The young attendant led them to a reception room in the backyard and then departed.
Not long after, a woman in yellow strode in.
"Well, well, has Miss Chu graced us with her presence?"
The newcomer, named Chu Xuan, showed no change in her steady and dignified expression upon hearing Li Qiongyu's teasing.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
"Is Lu Feibai here?"
Hearing the man's sinister words, Chu Xuan's heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained calm. "My senior brother only returned a few days ago, and Master is still in seclusion. I have never met him."
"Oh." Xiao Chizhan curved his lips coldly. "Where is he?"
Chu Xuan's lips moved, but she remained silent.
"Hm?"
The slightly raised, ominous tone made her back break out in a sweat.
Li Qiongyu couldn't bear it any longer and chuckled, "Oh dear, no need to hide it. She's not here to take his life, but to bring him medicine."
"Medicine?"
"Yes, isn't that Han Dan Zhu supposed to save his life? Your Highness found it and brought it for him."
Chu Xuan's heart sank. It was strange that Your Highness would come to deliver medicine to her senior brother.
Looking at the oddly-faced Chu Xuan, Ye Luan felt something was amiss. What was their relationship?
"Take this Highness there."
Xiao Chizhan rose to his feet, grabbed Ye Luan's hand, and walked out.
Chu Xuan, seeing Li Qiongyu constantly winking at her, felt a little relieved and quickly followed.
The group skirted around the main hall and arrived at a simple yet elegant small courtyard. Chu Xuan stopped.
"My senior brother is gravely ill. Perhaps Your Highness could wait outside while I inform him, to avoid dirtying Your Highness's eyes."
Xiao Chizhan sneered with a cold expression, ignoring her words completely and proceeding to walk inside.
Ye Luan quickly pulled him back and whispered, "It's impolite to barge into someone's courtyard. Let's wait here."
She knew his usual arrogance, but what if he was resting and not dressed? Wouldn't it be awkward to just rush in like that?
"Oh."
Seeing that Xiao Chizhan actually stopped obediently, Chu Xuan glanced at Ye Luan in surprise. A heavy pressure washed over her, and she quickly withdrew her gaze and went inside.
Ye Luan carefully observed the courtyard. It was impeccably clean. There were no trees planted within, but a herb garden filled with many medicinal plants.
A gentle breeze wafted by, carrying a faint scent of herbs.
Under the eaves, a birdcage hung, chirping merrily, bringing a touch of life to the courtyard.
"Senior brother!"
Suddenly, Chu Xuan's piercing scream echoed from within.
The group exchanged glances and rushed in.
Inside, the room was heavy with the smell of medicine and was particularly dim.
Ye Luan lifted the beaded curtain and looked at the bed with shock.
The man on the couch had long lost his former handsome demeanor. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and his cheekbones protruded from his emaciated face. He looked so frail and pale, as if he could die at any moment.
A large pool of blood stained the edge of the bed. The sheer volume of blood was terrifying.
He saw the intruders but showed no change in expression, only his eyes brightened slightly upon seeing Ye Luan.
"A'Luan?!"
Was he hallucinating?
Xiao Chizhan caught his expression, and his eyes instantly darkened. Glancing at Ye Luan looking at him, he immediately restrained himself.
Fearing he might fly into a rage, Ye Luan quickly said, "Your Highness, shall I go and check on his condition?"
"Oh."
Though the reply was reluctant, she couldn't afford to worry about it and immediately went over.
"Young Master, Your Highness has found the Han Dan Zhu. Let me first check your current condition."
She feared it was already too late.
Lu Feibai's eyes dimmed slightly upon hearing her unfamiliar address.
His current disheveled state was truly a sight for mockery.
"A'Luan, please examine me."
He knew his own body; it was beyond saving.
Ye Luan heard him speaking with difficulty, his eyes devoid of any spirit. Her heart ached, and she quickly took his pulse.
Chu Xuan retreated to the side with red eyes. Seeing the two imposing figures sitting on the pear wood chairs, her heart felt a pang of sadness.
Why would such a good person as her senior brother contract an incurable disease?
While certain gods of slaughter could possess the world and have everything.
It was unfair, too unfair!
The room was deathly silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
The medicinal scent permeated the air, so strong it was almost suffocating.
Lu Feibai lay weakly on the couch, his breathing shallow. He looked as if he could breathe his last at any moment.
Ye Luan's brow furrowed deeper, and her red lips were tightly pressed together.
Xiao Chizhan's deep crimson eyes fixed on Ye Luan's fingers resting on Lu Feibai's wrist. His gaze was dark and sinister, a flame of jealousy burning fiercely in his heart.
He lowered his gaze, suppressing the impulse within him.
"Tsk, so seriously ill, no need for you to do it yourself."
Li Qiongyu grinned playfully and winked at Xiao Chizhan.
The latter ignored him, his eyes lowered, his expression one of utter indifference.
"Does it hurt here?"
Ye Luan placed her hand a few inches below Lu Feibai's abdomen. Lu Feibai winced in pain.
The torment of illness had plagued him for days, and he was in constant pain. After vomiting so much blood just now, her touch caused his internal organs to convulse, making him scream in agony.
Ye Luan saw his expression and understood.
She hurried out and asked Xue Ren for a satchel.
Inside was a complete set of tools.
Li Qiongyu glanced at Xiao Chizhan, who sat by with a somber expression. Cunning flickered in his peach blossom eyes. He smiled and asked, "Oh dear, Ye Luan, can he be saved?"
Ye Luan shook her head. "His bodily functions are all weakening, and the frost disease has spread."
"Oh? So, is there any hope?"
Ye Luan's heart ached. Looking at Lu Feibai, so tormented by illness, she hesitated to speak the full truth.
"Let's try."
She picked up a set of tools and began to examine him.
"Does it hurt here?"
"And here?"
Lu Feibai gritted his teeth, nodding and shaking his head intermittently, sweat pouring down his face.
After completing the examination, Ye Luan's eyes were slightly reddened. The frost disease had already spread, and it was more severe than when she had last examined him.
"I'll give you acupuncture to relieve the pain first, and then I'll go and boil the medicine. The Han Dan Zhu is a sacred treasure of the world; it will surely save you."
She muttered, unsure if she was comforting him or herself.
Lu Feibai weakly opened his eyes, his face terrifyingly gaunt. He looked at Ye Luan's worried expression and managed a faint smile.
"It's alright, don't worry. Everything will be fine."
Ye Luan dared not let Xiao Chizhan see her distress, so she suppressed her emotions and nodded gently.
"Who's there?!"
Suddenly, Xiao Chizhan narrowed his eyes, and the hidden weapon in his hand flew out, striking behind the screen.
A faint laugh echoed. Everyone turned to see Xie Beihan, dressed in purple robes, slowly emerging from behind the screen.
His devilishly handsome face bore a smile devoid of warmth, a smile that sent a chill down one's spine.
"What a coincidence, we meet again."
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Seeking comments and encouragement.