Seventh Miss didn’t waste a single moment.

“Bailu, didn’t you have something to ask Sister Lichun?”

She gave Bailu a meaningful look.

Lichun’s eyes darted around, then with a smile she pulled Bailu into the east reception room.

Though the two rooms were only separated by a green gauze cabinet, it still gave Seventh Miss some privacy.

Seventh Miss wasn’t actually afraid of Lichun and Bailu overhearing.

But these two maids probably didn’t want to get involved in this matter. This affair implicated several young misses and masters, and was still shrouded in mystery… One misstep and the maids could end up with ruined reputations.

At least the two new maids around Ninth Brother had already fallen… After yesterday’s incident, they’d never shown their faces in the main courtyard again.

“Ninth Brother, Ninth Brother!” She urgently called in a low voice, vigorously pushing his shoulder.

Second Young Master Quan from the Quan family could arrive at any moment. Seventh Miss didn’t have much time to waste.

Ninth Brother knitted his brows, very reluctantly opening his eyes.

“Has the physician arrived?” His voice still carried thick drowsiness.

“Soon!” Seventh Miss’s tone was urgent.

Ninth Brother’s eyes flew wide open. He half sat up, staring at Seventh Miss in astonishment. “Seventh Sister!”

Seventh Miss sat on the edge of the bed.

“Does the wound hurt?” After all, they were blood relatives. No matter how anxious she was, this question involuntarily slipped out.

Only then did Ninth Brother seem to remember the wound. He reached up to touch it, but Seventh Miss quickly grasped his hand. “You mustn’t touch it carelessly!”

“It doesn’t hurt, just very itchy.” Ninth Brother didn’t struggle, letting Seventh Miss hold his hand and return it to his side, answering with a pained expression. “So itchy I can’t sleep well!”

Seventh Miss could only console him, “Endure it a bit. Second Young Master Quan will be here soon!”

Ninth Brother nodded. “Where’s Mother?”

“Only me in the room.” Seventh Miss answered hastily.

Ninth Brother immediately understood Seventh Miss’s meaning.

After all, they were dragon-phoenix twins. Without many words, their hearts could communicate.

“Cousin’s version of events is…” Seventh Miss repeated Xu Fengjia’s words once. “Afterward, Mother and Father will definitely question you. Weigh it yourself and don’t contradict the story.”

Just from the glance Xu Fengjia gave Shuxia and Fifth Miss when coordinating stories, Seventh Miss knew this matter definitely wasn’t as simple as he claimed.

Though Xu Fengjia had frightened her several times—trying to push her off the artificial mountain, trying to push her into water—after all, those were just threats without intention of following through.

If he’d just gotten a new dagger and wanted to show off to “her” and intimidate her a bit, that was plausible. Actually using the knife to injure someone—he wasn’t that foolish.

Ninth Brother contemplated and nodded, drowsiness no longer visible.

Though his cheek was smeared with pale yellow medicinal fluid, making his features look somewhat eerie, when deep in thought, the brilliance in his eyes remained dazzling.

“Don’t worry.” He grasped Seventh Miss’s hand. “This matter won’t implicate you!”

His palm was burning hot.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help being curious. She raised her eyes to gaze at Ninth Brother.

Ninth Brother looked toward the east reception room.

Bailu and Lichun’s laughter faintly drifted out.

“These clothes were dug out from deceased Third Aunt’s trunk!” Ninth Brother’s voice was both soft and rapid.

Seventh Miss quickly understood.

Since Third Aunt had been beaten to death by the Grand Master, there was naturally a story there.

Ninth Brother’s outfit, luxurious yet carrying a hint of frivolity, didn’t match Second Miss or Fifth Miss’s style.

However, many aspects of the matter remained difficult to explain.

But Ninth Brother had no intention of continuing.

“In any case… it won’t implicate you!” He repeated.

Seventh Miss had never seen Ninth Brother like this before.

She felt his current demeanor was very familiar.

Composed, calm, showing a confident smile…

He was indeed worthy of being her twin.

Seventh Miss lowered her head and softly acknowledged.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Lichun and Bailu’s tender voices floated through the curtain, unclear, but their laughter could be heard.

“I often dream of Ninth Aunt.” Ninth Brother spoke again.

“I always thought there was still time… that she could wait until I grew up!”

“That day when I visited her, I deliberately acted cold.”

Ninth Brother’s tone was shallow and light, his sadness hidden and unexpressed.

“In the end, I forgot—if she weren’t already gravely ill, how would Mother have allowed me to see her!”

His voice usually carried innocent joy year-round. At this moment, that false cheerfulness was gone, revealing a coldness somewhat like the Grand Master’s, sharp with a blade-like edge of hatred.

Seventh Miss’s heart ached.

“She didn’t blame you!”

She said softly. “She only wanted you to be well.”

Ninth Brother turned his head away, gazing at the bed curtain corner, saying nothing for a long while.

Seventh Miss bit her lip, forcefully holding back tears.

Ninth Aunt’s voice and smile reappeared before her eyes.

“You must be obedient… listen to the Grand Madam, listen to… Ninth Brother.”

Her whole body so thin only bones remained, yet her heart and mind were still on her pair of children.

Ninth Brother also thought of her!

But she would never, could never know anymore…

The sound of porcelain clinking came from the east reception room.

Followed by the trickling sound of water and muffled thanks.

Someone had poured someone else a cup of tea.

Seventh Miss snapped back to attention.

“What exactly happened yesterday?” She changed the subject. “Xu Fengjia is very important to your future prospects. You can’t let things get too tense with him…”

“Yesterday’s matter, don’t worry about it!” Ninth Brother gently shook his head, turning his face back toward Seventh Miss.

He still seemed trapped in that indescribable confusion.

“One day, I won’t let you suffer others’ anger anymore…”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but freeze.

Ninth Brother’s tone was gentle yet firm. He seemed to be looking at Seventh Miss, yet also through her face at someone long gone.

“One day, I want you to be able to hold your head high wherever you go. No matter who you face, you won’t need to swallow your anger or force smiles…”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help tears welling in her eyes.

Why did Ninth Brother oppose Xu Fengjia, painstakingly arranging this scene…

Wasn’t it all for her?!

“Why must you… I can take care of myself!” She tried to withdraw her hand, but Ninth Brother instead grasped it tightly in return, that intoxicating warmth in his palm stubbornly transmitting over.

“No one can casually use you as a punching bag… Wait for me to grow up!”

His tone carried stubbornness, yet also certainty from deep deliberation.

“When I grow up, no one in the Yang family will ever again dare give you a cold look!”

Tears brimmed on Seventh Miss’s lashes.

Before she could speak, Nanny Wang’s voice came from outside the window.

“Second Young Master Quan, mind the steps.”

Both startled.

Seventh Miss abruptly stood.

“Sister Bailu… Sister Lichun!”

She called out loudly.

Bailu and Lichun quickly filed out of the east reception room.

Bailu still held a small multicolored bowl in her hands.

“Seventh Miss, have some tea.”

She smoothly handed the multicolored bowl to Seventh Miss.

Nanny Wang was already leading a young man into the east side room.

“Oh, Seventh Miss is here too.” She smiled with her eyes.

Seventh Miss smiled at Ninth Brother. “Ninth Brother was bored when he woke, so I came out to chat with him.”

The young man held a small medicine box in his hand, smiling as he looked at these siblings.

Nanny Wang introduced, “This is Second Young Master Quan!”

“Elder Brother!” Ninth Brother made to bow. “This younger brother is Yang Shanjiu…”

“You’re the patient. Just lie down.” The young man smiled and stopped Ninth Brother’s courtesy. “I am Quan Zhongbai.”

Nanny Wang used her eyes to signal Seventh Miss to greet him—Seventh Miss was still young and didn’t need to avoid male guests.

“Greetings, Elder Brother.” Seventh Miss curtsied.

Quan Zhongbai returned a half bow.

This young man’s complexion was very fair, yet different from Ninth Brother’s fairness.

Both Ninth Brother and Feng Jin had very fair complexions, white like jade with a subtle coldness.

But Quan Zhongbai was like a cloud… speaking both of complexion and spirit.

He wore a light blue water-patterned crane cloak, beneath which a dark blue straight robe was faintly visible—this attire alone was rarely seen in Jiangnan.

Whether the crane cloak or straight robe, both were slightly oversized compared to Quan Zhongbai himself, making him appear even more refined.

His bearing seemed very different from contemporary people. In every gesture, he carried exceptional classical elegance, like a not-yet-dry Wei-Jin ink painting—beyond handsomeness, possessing a distinctive ethereal grace.

Quan Zhongbai unfastened his crane cloak, handed it to Nanny Wang, bent to lift his medicine box, opened the lid and extracted a row of silver needles.

Ninth Brother couldn’t help shrinking back.

Amusement appeared in Quan Zhongbai’s eyes. He lowered his head to pinch a long silver needle, measuring its length.

This person’s eyes were especially bright—bright and clear like stars in the sky. One look could see into a person’s heart.

The silver needle in his hands was like a writing brush, like a bamboo flute… Every movement of this person revealed indescribable elegance.

Words like “radiant and illuminating,” “graceful bearing and elegant demeanor” seemed naturally prepared for Quan Zhongbai.

“Miss Yang and Brother Shanjiu are dragon-phoenix twins, correct?”

Quan Zhongbai asked while selecting silver needles.

Seventh Miss quickly collected her thoughts.

“Yes.” She answered softly.

Quan Zhongbai nodded as if understanding.

He asked Ninth Brother, “Does the wound itch?”

Ninth Brother’s eyes brightened. “Very itchy.”

Quan Zhongbai smiled gently. “You caught the morning wind, didn’t you?” He asked Nanny Wang.

Everyone couldn’t help marveling.

Knowing Ninth Brother’s wound itched could be attributed to Huichun Dew’s medicinal effects.

But knowing upon entering that Ninth Brother had caught the morning wind—that was practically divine skill.

“Twins usually have some inherent deficiencies,” Quan Zhongbai explained. “Since Brother was inherently deficient, after injury his vital energy is even more depleted. Right now his face is flushed and his forehead slightly perspiring—clearly he rose early and caught wind, was invaded by morning dew, causing wind evil to enter his body. The wound’s itching also arises from this.”

“Is it serious?” Nanny Wang asked anxiously, already treating Quan Zhongbai like a divine physician.

“No harm. One needle will do.” Quan Zhongbai took out a small bundle of mugwort. “These days avoid wind and water contact. Every two or three days, wipe down with scalding hot towels. Once the wound scabs over, there’ll be no problem.”

Nanny Wang hastily muttered to memorize this.

“About how long until recovery?” Ninth Brother was most concerned about this.

Quan Zhongbai glanced at him, lips slightly curving.

He seemed to be smiling constantly.

“About half a month at least. Brother needn’t be anxious.”

He asked Nanny Wang, “Do you have the prescription Master wrote last night?”

“Last night we sent someone to fill the prescription.” Nanny Wang was somewhat anxious. “I’ll have someone fetch it.”

“No need for such haste. The acupuncture will take some time anyway.”

Quan Zhongbai nodded to Nanny Wang.

Nanny Wang couldn’t help returning his smile before leaving the room.

Quan Zhongbai lowered his head to arrange the mugwort leaves.

His hands were beautiful, fingertips stained faintly yellow, making his finger joints appear even fairer. Now moving up and down counting mugwort leaves, it was quite pleasing to the eye.

“Thank you for your trouble, Elder Brother Quan! Suddenly requesting your diagnosis must have caused much inconvenience.”

Ninth Brother reclined against his pillow chatting with Quan Zhongbai.

Quan Zhongbai actually nodded.

“Indeed!” He answered completely seriously, though his brows carried faint amusement. “I didn’t want to come originally.”

Everyone couldn’t help being astonished.

Who could be this honest?

“However, first Madam Xu sent someone to request me, then your esteemed father sought out Master Zhang Weiting to send an invitation. I couldn’t refuse such face.”

Quan Zhongbai said matter-of-factly.

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred.

Madam Xu inviting Quan Zhongbai was arranged last night.

Unexpectedly, the Grand Master had additionally asked the Zhang family to step forward… It seemed the Grand Master showed nothing on the surface but deeply valued Ninth Brother in his heart.

Ninth Brother burst out laughing.

“Elder Brother Quan is truly straightforward!”

He praised with a beaming smile.

Quan Zhongbai also smiled faintly, holding a silver needle as he sat at the bedside and picked up Ninth Brother’s hand.

“I can’t enter officialdom.” The silver needle in his hand slowly entered Ninth Brother’s palm. Yet Ninth Brother’s expression remained peaceful, showing no pain. “It’s because I was born with an eccentric temperament—I don’t like lying.”

In seven years of living in ancient times, aside from those bold-mannered, poverty-stricken clan members in Yang Family Village, this was Seventh Miss’s first time meeting such an endearingly blunt character.

However, Quan Zhongbai’s bluntness was rough with finesse.

“Haha, Elder Brother Quan’s temperament is interesting.” Ninth Brother was amused.

Quan Zhongbai inserted a silver needle into the other palm.

“Interesting is interesting, but I’ve suffered plenty for this temperament.” He glanced at Seventh Miss. “I can’t hide words. When I see a beautiful young lady with a bitter face, I can’t help wanting to ask: why waste such a flower-like pretty face?”

Seventh Miss paused, only then realizing Quan Zhongbai was talking about her.

She couldn’t help laughing softly.

Quan Zhongbai tilted his head slightly, somewhat puzzled. “Miss Yang is so modest? I just said the bitter-faced young lady is beautiful, and you immediately smile, unwilling to accept my praise.”

Even Bailu and Lichun couldn’t suppress their smiles.

Ninth Brother was all smiles, frequently glancing at Seventh Miss.

Quan Zhongbai had already inserted several more silver needles near Ninth Brother’s wrist and elbow, constantly twisting them.

His movements were casual yet skilled.

“Elder Brother Quan jests.” Seventh Miss pressed her lips together, trying to hold back laughter but couldn’t.

Of all the young men she’d met in her life, Quan Zhongbai was the most interesting.

Quan Zhongbai waved a fire starter, cupping the small flame close to the mugwort, then pursed his lips and gently breathed on the fire starter.

Though his words were uninhibited, just watching this small action revealed Quan Zhongbai’s elegant bearing.

He raised his eyes, brushing the mugwort past Ninth Brother’s forehead, slightly rotating his wrist.

“So hot!” Ninth Brother couldn’t help crying out softly.

“Hot is good.”

Quan Zhongbai pressed his lips without speaking.

When not talking, though the smile still lingered on Second Young Master Quan’s cheeks, it naturally brought him a dignified bearing.

After a moment, he removed the mugwort and casually shook it.

“Knowing it’s hot means the wind-cold has been driven out.” He began removing needles. “And you won’t itch anymore.”

Ninth Brother froze, stroking his cheek. That itching sensation had indeed receded.

“Elder Brother Quan truly has divine skill!” He praised sincerely.

Quan Zhongbai revealed a smile.

For the first time, this smile showed a hint of pride.

“Don’t stop the Huichun Dew, change it every three days… The wound isn’t deep. As long as you avoid water, nine times out of ten it won’t scar.” He instructed. “What kind of knife caused this wound?”

“Japanese steel dagger.” Lichun hastily answered.

Quan Zhongbai paused. Several indescribable gleams flashed through his eyes as he nodded with a smile.

“I’ll be leaving for the capital tomorrow.” He said with a smile. “Be careful not to touch water or catch wind. If there’s nothing major, if there is, just go to the Ouyang residence and invite any of the senior brothers over. Any one of them is extremely capable.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Elder Brother Quan!” Ninth Brother began chatting with Quan Zhongbai again.

“It’s nothing.” Quan Zhongbai said while packing his silver needles and exchanging pleasantries with Ninth Brother. “Though this has delayed Brother’s studies.”

“With a happy event coming soon in the family, there’s no real delay.” Ninth Brother spoke with Quan Zhongbai about Young Master Sun Liquan from the Sun family.

Quan Zhongbai also had some friendship with Young Master Sun.

Just as the conversation was lively, Nanny Wang entered the room.

“This is the prescription Imperial Physician Ouyang wrote yesterday…”

Lichun hastily ground ink for Quan Zhongbai.

Quan Zhongbai leaned by the window, propping his chin as he held a brush, writing two prescriptions.

“Use these two from now on…” He instructed Nanny Wang with a smile, stood and donned his crane cloak, picking up the small medicine box.

“I won’t see Elder Brother Quan off!” Ninth Brother was courteous from his pillow.

“Elder Brother, take care.” Seventh Miss also curtsied appropriately.

Quan Zhongbai nodded to Seventh Miss and Ninth Brother, turned to leave.

Then turned back to look at Seventh Miss once more.

“Miss Yang,” his smile was very bright.

Like the morning sun half-covered by floating clouds—less scorching, more warm and gentle.

“What instruction does Elder Brother have?” Seventh Miss was somewhat surprised.

“You are a twin. From what I see, your constitution is even weaker than Brother Shanjiu’s. Your brows also seem habitually worried. If this continues, you may develop chronic ailments.”

Quan Zhongbai’s smile held a trace of sympathy, but this sympathy wasn’t condescending.

“I hope Miss Yang will take good care of yourself. In your leisure time, smile more, think of happy things!”

Sunlight reflected on Quan Zhongbai’s face, rendering his smile especially clear and bright.

Seventh Miss stood dazed for a long while. Before she could thank Quan Zhongbai, he’d already turned and left.

Second Madam’s voice came from outside the door.