Madam Huo laughed and teased the nanny standing nearby, "Listen to that; it sounds as if I were trying to chase her away."
Shen Xuejin deliberately feigned a look of trepidation. "Madam, you misunderstand. I have no such intentions. You are kind, but I cannot be so shameless as to act with such thick-skinned audacity. There is no reason for me to impose myself on the Marquis Manor for the rest of my life."
"You have been a benefactor to me, Madam, and I am willing to do whatever lies within my power to serve you."
Madam Huo could easily have allowed Shen Xuejin to live with her mother, yet she had intentionally kept them apart, even assigning two maids to serve them. It was clear she was isolating the mother and daughter to use the mother as leverage against Shen Xuejin.
Shen Xuejin was betrothed to Eldest Young Master Huo. Madam Huo had not uttered a single word about the engagement, only saying that the manor could afford to keep her as a guest for a lifetime—a mere probe to test her attitude toward the marriage.
If not for her ability to treat Imperial Concubine Mei’s psoriasis, she feared Madam Huo would not have kept her or her mother at all.
However, for her part, she had no desire to cling to the Huo Residence, nor did she wish to marry an Eldest Young Master Huo she had never met. It would be better to simply play along with Madam Huo’s wishes, showing that she had no designs on the match.
"A daughter is always so considerate. It is my misfortune in this life not to have given birth to such a sensible girl," Madam Huo said as she stood up. "You two just stay here as you please. If you need anything, just tell the nanny."
"Thank you, Madam."
As she left Ranfeng Courtyard, Shen Xuejin looked back at the red-lacquered door plaque.
The Zhenping Marquis Manor was a den of tigers and snakes, not a place to linger. But for now, she still held value, which meant she could secure a place for her mother to recover and buy herself time.
Nanny Wang escorted Shen Xuejin back to her quarters, her chin tilted slightly upward. "Miss Shen, Madam is kind to keep you in the manor. As a clever person, you should know what should and should not be done, and what should and should not be said."
Shen Xuejin nodded. "Rest assured, Nanny. I understand."
Nanny Wang added, "Your mother needs quiet for her recovery, so do not disturb her peace unless necessary. The matters concerning Imperial Concubine Mei are what truly matter."
As the two walked along, they did not notice Huo Nanchi, dressed in dark brocade, standing at the end of the path. Seeing him from afar, Nanny Wang checked her steps and moved to the side.
Huo Nanchi walked over, the night breeze carrying his distinct scent of pine, which inexplicably made Shen Xuejin’s heart flutter.
"Second Young Master," Nanny Wang curtsied.
Shen Xuejin followed suit with a slight bow.
Huo Nanchi glanced at Shen Xuejin, gave a soft "Hmm," and brushed past her, continuing straight ahead.
Shen Xuejin had intended to offer him her thanks; after all, it was only by his influence that she had been able to bring her mother out of the Shen Residence today. But seeing him now, she feared he would look down upon hearing her gratitude.
It didn't matter. Living under another’s roof, she only needed to do her duty. How could such absurd dreams be confused with reality?
She stayed in the inner quarters, he in the front courtyard. If not necessary, they would not meet again.
But Shen Xuejin did not expect to return to such an absurd dream after falling asleep.
"Do you like this?"
"No… I don't." Inside the cramped carriage, a tall man held her captive in his arms, her body pressed against his lap.
The woman’s eyes were bloodshot as she shook her head, her slender, fair fingers gripping her skirt tightly.
Her voice, though trembling, carried a soft, coquettish tone, laced with a hint of playing hard to get.
His broad hand rested gently on her waist, then slid upward to pinch her earlobe, causing a tremor to ripple across the skin beneath his palm.
The man pressed her body against his own, his hand moving to the frog buttons of her dress. He undid a few, pressing his scorching lips against her collarbone.
"Then do you like this, Little Sister Xuejin?"
The imprisoned woman’s breath hitched, her long lashes fluttering violently.
The man’s grip on her soft waist was painful, and the heat of his lips against her skin felt like a burn. She parted her lips slightly, like a fish gasping on the shore, not knowing what to do.
"Shen Xuejin, you can't escape."
His hot lips continued to move downward…
*Boom!* A clap of thunder shook the sky.
Shen Xuejin woke with a start, her heart hammering against her ribs.
Outside, the rain was growing heavier. Bathed in sweat and haunted by the dream that left her with lingering fear, she had no hope of returning to sleep.
She threw on a cloak and walked to the window, pushing it open to look at the dense curtain of rain. Raindrops hammered the ground, splashing in large pools.
She pulled her cloak tighter, her mood utterly restless.
Why did she keep having such dreams? And why, of all people, was the man in them the Second Young Master Huo?
The Shen Residence was a pit of fire to her, ready to harm her and her mother at any moment. But the Huo Residence was even more terrifying, for one never knew what demands they would make or how they would treat her mother. They were safe for now, but what of the future?
No, she needed to make plans for herself.
Watching the sky gradually brighten, a thought began to take root in her mind.
The following afternoon, Bizhu brought a message from Madam Huo: Imperial Concubine Mei’s condition had improved after taking the medicine, and she was to continue developing the treatment for the psoriasis.
"If you require any herbs, Miss, just write them on a list, and I will go purchase them," Bizhu said.
Shen Xuejin set down her mortar. "Herbs are of varying quality. It would be best if I could select and inspect them myself."
Bizhu curtsied and left, returning later with an oral order from Madam Huo: "I shall accompany you to select the herbs."
Having not grown up in the Capital, Shen Xuejin did not know which pharmacies were reputable, so she let Bizhu lead the way.
They arrived at the Xuanren Shop.
"Shopkeeper, prepare these medicinal herbs as the Miss instructs," Bizhu said.
She had accompanied the Huo family steward to this shop several times, and the shopkeeper recognized her, nodding quickly as he went to fetch the items.
Shen Xuejin sat at a round table, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of her teacup.
When the shop assistant came over to pour more tea, Shen Xuejin narrowed her eyes and gave her arm a subtle flick. The assistant lost his balance, knocking over the cup and splashing tea all over Bizhu’s skirt.
Bizhu cried out and backed away, and the assistant hurried to apologize, head bowed low.
"There is a brazier in the back courtyard for drying herbs. Perhaps you would like to go there to dry your skirt?" the assistant suggested.
Bizhu looked hesitant.
Shen Xuejin looked at her. "I will wait here for you. I won't wander off."
Her mother was still living at the Huo Residence; how could she dare to leave on her own?
"Please wait a moment, Miss. I will return shortly," Bizhu said, curtsying before she left.
Shen Xuejin picked up the teacup, took two sips, and then stood up to ask the assistant if there was any medicine to alleviate the dizziness she had been feeling lately.
"Yes, yes." The assistant turned and fetched a packet of herbs. "Grind these into powder and place them in a sachet. If you feel dizzy, just take a sniff, and it will provide much relief."
"Could you add this to the previous list and settle it all together, but keep it a secret for me?" Shen Xuejin said, looking embarrassed. "I didn't bring any money today."
The herbs were not expensive, and the assistant nodded in agreement.
Shen Xuejin looked at the packet. It had nothing to do with psoriasis, nor was it poison. Perhaps, however, it would be the life-saving charm that would eventually allow her and her mother to leave safely.
Madam Huo already distrusted her. If she had taken all the ingredients for this "life-saving charm" at once, it would only invite suspicion. She would have to take one ingredient at a time whenever the opportunity arose.
It never hurt to be prepared.
Shen Xuejin looked up, only to find Huo Nanchi standing not far away, watching her!
Her heart jolted. How long had the Second Young Master been there? Had he seen what just happened?