If Zhen Jiu’er hadn’t claimed to be Ninth Master’s physician, Yan Qiu might have half-believed the rest of what she said.

But she’d told such a foolish lie.

Every physician Ninth Master had ever hired had, without exception, been male — everyone in the Lu family knew that Ninth Master didn’t like getting too close to women.

It wasn’t that he had some strange aversion to them; it was simply that the women who got close to him never seemed interested in doing their actual jobs.

They were always looking for a chance to throw themselves at him, which not only disrupted their work but also disrupted Ninth Master’s life.

Over time, Ninth Master had come to keep his distance from women altogether.

Though Ninth Master was in a wheelchair, given his looks and the vast power behind him, what woman wouldn’t be drawn to him?

“I really am Ninth Master’s physician…”

Zhen Jiu’er more or less understood what he was getting at — at her age, and looking rather young for it besides, she probably came across as a college student.

And it was true — she hadn’t even graduated yet; her youthful face just made her look even younger, like a freshman or sophomore.

How could someone like that possibly end up as Ninth Master’s attending physician?

“This can all be explained once you see Ninth Master.”

Still, that man in black from before had probably gotten far away by now.

Chasing him further would be pointless.

“Ninth Master has already arrived?” Yan Qiu looked somewhat surprised.

“That’s right — he’s at the imperial city… not far from the entrance to Ying’an City, about a thirty-minute walk from here.”

“Let’s go. Take me to see Ninth Master.” Though Yan Qiu was still wary of her, as long as he stayed alert, there shouldn’t be much of a problem.

Zhen Jiu’er felt a bit helpless, and couldn’t help glancing once more in the direction the man in black had disappeared.

“If it turns out you’re not working with them, I promise I’ll help hunt those people down after today.”

“All right. Whatever needs saying, we’ll say it once we see Ninth Master.”

…Jiu’er led Yan Qiu back to their campsite.

They walked at a fairly brisk pace, but the trip back still took about half an hour.

Half an hour later, Yan Qiu was finally convinced.

“Qin Fei! Old Ji!”

“How many times have I told you — I’m not even thirty yet, can you not call me ‘Old Ji’?”

“Little Ji, then,” Yan Qiu grumbled, correcting himself.

Ji Mingyu’s face flushed at that. “Never mind, never mind, Old Ji is fine. ‘Little Ji’…”

Yeah — that sounded far too awkward.

“So she really is Ninth Master’s attending physician? Zhen Jiu’er?” Even now, Yan Qiu still couldn’t quite believe it — the girl simply looked too young.

“Absolutely true,” Qin Fei said with a grin. “Hard to believe, right? But Ninth Master really likes Jiu’er — he even lets her examine his legs.”

Every other physician, male or female, Ninth Master flatly refused.

But he never turned Zhen Jiu’er away.

Yan Qiu’s gaze settled on Zhen Jiu’er once more.

She was genuinely pretty, pretty enough to be called a beauty — but given Ninth Master’s status, how many beautiful women had he seen in his life?

However attractive Zhen Jiu’er might be, she was still just one pretty girl among many; she shouldn’t hold that much appeal.

Why would Ninth Master have chosen her?

“Where’s Ninth Master?” Yan Qiu asked.

Ji Mingyu smiled. “Still resting. I’ll take you over.”

…Strangely enough, Ninth Master wasn’t there.

Not in the tent, not anywhere nearby.

Ninth Master was missing!

“I’ll go look for Ninth Master. You two stay here and rest — don’t wander off.”

After all, this was unfamiliar territory; even Qin Fei’s expression turned serious.

“Remember — don’t run off anywhere. I’m worried you’ll wander too far and won’t be able to find your way back.”