Yi Qing took out the things she had prepared for Ran Ran from the basket and taught her how to use them.
Ran Ran's face turned as red as a boiled crab.
Yi Qing, however, remained calm. "There's no need to be shy. This is a necessary stage for a girl to become a woman, and it will accompany you for decades. You're most vulnerable during this period, so you need to learn to protect yourself."
Although Ran Ran was still shy, she nodded seriously. "My mother told me something yesterday, but it's different from what you said, sister-in-law. My mother said to use plant ash and not let others see... But I'll listen to you."
Yi Qing smiled. "Good girl. Remember, your own comfort is the most important thing."
"Okay."
Yi Qing added, "Is Xu Maozhi still pestering you?"
Ran Ran lowered her head. "He came this morning to ask if I was feeling unwell and I scolded him away. Sister-in-law, there's really nothing between us. I..."
Yi Qing interrupted her. "When a man reaches a certain age, he should get married, and when a woman reaches a certain age, she should be betrothed. Xu Maozhi became famous at a young age and is well - known throughout the world. His reputation is far better than your elder brother's. It's only natural if you like such a person."
"Sister-in-law, I don't..." Ran Ran was so nervous that she couldn't speak properly.
"I didn't say you like him, but if you do, whether it's him or someone else, as long as they have good character, I'll support you," Yi Qing said.
Just as she supported herself and Xiao Tian.
"Sister-in-law," Ran Ran lowered her eyes. "My mother will be angry. My mother... because of what happened in the past, values reputation very highly and is very strict with me."
Once bitten by a snake, one is afraid of a rope for ten years.
Madam Fan lost her own reputation, so she didn't even dare to recognize her grandson. So this kind of loss was somewhat transformed into strictness, even harshness, towards Ran Ran.
Yi Qing said, "We're not saying that we must go against the world. Arrangements like the order of parents and the words of matchmakers can all be artificially arranged. You're a grown - up girl, so I want to tell you that it's not shameful to like someone. You can secretly tell me, and I'll help you figure it out. Hehe."
"Okay." There was still a blush on Ran Ran's face, but she showed a bright smile like a young girl. "Sister-in-law is so kind. But I really, at least for now, don't like Xu Maozhi. He's too stupid."
Yi Qing covered her mouth and snickered. "Maybe he's only stupid in front of you."
"He said such things about you, sister-in-law, and you're not angry with him. But even if he knew the truth, he wouldn't appreciate it. Just thinking about it makes me angry. It seems like he's deliberately against our family!" Ran Ran said angrily. "I've told my mother that you're not such a person. Guard Xiao is actually not a bad person. How could he do such a thing! But it's impossible to reason with him. I'm so angry."
"As long as you do things uprightly, you'll have nothing to fear," Yi Qing said calmly. "Let him investigate. I don't know about that period, but if your elder brother was really killed by someone, I also hope to know the truth."
After a while, Xiao Tian came looking for them.
Although Ran Ran was angry, she still saluted him and thanked him. Her tone was a bit awkward. "Although what you did yesterday was wrong, you meant well. Thank you."
Xiao Tian turned his head away proudly. "I just didn't want Yi Qing to worry."
Yi Qing said, "Come on. The little girl has taken the initiative to show kindness. Don't be so arrogant! Ran Ran, ignore him. Baozi goes back and forth every day. If you have anything to say, write a note and let him bring it back. I'll ask Baozi to bring you hot soup these days. Remember to drink it all."
"No, no." Ran Ran waved her hands repeatedly. "Baozi is still young. Don't let him get scalded. Sister-in-law, just give me a recipe. I can make it myself."
"No matter how hard - working you are, you should take a few days off every month. That's settled. I'm leaving." Yi Qing said firmly and waved to her. "Oh, right. I'm entering the palace tonight. Do you want to go and have some fun?"
"No," Ran Ran hesitated for a moment and then shook her head. "My mother won't let me go out at night. Besides, I'm afraid of making a fool of myself."
"Silly girl. So what if you make a fool of yourself? Just laugh it off at the moment. Who will remember it later?" Yi Qing said. "Okay. You're not feeling well today. I'll definitely take you next time. Let's go."
If she didn't leave now, the emperor's messenger would probably arrive at the mansion to deliver the imperial edict.
Ran Ran watched her leave. She seemed to want to hold Xiao Tian's hand, but was rejected. The wind brought her clear laughter.
Ran Ran thought that such a woman, who was open - hearted about love and hate and yet delicate - minded, couldn't be a murderer. Her elder brother had too little interaction with her. It was her elder brother's bad luck.
After Yi Qing returned, she soon received the emperor's imperial edict as expected.
Yi Qing disguised Zi Su. "Don't move, don't move. I'll apply another layer. Then you'll look more like a man."
In her palm was the "color - enhancing paste" she had prepared. Zi Su's face was now obviously two shades darker, but Yi Qing still thought it wasn't enough.
Zi Su dodged her hand. "That's enough. If that person doesn't come, no one can recognize me. If that person comes, even if you paint me as black as the bottom of a pot, he'll still recognize me."
"Xiang Beizheng?"
"You'd better not mention his name," Zi Su said. "His name is a taboo in Southern Xinjiang, just like the taboo on the emperor's name."
"I'm not from Southern Xinjiang. Names are meant to be called, aren't they?" Yi Qing rolled her eyes. "In our Central Plains, only animals don't have names!"
Zi Su was amused by her, but then said, "I'm not worried that the emperor will make things difficult for you because of me. After all, there's still Xiao Tian. But if Xiang Beizheng knows that it was you who saved me back then, he'll probably grind your bones to ashes."
"Oh, I'm so scared." Yi Qing rolled her eyes. "Who does he think he is! I can protect myself. If I can't, there's still Xiao Tian. What am I afraid of?"
Zi Su took a deep breath. "You're right. One has to consider the owner when beating a dog. He'll be afraid of the Central Plains and the Xiao family army behind you."
Yi Qing, who had been degraded to a dog, said angrily, "Yes. The Xiao family army won't be at my disposal, but if I die, they'll still avenge me. So you just stay by my side obediently. Let's see what Xiang Beizheng can do to me!"
Although she said so, for the sake of entering the palace, Yi Qing still packed several sachets of medicine - all kinds of poisons, itching powder, and chili powder for self - protection!
But when she gave them to Zi Su, the latter disliked them. So she hung four bulging sachets on herself and swaggered into the palace.
"This isn't appropriate, is it?" Zi Su hesitated.
"I'm originally a country girl. Even if I dress up like a fairy, the picky people will still say that I'm imitating blindly and a fool. This is called returning to nature," Yi Qing said confidently, leaning against the side wall of the carriage.