Witch God Abyss (Lily) - Chapter 8

Zhao Beijin untied the gauze sash on her hands.

“I’m competitive, but not foolish. You and Zhou Yizhi are just tools His Majesty uses to balance our family’s power. We’re rivals, not enemies.”

Shen Yuan nodded.

“You’re indeed not foolish. A good rival. Who gave you these fragrant powders?”

Zhao Beijin looked at the sachets in Shen Yuan’s hand.

“The mansion has a perfumer. All the fragrant powders, incense, burning incense, and tower incense used in the mansion are made by her. She also crafts different sachets for my parents, brothers, and sisters. The ones carried and placed on beds are all different.”

“Is your fragrance the same as others’?”

“My sisters’ are mostly similar, with slight differences in scent.”

“Replace everything in your quarters touched by this powder. Wash all your clothes too,” Shen Yuan said.

“So, the perfumer meant to harm me?”

“I only determined that these powders worsened your discomfort during your monthly cycle.”

Shen Yuan glanced at her full chest.

“But whether the perfumer had ulterior motives needs further investigation.”

“I’ll write to my mother and have her sent straight to the Hengjing magistrate.”

Shen Yuan said, “Princess Jin, is that how your family solves problems? If she did it unintentionally, you’d ruin the perfumer’s life…”

Zhao Beijin looked at Shen Yuan meaningfully.

She had always been the most outstanding child in her family, always liked and praised, her actions and decisions always right.

Since Shen Yuan appeared, everything changed.

The first time Fu Fengli faced her, she lost.

That white phoenix, admired and even worshipped by all, was gravely injured by Shen Yuan.

A few days ago, she lost to Shen Yuan in combat skills.

Now, Shen Yuan challenged her supposedly correct approach…

Zhao Beijin’s tone remained strong.

“But you said the powder’s the issue.”

“But back at your mansion, you only felt discomfort, not delirium.”

“So…”

Zhao Beijin waited for her to continue.

“So, one ingredient in the powder clashed with the decoction and herbs I prescribed yesterday.”

Zhao Beijin’s lips curled into a slight smile.

“Academic Officer Lin, prescribing recklessly? If I tell the National Master…”

“Blame yourself for fighting me that day and not letting me properly check your pulse.”

“Excuses come easily to you.”

“It’s the truth. Looks like I need to visit your mansion again.”

Zhao Beijin couldn’t resist mocking Shen Yuan.

“This time, like a petty thief, sneaking over walls?”

She still hadn’t figured out when Shen Yuan saw her shoot the arrow, so it must’ve been by sneaking into the mansion.

“I’ve written to my mother to double the mansion’s patrols.”

Shen Yuan glanced outside, where maids held lacquered trays and bronze basins, waiting.

“Princess Jin, focus on yourself first. I had your maids bring clothes. You’ve missed morning meditation, but my master’s away, so no one will scold you. But if you miss the Grand Tutor’s morning lesson…”

Zhao Beijin hurried off the bed, shouting, “Quick, someone. Do my hair.”

Shen Yuan stepped behind her, whispering, “Oh, right. Your hairpin and earrings—I gave them to the young officer who helped last night to keep her quiet.”

Zhao Beijin didn’t care about hairpins or earrings.

She had plenty.

In the evening, Shen Yuan tidied the scrolls in the main hall and returned to Princess Demao’s Mansion.

The mansion was very quiet.

She looked around, didn’t find Bujian Tian or her sect brothers, and asked a servant, “Where’s Bujian Tian?”

“General Bu and the senior disciples left for Wubei the morning before yesterday.”

“What about Her Highness?”

“Princess Demao has returned. Lady Huiyi said she’s worried about Princess Zhou and will stay longer.”

“Don’t tell Lady Huiyi I’m back. I’ll leave soon. Don’t disturb her.”

“Yes.”

“Oh, if Lady Huiyi asks, say I’m staying at the Imperial Observatory recently, not returning to the mansion.”

“Yes.”

Shen Yuan returned to her room. On the desk were talismans and a note from Bujian Tian, the usual: “For urgent matters, burn a talisman.”

“Sigh, they left me behind. I was hoping to get Bujian Tian’s help.”

Shen Yuan tucked away the talismans, changed into black, tied up her hair, put on a black gauze mask, and checked the mirror, recalling Zhao Beijin’s mockery.

“To Prince Duan’s Mansion, of course I’ll sneak in.”

Last time at the mansion, Shen Yuan felt something off but was too rushed to investigate.

This time, with a whole night, she explored slowly and realized what was wrong.

It was like a military camp. No winding paths, no pavilions or towers.

Rows of uniform buildings, straight pathways.

Except for slight differences in doors and windows, the mansion’s houses lacked character.

Seven courtyards deep, yet none had pavilions, gardens, ponds, or rockeries.

All were paved with green bricks, lined with weapon racks, armor stands, arrow targets, and straw dummies—more like small training grounds than courtyards.

Shen Yuan suddenly pitied Zhao Beijin.

“Growing up in such a cold environment, no wonder she talks of nothing but rules.”

Bujian Tian’s prior intelligence covered everyone in Prince Duan’s Mansion—not servants, but masters.

Maids, laborers, cooks, and the perfumer weren’t included.

Shen Yuan had to investigate herself.

Early morning, Shen Yuan changed back to regular clothes, pinned on her badge, and returned to the Imperial Observatory.

On the way, she stopped at Liu’s Bun Shop for two trays of meat buns, recommended by Bujian Tian as the best in Hengjing.

These days, Shen Yuan spent nights running around the mansion and city, dozing in the main hall by day.

That evening, when a female officer entered, Shen Yuan was sprawled on a low couch in the main hall, napping.

The officer knocked on the screen.

“Academic Officer Lin, Princess Jin requests to see you.”

Shen Yuan sat up, smoothed her hair, and asked, “Still neat?”

Her hairstyle was simple, without ornaments.

The officer nodded.

“Invite the princess.”

“Yes.”

Shen Yuan bowed.

Zhao Beijin had her maids set out tea and snacks.

“These are my mansion’s chef’s specialty, osmanthus honey cakes, sent this morning. I brought some for Academic Officer Lin to try.”

“Great.” Shen Yuan, unreserved, popped a whole one in her mouth.

From Wubei to Zhongdu, her greatest joy was tasting local foods.

The outer layer, fried in plain oil, held salted osmanthus, drizzled with honey.

Crispy outside, soft inside, sweet with a hint of salt, rich and varied in texture.

Shen Yuan ate three or four in one go, praising, “The mansion’s skills are indeed exceptional.”

“Of course.”

Shen Yuan asked, “Princess Jin, did you send word to Jingtan, the Reclusive One?”

“I did.”

“No reply?”

“None.”

“It’s been five days with no response?”

Shen Yuan was puzzled.

She thought Jingtan, learning Zhao Beijin was afflicted by gu, would demand to enter the palace to cure her.

It seemed Zhao Beijin’s affliction was part of Jingtan’s plan, so no cure was needed.

Shen Yuan asked, “Is Princess Jin close with Jingtan, the Reclusive One?”

Zhao Beijin tapped the chair’s armrest with her finger.

“Sects need noble families’ support to recruit disciples and expand influence. How much Jingtan needs our family shows how close we are.”

“Truly intertwined.”

Shen Yuan pointed to the table.

“Wrist.”

Zhao Beijin, obedient this time, placed her wrist on the table for Shen Yuan to check her pulse.

“Seems after that night, your chest stopped swelling, and your waist stopped hurting, right?”

“Yes.”

Shen Yuan carefully checked her pulse. “Princess Jin used the powder too long, and my prior medicine was too strong. The calming and bl00d-dispersing effects clashed with your powder, making it seem like… a bewitching drug. I’ll adjust the prescription, but don’t use that powder anymore.”

Zhao Beijin hadn’t received a reply from her mother, so she knew Shen Yuan’s actions weren’t noticed by the mansion.

Today, using the cakes as an excuse, she came to ask directly.

“Academic Officer Lin, have you found anything these past few days?”

Shen Yuan asked, “Do you know what your mansion’s perfumer looks like?”

“No, never seen her.” Zhao Beijin thought, what does appearance have to do with it?

“Stunningly beautiful. You probably don’t know where she made powders before, do you?”

Zhao Beijin answered, “I only know she ran a perfume shop in the city. Later, something happened, and it closed.”

Shen Yuan nodded.

“That’s half the truth.”

“What’s the other half?”

“The perfumer, named Yan Huan, ran Yan Huan’s Perfume Shop in Chunyan Lane. Do you know what Chunyan Lane is?”

“No.”

“Chunyan Lane has three flower streets, each with brothels of different ranks. To put it bluntly, it’s where taverns and brothels are.”

Zhao Beijin asked, “How do you know so much?”

“I’m not like you, Princess, raised in a grand mansion. I grew up in streets and alleys, knowing a bit about every trade.”

Zhao Beijin said nothing.

Shen Yuan continued, “Most of Yan Huan’s shop customers were flower street girls. So, she often added aphrodisiacs or mildly toxic, hallucinogenic ingredients to her powders.”

At “flower street” and “aphrodisiacs,” Zhao Beijin’s cheeks flushed red.

Shen Yuan went on, “Prime Minister Tang’s fifth son, Tang Chengyuan, used Yan Huan’s powder and slept for five days in Sangwan House on the flower street. Tang took his son back, then had Yan Huan’s shop sealed for smuggling banned spices. Yan Huan was jailed. When it settled, it was your mother who got her out and brought her to your mansion as the perfumer.”

Shen Yuan added, “Those flower street girls are clever. Compared to running a shop there, being your mansion’s perfumer is far better. A blessing in disguise.”

“So her powder for me had aphro…” Zhao Beijin couldn’t say it.

“Her intent wasn’t aphrodisiac but stimulants. Harmless to men. For women past twenty, no harm either. But she overlooked that these spices worsen discomfort for younger women during their cycles.”

“So my sisters would feel this too?”

“Yes. But there’s a benefit.” Shen Yuan, serious for a moment, grinned mischievously. “It…” She pointed to her chest, “makes this… bigger.”

“Nonsense. What kind of benefit is that?!”

“Well… pleasing to the eye… So, whether to stop your sisters from using it is up to you, Princess.”

“I’ll write to my mother now.”

Zhao Beijin stood to leave.

Shen Yuan called, “Princess Jin.”

“What else?”

“Here…”

Shen Yuan pointed to her chest.

“Though it hinders archery, yours… are quite nice.”

“You!”

“Great disrespect, slap my mouth, I know.” Shen Yuan mimed hitting her face.

Zhao Beijin flung her sleeve and left.

Shen Yuan, pretending to whisper but shouting, “Really quite nice!”