Chapter 680: Chapter 680: Inquiry

Xiao Wu’s fighting spirit was rekindled by his words, and she looked ready to charge at him again.

Ye Jingyan sighed and pressed a hand to his forehead. "A Feng, stop teasing Xiao Wu."

Xiao Wu used to be frail, falling ill every other day. She would often wake from nightmares with a persistent high fever.

She was so small and thin, just like a little rabbit.

So Ye Yunfeng made a point of taking her out to play. After running around with him more often, Xiao Wu’s health gradually improved quite a bit.

Of course, it was hard to say how much of Ye Yunfeng’s motive was just his own mischievous desire to tease her.

As soon as Xiao Wu heard his voice, she immediately ran over to Ye Jingyan and began gesturing animatedly, tattling on her other brother.

She was so worked up that some of the flour dusting her chubby little face shook loose, scattering in a fine, powdery cloud.

Ye Yunfeng burst out laughing.

"Third Brother, look! Our Xiao Wu is already so pretty with just a little bit of makeup! When she grows up, she’ll definitely be a beauty, just like Elder Sister!"

Xiao Wu’s face turned even redder.

She had been ready to fight him after the first half of his sentence, but her anger dissipated after hearing the second half.

In the end, she wrinkled her nose, let out a sharp "Hmph!" and marched out with her head held high and her little short legs moving proudly.

’That’s more like it!’

Before she left, she tugged on Ye Jingyan’s sleeve.

’Third Brother, let’s go! Let Fourth Brother cook and serve the food all by himself! No one’s helping him!’

Ye Jingyan was naturally compliant. He spread his hands at Ye Yunfeng. "Sorry, my hands are tied. You’ll just have to tire yourself out."

He only had himself to blame.

Ye Yunfeng chuckled.

"Alrighty then!"

...

The chaotic breakfast was finally finished in a "harmonious" atmosphere.

Ye Yunfeng put down his bowl and chopsticks, his expression turning much more serious.

"Elder Sister, Third Brother, Xiao Wu, I’m heading out now. If you need me for anything, you can find me at the western barracks."

Ye Chutang nodded, then took a Black Gold Silk Pouch from her sleeve and handed it to him. "Take this."

The pouch was a dark color, its woven gold threads only faintly visible when it moved, making it understated yet luxurious.

Ye Yunfeng paused. "Elder Sister, what is this...?"

A smile played on Ye Chutang’s lips. "There’s medicine inside. It’ll come in handy in an emergency."

Ye Jingyan seemed to sense something. His gaze fell upon the Black Gold Silk Pouch, and his brows furrowed ever so slightly.

’Medicine?’

’Elder Sister already gave A Feng plenty of medicine before. Why is she giving him more now?’

’Besides, all those other bottles and jars were clearly labeled. Xiao Wu and I even helped pack them. We could easily tell what medicine was in which bottle and what it was used for.’

’But why would Elder Sister suddenly use a pouch like this to hold medicine?’

Ye Yunfeng didn’t understand, but he took it anyway. He weighed it in his palm; there was indeed a single, very light pill inside.

He grinned. "Elder Sister, I haven’t even finished the ones you sent me before! But your medicine is good stuff, so I’m not one to complain about having too much, haha! Since you’re giving it to me, I’ll gladly take it!"

With that, he tucked the Black Gold Silk Pouch inside his robes.

Ye Chutang watched him and said, "This medicine can save your life at a critical moment. Even a dying person can cling to life just by keeping it in their mouth. Keep it on you at all times."

Ye Yunfeng froze, then took the Black Gold Silk Pouch out again, his eyes filled with curiosity and shock.

"It’s that powerful?"

"Swords and blades have no eyes on the battlefield; the danger is immense. The great victory at Long City was due to a perfect combination of timing, terrain, and morale, but you can’t always count on such good fortune," Ye Chutang said.

Ye Yunfeng’s expression turned solemn. He gripped the Black Gold Silk Pouch tightly and nodded seriously. "You’re right, Elder Sister. I’ll remember that."

His elder sister had told him long ago that the battlefield was ever-changing, and victory or defeat was often decided in a split second.

There was no such thing as an easy victory, nor were there accolades to be won without effort!

Ye Yunfeng placed the Black Gold Silk Pouch back inside his robes, carefully tucking it against his chest.

Ye Chutang smiled.

"Alright, there’s nothing pressing at home. You should get going."

Ye Yunfeng agreed.

He had traveled light on his way back, bringing almost nothing, but now he was leaving with quite a few things from home.

Just as he was heading for the main gate, Xiao Wu suddenly came pattering over.

Ye Yunfeng turned and crouched down with a smile. "What’s wrong? Still mad at your Fourth Brother? How about next time, I let you get me back?"

Xiao Wu huffed.

’As if I’m that childish!’

She fidgeted for a moment before taking his hand and carefully tracing, stroke by stroke, the words she could not speak.

’Be safe.’

A tremor went through Ye Yunfeng’s heart.

The smile on his lips slowly widened. He ended up ruffling Xiao Wu’s hair, the burning warmth of his palm seeming to travel straight to his heart.

"Your Fourth Brother promises you."

’I’ll definitely come back safe!’

...

After Ye Yunfeng left, Ye Jingyan also returned to the Imperial College.

After busying herself in the pharmacy for a while longer, Ye Chutang went out.

About fifteen minutes later, the carriage stopped before the gate of a secluded courtyard in the southern part of the city.

Ye Chutang went to knock on the gate. Soon, someone answered from within, "Who is it?"

Long Jiu asked as he opened the gate. When he saw it was Ye Chutang, his wariness instantly vanished. He smiled and said, "So it’s Second Miss Ye! My apologies for not greeting you sooner. Quick, please come in!"

He welcomed the two of them inside and called out towards the inner room, "Young Master, Second Miss Ye is here!"

Xun Cheng emerged from the room in his wheelchair, stopping under the eaves of the corridor. He smiled. "I haven’t even had the chance to pay a visit to your esteemed residence, yet Miss Ye has come in person? Long Jiu, serve tea."

"Yes, sir."

Long Jiu turned and left.

Ye Chutang glanced around and remarked, "Such a large courtyard, and only one personal attendant. You should give the man a raise."

Xun Cheng didn’t seem to mind her teasing tone and agreed quite naturally. "Sure. I was thinking the same thing. After all, brewing the new prescription you gave me is quite troublesome. This morning’s bowl of medicine alone took well over an hour to decoct."

’He had thought that with his legs improving and Ye Chutang here in the Capital City, things would be less trouble than before.’

’But as it turned out—it was even more troublesome.’

Ye Chutang glanced at his legs, which were covered by a thin blanket. "This is the most critical stage. Did you really think an injury like yours would be so easy to heal?"

Xun Cheng’s features were pleasant as he gave a gentle smile. "Yes, yes."

To any observer, he truly looked like a very good-tempered person.

That is, if Ye Chutang hadn’t personally witnessed him effortlessly slaughtering dozens of men while sitting in that very wheelchair.

Of course, that had nothing to do with Ye Chutang, and she had no intention of getting involved.

Judging by his response, he had no intention of hiring another person to wait on him.

But Ye Chutang had only said it casually. Though she didn’t know Xun Cheng’s identity, she could see that Long Jiu was exceptionally loyal and dedicated to him, not at all like an ordinary servant.

She had come for another reason.

"You spent several years in Louyang. Have you ever heard a certain name?"

Xun Cheng knew she had come for a serious reason, so he immediately asked, "Who?"

Ye Chutang spoke slowly—

"Shui Xingqiu."

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