Seeing her speak with such gravity, Chunxiu dared not touch it again, asking curiously, “What treasure is it exactly?”

After placing the small porcelain bottle on the table, Jirong said, “You know that my family has practiced medicine for generations. It wasn’t until grandfather passed away that father, unable to support the practice alone, closed the medical hall and opened a tea shop instead.”

“Mm, my mother said that when I was little, I once had such a high fever that I was completely delirious. Thanks to Grandfather Ji treating me, I recovered. Later, whenever there was any illness or pain, we would go to the Ji family medical hall. When Grandfather Ji was alive, he had miraculous healing hands, and his fees were reasonable too. The medical hall’s business was excellent—people often had to wait for an hour or two.”

“The Ji family medical hall…” Jirong repeated these four words with a bitter smile, “If the medical hall were still operating, or if father had seventy or eighty percent of grandfather’s medical skills, why would I have fallen to the point of being a dancer here?”

“Sister…” Before Chunxiu could comfort her, Jirong had already recovered herself, shaking her head, “I’m fine, just feeling a bit sentimental for a moment.” Having said this, she turned her gaze back to the small porcelain bottle, “This is the Tendon-Mending Flesh-Growing Powder that grandfather formulated when he was alive. Its efficacy far surpasses the common medicines found in other apothecaries and medical halls. Anyone with external injuries would eagerly seek this medicine, but unfortunately grandfather died too suddenly and didn’t have time to leave behind the formula. Now the entire Ji family has only this one bottle left.”

Hearing this, Chunxiu vaguely understood her meaning and asked tentatively, “Sister, are you thinking of presenting this medicine to the Young Master?”

“That’s right. Meixue’s influence in the mansion is growing stronger. As you said, we don’t know when we might have to address her as Second Young Madam, so we must find a way to curb her rise.”

Chunxiu nodded emphatically, “Sister speaks truly. As long as this medicine truly has miraculous effects, the Young Master will not only remember you, but might even reward you, just like he rewarded Meixue.” Speaking of this, she said with some regret, “It’s a pity we didn’t find evidence of Meixue colluding with the assassins the other day, otherwise we wouldn’t have to let her be so arrogant and pleased with herself.”

Jirong waved her hand, “Don’t mention past matters anymore. I’m going now. Stay here peacefully, and before the situation becomes favorable to us, try not to clash with Meixue.”

“Understood.” After Chunxiu reluctantly agreed, Jirong took the small porcelain bottle and went out, making her way to Qingchun Garden. After stating her purpose, she waited a long time before being led by the guards to the room where Li Jiancheng was staying.

Entering the room, Jirong quickly glanced at Li Jiancheng, who was half-reclining on the bed, then lowered her head and curtsied, “Jirong pays respects to the Young Master. May the Young Master have ten thousand blessings.”

Li Jiancheng set down the scroll in his hands and stared at Jirong, “They say you have medicine for mending tendons and bones?”

Jirong replied as expected, “Yes, hearing that the Young Master was bitten by an assassin, I was very worried, so I specially brought this ancestral secret medicine. This medicine is called Tendon-Mending Flesh-Growing Powder. Since ancient times, it’s been said that the most miraculous medicines can bring the dead back to life and restore flesh to bones. Though this medicine cannot compare to such legendary remedies, for any external injury, once this medicine is applied, the healing speed will be exactly double that of other medicines.”

Li Jiancheng raised his eyebrows, “In that case, it really is quite good. Bring me the medicine.”

Jirong dared not delay, hurriedly stepping forward to hand the medicine to Li Jiancheng. After he examined it for a moment, he said to his attendant, “Go invite Physician Xu here.” After the attendant left, he stared at Jirong, “You’re just a dancer—how do you have such precious medicine?”

“In answer to the Young Master, the Ji family… originally operated a medical hall, but later, because my father’s medical skills were inadequate, our family fortunes declined. This medicine was left by grandfather—the entire Ji family has only this one bottle remaining. I know the Young Master has many pressing affairs and assassins to pursue, yet your leg injury has delayed all of this. You must be very anxious, so I specially present this medicine, hoping it can help the Young Master.”

“In that case, I should thank you properly.” Saying this, Li Jiancheng beckoned, “Come here.”

After Jirong stepped forward as instructed, he suddenly reached out and caressed her face. This was the first time she had such intimate contact with a man. For a moment, her cheeks flushed red and her body trembled slightly, but she dared not dodge.

Li Jiancheng stroked the area where her cheek met her neck. After confirming there was no mask present, a hint of relief flashed in his eyes. He withdrew his hand and said, “Tell me, what do you want?”

Jirong suppressed the trembling in her heart and said softly, “This servant only hopes the Young Master can recover quickly. I don’t want anything.”

“Really?” Li Jiancheng smiled coldly but said nothing more. After waiting a moment, Physician Xu entered with the attendant. After pouring out some of the powder to examine it, his face showed a mixture of excitement and surprise, “This bottle… could it be the Tendon-Mending Flesh-Growing Powder from the Ji family medical hall?”

Seeing him immediately name the medicine, Li Jiancheng raised his eyebrows, “How is it? Is this medicine famous?”

Physician Xu replied repeatedly, “The Young Master doesn’t know—over ten years ago, this was the most renowned external medicine. Not only could it mend tendons, it even had miraculous bone-setting effects. Unfortunately, after Old Doctor Ji passed away, this medicine was lost. I never expected to see it here today.” He continued, “I wonder where the Young Master obtained this bottle?”

Li Jiancheng pointed at Jirong, “This person is the heir of the Ji family medical hall. The medicine was her gift.”

Physician Xu walked to Jirong, saying with some excitement, “How much of this medicine does your Ji family still have? I can pay a high price for it.”

Jirong lowered her eyes, “I’m afraid I must disappoint Physician Xu. When grandfather passed away suddenly that year, he didn’t leave behind many bottles, and later we used some for various reasons. Now, only this one bottle remains.”

Her words greatly disappointed Physician Xu, who sighed, “If there were several more bottles, we might be able to cure the Young Master’s foot ailment!”

Upon hearing this, Li Jiancheng, who had been rather indifferent moments before, suddenly changed expression and stared at him intensely, asking in a trembling voice, “You… what did you say? It can… cure my foot ailment?”

Ever since his feet became afflicted and his walking became limping, it had become Li Jiancheng’s greatest burden. He dreamed of someday being able to cure his foot ailment. Despite Li Yuan’s efforts over the years to seek famous doctors, it had never been cured. Now hearing these words, how could he not be excited?

Physician Xu said, “That’s correct. I remember it was over twenty years ago—I personally witnessed Old Doctor Ji use this medicine to cure someone with a foot ailment. With sufficient medicine, it would be worth trying, but unfortunately…” He shook his head without finishing.

Li Jiancheng extended his hand toward Jirong, “Give me the formula for preparing this powder. As long as you’re willing to hand over the prescription, I can agree to any request—I absolutely won’t break my word.”

Jirong’s heart was also filled with regret. If only the prescription had been left behind, or if those few bottles hadn’t been used so carelessly, then now she could cure Li Jiancheng’s foot ailment. This favor would undoubtedly be greater than Meixue’s, enough to elevate her position in the Governor’s mansion even higher. But unfortunately…