Chapter 256

Ye Chutang gave Nan Xiao a gentle push, using just enough force to help him regain his balance before letting go.

She took a bottle of medicine for internal injuries from her space and handed it to Nan Xiao.

“One pill at a time, three times a day. Your internal injuries will be completely healed within three days.”

With that, she turned to the hostile Witch Doctor A-Man.

Aman was dressed in traditional clothing reminiscent of the Miao people’s attire.

Her black blouse was embroidered with ancient, intricate patterns and decorated with silver ornaments. The sleeves reached three-quarters of the way down her arms, while her knee-length skirt revealed glimpses of her slender waist.

A braided ponytail, tied with colorful ribbons, hung over her chest. A red gemstone tassel bell hung between her brows.

Around her neck was a long-life lock adorned with tassels and bells, complemented by matching earrings. Small silver bells adorned both of her delicate, fair ankles.

Witch Doctor A-Man.

At that moment, the cute yet mysterious young girl was glaring at Ye Chutang with open hostility.

“So you’re the wife Brother Qi was forced to marry?”

The moment she opened her mouth, the air was thick with hostility.

Ye Chutang nodded calmly. “That’s me. Are you the Witch Doctor A-Man who can save Qi Yanzhou?”

The reason she addressed Qi Yanzhou by name was that she had already guessed why Aman refused to save him.

The girl liked Qi Yanzhou and wanted to force him to marry her in return for the antidote!

It was a little despicable, but understandable.

When Aman saw Ye Chutang’s breathtaking beauty, she understood why Qi Yanzhou was so determined to have her.

A woman this beautiful—what man wouldn’t like her?

She tossed the distracting thoughts from her mind and raised her chin arrogantly.

“That’s me.”

As she spoke, she tapped the long-life lock hanging before her.

Black insects too small for the naked eye flew out from the cracks in the lock and rushed toward Ye Chutang.

Nan Xiao’s expression changed drastically when he saw them.

“No!”

His shout startled Xi Ze, who had been lying inside the house.

Forcing his weak body to move, Xi Ze staggered to the doorway. When he saw Aman controlling the venomous insects to attack Ye Chutang, he hurriedly shouted, “Miss Aman, if you hurt Miss Ye, the master won’t let you off!”

His words left Aman both heartbroken and furious.

“What is he going to do to me? Kill me?”

As she spoke, the venomous insects drew closer and closer to Ye Chutang.

Nan Xiao immediately took off his outer robe and threw it over Ye Chutang.

“Madam, forgive me.”

Although he knew the garment could not actually stop the insects, he could think of no better solution.

But Ye Chutang simply removed the robe.

Nan Xiao was just about to advise her against it when he realized that the insects could not get anywhere near her.

It was as if an invisible barrier surrounded her, keeping the insects at bay.

Aman stared at the scene in astonishment.

“How do you know how to ward off venomous insects?”

When Ye Chutang returned Nan Xiao’s robe, she sprinkled some medicinal powder onto him.

“I’m a physician. What’s strange about knowing how to deal with venomous insects? Not only can I drive them away, I can destroy them too. Would you like to see?”

With that, she reached out and caught one of the insects, no bigger than a sesame seed.

“This is a mid-grade gu insect. They’re not easy to cultivate.”

Aman had not expected Ye Chutang to know so much about gu insects.

Seeing that the insect was about to be crushed between Ye Chutang’s fingers, Aman’s expression darkened.

“Let go of it!”

Ye Chutang did not release it. Instead, she smiled and said, “These little gu insects can’t hurt me. Miss Aman, would you like to try using the Gu King?”

If she could capture the Gu King, she would be able to save Qi Yanzhou herself without needing Aman’s help.

Xi Ze saw through Ye Chutang’s intentions and hurriedly said, “Miss Ye, you and Miss Aman aren’t enemies. There’s no need to take things this far.”

The Gu King’s power was on an entirely different level from that of ordinary gu insects. The risks were simply too great.

He himself was the best example!

Aman was not reckless by nature.

Until she knew exactly how capable Ye Chutang was, she would not risk using the Gu King.

She tapped the long-life lock hanging before her again, and the gu insects flew back inside.

Since ordinary gu insects posed no threat to Ye Chutang, there was no point releasing them only to make a fool of herself.

The gu insect in Ye Chutang’s hand wriggled desperately, trying to escape, but it could not break free of her grip. It let out a faint, squeaking cry.

In the end, she loosened her fingers and returned the insect to Aman.

“Miss Aman, I’d like to speak with you privately.”

Aman eyed Ye Chutang warily, her brows knitting together.

“I conduct myself openly. There’s nothing I need to hide from anyone. If you have something to say, say it directly. There’s no need for secrecy!”

Ye Chutang nodded toward the main room. “It’s hot outside. Shall we talk inside?”

Without waiting for Aman’s answer, she strode into the main room.

Aman stomped her foot in anger, the silver bells around her ankles jingling sharply with her displeasure.

“Entering without an invitation—how rude!”

Ye Chutang sat beside the battered square table in the main room and poured herself a cup of cold tea.

Xi Ze watched in horror.

Gu insects most easily entered the body through the mouth!

“Miss Ye, that water…”

Before he could finish, Ye Chutang drained the cup in one gulp.

When Aman saw this, she could not help remarking, “You certainly have guts.”

She had thought Ye Chutang was nothing more than a pretty, sheltered young lady!

Ye Chutang’s lips curved upward. “Thank you for the compliment.”

“Who was complimenting you? Don’t flatter yourself!”

Aman snorted and sat down across from Ye Chutang.

Seeing Aman’s childish nature, Ye Chutang poured her a cup of tea.

“Miss Aman, since you’ve already come to Jizhou City, why haven’t you gone to the inn to detoxify Qi Yanzhou?”

Worried that addressing him too intimately might provoke the girl, she deliberately called Qi Yanzhou by name.

Aman glanced at Nan Xiao, who had just entered the room. “Ask him.”

Ye Chutang turned to Nan Xiao, her tone icy. “Tell me. What is Qi Yanzhou trying to hide?”

At this point, Nan Xiao could only tell the truth.

“Miss Aman arrived in Jizhou City this morning. She asked me to pass a message to the master.”

“To tell Qi Yanzhou to divorce me and marry her?”

Nan Xiao had not expected Ye Chutang to guess the Witch Doctor’s condition so quickly.

He corrected her, “Not divorce. A mutual separation.”

At those words, Ye Chutang turned to look at Aman, who had lowered her head.

“You’re quite kindhearted.”

After saying that, she silently criticized Qi Yanzhou.

What a stubborn fool!

Though she complained about him, she still admired people who would rather break than bend.

If it were her, she would definitely put survival first.

Aman felt a little guilty at Ye Chutang’s praise and immediately retorted, “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m only worried that Brother Qi would damage his reputation by divorcing his wife for no reason.”

Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow. “He isn’t divorcing you for no reason. He’s being forced to do it.”

“So what if he’s being forced? Wasn’t he forced into marrying you as well?”

“That’s true. Which is why he would rather die than agree to you—he doesn’t want to be forced a second time.”

At those words, realization dawned on Aman.

“So that’s how it is.”

She had thought Brother Qi simply could not bear to separate from Ye Chutang!

Looking at the innocent and easily deceived Aman, Ye Chutang continued, “Whether I’m missing or you’re missing, Qi Yanzhou has no way to detoxify himself. So forcing him to separate from me is meaningless.”

Aman naturally knew that. That was why she had taken a step back and agreed to become his equal wife.

But Brother Qi still refused.

From the moment she had fallen out with her clansmen and left Southern Xinjiang, she had been left with no way back.

She bit her lower lip and looked at Ye Chutang’s sincere expression.

“I don’t care. If you want me to detoxify Brother Qi, make him take me as his equal wife. Staying alive comes at a price!”

When Xi Ze heard the word “price,” he hurriedly said to Aman, “The master said he’ll agree to anything except marriage.”

Aman picked up the tea Ye Chutang had poured for her and drained it in one gulp.

“I’ve already said it—I’ll only agree on the condition that we marry!”

She was the finest witch doctor in Southern Frontier, skilled in the art of gu poison.

After receiving Qi Yanzhou’s letter, she had paid the price of being cast out by her tribe just to leave.

From then on, she was utterly alone, with no one to rely on.

If she couldn’t marry the man she loved, then abandoning her people and traveling thousands of miles to get here would all have been a joke.

At the thought, tears shimmered in her eyes. She felt both heartbroken and wronged.

“Why can you use the debt of saving Brother Qi’s life to force him to marry you, while I can’t?”

Ye Chutang looked at Aman, whose eyes were brimming with tears, then took a silk handkerchief from her sleeve and held it out to her.

“Miss Aman, do you want Qi Yanzhou to live, or do you want him to die?”

Aman answered without hesitation.

“Of course I want him to live!”

Ye Chutang used the handkerchief to wipe away the tears at the corners of Aman’s eyes.

“Then go save him. Every moment you delay puts him in greater danger. If he dies, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

Aman knocked Ye Chutang’s hand away, refusing her intimacy.

“If he dies, I’ll die with him. Would you?”

“I wouldn’t.”

Ye Chutang’s answer came without the slightest hesitation, leaving Aman stunned.

“You… You…”

For a moment, Aman was at a loss for words and didn’t know how to argue with Ye Chutang.

“Miss Aman, if it weren’t for me, Qi Yanzhou would already be dead. You wouldn’t have the chance to use the debt of saving his life to threaten him.

“And when you saved him before, your main motive was to have him pacify Southern Frontier and restore peace to your homeland, wasn’t it?”

Ye Chutang’s sharp words brought a trace of embarrassment to Aman’s face.

It was true. When she had first saved Qi Yanzhou, she had done so for the sake of the greater good, not for personal reasons.

But after meeting him, she had lost her heart to him.

Later, Qi Yanzhou had been summoned back to the capital to marry. She had offered to follow him there, but he had refused.

At the time, Qi Yanzhou had said that he was dying. He wouldn’t accept an arranged marriage, much less marry anyone.

But he had gone back on his word!

Aman glared angrily at Ye Chutang.

“The way you married Brother Qi wasn’t honorable either. What right do you have to criticize me?”

Wicked woman!

She expected others to follow rules she didn’t follow herself!

Ye Chutang had more or less figured out Aman’s personality and knew how to persuade her.

“Miss Aman, whether you saved Qi Yanzhou for the sake of your people or for your own reasons, you still did a great thing.

“I wasn’t belittling you just now. You must have had no other choice when you forced Qi Yanzhou to marry you.

“But between Qi Yanzhou and me, I’m the one who holds the initiative. So I must be the one to decide whether we separate.”

Aman was confused.

“What do you mean? You’re willing to divorce him?”

Ye Chutang nodded, but Nan Xiao and Xi Ze immediately spoke up in protest.

“No!”

Their master had refused even to take a second wife. How could he possibly agree to a divorce just to stay alive?

Ye Chutang ignored them and answered Aman clearly.

“I’m willing to separate from him.”

Aman couldn’t understand.

“Why?”

“My marriage to Qi Yanzhou was based on two conditions: I would cure his fire poison, and he would spend his entire life with me as my one and only wife.

“He’s a gentleman who has always valued his promises. He would never betray his word simply to cling to life.

“But I’m unwilling to watch him die. So I’m willing to divorce him and step aside—but I have one condition.”

Aman had never expected Qi Yanzhou to promise Ye Chutang a lifetime with only her.

He wasn’t someone who made promises lightly.

He must have truly loved Ye Chutang before he would make such a vow!

Aman felt a dull ache in her chest and wanted to cry. When she spoke, her voice was thick with emotion.

“What condition?”

“Qi Yanzhou is the man I chose. I won’t simply hand him over to someone else—unless he changes his heart.”

Aman understood the meaning behind Ye Chutang’s words.

“You want me to make Brother Qi fall out of love with you?”

“If you have the ability to win Qi Yanzhou’s heart during the journey from Jizhou City to Tianshan Commandery, I’ll divorce him and give you both my blessing.”

“But Brother Qi loves you now. He definitely won’t give me a chance.”

Seeing that Aman’s attitude had begun to soften, Ye Chutang continued to offer her an incentive.

“I’ll create opportunities for you to spend time alone with Qi Yanzhou.”

Nan Xiao: “…”

Xi Ze: “!!!”

A glimmer appeared in Aman’s eyes.

“Really? But what if he refuses to be alone with me?”

Ye Chutang mercilessly pointed out Aman’s current situation.

“From the moment you threatened Qi Yanzhou with the antidote and forced him to marry you, he has felt nothing but disappointment in you. If he refuses to be alone with you, you brought that upon yourself. You have to accept it.”

Her words stabbed into Aman’s heart like a knife.

She knew she had acted despicably, but given her circumstances, she couldn’t afford to be noble.

The moment Ye Chutang had appeared before her, Aman had wanted to control her with a gu and force Qi Yanzhou to yield.

Unfortunately, Ye Chutang was too formidable, and Aman had failed.

“You’ve only seen the bad side of me, but do you know that I was cast out by my tribe just to save Brother Qi?”

The moment she finished speaking, she began to weep bitterly.

The three people in the main room were all stunned.

None of them had expected Aman to sacrifice so much for Qi Yanzhou.

Xi Ze asked sympathetically, “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

Aman sniffled and retorted, “What was I supposed to say? That I’m all alone now and begging him to take pity on me?”

She had thought marrying Qi Yanzhou would be easy.

After all, he had been willing to accept the emperor’s marriage decree. Surely he could also accept her forcing him into marriage.

But he would rather die than submit!

Ye Chutang finally understood why Aman was so determined to marry Qi Yanzhou.

She had lost her family because of him, so she wanted him to become her family.

“Miss Aman, are you looking for a place to belong, or are you seeking a response from the man you love?”

Even without Aman answering, the truth was obvious.

Ye Chutang continued, “Miss Aman, I know you’re a kindhearted healer. You could never stand by and watch Qi Yanzhou die. If news came that his poison had flared up, you would rush to save him at once.

“And Qi Yanzhou will never change his mind once he has made a decision. In other words, you’re destined to lose this battle between the two of you.

“Now that you know the outcome, you should choose the path that benefits you most.”

Her words were heartfelt, and they helped the grief-stricken Aman regain her composure.

She raised her head and looked at Ye Chutang with tear-damp eyes.

“What path would benefit me most?”

“Save Qi Yanzhou and make him indebted to you—so indebted that he can never repay you in this lifetime.

“I’ll keep my promise and create opportunities for you to win his heart. If you succeed, I’ll leave. If you fail, you can become our sworn younger sister. What do you say?”

Every one of those three conditions benefited Aman.

She asked, puzzled, “You know I’ll save Brother Qi in the end anyway. Why are you still willing to bring us together?”

“Because you’re a good girl, and you deserve for me to keep my promise.”

“Aren’t you afraid Brother Qi will fall in love with someone else?”

Ye ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‍Chutang smiled. “If that really happens, I’ll thank you.”

“Why?”

“For helping me see someone clearly sooner and saving me the time.”

The person who truly loves you cannot be stolen away by anyone.

A person who can be stolen away was bound to leave sooner or later.

Aman: “…”

She didn’t understand at all. With a cold snort, she said, “Don’t regret it when the time comes!”