TPGA - 65

Chapter 65: Qingchun Garden

Ji Rong hesitated, then shook her head. “It won’t work. I barely know the Eldest Master, and the medicine isn’t ready yet. Why would he agree to help?”

“You won’t know unless you try,” Chunxiu persisted. “Perhaps he’ll agree, given that he needs your medicine to treat his leg ailment.” Growing more convinced by her own reasoning, she knelt down and pleaded, “Sister, if even you won’t help me, no one will. Please, for the sake of our families’ long-standing friendship, go to Qingchun Garden just this once.”

Ji Rong shook her head again. “Though I haven’t interacted much with the Eldest Master, I know enough about his temperament. Asking for his help would be extremely difficult, and if handled poorly, it might even backfire…” Before she could finish, Chunxiu had already dropped to her knees, sobbing, “We’ve known each other since childhood and grew up together. Our families have always been close. I remember one year when Uncle Ji didn’t have enough money to buy meat for the buns—he borrowed it from our place and didn’t repay it for over a month. My father never pressured him once. This time… I admit it’s my fault, but please, sister, consider the bond between our families and help me one last time.”

Ji Rong hesitated, torn. Of course, she could choose to ignore Chunxiu, but doing so would offend Feng Cheng, a powerful figure in Shuangqiao Village whose brother-in-law worked in the county office. If Feng Cheng turned hostile, her family’s life would become unbearable until she had the means to protect them—just like how Wu Laosan’s hard-earned game was repeatedly extorted by Feng Cheng.

After much deliberation, Ji Rong finally relented. “Fine, I’ll go to Qingchun Garden. But if the Eldest Master refuses to help, there’s nothing I can do.”

Her words brought a look of joy to Chunxiu’s face, and she quickly wiped away her tears. “I understand, I understand. No matter what the Eldest Master decides, I won’t blame you, Sister.”

Ji Rong nodded and said, “Then stay here while I go see the Eldest Master.” With that, she hurried out. Not long after, word came for her to enter.

As soon as she stepped into the main hall, before she could even bow, Li Jiancheng’s urgent voice rang out. “Well? Have you prepared the medicine?”

Li Jiancheng had been discussing the ongoing search of Honghua County with Feng Li, trying to track down the elusive assassin who had become a thorn in his side. Despite over a month of searching, they had found no leads, leaving him frustrated and itching to personally lead house-to-house searches. However, though the wound on his leg had healed, the new flesh hadn’t fully formed yet, causing pain with even slight movement. According to Physician Xu’s estimate, he would need at least another half-month of rest before moving freely again. Had he kept the vial of Jirong’s family remedy, Xujin Shengji San (Sinew-Repairing Muscle-Regenerating Powder), he would already be nearly recovered. Unfortunately, in order to encourage Ji Rong to research and prepare more of the remedy, he hadn’t kept the original vial, forcing him to endure the slow healing process. This left him deeply irritated, eagerly awaiting the completion of the medicine day and night. Thus, upon hearing the servant’s report, he immediately summoned Ji Rong.

“Master, these past days I’ve been diligently studying medical texts and retrieved half of my grandfather’s formula and notes from my father. I’ve made some progress on the Xujin Shengji San. If given a little more time, I should be able to complete it.”

Li Jiancheng’s expression darkened, and he coldly remarked, “If you haven’t completed it yet, why are you here?”

Ji Rong nervously twisted her fingers and lowered her head. “I’ve come… to humbly ask for your help, Master.”

“Help?” Li Jiancheng raised an eyebrow and fixed his gaze on her. “Do you realize that among all the servants in this mansion, you’re the first one bold enough to ask me for assistance?”

“I know it’s presumptuous of me, but aside from you, Master, I truly don’t know who else to turn to. Please forgive my audacity.”

Li Jiancheng casually flipped open a book beside him and indifferently said, “Go on, tell me.”

Ji Rong quickly explained, “I have a close friend from my village who dances with me in the music hall. Thanks to her help, I’ve been able to make steady progress with the Xujin Shengji San. However, because of her straightforward nature, she has offended some petty individuals. These people slandered her behind her back to Nanny Yang, who, unaware of the truth, believed them and reported her to the Second Madam. Now, she is to be expelled from the governor’s mansion.”

“You want her to stay in the mansion?” In response to Li Jiancheng’s question, Ji Rong nodded. “Yes, though she occasionally loses her temper, her heart is good. I can’t bear to see her unjustly expelled. So…” She glanced quickly at Li Jiancheng and knelt down. “Please show mercy, Master.”

Li Jiancheng turned a page of the scroll without looking up and said, “Matters of the mansion are not under my jurisdiction. If you truly believe she’s been wronged, you can approach Lady Wan.”

Though he was at odds with Lady Wan, since their father had entrusted her with managing the household affairs, as a younger generation member, he felt it inappropriate to interfere too much—especially for a dancer he didn’t even know.

Ji Rong lowered her head and said, “I considered that, but… the Second Madam has already formed her opinion and likely won’t listen to me.”

The winter sun streamed through the window, falling on the bronze incense burner atop the small table by the window. Wisps of smoke rose through its tiny holes, intertwining with the pale golden sunlight. “Then there’s nothing I can do. You may leave.”

Ji Rong urgently pleaded, “If you would just say a word, Master, the Second Madam will surely listen. Please help me this once. Both Chunxiu and I will repay your kindness.”

Li Jiancheng looked up, his eyes filled with a chilling darkness. “Didn’t you hear what I said?”

Though his voice wasn’t loud, to Ji Rong, it felt like a thunderous rebuke. Her body trembled slightly, but she persisted, forcing herself to speak. “Master, you gave me half a month to prepare the medicine. Without Chunxiu’s assistance, I fear I won’t be able to complete it on time.”

Li Jiancheng stared at her. “Are you saying that if that woman is expelled, you won’t be able to deliver the medicine I need?”

Ji Rong avoided his gaze and lowered her head. “I promised you, Master, and I will do everything in my power to prepare the Xujin Shengji San. It will just take longer without her help.”

“Come closer!” At his command, Ji Rong took a few hesitant steps forward. He raised his slender fingers and traced her brows, eyes, lips, and nose, sending shivers through her body. His soft, sinister voice followed. “Are you threatening me?”

Ji Rong dug her nails into her palms and trembled as she replied, “I wouldn’t dare threaten you, Master. But this matter… truly requires Chunxiu’s assistance. Please…”

“You know how urgently I need this medicine for my leg. And now you’re using it as leverage to force me to intervene. Ji Rong…” His hand, which had slid to her neck, tightened slightly, pulling her closer. In a cold tone, he said, “You have quite the audacity!”