Chapter 137 -

Chapter 137: Chapter

The next morning, Yimei woke up early, dressed in a clean, simple robe, and walked over to Madame Bai’s bedchamber.

Master Bai had already left the room, likely off somewhere in the estate trying to find something productive to do. Madame Bai was standing near her dressing mirror, adjusting her silk robes and pinning her hair into place.

Yimei stepped inside and offered a polite, graceful bow. "Mother, Zhengyu and I are heading out today to take care of a few matters."

Madame Bai turned around, smoothing down the front of her dress as a warm, fond expression softened her sharp face. "Go ahead, child. Take Liu Feng with you so Zhengyu is properly cared for on the road."

She picked up a golden hairpin from her vanity table and secured it into her bun. "By the way, the exact location and street address of the shop are written clearly inside the deed I gave you. In case you decide to stop by and inspect the property today, you will find it easily."

Yimei nodded calmly, her expression as unbothered and composed as ever. "Thank you, Mother. I will keep that in mind."

With a final courteous bow, Yimei turned and left the room, stepping out into the crisp morning air to join Zhengyu, Qinqin, and Liu Feng at the carriage.

The horse-drawn carriage rolled smoothly down the winding mountain path.

Qinqin sat near the small carriage window, her face glowing with excitement as she watched the passing scenery. "I can’t wait to see Grandmaster Zhang’s residence, Young Madame!" Qinqin whispered happily. "Is he really as magical as people say?"

Yimei smiled faintly at her maid’s bright mood. "He is just a skilled old doctor who likes quiet places. But he has what we need."

After an hour’s ride, the carriage stopped outside a peaceful, secluded courtyard surrounded by tall bamboo trees and fresh herbal gardens.

Liu Feng carefully lifted Zhengyu into his wheelchair and pushed him up the stone steps while Yimei and Qinqin followed close behind.

Looking at the familiar wooden gate, a faint, rare smile curved the corners of Zhengyu’s lips.

Yimei stepped down from the carriage first, walked up the stone steps, and knocked firmly on the heavy wooden doors. A few moments later, the door creaked open.

The moment A-Cheng saw Yimei, his eyes lit up and his entire face brightened with pure excitement.

"Sister Yimei! You’re here!" A-Cheng cried out happily, opening the gate wide to welcome them inside.

They all walked inside as Qinqin and Liu Feng looked around the courtyard in awe. In this quiet village, Grandmaster Zhang’s residence was surprisingly large and beautiful.

"Brother Zhengyu! You look very good," Ah Cheng said with a bright grin. "I didn’t know you two were coming today! I would have told my mother so she could prepare something for you both to eat."

Yimei smiled faintly, seeing how genuinely happy Ah Cheng was to see them.

Ah Cheng pushed the entrance door wide open for them, then immediately hurried off toward the kitchen to inform Madame Zhang that her favorite girl had arrived with Zhengyu.

Once Liu Feng pushed Zhengyu inside, he closed the heavy wooden door behind them. The interior of the house was just as Yimei remembered, warm, quiet, and deeply cozy.

"Wow, Young Madame... no wonder you and the First Young Master stayed here for over a week," Qinqin whispered, smiling from ear to ear like a child. "This place feels so warm. I love it!"

"Yimei!"

Madame Zhang stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her damp hands on a clean cloth. The moment her eyes fell on Yimei, a bright laugh escaped her lips. Yimei walked straight up to her, stepping willingly into the older woman’s warm embrace.

"Oh, my dear... I missed you so much," Madame Zhang said fondly, patting Yimei’s back.

Yimei held her close for a moment before stepping back with a rare, genuine smile. "I missed you as well, Madame Zhang. You still look as radiant as ever."

Madame Zhang laughed, a soft blush touching her cheeks. "And you look even better! You look completely different from the tired girl who first walked through our doors. The old man is in his study... Ah Cheng already went to inform him that you and your husband are here, but you know how he is. He might be thrilled inside, but he will never come out and admit it."

Yimei nodded knowingly. "I’ll go see him in his study."

Giving Madame Zhang a polite nod, Yimei excused herself and headed down the quiet wooden hallway toward Grandmaster Zhang’s study.

Yimei reached the end of the wooden corridor just as Ah Cheng stepped out of the study, quietly pulling the sliding door back behind him.

"He’s inside, Sister Yimei," Ah Cheng whispered with a quick grin.

Yimei nodded and slid the door open, stepping smoothly into the quiet room.

Grandmaster Zhang was seated at his low wooden desk, completely absorbed in his work. He held a thin calligraphy brush, carefully jotting down medicinal notes into a thick, worn leather book. Tiny ceramic pots and dried herbs littered the desk around him, filling the air with a deep, earthy scent.

He didn’t even raise his head when the door opened, his eyes fixed firmly on the paper.

"Ah Cheng, I told you I am busy with these prescriptions," the old doctor muttered grumpily, his brush never pausing. "If it’s those two brats are here, tell them to wait in the hall until I finish."

Yimei walked forward with quiet, effortless steps, stopping right before his desk.

"The two brats are already inside, Grandmaster Zhang," Yimei said calmly.

Grandmaster Zhang’s brush instantly froze mid-stroke. He slowly looked up over his spectacles, his sharp, dark eyes locking onto Yimei’s unbothered face.

A faint, amused snort escaped Grandmaster Zhang’s lips as he set his brush down on the ink stone. He leaned back in his chair, stroking his white beard while eyeing her sharply.

"You still have that sharp tongue, Girl Yimei," the old doctor said, though his eyes twinkled with fondness. "So, tell me. How have you been attending to Zhengyu’s legs? Have you been keeping up with the physical therapy, or did you give up the moment you left my residence?"

"I have followed your teachings to the letter," Yimei replied smoothly, not a single trace of hesitation in her voice. "I apply the warming balm and massage his joints daily to clear the stagnant blood. He has also been taking his herbal decoctions regularly, without skipping a single brew."

Grandmaster Zhang nodded in satisfaction, tapping his fingers against the wooden desk. "Good. The decoction is vital for flushing out the remaining toxins. And how is his mood? Is he still stubborn as a mule?"

"Worse," Yimei said deadpan. "But he drinks his medicine when told."

Grandmaster Zhang let out a boisterous laugh that echoed off the study walls. "As long as he obeys you! Bring him in then. Let me check his pulse and see if your hard work has actually paid off."

Yimei turned to call for Liu Feng to roll Zhengyu into the study.