Chapter 107: The Most Embarrassing Choice After a Thousand Selections

"Damn it, truly a damn nuisance!"

Meng Qinghe had her zither taken, sat on the couch with a pallid face, and a malicious glint flashed in her eyes.

A few maids outside the courtyard lifted the zither while giggling.

"Earlier, when the miss practiced the zither daily, we only felt pleasure listening; now that she's back and plays a few notes, we'd rather get two slaps—it's such a torment."

"Who says it isn't? You haven't seen the Prince's expression—it's hideous; he's currently raging in the study!"

Meng Qinghe heard those words, her fists clenched tightly.

Even a few servants dared to mock her!

"Come!" she whispered low; as the words fell, an unremarkable maid stepped in: "Miss."

Although she wore ordinary maid attire, her steps were featherlight, unmistakably a member of the Lian family; she was the personal maid sent by Madam Jiang to Meng Qinghe, dispatched from the Jiang household, with profound inner strength.

"Go kill someone."

"Only on the miss's command."

"Go to Changxi Town, kill Chi Nan Yi, and bring me her head."

"Yes!"

Chi Nan Yi, this miss orders your death; you must die. I will also make you suffer endlessly, even after death you cannot find peace! Anyone who blocks my way meets only death; you are such, and Meng Qingrong likewise. We'll see—no matter how capable you are, you won't survive this winter. She thought for a moment, then rose and headed toward Meng Hui's study.

"Achoo!" Chi Nan Yi rubbed her nose, muttering, "Which damned thing is speaking ill of me behind my back?"

Qingfeng brought over a cup of tea, smiling, "Miss, you're dressed far too lightly; winter is upon us, the cold wind is bleak, and you wear so little—you'll surely catch a cold."

Is that so?

Chi Nan Yi looked out the window; indeed, the leaves were almost all fallen.

In her previous life, that year's winter was extremely cold; it wouldn't be long before snow fell.

All the pills Mo Junyan needed have been completed and dispatched; it seems more wind‑cold pills must be hurriedly produced.

Fortunately, the space upgraded, and the herbs inside grow faster; otherwise they'd truly be insufficient.

"Have you found the skilled physician you were looking for?" The medicine shop needed a doctor who could diagnose pulses here all day; she couldn't keep him bound here forever, so she ordered Yun Shan to find one.

"Miss, we've already found him," Yun Shan said with a smile, "The physician is downstairs."

"Bring him up."

"Understood."

Soon, an elderly man with speckled white hair followed Yun Shan. He had formerly been one of the physicians in Prince Li's manor, his medical skill outstanding; when he was reassigned away from the manor, he said nothing, yet felt a pang of loss, having served the manor diligently for many years, only to be transferred to such a remote locale.

But this was the Prince's order; he could do nothing about it.

Yet upon arriving at this medicine shop, the lingering melancholy in his heart was swept away.

The food here is truly delicious.

Few know that Bai Heshan is a great gourmet.

Just a bowl of soup instantly conquered him.

Delicious, truly delicious; though it was an ordinary broth, it was fresher than anything he had eaten in the manor before. Most puzzling, the same chef prepared it, yet the flavor differed.

Could it be that this place has outstanding people and blessed land?

"I, Bai Heshan, have seen the shopkeeper."

"No need for formalities, elder," Chi Nan Yi smiled, "Since you are a physician, take my pulse for me!"

"Very well."

Bai Heshan produced a cloth and placed it on Chi Nan Yi's wrist; upon seeing the cloth, Chi Nan Yi's gaze toward Bai Heshan shifted slightly.

Ordinary physicians usually place their fingers directly on the patient's wrist; only when diagnosing palace or royal patients do they use a cloth. Chi Nan Yi's eyes swept over Yun Shan, who realized she had already deduced Bai Heshan's identity, and so he bluntly said, "I consider this shop to be Miss's heartfelt endeavor, and cannot trust it to outsiders, so…"

Chi Nan Yi smiled, "How about we rename this shop to Jun's Medicine Shop?"

Yun Shan, hearing this, hurriedly bowed his head, "I dare not."

"Never mind where these people were sourced; as long as the silver earned goes to me, that's fine." Chi Nan Yi waved her hand. At present she intended to cooperate with Prince Li, hoping someday to return to the capital and enlist his aid to exact revenge, so she wouldn't refuse Prince Li's followers now; but once all dust settled, she would certainly live her own life, and then those not sharing her heart would have no place by her side.

"The shopkeeper's health is robust, no serious issues," Bai Heshan withdrew his hand. Chi Nan Yi nodded, "Since he was recommended by Prince Li, his medical skill must be solid. I'll entrust this shop to you; the monthly rent won't be lacking."

"Your words are weighty; this is what I ought to do," Bai Heshan thought, then smiled, "The monthly rent is no issue; I have something to discuss with the shopkeeper."

"Elder Bai, please speak."

"Regarding meals, may I have my three daily meals within the shop?"

Chi Nan Yi's eyes flashed a glint as he mentioned meals; she slightly raised an eyebrow, never having imagined that this ancient, ethereal gentleman was actually a gourmand.

"Of course, just tell the back kitchen what you wish to eat."

Having received the answer he wanted, Bai Heshan licked his lips; Chi Nan Yi, seeing his expression, let out a light laugh, "You may go down now!"

Yun Shan observed Bai's movements clearly; he never expected that after a thousand selections, he had brought the most disgraceful, conspicuous one—Miss Chi would likely think that everyone from Prince Li's manor were starving ghosts.

Just then, Qingfeng brought a cloak and draped it over Chi Nan Yi's shoulders: "Miss, the weather is getting cool; you should add some clothing. Soon there may be snow; I have specially prepared this cloak for you."

Speaking of snow, Chi Nan Yi couldn't help recalling the tragic scenes after several great snows in her past life, where countless villagers froze and starved. She thought for a moment, then turned to Yun Shan and asked, "Do you know where Lord Xie is now?"

"Miss, Lord Xie returned to Qingjun County some days ago."

"Arrange a horse, go to Qingjun County."

Yun Shan was startled, "Do you mean you want to go find Lord Xie?"

"Yes."

Yun Shan heard this and felt a weight in his heart; Qingjun County lay over a hundred li away. The miss's haste to go there solely to find Lord Xie—could she harbor some feelings for him?

"What are you still lingering for? Go arrange the horse!"

"Yes."

Yun Shan still thought about arranging her, but now could only go fetch a carriage; if the Prince learned that Miss Chi had traveled far to Qingjun County to seek Lord Xie, he would surely be angry.