Chapter Eighty-Six: Exploring the Cave

This herb is called self-heal; it is best gathered at this time of year, Wei Ruo explained.

Self-heal? What is it used for?

Self-heal works wonders in treating scrofula. Because scrofula has such a high fatality rate, self-heal is quite precious and valuable. Yet it looks utterly ordinary, no different from wild grass. In summer, its flowering spikes resemble withered weeds, and so it was named. For the very same reason, people often overlook it.

I never would have guessed that something so plain-looking could be so useful, Xie Ying said, crouching down to help Wei Ruo gather it.

Besides, self-heal can also be used to make a cooling herbal drink. Boil it with lotus leaves and slender bamboo leaves, and you get a very pleasant summer beverage, Wei Ruo added.

Wei Ruo, you can make herbal drinks too? Xie Ying asked.

Making them is very simple. Just put the ingredients in water and boil them together; there is nothing much to it. I also know how to make herbal jelly and tortoise jelly. Those are a little more complicated, but they are all excellent things for cooling the body and dispelling summer heat, Wei Ruo said.

Wei Ruo, you really are a treasure! I want to take you home and hide you away!

From the side, Xiu Mei could not help saying, Miss Xie, kidnapping someone is against the law. If you want to take my young lady back, I’ll have to report you to the authorities!

Xie Ying pouted. With you here, how am I supposed to take your young lady away? How about I give you money, and you help me kidnap her instead?

Xiu Mei immediately asked Wei Ruo, Young lady, Miss Xie says she’ll pay me. If she pays enough, can I think about it?

Wei Ruo nodded. You may consider it. If the reward is high enough, I could consider cooperating and letting myself be taken away, then we split the spoils fifty-fifty.

Xiu Mei agreed at once. Yes, yes! And after we get the silver, I’ll go to the Xie residence and rescue you, young lady!

Xie Ying stared at them in disbelief. You two are shameless! Plotting against my silver right in front of me!

As she spoke, she raised her hand as if to throw the self-heal she had just picked at Wei Ruo, but after looking at it twice, she could not bear to part with it. Instead, she changed direction and flung it heavily into Wei Ruo’s medicine basket.

Standing several paces away, Xie Jue could not help laughing as he watched the three girls roughhouse and tease one another.

This Miss Wei truly was a clever and lively one. No wonder she could keep his willful younger sister in check.

After walking a little farther, Wei Ruo spotted a cave.

Curious, she moved toward it, but Xie Jue hurried to stop her. Sister Wei, don’t go over there. That cave is dangerous.

Dangerous? Wei Ruo turned and looked at him in confusion.

The caves in this area are large and deep, and some of them have complicated interiors. I’m worried there may be wild beasts, or snakes, rats, insects, and the like inside, Xie Jue explained.

Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Xie, but I still want to take a look. Rest assured, my maid is skilled, and we have experience dealing with snakes, rats, and insects. If we do run into trouble, we can handle it.

Xie Jue believed her, but for safety’s sake, he still decided to go in with them.

I’ll follow behind you. If anything dangerous happens, I can help right away, Xie Jue said.

Then I’m going too, Xie Ying said, striding forward.

Xie Jue quickly caught her arm. Yingying, what are you going there for?

If all of you are going, why can’t I? I’m very capable too.

Though Xie Ying had never studied martial arts, she was highly skilled at riding and archery, far more capable than the average sheltered young lady.

But there may be snakes, rats, insects, and the like in there. Aren’t you afraid? Xie Jue asked.

If Wei Ruo isn’t afraid, why should I be? Xie Ying said without the slightest trace of timidity.

If Yingying is going, I have an ointment here to repel insects and vermin, Wei Ruo said at once, taking a porcelain box from the pack she had brought.

After twisting open the lid, they saw a pale yellow, waxy salve inside.

Wei Ruo rubbed the pad of her index finger over the salve, then applied it to Xie Ying’s wrists and behind her ears.

Xie Ying lifted her wrist to her nose and sniffed. It smells so nice. There’s a faint fruity scent, sweet and really pleasant.

Mm. I specially blended the fragrance. I’ve been learning perfumery from the master lately, so I used it here as well. The original ointment had a noticeable medicinal smell that was a bit unpleasant, Wei Ruo explained.

Putting knowledge to use—you’re amazing, Wei Ruo! Xie Ying could not help praising her again.

Behind her, Xie Jue was equally astonished. Miss Wei truly was fascinating, brimming with hidden treasures that seemed impossible to exhaust, always able to surprise others in one way or another.

He looked at Wei Ruo with admiration and approval, an unconcealed smile touching his face.

Wei Ruo, could you give some of that ointment to my brother too? I’m worried he might get bitten by insects as well, Xie Ying asked.

Wei Ruo simply pressed the entire box into Xie Ying’s hands. Then this is for you.

For me? What about you? Xie Ying asked.

I still have more. I made several boxes at once, Wei Ruo replied.

Then that’s fine! Xie Ying did not stand on ceremony any longer. Taking the ointment from Wei Ruo, she turned and handed it to Xie Jue.

I’ll just put a little on you. Use it sparingly, and when you’re done, you have to give it back to me.

All right, all right, Xie Jue answered with a smile.

After all four of them had applied the insect-repelling ointment, they entered the cave together.

Xie Jue walked in front, shielding the three young ladies behind him.

The cave was rather narrow, with a winding path. After walking for a while, Wei Ruo said, Let’s go back out. This isn’t the cave I’m looking for, and the passage is too narrow with branches leading off in different directions. If we keep going, it may be dangerous.

Xie Jue and Xie Ying did not know the reason, but since Wei Ruo had said so, they did not linger. They turned around and withdrew from the cave.

Once outside, Xie Jue asked Wei Ruo, What sort of cave are you looking for, Sister Wei? I played often in this area when I was young, so I know it somewhat. Perhaps I can help you.

Seeing the seriousness on his face, Wei Ruo thought for a moment, then stated her requirements: I want a cave with a large space, and with a suitable temperature inside—warm in winter and cool in summer.

Large space, warm in winter and cool in summer...

Xie Jue considered it carefully. Following this path farther up toward the mountainside, there seems to be a cave that matches your requirements.

Do you remember the way, Young Master Xie? Wei Ruo asked quickly.

Mm, I do. I’ll lead the way, he said.

Thank you, Young Master Xie, Wei Ruo said gratefully.

There’s no need to be so polite with me, Xie Jue said, smiling gently at her.

After the formalities were exchanged, Xie Jue went to the front and led Wei Ruo, Xiu Mei, and his younger sister toward the mountainside.

After circling around several large rocks, a broad cave mouth appeared before them.

As before, Xie Jue walked in front, with the three girls following behind.