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Time flew by, and it was already February. The Forsythia in the backyard had begun to show its budding flowers. After a snowfall, the street in front of the house appeared even more desolate. Xing Ruyi had been busy in the back hall since she got up, and it wasn't until after noon that she finally had a moment to catch her breath. Just as she poured herself a cup of tea, she heard someone calling for her outside the door. She shook her head and pouted her pink lips, saying, "You really know how to pick your moments; this is clearly meant to make me thirsty, Xing Ruyi!"
The person outside called her three times before Xing Ruyi finally responded and got up, glaring resentfully at the space under the table as she did so. A snow-white fox emitted a disdainful snort.
"Ah, it's Yu Niang." As soon as Xing Ruyi lifted the curtain, she saw Yu Niang standing outside. Unlike her plain attire during her first visit, today she was dressed quite luxuriously. Looking at her head, the Vermilion Hairpin sparkled brightly, adding an air of elegance to her face.
"Ruyi, please accept Yu Niang's great courtesy. If it weren't for your kindness, Yu Niang would probably no longer be in this world."
"What is Yu Niang doing?" Xing Ruyi hurriedly helped her up. "The Fox Demon cannot accept such great courtesy from Yu Niang."
"You can accept it," Yu Niang smiled, looking radiant. Turning around to call out, Xing Ruyi then noticed that not only was Yu Niang outside, but there was also an old servant and a maid dressed in green, each holding a brocade box.
"This is a token of gratitude for you, my dear lady. It is just a small gesture; please do not refuse," Yu Niang said, signaling for the old servant and maid to place the brocade boxes on the counter.
"Since Yu Niang insists, the Fox Demon will accept it." Xing Ruyi said as she let Yu Niang into the room and took out some freshly ground Rouge from behind the counter to give to Yu Niang. "This is new Rouge I obtained from afar; since you came today, you might as well try it out to see if it's good."
Yu Niang's eyes showed a hint of joy as she pretended to decline but ultimately allowed the maid to take it.
"Look at how happy you are at the corners of your eyes and brows; could it be that something wonderful has happened?" While pouring tea, Xing Ruyi glanced at Yu Niang's face. Her skin was as fair as snow, and her features were filled with spring-like vitality—this was indeed the person before her. Although there were still some acne scars on her face, with the help of Rouge and Face Powder to cover them up, they were hardly noticeable unless one looked closely.
"It’s all thanks to Ruyi," Yu Niang said softly, lowering her head slightly with a hint of shyness on her face. "Not long ago, my appearance was completely ruined. Although I received a wonderful remedy from you, it takes time to see results. Perhaps my husband found me unattractive and gave me a Divorce Paper to leave me. If it weren't for my stubbornness and my concern for my poor child, I would have... would have long been gone from this world."
Xing Ruyi let out a deep sigh.
"Yu Niang" let out a light sigh, and with a shift in tone, she seemed to gain some cheerfulness: "Thanks to the effectiveness of your prescription and the kindness of 'Old Compassion,' I have caught the eye of a gentleman who is willing to take me as a concubine. He even agreed to treat my child as his own. Tomorrow will be the day I go to his household."
"Such fortune for 'Yu Niang' is indeed a blessing."
"It is thanks to you, but if it weren't for your excellent prescription, how could 'Yu Niang' have such good luck?"
"'Yu Niang' is being too modest." Xing Ruyi smiled and noticed that Yu Niang seemed hesitant to speak further, so she asked, "Does 'Yu Niang' have any other concerns?"
"You truly are perceptive; I cannot hide anything from you." Yu Niang leaned slightly and coughed lightly as a cover before continuing: "To be honest, besides expressing my gratitude, I also came to ask for some more winter mulberry leaves. As you know, my husband who sells tofu abandoned me because he found me unattractive. Although my appearance has improved significantly since then, I still have some acne scars. If that gentleman sees them and feels disgusted, what will become of me and my poor child..." Yu Niang spoke, her voice breaking as she began to cry softly.
"It's just a few winter mulberry leaves; they are not precious items that would warrant such tears from 'Yu Niang.'" Xing Ruyi said, then went to the back room to retrieve the box of winter mulberry leaves. When she opened it, a dark mist swirled around the leaves before being absorbed into their veins.
"Here, this is all the winter mulberry leaves I have. Since 'Yu Niang' finds them useful, please take them all."
"Bitao, quickly bring silver for Ruyi." Yu Niang hurriedly cradled the box of winter mulberry leaves in her arms as if it were a precious treasure.
"There’s no need for silver; I previously accepted such a valuable gift from 'Yu Niang.' How could I now ask for your silver?"
"A gift is a gift, and money is money; you should accept it as you see fit." Yu Niang insisted, placing a silver ingot on the counter.
"A whole box of winter mulberry leaves won’t require this much."
"According to your words, does that mean 'Yu Niang's' face isn't worth this silver? Please accept it; once I've settled into my new life and things are better, I will come back to thank you again."
Worried that Xing Ruyi might change her mind, Yu Niang said a couple more words before taking the box and leaving with her servants.
Seeing Yu Niang leave, Xing Ruyi pouted and closed the door.
"Hey, girl, is it really okay for you to do this?"
"Are you bored? If you are, go find me some Musk," Xing Ruyi said, clapping her hands and turning to face the fox lying on the counter.
The White Fox glanced at her lazily and yawned, "If you want Musk, go find it yourself. I'm not your servant."
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