Chapter 87: As You Wish

Jiang Caiping wrinkled her small nose. “She’s certainly clever with her plans. But who knows if the Young Master will listen to Lady Two in the end?” Biting her cherry-red lips, she added with frustration, “I thought we’d finally find evidence of Ji Rong using **Incense and get her convicted. I never expected this outcome—it’s infuriating.”

As they quietly left the room, Ji Rong arrived outside Yuxiu Pavilion. She slapped her cheeks lightly to perk herself up before approaching the gatekeeper. “Excuse me, young sir, could you please announce my arrival? Tell Lady Wan that Ji Rong has an urgent matter to discuss with her.”

The gatekeeper rolled his eyes, pretending not to hear her, while rubbing his fingers together suggestively. Understanding the hint, Ji Rong quickly retrieved all the copper coins from her purse and pressed them into his hand. Satisfied, he pocketed the coins and said, “Wait here.”

After a short while, the gatekeeper returned and announced, “Lady Wan is in the flower hall. You may enter.”

Ji Rong thanked him and entered the flower hall, where she saw Lady Wan sitting at the table having breakfast, with Zhaixing attending to her. Ji Rong immediately knelt and greeted her respectfully, “May Lady Wan enjoy ten thousand blessings.”

Lady Wan set aside her half-finished bowl of lily porridge, wiped her lips with a handkerchief handed by Zhaixing, and asked lightly, “What brings you here so early?”

“Esteemed Lady,” Ji Rong began, “while reviewing my family’s ancient medical texts, I came across a beauty-enhancing recipe. According to the text, long-term use can make one’s skin tender, smooth, radiant, and youthful—even women in their fifties or sixties can achieve the complexion of a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old maiden. Therefore, I prepared this bottle…” The words Yimucao Facial Recipe hovered on her lips but were quickly swallowed back. Instead, she continued, “This bottle of Celestial Goddess Powder is for you, esteemed Lady.” The new name was undoubtedly more appealing than the original.

Lady Wan glanced at Zhaixing, who promptly took the porcelain bottle from Ji Rong and handed it to her mistress. After examining it briefly, Lady Wan asked skeptically, “If this product is as miraculous as you claim, why have I never heard of it before?”

“Esteemed Lady,” Ji Rong replied smoothly, “this formula is a closely guarded secret passed down through my family. Others wouldn’t know about it.” Then, in a tone dripping with flattery, she added, “If you use the Celestial Goddess Powder mixed with talcum powder and top-quality rouge to wash your face and hands morning and evening, I assure you that within ten days, you’ll appear stunningly beautiful.”

Lady Wan gazed at her with a faint, enigmatic smile. “Are you implying that I’m already old?”

Though her voice remained soft and gentle, Ji Rong detected the chill beneath it. Hurriedly, she responded, “Not at all, esteemed Lady! You are far from old. However, managing the household affairs must be exhausting for you, unlike Lady Three and others who bear no such burdens. Over time, such responsibilities could affect your beauty.”

Her words struck a chord with Lady Wan. Since Dou Shi’s death, she had become the de facto ruler of the household. While wielding power felt gratifying, the constant worries weighed heavily on her. Even with the skincare prescriptions provided by doctors, she often lamented how her skin no longer looked as vibrant as before when she gazed into the mirror.

Lady Wan scrutinized the unassuming porcelain bottle in her hand and asked dubiously, “Does this truly work wonders?”

“How dare I deceive you, esteemed Lady?” Ji Rong steeled herself and continued, “If… if there’s no visible improvement after ten days, I am willing to accept any punishment you see fit.”

“Very well, then I’ll give it a try.” After clarifying how to mix the powder with talcum and rouge, Lady Wan instructed Zhaixing to store the bottle safely. Then, with a casual tone, she said, “Now, tell me—what do you seek from me?”

Seeing that Lady Wan had already seen through her intentions, Ji Rong stopped pretending and knelt down. “Please save my life, esteemed Lady.”

Lady Wan frowned, puzzled. “Save you? What have you done wrong?”

Ji Rong’s face twisted with worry. “Tomorrow marks the one-month deadline given by the Young Master, but I still haven’t been able to formulate the tendon-repairing muscle-regenerating powder.”

Lady Wan, being perceptive, immediately understood what Ji Rong wanted. “You’re afraid the Young Master will punish you, so you’ve brought this Celestial Goddess Powder to beg for my help?”

“Yes,” Ji Rong admitted. Before she could say more, Lady Wan chuckled lightly. “How amusing. First, you sought favor with the Young Master through me, and now you want me to plead on your behalf to him.”

Ji Rong kowtowed repeatedly. “I’m truly out of options, esteemed Lady. Please take pity on me!”

Lady Wan rose gracefully and approached her, looking down. “But have you considered this—if I intervene, the Young Master will realize you’re aligned with me. Even if you eventually succeed in making the tendon-repairing muscle-regenerating powder, he’ll no longer trust you. How will you continue serving me then?”

“This…” Caught off guard by the question, Ji Rong panicked, racking her brain for a solution. Just as she struggled, Lady Wan spoke again. “Tell me honestly—is it even possible to create this tendon-repairing muscle-regenerating powder?”

“Yes!” Ji Rong blurted out. “The formula is almost complete—it just needs a little more refinement. If only the Young Master grants me more time, I’m certain I can finish it.”

“In that case, I’ll assist you!” With these words, Lady Wan suddenly pulled a golden hairpin from her coiffure and stabbed it forcefully into Ji Rong’s arm. The sharp tip pierced through her clothing and deep into her flesh, causing blood to flow freely down her arm.

Startled by the sudden pain, Ji Rong clutched her wound and stared at Lady Wan in shock. “Esteemed Lady… What did I do wrong?”

Lady Wan took a handkerchief from Zhaixing, wiped the blood off the hairpin, and said nonchalantly, “It’s exactly as you wished.”

Still enduring the pain, Ji Rong asked, “I don’t understand, esteemed Lady.”

“Don’t you?” After cleaning the hairpin, Lady Wan inserted it back into her hair and gestured for Ji Rong to come closer. Whispering softly into her ear, she explained her plan. Ji Rong’s eyes widened in realization, and she nodded fervently. “I understand, esteemed Lady. I fully grasp your meaning now.”

Lady Wan smiled faintly. “You don’t resent me for hurting you?”

Ji Rong quickly replied, “Esteemed Lady acted solely in my best interest. How could I possibly resent you? Besides…” She forced a smile. “A minor injury in exchange for an opportunity? That’s a bargain worth making.”

Pleased, Lady Wan nodded approvingly. “Good. You may leave now. Be careful on your way out—don’t let anyone see your wound.”

Ji Rong rose and bowed respectfully before departing. As she stepped out of Yuxiu Pavilion, she glanced back nervously. Though Lady Wan’s plan was effective, the memory of her ruthless expression while stabbing her sent shivers down Ji Rong’s spine. Compared to Lady Wan, she realized she still had much to learn—both in terms of strategy and cunning.

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The day passed swiftly. At dawn, Wang Fu arrived on Li Jiancheng’s orders to summon Ji Rong. When she reached the appointed location, Xu the physician was also present. Without waiting for her to bow, Li Jiancheng urged anxiously, “Where’s the tendon-repairing muscle-regenerating powder? Bring it quickly!”

Finally, this accursed foot ailment will be cured, Ji Rong thought. No more will people look at me with those strange gazes.

Lowering her head, Ji Rong replied, “Forgive me, Young Master. The tendon-repairing muscle-regenerating powder isn’t ready yet.”