Volume One, Chapter 11: The Fragrant Dream of a Departed Soul

She paused for a moment, then glared fiercely at Shen Qingdai and said, “Anyway, I absolutely refuse to learn any of those things you’re studying! Music theory? I’m not some courtesan in a brothel—why should I bother learning to play or sing for others?”

“As for etiquette, I’m already well-mannered. Besides, my status is noble; most people bow to me. Even if I slip up in front of my parents, they wouldn’t scold me. Why should I waste effort learning it?”

Shen Manxuan finished speaking and looked at Shen Qingdai with disdain. “As for handling affairs, my mother is the mistress of the house. She naturally manages everything for me. Unlike you, who have no backing, I have no need to learn.”

Shen Qingdai smiled quietly and calmly said, “If you don’t want to learn, then don’t. I won’t stop you.”

Shen Manxuan snorted coldly. “You said that yourself. But don’t you dare go complain to Father about me!”

“I certainly won’t,” Shen Qingdai nodded, giving her an affirmative look.

She wasn’t foolish enough to cause trouble over something like this. Not only might Shen Manxuan be punished, but forcing her to learn these things wouldn’t benefit anyone. Besides, if she complained, no matter how oblivious Lady Liu was, she would realize that Shen Qingdai had taken a hostile stance toward them. That would ruin any chance of taking the initiative later.

After hearing her words, Shen Manxuan gathered her large group of servants and returned to her own courtyard.

The little episode passed without Shen Qingdai giving it much thought. Her mind was preoccupied with the idea of thoroughly examining her mother, though she hadn’t found the opportunity yet.

But unexpectedly, that opportunity came sooner than she imagined.

Only two days later, the elderly lady, who had been weak and bedridden, suddenly fell gravely ill. Lady Liu was immediately overwhelmed with anxiety and busied herself trying to manage the situation.

Shen Dengda, however, was filial. He issued instructions to everyone in the mansion, asking those willing to do so to pray for the old lady’s recovery.

Shen Qingdai had a sudden inspiration. Taking advantage of the situation, she could use the pretext of accompanying Fang Qiuxin to the temple to pray, while in truth visiting the Jishi Hall to have her mother’s condition examined.

Early the next morning, Ping Chun informed Uncle Shen to prepare the carriage. Shen Qingdai and Fang Qiuxin each took a seat on opposite sides. Fang Qiuxin, concerned about leaving six-year-old Shen Muqing alone in the house, had brought him along as well.

After all, Shen Muqing was still a small child, barely out of infancy.

Beside the Jishi Hall happened to be a shop selling incense and candles. Shen Qingdai arranged for Ping Chun to take Mistress Fang and Shen Muqing to purchase incense, while she secretly led Fang Qiuxin, who had removed her cloak, quietly into the Jishi Hall.

The hour was early, and inside the hall were only an elderly man and two young apprentices gathering herbs. Shen Qingdai quickly seated Fang Qiuxin and addressed the old man, “Please, sir, could you examine my mother’s pulse?”

Hearing her request, Fang Qiuxin, though reluctant, had no time to refuse. She looked at Shen Qingdai with some helplessness and placed her hand on the pulse pillow.

The old man scrutinized them briefly before closing his eyes to carefully feel the pulse.

The more he examined, the deeper his frown grew. Finally, he withdrew his hand with a solemn expression and looked at Shen Qingdai intently. “Do you know of the ‘Lingering Soul Fragrant Dream’?”

Shen Qingdai’s heart sank. She had heard of it before, but this confirmed a grave problem: Lady Liu had truly targeted her mother with poison.

Fang Qiuxin was puzzled and answered honestly, “I do not know.”

Shen Qingdai shook her head as well.

The old man sighed deeply. “The ‘Lingering Soul Fragrant Dream’ is a recipe from the southern border, extremely insidious. The fragrant ingredient itself is the most renowned spice of that region. Only one use is enough—those who inhale it fall into sweet dreams. However, once a woman’s body is exposed to it, she can no longer bear children. The second exposure causes insomnia and mental weakness. The third is the limit for ordinary people: sudden mental confusion, resembling insanity. Even the great physician Hua Tuo would find it difficult to save someone at that stage.”

Shen Qingdai’s heart tightened. So in her previous life, her mother’s madness was not because of the young brother’s death, but due to this poison. However, now was not the time to dwell on that.

Nervously, she asked, “Sir, how deeply affected is my mother now?”

The old man exhaled slowly. “The esteemed lady is still relatively fine—only at the first stage. But there is a tendency to progress to the second. If she reaches that point, my medical skills might struggle. Fortunately, it is still manageable now. I will prescribe a remedy to be taken every seven days. Within half a month, it should alleviate the effects.”

Shen Qingdai breathed a sigh of relief. It could be cured, at least. But Lady Liu would certainly strike again. Thinking this, she asked, “Sir, is there any way to prevent this poison?”

The old man shook his head. “If you take my prescribed pills, there will be no chance of being poisoned again.”

Shen Qingdai nodded and took a gold ingot from her pocket, pressing it into the old man’s hand. “I won’t say more. Your life-saving grace is deeply remembered. Please accept this token of my gratitude.”

The old man understood this was both thanks and a bribe for discretion. After hesitating, he accepted it.

Having saved this family, he had, in some sense, offended the person who administered the poison. Given that, accepting the money seemed wise; he could not afford to alienate both sides.

Seeing him take the gold, Shen Qingdai finally relaxed a little and whispered, “Sir, it’s inconvenient for us to prepare the medicine here. Might you prepare it yourself, and I will come to collect it tomorrow?”

She handed him another gold ingot. The old man, mentally prepared, was now cheered to receive it. “Of course, young lady. Rest assured, I will personally brew the medicine and ensure no secrets are leaked.”

Gratefully, Shen Qingdai smiled at him, paid the consultation fee, and quietly returned to the carriage with Fang Qiuxin.

Once seated, seeing Fang Qiuxin still lost in thought, Shen Qingdai sighed. There was nothing she could do to help her mother with this; only her mother herself could find peace.

Ping Chun, seeing Shen Qingdai had returned, leisurely selected two more types of incense and paid for them.

Though young, Shen Muqing was mature beyond his years, well-mannered and obedient.

Watching his small figure, Shen Qingdai felt that her little brother bore a certain air reminiscent of Pei Jingzhu.

The thought made her chuckle softly. Could it be that her little brother would grow up to be as dull as him?

Her laughter brought Fang Qiuxin back from her reverie.

With a complex look, she quietly asked, “Dai’er, you… you knew all along, didn’t you?”

Shen Qingdai lowered her eyes, said nothing, but tightly grasped Fang Qiuxin’s hand. “Mother, I will protect you and brother.”

Fang Qiuxin’s eyes reddened. With a strained smile, she said, “My daughter is growing up…”

Just then, Shen Muqing climbed into the carriage and saw his mother and sister holding hands, their eyes brimming with tears. He looked at them both, confused.

But for now, it remained an unsolvable mystery for him.

Seeing him settle beside her, Fang Qiuxin said no more on the matter. She gently smoothed his collar that had become rumpled during the climb.