Chapter 128: Eldest Sister, Are You Alright?

Chapter 128: Are You All Right, Older Sister?

Xiao Wan'er saw him return safely, and unlike her usual habit of avoiding him, she gave a light nod:

"I was indeed waiting for you."

Chen Yi felt a slight tremor in his heart, guessing it must be connected to the death of Liu Jing from the previous night, and so he smiled and said:

"Come on in. The rain outside is quite heavy; mind the chill."

Xiao Wan'er nodded and followed him into the cabin, where they settled in the living room.

Chen Yi didn't rush to ask questions. First, he went to draw some water and set it to boil over the small stove.

In the glow of the stove’s fire.

Xiao Wan'er smoothed the large robe over her body, her expression easing somewhat.

"How is your brother now?"

She had heard from Xiao Wuge about the reason Liu Shengcou had come knocking at their door, and now, with her spirit somewhat relaxed, she couldn't help but ask.

Chen Yi pushed the stove toward her side, "He’s awake now."

"Marshal Liang truly deserves his name—'Good Talent.' In just a few days, he prescribed a remedy, and after taking it, her brother woke up."

"That’s good to hear."

"If you decide to accept Yue Ming’s invitation to become a teacher at Guiyun College, it shouldn’t interfere with the pharmacy’s affairs."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, "Did Xiao Wuge tell you that?"

Xiao Wan'er hummed, "The Prime Minister Li’s words are true. With your talents, serving as the pharmacy’s manager is indeed a fitting use of your abilities."

Chen Yi, seeing her earnestness, thought for a moment and said:

"I was still hesitating. Since you say so, I’ll go to Guiyun College tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wan'er’s pale face brightened with a smile, "Why didn’t you agree directly when the younger sisters returned earlier?"

At one time or another, after all.

Chen Yi casually replied to her two remarks, then turned to ask:

"Earlier, when you were waiting outside, was there something on your mind?"

Xiao Wan'er met his gaze, and without thinking, she looked away toward the rain streaking the window, and whispered:

"This morning, I heard of a major event, and I thought I’d wait until you returned to remind you."

"What major event?"

Xiao Wan'er lowered her head slightly, her voice sounding unnatural:

"The truth is, I hadn’t told you before, but the Lingran Pavilion was orchestrated by the Liu family of Jingzhou."

Chen Yi feigned surprise, "Is that so?"

"Yes, I only learned of it from my grandfather."

"The Liu family’s plan with the Lingran Pavilion was to undermine the Xiao family’s pharmacy."

"Originally, the Lingran Pavilion had closed, and the matter was settled."

Xiao Wan'er paused, then said:

"Unexpectedly, someone from the Jingzhou Liu family appeared at their door last night and died there."

"This morning, my grandfather called me over and specifically instructed me—before the matter is fully investigated, we must all be cautious."

"If you go to court in the future, it’s best to have personal guards with you. You must not repeat getting lost like last night."

When Chen Yi heard this, he understood. She had come over specifically because she was worried about him.

Thinking it over, he slightly retracted his smile and nodded earnestly:

"I’ve taken note of this."

Xiao Wan'er quickly glanced at his face, seeing he hadn’t overthought it, and let out a breath of relief. She pointed to the side:

"Water, water—make sure it’s boiled."

Chen Yi looked at her deeply, turned off the stove’s air intake, then brewed two cups of tea.

One green tea, one red tea.

In summer, green tea was the proper choice to cool the body, but Xiao Wan'er’s condition required something warmer.

During the time the tea was steeping, neither of them spoke again.

Only the sound of raindrops pattering against the pool, pavilions, and scattered tiles could be heard outside.

It didn’t seem particularly noisy; instead, it felt quiet and warm.

After a while.

Chen Yi exhaled softly, lifted the teacup, and took a sip.

The warmth of the tea brought Xiao Wan'er back to herself. She also lifted the cup with both hands and sipped it in small, careful gulps.

Due to her condition, she had always been unafraid of hot water. Even when the freshly boiled water had splashed on her hand, it cooled rapidly as if touched by ice.

Thus, she finished the cup of hot tea in no time.

Chen Yi refilled the pot for her and smiled:

"Later, I’ll have Marshal Liang come over and examine you, prescribe a remedy."

He had wanted to do this for some time, but between dealing with matters in the Hidden Guard and the Bai Caotang, it had been delayed for a few days.

But when Xiao Wan'er heard this, she shook her head:

"It won’t help."

"Before, my grandfather and father brought many renowned doctors, but most of them were ineffective."

Chen Yi pretended not to hear, "In the afternoon, I’ll have him come."

Though he couldn’t cure the cold condition afflicting Xiao Wan'er, there were some remedies that could provide relief, making her more comfortable.

Xiao Wan'er glared at him, yet she didn’t refuse his kindness.

Then they chatted idly for a while, mostly with Xiao Wan'er speaking while Chen Yi listened.

Their conversation centered on the pharmacy’s business—recent arrangements and future plans for the Bureau of Mercy Pharmacy’s leadership.

Chen Yi told her she need not worry for the time being.

Even if he were to go to Guiyun College as a teacher, he couldn’t visit every day. Temporarily overseeing the pharmacy wouldn’t be a problem.

Besides, news of Marshal Liang treating Chen Yunfan would soon spread.

With his foot technique, if Chen Yi weren’t there, it was likely he’d be exposed eventually.

Xiao Wan'er thought it over and nodded in agreement, seemingly relieved that Chen Yi cared deeply about the pharmacy, which eased her spirits somewhat.

It wasn’t until near noon that they finally went together to Jaxing Garden for lunch.

In the afternoon.

After preparing the medicine prescription for Xiao Wan'er, Chen Yi had the court physicians bring Marshal Liang over.

He also specially wrote a respectful letter, entrusting someone to deliver it to Guiyun College for Yue Ming.

After all, Yue Ming was a renowned scholar of Shu and Dian Wei, and some formalities were necessary.

Soon enough, Marshal Liang arrived with the court physicians.

Chen Yi still managed to deflect the blame onto Wang Ji, offering him a medicinal formula.

Ma Liang studied the formula in his trembling hands and stammered, "Master, this—this is for treating cold conditions?"

Chen Yi shook his head, his voice cool and steady. "Only a temporary alleviation."

Even so, Ma Liang remained utterly stunned.

Though his medical skills were not refined, his knowledge of the field was not entirely lacking.

The legendary condition of extreme cold was a disease spoken of in hushed tones—rare even to find a remedy for easing its grip, let alone curing it. And yet here was a formula in his hand…

Thinking this, Ma Liang could not help but ask, "Master, does Boss Wang truly know herbal lore?"

Chen Yi furrowed his brow slightly. "No herbalist. Where do you think your skills come from?"

"Master, forgive me—I—I’m just too overwhelmed."

"Next time, speak less, do more. If questioned, simply pass the buck to the herbalist."

"Understood, young one, I understand."

Once Ma Liang’s composure returned, Chen Yi led him to the Jia Xing Courtyard.

This time, the process was even simpler—no need to probe the pulse at all.

Ma Liang glanced at Xiao Wan’er and immediately prescribed the formula, his tone light and unhurried:

"My master, the herbalist, once passed down to me a formula left behind from the previous dynasty. It cannot cure the young lady’s illness entirely, but it should ease her suffering somewhat."

Such a display of mysticism, Chen Yi gave a silent thumbs-up.

Xiao Wan’er, however, remained skeptical.

Yet under Chen Yi’s gentle persuasion, she agreed to try it, and ordered the servants to prepare the ingredients.

Not long after.

Xiao Wan’er lifted the bowl, its broth a vivid crimson, like liquid fire, and hesitated before taking a sip.

Instantly, a warmth surged through her chest and abdomen—a warmth she hadn’t felt in years—leaving her momentarily stunned.

She sat there motionless.

The sight nearly frightened Ma Liang to death; he must have thought the soup had gone bad.

Only Chen Yi remained smiling serenely.

Through the bone-scanning technique, he could see the dark cold energy clinging to Xiao Wan’er’s body slowly dissipating.

Xiao Wu Ge noticed this and, without a word, waved his hand in front of her face. "Sister Xiao, are you feeling better?"

Xiao Wan’er blinked back to awareness, her face bright with relief. "It works—it truly works!"

She drank the remaining broth in one go, her pale face now tinged with a faint flush.

At this, Ma Liang exhaled in relief and rose to offer his congratulations.

Overjoyed, Xiao Wan’er naturally did not hesitate to reward them both, sending the servants to the treasury for a stipend.

After Ma Liang departed, Xiao Wan’er’s face remained flushed, and a delicate sheen of sweat now glistened upon her brow—something she had never experienced before.

She patted her slightly heated cheeks, her smile radiant. "Master Ma, you are truly a miracle worker!"

Chen Yi smiled. "He was taught by the herbalist of Wumen Mountain."

"Not just him—my elder brother sought out countless physicians, none could help. Today, Master Ma came, and a single bowl of soup brought him back to consciousness."

Xiao Wu Ge and the others nearby were all overjoyed by her recovery.

Perhaps she had simply warmed through.

Xiao Wan’er, in the midst of the stormy weather, had finally shed her heavy outer robe.

Beneath it lay a long, snow-white dress, still not as luminous as her own skin.

Xiao Wan’er was about to speak when she noticed Chen Yi’s gaze upon her, and hastily gathered the robe back into place.

Her face flushed an even deeper red. "I—It’s still a bit cold."

Chen Yi restrained his smile. "Indeed, it’s best to put it on."

"Yes, yes, of course…"

After a moment of laughter, Chen Yi reminded her to take the medicine on time, then led Xiao Wu Ge back to the Spring Lotus Garden.

Xiao Wan’er watched them disappear down the path, her cheeks still burning.

Whether from the soup or something else, she could not say.

……

For wherever there is joy, there too is sorrow.

Li Hua Zhi, who had just been overjoyed at Chen Yun Fan’s revival, returned to the Governor’s office only to find his smile gone in moments.

Li Hua Zhi regarded the seated Deputy Governor Yang Zhe, and, hesitant to speak, asked, "Your Excellency, must I really go to the three cities to collect the tax from the Dingyan Army?"

"Wasn’t it said earlier that Chen Zhang would handle it?"

Yang Zhe’s aged face showed a trace of helplessness. "Liu Zu Shi came to me personally at noon, insisting this matter was of utmost importance."

"If Yun Fan had awakened sooner, I could have shifted the blame to him. Now it’s too late."

Li Hua Zhi remained puzzled. "Why the urgency? A month’s time?"

"And the second installment of the ten-percent tax—this is to be paid in full, is it not?"

Yang Zhe fell silent for a moment, glanced around, then spoke in a low voice, "Last night, Liu Jiunedi, sixth prince of Liu’s family, died in Shu Zhou."

"I suspect Liu Zu Shi’s orders here are connected to this."

Li Hua Zhi’s expression shifted. "You mean… he intends to strike at the Xiao family?"

"Silence!"

Before Li Hua Zhi could finish, Yang Zhe sternly admonished, "Some matters are best kept within the heart. Be mindful—there are ears behind every wall!"

Li Hua Zhi quickly bowed his head. "Your Excellency, forgive me."

Though he spoke thus, his heart was stirred by shock.

Liu Zu Shi had made up his mind to act against the Xiao family.

Over two million sheng of grain, ten-percent tax, amounting to roughly half a million sheng—enough to weigh heavily on the Xiao family and the Dingyan Army alike.

Silence settled for a moment.

Yang Zhe whispered, "This matter involves great stakes. Be cautious in your actions."

"If it must not be done, write back, and I shall attempt to mediate."

Li Huai'gu rose, bowed respectfully, and offered his thanks. "Many thanks, my lord, for your guidance."

He hesitated, then with a tentative voice, he asked, "I wish to consult the master—might this be permitted?"

"Yue Ming? Excellent."

(End of chapter)