Don't set off just yet

"Mother, don't worry. I'm feeling much better."

Jiang Yourning held Lin Xiangyin's arm, an affectionate smile on her face.

"That's good."

Lin Xiangyin tentatively continued, "Ningning, now that you're awake, shall I take you somewhere?"

"Huh? Where? And... is my sister coming too?"

Jiang Yourning looked around for her.

"You silly little muddlehead. Have you forgotten that you two sisters are renovating the tavern? Your sister left ages ago."

With a helpless smile, Lin Xiangyin reached out and tapped Jiang Yourning's nose.

"I forgot. Mother, since we're going out, let's leave now!"

Jiang Yourning leaned against Lin Xiangyin's shoulder and smiled sweetly.

"All right."

The mother and daughter had only taken a few steps.

Only then did Jiang Yourning remember that she had forgotten to ask about the important matter.

"Oh, right, Mother. Where's Chun Tao?"

"Her? As your personal maid, she bears half the responsibility for your illness. I've asked Nanny Li to supervise her while she sorts beans in my courtyard."

Lin Xiangyin glanced at Jiang Yourning with a gently reproachful smile.

"Fair enough."

Jiang Yourning nodded firmly. Poor little Tao.

Something occurred to Lin Xiangyin, and she continued:

"I've decided. From now on, anyone who makes a mistake will be sent to sort beans."

Jiang Yourning: ...

Thinking of her own knack for stirring up trouble, she fell silent for several seconds.

Jiang Yourning chose to cut the subject short. "Mother, let's get going."

"All right, all right."

After the mother and daughter boarded the carriage, Jiang Yourning chatted idly with Lin Xiangyin.

Perhaps because she was ill, the journey seemed especially long today.

At one point, Jiang Yourning pulled aside the curtain for a look and couldn't help frowning.

"Mother, this isn't the way to the tavern to see my sister. Where are we going?"

"Don't worry. You'll know when we get there."

Lin Xiangyin's smile grew even gentler.

Jiang Yourning looked her mother up and down, feeling that something was a little strange.

A little later.

The carriage stopped.

"Madam, we've arrived."

As Lin Xiangyin stepped down, Jiang Yourning peered outside through the carriage curtain and couldn't help rubbing her eyes.

How very strange.

Why did this place look both familiar and unfamiliar?

"Ningning, hurry down!"

Lin Xiangyin urged her from below. Jiang Yourning emerged, steadying herself against the carriage. Just as she was about to step down, she looked up at the plaque directly ahead. The instant the gates opened, her foot found nothing but air.

Thud.

She landed flat on the ground, all four limbs sprawled out.

"Aah!!!"

Already feeling far from well, Jiang Yourning let out a miserable scream.

Just then, the gates of the National Preceptor's Residence were pushed open.

Xie Ciyan's eyes widened at the sight.

"Greetings, Madam Jiang. Sixth Miss Jiang, that's rather too grand a salute. Please, get up."

"Young Marquis Xie, that joke was positively icy."

If I hadn't gone and made myself sick, I'd give you a beating today.

A grand salute, my foot. If you can't say anything sensible, shut up!

His survival instincts kicking in, Xie Ciyan promptly wiped the smile off his face and gave a solemn little cough.

"Sixth Miss, you look rather pale. That fall must have hurt, hasn't it? I have some medicine I can give you."

"Thank you for your kindness, Young Marquis. It was only a fall. There's no need for medicine."

My advice is, if you want to give it to me, just give it to me. If you don't, shut up. Don't drag me into a tug-of-war of politeness.

"..."

Xie Ciyan froze.

Was that how it worked?

No wonder the little fairy had turned him down yesterday.

Understanding dawned on him at once.

"You did take a fall, after all. This is Cloudfrost Salve bestowed by His Majesty. It can heal any wound without leaving a mark. Please accept it, Sixth Miss Jiang."

With Lin Xiangyin present, Xie Ciyan placed the small jar of salve on the carriage to avoid any misunderstandings, then promptly turned and left.

Huh? What was that all about?

Jiang Yourning was momentarily bewildered.

Beside her.

Seeing her daughter stare blankly at the jar of Cloudfrost Salve, Lin Xiangyin felt her heart sink for no apparent reason.

"Ningning."

"Hmm?"

"When did you become so close to the Young Marquis?"

Jiang Yourning looked surprised. "Mother, he saved me, and he's interested in my sister. There's nothing wrong with him giving me a jar of medicine, is there?"

"That's true."

Lin Xiangyin found that reasonable and nodded lightly.