A pure heart in a jade pot

Chapter 194

"Quickly go and fetch the white jade hemostatic ointment that my father gave me for the princess," Zhao Yu instructed.

Although she didn't quite understand why she was being so kind to Xiao Guanyin, Mo Yan still obeyed orders. To save time, she even borrowed a horse from a nearby guard and galloped away.

Xiao Guanyin, however, did not appreciate Zhao Yu's kindness and said, "Princess, I appreciate your kindness, but my injury is minor and can be treated with ordinary medicine. I don't need the precious things your father gave you."

Zhao Yu smiled gently and said, "Although it's a minor injury, it's on your hand, and it wouldn't be good if it left a scar. My medicine isn't anything expensive, but it has one advantage: it won't leave a scar when applied to the wound."

Women all over the world love beauty, and Xiao Guanyin was no exception. She was already tempted when she heard that it would not leave scars, but she was too embarrassed to use Zhao Yu's products.

"Please don't be offended, Sister Xiao." Zhao Yu lowered her posture and gently persuaded her, then took out her own silk handkerchief and, without caring about the blood, pressed it against her wound.

Xiao Guanyin's heart softened, and she said nothing more, clearly indicating that she was willing.

Yelü Hongji smiled and looked at the two of them. He felt that Zhao Yu was gentle, generous and sensible, and his goodwill towards her increased even more.

Before long, Mo Yan rode over and handed the white jade hemostatic ointment to Zhao Yu. Zhao Yu personally selected the ointment and applied it to Xiao Guanyin, then bandaged her up, gently instructing her, "Keep the medicine, apply it once in the morning and once at night, and remember not to get it wet for the next few days."

Xiao Guanyin nodded and accepted the medicine.

Beside them, Xiao Xin had somehow come over and said with a smile, "This thing is good. It saves you from having to be so careful every time you go hunting, afraid of hurting yourself somewhere."

"Brother, what nonsense are you talking about again?"

Xiao Guanyin scolded him, then turned to Yelü Hongji and smiled, "Brother Chaci, do you still remember the horse you gave me a few years ago?"

Yelü Hongji couldn't really remember, but of course he couldn't say he didn't remember. He just smiled and nodded, "Now, it has also given birth to a foal. Can you take a look at it for me and see if it's good?"

"OK!"

The Liao people loved wine and horses, as if it were in their blood. Yelü Hongji, naturally fond of horses, immediately wanted to go and see them. Turning his head, he saw Zhao Yu still beside him. He had invited her to fish, but it seemed inconvenient to leave her behind. Just as he hesitated, he heard Zhao Yu softly say, "Your Highness, please go ahead. I've been playing all day and am a little tired. I was just thinking of going back to rest and warm myself up."

“Princess…” Yelü Hongji was grateful for her gentleness and consideration. “Then Princess, please rest well. I will visit you again later.”

After Yingying bid farewell to everyone, Zhao Yu and Mo Yan returned to their tent together.

"It's freezing! It's freezing!"

As soon as Zhao Yu returned to her tent, she didn't even have time to remove her hairpins and makeup before she huddled on the soft couch fully clothed. She then ordered her maid to quickly fill the hot water bottle with hot water and place it in the quilt.

Mo Yan shook her head, saying, "Your hand was frozen solid when I touched it just now."

"Is that so..." Zhao Yu wrapped the quilt tighter and shivered, "I was so cold that I couldn't feel anything. When I was applying medicine to Xiao Guanyin, it took a lot of effort to keep my hands from shaking."

“You can’t do this. I’ve seen Yelü Hongji touch your hand several times. Whether he took advantage of you or not, we can overlook it, but he’s been with you for so long, there will come a time when you can’t take it anymore and he notices. Touch his hand today, it’s okay if it’s a little cold. If he hears you teeth chattering tomorrow, that sound won’t be pleasant.”

"What do you mean by whether I gained an advantage or not? We won't argue about that. You... alright." Zhao Yu held the hot tea that the maid had brought her and slowly drank it. Only then did she feel her body, which had been frozen solid, slowly return to normal. "I know even if you don't say it. Even if he doesn't notice, I can't stand it anymore. It's too cold. I should wear more clothes next time."

Mo Yan cupped her hands above the brazier, slowly warming them, and then suddenly laughed, "Yelü Hongji will come to visit again, but we don't know when he will come. We should give him a strong dose of medicine."

"Maybe he's just saying it, and he might not actually come." Zhao Yu didn't have high hopes. In the past three years, Yelü Hongji had never come to visit her alone, and she guessed that he would forget about it as soon as he turned his back.

“That’s not difficult. Since it’s inconvenient for you, Princess, to come in person, we can ask Prince Ning to invite him. He’ll definitely come, and Xiao Guanyin won’t be there to get in the way.” Mo Yan scratched her ear, lost in thought. “But we need to think carefully about how to arrange things after he arrives. Princess, Princess…”

When she looked up at Zhao Yu, he was already slumped on the pillow, his eyes slightly closed, clearly exhausted and asleep. Mo Yan had no choice but to quietly get up, tiptoe out of the tent, and instruct the maid not to go in and disturb him.

Author's Note: The book is out! I can finally update!!! Whew...

For those interested in purchasing signed copies, please see the link in the text.

Volume 3, Chapter 34

Back in her tent, Mo Yan checked that the tortoise was unharmed before feeling relieved. At that moment, her mind was filled with the woman who resembled Madam Fang, who was beside Yelü Hongji.

Judging from her walk, she certainly knew some martial arts. But her elder brother said she once disguised herself as a guard, so perhaps Yelü Hongji knew she knew martial arts and that's why he had her do that. If, as her elder brother said, she might use poison, then did Yelü Hongji know that?

She couldn't figure these things out while sitting in her tent; she probably had to go to Yelü Hongji's camp to find some clues.

Rushing in rashly wouldn't work; she needed a pretext. Mo Yan thought for a moment, then jumped up and left the tent, making her way to the kitchen tent. There, she rummaged around until she found a bottle of brightly colored bean paste. She filled a small bottle, sealed it, and headed towards Yelü Hongji's camp.

She was dressed as a maid, and apart from being short, she was unremarkable. After explaining that she was a maid from Zhao Yu's household, ordered to deliver some seasonings for steamed fish, the guards on duty did not give her any trouble. They pointed out the location of the kitchen and let her in.

Since it was still a while before mealtime, the kitchen was not busy. It was just tedious work like shelling nuts, and there were only two or three maids inside.

“My princess and Your Highness caught quite a few fresh fish today, so the princess specially ordered me to bring this bottle of sauce for steaming fish. Just pour it over the fish when steaming.” Entering the kitchen, Mo Yan smiled and handed the bottle to one of the maids. “This is our southern recipe. You may try it. If you like it, I will bring more next time.”

The maid nodded and accepted the gift, then looked up at Mo Yan: "You must be the maid who was with the Song princess today, right?" She had been waiting nearby with the box of pastries, so she recognized Mo Yan.

“Yes, sister still remembers me?” Mo Yan said with a smile.

Upon hearing that it was her, several maids gathered around, startling Mo Yan. She thought she had unintentionally offended someone, but then she heard them all laugh and say, "You've come at the right time. We have something we'd like to ask you."

"I wouldn't presume to ask for your advice; you sisters can ask me."

"What fragrance is on your princess's clothes? It smells so good that it has captivated our prince."

"Yes, yes, and also, what kind of rouge does your princess use..."

"...the hairstyle..."

...

Mo Yan was almost overwhelmed by the barrage of questions. Although she was a little impatient, she couldn't bear to disappoint them, so she answered them one by one, and even added some explanations on health preservation and conditioning. They all nodded in agreement.

When the time was right, she subtly changed the subject, saying, "I thought there were Song people among the sisters, so they should have known about these things long ago. Didn't she ever talk to you about these things?"

"The Song people among us?" One of the maids paused, seemingly unaware of who she was referring to.

Another maid nudged her: "She must be talking about Tang Ling."