The medicine pot bubbled away, white steam rising in lazy curls.
The little girl had pulled over a small stool and was sitting beside Ye Chutang, obediently nibbling on a Furong Cake.
After finishing one, she stopped and carefully wrapped up the remaining two.
She knew the pastries were from the Xinghua Building and were very expensive. Her family always bought three: one for her and one for each of her two older brothers.
Ye Chutang glanced over. "You don't need to save one for your fourth brother. He got into a fight today, so he doesn't get any."
The little girl's big, dark eyes widened. She looked down at the pastry in her lap, a conflicted expression on her little face.
But in the end, she shook her head. 'Fourth Brother must be tired from fighting! I have to save it for him!'
Ye Chutang hefted the heavy purse in her hand. It was filled with the Silver the attendant had given her earlier.
'Say what you will, rich people are certainly generous.'
'It would be even better if this didn't attract any trouble.'
She ruffled the little girl's hair. "We have money now. What are you being so frugal for?"
The little girl beamed at her, hugging her arm and nuzzling it affectionately.
As the medicinal scent grew stronger, Ye Chutang paused to think, then went to lock the main gate before returning to turn the drying herbs.
A short while later, she heard a sound from behind the woodshed.
Without looking up, she asked, "Back already?"
The noise stopped abruptly.
A moment later, two teenage boys walked out, one behind the other.
The boy in front looked to be about thirteen or fourteen. He was going through a growth spurt, his frame becoming tall and slender. He had a refined, handsome, and gentle air about him.
The one behind him was slightly shorter. His face still held a boyish immaturity, but his features were sharp and striking, hinting at a rebellious, untamed nature.
"Sister."
The boy in front spoke first. The one behind him scratched his head and echoed guiltily.
"...Sister."
Ye Jingyan glanced around the courtyard and asked curiously, "Do we have a patient? It's still so early. Why did you lock the gate, Sister?"
Ye Chutang countered, "Were you two planning on using the front gate today?"
The two boys immediately looked awkward.
Ye Yunfeng coughed loudly, looking even more guilty. "You already know, Sister?"
Ye Chutang replied, "I'd prefer not to, but you picked a fight with the Cao Family's second young master. It'd be difficult *not* to know."
Hearing that name, Ye Yunfeng's expression turned cold. He said angrily, "He had it coming! How dare he—"
Ye Jingyan discreetly pulled him back.
Ye Yunfeng froze, forcing himself to swallow the rest of his words. "...How dare he speak ill of you!"
In truth, Ye Chutang had already anticipated this reason.
Though the brothers, Yan and A Feng, were only a year apart in age, their temperaments were worlds apart.
One was gentle and reserved, introverted and preferring quiet. The other was wild and unruly, with a fierce and unyielding temper.
Ever since their family moved to Jiangling three years ago, A Feng had been in more than his fair share of fights.
Back then, she had been just a fourteen-year-old girl. With two younger brothers who barely reached an adult's waist and an infant sister to feed, they were the easiest of targets for bullies.
In those early days, A Feng would often disappear during the day and return at night covered in injuries, which he stubbornly refused to let her treat.
It was only after Ye Chutang opened her own clinic that their family's situation gradually improved.
Ye Chutang nodded. "How badly are they hurt?"
Ye Yunfeng was naturally strong and sturdy. Though only twelve, he was already like a young leopard. When he fought multiple opponents, Ye Chutang wasn't worried about him getting injured, only that he would go too far.
Ye Jingyan immediately replied, "Don't worry, Sister. They're all just superficial wounds. They'll heal after a few days of rest."
Ye Chutang let out a small sigh of relief. She turned to Ye Yunfeng. "I understand. Tomorrow, you will accompany me to the Cao Family's residence to offer an apology."
Ye Yunfeng looked defiant, but remembering his third brother's earlier warning, he could only bottle up his anger and remain silent.
Ye Chutang paid him no mind. Figuring the medicine was nearly ready, she started walking back.
It wasn't until her figure had receded into the distance that Ye Yunfeng couldn't help but burst out, "It was Cao Chengwu who disrespected you first! And I have to go apologize to him!? It's a miracle I didn't beat him to death today! And that good-for-nothing brother of his dares to have designs on you? Pah!"
Ye Jingyan patted his shoulder.
"This has already caused trouble for our sister. Just do as she says, and remember not to let her hear such foul language."
Ye Yunfeng, feeling both guilty and angry, pressed his lips together. "I know! It's just... I just hate that I'm so useless! That I let Sister suffer humiliation from people like that!"
Just then, the little girl ran over, holding up the Furong Cake with all her might.
'Brother, have a pastry!'
Ye Jingyan scooped her into his arms, and Ye Yunfeng's own ferocious energy subsided.
Remembering the carriage parked by the gate, Ye Jingyan playfully tapped her on the nose.
"Such a good girl, Xiao Wu! Did you keep Sister company while she saw patients today?"
...
Ye Chutang brought the medicine over, then took out a pouch of silver needles.
The hair-thin silver needles glinted coldly in the sunlight.
Aside from providing food and shelter for her younger siblings, the very first Silver she had managed to save was spent on these—the tools of her trade. She couldn't afford to lose them.
Lian Zhou watched the young woman take out the silver needles and couldn't help but worry. 'Those wrists and hands are so fair and slender, they look as if they could shatter with a single squeeze. Can she really perform acupuncture on the Master?'
'What if she makes a mistake...'
Just as the thought crossed his mind, Ye Chutang's needle had already found its mark.
With movements as smooth as flowing water, she successively inserted needles into the center of Shen Yanchuan's brow, the hollow of his sternum, and the fleshy web of his hand.
The entire process was so swift that before Lian Zhou could react, he saw his master's face turn deathly pale. Then, Shen Yanchuan violently coughed up a mouthful of black blood!
"Master!"
Alarmed, Lian Zhou drew his sword with a SWISH and lunged at Ye Chutang!
But before the blade could reach her, Shen Yanchuan spoke, his voice hoarse from coughing. "Lian Zhou, do not be disrespectful to Doctor Ye."
Lian Zhou hastily pulled back his sword, but the sharp wind from the blade still grazed past the side of Ye Chutang's neck.
A loose strand of hair at her temple was silently sliced off, drifting to the floor.
Shen Yanchuan raised his eyelids slightly. He saw that the young woman before him had remained perfectly calm and composed through it all. Her clear, dark eyes showed not the slightest ripple of fear.
It was as if the fact that she had nearly been killed by his sword moments ago meant nothing to her.
"The residual poison has been in your system for a long time, damaging your internal organs. Though I've cleared it for now, you will still need a long period of rest to recover."
Ye Chutang deftly removed the needles, casually tucking the severed strand of hair behind her ear. Her voice was soft as she said,
"You must especially avoid getting angry. Otherwise, if your condition relapses, not even the gods themselves could save you."
Lian Zhou's face went pale, a mixture of embarrassment and guilt. He was just about to speak when he saw that Ye Chutang had already turned and walked out.
He cupped his fist in a salute. "Your subordinate acted impulsively. Please, Master, issue your punishment!"
Shen Yanchuan's coughing subsided. He leaned back against the headboard, closing his eyes to recuperate.
"You were only trying to protect your master. What crime is there in that?"
For some reason, the memory of the young woman's gentle yet barbed words surfaced in his mind, and he couldn't help but chuckle.
'I thought she had a sweet temper, but who knew she was so formidable...'
He murmured softly, then looked at Lian Zhou and added in a half-joking tone,
"Try not to get on her bad side. Otherwise, your master's life will be entirely in her hands."