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墨書 Inktalez
“Fox Demon has a saying, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate to ask. If it's not suitable, I hope Yanniang won't be upset.”
“It’s fine, Ruyi, feel free to ask whatever you want,” Yanniang said, rubbing her wrist as she looked at Fox Demon. Although she was annoyed by Fox Demon's earlier actions, she secretly appreciated Fox Demon's carefree nature and generous personality, finding it somewhat endearing.
“Is Yanniang's biological mother no longer alive?” Xing Ruyi inquired, her peripheral vision catching the movement of a dark shadow nearby. At that moment, Yanniang was almost completely enveloped by that shadow. Perhaps sensing an inexplicable chill, Yanniang instinctively tightened her collar and cleared her throat lightly.
“My biological mother passed away when I was ten.”
“That's similar to me; my mother also left when I was around ten,” Xing Ruyi replied candidly. Noticing Yanniang's dazed expression, she added, “Don't feel sad for me. I believe the bond between mothers and daughters is destined, just like that between lovers. When the time comes, they must part ways. When my mother left, she told me she hoped I would be happy in this life and not become unhappy because of her departure. I listened to her, so I've managed to live quite happily.”
“When your mother left, she spoke to you. Mine didn’t have a chance to say a single word,” Yanniang said, her eyes welling up again.
“Did your mother drown?” Xing Ruyi asked, staring at the dark shadow. “Was it an accident or intentional?”
“It was both an accident and intentional,” Yanniang replied, clearly reluctant to elaborate further. She wiped her eyes and changed the subject: “Let’s not dwell on these unhappy matters. What did you diagnose for Yanniang just now?”
“Oh, Yanniang is fine; it's just that worries have caused an imbalance in her body—excessive water and fire energy leading to rising internal heat and stagnation. I'll prepare a herbal remedy for you; just drink it and you'll be fine.”
“Ruyi, you truly are talented—not only can you mix cosmetics but also prepare herbal remedies. Whoever marries you in the future will surely be blessed for eight lifetimes.”
“Indeed! But who knows if anyone can accumulate enough blessings for eight lifetimes,” Xing Ruyi laughed while covering her mouth. After laughing, she pointed at the lotus flower painting on the screen inside the room. “By the way, does Yanniang have any aged Lotus Seeds here?”
“Aged Lotus Seeds?” Yanniang paused for a moment. Although she didn’t know what Xing Ruyi needed them for, she politely refrained from asking and instead turned to send a maid to find some.
Exactly fourteen Aged Lotus Seeds were placed in a red lacquered mother-and-child box, suspended and positioned in the center of Yanniang's Bedroom. Shortly after, I asked Yanniang for paper and pen to write down the Prescription.
"10 qian of Job's Tears, 6 qian of Lotus Seeds, 4 qian of White Fungus, one fresh Lotus Seed plus one Aged Lotus Seed of my choice. 4 qian of Goji Berries, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. Wash the Job's Tears and Lotus Seeds clean, then soak them in clear water for two hours; soak the White Fungus for half an hour, remove the root, and wash it clean. Place the Job's Tears and Lotus Seeds in a pot with an appropriate amount of clear water, bring to a boil over high heat, then add the White Fungus. Reduce the heat and simmer for about half an hour, add the Goji Berries, let it stew for a while before adding rock sugar and serving. I call this Prescription 'Four Substance Soup,' which is excellent for women."
"Thank you for your trouble, Ruyi. Go fetch some Silver," Yanniang said as she received the Prescription and instructed her maid to get the consultation fee and medicine money.
"No need for Silver; I am merely acting on someone else's behalf. If Yanniang wishes to express gratitude, she can seek Brother Chang herself. Also, Yanniang will need to prepare the Lotus Seeds and White Fungus herself; it's your maid who will be making the soup. If I accept this consultation fee, it would be too hot to handle. Well, it's getting late; I should be heading back. By the way, this Four Substance Soup cannot be made today; it must wait until after Yanniang's birthday when fresh Lotus Seeds should be available."
As she spoke, she subtly gestured behind her. The shadow that had been closely following Yanniang was suddenly pulled out as if caught by Xing Ruyi.
"Miss, please let me go! Though I am a ghost, I have never harmed anyone." It wasn't until they returned to Ruyi Workshop that Xing Ruyi released the shadow. Initially, the shadow attempted to escape on its own but found that Ruyi Workshop seemed to be surrounded by some sort of Barrier, making escape impossible. It considered pouncing on the Fox Demon to force her to release it but quickly thought better of it; after all, a single finger from her could easily pull it back.
"You haven't harmed anyone? The first and only person you've harmed is your Daughter." Xing Ruyi poked the shadow on its forehead with a finger. "Don't you know that humans and ghosts are on different paths? Your Daughter is human while you are a ghost—a water ghost at that. Why do you cling to your Daughter so closely? Are you using her as a substitute or do you resent her long life and can't wait to drag her down to the Underworld with you to repay your filial duties?"
"I didn't! I didn't! I just..." The shadow shook its head repeatedly and stepped back.
"What do you mean 'just'? You can't bear to part with your Daughter; you can't let go of her, right? If all dead mothers were like you, who knows how many innocent children would suffer because of them? Buddha teaches that when a person dies, it's like a lamp going out. Since you've already died, why do you continue to bind your Daughter? Now look at you—you've become a wandering soul with no chance of reincarnation or becoming human. Your Daughter has also suffered because of you; her body is damaged and plagued by Yin Qi. Do you know why your Daughter doesn't dare to be with the one she loves? Is it because of her past experiences? Wrong! Although Yanniang was forced into the Flower Pavilion, she has always maintained her integrity. The reason she cannot agree to Brother Chang is that she knows she can never bear children for him in this life. Do you know why she cannot have children? It's because of you! You good Mother! Because you can't bear to part with your child, you've clung to her for years, allowing her to suffer from cold poison."
"No!" The shadow swayed unsteadily as if about to shatter into pieces.
"What? Do you want your soul to scatter? If your soul scatters, that's one way out for you—but what about your Daughter? Have you ever thought about her? You claim it's all for your Daughter's sake but end up being nothing more than a selfish ghost!"
"Miss! Miss! I beg you—help my Daughter! She is a good child; she shouldn't... shouldn't be burdened by me." The shadow reformed into a cohesive mass and knelt before Xing Ruyi.
"Forget it, who told me to share the same sorrow with her? We both lost our mothers at a young age." Xing Ruyi waved her hand, signaling the shadow to stand up. "So, how did you die?"
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