. It’s just… when the engagement was made, keepsakes were exchanged…” Chu Mingxi tilted her head, a hint of inquiry in her expression. “I wonder if Madam Li has brought my Chu family’s token with her?”

Madam Li’s eyes flickered. She didn’t meet her gaze directly. “Of course, it was brought. Those few items are all together. I’ll exchange them for the marriage contract and take them all back.”

Chu Mingxi’s smile brightened. She nodded. “That’s good. Gold and silver don’t matter. But one item among them is a piece of black jade that carries a medicinal fragrance. Others might not recognize it, but I… well, as Madam Li said, I grew up surrounded by medicine, so I certainly won’t mistake it. I must trouble Madam Li to take out this black jade for me to identify. The marriage contract… I will hand over immediately.” Before Madam Li could speak, she continued: “Oh, I heard my father say that on the day the betrothal gifts were exchanged, this matchmaker lady here was also present and even praised my Chu family’s sincerity. So… Madam Li, I suggest you carefully consider whether you have brought that piece of black jade. It would be unfortunate if you just happened to have forgotten it, and word got out. People who don’t know better might think you intended to embezzle it… that wouldn’t be good.”

Madam Li was so enraged her face turned dark. Her mouth opened and closed, wanting to speak but unable. She shut it tightly in frustration. After a long moment, she mumbled, “I… I shall check again. Perhaps the servants… servants took the wrong thing. Who knows?”

Chu Mingxi said, “Hm.” She walked to her mother’s side, poured herself a cup of tea. “Then on another day, when Madam Li has clarified the matter, we can discuss the marriage contract again.” She raised the teacup to her lips, took a sip, and raised her voice slightly, “Yining, accompany Mother and me in seeing the guests out.”

Madam Li seemed not to have expected her to be so decisive. She opened her mouth several times. Seeing the maid already waiting at the door, she could only stand up, flick her sleeves, and leave.

The matchmaker was utterly confused, unable to grasp the mystery of the black jade. But she still observed the formalities. She bowed slightly to Madam Chu and the Eldest Young Miss, still wearing a placating smile. Gathering the items she’d brought, she followed behind Madam Li and left as well.

When the sound of voices had faded far away, Qi Xiaolong finally let out a sigh. Chu Mingxi knew what worried her. She turned the teacup in her hand and lowered her head. “The Li family is already like this. Even if I forced the marriage, it wouldn’t end well.”

Qi Xiaolong glanced at her, her voice filled with worry. “You are already eighteen. Breaking the engagement at this time… what will you do in the future?”

“In the future, I’ll just look after the Imperial Medicine Hall and look after you, Mother. Isn’t that fine?” Chu Mingxi sat beside her mother, resting her head on her mother’s shoulder, showing a rare hint of childlike charm.

“Silly child.” There was no point in persuading her now. Qi Xiaolong changed the subject. “Since you’ve already decided to break the engagement, why cling to those betrothal gifts? Why not just end it cleanly?”

Chu Mingxi looked towards the closed door of the hall, her smile tinged with a hint of sarcasm. “That piece of black jade isn’t ordinary jade. It’s the Black Jade Resurrection Pill, refined from Purple Gold. Mother knows this is our Chu family’s secret formula, extremely difficult to create. Though not priceless, to an ordinary family, it could still extend a life. The moment I entered this room, I knew the Li family hadn’t brought it. To break an engagement, one should at least keep their word.”

“I only fear you may have offended them deeply. You saw how snobbish those two are. If they spread rumors…”

“Mother, even if we didn’t offend them, their actions today are clear to see. If we let them bully us to our faces and do nothing, how can the Imperial Medicine Hall stand firm in the future?”

Qi Xiaolong frowned, looking at her. Why is this daughter’s mind only on the Imperial Medicine Hall? That’s clearly not what I’m worried about!

Madam Chu’s worries were not unfounded. Whether word was spread by the Li family or whether rumors simply arose, the news of the broken engagement spread like wildfire. It passed from one mouth to ten, ten to a hundred. Even in teahouses, people were smirking and discussing it. Some said the Li family’s conduct was improper, others said the Chu family shouldn’t have let their daughter show her face in public. Some waved their fans a few times, cackling, and said there must be some hidden scandal involved.

In a private room on the second floor of the Cloud Tripod Pavilion, a fair-skinned, handsome youth sat by the window. The clamorous chatter from the hall below drifted into her ears. The youth was somewhat slender, her brows held a heroic spirit, but now they furrowed slightly, as if her peace had been disturbed.

“Master.” Her page approached and bent over, awaiting instructions.

The youth’s gaze shifted to the table where the loud discussion was taking place, pausing for a moment. Then she stood. “Let’s go.”

The page, receiving the order, hastily moved the chair aside. A waiter from the establishment led them downstairs.

Outside, several guards had already brought the horses over. They surrounded their master as she mounted her steed. Since they were within the city, they rode at a slow pace. Along the roadside, it was just the apricot blossom season. Moon-white petals drifted down continuously, carried by the early summer breeze, swirling between the horses’ hooves, sending up wisps of fragrance. The youth wore crimson robes, her figure tall and slender, adorned with a gold crown and jade belt. Bright eyes, fine teeth, no older than fifteen or sixteen. Yet the gaze she cast forward was already exceptionally resolute.