Chapter 987: Chapter 987: Picking Mulberries
Consort Rong pondered, "Are you saying?"
"This servant feels that this sachet might have another use."
"Why not summon the Imperial Physician, Your Majesty, to discern what the herbs inside are used for."
Consort Rong nodded, "Go and summon Doctor Sun."
Doctor Sun was considered one of Consort Rong’s own people.
The eunuch quickly brought Doctor Sun over.
The nanny had already opened the sachet, and did not find any secret marks or names inside, and the herbs within were emptied onto the table.
Doctor Sun carefully identified them, "Inside there are clove, lavender, jujube seeds, dried tangerine peel, valerian, and sandalwood."
"Most of the herbs in here are sleep aids."
Sleep aids? Consort Rong and the nanny exchanged a glance. Generally, only elderly people would find it hard to sleep. There is a saying that goes, ’For the first thirty years you can’t wake up, for the next thirty you can’t fall asleep.’
In the palace, besides the Empress Dowager, the only older folks are the nannies of the various palaces.
But how could the nannies use such a fresh and pretty sachet?
After sending Doctor Sun away, Consort Rong was at a loss and just instructed the nanny to keep an eye out for anyone carrying a similar sachet.
The next day, Ruru found a moment to see Yun Jiao and mentioned that the sachet was lost last night.
She didn’t mention what she heard the previous night or the Fourth Prince pulling her away; since she promised the Fourth Prince, she certainly wouldn’t say anything.
Yun Jiao prepared the herbs and found there were no new pouches left, so she asked Yang Ying, who also had none.
Without hesitation, Yun Jiao took a clean handkerchief, wrapped several herb items inside, sealed it with needle and thread, and then Yang Ying attached a loop for Ruru to hang it in the tent.
Ruru took the handkerchief package back, and Xiao Lu hung it in the tent. That night, Ruru did indeed sleep soundly, even when the Second Princess’s companion got up once at night, it didn’t wake her.
Ruru went to class refreshed the next morning.
After class, she ran over to Xie Heng and whispered, "Brother Hang, after school, shall we go pick mulberries?"
Xie Heng blinked, "Mulberries?"
Ruru nodded vigorously, "Over by the yard where my brother and sister-in-law live, there’s a really tall mulberry tree. She didn’t recognize it at first; it was Xiao Lu who told her."
"The mulberries are all ripe and ready to eat, and a lot have fallen on the ground." She secretly picked one to taste and found it quite delicious.
"I’ve arranged with Brother Qi and You Er to pick some today."
Xie Heng had eaten mulberries before but never picked them himself, so he smiled and nodded, "Alright, let’s go together later."
The Fourth Prince suddenly appeared from behind Ruru, "I want to go too."
Ruru looked back, "Go ahead, but why so loud? You startled me."
After school, Ruru, Xie Heng, and the Fourth Prince, Rong Ying, headed out together.
Approaching the mulberry tree, Xie Heng looked up to see how tall it was. It must have been growing here for many years and was about three or four zhang tall, lush and leafy.
Hanging amidst the leaves were mulberries the length of a finger; some were already ripe and purple-black, others were red, and some were still green.
Xie Heng was just wondering how to pick mulberries from such a tall tree when he suddenly noticed a figure moving at the highest treetop.
Ruru, sharp-eyed, had already spotted the people above and shouted, "Brother Qi, You Er, you went up without waiting for me!"
Qi Er and You Er were each perched on a branch, picking a mulberry and eating it right then, their lips already stained purple from the fruit.
