The Vicious Empress's Scum Wife (GL) - Chapter 011
That night, Lin Yanran stayed up all night, finally identifying three more medicinal ingredients in the Cooling Pill. However, there was still one ingredient she couldn’t discern. Her only option now was to crush the pill and carefully examine it.
Once the pill was crushed or dissolved in water, it would be impossible to restore its original state.
She had only one chance to identify the last ingredient.
The next morning, at breakfast.
The two ate at the same table, both maintaining a profound silence.
While clearing the dishes, Qin Mingyue suddenly asked, “Can the washroom be used today?”
This was the first time she had initiated a conversation with Lin Yanran.
Lin Yanran replied, “The bathtub will be delivered this afternoon, then it can be used. I’ll heat up the water and call you when it’s ready.”
“Alright.”
She simply said “Alright,” and then no more words were exchanged.
Lin Yanran didn’t linger, quickly leaving the house and hurrying to the carpentry workshop to urge the owner. Next door happened to be Fenghuang Town’s only pharmacy, Henian Hall.
She stared at the signboard. In the bottom right corner of the characters “Henian Hall ” was a smaller line of text: “Branch No. 118.”
She walked inside, and the aroma of hundreds of herbs wafted towards her. They were all familiar herbs, but none had a scent similar to the last unidentified ingredient.
*What kind of medicinal primer did Liu Zhenzhen use?*
The shopkeeper recognized her. Last time she came to buy medicine, she paid very promptly, so he busily greeted her: “Is Master Lin here to buy medicine again?”
*Master?* That was a new form of address. In this world, Qianyuans, despite having the same physical structure as women, enjoyed the same treatment and respect as men. People often respectfully called them “Master.”
“Shopkeeper Xu, do you have any medicine for suppressing pheromones for sale in your shop?”
Shopkeeper Xu glanced at her, his tone becoming profound and mysterious: “Naturally, we do.”
“May I take a look?”
Shopkeeper Xu looked at her again, this time with a hint of disdain, and said faintly, “It’s not available to be shown.”
“Why not?”
Shopkeeper Xu smiled: “Master Lin might not know, but these pheromone-suppressing pills are all made by Grand Physicians. They are extremely expensive, and ordinary people cannot afford them, so naturally, we don’t display them.”
So, she was being looked down upon.
Lin Yanran snorted: “Since I’m asking, I naturally intend to buy. If you don’t show it to me, how can I tell if it’s genuine?”
Shopkeeper Xu said unhurriedly, “If Master Lin truly wishes to buy, you must first pay a deposit. Then, our shop will order it on your behalf from the Grand Physician. It will take approximately three months for delivery. Anything from a Grand Physician is, of course, foolproof!”
“Three months? The person would already have burned to death by then!”
Shopkeeper Xu smiled and said, “That’s why ordinary people can’t afford it. Wealthy families naturally prepare it well in advance.”
*Damn it!* She was being looked down upon again.
Lin Yanran had no choice but to ask, “May I ask how much this medicine costs?”
Shopkeeper Xu held up one finger: “One pill for one hundred taels. The deposit of ten taels is separate. No tricks, no bargaining.”
*Hiss—isn’t this robbery?!*
Lin Yanran was quite shocked. After asking a couple more questions, she left in a daze.
*Liu Zhenzhen could actually formulate the Cooling Pill, which only Grand Physicians can prepare. Is she really just an obscure country doctor?*
After urging the carpentry workshop owner to deliver the bathtub, Lin Yanran still didn’t let the workers leave. She carried several buckets of water into the tub, rinsed it thoroughly, and then said, “You need to polish it thoroughly, inside and out, to make sure there isn’t a single splinter. Otherwise, I won’t pay you a single coin.”
The shopkeeper knew she was a ruffian and a rogue and dared not offend her. He had no choice but to dutifully take his two young assistants and polish the bathtub from top to bottom again.
“Master Lin, look how smooth it is! Not to mention touching it with your hand, even if you put a piece of tofu in it, it wouldn’t get scratched at all! Please, don’t make it difficult for me!”
Lin Yanran touched it with her hand. Although it was smooth, she still wasn’t entirely at ease.
“You have inherited carpentry skills, yet you make it so rough. If word gets out, how will you run your shop? Polish it finely again with a dry cloth.”
The shopkeeper argued back, “My ancestor, you’re just taking a bath, it’s not for a fairy descending from heaven! Why does it need to be so fine?”
Lin Yanran’s eyes widened, looking fierce: “How do you know it’s not for a fairy? This bathtub is for a fairy! Stop chattering and get to work!”
The shopkeeper wanted to cry but had no tears. He secretly regretted his greed in charging her an extra ten coins. Now, he could only continue polishing.
It wasn’t until he had thoroughly polished every plank of the bathtub with a dry cotton cloth, making it so smooth that her hand would just glide over it, that Lin Yanran paid him.
“Thank you for your hard work, shopkeeper. I’ll still come to you next time I need something.”
The shopkeeper wiped the sweat from his forehead, not even daring to respond, and left in a hurry.
Lin Yanran drew well water, thoroughly cleaned the bathtub, and then pushed it into the washroom and fixed it in place.
Next, she started a fire to heat water, boiling a full four large buckets of water. She poured them into the bathtub, added well water to adjust the temperature, and continued to boil two more buckets, placing them outside the bathtub with a ladle on top.
She came to the room, and Qin Mingyue looked up from her book.
She smiled at her: “It’s all ready. While the afternoon sun is good, you can go bathe.”
As she spoke, she went to the chest to search for Qin Mingyue’s change of clothes.
Suddenly, her eyes paused. Amidst a pile of coarse cloth dresses, she saw a neatly folded set of garments.
The fabric was exquisite, the craftsmanship excellent, and the color was elegant and noble. Placed among a heap of common clothes, it was like a fairy had fallen to earth.
This was a set of Ice Gauze Silver Thread Flowing Immortal Robes, every detail showcasing its grandeur and elegance.
She immediately guessed that this must be the imperial dress Qin Mingyue was wearing when she was rescued by the original owner.
Such splendid attire, hidden away in a chest, wasn’t that a waste of heavenly gifts? She didn’t hesitate to take out this set of garments.
Qin Mingyue saw her take out the clothes she wore when she was in distress, her eyes slightly narrowed. Then, seeing her still rummaging through her undergarments, she couldn’t help but feel unusually annoyed.
“Leave them. I’ll do it myself.”
Lin Yanran, unaware of her thoughts, said, “Don’t worry, I can do these things well. You just focus on bathing in peace.”
Her eyes were smiling, and she openly took out the undergarments, folded them into a neat stack, and wrapped them in a dry cloth.
Qin Mingyue was so angry she turned her face away.
Lin Yanran arranged all the necessary items in the washroom, then walked back into the room to carry her.
Qin Mingyue struggled slightly.
Lin Yanran looked down at her: “Is there anything else you need? Just tell me.”
Her gaze was sincere, gentle, and reassuring.
Qin Mingyue deeply felt that Lin Yanran’s disguise was flawless, even occasionally confusing her. This Lin Yanran in front of her inexplicably evoked a hint of fear.
She lowered her eyes: “Nothing.”
Lin Yanran carried her into the washroom, placed her on a wooden stool, and introduced, “Look, I specially added two bolts to the wooden door. Once you close it from the inside, no one can get in.”
“Here are the soap and washcloth. The wooden clogs are placed outside the bathtub. Later, I’ll put another wooden chair inside so you can sit while bathing. I’ve left two buckets of hot water outside. If you feel the water getting cold, you can add some hot water with the ladle.”
“As for your change of clothes, they are in the outer section.”
She finished explaining each item, then looked at her: “Does that seem alright to you?”
While she was speaking, Qin Mingyue had already looked around with her. This bathtub was unremarkable, but on its edge, a protruding wooden board had been added, on which the soap and washcloth were placed, which was quite convenient.
Lin Yanran held up a wooden stool: “I’ve cleaned this bathing chair. I’ll put it in now, so it will be easier for you to step in, and you can sit down if you get tired of standing.”
She turned around and, as she covered the door, asked again, “I’ll be guarding outside. If you need anything, just call me anytime.”
These words were meant to reassure Qin Mingyue, but unknowingly had the opposite effect.
Qin Mingyue watched her leave without a word, then supported herself on the edge of the bathtub to stand up, and groped along the wall.
With every step, the wound on her ankle throbbed. As if reminding her that the deep-seated hatred must never be forgotten.
Coming to the door, a crack was left. Lin Yanran had moved a bamboo chair and was lying on the porch with her back to Qin Mingyue, holding a pill in her hand and examining it closely.
The black dog lay at her feet, wagging its tail incessantly at her.
The afternoon sun was just right. Even through the door, one could feel the gentle breeze and pleasant sunshine of spring.
Yet, an inexplicable chill spread through her body.
*This Lin Yanran is not the same as before. She’s several times more cunning, able to disguise herself, able to mislead people, and even her words and actions feel strangely unsettling.*
She closed the door tightly and slid the bolts into place.
The light inside immediately dimmed but wasn’t completely dark. A red lantern hung in the corner, casting a reddish glow throughout the room. Steam wafted out, painting a blush on her pale face.
Qin Mingyue tugged at the door again, but it didn’t budge. The newly added bolts were thick and solid, firmly nailed in place. She figured this commoner wouldn’t be able to break in.
Slightly relieved, she again supported herself on the wall and came to the edge of the bathtub, shedding her clothes piece by piece, revealing her fair, slender legs. Her graceful figure slowly emerged in the mist.
Stepping onto the wooden chair, a delicate, fair foot tentatively entered the bathtub.
The water temperature was just right.
She gripped the edge of the bathtub, carefully stepping onto the bathing chair inside the tub.
Her skin gradually submerged in the hot water. The moist water enveloped her, and her pores opened. A long-lost feeling of comfort spread through her, and she couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh as she slowly sat down on the bathing chair.
The height was also just right.
Reaching out, her hand just happened to touch the soap and washcloth placed on the wooden board.
The position was also just right.
*This commoner is quite meticulous.*
She wet the washcloth and slowly scrubbed her skin, which was even finer and whiter than condensed fat. Soon, her skin turned red, as if blossoming with peach flowers.
Even her toes were a vibrant pink.
She had expected another cold and anxious well-water bath, like before, but unexpectedly, everything was comfortable.
She felt the attentive and pleasing service, as if she were back in the imperial palace. She rarely relaxed her body, soaking in the hot water.
However, her mind inexplicably recalled the scene from the afternoon, when Lin Yanran coerced the carpentry workshop owner to polish the bathtub.
“How do you know it’s not for a fairy? This bathtub is for a fairy!”
She slightly furrowed her brows. *This commoner, not only has she become cunning and overbearing, but she’s also glib-tongued!*
Suddenly, she thought again, that Lin Yanran was so meticulous with this bathtub because she intended to use it herself too. But then—
*She’s going to use the same bathtub I just used, and she’ll strip naked to bathe in it too? Wouldn’t she touch the places I just touched?*
Qin Mingyue’s face instantly flushed crimson, as if bleeding.