Darkness had just fallen when Shen Yexue made her way into the village, wearing a plain slightly loose blue top with a dark skirt to match.

Her hair was put in a messy updo, the blonde strands framing her delicate face. There was the rough outer cloak with a hood that completed her attire.

She moved through the sea of people, turning her face slightly away from the light burning in front of the street stalls.

Yexue was a regular here, always retiring to drink and talk with the locals after a long day. So she knew which alley to walk down and the tavern where she was more likely to hear gossip that could help her investigation.

She drew the hood of her cloak closer. She was here on official business and not for pleasure. That was what she told herself over and over again as she stepped through the door of the tavern.

The place was louder than Shen Yexue expected. It looked like new merchants were visiting.

Laughter rose in uneven bursts, thick with wine and the carelessness that came with being intoxicated.

The air was heavy with the scent of oil, sweat and something slightly fermented.

No one turned to look at her when she stepped in—she was just another stranger in plain clothes looking for a good time.

Good.

Yexue kept her head slightly lowered and moved towards the far side, where shadows clung to walks and conversations grew louder and more careless,

She slid a few copper coins across the counter as she ordered a drink she had no intention of finishing, before looking at two girls that were sitting at the next table.

They looked like serving girls.

It didn’t take long for their voices to reach Yexue.

"...I’m telling you, he’s not normal."

Yexue’s gaze shifted, just enough to watch them take a swig out of the shared jug in front of them, their voices low but reckless.

"He’s cured Old Chen’s cough in just two days," one said, her eyes going wide. "Two days I said! That man has been wheezing for years, I never thought I’d wake up without him waking me in the middle of the night with his cough."

The other girl scoffed and leaned in. "That’s nothing. My cousin works in the outer palace, she said even the maids sneak out to see him."

Yexue went still.

Palace maids were sneaking out? Could it be the ones ordered by the Empress?

She itched to go closer without seeming too eager to listen to their story.

"For herbs?" the first girl asked, looking at her companion with open curiosity.

The second gave a slow deliberate smile, "for whatever he’s selling."

Yexue picked up her cup, rising as though by idle decision, and walked over to their table. She brought out a few coins from the pouch tied around her waist and placed it down.

"Let me pay for your next jug," Shen Yexue said with the practiced charm she used to disarm strangers. "You look like you’ll need it."

The girls weren’t sure if they should be grateful or be offended. But the first girl immediately took the coins with a smile.

"Well, we can’t refuse your kindness."

Yexue let her smile widen as she sat at the table, but not quite joining them. "You were talking about a herbalist."

She kept her tone light, like the thought had only just occurred to her. "I’ve been looking for someone skilled."

The second girl eyed her with a questioning gaze. "You’re not from here."

Shen Yexue pulled her hood closer. "I’m a traveler in need of remedies."

That was enough. But even then she turned slightly away from them before they could gain any kind of recognition.

Yexue didn’t have to worry. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

The girls turned to her with loosened tongues after drinking the wine left in their jug.

They spoke over each other as they talked about the herbalist that had arrived months before. How his medicines worked too well, and how people spoke about him with contempt but still visited him in secret.

Yexue asked in a quieter voice, "and the palace maids?"

"Oh, they come at night," the first girl answered despite her companion’s signal to keep quiet. "They’re always covered up, thinking we don’t notice. For a moment I thought you were one of them."

Yexue’s fingers tightened around her cup. "Do you know where he stays?"

The girls exchanged a look—then, with another glance at the additional coins Yexue slid their way, they stood up.

"We’ll show you," the first girl answered. "It’s not far from here."

-

-

Soon they were blanketed by the hush of the village night, the noise from the tavern way behind them.

Lantern lights flickered weakly along the narrow path they followed. The girls walked ahead, humming softly under their breath.

"That’s his place," one of the girls said at last, her finger pointing towards a small house. There was no light coming from the single window that was visible to them. "People come and go under the cover of night."

Yexue followed her gaze.

The wooden door was not tightly shut, and low voices slipped through the space.

"Thank you," Yexue said, eyes still on the house.

The girls waved her off and stumbled back the way they came, leaving Shen Yexue alone.

With quiet steps, Yexue made her way to the house. She sighed under her breath when the door opened with a creaking sound.

A single lantern was on a table, highlighting the silhouette of a woman that was slumped on it. The figure raised their hand as if to shoo her away.

"Come back tomorrow, he has closed for the night."

Yexue said nothing as she walked further into the room, her sight immediately adjusting to the dimly lit space.

The woman on the table wore plain clothes, and had a cup hanging loosely from her fingers.

"Didn’t you hear me? I said to come back—"

Her words were cut into a gasp when she turned to see the intruder only to catch a glimpse of Yexue’s hair that had spilled out.

Recognition lit up her face.

The cup slipped from her hand and shattered against the floor. "You—"

Shen Yexue saw the embroidered crest on the robe she was wearing and knew it had to be the palace maid working for the Empress.

Yexue pushed her hood down, the fabric was becoming suffocating. "What are you doing outside the palace grounds?"

The maid hesitated, glancing at another door on the other side of the room.

"Your highness." She performed a bow. "I was asked by the Empress to get herbs."

Yexue followed her arms across her chest. "Don’t we have a royal physician for that?"

"It’s her majesty’s personal business, I’m only here to collect what I was asked," the maid stuttered, keeping her gaze trained to the floor.

She must be here to collect the poison as directed.

"And what herb is it that requires you to be in such a shady place in the dead of the night?" Yexue asked, eyes sweeping through the room.

Different plants were in pots that lined up the walls, the air filled with something metallic and strong. She scrunched her nose up in distaste.

"She didn’t say," the maid replied at the same time the second door opened and an old man walked in.

His robes were tattered, and his dark hair a tangled mess. He certainly did not look like someone Yexue would let come within an inch of her.

"And who are you?" Yexue asked when the old man wobbled over to them, holding a pouch that contained herbs.

A certain smell clung onto him, but Yexue couldn’t figure out what it was. Not that it was offensive, just distinct.

Instead of answering, the old man stretched his hand out to the maid, offering the pouch. "Give this to her lady."

The maid cast Yexue a cautious glance before taking it. "Thank you."

"Leave," the old man groaned before retreating back to where he’d come from. "I’m retiring for the night."

That was strange. No wonder the villagers didn’t take a liking to him outside of the services he provided.

Shen Yexue didn’t make the move to stop him either since she was in her disguise and didn’t want to make a scene. She only filed everything she’d gathered about the man to the back of her mind so she could discuss it later with her sisters.

The both of them walked out of the house and into the night. Yexue turned fully to the maid, "Let me have that."

The panic on the maid’s face was evident. "I was instructed by the Empress—" her reluctance was clear on her face as she looked around, as if the Empress would materialize from thin air and help her.

"I can’t—"

Yexue tilted her head to the side, hand already reaching for the knife under her cloak. Unlike Lieyin she hated resorting to violence. But times like this... her patience was already worn thin.

All she needed was to get the herbs from the girl, make sure it really was poison, and have them all thrown behind bars.

And then maybe...have Ru Yi hold her again in her sleep. She couldn’t wait for all the nightmare to end.

Shen waited a good ten seconds before pulling the knife out. She looked up at the same time the maid threw her hand in the air, the powder that was enclosed in her palm hitting Yexue in the face.