“If this servant had the prescription, there would be no need for the Young Master to ask—I would present it with both hands immediately. But this medicine was prepared by my grandfather alone. Even my father only knew part of the formula. Later, when grandfather suddenly suffered a stroke and passed away, there was no chance to write down the complete prescription, so…”

Li Jiancheng harshly interrupted, “Don’t tell me these things. I only want the prescription. Give it to me!” He had had enough of people’s strange looks, and even more of his own disability. He was desperate to escape from all of this.

Jirong helplessly knelt down, “Please forgive this servant, Young Master!”

Li Jiancheng stared at her intently. After a long while, he said coldly, “Feng Li, immediately take people to search the Ji family home. You must find that prescription!”

Before Feng Li could respond, Jirong was already shaking her head, “It’s useless. Even if the Young Master has people dig three feet into the ground, they won’t find the prescription, because it simply doesn’t exist.”

Li Jiancheng couldn’t listen to such words at this moment. His mind was completely focused on finding the prescription and curing his foot ailment. He spoke word by word, “It must be found. Otherwise… the Ji family has no need to continue existing.”

Jirong heard the ruthlessness in his words and turned pale with fear. Seeing that Feng Li was about to leave, she became so anxious that cold sweat broke out. Gritting her teeth, she spoke up, “Grandfather truly didn’t leave behind a prescription. This trip is destined to be fruitless, but if the Young Master truly desires it, this servant can be of service.”

“You?” Facing Li Jiancheng’s skeptical gaze, Jirong said, “Yes, this servant grew up following grandfather, and through constant exposure, I learned some medicinal principles. As for the Tendon-Mending Flesh-Growing Powder, I’ve heard grandfather mention it before. Combined with the partial formula that father knows and the medical books passed down from our ancestors, this servant can try to see if I can reformulate it.”

Li Jiancheng stared at her with an uncertain expression. By now he had gradually calmed down and understood that Jirong was telling the truth. If their family really could preserve the formula for such a miraculous medicine, how could they have fallen so low as to serve as slaves in the Governor’s mansion?

“How confident are you?” Hearing Li Jiancheng ask this, Jirong secretly breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said, “Actually, father also thought about trying to formulate this prescription before, but unfortunately, many of the medicinal ingredients required are expensive items. So after trying several times, it came to nothing. If materials are sufficient, I should have a fifty percent chance.”

“Fifty percent—that probability isn’t low. However…” Li Jiancheng repeated these words, leaning forward and lifting Jirong’s smooth chin, saying in a low voice, “Your father couldn’t succeed, yet you claim fifty percent confidence right away. Do you think I would believe that?”

Meeting his gaze, Jirong said, “When grandfather was alive, he said that father had no talent for medicine. When I grew older, he would teach me all his medical skills so I could inherit his mantle. Even if women cannot practice medicine, at least I could pass down the Ji family’s medical knowledge.”

Li Jiancheng nodded noncommittally, “So you’re saying your talent in medicine far exceeds your father’s?”

“Yes.” Jirong was very clear that everything before her might be a dead end, but it might also be an opportunity. At this moment, she couldn’t afford to retreat. The only thing she could do was hold on tightly.

“Good!” Li Jiancheng released his grip, “I’ll trust you this once. As long as you can formulate the powder, no matter what you request, I can agree to it. Conversely… I’ll make you regret being born human!”

Jirong took a deep breath, “Yes, this servant will do everything possible to formulate the Tendon-Mending Flesh-Growing Powder for the Young Master. However, this matter cannot be accomplished in a day or two. Please give this servant some time.”

Li Jiancheng immediately said, “One month. That’s the limit of my tolerance.”

Jirong’s brow furrowed slightly. One month was undoubtedly too tight, but there was no choice. She lowered her head, “This servant obeys.”

“I will instruct the pharmacy that whatever medicines you need, just ask them for it. If the pharmacy doesn’t have it, have them purchase it. If they refuse to handle it, just come find me.” After Jirong agreed, he waved his hand, “You may withdraw.”

“This servant takes leave.” After leaving Qingchun Garden, Jirong returned to the music quarters without saying a word. Chunxiu had been waiting anxiously, and seeing her enter, hurriedly said, “Sister, why were you gone so long? Was the Young Master very pleased? What did he reward you with?”

Jirong ignored her, simply extending her trembling hand to pour herself a cup of water, drinking it all in one gulp, then poured another cup. After drinking three cups in total, she finally stopped.

Even someone as slow as Chunxiu could see something was wrong. She said nervously, “Sister, did… something happen?”

Jirong recounted everything that had happened at Qingchun Garden. Chunxiu exclaimed in amazement, “Who would have thought sister’s family medicine was so miraculous! If you really cure the Young Master’s foot ailment, that would be a great achievement. Not only would the Young Master reward you, but the Governor would too. Then sister could have anything she wanted.”

“If it’s cured, naturally everything would be fine, but if it can’t be cured…” Jirong rubbed her aching forehead, saying wearily, “Based on the Young Master’s words just now, he definitely won’t spare me.”

Chunxiu comforted her, “It won’t come to that. Sister has always been talented in medicine. You’ll definitely be able to formulate the Tendon-Mending Flesh-Growing Powder.”

“I hope so.” Jirong sighed, “It happens that tomorrow is the first day of the month. I need to leave the mansion to ask father about the Tendon-Mending Flesh-Growing Powder, and also bring back some medical books.”

Chunxiu said with difficulty, “The mansion is under strict security now. I’m afraid they won’t let sister leave.”

Jirong slightly curved her lips, saying coolly, “With the Young Master’s words backing me, let’s see who dares to stop me.”

Chunxiu thought this made sense and immediately said, “I also want to go home. Sister, take me along when you leave. I can help sister carry the medical books too.” Just as she finished speaking, there was a knock at the door. Opening it, they saw Steward Bai from the mansion. Without waiting for them to ask, Steward Bai said, “Come with me to the front hall immediately. It’s your music quarters’ turn for inspection.”

“What are we being inspected for out of nowhere?” Facing Chunxiu’s inquiry, the steward glanced at her sideways, “I only relay messages. For the rest, go ask Second Young Master—this is his order.”

Chunxiu was rebuffed and dared not ask more questions. She went out with Jirong. The courtyard was already filled with dancers like themselves. Yunyi and Jiang Caiping were among them. The latter wrinkled her delicate nose, saying in a low voice, “Ever since the assassin incident, the mansion hasn’t been peaceful. One moment they’re searching, the next they’re interrogating. Who knows what they’re checking for this time.”

Yunyi smiled, “Let them search if they want. As long as we haven’t done anything wrong, we’ll be fine.”

“That may be true, but it’s still annoying. Who knows when they’ll catch the assassin.” Just as Jiang Caiping finished speaking, Steward Bai at the front said, “Since everyone’s here, follow one by one. Don’t fall behind.” He then gestured to someone beside him, who nodded understandingly and walked to the back, clearly monitoring them to prevent anyone from escaping.