Chapter 8: Is it his face you're after, or his money?

Mrs. Zhou looked flustered. "I—I don't know!"

Ye Chutang looked at her, her dark, gentle eyes seeming to see through everything.

Mrs. Zhou guiltily gripped the bottle of golden sore medicine, opened her mouth, and said hurriedly, "I—I'll go back and check—"

With her head down, she rushed out.

Ye Chutang kindly reminded her, "He should have been taken to the yamen by now; you won't see anyone if you go back."

Mrs. Zhou’s footsteps faltered, her expression conflicted.

Auntie Yang had been thinking about this matter and had wanted to ask Ye Chutang earlier but felt too shy. Hearing this, she couldn't help but gossip, "Dr. Ye, does that mean the death of the Cao family's second young master wasn't an accident?"

Auntie Yang certainly believed that Cao Chengwu could never have been killed by the Ye family's fourth son. These children were raised by Dr. Ye, and every single one of them was sensible.

Although the fourth son of the Ye family liked to cause trouble, he definitely didn't have the vicious heart to commit such a cruel act.

She had listened to bits and pieces in the crowd during the day and assumed Cao Chengwu had died from an allergic reaction to something he shouldn't have eaten, but she hadn't expected there to be more to it!

Ye Chutang nodded slightly. "Currently, it is suspected that someone deliberately fed him river shrimp the night before."

Auntie Yang’s eyes widened. "Deliberately!? Who on earth is so bold! That’s the Cao family’s second young master!"

Who in all of Jiangling didn't know that the Cao family was notoriously difficult to provoke, and this second young master was especially precious and pampered?

To think someone had the guts to kill him!

Ye Chutang sighed softly. "Indeed. I heard that Madam Cao had a very difficult time conceiving him and cherished him dearly. She raised him for over a decade, only for this to happen... Madam Cao has fainted from crying several times. I truly don't know how heartbroken Master Cao will be when he returns."

Auntie Yang clicked her tongue. "You can say that again! Master Cao cares even more about this youngest son than his eldest! Otherwise, he wouldn't have been spoiled like that! If he finds out who did it, I’m sure he’ll want to skin them alive!"

*Clang!*

Mrs. Zhou, who was about to step out, tripped and nearly fell.

Ye Chutang turned her head and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

Mrs. Zhou shook her head, her lips pale.

Auntie Yang chided, "You're a grown woman, why are you still so clumsy!"

Mrs. Zhou steadied herself, bid the two farewell again, and turned to leave in a hurry.

Auntie Yang watched the figure disappear outside the door and couldn't help but mutter, "I don't know what's wrong with her today, she seems so absent-minded."

Ye Chutang smiled faintly. "Perhaps she’s just scared after hearing that Cao Chengwu was murdered on purpose."

Auntie Yang curled her lip in disbelief. "How could that be! She’s usually quite bold! When the Cao family came to block the door and cause trouble this morning, she was pushing her way to the front to watch the spectacle!"

Ye Chutang’s heart stirred. "Oh?"

Auntie Yang, hearing her ask this, thought she had brought up the day's events and caused her distress, so she lowered her voice.

"...Actually, it's better that there were so many onlookers. With so many eyes watching, the Cao family couldn't splash dirty water on you even if they wanted to!"

Thinking of this, Auntie Yang gave a thumbs up in admiration. "Dr. Ye, you’re still the best! If you hadn't reacted quickly, your fourth son would never have been able to clear his name today, even if he jumped into the river!"

Ye Chutang laughed. "I must thank Auntie Yang for your help in inviting people over so quickly. Otherwise, with the Cao family’s numbers and influence, who knows what might have happened."

Auntie Yang waved her hand quickly. "Dr. Ye, what are you saying! You saved my Ping'er's life; this is only right!"

Ye Chutang didn't stay long and took her leave after a few more words.

Auntie Yang, understanding how exhausting her day had been, urged her to go back and rest.

"Dr. Ye, set your mind at ease. Since the yamen has started investigating, they will surely find the real culprit soon!"

...

After returning, Ye Chutang personally brewed medicine for Shen Yanchuan.

Usually, such tasks were done by A-Yan or A-Feng, but considering the generous consultation fee Shen Yanchuan had paid, Ye Chutang decided to put in a little more effort so he would feel his money hadn't been spent in vain.

On the other hand, she also hoped his injuries would heal quickly so he could leave.

She had enough trouble of her own and didn't want to be implicated further just because she treated a patient.

After finishing, it was already late, and Ye Chutang returned to her room.

As soon as she entered, she saw the little milk bun lying on a small table, fiddling with an abacus next to an open ledger.

Ye Chutang walked over and peeked. "Are you having fun calculating?"

The little milk bun nodded vigorously at first, then hesitated and shook her head.

She stretched out her chubby little hands and began to count.

—The clinic was closed today, so there was no money coming in.

Ye Chutang rubbed her little head. "Tsk, how are you even more money-minded than your sister?"

She had discovered long ago that Xiao Wu was very sensitive to numbers. At first, she taught her mental arithmetic just to amuse her, but she hadn't expected that, through osmosis, Xiao Wu would learn to read ledgers so early.

Other children her age only thought about playing, but Xiao Wu was different; her greatest joy every day was fiddling with the abacus beads.

Over time, Ye Chutang just let her be.

"Don't worry, we have a big benefactor in the house now. The consultation fee we received is enough to cover what we’d make in several months of hard work."

After all, Jiangling was a small place; no matter how good Ye Chutang’s medical skills were, her earnings were limited.

Now that she had finally encountered someone she could "slaughter," she certainly wouldn't be polite.

Xiao Wu’s eyes lit up.

Ye Chutang chuckled and pinched her nose.

"What, do you like him just because he’s good-looking?"

Xiao Wu had a quiet and introverted personality and rarely got close to anyone, yet she was different with Shen Yanchuan.

Ye Chutang guessed it was mainly because of that face.

Xiao Wu rummaged in her pocket for a while and pulled something out.

Ye Chutang looked closely and suddenly froze.

It was a jade pendant.

Carved from top-quality mutton-fat jade with exquisite craftsmanship, it was clearly worth a fortune at a glance.

Ye Chutang took it to examine it carefully for a moment, then asked Xiao Wu, "Did he give this to you?"

Xiao Wu nodded vigorously.

—For Sister! Pretty!

Although that man kept a low profile, it was obvious he came from a noble background; it seemed normal for him to casually give away a small trinket.

Ye Chutang was silent for a moment, feeling her previous assessment had been too hasty.

Whether Xiao Wu liked the face or the lavish generosity was hard to say.

Truly, like sister, like sister... no, that's not it!

Suddenly, Ye Chutang’s gaze sharpened, and her brows knit together.

—The tassel hanging from this jade pendant seems...

Her heart skipped a beat.

"From the capital?"

...

At the same moment, Shen Yanchuan, who had just finished drinking the bitter-as-gall medicine, sneezed.

"Achoo!"

He rubbed his high-bridged nose gently and muttered.

"Who is it, at this hour, still thinking of me..."