After Drugging the Female Lead with an Aphrodisiac (Ancient-Style Lily Futa) - Chapter 20

The next time Jiang Xiyue appeared was on the Shangsi Festival. By then Lu Qian had rested in the old residence for half a month; her wounds had scabbed over, and A-Yao finally stopped nagging and hovering over her miss every day, terrified that if she blinked Lu Qian would sneak out again.

According to A-Yao, she had run into Jiang Xiyue quite a few times recently—probably picking up a lot of bad luck along the way. That was why Lu Qian said she wanted to stroll by Xuanwu Lake. A-Yao immediately busied herself packing things to help her miss perform the purification rite.

Though it was called a purification rite, by modern custom no one actually stripped naked in broad daylight and jumped into the water to frolic. The practice had become simply picking some orchid grass, dipping it in the lake water, and flicking it over oneself to ward off calamity and illness.

Lu Qian sat under a poplar tree by the lake, watching the shop assistants bustle around selling cakes and pouring tea. Business was thriving. Dao Fang Zhai had always released seasonal specialties, and today—being the third day of the third lunar month—young men and women from the city were out in droves to enjoy the spring scenery at Xuanwu Lake, tread the green fields, and perhaps flirt or exchange flowers while secretly sizing each other up for marriage. It was a prime money-making day, so of course the shopkeeper wouldn’t let it pass. He sent five or six assistants to set up a temporary stall by the lake.

Thus, the still-recovering Lu Qian—having nothing better to do—sat there and effectively kept an eye on the stall.

When the shop’s owner personally watched the stall, the assistants naturally felt greatly honored. They worked with twelvefold energy, shouting their wares so energetically that the little cake-and-tea stand became as lively as a lantern stall on Lantern Festival.

It was at that moment that a group of elegantly dressed noble ladies approached, surrounded by their maids and servants. From a distance Lu Qian spotted Jiang Xiyue among them—more beautiful than any flower. Today she wore a crabapple-red spring robe, with peach-blossom makeup dotted on her forehead. The whole effect made her look like the tenderest blossom of spring, rendering every other woman around her colorless by comparison.

Truly Jiang Xiyue’s usual style. After two glances Lu Qian lost interest and lazily looked away.

The group of official daughters approached in a chorus of sweet, birdlike voices. A fragrant breeze swept past the stall. Jiang Xiyue suddenly halted.

“I’ve walked quite a while and I’m a little thirsty. There’s a stall over there—let’s sit for a bit.” Jiang Xiyue cast a seemingly casual glance at the stall, her face still carrying the faint disdain of noble feet treading on lowly ground.

The other young ladies were all accustomed to exquisite living at home and naturally looked down on this roadside setup with its simple canopy and commoners sitting inside drinking tea. One who considered herself on good terms with Jiang Xiyue frowned toward the stall and said: “Who knows how many people have used those tables, chairs, and cups—it’s filthy. I happen to have some excellent jasmine tea right here. If Second Miss is thirsty, let my maid brew a pot. We can hire a boat, sip tea while enjoying the scenery—wouldn’t that be better than soiling our skirts here for nothing?”

Her words struck a chord with the other ladies. Unfortunately Jiang Xiyue wasn’t impressed. She lifted her chin toward the rear; Guan Ju immediately produced a brocade cushion. Jiang Xiyue spoke without giving the other girl any face: “If you want to go on a boat, go ahead. I’m tired from walking.”

With that she strode straight into the canopy. Guan Ju hurriedly spread the cushion. Jiang Xiyue sat down at a large table as though no one else existed.

The previous occupants of that table had just left. The new customers saw Jiang Xiyue take it first and—seeing her obvious wealth—didn’t dare argue; they quietly moved aside. The assistant coming to clear the cups and plates looked somewhat unhappy. He had overheard every word those young ladies said earlier. Filthy? Their Dao Fang Zhai had famously strict cleanliness standards—from ingredients to staff to every table and chair, everything was checked layer by layer every single day. The owner had long instructed that any used bowls, chopsticks, or utensils must be washed and then soaked in boiling water before being used again. How dare these people open their mouths and slander their cleanliness!

The assistant was inwardly furious, but the owner had also long taught them: when doing business outside, you’ll always meet unreasonable people. Since they took this job, they should let unpleasant words blow past like wind.

Gritting his teeth, the assistant cleared the used cups and plates. Meanwhile the young ladies—though displeased—hid their feelings and had their maids spread cushions before sitting down. The girl whose face Jiang Xiyue had just snubbed looked pale and green by turns. She had wanted to stamp her foot and leave, but ultimately didn’t dare offend Jiang Xiyue. Gritting her teeth, she sat down too. The moment she did she slapped the table and vented: “Where is everyone? Are they all dead? Useless things—won’t even come serve us!”

The assistant had just picked up the menu and was about to approach. Hearing this, his cheeks clenched hard. Remembering his owner was sitting right nearby, he couldn’t let her see him fail to handle even this small matter. He forced a smile and walked over: “Apologies for keeping the honored guests waiting. Here is our shop’s menu—please take a look and see if there’s anything you’d like.”

The menu—printed on fine paper—was placed on the table. The troublemaking young lady had been about to flip it over and scold him for daring to hand it to them instead of reciting the items aloud—when another young lady suddenly let out a surprised sound: “You’re from Dao Fang Zhai?”

The troublemaker looked down and finally noticed the shop name printed on the menu. She read the cake names—Thousand-Green Matcha Cake, Almond-Rain Pudding Frost, Pearl Qiong Juice Tea—and realized these really were Dao Fang Zhai’s exclusive specialties.

Dao Fang Zhai’s reputation was resounding. The moment the assistants heard someone recognize them, they puffed up with pride. Finally—let’s see how these people would keep looking down on them after knowing whose shop this was.

But unexpectedly, after hearing the name, the young ladies exchanged strange looks, eyes flickering. Others might not know, but how could they not know who owned Dao Fang Zhai? Now they finally understood why Jiang Xiyue had suddenly insisted on sitting here—she had come looking for her mortal enemy to stir up trouble.

Immediately several pairs of eyes scanned around and landed on Lu Qian sitting under the tree beside the stall.