Chapter Seventeen: Sneaking Out of the Mansion

As the fireflies and pearls closed the door, Su Li Luo sat quietly for a few seconds. Once the sounds outside faded into silence, she hurried over to the bedside, reached beneath her pillow, and quickly retrieved what she sought.

In her hand was a small blue booklet—plain in appearance, yet remarkable within. This was the medical compendium Su Li Luo had brought back from the ancestral hall, which she had left under her pillow these past few days due to other pressing matters.

She leafed through several pages, her interest gradually piqued. Straightening her posture, she let her fingertips glide over the fragile sheets. After a quarter of an hour, she came upon several entries that caught her eye and murmured, “Carrying a few poisons might prove useful, just in case.”

She read those pages carefully, memorizing the recipes, then closed her eyes to digest the information and put the book back in its place.

Several names of medicinal ingredients floated in her mind, but a sigh escaped her lips and a slight furrow creased her brow. She possessed none of these herbs—she would have to find a way to leave the house.

Resolute, Su Li Luo rose early the next morning, taking Liu Zhu with her for a stroll through the garden. Liu Zhu was surprised, “Miss, you never visit the garden. This is most unusual.”

Su Li Luo offered no reply, guiding Liu Zhu deep into the garden until they reached a corner of the wall. There stood a water vat, half-filled with clear water—likely used to irrigate the flowers.

She clenched her fists, her determination unnoticed by Liu Zhu, who asked curiously, “Miss, why have we come here?”

“Don’t ask questions. Help me move this vat,” Su Li Luo encouraged herself silently, gripping one side of the vat and positioning Liu Zhu on the other. Glancing behind to ensure no servants were approaching, she saw not a soul and turned her attention to the task.

Liu Zhu obeyed, exerting all her strength, but the vat did not budge an inch. Su Li Luo’s eyes darted about, then an idea struck her. Raising her voice, she said, “Liu Zhu, pour out the water!”

They worked together, pushing the vat forward while holding back just enough force. Once half the water spilled out, they righted the vat.

“Miss, what exactly are you trying to do?” Liu Zhu tilted her head, her eyes filled with confusion. She could not fathom Su Li Luo’s odd behavior.

“Just follow me. Asking questions will do you no good. If I didn’t have to bring someone along, I wouldn’t choose you, silly girl,” Su Li Luo sighed.

Before deciding, Su Li Luo had paced her room, troubled about whom to bring. In the end, she settled on Liu Zhu.

“Hurry, if we’re discovered, neither of us will escape punishment,” Su Li Luo instructed, moving the vat aside. Liu Zhu spotted a small opening in the wall, gasped, and finally understood Su Li Luo’s intention.

Clutching her handkerchief, she pointed to the hole, unable to form a coherent sentence, “Miss…you’re going to sneak out?”

“Hush! Do you want us caught, so Madam can lock us both away?” Su Li Luo flicked Liu Zhu’s forehead, her eyes hinting at disappointment—Liu Zhu was far too excitable.

Su Li Luo led the way through the dog hole, but her hips became stuck. Sweat beaded on her brow as she called urgently, “Liu Zhu, don’t just stand there—push me through!”

Liu Zhu hesitated, but Su Li Luo’s pleading made her act, “Alright, I’ll do it right away.”

Liu Zhu used all her strength, yet Su Li Luo did not move. Frustrated, Su Li Luo pressed her head, anxiety in her eyes, “Liu Zhu, hurry! If Madam finds us, we’re doomed.”

Sensing the gravity of the situation, Liu Zhu mustered all her strength. With a cry, Su Li Luo stumbled forward, while Liu Zhu anxiously asked through the opening, “Miss, are you alright?”

Brushing dust from her clothes, Su Li Luo waved dismissively, “I’m fine, come out quickly.”

Liu Zhu, being petite, slipped through easily. The two hurried to tidy their attire and made their way to a bustling street. Su Li Luo gazed at the pharmacy before her, its entrance shielded by a gray-black curtain, patrons coming and going in a steady stream.

Without hesitation, Su Li Luo entered with Liu Zhu, approaching the shopkeeper, “Sir, I’d like to purchase some herbs. Do you stock everything here?”

“What herbs does the young lady need? Ours is the largest pharmacy in the capital. Forgive my frankness—if we don’t have it, no other pharmacy in the city will,” the shopkeeper replied, stroking his beard with pride.

Su Li Luo nodded, “May I borrow pen and ink?” The shopkeeper was momentarily taken aback, but quickly agreed. Without ceremony, Su Li Luo pulled out a sheet of paper and, dipping her brush in ink, wrote down the ingredients she required.

A quarter of an hour later, Su Li Luo held a freshly written prescription in her hands, blowing gently on it. “Sir, these are what I need. Please gather them for me as soon as possible.”

The shopkeeper glanced at her list, his earlier dismissiveness fading. He called for an assistant, “Show the young lady to a guest room while I find the herbs.”

The assistant led Su Li Luo and Liu Zhu to a private chamber. The shopkeeper headed upstairs, entering a room. When the time it takes for half a stick of incense to burn had passed, he emerged, straightened his posture, and returned downstairs.

Seated in the room, Su Li Luo sipped her tea. Beside her, Liu Zhu was restless, sweat beading on her forehead, her feet fidgeting as if plagued by ants, yearning to flee.

“Are you frightened? If so, go back now,” Su Li Luo said quietly, awaiting Liu Zhu’s answer with lowered eyes. If Liu Zhu truly wished to leave, there would no longer be any need to mentor her.

Liu Zhu shook her head, afraid Su Li Luo would doubt her, waving her hands vigorously, “Wherever Miss is, so am I. Miss, it’s been a while—why hasn’t the medicine been prepared yet?”

As soon as she finished speaking, someone knocked at the door. The shopkeeper’s deep voice sounded, “Miss, the herbs you requested are ready.”

Su Li Luo stood up in delight, seeing the needed ingredients placed on the table. “Thank you, sir. How much silver?”

The shopkeeper quoted a price, and Su Li Luo’s expression changed subtly—it was not what she had anticipated.

He quickly explained, “My master is in the shop today. Since you and he are connected by fate, I’ve given you a discount.” Su Li Luo was half convinced, but the hour was growing late. She paid and hurried out with Liu Zhu.

From a window upstairs, half-open, a pair of deep, contemplative eyes watched the two depart.