Spring Hearts Stirring

"Ah!" Flustered and panicked, Cynthia Wu stumbled right into someone's arms. Looking up, she realized it was Lily Evans.

"Lily, w-what are you doing here?" Cynthia nervously tugged at her sleeve, trying to act calm.

Lily glanced at Cynthia, then at the group of young nobles in the pharmacy, and replied, "Nothing much, Lucky and I were just strolling through the market and happened to pass by. Cynthia, did you sell your herbs yet?"

"I did." Cynthia brushed her hair back, steadying herself.

"What did you just give to Mr. Liu?" Lily asked, a bit uneasy. After all, if word got out that a young woman was giving things to a man in private, it could harm her reputation.

"It's nothing, just a sachet my dad made to ward off snakes and ants. Lots of folks in our village buy our sachets and wear them when they go to the fields, so they don't have to worry about snake bites. Last time Mr. Liu got bitten by a snake, remember? He said, 'Once bitten by a snake, you'll fear ropes for ten years.' I just ran into him, remembered that, and happened to have a spare sachet, so I gave him one. They're not worth much anyway." Cynthia tried to sound calm, but her flushed face betrayed her true feelings.

Lily secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, Cynthia only gave Howard Liu a sachet sold by the Wu family—not something personal like a handkerchief or a purse. Even if it got out, it wouldn’t matter. After all, plenty of men and women in the village wore Wu family sachets; they weren’t private keepsakes.

It seemed Cynthia might be lovestruck, but at least she hadn’t lost her head entirely.

"Since you’ve sold out, let’s head back to the village together," Lily suggested.

Cynthia nodded and walked with Lily, Lucky, and Mark Hunter toward the city gate.

When Cynthia Wu left, Benjamin Zhang jumped up from his chair in the pharmacy, snatched the medicine packet from Howard Liu’s hand, and grinned, "Hey, Liu, was that your lifesaver just now?"

Howard Liu dropped his gentlemanly act, slouched into a chair, and replied nonchalantly, "Yeah, that was her. I was hiking in the mountains the other day and got bitten by a venomous snake. Luckily, I ran into her and her dad—he’s a country doctor and managed to save me."

"Tsk tsk, a scholar and a beauty—how interesting!" Benjamin Zhang tossed the medicine packet in the air, teasing Howard Liu.

Howard Liu curled his lip. "Come on, Benjamin, don’t start with that nonsense. I’m a proper young master—how could I be interested in some country girl? She saved my life, so I’m just being nice to her, that’s all."

Benjamin Zhang burst out laughing. "True enough. There are so many girls at The Velvet Room hoping for you to buy their freedom—why would you bother with a country girl?"

After joking, Benjamin Zhang squeezed the medicine packet, watching Howard Liu’s expression closely.

Howard Liu kept up his indifferent attitude, clearly not taking Cynthia Wu to heart.

Benjamin Zhang’s mind started to wander. He had a soft spot for pretty village girls, and Cynthia Wu was quite attractive. He said, "Hey, Liu, if you’re not interested in that country girl, why not let me have a little fun with her?"

Howard Liu burst out laughing. "Go ahead, Benjamin. She’s from Clearwater Village, named Cynthia Wu. She only has her dad—no brothers or anyone else at home."

Benjamin Zhang patted Howard Liu’s shoulder, handed the medicine packet back, and laughed, "You’re a real pal! Come on, let me treat you to drinks at Savory House!"

Just as Benjamin Zhang, Howard Liu, and their group stepped out of the pharmacy, they saw Samuel Evans standing outside.

Samuel Evans glanced back, shooting a look at Helen Parker and May Parker who were hiding in the nearby alley, signaling them to stay hidden and not get caught. Then, he put on a fawning smile and bowed to Benjamin and the others. "Gentlemen, may I ask where you’re headed?"

Benjamin Zhang sneered and shoved Samuel Evans aside. "We’re heading to Savory House! You’re just a poor country bumpkin—think you can afford it? Get out of the way!"

Samuel Evans flushed bright red, watching helplessly as Benjamin Zhang and the others disappeared from view.

Helen Parker came out arm-in-arm with May Parker, who stared dreamily at Howard Liu. She’d never seen a scholar so fair and handsome before!