I was about to leave until I see a hydrangea on the corner of my eyes. It is lying within a small box next to his vintage arithmetic calculator.
"No way. Hydrangeas!" I point to the box in surprise.
One of my top favorite flowers when I was studying botany. I didn't know they discovered hydrangeas during this era.
He swiftly turns his head to me and say, "You know the identification of these flowers?"
I nod, "Its botanical name is Viburnum Macrocephalum. I presume you found them as rounded, vase-shaped shrubs. Deciduous in winter and evergreen otherwise. The color of the hydrangeas are influenced by the soil pH. I see you have a vibrant pink hydrangea there, which indicates a high pH, or alkaline soil." I think to myself again, "Alkaline substances tend to have pH up to 14, very basic."
Woo hoo! The botanical research and pH studies on plant germination have come to use.
He looks at me with his eyes open, blinking cluelessly. "Well," he coughs, "You are very knowledgeable about this plant. We have just discovered it near the plantations." He indulges in a deep thought before saying, "How about this," he opens the wooden box and exposes the flower to me.
He offers, "If you help me solve a case, I will reward you with the herb you wish for."
My face blossom into a smile as I quickly nod. "Yes, what case?"
Before he was about to speak, his eyes suddenly trace behind me, to the pharmacy's entrance. "Sir Xu?"
Sir Xu?
Oh no, is it who I think it is?
I turn around to see the figure and I was right. Our eyes met for a second until he rests his gaze to Li ShiZhen.
Brocade-clad guard Co-Commander, Xu Kai.
Of course it's him. Darn my fate as a villain!
"Did you identify the plant yet, Scholar Li?" He saunters a few feet towards the counter, to my right. Dressed in his embroidered uniform again, I assume he is under another task.
"Scholar Li?" I ask Li ShiZhen curiously, "Did you pass the civil service exam?"
He scratches his head and laughs nervously, "I failed three times. The title masks my failure as a student. That's not the point though." He faces Xu Kai again, "I did not. This Miss has a clue, to my chagrin."
Xu Kai glances at me, "You?" He seems conflicted and doubtful of my abilities.
I gulp down and nod. "Yes, me."
He frowns and his brows furrow, "She cannot."
I open my mouth in shame of his comment, "I can!"
Xu Kai sighs and gives me an ice cold gaze. It would have sent shivers down someone's spine, "This mission is far too dangerous for Miss Yuan to attend to, let alone get involved in. Should Master Yuan deem fault, the blame will be on me."
I shake my head, "You guys need me. I am the only one who is knowledgeable of this plant; if I am involved, you can efficiently and conveniently solve this crime. And finally, my family is least concerned with my life, if I should say."
His lips twitch into an unsatisfied frown. I can observe that he is facing a dilemma due to his facial expressions. "Fine. Should anything happen to you, don't cry on the way to your Manor."
I grin widely, "Thank you, thank you!"
My only savior to return home!
I still have a string of hope; I am so glad.
The next few days, they introduce and familiarize me with the confidential case.
"Recently, there has been anonymous imports and exports of items into the Hubei province. Although the exchange of goods proceeds, the rural villages seem to suffer more than they gain," explains Li ShiZhen in the table. We are all sitting down and engaging in a conversation within the pharmaceutical store.
May the adventure and case solving begin!
Following the introduction and history of the villages, we took a trip to examine the village's conditions. In order to reason with the Yuan family, I had Xiu Ning tell Madam and Master Yuan that I am paying pardons for my unfortunate deeds in a temple. They seem to be satisfied at the fact that I am asking for forgiveness and saving the Yuan household's face.One thing I am fine with is the fact that Madam and Master Yuan can care less about Yuan Zi Yan's whereabouts. That is convenient and easygoing!
"Take a look at this." Li Shi Zhen hands me a catalog with ancient Chinese words I cannot comprehend."I cannot read-" I pause before continue, "I don't favor reading. I usually meticulously observe my evidences." I subconsciously laugh to express my incongruous emotions.Xu Kai's eyes are shoot
We had our dinner by sharing a wild rooster. Li Shi Zhen said that he caught it in the wild, but by the looks of it, it was Sir Xu who hunted the rooster.All of the tents as well as the bonfire is set up now.Xiu Ying insists on preparing the sleeping tent as comfortable as possible for me whil
When everything seemed quiet and everyone seems to have fallen asleep, I sought to finally join too.After some time, I hear ruffles and the shuffling sound of bushes. My eyes immediately open and the sound of swords clashing surprise me, causing me to stand up."Miss, do you hear that?" I nod,
We stay on the low for the rest of the night in the rural village.By the time it was morning, we hurry into another horse carriage and head back to the city through another route. It should be safer this way, as it is a secret route.. at least according to Co-Commander Xu Kai.Inside the carria
I take a deep breath as I stare at the jade bottle.Am I an idiot?Why can't I stop thinking about him? Is this what the scientists mean when they say your brain is controlled by
"One gram?!" I unsatisfactorily cough out."Our Elder Miss almost died and you only give her one gram worth of the herb?" Xiu Ying shakes her head in disappointment.If it isn't because I haven't heard of this ancient plant before, I would've searched for it m
It's the gaze again.His eyes are dark and mysterious, with no hint of transparency. He breaks the prevalence of the gaze by tilting his head back in the neutral position, facing the rooftop.Li Shi Zhen comments o