Princess Dylaira’s laboratory, not even a month old, looked as though it had been used for about 10 years.
This meant that it was completely disorganized.
“It smells a bit, doesn’t it? I’m researching the effects of consuming Bracken raw and when it’s cooked.”
The princess explained as if making an excuse, but to me, the scent was rather calming, similar to the smell of boiling herbs.
“It’s good, isn’t it? Smells a bit like tea.”
“Well, in the sense that both involve steeping plants in boiling water, they are similar.”
The princess, not seeming to tire in the least, continued talking about the progress of her current research while holding me. She had said I was heavy earlier.
“Oh dear, I’ve been bothering you with things you’re not interested in, haven’t I? It’s a bad habit of mine.”
She moved from explaining why she thought the method of consuming Bracken would affect its efficacy to discussing the reasons it started being used by humans, regional variations in its use, and only then seemed to come back to her senses.
For a normal 3-year-old, this botanical explanation, laden with anthropological knowledge and specialized terms, would have been incomprehensible. The abrupt apology concluded her speech.
“No, it was interesting.”
This wasn’t a lie. I genuinely enjoyed listening to such talks, even if they were hard to understand.
Due to time and ability constraints, I cannot study every field myself. But as life goes on, there comes a need for these kinds of knowledge. Even if I hire experts for the details, I at least need to be able to tell them what I want.
Listening to an expert excitedly talk about their field is an effective way to gain such a level of knowledge.
“But earlier, didn’t you say Bracken doesn’t grow naturally here?”
“Do you remember that?”
If I couldn’t remember a comment from 10 minutes ago, I wouldn’t be fit for a high position. I suppressed a smile at the rare praise. Right, very young children can be admired for remembering something well.
I had forgotten this fact, having spent half my life as a military commander and the other half as the head of a family.
“It’s interesting.”
But I couldn’t say that honestly, so I gave Princess Dylaira the kind of response she would like to hear.
“It’s just like my childhood… Perhaps the princess has a talent in this field too.”
Typical of a scholar, she tried to involve anyone showing interest in her field. The thought of being bombarded with herbalism papers and books made me quickly change the subject.
“Isn’t it a problem for your research that Bracken doesn’t grow here?”
“Ah, yes.”
Fortunately, Princess Dylaira was the type to follow the conversation.
“Yes, it is a problem.”
Seemingly overwhelmed by holding a child nearly four years old, the princess set me down on the desk, so we were eye level while she sat.
“Since it’s not native to the empire, Bracken isn’t used here at all. Naturally, there’s nowhere to buy it… I have been getting some from my homeland, but the quantity is so limited that I can’t conduct enough experiments.”
“Doesn’t it suit the climate here?”
“Yes, Bracken is sensitive to temperature changes… The climate here in the Lertail Empire varies greatly with the seasons.”
That was the answer I was looking for. I blinked innocently.
“Wouldn’t a greenhouse work?”
The princess smiled, perhaps thinking my suggestion was the naivety of a child.
“Building a greenhouse can be quite complicated.”
She was right. Greenhouses are made of glass, and procuring enough glass to build one is difficult. Moreover, building within the palace requires the Emperor’s approval. Princess Dylaira, who had been brought here for her research expertise, would likely find it challenging to exert such influence.
“My grand duke misunderstood my fascination with flowers and has attached five gardeners to Jasper Palace. He even suggested that if I wanted, he could build a greenhouse.”
The duke probably wanted to ensure I could see flowers even in winter. However, as soon as he mentioned it, I thought of Princess Dylaira. Herbalists especially face difficulties in sourcing herbs during winter.
“Shall I lend it to you?”
The princess’s eyes wavered.
“If you could do that, it would be a great help… If we can maintain the temperature, Bracken isn’t too picky about heat or cold.”
“It’s not just for flowers. So, I’ll lend it to you. I have enough gardeners, so it’s okay.”
“How can I ever repay this kindness…”
I smiled innocently and gently held Princess Dylaira’s finger.
“If I can help someone I like, that’s enough for me.”
I noticed her eyes moisten.
Yes, this is enough. There’s no need for immediate reciprocation. As long as I continue to supply Bracken, she will eventually repay this favor. For now, this is sufficient.
I whispered softly to the tearful Princess Dylaira.
“Would you like to be the first guest I invite? I’ll show you the site for the greenhouse.”
“Gladly!”
Her enthusiasm was warm, even though I was only showing her a space, not a greenhouse filled with Bracken.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
