Volume One, Chapter 11: Meet Force with Force and Water with Earth—Counter Every Move as It Comes

Half an hour later, Shi Qingqian removed the needles.

After waiting a while longer, Steward Li arrived with the medicine they had purchased and handed it to Shi Qingqian.

Shi Qingqian gave the medicine to be ingested to Lv Zhu to prepare, while the herbs for the medicinal bath were given to Mo Yun and Mo Yu. They were instructed to boil water and simmer the herbs in it for half an hour.

Once everything was ready, Shi Qingqian first had Mo Yun and Mo Yu administer the medicine to Qin Moju.

Then she instructed Steward Li to pour the brewed herbal decoction into the bath tub. After that, they carefully helped the prince, who had removed his upper garment, into the wooden tub for a half-hour soak. Steward Li promptly gave orders to the servants, who cautiously poured the steaming herbal mixture into the tub. The room soon filled with warm steam and the fragrant scent of herbs.

Next, several people gently helped Qin Moju remove his upper garment and slowly lowered him into the bath.

Shi Qingqian stood nearby, watching intently. She deeply understood the importance of this medicinal bath for Qin Moju’s recovery. The herbal essence could penetrate through the skin, opening his meridians and dispelling the cold toxins within.

She reached out her hand and gently submerged it in the water, locating the acupuncture points, and began massaging Qin Moju. Her technique was skillful and gentle, each movement perfectly measured to maximize the herbal efficacy.

Though unconscious, Qin Moju felt a delicate, boneless hand pressing lightly on his body. The precise pressure seemed to carry a strange energy, causing his body, once stiff and heavy from the cold toxins, to relax somewhat.

Inwardly, Qin Moju was shocked by Shi Qingqian’s boldness. He had never imagined that this niece-in-law, always so bound by rules and propriety, would personally perform such meticulous medicinal massage for him.

What embarrassed him further was that the soft, boneless hands moving over him stirred an inexplicable feeling. He recalled the woman from that night, whose hands had been just as soft. The thought caused an involuntary reaction in his body.

Quickly, he struggled to pull his thoughts away from the sensual fantasy, overwhelmed with shame and self-reproach.

As a prince, how could he lose composure before his niece-in-law? Even in this unconscious state, his mind should not be so uncontrollable.

Shi Qingqian remained focused on her massage, unaware of the changes in Qin Moju’s body.

Her sole purpose was to rely on the combination of the herbal bath and massage to further dispel the cold toxins inside him, helping him awaken fully as soon as possible.

After a long time, the massage finally concluded.

Shi Qingqian then instructed Steward Li and the others to let Qin Moju soak for another half hour, adding hot water as needed when the bath cooled. She then turned and left.

Back at the Listening Wind Pavilion, Zi Zhu and Lan Zhu hurried to greet her, quickly recounting what had transpired at Red Plum Garden.

After explaining everything clearly, Zi Zhu nervously asked, “Miss, did we bring trouble upon you?”

Shi Qingqian frowned. How could she have forgotten that there were several maids and matrons assigned to Lu Hongzhao by the palace still at Red Plum Garden?

If only she had sent the guards from the estate along, this near tragedy involving her two senior maids could have been avoided. Thankfully, they were clever and resourceful enough to seize the moment!

Seeing Shi Qingqian’s furrowed brow, Zi Zhu and Lan Zhu grew even more anxious.

Shi Qingqian looked at them and gently reassured, “If you hadn’t resisted today, you would have been beaten to death! So your actions were justified.

“As for offending Lu Hongzhao?

“I have already made an enemy of her beyond repair! With or without you, she and I are locked in a deadly rivalry!”

Lu Hongzhao was no gentle soul in the original story. Though outwardly demure and harmless, she was actually ruthless and vindictive.

Today, Shi Qingqian had utterly humiliated Lu Hongzhao, so how could Lu Hongzhao simply let her off?

She was likely plotting even now how to eliminate her.

“A deadly rivalry? Lu Yiniang is just a concubine. What right does she have to challenge Miss in such a way?” Hong Zhu could no longer contain her anger.

Shi Qingqian glanced at the four senior maids and Matron Zhao in the room. She felt it necessary to explain their predicament clearly, lest these maids and matrons, unaware of the gravity, do something beyond her control.

“Lv Zhu, go close the door!” Shi Qingqian commanded solemnly.

Lv Zhu hurried to shut the door. Once it was closed, Shi Qingqian spoke slowly:

“Lu Hongzhao’s backing is not simple. She is the illegitimate daughter of the current emperor, living in obscurity…”

“…”

Shi Qingqian then revealed Lu Hongzhao’s identity and the challenges they would face. Naturally, she omitted the fact that Lu Hongzhao was a woman who had traveled through time.

Hong Zhu and Matron Zhao exchanged glances.

Originally, they had thought avenging their lady would be straightforward, since Lu Hongzhao was merely a lowly concubine.

But now, knowing she was the emperor’s illegitimate daughter, the stakes were far more complex.

They might lightly punish Lu Hongzhao under the pretense of ignorance, but truly killing her was out of the question.

After all, Lu Hongzhao was a secret princess of the royal family—perhaps neglected, but not someone their lady could kill.

Hearing this, Zi Zhu, Lv Zhu, and Lan Zhu froze in place.

After a moment, Lan Zhu regained composure and whispered, “Miss, what shall we do? Given her status, beating her maids and locking her up—if the emperor finds out, won’t we all be beheaded? I… I think we should release the princess now.”

Lan Zhu tried to leave but was stopped by Zi Zhu.

“You fool! If you release her now, you’re only making it obvious that we’re hiding something!”

“What then?” Lan Zhu nearly wept, regretting their resistance. Even if they had been beaten to death, it would have been better than bringing trouble upon Miss.

Shi Qingqian looked at Lan Zhu’s anxious face and spoke softly, “Don’t panic. The emperor clearly does not want Lu Hongzhao to be acknowledged by the family; he despises her origins.

“As for his favor towards Lu Hongzhao, it merely stems from some lingering affection for her late mother. He’s only providing minimal care.

“As long as we pretend not to know Lu Hongzhao’s true identity, even if we punish her a little, it won’t cause serious trouble.

“After all, Lu Hongzhao is just a concubine. If I didn’t reprimand her for such conduct towards the main lady of the household, it would be abnormal.”

“Miss, what shall we do next?” Matron Zhao asked nervously.

“Do nothing for now. We’ll respond as circumstances demand. As long as that person doesn’t appear openly, with the North Town Prince’s estate and the marquisate guarded like a fortress, we’ll be safe.”

Shi Qingqian was confident in this. Although the North Town Prince was unconscious, the manor was heavily guarded. Anyone attempting a forced entry would find it difficult to harm her.

As for the marquisate itself, she had nothing to fear.

“Miss is right. I understand,” Matron Zhao nodded.

The other senior maids, though anxious, also nodded in agreement.