“My lord, this is absolutely true!” The maid looked up at Yue Jianfei. “It was the Young Master who gave the old master the wine.”

“If you don’t believe me, you can go ask the Young Master yourself.”

“My young lady’s medical skill is certainly without fault — she’s treated many patients with conditions like this before, and they’re all able to walk and move about now.”

“If it weren’t for the Young Master secretly giving the old master wine, the old master wouldn’t have…”

“Outrageous!” Yue Jianfei flung his sleeve and strode away.

The maid remained kneeling on the ground, her head bowed the entire time.

Only once Yue Jianfei had disappeared into the chamber did she stand up and go close the door.

After closing the door, the maid immediately turned and hurried back into the inner room.

“Miss.”

Inside the room, Yang Hong sat up on the bed.

In the blink of an eye, her expression had completely transformed.

“Miss, I told my lord everything. Even if the treatment ultimately fails, I don’t think he’ll place the blame on you.”

“Go bring me something to eat. I’m starving.” Yang Hong said, swinging her legs.

The maid immediately went over, crouched down beside her, and began removing her boots.

“Also, bring me a basin of water to wash my face and rinse my mouth. What did you use? Why does it taste so off?”

Yang Hong picked up the maid’s sleeve and wiped the “blood” from the corner of her mouth.

“I’m sorry! Miss, this was prepared yesterday, but there wasn’t a chance to use it yesterday, so…” the maid said, setting down the boots and standing up.

“No wonder the taste was off. Ugh!” Yang Hong’s face remained pale, but at this moment, there wasn’t a trace of weakness left in her.

“I’m sorry! It’s all flower juice — it’s just… it sat too long.”

The maid lowered her head.

Yang Hong looked up and glared at the person beside the bed, saying in a low voice, “Hurry up and prepare something to rinse my mouth with. You pressed that handkerchief too close just now, and all that filth went into my mouth.”

“I’m sorry, miss.” The maid lowered her head even further.

“At least my lord believed it.” Yang Hong glanced at the maid and looked away. “Quickly, have someone find out who that woman surnamed Long really is.”

“That woman, with her fox-like face — one look and you can tell she’s no good.”

“Miss, I asked around just now. The servants say she’s the owner of a pharmacy called Long Ying, and a physician herself.” the maid said, looking up at Yang Hong.

“They say these past few days, many ordinary folk have gone to Long Ying for treatment, and they say the physicians there are quite skilled, especially Physician Long.”

Yang Hong frowned slightly and turned to meet the maid’s gaze.

“So she really is a physician, then?”

“It must be true.” the maid nodded.

“So using blood as a medicinal catalyst to treat illness — is that really a real thing?” Yang Hong’s frown deepened.

“It might really be true.” the maid nodded. “Miss, don’t you remember?”

“A few years ago, that old immortal physician we met at Mount Xiyang once mentioned this very method.”

Yang Hong took a deep breath and looked away.

“I originally planned that half a year would be enough time to get Lord Yue into my hands. I never expected half a year would pass just like that.”

“I don’t care whether this treatment method is real or not. This man — I am absolutely going to have him.”

“Hurry and bring some water.” Yang Hong took out an embroidered handkerchief and wiped her face.

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Wherever the handkerchief passed, the white powder on her face was wiped away, revealing rosy, healthy skin underneath.

“All right, I’ll go right now.” the maid nodded. “By the way, miss, what do you plan to do about the matter of the blood from over the heart?”

“Didn’t that little vixen say there’s a way to take blood from over the heart without endangering one’s life? This young lady is a miracle physician too — I’m no worse than her.”

“Prepare a live snake or something — whose blood would even tell the difference? Better to prepare ahead of time, just to be safe.” Yang Hong waved her hand impatiently.

“Yes.” The maid bowed and turned to leave.

…

As night fell, Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao arrived at the Yue household with their luggage, walking in without hesitation.

Or rather, it wasn’t really the two of them carrying the luggage — it was Jian Yi, walking behind them.

Tang Xiaohua came out to greet them with a delighted expression, a girl of about fourteen or fifteen walking beside her.

“Jiu’er, Xiao Yingtao, welcome!”

“Sister Hua, is this your daughter? She’s so pretty!” Xiao Yingtao said with a smile, looking at the girl beside Tang Xiaohua.

“Hello, both of you!” The little girl nodded at Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao.

But when her gaze landed on Jian Yi, she froze completely.

“Yes, this is my daughter.” Tang Xiaohua nodded. “Qinchun, this is your Sister Jiu’er, and Sister Xiao Yingtao.”

When Tang Xiaohua turned and saw Yue Qinchun standing there in a daze, she frowned.

“Qinchun, what’s wrong?”

Tang Xiaohua’s words pulled Yue Qinchun’s mind back.

She quickly looked away and turned to Tang Xiaohua. “Mother, I… I…”

“What exactly is the matter with you?” Tang Xiaohua frowned. “Don’t be rude.”

Yue Qinchun nodded, biting her lip slightly, and looked at the three people before her.

“Qinchun, this is your Sister Jiu’er, this is Sister Xiao Yingtao, and this is Brother Jian Yi. Say hello to everyone.” Tang Xiaohua said evenly.

“Sister Jiu’er, Sister Xiao Yingtao.” Yue Qinchun’s gaze finally landed on Jian Yi. “Brother… Jian Yi, ahem… hello, all of you!”

“Little Sister Qinchun is so pretty!” Xiao Yingtao exclaimed again. “Even prettier than you, Sister Hua.”

“Don’t go praising her too much.” Tang Xiaohua curved her lips slightly. “This daughter isn’t like her sister — she’s a bit shy.”

“It’s fine though, once she gets used to you. Once she warms up to you, she’s even more talkative than her sister — chattering away all day long.”

“Come on, let me show you in.” Tang Xiaohua waved a hand and turned to lead the way.

Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao exchanged a glance and followed along.

The servant who had come with Tang Xiaohua approached Jian Yi, wanting to help carry the luggage, but was startled off by the cold air radiating from Jian Yi and didn’t dare approach.

In the end, he could only follow along behind Jian Yi, looking anxious but not daring to get too close.

Tang Xiaohua led Feng Jiu’er and the others to a secluded courtyard.

Right next to this courtyard was another one, separated only by a single wall, with the two main gates not far apart either.

Before entering, they could already see firelight glowing in the neighboring courtyard, a sign that it, too, had someone living there.

“Jiu’er, Xiao Yingtao, this is the place I’ve prepared for you. It’s a little small, but the surroundings are quite nice, and it’s close to my own quarters.”

Tang Xiaohua glanced at Feng Jiu’er on her left, then at Xiao Yingtao on her right, and continued, “I’m sorry to trouble you both, just because of this illness of mine.”

“Sister Hua, don’t be so formal! This place is lovely, I like it — and I’m sure Jiu’er does too.” Xiao Yingtao looked around, a smile never leaving her face.

The courtyard was neither too small nor too large, just right, filled all around with neatly tended flowers and plants that made the place pleasant to look at.