Chapter 7: Something Fishy

Seeing Ye Chutang return, the little milk bun immediately jumped down from Shen Yanchuan and ran to her side, holding up the hibiscus cake in her hand.

"Big Sister! Eat cake!"

Ye Chutang leaned over, wiped the crumbs from the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, and then bowed to Shen Yanchuan.

"I apologize, Xiao Wu is ignorant and has disturbed you."

Shen Yanchuan’s brows relaxed; he didn't seem to mind, smiling faintly, "It is no matter, she is very cute."

Ye Chutang picked up Xiao Wu and looked around, just in time to see Ye Jingyan coming out of the pharmacy.

"Big Sister, you're back?"

Seeing Ye Chutang, the heart that Ye Jingyan had been holding all day finally settled a little.

He had been thinking that if they didn't return soon, he would have to go to the yamen to check on them.

Ye Chutang noticed he was holding two white porcelain bottles and asked casually, "Did someone come to buy medicine?"

Ye Jingyan nodded. "Aunt Yang's youngest son snuck off to play in the lake during the day and accidentally cut his leg. Aunt Yang said she came to get some medicine."

So that was it.

Aunt Yang had been very caring toward them over the past few years, so this small favor was worth doing.

Ye Chutang asked one more question: "Is it serious?"

Ye Jingyan laughed. "Big Sister, don't worry. The child isn't badly hurt; it's just a cut. It's just that Aunt Yang hit him quite hard—his bottom is a mess."

Ye Chutang: "..."

Fair enough.

That was a rather large wild lake, and many children liked to run off and play there. Accidents happened every year, so it was only natural for Aunt Yang to be angry out of lingering fear.

However...

"Why did you take out two bottles?"

After all, it was her own child; Aunt Yang should have known how much force to use.

Ye Jingyan looked down at the two bottles of medicine in his hand. "Oh, this bottle is for Aunt Yang, and the other one is for her cousin. She came to Aunt Yang's house to deliver things today and happened to hear Aunt Yang say that our clinic's golden sore medicine is exceptionally effective, so she asked for an extra bottle. She said she cut her hand while cooking yesterday and could put it to good use."

Ye Chutang’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Is that so?"

She had met Aunt Yang's cousin before; she was a fiery, straightforward, and efficient woman.

It wasn't strange to cut one's hand while cooking, but ordinary folk would usually just mash up some herbs and wrap it up; they wouldn't specifically buy a bottle of golden sore medicine for it.

After all, this golden sore medicine wasn't cheap.

When Aunt Yang came to get medicine, Ye Chutang only charged a symbolic fraction of the cost, but everyone else paid full price.

The price of this bottle of medicine was worth half a month's wages for her husband—coincidentally, her husband worked at the Cao family estate.

Ye Chutang’s thoughts raced, but her expression remained calm. She handed Xiao Wu over and said, "I haven't had a chance to thank them for what happened during the day. Give the medicine to me; I'll go over myself."

Ye Jingyan naturally wouldn't go against his sister's wishes and immediately took the little milk bun.

Ye Chutang instructed, "She's eaten a bit too much hibiscus cake these past two days. Keep an eye on her so she doesn't eat too many snacks and lose her appetite for dinner."

"Alright."

Only then did Ye Chutang turn and head to Aunt Yang's house next door.

...

"This Dr. Ye is truly busy all day long." Inside the room, Lian Zhou watched his master finish his medicine and couldn't help but mutter, "Not only does she worry about her younger brother, but she even has to fret over small things like a child eating pastries."

Shen Yanchuan was reading a letter. He didn't look up at the remark, only letting out a soft laugh.

"Indeed, and she has to guard against me, which takes even more effort."

Lian Zhou was stunned. "Master, why do you say that?"

Dr. Ye is guarding against his master? How did he not notice?

Shen Yanchuan put down the letter in his hand. In his mind, he recalled the look in Ye Chutang's eyes when she returned and saw the little milk bun in his arms.

Clear, sharp, and unfathomable.

It even carried a trace of hostility that was extremely difficult to detect.

This seemingly gentle and amiable Dr. Ye is not so easy to deal with...

Shen Yanchuan raised his hand. His slender, fair fingers, illuminated by the candlelight, seemed to be coated in a faint glaze, cold and jade-like.

The thin letter was quickly swallowed by the fire, turning into a few remnants of flying ash.

Lian Zhou frowned. "Master, the situation in the capital..."

Shen Yanchuan said calmly, "No rush."

Now that news of his injury had been sent back, all he had to do was wait patiently here.

Lian Zhou bowed his head.

"Yes!"

...

Ye Chutang knocked on Aunt Yang's door.

Seeing it was her, Aunt Yang was both surprised and delighted. "Oh my, Dr. Ye! Why did you come over yourself!"

Ye Chutang smiled. "I just got back with A-Feng, and I heard A-Yan mention that Ping'er was hurt, so I thought I'd come to take a look."

Aunt Yang quickly said, "He was just being playful! He deserved it! There was no need to trouble you!"

She had always held Ye Chutang in high regard, feeling that it wasn't easy for her to support her whole family at such a young age, and more importantly, she possessed such excellent medical skills!

Three years ago, when Ping'er fell into a coma with a high fever in the middle of the night, several doctors said there was no hope. She was holding her child and crying when she happened to run into Ye Chutang, who had just arrived in Jiangling.

In just half a night, Ping'er's fever broke, and three days later, he was back to his lively self.

From then on, Aunt Yang felt that none of the doctors in Jiangling could compare to Ye Chutang!

Aunt Yang welcomed Ye Chutang inside and shouted into the house, "Xiao Yun! Dr. Ye is here!"

A woman in her twenties walked out; it was Aunt Yang's cousin, the Zhou woman.

Seeing Ye Chutang, she froze. "Wh-why did Dr. Ye come personally?"

Ye Chutang smiled faintly. "A-Yan is busy looking after Xiao Wu. I heard him say you also wanted this golden sore medicine, so I thought your injury might be serious and came to check on you while I was at it."

Aunt Yang slapped her thigh. "This is truly rare! Xiao Yun, Dr. Ye doesn't usually treat just anyone! Why don't you hurry up and let Dr. Ye take a look!"

The Zhou woman hid her hand behind her back, her smile somewhat forced.

"I-it's just a small injury, it's nothing, no need to trouble Dr. Ye, right?"

Aunt Yang glared at her. "What's wrong with you! Dr. Ye is offering to help, why are you refusing!?"

Ye Chutang didn't seem to mind, only smiling faintly. "It's fine, as long as you're alright."

As she spoke, she handed over one of the bottles of medicine.

The Zhou woman reached out to take it.

Ye Chutang saw that her left index finger was crudely wrapped in a strip of cloth; it was impossible to tell what the situation was.

"Apply it once in the morning and once in the evening, and remember to change the dressing," Ye Chutang instructed.

The Zhou woman nodded repeatedly, keeping her eyes lowered the whole time. She didn't look Ye Chutang in the eye, seemingly ready to leave as soon as she got the medicine.

Ye Chutang suddenly paused her movements and said, "By the way, I forgot to ask, how is your Liu Si doing?"

The Zhou woman panicked.

Clang—!

The bottle of medicine fell to the ground.

She looked up nervously, her eyes filled with panic. "Wh-what?"

Ye Chutang looked at her, the corners of her lips curling slightly as she said, word for word

"There is something suspicious about Cao Chengwu's death. The yamen has already detained everyone in the Cao household and is preparing to interrogate them one by one. Didn't you know?"