Chapter 633: Chapter 633: The Person in the Melody

Yet Xiao Dong’s name was registered as Li Fudong at the Imperial Hospital in his past life.

Fudong, Fudong, so that’s how it is.

I’m truly blind under the lamp.

From the first moment I met Xiao Dong, he was Xiao Dong.

That’s why I didn’t think much when I heard that name in my past life.

The longevity lock on Xiao Dong’s neck glinted subtly in the afternoon sun, piercing Qin Yuan’s eyes.

At first, one doesn’t grasp the meaning within the song; upon listening again, one becomes part of the song.

Doctor Li’s sudden sadness, his words filled with meaning but often left unsaid, his actions stopping Xiao Dong from going to the Imperial Hospital...

One by one, all these things were telling her who Xiao Dong was.

Yet whether in the past life or this one, she never thought about it.

"Do you know of a place in Hangzhou Prefecture called Yuhang County?"

Qin Yuan’s throat felt dry.

There are many things that cannot be spoken; saying them would spell guilt.

Let Xiao Dong remain Xiao Dong.

Suddenly, she understood Doctor Li.

"I know," Xiao Dong nodded, "My master mentioned it before, it’s his hometown, and also mine; he told me to visit when I grow up. Even though he hasn’t told me, I know he certainly found me there and brought me along to raise me."

Qin Yuan’s eyes were slightly sore, as she reached out to adjust the longevity lock for him, wiping it gently with a handkerchief, and coaxingly said, "My mother’s hometown seems to be in Yuhang as well. Later, we’ll go together, don’t leave me behind and go alone, alright?"

"Alright," Xiao Dong nodded heavily, his chubby chin bulging out.

His senior sister seemed more affectionate, giving him a comforting feeling he couldn’t describe, naturally, he had no objections.

Qin Yuan admired his face, and seriously said, "Then we’ve agreed, if you go first, I’ll be angry and ignore you when I find out. A gentleman’s word is hard to chase."

"Alright, not even eight horses could catch it. My Xiao Dong’s word is solid as a nail."

Xiao Dong patted his small chest and replied firmly.

Qin Yuan bowed her head to drink tea.

The tea wasn’t hot, yet a layer of mist covered her vision.

Xiao Dong had some snacks and fruits, and, unable to restrain himself, asked as she placed down the teacup, "Senior sister, when the Jade Beauty Cream is ready, should we send it immediately to Prince Qi Mansion?"

Qin Yuan shook her head, "Wait for a couple more days before sending it."

"Why?"

"Sending it too quickly, they wouldn’t feel it’s precious. Prince Qi has scoured the Imperial Palace without obtaining it; sending it over hastily might stir other thoughts. Even if Prince Qi doesn’t think this way, who knows what others will."

Xiao Dong furrowed his delicate brows, pondering, yet still confused: "But those with malicious intent won’t lose them just because we delay two days."

Qin Yuan was taken aback, then said after a long pause, "A lock can’t stop a thief, but we still need to lock up when going out; this is called preventing gentlemen not rogues, understand?"

"...Oh..."

Qin Yuan continued, "Gaining too easily doesn’t lead to cherishing, though we’ve taken many herbs from Prince Qi, our recipe is invaluable, not easily sold. So this time Renhe Hall brewed Jade Beauty Cream only out of regard for Dingbei Marquis Mansion, spending much energy and many rare materials for just this small jar."

Xiao Dong: ...Understood.

Though not many good materials were spent, nor much effort, saying so commands a higher price.

Senior sister was taught badly by master.

However, she’s also considering Renhe Hall’s business, and their livelihoods.

Xiao Dong nodded emphatically, yes, exactly, absolutely right!

Qin Yuan regarded Xiao Dong with loving eyes, asking him about business, painting, plans for the festival before letting him go.

Xiao Dong inquired about where Yelv Xianyong was recuperating, almost fainting upon entering the door.

Inside, the smell of golden sore medicine, blood and rot mingled, truly unbearable.

Pinching his nose, he placed an incense pill in the incense burner by Yelv Xianyong’s bed, instructing the servant, "This is the incense pill prepared by madam, lighting it will help the patient recover quicker; light one daily and don’t forget."

As the incense was lit, the smell became even stranger.

Xiao Dong didn’t want to stay longer, putting down the box and turning to leave, repeating at the door: "Administer the medicine on time, light the incense pill daily, when they’re gone, ask madam to prepare more. They’re all in the box."

The servant replied, "Got it."

Originally intending to seek advice on painting from Sixth Master Gu, Xiao Dong was blocked from afar by his servant, "Sixth Master was disturbed last night, and has been painting continuously, only resting at noon. He’s busy with publishing poetry and art collections, come after the festival."

Seeing everyone occupied, Xiao Dong hurried back to his business.

On Mid-Autumn day, he needed to make time to attend the lantern fair at Ranxiang Inn, hearing it said Marquis Mansion will face off against Book Sea Pavilion, with many fun activities.

He, Xiao Dong, must cheer for the Marquis Mansion.

After Xiao Dong left, Qin Yuan stayed alone a while until urged by Hong Ye, then rose to the meeting courtyard.

Today’s concerns were all about the mansion’s hanging lanterns.

Qin Yuan initially planned to follow along, later worried about being vulnerable, changing her mind to hire top lantern craftsmen, rushing a full set of Ma Gu celebrating longevity.

It seemed specially crafted for the Empress Dowager’s thousand autumns.

As for what others said about symbolic significance and clever design, none mattered.

Moreover, Qin Yuan repeatedly instructed for fire safety, ordering Housekeeper Han and Housekeeper Cao to ensure the pond is sufficiently filled, arranging guards to watch over it.

Some felt her precautions were excessive.

Mr. Songshan, however, agreed, specifically visiting Qin Yuan: "Feiyun Pavilion recently received intel, quite a few men from outside the city are here for the lantern fair, behaving differently from ordinary folk, and pretending not to know each other, seemingly suspicious. Best to be cautious."

Qin Yuan was shocked and asked, "How many people?"

Mr. Songshan, worried, said, "About a dozen or so. They’ve come gradually over time, and don’t stay together; some are selling dates, some selling silk, some visiting old friends, others dignitaries from Jizhou and elsewhere have come for the lantern fair... Some noticed them spending extravagantly, occasionally seen carousing in the theaters, flashing ambiguous signals, seemingly acquainted, hence the suspicion."

Qin Yuan pondered, "This, this... Monk Zhiguang hasn’t made a move?"

"...Ah?"

Mr. Songshan was taken aback as if awakening from a dream.

"Madam suspects they’re from Black Wind Village?"

Qin Yuan replied, "It’s hard to say; they’re all robust men, spending generously, pretending no recognition, with varied accents from different places, what are their intentions?"

Black Wind Village was already involved in the prison raid, whether Monk Zhiguang belongs to them, they’re connected.

Mr. Songshan caught on: "Earlier messengers haven’t returned, those from the Village grew impatient; they intend to exploit the Mid-Autumn open city gates for looting, amidst chaos, seize Monk Zhiguang?"