The medicine stove gurgled and steamed, white vapor rising in thin wisps.
The little girl dragged over a small stool and sat beside Ye Chutang, obediently nibbling on a hibiscus cake. After finishing one piece, she paused and carefully wrapped the remaining two.
She knew these pastries were from Xinghualou—very expensive. Her family always bought three: one for her and one for each of her two brothers.
Ye Chutang glanced at the cakes and said lightly, "No need to save any for your fourth brother. He was fighting today, so he didn't get any."
The little girl opened her large, bright eyes, looked down at the pastries in her arms, and hesitation flickered across her face.
In the end, she shook her head. Her fourth brother worked hard fighting too—she should save some for him.
Ye Chutang weighed the heavy purse in her hand. Inside was the silver given to her earlier by the attendant.
The wealthy truly were generous.
Better still, it had not caused her any trouble.
She reached out and ruffled the child's hair. "We're not short of money anymore. Why are you still being so frugal?"
The little girl smiled and leaned affectionately against her arm.
The medicinal scent gradually thickened. Ye Chutang thought for a moment, then went back to lock the gate before returning to dry the herbs.
After a while, she heard movement from behind the woodshed.
Without looking up, she asked, "You're back?"
Her voice trailed off.
Moments later, two boys emerged one after the other.
The boy in front was about thirteen or fourteen, his figure already stretching tall and slender, his features refined and gentle. The one behind him was slightly shorter, still carrying traces of childishness, yet his striking features hinted at a fierce, untamed nature.
"Sister," the older boy called.
The younger one scratched his head and followed guiltily, "…Sister."
Ye Jingyan glanced around the courtyard and asked curiously, "Did a patient come by? It's still early—why is the door locked?"
Ye Chutang replied calmly, "So you used the main gate today?"
The two boys instantly looked embarrassed.
Ye Yunfeng coughed, even more sheepish. "Sister already knows?"
"I wish I didn't," Ye Chutang said flatly, "but this time you hit the second young master of the Cao family. That's hard to ignore."
At the mention of the name, Ye Yunfeng's expression turned cold. "He deserved it! Who told him to speak ill of Sister—"
Ye Jingyan subtly tugged at his sleeve.
Ye Yunfeng paused and forcibly swallowed the rest of his words. "…Who told him to speak ill of Sister."
In truth, Ye Chutang had already expected this.
Though the brothers Ayan and Afeng were only a year apart, their personalities were worlds apart. One was gentle and reserved, quiet and composed; the other was wild and impulsive, with a fiery temper.
Since the family moved to Jiangling three years ago, Ah Feng had been in countless fights.
Back then, Ye Chutang was only fourteen, with two younger brothers barely reaching an adult's waist and a newborn sister. They were easy targets.
In the beginning, Ah Feng would often disappear during the day and return at night covered in injuries, stubbornly refusing treatment.
Later, after Ye Chutang opened her clinic, their circumstances gradually improved.
She nodded. "How badly were they injured?"
Ye Yunfeng was naturally strong and sturdy. Though only twelve, he already resembled a young leopard. Ye Chutang was never worried he would be hurt—only that he might go too far.
Ye Jingyan quickly reassured her. "Don't worry, Sister. They only suffered minor injuries. They'll recover in a few days."
Ye Chutang let out a quiet breath of relief. Then she turned to Ye Yunfeng. "Tomorrow, you'll come with me to the Cao family and apologize."
Ye Yunfeng bristled with indignation, but remembering his third brother's earlier warning, he swallowed his anger and said nothing.
Ignoring him, Ye Chutang judged the medicine to be ready and turned back inside.
Only after she disappeared did Ye Yunfeng finally explode. "It was Cao Chengwu who disrespected Sister first! And now I have to apologize to him? I was already merciful not to kill him! His useless brother even dared to covet Sister—bah!"
Ye Jingyan patted his shoulder. "This matter has already troubled Sister enough. Just do as she says, and don't provoke her further."
Ye Yunfeng clenched his fists, his voice tight with guilt and fury. "I know. I'm just… angry at myself for being so useless. For letting Sister suffer such humiliation."
At that moment, a little girl ran over, holding up a hibiscus cake.
"Brother, have some snacks!"
Ye Jingyan lifted her up, and Ye Yunfeng forcibly calmed himself.
Noticing the carriage parked outside, Ye Jingyan tapped her nose gently. "Little Wu is so good. Did you accompany Sister to see the doctor again today?"
*************************************************************
Ye Chutang brought over the medicine and took out a packet of silver needles.
The needles were as thin as hair, glinting coldly under the sunlight.
Aside from providing for her siblings, the first money she had ever saved had gone into purchasing these tools of her trade—things she could never afford to lose.
Lian Zhou watched her hands move and could not suppress his worry. Those delicate, pale fingers looked as though they could snap with a single pinch. Could she truly perform acupuncture on his master?
What if something went wrong?
Before the thought finished forming, Ye Chutang had already acted.
With smooth precision, she inserted needles at Shen Yanchuan's brow, the suprasternal notch, and the web of his hand.
The movements were swift and decisive. Before Lian Zhou could react, Shen Yanchuan's face turned deathly pale, and he violently spat out a mouthful of black blood.
"Master!"
Lian Zhou cried out in shock, drawing his sword with a sharp whoosh and lunging toward Ye Chutang.
Before the blade reached her, Shen Yanchuan coughed hoarsely. "Lian Zhou. Do not be disrespectful to Doctor Ye."
Lian Zhou hurriedly withdrew his sword, but a residual edge of energy grazed Ye Chutang's neck. A strand of hair beside her cheek was silently severed and drifted to the ground.
Shen Yanchuan lifted his eyelids slightly and saw that the girl before him remained utterly composed, her clear black eyes unruffled.
She seemed entirely unconcerned about nearly losing her life.
"The poison in your body has lingered for years, damaging your lungs and internal organs," Ye Chutang said calmly as she removed the needles. "It has been cleared for now, but you must still rest."
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and added gently, "Most importantly, avoid anger. Otherwise, your condition will relapse—and not even a celestial being could save you."
Lian Zhou's face turned pale with embarrassment. He was about to speak when Ye Chutang turned and left.
He clasped his fists in salute. "This subordinate acted impulsively. Please punish me, Master."
Shen Yanchuan's coughing gradually subsided. Leaning back against the headboard, he closed his eyes.
"You were protecting your master. What crime is there in that?"
For reasons unknown, the girl's gentle yet cutting words resurfaced in his mind, and a soft laugh escaped him.
"I thought she was easygoing," he murmured, "but she's far more troublesome than she appears."
Opening his eyes, he glanced at Lian Zhou and added half-jokingly, "In the future, avoid provoking her. Your master's life may very well be in her hands."