Before his words had even finished, a shadow fell over him, and a deep voice, seemingly gentle but in reality dangerous, fell upon her ears.
"You are my wife, what else can I do but do what a husband and wife do."
He twirled a strand of Rong Zhi's hair between his fingers.
Rong Zhi's skin crawled.
She suddenly grabbed his hand, her face serious, and spoke righteously, "I understand, I'll tell you a story instead!"
Rong Zhi found him difficult to handle. She had once thought Xia Yunting's sleeping habits were bad and moved to the side room, only to wake up with him still lying beside her. The moment she said anything, Xia Yunting would put on an air of being wronged, even using the stories she had made up to silence her.
Was he taking advantage of his "amnesia" to toy with her?
Yet, she couldn't expose him, as she was the one in need of his help. If they fell out, and Xia Yunting stopped helping her, how would she ever return to Medicine King Valley? Therefore, Rong Zhi's current attitude towards Xia Yunting was to appease him as much as possible.
After all, Xia Yunting hadn't actually done anything, so appeasing him was fine.
"When I first completed my studies, my master sent me to travel and practice medicine, treating people. I never expected that my first journey out would encounter a strange event."
Rong Zhi lay flat on the bed, recalling the peculiar and bizarre incidents she had encountered while practicing medicine in her past life.
"What strange event?"
Xia Yunting propped his head up with his hand, listening intently.
"It was the leader of a small sect, quite well-known at the time. He had dozens of disciples and a beautiful wife. He was wealthy and famous, with no regrets in life. But who would have thought that his wife, having learned some evil sorcery from somewhere, used him to absorb his yang energy to nourish her own. Night after night, she indulged with him, and within a few months, his wife became ten years younger, while the sect leader transformed from a robust man into a shriveled old man. His dozens of disciples spent their days searching for medicinal herbs for their leader, and no one in the sect seemed to care. In the end, the sect leader's wife actually fled with all the sect's money and martial arts manuals, and the sect disbanded."
Rong Zhi spoke with conviction. Although Xia Yunting knew she was making it up, he felt a strange sense of curiosity.
"Does such evil sorcery truly exist in this world?"
"Of course. The world is vast and full of wonders."
"Then how did you cure him later?"
"Alas, that's a long story. By the time I arrived, he had one foot in the grave. For someone who had indulged excessively and had their essence drained, all that could be done was to nourish him slowly with gentle medication, and he couldn't even be with women for the rest of his life."
As she spoke, she slapped away Xia Yunting's hand that was still playing with her hair.
"So, one must still exercise restraint. Don't think about those wild things unnecessarily, or you might end up like a little old man."
Xia Yunting was stunned. How did the topic suddenly shift to him? So, this was what she had been waiting for.
"Alright, the story is over. Let's sleep!"
Rong Zhi turned to face the wall, and soon, her steady breathing could be heard.
The storytelling mission was complete.
Xia Yunting was speechless. How much did she fear him making a move on her? However, while he liked to tease, Xia Yunting truly had no inclination to force anyone.
And so, that night, Xia Yunting slept obediently, and they coexisted peacefully.
After receiving a clue from Liu Hong, Rong Zhi wanted to go to Swallow Mountain with Xia Yunting to capture the human traffickers, but Xia Yunting refused.
"Xiao Mo, the local authorities might be colluding with the human traffickers. If those people are easy to deal with, fine. But if they are difficult, it's better for you to stay home and have a backup. If I don't return, you'll have a way to rescue me."
Rong Zhi thought it made sense. Moreover, since Xia Yunting had specifically come to this place and intended to handle this matter, he wouldn't be unprepared. So, she didn't insist.
"Alright then."
"Mmm."
After they had breakfast, Liu Hong was already waiting outside. As agreed, he was here today to build the wall.
Rong Zhi still had to deliver medicine to the Ji Shi Tang. She simply greeted him briefly, her demeanor very natural, and didn't mention what happened last night, which eased Liu Hong's mind somewhat.
Upon arriving at Ji Shi Tang, Rong Zhi was surprised to find several guests inside. An Ping was busy preparing medicine for them, and the usually silent pharmacy had a rare spark of life.
Rong Zhi observed from outside. After the guests left, she confirmed they weren't troublemakers. She entered, and An Ping subconsciously called out,
"Guest, what medicine would you like?"
Looking up, he saw Rong Zhi.
"Miss Lin, you're here?"
His tone was exceptionally warm, which made Rong Zhi a little unaccustomed.
"I've only been away for a few days, and guests are already coming."
"Yes, there are more people than before."
An Ping's tone carried a hint of happiness. With more guests in the past two days, the shopkeeper rarely scolded him.
"We have you to thank for this, Miss Lin."
"Thank me?"
"Yes, I heard from the guests that they all came because of you. It just so happens that you weren't here these past two days."
"Oh..." Rong Zhi drew out her words, "Having me see patients here would be a different price."
"I can't decide on that. I can put in a good word for you with the shopkeeper."
An Ping seemed a bit troubled when this matter was brought up.
"I was just kidding." Rong Zhi smiled.
"I want to ask you something. Do you know the Zhang family, the medicinal ingredient suppliers in town?"
"The Zhang family? Yes, I do."
One had to admit that An Ping was much more straightforward than Zhao Qiancai when it came to answering questions.
"The Zhang family is the largest supplier of medicinal ingredients in the county. They are a wealthy family. Old Master Zhang has only one son, whom he cherishes like his own. He's been taught accounting and business, and the entire family fortune is waiting to be passed down to Young Master Zhang. Unfortunately, Young Master Zhang somehow offended someone and suddenly disappeared a while ago. They searched everywhere but couldn't find him. Old Master Zhang was so angered that he fell ill. Now, only a housekeeper remains to manage the Zhang mansion. Fortunately, this housekeeper is loyal and has kept the Zhang mansion running smoothly. Otherwise, who knows how chaotic it might have become."
Loyal? He almost suffocated Old Master Zhang to death. Loyal indeed.
Rong Zhi asked, "Then do you know who that Young Master Zhang offended?"
"Who knows? It's business. I heard someone was jealous of their profits and secretly hired assassins to capture Young Master Zhang. Even the authorities couldn't find any trace. It seems this Young Master Zhang is likely beyond saving."
The authorities couldn't find any trace?
Aren't the authorities too useless?
"Oh, Divine Doctor Lin is here! Come to the back courtyard for some tea."
Zhao Qiancai emerged from the back courtyard, his face beaming with joy upon seeing Rong Zhi. It seemed he was also pleased with the arrival of guests, and his attitude towards Rong Zhi had changed.
"No need, I'm not thirsty. Since there are guests today, I'll stay here and help you see patients."
"That would be too much trouble."
Although he said he was refusing, Zhao Qiancai's smile was already reaching his ears.
Rong Zhi kept her word and indeed waited for the whole day. During this time, she casually inquired about Chu Qingze. An Ping mentioned that Chu Qingze had come once, asking Zhao Qiancai if he could find a way to obtain Yunlin Flower.
It was a species that had long been extinct. Zhao Qiancai had no such ability. The Ji family, who had supplied medicinal ingredients to Zhao Qiancai's family, had a large medicinal garden specifically for growing Yunlin Flower. However, after the incident with Granny Chen, the Ji family had essentially stopped interacting with Zhao Qiancai, as the problematic medicinal ingredients at the time came from the Ji family.
This was truly a case of lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own feet. Chu Qingze had found a way to make Yunlin Flower extinct, and now that he needed it, he couldn't even find it anywhere.
After indulging in some schadenfreude, Rong Zhi suddenly felt something was amiss.
"You said the Ji family is skilled at growing Yunlin Flower?"
"Yes."
"The problematic medicinal ingredients came from their place?"
"Yes."
An Ping nodded, completely oblivious to anything being wrong.
"An Ping, what are you babbling about? Go sell some medicine."
Zhao Qiancai poked his head out from the back courtyard, "Are you bad-mouthing Divine Doctor Chu again?"
"Shopkeeper, I wasn't, and there are no guests right now. I was just chatting casually with Divine Doctor Lin."
Zhao Qiancai cast a suspicious glance at Rong Zhi. When Rong Zhi nodded, he relaxed and returned to the back courtyard, not forgetting to issue a threat before leaving.
"If you dare to bad-mouth Divine Doctor Chu, I'll beat you till your backside turns red."
Well, he was sold out and still helping them count the money.
Although Rong Zhi had no concrete evidence, having witnessed so many schemes and machinations, her mind couldn't help but conjure up some conspiracy theories.
A while later, snoring could be heard from the back courtyard. It seemed Zhao Qiancai had gone to sleep.
Rong Zhi then beckoned and had An Ping lean closer.
"You said earlier that Divine Doctor Chu was once a disciple of Medicine King Valley. Is that true?"
"It's true..." An Ping covered his mouth immediately after saying half the sentence.
"I don't know anything, don't ask me anymore."
"What are you afraid of? The shopkeeper can't hear us."
Rong Zhi pulled his hand back down.
"I'm not asking you casually. I have a friend who is also a disciple of Medicine King Valley. Medicine King Valley isn't as prosperous as it used to be. The court has taken over Medicine King Valley, and many doctors are no longer free; they can only treat officials and nobles. Many doctors are unwilling to submit to the court and have gone into hiding. If Divine Doctor Chu is truly a disciple of Medicine King Valley, wouldn't he want to find his fellow disciples? Tell me, if it's true, you could also help Divine Doctor Chu."
"Really?" An Ping was half-believing.
"Of course, it's true. And you only need to answer yes or no. Even if it is true, I won't reveal it, and the shopkeeper won't know. It has nothing to do with you. What are you afraid of?"
"Yes or no?"
Rong Zhi's words were extremely persuasive, and coupled with An Ping's inherently simple nature, he nodded blankly upon hearing that it had nothing to do with him.
"Yes."
"Thank you."
Rong Zhi's lips curved into a smile.
By evening, there were hardly any customers left in the pharmacy. Rong Zhi took her money from Zhao Qiancai, and after leaving, she didn't go home but went to the mass grave.
The moon was high in the sky. In the mass grave, amidst a pile of skeletons, was a table laden with all sorts of bottles and jars, along with many medicinal herbs. Chu Qingze rubbed his forehead, looking troubled.
"Even the cleverest housewife can't cook without rice; even a divine doctor can't cure an illness without medicine. With a cartload of Yunlin Flower inexplicably missing, how am I supposed to make the antidote? Damn Li Hao!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the candlelight around him suddenly extinguished. A strange, low hum came from outside.
"I'm here, I'm here..."
The voice was ethereal and wispy, sounding particularly eerie in the mass grave.
"Who are you?" Chu Qingze was startled.
"I am your ancestor."