Chapter 119: Lady Zheng

Lady Zheng nodded, then added with concern, “Hedong isn’t like our Honghua Prefecture. I’ve heard it’s a chaotic place filled with all sorts of people. You must be careful there, my dear. Don’t let your guard down, and never wander off alone to avoid running into troublemakers.”

Ji Rong expressed her gratitude, saying, “I will certainly remember Young Mistress’s advice and stay cautious in everything I do.”

Lady Zheng smiled faintly and turned to Li Jiancheng, saying, “Husband, since this journey will take so long, why not grant Ji Rong a day off tomorrow? Let her return home to bid farewell to her parents.”

After a brief hesitation, Li Jiancheng agreed. Since he had already come to believe that Ji Rong wasn’t an assassin, there was no need to keep her confined in Qingchun Garden any longer.

“Thank you, Master and Young Mistress,” Ji Rong said with a deep bow of gratitude. Her lashes trembled slightly as she lowered her head and continued, “There is one more favor I wish to ask of Master.”

Li Jiancheng asked casually, “What is it?”

“Since childhood, Chunxiu and I have grown up together, inseparable and very close. She also played a part in helping me create the tendon-renewal ointment. Now that I’ll be gone for half a year, I’m worried about leaving her alone in the firewood shed to handle those grueling chores. I humbly request another kindness from you, Master.”

Li Jiancheng stared at her and asked, “You want Chunxiu to return to the music hall?”

“Yes,” Ji Rong lowered her eyes and replied, “Chunxiu may have made a mistake in the past by speaking too freely, but she has already learned her lesson. I believe she won’t repeat the same error. Please give her another chance, Master.” In truth, Ji Rong didn’t want to plead on behalf of Chunxiu, but Chunxiu knew quite a few things about her. If she didn’t appease her properly, given Chunxiu’s temperament, who knew what kind of trouble she might stir up? It was essential to settle this matter before leaving the mansion.

While Li Jiancheng was still hesitating, Lady Zheng interjected, “Husband, it’s rare to see such deep sisterly affection between Ji Rong and Chunxiu. Let’s grant her this wish.”

Seeing his wife’s earnestness, Li Jiancheng nodded. “Very well. I’ll have Wang Fu inform Second Mistress. If she agrees, Chunxiu can return to the music hall.”

Lady Zheng chuckled, “There’s no need to trouble Wang Fu with an extra trip. I was planning to visit Yuxiu Pavilion later anyway to deliver some frost candy and winter peaches from Xingyang to Second Mistress. I can mention this matter to her at the same time.”

Li Jiancheng had no objections. After Lady Zheng confirmed the details regarding Chunxiu, she instructed her maidservants to carry the items to Yuxiu Pavilion. By the time she returned after noon, without waiting for Ji Rong to ask, she reassured her with a smile, “Rest assured. Second Mistress has already agreed. As I was leaving earlier, she had Zhaixing inform Chief Steward Lin. Chunxiu should be able to return to the music hall by tomorrow.”

Her words brought relief to Ji Rong, who curtsied deeply and said, “Thank you, Young Mistress.”

Lady Zheng personally helped her up and spoke kindly, “There’s no need for such formality. If anyone should be thanking anyone, it’s me who should thank you for curing my husband’s leg ailment.”

“Young Mistress, please don’t say that. This is all within my duty. Even if it weren’t me, surely a renowned physician would have cured Master’s ailment eventually.”

Lady Zheng sighed and shook her head. “You don’t understand. Since my husband developed this leg ailment, we’ve consulted countless physicians, even imperial doctors from the palace, yet none could cure him. From the moment I married him, I knew this wasn’t just his burden—it weighed heavily on the entire Li family. Now that there’s finally hope for a cure, how could I not be overjoyed?” Taking Ji Rong’s hand, she implored sincerely, “On this journey to Hedong, the road is long. Please take good care of my husband, especially his injured leg. Ensure no lingering ailments remain.”

“Young Mistress, rest assured. Both you and Master have shown great kindness to me. I will do everything in my power to take care of Master. By the time we return from Hedong, I am confident his leg ailment will be fully healed.”

Lady Zheng nodded contentedly, “With your assurance, I feel at ease.”

Thus, all matters were settled. Early the next morning, Ji Rong left the mansion to return home and bid farewell to her parents. Though reluctant to part, her parents understood this was an opportunity for Ji Rong. If she managed to win Li Jiancheng’s favor and become his concubine, the entire Ji family would benefit.

Before leaving, Ji Rong shared the recipe for the tendon-renewal ointment with them and handed over all the silver she had saved over the past few months so they could purchase medicinal herbs to produce and sell the ointment. While it wouldn’t restore the Ji family to its former glory, it would at least ease their financial burdens.

After settling everything, Ji Rong returned to the governor’s mansion. Seeing that it was still early, she went first to tidy up her quarters in the music hall. Upon entering, she saw Chunxiu dancing joyfully in the room, her hair flowing like clouds and her rose-colored moonlight skirt swirling like flowers. Spotting Ji Rong, Chunxiu immediately rushed over, grabbing her hand excitedly. “Sister! I can return to the music hall! I’m finally back—I won’t have to endure those grueling chores in the firewood shed anymore!”

Ji Rong gently brushed away a strand of hair clinging to Chunxiu’s lips and spoke softly, “I know. Young Mistress herself went to speak with Second Mistress about this matter.”

“Young Mistress?” Chunxiu tilted her head, puzzled, and after a moment, realized the implication of Ji Rong’s words. Overjoyed, she exclaimed, “Did Sister plead on my behalf to Young Mistress?”

“Who else would it be?” At this response, Chunxiu was deeply moved, hugging Ji Rong while choking back tears. “Sister, you’re so kind to me.”

A flicker of coldness passed through Ji Rong’s eyes, but when Chunxiu looked again, she was once more the picture of warmth and gentleness. Patting Chunxiu’s hand, Ji Rong said, “I promised you, and I always keep my promises. From now on, you can stay in the music hall peacefully, but you mustn’t cause any more trouble.”

Chunxiu readily agreed. Once her excitement subsided, she remembered something and asked curiously, “Weren’t you confined to Qingchun Garden? How are you able to leave now? Does this mean Master no longer suspects you?”

Ji Rong laughed lightly, “If Master still suspected me, how could I have pleaded on your behalf? Isn’t it simple enough to figure that out?”

Chunxiu giggled, linking arms with Ji Rong. “Then from now on, I can be with Sister again!”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.” To Chunxiu’s astonishment, Ji Rong explained that she would be accompanying Li Jiancheng to Hedong and continued, “This journey will last at least half a year. During this time, I won’t be able to look after you, so you must take care of yourself. Don’t be careless as you were before, falling into others’ traps without realizing it.”

Chunxiu agreed, though enviously remarked, “Sister is so fortunate to stay by Master’s side. Perhaps by the time you return in half a year, I’ll have to address you as ‘Madam Concubine.’”

Ji Rong smiled faintly and asked, “What’s wrong? Are you unhappy?”

“Of course not! It’s just…” Chunxiu trailed off, twisting her fingers with a troubled expression. Ji Rong, fully aware of her thoughts, chuckled, “Enough of that. All these years, whenever I’ve enjoyed any privileges, haven’t I always shared them with you?”

Once Chunxiu’s frown turned into a smile, Ji Rong said, “By the way, how has Wu Meixue been lately?”