Chapter Nineteen: The Green Tea’s Provocation

If Shen Hezhi truly despised her, he would never allow her to remain in the prince’s residence. Before she arrived, she already knew her brother was there.

Shen Hezhi instructed her to seek out her brother, rather than telling her to leave, which meant that, in his heart, he had not yet come to loathe her entirely.

That was enough.

Cen Changjing was confident she could keep Shen Hezhi in her grasp, just as she had before.

But now…

Cen Changjing left. Since Shen Hezhi had told her to find her brother, that was what she would do.

After she departed, Shen Hezhi opened the door, gazed at her retreating pink silhouette, shook his head, sighed, and closed the door again.

On the desk inside the room was a small note. Shen Hezhi picked it up, tossed it onto the pile of discarded papers, and left the room.

That note was the one Jiang Canxing had given him the day before.

...

Yan Heru was in the courtyard, tending to her medicinal herbs and making a list of those still missing. Cen Changjing, on her way to see her brother, happened to pass by and, seeing Yan Heru in the courtyard, walked in.

Gone was Cen Changjing’s earlier docility—she raised her chin slightly, looking at Yan Heru with an arrogant, imperious gaze. “So you are Brother Hezhi’s princess? I heard you come from a modest family, not even a legitimate daughter, just an unloved concubine-born child?”

Yan Heru ignored her, continuing with her work.

Compared to these herbs in Yan Heru’s hands, Cen Changjing was utterly insignificant.

Yet Cen Changjing would not relent, pressing further, “Why won’t you answer me? Is it because you feel inferior about your origins? If you do, that’s best—after all, you are indeed unworthy of Brother Hezhi.”

Yan Heru still gave her no response. However, recalling how Princess He’an had mentioned a “Sister Jing,” and considering Shen Hezhi’s unusual demeanor today, Yan Heru surmised that this “Sister Jing” must be Cen Changjing herself.

This made Yan Heru question Shen Hezhi’s judgment. How could he be drawn to such a petty schemer? She had believed Shen Hezhi was different from others, but now, perhaps they were all the same.

---

“I’m speaking to you! Answer me!” Cen Changjing reached out and overturned the wooden board where Yan Heru was drying her herbs. The herbs scattered across the ground.

Yan Heru’s hand, poised to turn the herbs, froze midair. Cen Changjing’s action had angered her.

Carefully, Yan Heru set the herbs she was holding onto another board, then began picking up those on the ground. Even if she needed to deal with Cen Changjing, she would never allow this woman to ruin her herbs.

Despite her provocations, Yan Heru neither argued nor retaliated, which only emboldened Cen Changjing.

She lifted a foot and placed it on Yan Heru’s hand as she gathered the herbs, watching her with satisfaction. “You don’t even dare fight back. I suppose your place in this residence is no different from that of a servant.”

Yan Heru looked up coldly at Cen Changjing. That look made Cen Changjing swallow in fear and withdraw her foot, but she quickly reminded herself—why should she be afraid?

“What are you staring at? If you keep glaring at me like that, I’ll dig your eyes out! Mm—”

Cen Changjing managed to finish her threat, but in the next instant, Yan Heru gripped her throat tightly. Yet Yan Heru’s face showed no change, remaining as cold and indifferent as before—much like Shen Hezhi.

This time, Cen Changjing was truly terrified. She clawed at Yan Heru’s hand, but Yan Heru did not let go.

“If you wish to die, I’ll help you.” Yan Heru produced a silver needle, ready to plunge it into Cen Changjing. Suddenly, a flying blade knocked the needle aside, grazing Yan Heru’s face and leaving a thin scar.

Even so, Yan Heru did not release her grip. Cen Changjing’s face was flushed, nearly suffocating.

Yan Heru glanced toward the courtyard gate—it was Cen Changxiao. He rushed in and stood before Yan Heru, furious. “Let go of my sister!”

Yan Heru smiled.

“Let her go? Will you compensate for the herbs scattered on the ground?” Yan Heru asked carelessly, her gaze unsettling Cen Changxiao.

Yan Heru was someone who had weathered life-and-death trials. In the modern era, she had been sought after for her medical skills, yet her reputation had drawn many who wished her dead. The aura she carried was forged amidst corpses.

After all, between her and her enemies, only one could survive.

“These are merely ordinary herbs. I’ll buy them for you. Now release my sister!” Cen Changxiao’s tone softened.

---

But Yan Heru was not appeased, though she did loosen her hold on Cen Changjing.

Cen Changjing collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air as though she had nearly died.

Indeed, Yan Heru had wanted to strangle her, but the aftermath would have been troublesome, and Yan Heru disliked complications—so she let go.

Yan Heru crouched and picked up a particular herb, addressing Cen Changxiao: “Can you find this herb again?”

“Aren’t these just common herbs?” Cen Changxiao scoffed, not even glancing at it, instead moving to help Cen Changjing to her feet.

With someone to back her up, Cen Changjing immediately began to cry. “Brother, I… I really didn’t mean to knock over Sister’s herbs. I just wanted to see what she was doing, but my foot slipped.”

She looked at Yan Heru, guilt tinged with innocence. “I’m truly sorry, Sister. I didn’t mean it. Will you forgive me?”

Yan Heru snorted coldly. “I will not forgive you. Now, both of you must leave at once.”

“Sister, I’m sorry, I…”

“Cen Changxiao, perhaps she doesn’t know what these herbs are for, but you surely do. The herb I showed you just now—there are only two left, and I already used one to prepare medicine. Now, only this one remains,” Yan Heru cut off Cen Changjing’s lament.

She continued, “This is a crucial medicinal ingredient with no substitute. It grows atop barren mountain peaks and is exceedingly rare. You said you would compensate—go find it, then.”

Cen Changxiao was rendered speechless. He knew well what these herbs were for, and that no idlers were allowed in this courtyard. Yet it was his sister who had caused trouble—could he really bring himself to admonish her?

He could not bear it.

“Also, it was not an accident—she overturned them with her own hand,” Yan Heru added.

At this, Cen Changxiao immediately looked at Cen Changjing.