Seeing that the consort was truly angered, RongCheng unexpectedly pulled Shan Yuan close and embraced his waist, comforting him: "Be not wroth! That child is truly pitiful; perhaps he grew up lacking affection, which is why he is so. If I were to disregard him, he would simply return to his solitude, making no complaint, but I feel I should not do so..."
RongCheng believed that since he had forcibly brought Yan Si here, he bore a greater responsibility toward the boy. He added, "Why don't you, my Yuán, try to open your heart to him? Perhaps he will cling to you even more than to me."
Shan Yuan was not a person who lacked understanding. Although he felt that RongCheng's words were reasonable, his heart still held many reservations. After a period of quiet contemplation, he nodded: "Very well, I shall attempt to do so."
Hearing this, RongCheng grew even more delighted and embraced Shan Yuan tighter. What could be better than harmony within the family?
Meanwhile, Yan Si had just returned to his room and leaped onto the bed, intending to sleep the day away. However, he tossed and turned ceaselessly, unable to find rest.
"How strange." Previously, he would fall asleep the moment he lay down, yet now he could not close his eyes; the image of RongCheng kept appearing, making him wide awake.
Seeing Yan Si restlessly tossing about, Xiao Yi stepped forward and said: "Master, if you cannot sleep, why not get up and engage in some activity?"
"Activity? Like what?" Here, he truly did not know what to do, and he did not wish to go to the pharmacy.
Xiao Yi said, "Even walking back and forth is acceptable. It is better than lying in one spot, which makes it harder to sleep."
Yan Si silently pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Very well."
This was the only recourse left...
In the end, the day passed. The following morning, everything repeated as boringly as before.
After breakfast, Yan Si returned to his bed and sat down in contemplation, wondering if he should go seek out RongCheng.
"But I know not if he is in his chamber? And if I should meet the other person, what should I say?" He felt that neither choice was suitable, yet his feet truly wanted to go.
While Yan Si was still undecided, there was suddenly a clamor outside. Shortly after, Xiao Yi entered to report: "Master, Supervising Official Qióng has come to visit."
"Qióng Liú Yu?" That was the very name who had clearly intended to slight him yesterday! What did he want now? Thinking this, Yan Si immediately shook his head: "I shall not meet him."
Seeing that his Master disliked meeting the man, Xiao Yi naturally did not insist. He was about to go out and dismiss the visitor when the man suddenly rushed straight into the room.
Liú Yu clasped his hands toward Yan Si and bowed respectfully: "Supervising Official, this one came here to make amends, but having waited long and not seeing you emerge, I grew a little anxious. I apologize for rudely intruding thus and beg your pardon."
Yan Si looked at him, slightly frowning with displeasure, and asked: "What does Supervising Official Qióng wish of me?"
Hearing the question, Liú Yu laughed heartily and replied: "This one wishes for nothing, save that I spoke inappropriately to the Supervising Official before. After a night's reflection, I felt I was truly in the wrong, and thus came here to offer my apology."
Yan Si shook his head: "I still do not understand the Supervising Official's meaning."
"It is thus..." The man suddenly stepped toward Yan Si and presented a small cage to be level with his eyes, saying: "This one has a pair of small crickets here that I wish to gift to the Supervising Official, hoping they might help alleviate your boredom."
Yan Si gently shifted his gaze toward the cage. Indeed, there were two small crickets hopping inside, a truly pleasing sight... He silently observed them and pondered for a moment, then shook his head in refusal: "There is no need. If one has done nothing, one accepts no gifts."
His Master had once instructed him thus, and so...
"But, but..." Liú Yu hastily persuaded: "Why say there is no need? Clearly, this one knows I misspoke yesterday and said things I should not have. Even if the Supervising Official holds no grudge, I, myself, cannot forgive my actions. If you do not accept this gift, I fear this one will have to live in remorse for the rest of my days."
The man's slippery tongue truly led Yan Si astray for a moment.
Seeing that the boy had begun to waver, Liú Yu continued: "They are but two small creatures, of little value, yet they serve to relieve sorrow. Why must the Supervising Official refuse?"
It seemed that this man was determined to give the gift today, or he would continue to plead. Seeing him trouble his Master, Xiao Yi interjected: "Master, please accept it. They are but two small creatures, after all."
Only then did Yan Si feel reassured and accept: "Very well, I shall accept this. I thank the Supervising Official."
Having achieved his wish, Liú Yu smiled widely and said: "Then let us regard each other as friends from now on."
"Friends?" Was it truly that simple to become friends?
Knowing Yan Si would not believe it, Liú Yu continued: "A fated meeting is enough to form a bond, let alone that you and I work in the same place? This way, it will be easier for us to assist each other in the future! If the Supervising Official has any questions, simply ask. As long as it is within my capability, I shall surely give my utmost."
"Why is he suddenly being so kind?" Yan Si frowned, looking at the pair of crickets, then at Liú Yu, contemplating for a long while... Thinking of an ill-natured person suddenly turning benevolent did indeed give one cause for apprehension. But RongCheng had been similar before, and moreover, this matter of making a friend was hardly a grand affair.
After a period of careful consideration, Yan Si nodded: "Very well. I shall trouble the Supervising Official for his future care."
Liú Yu smiled and said: "No trouble... no trouble at all... It is I who shall trouble the Supervising Official for his guidance on the art of medicine in the future."
This man... Yan Si truly had nothing left to say, yet the man continued to chatter. Finally, he advised Yan Si that if he felt bored in the future, he should frequently come to the pharmacy. Perhaps the man could be of assistance.
Hearing this, Yan Si merely nodded. Having satisfied his desire, Liú Yu departed with composure.
Xiao Yi, for his part, was somewhat happy to see the relationship between the two suddenly improve, yet he advised: "Master, although that person seems amiable, you should still maintain some vigilance."
Yan Si nodded: "Mhm, I know."
Afterward, he placed the cricket cage on the table and sat down to watch, occasionally poking his finger at the wall of the cage as if to draw the crickets' attention, but they seemed largely uninterested.
Having watched for a long while and grown bored, Yan Si stood up, returned to his bed, and lay down. Before long, he drifted off into a light sleep.