chapter 9

In short, I became Yan Ci’s confidant. He took me to meet his mother, whom everyone called Yan Slave.

She was like a pearl covered in dust-weathered by time, yet her radiance could not be concealed.

I addressed her as Madam, and Madam was truly wonderful. Whenever I had free time, I would help Madam decoct medicine. She was very polite and always said thank you.

There were no longer any servants in Huai Ci Palace, yet Madam still kept everything in perfect order.

There was an osmanthus tree planted in the courtyard. When autumn came, the golden osmanthus filled the air with fragrance. Madam would have Yan Ci shake the tree, while she herself gathered the falling blossoms beneath it.

Madam would pound the osmanthus flowers into hair oil. Noticing my hair was frizzy, she gave me a jar as well.

The next night, while we were out thieving, Yan Ci caught the scent of osmanthus in my hair and asked with interest, “Aren’t you afraid she might poison you?”

I gestured, “The osmanthus hair oil smells lovely. Why would Madam put poison in it?”

“Because she has poisoned people before. The Laundry Bureau sees her as a villain, fears she’ll secretly poison them, and avoids her like the plague.”

I raised my hand to object, “But Madam always says thank you. The people from the Laundry Bureau never say thank you to me.”