In ancient times, the lives of servants were as insignificant as blades of grass, worth less than a single coin.
What wealthy and noble family did not have blood on their hands? Yet, this cold and aloof man, Ye Wuyun, who kept everyone at a distance, was seeking medical help for a maid. Perhaps she was the one he loved; who could say for sure?
Regardless, this was an act deserving of respect.
"As long as Young Master Leng is willing to act, be it a thousand taels of gold or anything else, Ye will do whatever is within his power to fulfill it."
"What if I asked for your life?"
Yun Xiao's smile was neither here nor there as she looked at him coldly. Men, it was best not to speak so arrogantly.
"You?"
Upon hearing Yun Xiao's audacious words, Yi Dao's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, ready to erupt in anger.
Yun Xiao shot him a cold glance. Her eyes were like a majestic eagle in the sky, circling and hovering, its talons sharp as hooks, poised to snatch its prey.
Yi Dao felt precisely this way; the gaze from this person was like an eagle soaring high in the blue sky, one that dared not be underestimated, nor dared to doubt his words.
"Very well. If you can cure Qiao Fan's illness, and if you truly want my life, then take it."
Ye Wuyun did not even frown. On his exquisitely beautiful features, his gaze was veiled, his sword-like eyebrows slightly raised, his thin lips curving into a wisp of cold mist. His life itself was merely existing.
It would likely not last much longer, so being able to cure Qiao Fan's illness was what would bring him the most joy.
As for his own illness, he had seen countless physicians since childhood. Even Imperial Physician Zhang Zhaode from the palace had politely declined. Therefore, he held no hope at all, only wishing to see Qiao Fan live happily within his remaining years.
"Bring her in."
Yun Xiao said coldly, turning to head towards the small building. Yi Dao, hearing Yun Xiao's command, had already flashed out the door.
In truth, he saw that Young Master Leng Yue's medical skills were extraordinary. His greatest wish was to cure his master's illness. Although he had never succeeded before, perhaps this Young Master Leng Yue could do it. There was nothing absolute in this world.
It was just that his master seemed to have resigned himself to fate, forbidding anyone from mentioning his illness again.
Yun Xiao and Ye Wuyun entered the small building and sat down. Wan Wan immediately and deftly served tea, then stood beside Yun Xiao. The hall fell silent.
Wan Wan's pretty eyes were fixed on Ye Wuyun, scrutinizing him from head to toe. This was the first time she had seen Young Master Ye up close. He was handsome and spirited, with the unique aura of fine jade, truly worthy of being called the foremost young master of Yanjing. His every movement exuded an indescribable elegance and charm.
However, Young Master Ye's complexion was slightly paler than that of a normal person, appearing to have a sickly pallor. As Wan Wan thought this, she felt a pang of alarm and glanced at him a few more times.
Ye Wuyun sipped his tea while observing the decorations within the small building. They were simple and elegant, with no superfluous furnishings, save for the necessary tables and chairs, and some other furniture.
Then he looked at Young Master Leng Yue, seated in the main position, so graceful, like the bright moon in the blue sky, veiled by a hazy gauze. His dark eyes twinkled with profound mystery.
A man as refined as jade, if he had not seen it with his own eyes, he would truly have been unable to believe that this person could curse so viciously and provoke trouble with a poker face.
What kind of person was he, really?
As Ye Wuyun was contemplating, footsteps sounded from outside the building. Yi Dao entered, pulling along a slender, fair-faced maid. The girl's eyes lacked spirit, unable to focus.
With one hand held by Yi Dao, she used the other to lift her hair, bring it to her mouth, and suck on it playfully. Upon seeing Ye Wuyun, she pouted, struggled free from Yi Dao's grip, and rushed to Ye Wuyun, protesting with dissatisfaction.
"Brother Wuyun, I've been waiting for you for so long. Will you play catching crickets with me?"
This girl was clearly Qiao Fan. However, she hadn't expected Qiao Fan to be ill, but rather foolish. How could a fool be treated? Yun Xiao's expression turned grim. She abruptly stood up from her seat and glared coldly at Ye Wuyun.
"Young Master Ye, are you bored and looking for trouble? This girl is simply foolish; she's not ill. What are you going to treat?"
She was full of life, and there was no way to tell she was sick. Instead, she was utterly foolish. How Ye Wuyun had become involved with a fool, to the point of risking his life for her, was incomprehensible.
After speaking, Yun Xiao turned to Wan Wan by her side and said, "See them out."
"Yes, Master."
Wan Wan had also seen Qiao Fan. She was merely foolish, not ill at all. How could she be treated? If doctors could cure fools, then there would be no fools in the world.
Yun Xiao finished giving the order and ascended the stairs. Behind her, a scorching, icy gaze fixed on her back, as if wishing to pierce a hole through it.
However, Yun Xiao remained unfazed and unconcerned. She saw no need to waste her energy on a fool.
Unexpectedly, Ye Wuyun's pupils darkened abruptly. His figure flickered with a purple light, and he blocked Yun Xiao's path. He looked down at Yun Xiao's face from above, his exquisite features etched with disappointment and coldness. He spoke word by word.
"I thought you were different from others. It turns out that the famous Young Master Leng Yue is no better. In the eyes of people like you, is a maid's life not a life? Is a maid's illness not an illness? I thought you were different, but it turns out it was all just my own fancy."
Ye Wuyun's pale cheeks flushed with red due to his anger. Up close, his eyelashes were long and dense. In his black eyes, hot flames leaped, and within those flames, he saw his own surprised face before it took him a long time to react.
"Young Master Ye, are you mistaken? I am not refusing to treat her. If this maid Qiao Fan were ill, I would certainly intervene. But she is foolish. I ask you, how many fools are there in the world? Foolishness is not an illness. How can I treat it?"
As soon as Yun Xiao finished speaking, Ye Wuyun, without waiting for her to refuse further, reached out and pulled her hand, dragging her in front of Qiao Fan.
"She wasn't foolish before. She became foolish because she went through a traumatic experience. So, I hope you can cure her, so that she can take care of herself."
Yun Xiao's eyes widened in astonishment as she looked at Ye Wuyun, and then at the hand holding hers. This hand was fair and slender, comparable to Mu Rong's.
However, Mu Rong's hand was warm like a hot spring, making one feel warm from the inside out. But Ye Wuyun's hand was like an ice cellar in the depth of winter, chilling one to the bone. The coldness, even in summer, sent shivers down one's spine, not a genuine sense of coolness. Did he have cold poison in his body?
Ye Wuyun had not heard a reaction from the person beside him for a long time. He quickly turned his head, then saw that he was tightly holding Young Master Leng Yue's hand. His face instantly burned, turning a deep scarlet. He quickly let go, awkward and unsure of what to say.
The air grew heavy.
Wan Wan and Yi Dao kept scanning the faces of the two, and Qiao Fan, who had remained silent, finally reacted. She cried out with a "wow" and began to pat her chest.
"Qiao Fan is scared, Qiao Fan is scared."
Ye Wuyun regained his composure, walked steadily to Qiao Fan's side, took her hand, and said, "Qiao Fan, don't be scared. Brother is here, Brother is here."