Chapter 127: Big Brother, Time to Drink Your Medicine

Chapter 127: Da Lang Took the Medicine

Thinking of these things.

Chen Yi did not go out to argue with this Miss Cui.

His purpose in making this trip was solely to awaken Chen Yunfan, without intending to involve himself in other matters.

Li Huagu was, in fact, rather displeased. “Xiao Zong, her words…”

Before he could finish, Chen Yi raised his hand to interrupt. “The daughter of the Cui family of Qinghe has her own grounds to stand on. Not to mention the physicians of the Chengdu region. Even I and Li Huagu, we likely do not look upon her with much favor.”

Li Huagu, upon hearing this, straightened slightly and bowed his head with a bitter smile. “Xiao Zong, forgive me for causing you distress.”

He had, after all, heard of the Cui family of Qinghe and knew that the current head of the Cui clan, Cui Mei, was one of the Nine Ministers. In terms of influence and reputation, she stood among the upper echelons of the Northern Wei dynasty. The children of the Cui family, naturally, had their share of pride.

Yet, since it was he who had invited Chen Yi to the door, and since Chen Yi had brought a physician from the pharmacy, the slight he had endured was not entirely unjust.

Chen Yi smiled and offered some consolation to the two men, then fell silent, his gaze fixed on the outside.

His eyes flickered with a faint light.

After observing the aura of the Cui family’s women, his expression shifted slightly.

The three women’s qi energy was like clouds and mist, with rosy light surrounding them.

The lead among them, this Miss Cui, was even more remarkable.

At this point, Chen Yi suppressed his spiritual sense and thought to himself: “Middle third-tier realm. How…”

These individuals, hailing from ancient, powerful clans that had cultivated their legacies for generations, were none of them wasteful with their energy.

Compared to them, the young disciples of the Cold Gate, in terms of knowledge and martial arts, were indeed rather weak.

At that moment, the Miss Cui seemed to have heard the two men’s conversation. She glanced toward the hall and spoke calmly:

“Chun Ying, your younger brother, now the top scorer and the youngest deputy chancellor of the Civil Affairs Department, would inevitably attract certain individuals with ill intentions.”

“When I leave, you must take good care of him, and not be careless.”

Chun Ying sensed the implication in her words, her face showing reluctance. “This…”

“If it happens again, even if you are near Yunfan, I will not spare you so easily.”

The Cui family’s Miss did not wait for Chun Ying’s response. She led her group away.

Chun Ying paused, then followed them out.

Inside the hall, Chen Yi and Li Huagu had heard the exchange clearly.

“Xiao Zong, this…”

Chen Yi raised his hand again to interrupt. “Xiao Zong, let him wait. Let’s see what he’s capable of.”

The group had not gone far.

With their martial arts cultivation, they could certainly hear their conversation.

If Li Huagu had spoken inappropriately behind someone’s back, and that obvious outsider, this Miss Cui, had overheard it, there might be some complications.

After Chun Ying returned, Chen Yi, Li Huagu, and Ma Liang left the side hall.

“Xiao Zong, forgive me. Miss Cui has such a nature. Her character… well, she’s not a bad person.”

Chun Ying led Ma Liang toward the chambers, her voice low as she offered an apology.

Chen Yi smiled. “It’s of no consequence.”

When they arrived at the chambers, they saw Chen Yunfan lying calmly on the bed, clad in light inner garments. His face was flushed, his breath steady, as if he were sleeping soundly.

Chen Yi took a moment to observe him, and a smile spread across his face.

No matter how his elder brother had hidden his martial arts, in the end, he had been bested by Chen Yi.

He wondered what expression he would wear upon waking.

It would probably be quite interesting.

At that moment, Chun Ying looked at the three of them and bowed her head slightly. “Please, if you would.”

Chen Yi waved his hand dismissively. “No need for courtesy.”

He then signaled Ma Liang to attend to Chen Yunfan.

Ma Liang, the famed “Divine Healer” who had mastered the art of deception for years, pretended to examine the pulse, fluttered his eyelids, and performed a series of operations.

After about a minute, he sighed in relief, stood up with a smile, and bowed to Chen Yi and the others:

“The pulse of the Deputy Chancellor is stable, his body is healthy, and there is no serious harm.”

“As for his current state, he has likely been poisoned by a strange toxin.”

“A poison?”

Chun Ying’s expression faltered, then she quickly said, “I do not know if my younger brother has ingested any poison!”

She knew the reason her brother had been in a coma since that night—he had been dosed and knocked unconscious.

Upon hearing Ma Liang’s words, she felt a surge of emotion.

Li Huagu, however, looked grim.

If news of Chen Yunfan being poisoned reached the streets of Chengdu, it might cause unrest.

Thinking this, he asked, “What kind of poison is it? Could it endanger Yunfan’s life?”

Ma Liang smiled and shook his head. “I did not explain clearly. This poison is not fatal; it merely causes one to fall into a deep, drunken-like sleep.”

“So it can be cured?”

Upon hearing this, Li Huagu and Chun Ying both sighed in relief, then asked how it could be treated.

Ma Liang glanced at Chen Yi’s side, then, following the prior instructions, wrote out a formula on paper.

The ingredients were common herbs.

Chun Ying took the paper, glanced over it, and immediately left the chamber to prepare the medicines.

She had not gone far beyond the courtyard before she saw the Cui family members standing at a distance, under their umbrellas.

It was clear they had returned.

The lead among them, Miss Cui, glanced at her and said nothing, then calmly extended his hand.

Chun Ying paused, then handed over the prescription she held, her lips murmuring:

"Baron Cui, both Minister Li and Master Chen are no foes—please rest assured."

Unbeknownst to others, Chun Ying, as a white-robed expert, understood all too well the true natures of Li Huaiwu and Chen Yifang.

The two had no reason, nor would they harm Chen Yunfan.

Cui Qingwu took the formula, glanced at it, and handed it to the elder behind her, speaking calmly:

"Let Elder Chen review it—then they’ll clearly see whether these men are villains or not."

Chun Ying pressed her lips together, saying nothing more, her gaze fixed on the elder.

After a moment’s wait, the elder hesitated: "My lady, I fear my medical skill is wanting—I cannot discern the therapeutic principles of this formula."

Cui Qingwu furrowed her brow slightly. "Any problems?"

The elder shook his head. "The herbs themselves are sound, and several of them are highly beneficial to the body."

"Yet I cannot fathom the combined effects of these ingredients—though…"

"Though what?"

"Though it can be certain—this formula will not harm Lord Chen’s body."

Cui Qingwu nodded, then mused: "Then let us test it."

At these words, Chun Ying’s held breath dropped. She bowed, took the formula, and hurried out to gather the herbs.

After a silence, Cui Qingwu turned his head to the elder and asked: "If my memory serves, your skill in the Pine Garden Pavilion ranks among the top five?"

The elder flushed with shame. "Though I am in the top five, I lag far behind those who came before me."

"What would you say your level is?"

"Forty years practicing medicine, and I’ve barely cleared the threshold of mastery."

After a pause, the elder continued: "These herbs on the formula seem common, but their medicinal application is quite unique."

"Not only do their properties harmonize with their combinations, but it also involves balancing yin and yang, and the six qi and twelve meridians—none of which I can fully grasp."

In simple terms, whoever penned this formula has already surpassed the stage of minor mastery.

Even laying the formula before him, he could not discern its principles—only judging the herbs’ natures and properties, he could only say it would not kill a man.

At this, Cui Qingwu nodded, his eyes drifting toward the courtyard, and commanded:

"Ah Rong, go check on that divine physician’s background afterward."

"Yes, my lady."

…

Not long after, Chun Ying hurried back with the herbs, bowing to Cui Qingwu and the others, then rushed into the kitchen to brew the medicine.

Cui Qingwu thought for a moment, then led the group into the courtyard, heading straight for the carriage where Chen Yunfan lay.

Chen Yifang glanced sideways, his brow darkening.

Had these people not left yet?

Before he could ponder further, several figures pushed the door open.

The lead one, Cui Qingwu, ignored them, and had someone fetch a chair to sit beside the bed.

"…"

Chen Yifang watched their mannerisms, understanding their intent.

They likely waited for Chen Yunfan to drink the potion and awaken.

Beside him, Li Huaiwu observed his calm expression, saying nothing.

Assuming they’d remain silent, they hadn’t expected the elder to approach Ma Liangce.

The elder bowed: "I, Chen Sheng, often assist here—may I ask where the divine physician practices, and where he holds court?"

Ma Liangce instinctively glanced at Chen Yifang, who gave a slight nod, then cleared his throat and spoke earnestly:

"I am Ma Liangce, disciple of the Master of Wu Mong Mountain—now the chief physician of the Xiao family’s relief hall."

"Wu Mong Mountain Master?"

Chen Sheng looked bewildered, having no recollection of this name.

Yet the Xiao family’s hall, he knew well.

And due to the connection between the Pine Garden Pavilion and the Lotus Tower, he was aware of the Xiao family’s recent affairs.

"Is the tea from Bai Caogong Hall related to the Master?"

Ma Liangce paused, then nodded mysteriously: "Indeed, it is the family’s doing."

Earlier, he’d received the script with this note—now, it proved easy to handle.

Chen Sheng nodded knowingly, then silently moved to Cui Qingwu’s side to wait.

Their conversation, though overheard by all, each had their own thoughts, saying nothing.

Ma Liangce forced calmness.

Li Huaiwu had heard of him before—he felt this time, he’d found the right person to meet Chen Yifang.

As for Chen Yifang, whether intentionally or not, he glanced at the elder, recalling the Pine Garden Pavilion’s background.

He knew the Pavilion belonged to the Liu family of Jingzhou.

Now, this Cui Qingwu of Qinghe had brought the Pavilion’s people here—prompting him to think further.

Had the Liu family allied with the Cui family?

If the Lius truly involved the Cuis, the clash between the Xiao and Liu families would not bode well for the Xiao clan.

Chen Yifang mused on this, plotting: "It’d be necessary to investigate this matter thoroughly afterward."

Not long after, Chun Ying carefully carried the soup to the carriage, saw the scene inside, and without hesitation approached the bedside.

She was about to feed Chen Yunfan when a pale arm stretched forward.

"I’ll do it."

Cui Qingwu took the bowl from her hands, lifted Chen Yunfan, and fed him the soup.

Chen Yifang watched, his mouth twitching.

Her straightforward action—neither gentle nor careful—carried a certain "chowing down on medicine" vibe.

While he was thinking of random things,

He saw a few spoonfuls of soup go down, and Chen Yunfan suddenly opened his eyes, shoved the bowl aside, and collapsed beside the bed.

He retched and coughed:

"Chunying, what the hell did you feed this young master? It's sour and bitter, like horse urine!"

He muttered and grumbled for a while, before Chen Yunfan finally noticed something amiss in the chamber.

He raised his head and took a look.

At a glance, he saw Cui Qingwu holding the medicine bowl, her face creased with an odd expression.

"Where have you been?"

Then his eyes drifted to the corner where Chen Yitou and Li Huiguo were standing, and he paused.

"Why are you both here?"

Li Huiguo was about to speak, but Chen Yitou's toe tapped his ankle, and he fell silent.

Chen Yunfan noticed their movement, and the tension in Chen Yitou's eyes, and slowly understood.

He fell silent, unspoken words hanging in the air.

Yitou, you're just letting me down—wasting my worry over you!

Chen Yunfan thought this, and sat up, smiling at Cui Qingwu.

"When did you arrive in Shu Zhou?"

Cui Qingwu set down the medicine bowl, letting the maid beside him wipe the sauce from her hands, and when she looked up at Chen Yunfan, her face was bright with a smile.

"Just this morning."

"Though I received your message while passing through Jing Zhou, I brought a physician with me."

"Unfortunately, he wasn't skilled enough to wake you."

Chen Yunfan blinked. "Am I really unconscious?"

It was only then that Chunying interjected, explaining a few things.

Even if Chunying had set aside that night's events,

Chen Yunfan couldn't help but understand he'd been drugged.

His face shifted from pale to flushed, his jaw clenched, as if he wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it.

Chen Yitou watched his expression fully, maintaining a smile on his face, but his heart was light.

It wasn't wasted effort, stopping Li Huiguo from speaking.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have witnessed such a spectacular scene.

After hearing this,

Chen Yunfan managed a weak smile. "Thanks to your brother's intervention, I'm grateful, brother."

That night, he'd planned to go rescue the Bai Caotang, to repay Chen Yitou a favor.

But he'd done nothing, and been knocked unconscious by someone, only to be rescued by Chen Yitou and his group.

Damn it, wait for me!

Chen Yunfan muttered to himself, vowing to find the culprit without fail.

Though Chen Yitou didn't know his exact thoughts, he could guess.

Sure enough, once Chen Yunfan learned he'd been drugged and awakened by Chen Yitou, his expression would be even more spectacular than today.

Bottling these thoughts, Chen Yitou smiled and said:

"Brother, now as the top scorer and youngest deputy governor of Shu Zhou, you'd inevitably attract some with ill intentions."

"This time was lucky, the poison wasn't fatal. If it happens again..."

He paused, his eyes flicking toward Cui Qingwu, then continued: "Well, it might not be so fortunate next time."

Cui Qingwu's smile faltered, as if she'd heard this before.

Her two attendants behind her had already reacted, glaring at Chen Yitou.

If not for others being present, they'd probably have already scolded her.

Chen Yunfan, however, was oblivious to this. "Brother, what you say is true. I was careless this time."

Chen Yitou gathered everyone's expressions into his eyes, gave a light laugh, and turned toward Ma Liang, signaling him to follow.

"Later, have Liu Quan calculate the medical fee and send it to Brother."

"Yes, Master."

Chen Yitou bowed slightly, then left.

After the others departed,

Chen Yunfan noticed Cui Qingwu and her companions' uneasy expressions, raised an eyebrow:

"Qingwu, your face looks unwell. Did you eat something bad?"

Cui Qingwu blinked, her smile returning: "Nothing, I was just remembering some past events."

"That person just now, was it Chen Yitou, who used to bully you?"

Chen Yunfan frowned. "Bully me? Dare he? I was the one bullying him!"

It's not about winning or losing in battle.

He wouldn't admit being bullied by Chen Yitou as a child.

Especially not in front of others.

Cui Qingwu nodded with a smile. "I remember seeing him at the Chen household once, back when he looked like a bookish fellow."

"Seeing him today, he's changed a bit."

Chen Yunfan nodded. "Yitou's changes are significant, and his abilities have grown too."

"Though now that he's married into the Xiao family, his skills are a good thing."

Cui Qingwu, upon hearing this, asked with a half-smile: "You seem rather fond of him, Yunfan."

"Brother and I are just siblings. We're both in this remote corner of Shu Zhou. Who else would I care about?"

"Ah, I see. Then I have matters to discuss with you too."

"Wait—what...?"

Chunying, watching the two exchange words and smiles, clenched her fists with sweat.

It seemed the younger master had dug a hole for his brother.

……

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Chen Yitou and the others sat in the carriage, heading straight for Ji Shi Medicinal Hall.

Li Huiguo, thinking of their earlier conversation, couldn't help but laugh: "Master Chen, you weren't afraid of the Cui family girl causing you trouble, were you?"

Chen Yi looked at the rain falling outside the carriage, shaking his head with a faint smile. "With my elder brother there, he will not allow Miss Cui to act so recklessly."

It was not that he had intentionally dug a pit for Chen Yunfan to fall into.

Rather, it was a decision made on the spur of the moment after learning that the people from Xinglin Pavilion had arrived.

Whether the Liu family of Jingzhou and the Cui family of Qinghe shared a connection—this single test would reveal all.

An hour later.

Chen Yi returned to the Xiao residence, walking straight toward the backyard beneath his oil-paper umbrella.

The armored guards and maidservants he encountered along the way hurried past in a restless rush, an obvious consequence of Liu Jing’s death the previous night.

Yet, when he arrived outside the Spring Lotus Garden, he found Xiao Wan'er standing at the entrance, peering out anxiously.

"Eldest Sister, are you... waiting for me?"