When Bai Ri Miao saw the large jar of Jade Marrow Dew on the table, he was completely dumbfounded.
He stared at Zhu Ying and asked in disbelief, "What kind of relationship does your master have with the miracle doctor? How did she manage to get such a big jar with just a few words?"
Even Huai Jin had only received a single bamboo tube back then. Yet this girl had obtained so much Jade Marrow Dew all at once. Her connection with the divine doctor must be extraordinary.
Zhu Ying didn't answer Bai Ri Miao's question. Instead, she addressed Ye Xuanchen, "My young lady said you should take it according to your physical condition. Even if you drink two or three bowls a day, it's fine. When you finish this batch, she can return to the divine doctor to get more."
"Then please thank your young lady for me."
Looking at the large jar of Jade Marrow Dew, Ye Xuanchen felt deeply grateful. It seemed he owed Miss Jiang more and more.
As Zhu Ying prepared to leave after delivering the item, Bai Ri Miao quickly smiled and said, "Miss Zhu Ying, could you ask your young lady if the divine physician would allow me to use this Jade Marrow Dew for research?"
"My young lady said the miracle doctor welcomed anyone who wishes to study it," Zhu Ying replied.
"Then please have your young lady thank the divine physician on my behalf," Bai Ri Miao said sincerely.
Bai Ri Miao admired the divine physician immensely.
Talented, yet generous with his skills, such noble people truly deserved the title of doctor with a benevolent heart!
Regret filled him as he thought of how he should have cultivated a closer relationship with Miss Jiang earlier. If he had, perhaps he might have had the chance to meet such a magnanimous and miraculous doctor and even learn some of his medical techniques!
Never mind, he comforted himself. There will be time for that later.
With a bright smile, Bai Ri Miao took a bowl, filled it halfway with Jade Marrow Dew, and went into his pharmacy to start tinkering.
After three days and three nights of grueling work, with bloodshot eyes and a scruffy beard, Bai Ri Miao finally emerged from the pharmacy.
He trudged into Ye Xuanchen's study, sank into a chair, and sat silently for a long while.
Ye Xuanchen set down the military treatise in his hands and said knowingly, "What, you still haven't figured it out?"
Bai Ri Miao, thoroughly discouraged after days of failure, began to doubt himself. "Huaijin… am I really suited to study medicine? I've tried every method to reproduce the ingredients for the divine doctor's Jade Marrow Dew, but not a single one works. I have absolutely no idea what kind of herbs the miracle doctor used."
I used to think my medical skills ranked at least second or third in the Yunqi Dynasty—if not the very best."
"But now… I'm starting to doubt myself. Maybe I'm not cut out for medicine."
Bai Ri Miao even began questioning his path in life, considering whether he should abandon medicine altogether.
Seeing this, Ye Xuanchen quickly intervened. "Why belittle yourself? You may not be on the same level as the Divine Physician in making medicine, but that doesn't mean you lack skill!"
"Think about it—aside from the Divine Physician, who in the Yunqi Dynasty has better medical abilities than you?"
"You're so young, and you've already achieved so much. You'll only get better in the future. How can you give up on yourself over such a small setback?"
To lift his friend's spirits, Ye Xuanchen added, "Listen, if i meet the miracle doctor again, I'll mention you to her. If she's willing, I can introduce you. How does that sound?"
"Really? You'd better keep your word!" Bai Ri Miao immediately perked up at the news, hope lighting up his eyes.
Bai Ri Miao truly loved medicine, but the challenge of reproducing the Jade Marrow Dew had temporarily stumped him, leaving him discouraged. Deep down, he had no real intention of giving up.
The moment he heard that his friend might help introduce him to the miracle doctor he admired, his energy immediately returned.
Seeing Bai Ri Miao's sudden cheerfulness, Ye Xuanchen couldn't help but wonder if he had been pretending to be so depressed just to trick him.
All he really wanted was for me to introduce him to the miracle doctor!
Overjoyed, Bai Ri Miao edged closer to his friend. "Huaijin, can I have another bowl of your Jade Marrow Dew?"
"…"
Ye Xuanchen didn't even bother to look at him. He picked up his military book and, without a trace of patience, said a single word: "Get lost!"
Ministry of Rites Mansion
When Jiang Luoxue returned safely to the manor with her maid, Chu Lianxin and Zhou Shiyu were furious! So furious that they seemed on the verge of grinding their teeth to powder.
Chu Lianxin clenched her handkerchief tightly, her face twisted with rage. Through gritted teeth, she spat, "That bitch is unbelievably lucky… she can't even be killed properly!"
Their original plan had been to use the horses' fright to throw Jiang Luoxue from the carriage, making it appear as though she had died in a tragic accident.
That way, even if the General of the Cavalry launched an investigation, he wouldn't be able to find any grounds.
Yet, unexpectedly, Jiang Luoxue's luck allowed her to escape their scheme once again.
Chu Lianxin began to suspect that this stepdaughter was divinely protected. Otherwise, how could she be so difficult to kill?
Or perhaps… that damned Lady Liu is secretly shielding her!
A shiver ran down Chu Lianxin's spine. She decided that the next day she would go to the temple to request a talisman to ward off ghosts.
Noticing her sudden paleness, Zhou Shiyu asked in confusion, "Xin'er, what's wrong?"
Chu Lianxin leaned closer and whispered, "I suspect it's Liu Shi's lingering spirit that makes Jiang Luoxue so difficult to kill."
Zhou Shiyu's expression darkened. He glanced around cautiously, then, after a long pause, said, "Don't overthink it. She couldn't beat us when she was alive let alone now, when she's dead."
"Don't be afraid. It's just a coincidence."
Hearing this, Chu Lianxin's fear eased considerably.
Zhou Shiyu frowned, a sinister glint in his eyes. "This plan has failed. It seems we'll have to deal with her at the flower-viewing banquet at the Vice Minister's residence at the end of the month."
Chu Lianxin looked uneasy. "This bitch is so hard to kill… are you sure you can ruin her reputation?"
Zhou Shiyu said confidently, "Don't worry. I've taken care of everything. You just need to bring her along." After their conspiracy was complete, Zhou Shiyu slipped away unnoticed.
Qiu Ming returned to Wensi Garden and reported the entire conversation to his master.
Hearing this, Jiang Luoxue's lips curled into a wicked smile. "Then… let's see who comes out on top at the flower-viewing banquet!"
Qiu Ming felt a deep pang of guilt for not realizing that Zhou Shiyu had schemed against his master today.
After reporting the matter, Qiu Ming fell to his knees with a thud. "I'm sorry, Master. Qiu Ming has failed. I didn't realize in advance that they planned to use the carriage to harm you."
He had been keeping a close eye on Steward Zhou and Chu Lianxin, aware of their malice toward his master. Yet, unexpectedly, these two had orchestrated the entire scheme right under his nose, and he hadn't noticed a thing.
Qiu Ming felt the weight of his failure pressing down on him.
Jiang Luoxue helped him to his feet as he blamed himself. "That guy surnamed Zhou… he's managed to carry on a secret affair with Chu Lianxin for years without being discovered, right under Jiang Yucheng's nose. He must be incredibly shrewd."
"When he planned this, he probably didn't oversee it personally, so it's understandable that you didn't notice."
"However, now that we've learned this lesson, remember to be more cautious in the future. It would be wise to keep all those capable around Zhou Shiyu under close observation."