I Was Tricked by a Black Lotus [Transmigration] - Chapter 3

“I heard you were injured, Cousin, and wanted to check on you,” Wen Xue’er said softly.

“It was just a bluff. I’m fine,” Shen Qingshu replied. Noticing the small medicine bottle in Wen Xue’er’s hand, she beckoned her closer. “Come here.”

“Is that for me?” Shen Qingshu asked, pointing to the bottle as Wen Xue’er approached.

Wen Xue’er nodded gently. “This will help disperse the bruising.”

“Did you make it yourself?”

“Before leaving Suzhou, I learned a bit from the physician. It’s a long journey, after all, so I wanted to be prepared for emergencies,” Wen Xue’er said, then paused, seeming eager to change the subject. “Should I have a maid come in to apply it for you?”

“Come here,” Shen Qingshu said, raising an eyebrow.

Wen Xue’er paused, momentarily stunned, before slowly sitting down on the edge of the bed.

As her soft fingers brushed against his forehead, beads of cold sweat broke out on Shen Qingshu’s brow.

“Thank you,” Wen Xue’er murmured, her crimson lips parting slightly.

Shen Qingshu understood what she meant. “Actually, if you don’t like it, you can refuse. There’s no reason to force you.”

“Really?” Wen Xue’er replied after a long pause. “I don’t dare.”

“Don’t be afraid. There are reasonable people in the Minister’s Manor,” Shen Qingshu managed to say after holding back for a long time.

Wen Xue’er’s expression remained calm as she softly replied, “I know.”

Besides applying the medicine, Wen Xue’er also gently massaged Shen Qingshu’s injured areas. To his surprise, the pain seemed to vanish, and he drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

*******

“Mother, why don’t you talk to Wen Xue’er for me?” Shen Zi’an pleaded. “Since she’s already living in the Minister’s Manor, she might as well marry me.”

“Let’s wait for Master to return before deciding,” the Second Concubine replied. “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely help you win her over if she’s the one you want.”

“I wonder what Sister Wen likes,” Shen Zi’an mused. “Maybe I should find some trinkets to cheer her up. It’s so dull seeing her never smile.”

“You…” The Second Concubine sighed, gently tapping her son’s forehead.

When Shen Qingshu woke up, she instinctively glanced at the edge of the bed. Wen Xue’er was gone, leaving only a faint indentation on the soft mattress.

As Shen Qingshu got out of bed, she noticed a small round basin on the table, neatly arranged with several pearl hairpins, and a few small plates of pastries beside it.

Shen Qingshu casually picked up a jujube paste crisp. “Who sent these over?”

But when she saw the jade-green brocade robe tucked beneath the hairpins, she immediately knew it was from Hefeng Courtyard.

Shen Qingshu gazed at the artfully arranged trinkets, then popped the jujube paste crisp into her mouth.

I wonder what she looks like when she lowers her eyes to sew…

A rich, sweet aroma filled the air as Shen Qingshu slowly chewed the pastry.

“I heard the Third Young Master eagerly sent these pastries and hairpins to Miss Wen, but she immediately passed them on to our Autumn Breeze Courtyard,” the maidservant said.

“Cough, cough—” Shen Qingshu choked violently on the jujube paste crisp, coughing repeatedly.

“You just woke up and your mouth is still dry. Why are you eating so fast?” The maidservant quickly handed her a cup of tea.

“Shen Zi’an only ever gave me perfunctory gifts for my birthday… but now he’s suddenly… making progress,” Shen Qingshu said, finally catching her breath. “No wonder it tastes so awful—it was that scoundrel who bought it.”

“But this is jujube paste crisp from Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion! How could it taste bad?”

Seeing Shen Qingshu remain silent, the maidservant continued, “Miss, while Miss Wen’s family isn’t as prestigious as the daughters of officials in the capital, her beauty is unparalleled. She’s more than worthy of the Third Young Master.” The maidservant carefully observed Shen Qingshu’s expression as she spoke.

Shen Qingshu’s feelings were difficult to put into words… Who cared whether Miss Wen was worthy of Shen Zi’an? The truth was, that scoundrel couldn’t possibly measure up to her.

Noticing Shen Qingshu’s absent-mindedness, the maid gently called out to her.

“When will my father return?”

“Word from the Minister’s Manor says he’ll be finished with his duties in about two or three days.”

Shen Qingshu paced the room, seemingly deep in thought.

I must dissuade Shen Zi’an from his plan before Minister Shen returns.

But how can I change Minister Shen’s mind?

Wen Xue’er sat quietly on the swing, reading a book. She ignored Shen Zi’an’s persistent attempts to engage her, never once looking up, offering only occasional nods or shakes of her head.

Shen Zi’an grew increasingly frustrated. Though beautiful, this woman was utterly unresponsive.

“The rouge from Vermilion Beauty Pavilion is the finest. Why don’t I have them send some over tomorrow for you to choose?”

“The food and wine at Zuixian Pavilion are the best. Miss Wen, you should…”

“Hey, are you deaf?”

“What about the girls at Zuixian Pavilion?” A clear voice rang out, growing closer.

Shen Zi’an turned to see Shen Qingshu approaching, his face falling into a miserable expression. “Why do you only hear what you shouldn’t?”

Across the room, Wen Xue’er lifted her gaze at the sound of their voices, a faint smile gracing her usually cold features.

“No, how could you…” Shen Zi’an stared at Wen Xue’er’s transformation, so furious he couldn’t speak.

Shen Qingshu ignored him and walked up to Wen Xue’er, asking softly, “The wind is strong here. Your health isn’t good—why aren’t you taking better care of yourself?”

Wen Xue’er looked puzzled. When has my health ever been poor?

With her back to her third brother, Shen Qingshu tapped her throat and subtly mimed a cough.

“Cough, cough, cough” Though Wen Xue’er didn’t understand her cousin’s intention, she quickly grasped the meaning. But as she coughed, her snow-white cheeks began to flush slightly red.

Shen Qingshu, looking anxious, swiftly pulled out a handkerchief to cover Wen Xue’er’s mouth, gently patting her back with her other hand.

When Wen Xue’er recovered, Shen Qingshu withdrew the handkerchief. But Wen Xue’er’s expression froze when she saw a smear of crimson on the fabric. “I’m coughing up blood again.”

“What?” Shen Zi’an’s eyes widened in shock.

Wen Xue’er’s eyes flashed with momentary surprise, but she quickly composed herself. “Second Cousin, it’s nothing. I’m used to it.”

“No, what’s going on?” Shen Zi’an still looked utterly bewildered.

Shen Qingshu’s fair face was practically crumpled with worry. Seeing that Shen Zi’an was about to ask more questions, she dragged him out of Hefeng Courtyard.

“Sister Wen is so young, yet she’s already suffered so much,” Shen Qingshu said, her eyes reddening.

“Losing both parents is indeed tragic. But if she follows this young master in the future, her suffering will end, right?” Shen Zi’an leaned forward to peek into Hefeng Courtyard.

“At a time like this, you’re still cracking jokes?” Shen Qingshu unfolded her handkerchief.

“Is it really that serious?” Shen Zi’an finally grew serious.

“A chronic illness,” Shen Qingshu said, clenching her handkerchief. “Part of the reason we came to the Capital was to seek medical treatment.”

“Then just get her treated! Why are you frowning like that?”

“But she was coughing up blood!” Shen Qingshu’s voice trembled with agitation. “I’m afraid… I’m afraid…”

“No wonder she looked so listless. Turns out she’s a sickly thing.”

Shen Qingshu continued, “If you marry her, I won’t object. But with her health like this, she might not have much time left. Remember…”

“Enough! I don’t want to bring home a burden to take care of,” Shen Zi’an said, frowning.

He added with a hint of regret, “It’s a pity. Sister Wen captured my heart the moment I saw her.”

“You’re just lusting after her body,” Shen Qingshu said coldly.

“Sis, I’ve noticed you never take my side.”

“Have you forgotten all the ridiculous things you’ve done?”

Shen Zi’an scoffed and turned to leave.

Watching him walk away, Shen Qingshu’s anxiety slowly subsided.

Hearing footsteps, Wen Xue’er gently closed her book.

“Xue’er is truly clever,” Shen Qingshu said with a smile.

“Was feigning illness for Third Cousin’s benefit?” Wen Xue’er asked.

“He’s simple-minded and easily fooled,” Shen Qingshu stuck out her tongue. “Though I admit, the lie was a bit extreme.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Wen Xue’er replied, her gaze complex. “But that blood… it didn’t look fake.”

“You’re overthinking it. It’s just some dye from the textile workshop.”

Wen Xue’er touched her toes to the ground, gradually steadying the swing before slowly standing up. She gently took Shen Qingshu’s wrist and smoothed the edge of her sleeve. “My apologies for the intrusion.”

The white tourniquet was now glaringly visible.

Wen Xue’er suppressed the warmth rising in her eyes. “You…”

“Do you have a vase in your room?” Shen Qingshu asked, awkwardly pulling her hand away. “If so, be careful. Knocking it over could cut your hand like mine.”

With that, she nearly fled the scene.

Wen Xue’er watched her retreating figure, a faint ripple in her gaze.

She bent down and picked up the handkerchief Shen Qingshu had carelessly dropped. Ignoring the still-damp bloodstains, she clutched the cloth tightly in her palm.

Even after Shen Qingshu had walked a considerable distance, the sudden surge of emotion lingered.

Part of her had hoped for gratitude, yet another part feared Wen Xue’er would find her childish.

Still, she had likely passed the test with Shen Zi’an… Now, everything depended on the Head of the Shen Family.

Upon returning to Autumn Breeze Courtyard, Shen Qingshu instructed her maid, “Go to the apothecary and get a prescription for tonics. Bring back plenty of medicinal herbs—mild ones that are safe to take whether you’re sick or not. Brew them daily and send them to Hefeng Courtyard.”

The maid asked, “Miss, if Miss Wen is ill, wouldn’t it be better to simply call a doctor?”

“It’s not that she’s sick, it’s just…” Shen Qingshu struggled to explain. “Never mind. If anyone asks on the way, just say it’s for Hefeng Courtyard. Don’t say anything else.”

The maid remained puzzled.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Aside from disciplining the Third Young Master, Miss, you rarely concern yourself with others’ affairs.”

If the original owner had meddled more, Wen Xue’er might not have fallen so far, Shen Qingshu thought with a sigh.

Two more days passed before Minister Shen finally returned from his official residence.

As the family gathered to exchange greetings, the Second Concubine suddenly suggested that Wen Xue’er should come out to pay her respects to the Head of the Shen Family.

Shen Qingshu’s heart skipped a beat. She instinctively glanced at Shen Zi’an, who shrugged, indicating he knew nothing about this. Only then did Shen Qingshu feel slightly relieved.

As long as Shen Zi’an denied any involvement, even if the Second Concubine proposed it, the matter couldn’t proceed.

Wen Xue’er appeared today in plain clothes and light makeup, but when her graceful figure entered the hall, Shen Qingshu’s heart sank. She saw Minister Shen looked momentarily speechless.

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