Chapter 66

I wandered alone in the palace, idly strolling with no purpose, not going back to my Master, mainly because I could see that my Master now guarded against me, and naturally I didn't want to go seek boredom.

Turning a corner, I didn't know where I had ended up, when ahead a beautiful lake appeared, and a slender figure stood by the water's edge; from my angle I could only see his back, yet it oddly made me feel lonely and desolate.

I unconsciously took two steps forward out of curiosity.

"Who?" a clear, cold, pleasant yet childish voice suddenly rang out, startling me; then the boy slowly turned, his delicate brows slightly furrowed, his face filled with intense killing intent as he looked at me.

"Xin Luo?!" My heart jolted; I thought I was seeing things, then joy surged: "Xin Luo!" I lunged forward and hugged him excitedly, "I never expected you to really be here……ah—"

I shockedly touched the blood seeping from my neck, glared at him, and snapped, "You little brat, what are you doing? Don't you know if your… your weapon cut just half an inch deeper, I'd be dead?"

"Xin Luo" held a weapon flashing silver light, resembling a modern military dagger, his pupils flashing strange gold‑silver light as he arrogantly demanded, "Who are you? Dare to wander the palace at will?"

Gold‑silver light? I blinked, uncertain, and asked, "You… aren't Xin Luo?"

"What Xin Luo or not Xin Luo, you treacherous woman! If you don't answer, I'll kill you right here!" His eyes icy, he glared at me, his killing intent surging like a tide.

"Hey hey! Speak properly, if it's not then it's not! Just mistook you for someone else…" You brat, do you really need to unleash so much killing intent? "Although your eyes are pretty, doesn't staring like that get tiring?"

The boy blinked, his face showing surprise, his killing intent easing considerably, but his hand still gripped the military dagger tightly.

I forced a smile toward him, somewhat sullenly touching the scar on my neck, about to turn and leave, when I heard his arrogant, cold voice, almost identical to Xin Luo's, ring out: "Hey, woman! You said… my eyes are pretty?"

"They are very pretty!" I stepped a little closer, half‑crouching before him, the corners of my mouth turning up in a soft, exceptionally bright and gentle smile. Suddenly a gleam flashed in my eyes, and I raised my hand to smack his head hard with a "flick to the forehead."

Unfortunately, as I stepped back, my arm inevitably got sliced, the cloth tore and blood poured out—surely he was far harder to deal with than Xin Luo. I ignored the wound on my arm, looked at him with contempt, and said in a tone of extreme disdain, "Still, having such eyes on a rude little brat like you is a waste. Our Xin Luo is far cuter than you!"

"You stupid woman! Foolish woman! Dead woman!" The boy punched the rock, brandishing his military dagger in the air, killing intent flaring as he charged straight at me, "You dare say I'm not cute! Ran-gege said Xiao Chi is the cutest. I'm the cutest! Hear me?!"

"Where are you cute?" I sprinted back madly, shouting back without regard for danger, "A ten‑year‑old who neither acts cute nor plays, just brandishes a military dagger to hunt down weak women…"

"Whoever said you're cute is blind!" I clearly felt the killing intent behind me like a substance pressing in, my heart tightened—lest I really die pointlessly at this kid's hands. I hurriedly stirred my inner true qi and fled desperately…

"Ah—" As I rushed forward, about to turn into a crowded place, I only felt a figure flash before my eyes, yet I couldn't stop my steps and slammed straight into the person, filling my arms.

A faint valley fragrance mixed with a familiar male scent suddenly flooded every cell of mine, leaving me momentarily stunned.

"Ran-gege—" Xiao Chi behind me let out a happy cry; the next second he kicked me aside, and I saw him leap into Qi Ran's warm embrace…

Qi Ran sidestepped him with a slight flick, glanced at the pouting Xiao Chi, then at my disheveled state, and said lightly, "We're about to set off, and you're still playing here?"

"Playing?!" I and Xiao Chi exclaimed in unison; I glared fiercely at the brat and snapped, "Which of your eyes saw me playing? Didn't you see him trying to kill me?"

"Who let you, a dead woman, say I'm not cute!" Xiao Chi's eyes flashed with strange gold‑silver light as he glared back at me.

"So I said, whoever's blind says you're cute!"

"I said it." Qi Ran looked at me coldly and said coldly.

"You… said it?" I coughed dryly twice, my momentum gone, embarrassedly got up, brushed dust from my clothes, bowed and asked, "Young Master, when will we depart?"

For some reason, Qi Ran's eyes flashed a hint of displeasure as he looked at me and said lightly, "Tomorrow."

"Oh." Isn't that still early? I made a bow, brushed past Qi Ran's side, and walked back.

"Are you hurt?" he asked as I brushed past him.

I lowered my head to look at my arm still dripping blood, nodded indifferently, and said, "Just let Xiao Yin lick it a couple of times when I get back."

Turning back, I saw Xiao Chi wearing a puzzled, curious expression, and his left hand, which he himself had just struck to draw red blood lines; I tugged at the corner of my mouth, adopting a benevolent tone, "Hey, gold‑silver‑eyed brat, want to come back with me so I can treat your hand?"

"Stupid woman, you're not allowed to mention my eyes!" Xiao Chi's face flushed red as he shouted, then yanked out the military dagger he had previously hidden.

I jumped, reflexively grabbing Qi Ran's sleeve and pulling myself behind him; because the motion was too violent I didn't notice his body tremble slightly. I loudly retorted, "Your gold‑silver eyes are already there—why fear others mentioning them? Look at Qi Ran's one‑of‑a‑kind blue eyes; isn't he always showing them off outside?"

Xiao Chi's eyes widened as if seeing a ghost, staring at me; the beautiful lakeside, a cold breeze brushed past, and all fell silent.

I shivered, slowly released my grip on Qi Ran's sleeve, cleared my throat, and spoke with steady force, "Young Master, I'll go back first to pack my things."

Qi Ran nodded with his back to me; I couldn't see his expression, only saw Xiao Chi's gaze toward him fill with doubtful, puzzled light, then he lowered his head, unknown what he was thinking.

I turned and walked back, hearing Xiao Chi behind me still trying to win Qi Ran's affection, but seeing no response from Qi Ran.

"… Ran-gege, I heard someone tried to assassinate you yesterday… Xiao Chi went to help you kill him…"

My whole body jolted; I silently cursed myself for being so selfish, having completely forgotten about Wu Ye's matter.

I spun around and ran back to Qi Ran; Xiao Chi glanced at me contemptuously and said, "Stupid woman, why are you running back again?"

I ignored him, nervous, and asked Qi Ran, "Qi… Young Master, how is Wu Ye…?"

Qi Ran's blue eyes held a faint ripple of light as he gazed deeply at me; after a moment he said lightly, "He escaped."

"What?!" I blurted out; although I hoped Wu Ye was unharmed, even hearing the word "released" wouldn't have startled me this much.

That damned brat actually escaped? And he didn't even bother to inform me.

Qi Ran's lip curled, he gave a cold smile: "He got away—shouldn't you, as his master, be happy about that?"

I startled, looked up to see his icy eyes and the faint sneer at the corner of his mouth.

"I promised Bu not to interfere in his investigation, and also promised him to look after you." He looked down at me from above, his thin lips moving; I dazedly could barely make out his words, "But you'd best figure out your own position…"

I lowered my head, saw his hand lightly clenched into a fist pressed against his abdomen, then casually released it. My brows knotted tightly, and I bowed my head coldly, "Thank you, Young… Master… for the lesson."

Having said that, I turned and left without lingering.

"Xiao Ruo, what are you looking for?" Yuan Yi entered and saw me having turned the Master's medicine upside down, and he asked in surprise.

"Medicine." I carefully counted the herbs in my hand, murmuring, "Licorice, poria, Chinese yam, white peony…"

"What… are these medicines for?" Yuan Yi frowned, thought for a while, then gave up and asked.

"Maybe it's for the Young Master's stomach ailment?" the Master's voice suddenly came from outside; my hand paused, then I continued searching for other medicines.

The Master walked up to me, coldly eyed me crouching on the ground, and said, "I advise you not to waste your effort; the Young Master won't take medicine."

"Thank you for the reminder, Master." I lifted my head with a slight smile, my hands didn't stop. It seemed I should stock more herbs; I might as well boil a larger batch, even if the potency might drop.

An hour later.

"Strong medicinal scent, Xiao Ruo, are you brewing medicine?" Qiao Yin walked in, fanned the smoke with her hand, and asked.

"Mm, yes." I frowned while messing with the food in my hand, answering absentmindedly.

Qiao Yin came up beside me, her eyes widened, then she burst out laughing, "Xiao Ruo, what are you doing now?

I let my face fall, seeing her laugh, and I glumly said, "I'm trying to make millet porridge, but… it's not working out.

"You don't have to make yourself look like a little spotted cat, do you?" Qiao Yin wiped the dirt off my face with concern, then grabbed my burned hand, feeling distressed, and scolded, "You're still so careless, you've hurt your hand. Who exactly are you cooking for?"

I embarrassedly pulled back my hand and gave an awkward smile, saying, "It's for the young..."

"Forget it. Looking at how pitiful you are," Qiao Yin wasn't really asking; she immediately interrupted me and said warmly, "Let Sister Qiao Yin teach you, otherwise I don't know what year or month you'll end up in."

I wiped the sweat beading on my forehead and sincerely smiled, saying, "Thank you, Sister Qiao Yin!"

With one hand holding the tray and the other raised tremblingly, I was about to knock when I heard Qi Ran's clear, cold voice from inside the room say, "Come in."

My heart tightened, and I hurried inside. I saw that in the somewhat empty room, Qi Ran stood tall by the window, his back to me gazing into the distance. His tall, beautiful silhouette against the outside scenery was like a painting, dreamlike and illusory yet…… devoid of vitality.

"Young Master, take your medicine."

Qi Ran slowly turned around, looking at me and the medicine in my hand with some surprise, his blue eyes turning cold as he said lightly, "Did your master send you to bring this?"

I sighed, then shook my head in resignation and said, "No. I wanted to bring it myself."

"Take it back!" Qi Ran sat at the only table in the room and said coldly.

"No!" I placed the medicine before him, looked at him earnestly, and said earnestly, "Don't you know the consequences of untreated stomach disease can be severe? Right now it's just superficial gastritis, but it could easily become a gastric ulcer, duodenal issues, stomach perforation, even stomach cancer……"

Qi Ran looked at me, somewhat taken aback, and after a moment said doubtfully, "What are those disease names? I've never heard of them."

I blinked, stopped my tedious nagging, gave a dry laugh twice, and said embarrassedly, "I made that up. Anyway, if you have a stomach ailment, you should treat it early……"

"When did it become your place to manage me?" Qi Ran coldly interrupted me, glanced at the soup medicine, and ordered, "Take it back!"

"No!" I also refused to yield, stared him down, raised my voice, and said, "You must drink the medicine!"

Qi Ran glanced at me, his blue eyes devoid of any warmth, then suddenly raised his hand and gave a light flick……

With a "Pa——" sound, the medicine and millet porridge were completely knocked onto the floor, flowing to my feet and still steaming with white vapor.

I glared at him fiercely for a while, then turned and left in silence, grabbed a broom and dustpan to clean up the mess, and then silently carried the tray away.

Qi Ran silently watched the departing, resolute back; beneath his mask, his brows furrowed slightly, and his blue eyes rippled for some unknown reason.

Half an hour later.

"Young Master, take your medicine!" I placed the extra medicine I had prepared and the freshly cooked millet porridge before him for the second time.

A flash of anger passed through Qi Ran's blue eyes as he stared at me and said coldly, "I recall telling you this morning to get your identity straight."

I forced a smile; facing Qi Ran, what was there to fear? It's ridiculous. I likewise said coldly, "I'm perfectly clear—I'm a doctor. It's you, Young Master, who's unclear; right now, you're the patient."

Qi Ran lifted the corner of his mouth, then suddenly reached out and flung the porridge and medicine before him onto the floor, stood up, looked down at me from above, his thin lips pressed tight, his eyes turning deep indigo.

"You think just because of Bu I won't lay a hand on you?!"

I held back the anger in my chest, didn't even glance at him, picked up the debris from the floor, took the tray, and left.

Half an hour later.

"Bang——" The medicine in my hand was again smashed to the ground by the nearly furious Qi Ran.

Half an hour later.

"You!" When Qi Ran saw me standing at the doorway holding the medicine again, his face actually showed a weary, helpless expression…

"Bang——" That was just the result; the medicine and millet porridge were still thrown to the ground.

Two hours later.

Qi Ran sat at the table, plucked two strings on the tabletop zither, and couldn't help but glance toward the doorway.

It's been two hours; that person…… probably won't come again to humiliate herself, right? But why do I feel this stifling sensation in my chest? Is it because she's so arrogant, yet I can't punish her due to my promise to Bu?

He lifted the corner of his mouth, forcing a bitter smile—what on earth has happened these past two days?

Suddenly a faint sense of agitation spread through his body; he was somewhat shocked, jerked his head up, looked toward the pitch‑black doorway outside, and for some reason felt a restless anticipation mixed with nervous excitement.

After a moment, a girl drenched in sweat, looking disheveled, carried the medicine and millet porridge into his room, her face full of exhaustion and fatigue, walked up to him, set down the tray, and weakly said, "Young Master, take your medicine."

This remark, completely lacking the earlier vigor and resolve, nonetheless made him involuntarily frown, and he reached out to take the two bowls of still‑steaming medicine and millet porridge……

He thought, taking it once in a while is no big deal. He simply didn't want to look after his body, not that he intended to ruin it—absolutely…… not.

The girl curled her lip into a victorious smile, as if this outcome had been expected all along, and said scornfully, "All my effort in brewing another big pot of medicine and porridge, planning to wage a long‑term war with you……"

The girl didn't relax at all, watching him finish every drop of medicine and every bite of porridge; that feeling made him somewhat amused, yet…… somewhat familiar, and he shook his head.

But then the girl took the tray, yawned, and said, "I'm exhausted, going to sleep. Tomorrow I'll make you steamed egg custard, if I manage to pull it off……"

Qi Ran watched the girl's slender, frail retreating back, inexplicably sensing her joy. The corner of his mouth, unbeknownst even to himself, …… twitched slightly upward……

(End of chapter)