Chapter 343: Blocking Xiao Qing

There is a safe distance between people, with social distance ranging from about 1. to 3. meters; getting too close makes one deeply uncomfortable.

But this young man in blue ignored the distance, stepping right up to Gu Qing and inhaling deeply near his neck, then lifting his head, cheeks still flushed, curiously asking, "What kind of powder is this?"

Not my buddy…

Gu Qing felt a strange unease, with some suspicions forming; he stepped back and said, "I don't use powder."

"Then it's even more delicious."

The young man in blue licked his lips.

"..."

Gu Qing filed this away in his mind, gave a slight bow, took the Dragon King mask, paid the copper coins, and walked toward Guanghui Temple. The young man in blue didn't leave—he held a folding fan and stood by the roadside, watching Gu Qing enter the temple to burn incense, then motioning to someone nearby to inquire about the people greeting Gu Qing along the way.

"He's a new doctor in town, named Gu Qing. He runs a Tongren Hall. They say his medical skill is extraordinary."

The nearby man quickly reported the information.

"Gu Qing..."

The young man in blue emphasized the character "Qing," then stepped close to Gu Qing again as he returned from burning incense, smiling, "Doctor Gu is a famed physician of Hangzhou, yet you still bow so devoutly to the gods—do you have some unsolvable matter to entrust to the immortals?"

Gu Qing smiled calmly and said, "I have an apprentice, honest and hardworking, who has fallen in love with a noble lady. I've gone to propose for him; now I pray for everything to go smoothly."

Praying for someone else?

The young man in blue regarded Gu Qing with new respect. Given his intention, if this matter truly proved difficult, she wouldn't hesitate to help.

"I am surnamed Cen."

The young man in blue smiled, "A rare surname, isn't it? Just call me Young Master Cen."

Gu Qing studied Cen's face, still seeing no trace of a woman's features—this world's transformation arts were indeed far superior to disguise techniques.

"The West Lake dragon boat festival is about to begin. Would Doctor Gu care to join me for the spectacle?"

As he spoke, Cen took a small breath.

Hangzhou's greatest beauty lies in the West Lake. On the eighth day of the second month, all painted boats on the lake set sail, and six dragon boats race upon the water, carrying deities like Erlang Shen. Amid the bright scenery, a pole is raised in the lake, hung with brocade banners; the six boats vie to seize them—the winners are rewarded, the losers punished not at all.

Gu Qing gladly agreed and walked with Cen. Along the way, Cen introduced his five servants: Bai Fu, Er Fu, San Fu, Wu Fu, and Liu Fu.

As for why there was no Si Fu, it was probably because they were already dead.

Only upon hearing their names did Gu Qing confirm with absolute certainty: the young man in blue was Xiao Qing.

As they strolled leisurely, Gu Qing and Xiao Qing reached the West Lake. In this season when ten thousand flowers were about to bloom, nobles and princes vied to amuse themselves, while the poor brought their wives and children to enjoy the outing. On both sides, vendors cried their wares. Gu Qing even spotted Li Gongfu maintaining order.

"Doctor Gu, what a coincidence."

Li Gongfu spotted Gu Qing and greeted him warmly. They exchanged a few words; Li learned that Xu Jiaorong had taken Xu Xian to stroll the lake, but he himself was tied up by duty and couldn't leave—his tone carried a hint of frustration.

"What you think of as peaceful days is merely others bearing burdens for you."

Gu Qing smiled, "Our ability to enjoy ourselves here is thanks entirely to your efforts."

Hearing this, Li Gongfu straightened his back, feeling he carried a certain mission.

As they spoke, a scream rang out ahead. Li Gongfu dashed over and saw a farmer, over forty, carrying several sacks. When he opened them, they revealed countless long snakes, causing women and girls to shriek and drawing a crowd of onlookers.

Xiao Qing, standing beside Gu Qing, instantly changed expression, gritting her teeth as she stared at the snakes before her—some, perhaps hungry, were devouring each other. This spectacle of snakes eating snakes stirred murmurs among the tourists.

"Eat snake meat to extend your life, eat snake gall to strengthen kidneys and gallbladder..."

The farmer hawked his wares, and nearby, several wealthy young lords eyed the snake meat eagerly.

"I'll buy all these snakes!"

At that moment, Gu Qing seized the chance to make a strong impression, stepping forward and gesturing to claim every last snake.

The farmer hurried over, asking if he was serious. Gu Qing pulled out his money pouch and calmly counted out silver, purchasing every snake.

"Doctor Gu, are you planning to make snake soup?"

Some who knew Gu Qing asked.

"Every part of the snake is valuable, but I only take its venom."

Gu Qing bought several porcelain bottles from a nearby stall, washed them clean, then approached the snakes. He clamped the bottles over their fangs to drain the venom, keeping each venom strictly separate, collecting them all.

"Doctor Gu, can snake venom be used in medicine?"

Li Gongfu asked curiously.

"Of course."

Gu Qing affirmed firmly, "But this venom must be refined before use."

"What will this venom be used for?"

Xiao Qing asked, face stern.

"It can stop bleeding, relieve pain, lower blood pressure..."

Gu Qing briefly explained the venom's uses, then added, "This venom can be refined into life-saving medicine—more valuable than gold." As he spoke, he gazed at the snakes before him, eyes gleaming.

"More valuable than gold?"

Xiao Qing raised her voice slightly. Wasn't she herself a venomous serpent?

"I'll get you an iron cage. You can keep all these snakes."

Li Gongfu treated Gu Qing like family. Hearing the venom's value, he immediately moved to find an iron cage to house them all.

Xiao Qing lowered her eyes, watching the snakes slithering on the ground. Some nearby were terrified, others disgusted, some even wanting to kill the snakes and soak them in liquor. Her heart burned with irritation. Watching Li Gongfu bustling about with enthusiasm, she snapped, "Sometimes, instead of finding cages for people, you should think about the treasury theft case!"

At the mention of the treasury theft case, Li Gongfu's face fell, and he froze in place.

Lately, the treasury silver vanished daily, leaving Li Gongfu in despair. Word had it the case had already been reported to the Emperor. He feared that if he delayed further, his fate would be grim.

"Speaking of the treasury theft case..."

Gu Qing suddenly spoke, "I have an idea. Since the silver vanishes daily, why not hire a Treasury God to guard it?"

A Treasury God to guard it?

Li Gongfu hesitated.

Xiao Qing's expression changed. She had cultivated for five hundred years and knew her own limits—if a Treasury God appeared, she would no longer be able to steal silver... Where would she get the silver she needed?

Gu Qing remained silent, but as he packed the vials of venom, they clinked sharply.

Selling water?

Xiao Qing stared at the vials, falling into deep silence.

(End of Chapter)