The Cage - Chapter 5

In the end, Bai Yisi skipped breakfast. She was simply too tired, and besides, she rarely ate breakfast anyway. She dozed off again, calculating the time before finally getting up to prepare for work.

She was now working in Ye Lin’s courtyard. The tasks Ye Lin assigned her were light: drying medicinal herbs in the sun, collecting them, and then packaging them. This was far easier than the previous day’s work, after all, it was the herbs that needed to be dried in the sun, not her.

Although Ye Lin had brought her back willingly, she paid little attention to Bai Yisi, perhaps even forgetting about her entirely. Bai Yisi relished the leisure, her only dissatisfaction being her inability to see Liu Chunxi. But Ye Lin soon provided her with an opportunity.

Bai Yisi stood in the shade, not slacking off. Though she wasn’t right next to the winnowing baskets, her eyes were fixed on them, watching for birds that might damage the herbs. Besides, Ye Lin had told her she could take shelter under the trees.

Leaning against a tree trunk, she swung her hand listlessly. So boring! Being with Liu Chunxi had been much more interesting. Now, basking in her newfound leisure, Bai Yisi had already forgotten the hardships of working in the Princess’s Courtyard the day before. Combined with what she had discovered the previous night, she was now desperate to return to Liu Chunxi’s side.

Ye Lin strode into the courtyard, her expression was slightly irritated. She emerged from the house carrying a medicine chest, clearly intending to take it somewhere. Bai Yisi guessed she was headed to Liu Chunxi’s residence.

Bai Yisi raised an eyebrow. So, the Princess and the Medicine Saint’s Disciple are even closer than I thought. Does she know about Liu Chunxi’s martial arts skills too?

Tch, Bai Yisi thought, her irritation growing. She turned her head away, out of sight, out of mind. But just as Ye Lin was about to leave the courtyard, she caught a glimpse of Bai Yisi standing under the tree. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. The girl was actually guarding the herbs.

Ye Lin was known for her generous nature and her good rapport with the courtyard maids. None of the previous maids tasked with drying herbs had ever been as diligently watchful as Bai Yisi. After all, while they were supposed to guard the herbs from birds, Ye Lin had never seen any birds pecking at them. Most maids would simply spread the herbs out in the courtyard and then retreat to rest elsewhere, knowing Ye Lin wouldn’t punish them as long as the herbs were collected on time and kept dry.

Staring at Bai Yisi, who stood motionless, watching the herbs, Ye Lin thought, She seems clever enough, but she’s as stubborn as a mule. Doesn’t even know how to slack off properly. Then she called out, “Hong… Hong Hua, come with me.”

No matter how much she mentally prepared, Ye Lin couldn’t smoothly call out the woman’s name. Such a lovely girl, why would she have such a name? Ye Lin shook her head. But since the woman seemed to like it, she didn’t suggest changing it.

Bai Yisi heard Ye Lin’s call and was slightly surprised, though her expression remained neutral. She followed Ye Lin for a while before asking, “Madam, where are we going?”

“To the Princess’s Courtyard.”

Bai Yisi was puzzled by the answer. If she wasn’t mistaken, Ye Lin should be going to treat Liu Chunxi’s arm injury. Given their close relationship, that was understandable. But why would Ye Lin inform her about this? After all, Liu Chunxi was known to be non-martial in the eyes of others. Bai Yisi had only learned the truth last night. Moreover, no news of the Princess’s injury had spread after the morning court session. So… was Ye Lin testing her, or was there another reason?

Bai Yisi lowered her head, her eyes swirling with dark thoughts. But she would have to wait until they arrived to know for sure. For now, she suppressed her suspicions.

As they reached the Princess’s Courtyard, Ye Lin had already stepped inside when she suddenly remembered that Bai Yisi was behind her. She hurriedly turned and said, “Hong Hua, you stay here.”

“Yes,” Bai Yisi replied, stopping outside the door as instructed. Her confusion deepened. If this was a test, why wasn’t she allowed inside? What purpose could there be in making her wait outside?

*****

Moments later, the two women come out from the room. Bai Yisi’s eyes lit up the instant she saw Liu Chunxi, though she herself remained unaware of her reaction. “Greetings, Your Highness,” she said, bowing respectfully.

Liu Chunxi glanced at the bowing figure and remembered that this was the woman who had fainted the previous day. “Rise,” she said with a nod.

After Bai Yisi straightened up, Liu Chunxi asked, “Your health should be fully recovered by now, correct?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Bai Yisi felt a surge of flattered surprise, a sense of being noticed. “Your Highness, I am much better now,” she replied.

“Good. That’s all that matters.” Liu Chunxi said nothing more, giving Ye Lin a meaningful look. Ye Lin understood the unspoken command and handed the medicine chest to Bai Yisi. “Hong Hua, take the medicine chest back.”

“Yes, Madam,” Bai Yisi replied.

Only after the woman had walked away did the faint shock in Liu Chunxi’s eyes fade. “That woman’s name is Hong Hua?” she asked in surprise.

Ye Lin gave Liu Chunxi an agreeing look. “You also find that name inappropriate for her, don’t you?”

Liu Chunxi recalled Bai Yisi’s bone structure and slowly nodded. “Indeed, it seems rather unsuitable.”

******

A few days later, Liu Chunxi returned to her residence after a long day of official duties. She had been investigating the case of the Vice Minister of Revenue for days, but as before, she had found nothing.

The operation had been executed too cleanly. The power behind it was likely far greater than she had imagined.

She pinched the bridge of her nose, her forehead throbbing like it was being pricked with needles from lack of rest. Liu Yun, standing beside her, noticed her discomfort and stepped forward to gently massage her temples.

Liu Chunxi froze momentarily as Liu Yun’s hand reached out, a flicker of resistance crossing her face. Liu Yun’s expression faltered, but Liu Chunxi quickly regained her composure and said, “It’s fine. Continue.”

The pain gradually subsided, but Liu Chunxi knew it would return the moment Liu Yun’s hands left her. This was an old ailment of hers.

“Master hasn’t rested properly these past few days. You should take a proper rest today. I’ll ask Doctor Ye to prepare a fatigue-relieving medicinal bath for you later,” Liu Yun said, then fell silent, awaiting Liu Chunxi’s response.

After a long pause, Liu Chunxi finally spoke, “Do as you suggest.”

Joy lit up Liu Yun’s eyes. “Then I’ll arrange it immediately.” She released her hands, and as Liu Chunxi had anticipated, the pain surged back. Only after Liu Yun had left did she frown and begin massaging her temples herself.

Liu Chunxi disliked medicinal baths. First, she believed that all medicine was inherently toxic, and it was best to avoid them whenever possible. Second, she had already endured enough medicinal baths three years ago.

She never wanted to experience another medicinal bath like that one again.

Bai Yisi was gathering herbs in the courtyard when she noticed a guard accompanying Liu Chunxi. She remembered the guard’s name was Liu Yun. After Liu Yun entered Ye Lin’s room for a brief conversation, she left, and Ye Lin immediately summoned Bai Yisi.

Ye Lin grabbed several handfuls of herbs, wrapped them in paper, and handed the bundle to Bai Yisi. “Hong Hua, these herbs are for a medicinal bath. Boil the water, add the herbs, and simmer for another half-hour. Then have the servants carry it to the Princess.”

Bai Yisi accepted the bundle, an idea forming in her mind. “Yes, Madam.”

Bai Yisi followed Ye Lin’s instructions meticulously. However, when the servants carried the water to the Princess’s Courtyard, she followed along. As she entered the courtyard, Cui Huan emerged from the residence. Bai Yisi approached her and patted her shoulder. “Long time no see, Sister Cui Huan.”

Cui Huan turned around in surprise, her face lighting up. “Hong Hua! It’s been ages since we last saw each other, ever since you were assigned to Doctor Ye’s courtyard.”

Although she hadn’t known Bai Yisi for long, Cui Huan had already recognized her as diligent and intelligent. Moreover, since Bai Yisi was now working in Doctor Ye’s courtyard, she was no longer considered an outsider, and Cui Huan felt a certain warmth toward her.

After a few casual exchanges, Bai Yisi pointed in surprise at Cui Huan’s waist. “Huh? Cui Huan-jiejie, aren’t you wearing your sachet today?”

Hearing this, Cui Huan lowered her head anxiously to check. Sure enough, the sachet was missing. She patted her body frantically and looked around, but there was no sign of it. “How could it be gone?” she exclaimed in a panic.

Bai Yisi reassured her, “Don’t worry, Jiejie. Maybe you just didn’t wear it today?”

“Impossible!” Cui Huan retorted immediately. “I was just holding it earlier. I definitely wore it today.”

“Ah? Then maybe it fell off somewhere?”

Cui Huan suspected the same, but she couldn’t leave her post. “What should I do? Your Highness will be bathing soon, and I need to massage him. But Liu Yun is in his study right now, so I can’t disturb him. And there’s no one else around…”

Bai Yisi patted Cui Huan’s hand sympathetically. “Don’t worry, Jiejie. I’m free later. I can stay here and tell Your Highness what happened. You go look for it.”

Cui Huan’s face showed hesitation. “But what if Your Highness blames me?”

“How could someone as generous as Your Highness blame you?” Bai Yisi continued to coax Cui Huan. “Sister, you’ve been in the manor longer than I have. You should know Your Highness’s character better than I do.”

That’s right, Cui Huan thought. Your Highness is the most magnanimous person I’ve ever met. I’ve never been punished since entering the manor. Her resolve began to waver. Seeing this, Bai Yisi added fuel to the fire: “Besides, Sister, this sachet was made by your late mother. Your Highness would never blame you for something so sentimental.”

Cui Huan remained hesitant, but Bai Yisi was growing impatient. Fortunately, Cui Huan didn’t waver for long. She slowly nodded. “I’ll trouble you today, Sister. I’ll be sure to thank you properly tomorrow.”

“Sister, there’s no need for such formalities between us. Just hurry and find it.”

Only after Cui Huan left did Bai Yisi touch the object hidden in her sleeve.

It was a sachet.

When Liu Chunxi entered the room, she noticed Cui Huan wasn’t there. Where did she run off to? she wondered. There was no one outside just now.

Never mind, she thought. Perhaps something came up.

The throbbing pain in her forehead prevented her from dwelling on it. Quickly removing her clothes, she settled into the bath. The wound on her arm had already healed. Leaning back against the tub, her eyes closed, she tilted her head back, exposing her perfect neck, looking utterly vulnerable.

Though she disliked medicinal baths, they were undeniably effective. The moment she sank into the water, much of her fatigue seemed to melt away.

Just then, the door creaked open, and someone slowly entered. Liu Chunxi, assuming it was Cui Huan, didn’t bother opening her eyes. After all, Cui Huan was the only one who ever entered while she bathed. But this time, it was someone else entirely.

Bai Yisi’s breathing quickened involuntarily as she entered. Through the swirling steam, she saw a head resting against the edge of the tub, the snow-white shoulder starkly contrasting with the dark wood, making her squint.

Before she could approach, Liu Chunxi spoke, “Just massage my head today.”

Bai Yisi didn’t reply. Liu Chunxi frowned, about to speak again when an unfamiliar voice came from behind her, “Yes, Your Highness.”

Liu Chunxi’s eyes snapped open. Her hand shot out of the water, clamping around the intruder’s neck, and she yanked the person forward. The figure let out a muffled groan but didn’t struggle.

When Liu Chunxi finally saw the person’s face, she loosened her grip slightly, though her hand remained firmly around their neck. “You?” she demanded. “What are you doing here? Where’s Cui Huan?”

Bai Yisi replied in a hoarse voice, “Sister Cui Huan’s… sachet went missing. She went back… to find it and asked me… to take her place.”

Liu Chunxi didn’t release her grip. Her eyes were filled with suspicion. Even if Cui Huan needed to find her sachet, she wouldn’t ask someone else to take her place, especially someone who had just arrived at the manor.

She scrutinized Bai Yisi’s expression, searching for any sign of deception, but found none. Apart from a hint of suspicious excitement, there was nothing else to discern on the woman’s face.

Yet… that faint excitement made Liu Chunxi uneasy. Something in Bai Yisi’s dark eyes seemed to be beckoning her, drawing her toward an abyss.

A sudden pang of fear struck Liu Chunxi. She released her grip, and Bai Yisi gasped for air, coughing violently. Her throat burned, but the excitement on her face only intensified.

Liu Chunxi closed her eyes again. “Do as I instructed earlier.” A faint smile curved her lips. This newly arrived maid was proving to be quite intriguing.

She had always trusted her instincts.

Now, she was determined to uncover what lay hidden beneath this woman’s facade.

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