Just then, two young servant girls happened to be walking past Bu Qingge’s room.
Their little hearts nearly jumped out of their chests from the fright.
“Phew~~ That was close…”
They patted their chests in relief, secretly thankful.
As they hurried past the doorway, they couldn’t help but glance inside.
Inside the room, Bu Qingge had once again cleared her mind and closed her eyes to resume cultivating.
“What’s going on with the Palace Master lately?”
The two maids walked nervously past Bu Qingge’s door, keeping a bit of distance.
One of them, whose expression was clearly full of gossip, tugged on the other girl’s sleeve, her head turning back toward Bu Qingge’s room.
“The Palace Master has replaced the door more than ten times already. And she seems kind of restless lately. Don’t you think… maybe… something’s going on with her?”
“Going on like what?”
The other maid looked far more simple and honest.
She blinked at her gossipy companion’s sparkling eyes in confusion and asked.
“Ugh! Are you dumb? I mean, what if the Palace Master’s fallen in love…”
The gossipy maid made a gesture with her thumbs pressed together suggestively.
“Impossible! Someone as powerful as the Palace Master—what kind of man could ever catch her eye?”
The second maid instantly raised her voice, reacting instinctively with disbelief.
After thinking it over for a second, she became even more certain.
She shook her head like a rattle drum.
“Besides, the Palace Master’s always been completely focused on cultivation. If you ask me, she’s probably just practicing some new technique, that’s why she’s been acting so strangely! Stop making up nonsense, or she’ll hear you and rip out your tongue!”
After scolding her, she poked the gossiping girl’s nose and quickly dragged her away to get back to work.
***
Li Huaixian, having already made all his preparations, left the residence without delay.
As he walked down the streets of the imperial capital, many people snuck glances at him.
When caught, some even let out shy giggles.
He was already quite used to it.
The streets were lively and bustling on either side.
Walking down the center of the road, his eyes caught sight of a small stall selling folding fans.
Several fans were displayed open to attract customers.
One in particular stood out to him—a fan with a dark yellow surface painted with a pattern of blooming flowers.
It reminded him of Consort Tan’s elegant temperament and seemed like the perfect gift for her.
He was just about to walk over for a closer look when suddenly, he felt a tug at his sleeve.
He turned to see a little girl with a bamboo basket on her arm holding onto him.
She was quite adorable, about seven or eight years old.
Her large eyes made her thin, delicate face look even more pitiful.
Before Li Huaixian could say anything, the little girl had already pulled out a small bunch of wildflowers from her basket and held them up to him with all her might.
“Mister, would you like to buy some flowers? They smell really nice.”
Hearing her childish voice, Li Huaixian glanced around but didn’t see any adults nearby.
He crouched down and smiled at her.
“Where are your parents, little one? It’s dangerous to be selling flowers out here by yourself—what if you run into bad people?”
Hearing his question, the girl’s expression turned downcast.
She lowered her head, biting her lip, and replied softly.
“Mister… Aruo doesn’t have a father, and my mother’s been sick lately. The doctor said she needs money for treatment…”
“Aruo is useless. I tried to find work, but no one wants to hire someone as small as me, so I went to the mountain to pick flowers to sell.”
As she spoke, she still held the flowers out without lowering her hand.
Then she looked up again, her big eyes full of hope.
Only then did Li Huaixian notice the many cuts on her small, tender hands.
Thinking back to her words, he realized the wounds must have come from picking flowers on the mountain.
“Little girl, how much are your flowers?”
“Five copper coins a bunch!”
“If big brother thinks that’s too expensive, four coins is okay too!”
After quoting the price, Aruo saw that Li Huaixian remained silent.
Thinking he might find it too pricey, she hurriedly added anxiously.
“No worries, five it is. If I’m not mistaken, you have ten bunches left. I’ll take them all.”
“You should head home early to keep your mother company.”
Li Huaixian finished speaking, took her flower basket, and placed a silver ingot in his palm for her to take.
But Aruo stood there awkwardly, not daring to take it.
***
After a long pause, she finally stammered out, “Big brother… your silver… it’s too much… I don’t have change for it…”
Li Huaixian glanced at the few pitiful copper coins clenched tightly in her little hand.
Reaching out, he gently patted her head and said warmly, “It’s fine. Keep the change. Consider the extra money as payment for the basket.”
Aruo’s eyes lit up the moment she heard that.
Though she knew the basket wasn’t worth that much, she desperately needed the silver to buy medicine for her mother.
She looked up and gave Li Huaixian a grateful smile.
“Big brother, thank you! I wove this basket myself. It’s very sturdy! I’ll always remember your kindness!”
Excitement made her voice rise a little.
Her cheeks flushed bright red.
By now, the surrounding crowd had begun murmuring among themselves.
“Hey, isn’t that Aruo from Aunt Mei’s family? Poor girl, lost her father when she was little.”
“And now her mother’s fallen ill. She’s just a child, and yet she’s out here selling flowers to pay for medicine. But look! Isn’t that the Young Master of Qianji Manor talking to her?”
“Yes! That aura, that grace—who else could it be but the Qianji Young Master?”
“Exactly! He’s not just handsome and noble. He’s always been kind and generous too!”
“Heavens really do have eyes! Aruo actually met the Qianji Young Master—her mother might be saved now!”
Li Huaixian paid no mind to the crowd’s chatter.
He gave Aruo a nod and a reassuring smile, then turned and left.
Seeing him go, the crowd gradually dispersed and returned to their own business.
Aruo clutched the silver to her chest, eyes brimming with tears.
“Mother, I can save you now…!”
With those words, the little girl lifted her sleeve to wipe her face and excitedly ran toward home.
She had barely taken a few steps when a shadow suddenly loomed over her.
Before she could react, her small body was flung into the air like a kite with its string snapped!
***
Not far away, a girl in a green dress stood holding a black whip, her delicate brows furrowed in fury.
“Filthy brat! You almost got dirt on my new clothes!”
Aruo’s entire body ached, her mouth spasming in violent coughs.
Blood trickled from the corner of her lips.
Terrified, she stared at the long black whip in the green-dressed girl’s hand.
Clutching her chest, she struggled to rise and began kowtowing as she apologized.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, big sister! I didn’t mean to bump into you! Please forgive me…”
Tears streamed down her little face, her voice trembling—she was clearly frightened out of her wits.
But the green-dressed girl showed not even a hint of mercy.
She lifted her chin arrogantly.
“A lowborn like you dares call me sister? Let me teach you your place!”
She raised her whip and swung it mercilessly at Aruo.
Her face was twisted with vicious delight.
To her, it was as if she were simply swatting away an insect.
Many bystanders instinctively closed their eyes, unable to watch.
Some of the softer-hearted had already begun quietly weeping.
They all knew Aruo—she was from the neighborhood.
They sighed heavily, thinking, ‘This poor girl… such a bitter life.’
Aruo closed her eyes, resigned to her fate.
‘It’s okay… if I die, it’s okay. Uncle Zhang from the crowd knows me. He’ll bring the money to Mother.’
‘Mother, I’m sorry. I won’t be able to take care of you anymore.’
The girl’s whip sliced through the air, the force lifting strands of Aruo’s hair.
But the pain she was bracing for never came.
Bang!
“Aah!”