Chapter 2: Give Her My Life

The medicine stove bubbled and hissed, with wisps of white steam curling upward.

The little milk bun pulled up a small stool, sat down next to Ye Chutang, and obediently nibbled on a hibiscus cake.

After eating one piece, she stopped and carefully wrapped up the remaining two.

She knew these were snacks from Xinghua Tower and were very expensive. Every time the family bought them, they only bought three pieces—one for her and one for each of her two older brothers.

Ye Chutang glanced at her. "No need to save any for your Fourth Brother. He got into a fight today, so he doesn't get a share."

The little milk bun opened her dark, round eyes wide, looked down at the snacks in her arms, and a hint of hesitation appeared on her small face.

In the end, she shook her head—Fourth Brother worked hard fighting too! I have to save some for him!

Ye Chutang weighed the heavy purse in her hand; it contained the silver the attendant had given her earlier.

Truth be told, wealthy people were indeed generous.

If only it didn't bring trouble along with it, that would be even better.

She ruffled the little milk bun's hair. "We have money at home, why are you being so stingy?"

The little milk bun smiled at her and rubbed affectionately against her arm.

The scent of medicine grew stronger. Ye Chutang thought for a moment, went back to lock the front gate, and then continued to dry the medicinal herbs.

After a while, she heard movement behind the woodshed.

Without looking up, she said, "You're back?"

The sound stopped abruptly.

A moment later, two youths walked out, one after the other.

The one in front looked about thirteen or fourteen; his frame was beginning to stretch out, tall and refined, gentle and elegant.

The one behind was slightly shorter, his face still carrying a touch of youthful immaturity, but his brows and eyes were sharp and handsome, hiding an untamed wildness.

"Big Sister."

The one in front spoke first, while the one behind scratched his head and followed up with a guilty, "…Big Sister."

Ye Jingyan glanced around the courtyard and asked curiously, "Did a patient come? It's still so early, why did Big Sister lock the gate?"

Ye Chutang retorted, "Do you two ever use the front door these days?"

The two youths immediately looked embarrassed.

Ye Yunfeng coughed loudly, feeling even more guilty. "Big Sister already knows?"

Ye Chutang: "I would have liked not to know, but since you beat up the Cao family's second young master this time, it's hard not to."

Hearing that name, Ye Yunfeng’s expression turned cold, and he said angrily, "He deserved the beating! Who told him to—to Big Sister—"

Ye Jingyan pulled him back calmly.

Ye Yunfeng paused, forcibly swallowing the rest of his words. "…Who told him to speak ill of Big Sister!"

In truth, Ye Chutang had already anticipated this reason.

Although the brothers A-Yan and A-Feng were only a year apart, their temperaments were worlds apart.

One was gentle and restrained, introverted and quiet; the other was unrestrained and rebellious, with a fiery temper.

Ever since their family moved to Jiangling three years ago, A-Feng had been in no shortage of fights.

At that time, she was a fourteen-year-old girl, carrying two brothers who were barely taller than an adult's waist and a baby sister who still needed nursing—they were the easiest targets for bullying.

During that initial period, A-Feng would often disappear during the day and return at night, always covered in injuries, stubbornly refusing to let her see them.

Later, after Ye Chutang opened the medical clinic, the family's situation gradually improved.

Ye Chutang nodded. "How badly are they hurt?"

Ye Yunfeng was born with great strength and a sturdy build. Even though he was only twelve, he was already like a little leopard. With him fighting multiple people, Ye Chutang wasn't worried about him getting hurt; she only worried that he hit too hard.

Ye Jingyan immediately said, "Don't worry, Big Sister. They only suffered superficial injuries; they'll be fine after a few days of rest."

Ye Chutang breathed a slight sigh of relief and said to Ye Yunfeng, "Understood. Tomorrow, you will come with me to the Cao residence to apologize."

Ye Yunfeng was unconvinced, but remembering his third brother's earlier warning, he could only hold his breath and remain silent.

Ye Chutang didn't pay him any mind. Thinking the medicine was about ready, she headed back.

Not until her figure was far away did Ye Yunfeng grumble in annoyance, "It was Cao Chengwu who disrespected Big Sister first! And yet I have to go apologize to him!? It was a mercy I didn't beat him to death today! And that good-for-nothing brother of his, how dare he covet Big Sister? Bah!"

Ye Jingyan patted his shoulder.

"This caused trouble for Big Sister in the first place. Whatever she tells us to do, we do. Remember not to dirty Big Sister's ears."

Ye Yunfeng felt both guilty and angry, pressing his lips together. "I know! I just—I just hate that I'm useless! Letting Big Sister suffer such bullying from people like that!"

Just then, the little milk bun ran over, trying her best to hold up the hibiscus cake.

—Brother, have some snacks!

Ye Jingyan picked her up, and Ye Yunfeng also reined in his hostility.

Thinking of the carriage parked at the gate, Ye Jingyan tapped her nose.

"Little Five is so well-behaved! Did you accompany Big Sister to see patients again today?"

...

Ye Chutang brought the medicine over and took out a pouch of silver needles.

The needles, as thin as hair, reflected a cold light under the sun.

Aside from providing food and clothing for her younger siblings, the first bit of money she saved was used to have these made—a craftsman's tools must never be lost.

Lian Zhou watched the young girl take out the silver needles, unable to help but worry secretly. With such slender, delicate wrists, they looked like they would snap at a touch—could she really perform acupuncture on his master?

If something went wrong...

Just as he was thinking this, Ye Chutang had already placed the needles.

With fluid, practiced movements, she inserted them into the center of Shen Yanchuan's brow, the notch of his sternum, and the webbing between his thumb and index finger.

The entire process was extremely fast. Before Lian Zhou could even react, he saw his master's face turn deathly pale, followed by a sudden, violent cough that expelled a mouthful of black blood!

"Master!"

Lian Zhou was shocked. With a "swish," he drew his sword, intending to strike at Ye Chutang!

However, before the blade could reach her, he heard Shen Yanchuan cough and say in a hoarse voice, "Lian Zhou, do not be disrespectful to Dr. Ye."

Lian Zhou hurriedly retracted his sword, but a sharp edge of sword qi still narrowly brushed past Ye Chutang's neck.

A strand of hair hanging by her cheek was silently sliced off, the black silk drifting to the ground.

Shen Yanchuan lifted his eyelids slightly to see the young girl before him, her expression calm and composed from beginning to end, her clean, clear black eyes showing not a ripple of emotion.

It was as if she didn't care at all about having just nearly died under his sword.

"The residual poison in your body has been there for a long time and has already damaged your internal organs. Although it has been cleared out now, you still need to rest and recuperate for a while."

Ye Chutang neatly collected the needles and raised her hand to tuck the loose hair behind her ear, her voice soft.

"Especially avoid getting angry, otherwise, if the illness recurs, even the Great Luo Immortals won't be able to save you."

Lian Zhou's face turned a mix of pale and green, feeling both embarrassed and guilty. Just as he was about to speak, he saw that Ye Chutang had already turned and walked out.

He cupped his hands in a salute. "This subordinate acted on impulse, please punish me, Master!"

Shen Yanchuan's coughing subsided, and he leaned back against the headboard, closing his eyes to rest.

"You were only protecting your master; what crime is there in that?"

For some reason, the image of the young girl's gentle yet sharp-tongued words surfaced in his mind, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"I thought she was soft-tempered, who knew she was so hard to provoke..."

He said softly, then looked at Lian Zhou, half-jokingly warning him,

"In the future, provoke her less, otherwise your master's life might just end up in her hands."