Chapter 32: Bai Yi

He intended to probe their origins, but they cleverly evaded him, and in the end he only obtained a name.

He was secretly wary, guessing their identities. He thought they would stay in Xiangcheng only a few days before leaving, so there shouldn't be much overlap.

Soon Ning Shi returned, handed him some food, and Min Feng took it and left.

Shen Qingquan walked over, "Father, how is it?"

"All we know is that the young master's surname is Bai; he said he was traveling to Youzhou to visit relatives, got separated from his servant unintentionally and ended up in Xiangcheng. Nothing else is clear."

Surname Bai…

Unexplainedly, Shen Qingquan felt a sigh of relief in her heart.

It's not him.

The heavy stone pressing on her chest instantly lifted, and she said, "The other party's identity is unknown, but they don't seem to have ill intentions. Still… since they're strangers, we should be cautious."

"Father, rest assured, you can be at ease."

She nodded, and at that moment frantic footsteps came from outside, then a man called Uncle Ding shouted from outside, "Doctor Xiao Huang! Doctor Xiao Huang, are you there?"

"It's Uncle Ding."

Huang Yuanchang immediately opened the door, and Uncle Ding's group poured in, looking anxious, "Doctor Xiao Huang, something terrible happened! The plague is spreading! Many have been infected, please go and check!"

Huang Yuanchang exclaimed, "I'll go with you right now!"

"Chang Er, I'll go with you. Miss Shen…" He hesitated, looking at Shen Qingquan, who said, "I'll go together as well."

Since they intend to bring this grandparent and grandchild close, they must at least ensure their safety. Moreover, she still has a mission, how can she proceed without a field investigation?

The mission has less than four days left; she must speed up.

"No!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Juancheng and Ning Shi immediately voiced opposition.

"That place is so dangerous; you can't go alone, how could you?"

"Indeed…"

"Father, mother, rest assured, I won't wander recklessly and will protect myself."

She said a few soft words, eventually persuading the two; they now realize their daughter has grown, her ideas are becoming more sound, and even if they tried to stop her, they couldn't.

Shen Juancheng stayed; with the Shen Family being such a large clan, it would be improper without someone like Ding Zhuang to guard.

The party left, and in the neighboring courtyard, Min Feng returned indoors.

This courtyard had also been washed away by floodwaters; outside looked ruined, but inside it was warm as spring.

After one night's work, the sole room had been renovated and even cleaned thoroughly.

Inside, cushions, tables, chairs, tea set, even charcoal were all present. Upon close inspection, the pot contained burning silver‑tiger charcoal, a material only noble families can afford, costing dozens of taels per jin.

Moreover, the tea set and furniture were all ebony, understatedly luxurious. The cushion on the chair back was a pear‑flower soft pillow, emitting a faint fragrance when examined.

These were all moved from the carriage.

At this moment, Bai Yi, wearing a large cloak, sat at the table, his slender jade‑like hands holding a teapot, brewing tea.

A series of movements, skillful and graceful, exuded an air of nobility.

At this moment, they seemed to have shed the outward disguise; although a few traces of a sickly look remained on the face, the scholarly aura was gone.

"Young master."

Min Feng entered, and Bai Yi poured him a cup of freshly brewed tea, "Just in time, hot tea just brewed, have a taste."

Min Feng respectfully took it and took a sip.

"What did you discover?"

Bai Yi poured himself a cup, leaned back in the soft chair, and asked lightly.

"The Shen Family members are indeed acting oddly. According to my scouting, their household is highly vigilant. The head of the Shen family, Elder Shen, appears to be a scholar, with distinguished speech and demeanor. Though he tries hard to conceal it, I still noticed differences. He likely comes from a noble lineage, perhaps even held office before. But why has he ended up here… The other side is very alert; I couldn't uncover more."

"Also, their family's diet consists of fine grains; it doesn't look like they're economizing, rather… it seems ordinary. Yet their complexion is poor, as if they have endured prolonged hunger and hardship, and most of them bear injuries."

"There's another point that I find very strange…"

He hesitated, Bai Yi took a sip of tea, then said, "That Shen family young lady?"

"Young master, you are perceptive; indeed that Shen family young lady gives me a very odd impression. On the surface, this large family seems to be led by Elder Shen, but in reality it isn't. The true decision‑maker is that Shen family elder daughter. Before Elder Shen makes a decision, he subconsciously asks for that young lady's opinion."

"Initially I thought Elder Shen lacked his own opinions, but after interacting I realized that's not the case. That Elder Shen is certainly not a foolish or timid person."

"At first the subordinates thought Lord Shen lacked any opinion of his own, but after getting to know him they realized that was not the case. That Lord Shen is certainly not a cowardly fool."

Imagine a father in a household who constantly seeks his daughter's counsel?

"Just imagine—within a family, which father would constantly ask his daughter for her opinion on everything?"

"I am dull… I can't see it."

He answered honestly, Bai Yi gave him a glance, and Min Feng lowered his head, not daring to speak.

"What can't you see? You have reservations and can't speak plainly."

Startled, Min Feng knelt abruptly, "Please forgive my offense, young master."

"Alright, stand up."

His expression remained normal, showing no sign of anger; Min Feng rose cautiously, observing his demeanor.

Indeed, that Shen young lady's situation is extremely similar to the young master's.

But he dared not speak it aloud, fearing to breach a taboo. This outing was his first time accompanying the young master on a mission, yet he performed poorly, causing the young master serious injury; his heart has been constantly uneasy, so his actions have become even more cautious.

"Young master, Xiangcheng now also faces a plague; I worry about your health…"

"No problem, the message has been sent; Min Qing and the others will arrive soon."

Min Feng's expression softened slightly after hearing, "If that… also comes along, the young master's condition will be fine. However, that elder's temper, I fear Min Qing cannot control him."

Speaking of that Divine Physician, Min Feng sighed.

Speaking of that divine doctor, Min Feng sighed.

This time the young master was poisoned by February Red, but fortunately they carried antidote pills made by that old master, which temporarily suppressed the toxicity; otherwise the young master would truly be in danger! If anything happens to the young master, he would be unable to escape blame even after a thousand deaths.

"I found him a doctor of great skill, a saintly hand; will he remain unmoved?"

Bai Yi's voice was steady and unhurried, and Min Feng's eyes lit up as he listened. Indeed, that old master's lifelong favorite was to travel everywhere seeking people to spar in medical arts.

Whenever someone had even a little reputation, even if a thousand li away, he would certainly rush over. Regarding his obsession with medical arts, he is called second, and absolutely no one dares to call him first.

No wonder the young master treated Doctor Huang with such courtesy and was so generous; it was all because of this?

"But… is Doctor Huang's medical skill really that great?"

After all, in this world there aren't many who can catch the young master's eye.

"Someone who can at a glance recognize that I'm afflicted with February Red and can suppress the invasion of the Eight Great Peculiar Poisons—how many such people do you think exist under heaven?"

Min Feng was enlightened and said admiringly, "Young master, you have keen eyes."

Bai Yi chuckled softly, "There are others besides me who possess such keen eyes."

That sentence was laden with meaning.

Min Feng looked puzzled; the young master… was he referring to whom?? This book's first release comes from 17K Novel Network; see the official content immediately!