Chapter 324: Chapter 324: You Still Have to Take This Fetus-Preserving Medicine
A gentle breeze slowly lifted the hems of their garments.
Only the two of them were left in the surroundings.
The girl’s feigned smile was on the verge of collapsing.
She remained silent for a long time before speaking.
Then, she still placed her whitened hand on her lower abdomen, speaking to herself: "In a few more months, when my body becomes heavier, I won’t be able to wear my current clothes. I need to arrange for embroidery ladies early to sew new ones."
Her acting skills were exceptional this time: "During my time in the pear garden, I learned many tricks from several aunts. It just so happens that I can put them to use now."
"A midwife must be found early. A baby’s body is delicate, and everything they wear, from clothes to shoes, to hats, must be finely made."
"With such care from my side, it’s only right the Marquis as the father should do the same."
Cui Yun understood.
Shen Hua had known about this situation in advance, which was why she had come to Sui Courtyard. Ironically, his honest revelation had caught the girl, who had specifically come to seek retribution, completely off guard.
Before she came, she had already prepared to torment him for one day, two days, three days, and even longer, not cooling off.
Now with everything laid out, the girl was also prepared to turn a blind eye and continue to teach him a lesson for one day, two days, three days.
After all, she had to vent her frustrations.
Otherwise, this matter couldn’t be put to rest.
Like a cat with its fur standing on end, Cui Yun could only play along.
Yet he appeared nonchalant, answering without revealing any flaws: "Mm, I’ll get to selecting a name later."
Then he saw the girl glance at him, feigning innocence as she asked.
"That’s right, the Marquis dismissed everyone just now. What was he preparing to discuss with me?"
Cui Yun: ...
Shen Hua, in a delicate voice tinged with pretense, said: "The wind is so loud, I just couldn’t hear clearly."
Cui Yun’s brows twitched. He finally tasted the bitter fruit of his own doing.
He held back: "You—"
Shen Hua innocently: "What’s the matter?"
Cui Yun closed his eyes, worn out in a way that his effortless handling of those sinister and cunning officials had never made him feel: "...Would you like some more tea?"
Shen Hua shook her head, she saw Yicui from afar, coming with the medicine that had been brewed, which Ni Kang had adjusted according to her pulse and condition upon her return.
The medicine was extremely bitter. Even someone accustomed to medicine like her found it unbearable.
Just the thought of it made her insides protest in pain. Shen Hua’s delicate, egg-shaped face contorted with the thought.
Cui Yun gave a distant nod. Soon after, the Shadow Guard allowed passage.
Yicui approached and paid her respects to Cui Yun, then persuasively urged: "My lady, you sneakily disposed of the noon medicine. This won’t do. You must still drink what needs to be drunk for your body to recover."
Cui Yun’s brows twitched slightly and he ordered dispassionately: "Hand me the medicine."
Yicui quickly obliged.
That penetrating bitterness, just from the smell, Shen Hua could hardly endure it.
The sound of a spoon clinking against the bowl rang crisply. Cui Yun scooped up a spoonful with practiced ease and brought it to the corner of Shen Hua’s lips.
His gaze fell on the girl’s hand still rested on her lower abdomen. His thin lips moved slightly.
"You still need to drink this fetus-preserving medicine."
This sentence blocked all of the girl’s retreats.
Shen Hua realized that she had met her match.
Because of this, she had a sleepless night.
Partly out of anger, and partly, she experienced the long-lost joy of acting.
With these two emotions intertwined, her menstruation also arrived. After fastening her menstruation pad, the girl, afraid of leakage, dared not toss and turn any longer.
She lay there stiffly, pondering in the dark.
Tomorrow, she still had to find Cui Yun and continue their struggle.
————
The next day
When Shen Hua woke up, Cui Yun had already gone to the morning court.
The many items she had purchased yesterday were all placed in the side room.
Stretchers, stretcher stools, tension cloth, hand rests, Bengding, tension thread, standing frame, embroidery needles, scissors, and embroidery thread.
These were all for the use of embroidery.
The variety of embroidery threads was vast, and Shen Hua had bought them all.
However, half of the tailoring for the clothes is not even necessary.
The finest fabric is cut according to Xie Xun’s measurements.
Shen Hua worked meticulously. In her hands, the scissors seemed to come alive, tracing outlines on the fabric without the need for a pattern, allowing her to make precise cuts.
As for the patterns to be sewn on the back of the robes, Shen Hua had already made plans.
Silver-grey orchid patterns for the border would be appropriate. Orchids, symbolizing the humble gentleman, were most fitting to describe brother Ni Kang.
Seeing this, Yicui also came over to help. She split the thread that would be used into several strands. Holding the end of the thread, she relaxed her right hand, then quickly tugged downwards.
Two strands, four strands, eight strands, sixteen strands...
All according to what Shen Hua needed.
Ningzhu came over to watch.
Xiaoqi came over to watch.
Yingwu looked up in thought, considering how to send the bothersome Xiaoqi away.
Soon.
Ningzhu started to help.
Xiaoqi also started to help.
Yingwu continued looking up, now craving for chicken legs.
"Shen Hua!"
At that moment, Wei Yingying approached with big steps. She walked briskly, yet the step shakes on her body swayed only slightly.
She grabbed the girl’s hand in hers: "There’s something exciting going on, want to see?"
The interrupted Shen Hua didn’t even bother to ask what the excitement was.
The girl looked up: "Let’s see it."
"I knew you would agree," said Wei Yingying, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. She pulled Shen Hua towards the outside.
"Sister Yan is going to Duke Wei Mansion today, let’s join her."
"It’s an opportunity to stir up some fun."
Upon hearing this, Shen Hua felt it was unreliable.
She enunciated clearly: "You, a fallen lady of the Wei Family, and me, an inconspicuous cousin, are clearly harboring ill intentions. I’m afraid we won’t even get through the gates of Duke Wei Mansion."
They had just left the East Garden when, before Wei Yingying could speak, Shen Hua spotted two people outside, excitedly chatting away.
Shen Hua: ...
Ah, joy is so elusive.
Ji Ge waved at her: "Shen! We were just waiting for you!"
Clearly having heard what Shen Hua had just said, Ji Huo disdainfully remarked: "With the imperial gold medal in hand, even old Duke Wei himself has to come out to greet me. How could I, the Princely Heir, fail to bring you in with us!"
He expressed his personal charm with rising and falling intonations: "Last time at Governor Yan Mansion, it was I, Ji Huo, who made Yan An cry on the ground calling for his mother! This time, I shall definitely take you all to meet Wei Xiheng at Duke Wei Mansion."
He was adept at causing commotion.
And he preferred it even more when there was a crowd to witness his splendor during such times.
And Shen Hua and Wei Yingying were just the perfect company for that.
After dropping these words, Ji Ge enthusiastically clapped in agreement.
"Well said!"
Ji Huo, pleased with the reaction, examined the people before him and cleared his throat.
"I hereby announce, from now on, I, Ji Ge, Wei Yingying, and you, Shen Hua! The four of us are a team. Whenever there is a spectacle, whatever I witness, you will too."
"But rest assured, if anything happens, I, your big brother, will take the lead!"
Ji Ge continued clapping eagerly.
"Great!"
It was the first time Shen Hua saw a light in Ji Huo.
The guards at Duke Wei Mansion were strict, the estate silent and orderly. The Wei Mansion steward waited at the gate to welcome the esteemed guests from the Governor Mansion, not expecting the arrival of the Four People Gang.
The leader was the overbearing Ji Huo.
The steward had a bad feeling. The next moment, Ji Huo casually slung an arm around his shoulders like they were best buddies.
"Hey!"
He even played with the steward’s beard, devoid of any pretense: "Were you waiting for me, old man?"