Chapter 260

Seeing that Qi Yanzhou was sincere in admitting his mistake, Ye Chutang said, “Give me your hand.”

Qi Yanzhou knew she wanted to take his pulse, so he obediently extended his hand.

It had only been three days since he first showed signs of the poison acting up, yet his arm had already grown noticeably thinner, losing the strength it had before.

Ye Chutang placed her fingers on Qi Yanzhou’s wrist.

“Your pulse is weak and unstable. For the next three days, you need to stay in bed and rest. I’ll prescribe some medicinal meals to help strengthen your constitution and replenish your vitality.”

Just as Ye Chutang withdrew her hand, Qi Yanzhou turned his palm over and grasped it.

“Atang, trust me. I won’t disappoint you.”

The moment he finished speaking, his stomach began to growl loudly.

The deep affection in his eyes was shattered by embarrassment.

Looking at Qi Yanzhou’s awkward expression, Ye Chutang pulled her hand back.

She called toward the door, “Nan Xiao, take your master back to his room.”

Qi Yanzhou wanted to spend more time with Ye Chutang, but his body truly could not hold out any longer.

Nan Xiao entered the room and looked at Qi Yanzhou, waiting for his order.

“Let’s go.”

With his master’s permission, Nan Xiao picked Qi Yanzhou up.

Qi Yanzhou was completely drained of strength, nestled in Nan Xiao’s arms like a delicate young wife.

The comical sight made Ye Chutang struggle not to laugh.

“Nan Xiao, get your master something light to eat. Come back later to pick up the prescriptions for the medicinal meals and the medicated baths.”

Using both methods together would multiply the effect several times over.

“Yes, Madam.”

“Keep an eye on him. Other than using the toilet and bathing, he isn’t allowed to get out of bed.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Seeing that Ye Chutang was ignoring him, Qi Yanzhou took the initiative to ask, “Atang, is there anything you’d like to remind me of?”

Ye Chutang looked at the man who was adding his own dramatic lines and nodded.

“There is. For the next three days, Aman will be taking care of you. Make sure you put on a good performance.”

Qi Yanzhou: “…”

“Fine. I said I would give you and Aman a result you’d both be satisfied with.”

“Let’s go. Save your strength for eating.”

She was worried that if Qi Yanzhou said much more, he would simply fall asleep.

Nan Xiao had also noticed that Qi Yanzhou’s spirits were flagging, and his body temperature was frighteningly low.

He immediately carried Qi Yanzhou out of the room.

After the two of them left, Ye Chutang took out paper, ink, a brush, and an inkstone from the cart parked in the rear courtyard and began writing the prescriptions for the medicinal meals and medicated baths.

She had only just finished grinding the ink when Aman arrived without invitation.

“I heard Brother Qi swear his loyalty to you!”

Ye Chutang set down the ink stick, picked up the writing brush, and dipped it into the ink.

As she wrote the prescriptions, she said, “Wasn’t Qi Yanzhou’s attitude something you already knew?”

Qi Yanzhou was the kind of man who would rather wager his life than betray his feelings!

Rather than saying she was angry that Qi Yanzhou had deliberately kept the truth from her, it would be more accurate to say that she was angry because the man didn’t take his own life seriously.

What an idiot, and he didn’t even realize it!

Aman was rendered speechless by Ye Chutang’s retort.

Biting her lower lip, she was silent for a long while before asking, “Does your promise to me still stand?”

“Of course. For the next three days, you’ll be taking care of Qi Yanzhou.”

Ye Chutang was creating an opportunity for Aman to get close to Qi Yanzhou so that she could see the truth clearly.

Qi Yanzhou was not the man meant for her.

Looking at Ye Chutang, who was seriously writing the prescriptions, Aman asked in confusion, “Brother Qi is devoted to you. Why are you pushing him away?”

The corners of Ye Chutang’s lips lifted as she replied confidently, “Because no matter how hard I push, I can’t move him.”

What she meant was that no one could drive away someone who was desperately determined to draw closer.

Aman’s heart was stabbed once again.

She knew perfectly well that she had no chance of winning, yet she stubbornly replied, “Thank you for helping me. I’ll pull Brother Qi away with all my strength!”

“Then hurry up and go pull him away. I won’t see you out.”

“…”

After Aman left angrily, Ye Chutang smiled and remarked, “What a childish girl.”

Just then, she finished writing one of the medicinal meal prescriptions.

She wrote six prescriptions in total, so the dishes could be rotated and wouldn’t become tiresome.

As for the medicated baths, she had written two prescriptions according to Qi Yanzhou’s condition.

One used smaller doses of the herbs and was suitable for his current weakened state.

The other used larger doses and was meant for when his body had recovered somewhat.

After finishing the prescriptions, Ye Chutang ground some more ink.

She took several sheets of tribute paper, the kind only available in the imperial palace, from her personal space and wrote several pieces of calligraphy. Then she handed them to Sun Chu.

“My calligraphy is worth quite a bit. How about creating some hype and selling it?”

At the mention of making money, Sun Chu immediately became interested.

“Sure. We’ve got nothing else to do anyway. We’ll split it seventy-thirty—you take seventy, and I’ll take thirty!”

“Sounds fair.”

Ye Chutang said this as she lightly flicked one of the sheets with her finger.

“This is tribute paper used only in the palace. It’s worth a fortune and almost impossible to obtain. You can claim that these calligraphy pieces were brought here from the capital after overcoming countless difficulties.”

That way, they could add travel expenses to the story and drive the price even higher.

Sun Chu carefully put the calligraphy away.

“How much more tribute paper do you have? Write a few more pieces. I can take them to auction houses in various prefectures and sell them.”

Ye Chutang waved her index finger. “Scarcity creates value.”

The less that circulated, the more they could raise the price.

“All right. Wait for my good news.”

Just as Sun Chu was leaving, Ye Chutang added, “I once sold a piece of calligraphy to the Second Prince. It went for ten taels of gold.”

It generally wouldn’t sell for that much, but the claim could serve as a gimmick for promotion.

Sun Chu clicked his tongue twice. “What a profiteer!”

Ye Chutang didn’t take the word as an insult.

“It’s fine to be ruthless with people. We can make an enormous profit while duping scum.”

Sun Chu felt as if he had found someone who shared his ideals.

“I like being a profiteer too.”

He left with the calligraphy, passing Nan Xiao, who had come to collect the prescriptions for the medicinal meals and medicated baths.

Nan Xiao felt that Ye Chutang and Sun Chu were becoming rather close.

However, as a subordinate, he didn’t feel it was his place to say anything.

“Madam, Master has already gone to rest. He asked me to tell you that in three days, you’ll see the result you want.”

“Good. I’ll wait.”

Ye Chutang handed the prescriptions to Nan Xiao.

“I’ve written down the preparation methods and dosages clearly. Just follow the instructions.”

After accepting the prescriptions, Nan Xiao did not leave immediately.

Looking at his hesitant expression, Ye Chutang knew he wanted to speak up for Qi Yanzhou.

But ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‍she didn’t want to listen.

“Why are you still standing there? Go to the pharmacy and buy the herbs.”

Since she was already sending him away, Nan Xiao had no choice but to acknowledge her order and leave.

Not long after, Qi Qingyu came to call her to the main hall for lunch.

When Ye Chutang arrived, she noticed that Sun Chu was nowhere to be seen.

He had probably gone to deal with selling the calligraphy and paintings.

Old Madam Qi and Aman were absent as well.

There was no need to guess where they were. Both of them were in Qi Yanzhou’s room.

Aman wanted to take care of Qi Yanzhou, while Old Madam Qi was keeping an eye on her to make sure she didn’t overstep her bounds.

Ye Chutang looked toward Concubine Xu, who was handing out chopsticks.

“Auntie, go call Mother down for lunch. As for Aman and Qi Yanzhou, let them resolve their own affairs.”

Upon hearing the way Ye Chutang addressed Qi Yanzhou, Concubine Xu looked worriedly at Old Master Qi.

The old master gave a slight nod. “Go call her.”

After Concubine Xu went upstairs, he turned to Ye Chutang.

“Tang’er, we won’t interfere in matters between you and Zhou’er. Do whatever you think is right. Your mother and I both support you.”

Although he didn’t understand why his daughter-in-law was trying to match his son with the shaman healer Aman, he trusted that she must have her own reasons.

Ye Chutang felt fortunate to have such reasonable parents-in-law.

She smiled. “Thank you, Father.”

Just as she finished speaking, Old Madam Qi and Concubine Xu came downstairs.

Old Madam Qi sat down beside Ye Chutang and gently patted her hand.

“You really do have a big heart, child.”

Ye Chutang merely smiled without saying a word.

In her eyes, Qi Yanzhou was the one who had lost out by losing her.

The reverse was not true.

Old Master Qi gave a light cough and called out, “Let’s eat.”

At the dinner table, Concubine Xu asked Old Madam Qi about Qi Yanzhou’s condition.

Old Madam Qi answered in great detail, mainly so Ye Chutang could hear.

Ye Chutang knew Qi Yanzhou’s condition better than anyone and barely paid attention.

After dinner, she took a slow walk beneath the covered corridor in the rear courtyard to aid her digestion.

Xi Ze carried the medicinal herbs Nan Xiao had bought to the kitchen to boil the decoction for Qi Yanzhou’s medicated bath.

When he saw Ye Chutang, he stopped and respectfully bowed.

“Madam, your medical skills are extraordinary. I wonder if I might have the honor of learning from you?”

Ye Chutang had no objection to passing on her medical knowledge, so she nodded.

“Of course. If you have any questions or difficulties, you can come to me, though I may not necessarily be able to solve them for you.”

Her medical skills were excellent, but she was not omnipotent.

“Then allow me to thank you in advance for your generosity. I’ll come and bother you once I’ve finished my work.”

After saying that, Xi Ze entered the kitchen.

When he had finished boiling the medicinal decoction and came out, he happened to see Ye Chutang returning to her room.

He suddenly realized that she was much fuller now than when they had first met.

The thought slipped out before he could stop himself.

“Madam, the journey into exile was so arduous, yet you haven’t lost weight—in fact, you’ve gained some. It seems our master has taken very good care of you. There’s really no need to give him the cold shoulder over Aman’s one-sided feelings.”

Ye Chutang: “…”

She suddenly realized that she should never have spent time with Xi Ze, a physician. Otherwise, he would discover that she was pregnant.

What was more, she had to get Qi Yanzhou to find an excuse to send Xi Ze away!

With that thought, she let out a cold snort.

“Before saying something like that, you’d better find out who was taking care of whom throughout the journey into exile.

“And I’ve changed my mind. Forget about learning medicine from you. Keep your criticism to yourself!”

With that, she slammed the door shut.

Xi Ze: “…”

He didn’t think he had said anything that offensive.

A woman’s heart was as unfathomable as the depths of the sea!

Carrying the medicinal decoction in one hand and clean water in the other, he went to Qi Yanzhou’s room.

Qi Yanzhou was still unconscious, while Aman sat blankly by the bed, her eyes lowered as though lost in thought.

Seeing her like this, Xi Ze sighed inwardly.

“Aman, the master’s condition has stabilized. There’s no need for you to keep watch here. Go and rest.”

Aman came back to herself and refused.

“No. I have to wait for Brother Qi to wake up.”

She had missed two chances to apologize. She couldn’t miss a third.

Xi Ze’s gaze fell on the wooden bucket in his hand.

“But I’m about to give the master a medicated bath. It won’t be convenient for you to stay.”

Aman had no choice but to rise and leave the room.

After adjusting the water temperature and the concentration of the medicinal decoction, Xi Ze lifted the covers and moved to carry Qi Yanzhou.

Qi Yanzhou woke up instantly, alert.

“Master, it’s time for your medicated bath.”

Seeing that it was Xi Ze, Qi Yanzhou relaxed and closed his eyes again, letting him do as he pleased.

A short while later, he was immersed in warm medicinal water, the bitter scent of herbs filling his nose.

Following the acupoints Ye Chutang had marked out, Xi Ze inserted needles into Qi Yanzhou’s body to maximize the effects of the medicated bath.

Qi Yanzhou’s body gradually grew warm, and the heaviness weighing on him began to recede.

He slowly opened his eyes and asked, “Xi Ze, was Aman in the room for a long time?”

“Yes. She should be waiting outside now.”

After answering, Xi Ze asked, “Master, how do you plan to arrange things for Aman?”

Leaning against the hard wooden tub, Qi Yanzhou lowered his eyes, concealing every emotion.

“You’ve spent more than two months with Aman. Not only did you save her life, but you also went through life-and-death situations with her several times. You should understand her quite well. What kind of person do you think she is?”

“Aman is straightforward and kind, brave and strong-minded. She isn’t afraid of pain or hardship, and she’s a very good girl.

“But she’s single-minded. Once she sets her heart on something, she’ll pursue it without hesitation, even if there’s no result and she knows she’ll be hurt.”

Qi Yanzhou heard the concern and helplessness in Xi Ze’s words.

He raised his eyes and asked, “Do you want her to get hurt?”

“Of course not, but…”

Having heard the answer he wanted, Qi Yanzhou immediately cut him off.

“Since you don’t want that, then help me make her see reality and give up of her own accord.”

He didn’t want to force Aman to abandon her obsession by humiliating or belittling her.

After all, she had risked her life several times to save him and had even lost all her tribespeople because of it.

Xi Ze knew very well that Qi Yanzhou could never marry Aman.

If she continued to pursue him, all it would do was hurt both of them.

He nodded. “Very well. If you need me to do anything, Master, just say the word.”

“First, find out whether Aman still wants to return to Southern Xinjiang.”

Southern Xinjiang was under Qi Yanzhou’s control.

He could not only send Aman back to the Wu Medical Tribe, but also help her become its most powerful clan leader.

If she wanted to stay, then as his mother had suggested, he would make her an adopted daughter of the Qi family.

Xi Ze was very satisfied with Qi Yanzhou’s arrangements for Aman.

Whichever path she chose, it would benefit her.

“Understood. I’ll find out as soon as possible.”

A quarter of an hour later.

Xi Ze removed the silver needles from Qi Yanzhou’s body, helped him out of the tub, and changed him into clean clothes.

The medicated bath had clearly worked. Qi Yanzhou was already able to stand on his own.

However, his body was still weak. He had barely managed to walk to the edge of the bed before his strength gave out.

Leaning against the headboard, he said to Xi Ze, who was cleaning up the tub, “When you’re finished cleaning up, tell Aman to come in when you leave. I want to speak with her.”

“Yes, Master.”

At the bottom of the Heaven-class room’s bathing tub was a bamboo pipe that led down to the first floor.

After draining the medicinal water, Xi Ze rinsed the tub with the clean water that had been prepared.

He carried the two empty buckets away.

Aman stood at the staircase on the third floor, gazing eagerly at Qi Yanzhou’s room.

When she saw Xi Ze come out, she hurried over.

Before she could ask anything, Xi Ze said, “Go in. The master wants to see you.”

Aman’s face lit up with joy. She hurried into the room and went to the bedside.

Seeing that a hint of color had returned to Qi Yanzhou’s face, she exclaimed, “Ye Chutang’s medical skills are amazing!”

Then she gave Qi Yanzhou an apology bow from Southern Xinjiang.

“Brother Qi, I’m sorry. I made you suffer because of my stubbornness.

“Fortunately, you’re all right. Otherwise, even a thousand deaths wouldn’t be enough to atone for my guilt.

“I love you. I’ve wanted to marry you from the very beginning, and that hasn’t changed. For the sake of the fact that I saved you, please give me a chance to stay by your side.”

Aman poured out everything she had wanted to say in one breath and immediately felt much lighter.

Qi Yanzhou looked at Aman’s tense expression and pointed to the round stool beside the table.

“Sit down. We’ll talk.”

Aman obediently sat down by the table, her heart filled with unease.

Qi Yanzhou thanked her.

“Thank you for breaking your principles and coming to remove the curse from me.”

“Brother Qi, you don’t have to thank me. Ye Chutang offered me conditions that benefited me, and that’s why I agreed to save you.”

After saying that, Aman’s eyes dimmed.

“Compared with Ye Chutang, I’m despicable, aren’t I?”

She didn’t like this version of herself either.

But she had lost everything. The only thing she could do was shamelessly fight for what she wanted.

Seeing that Aman was about to cry, Qi Yanzhou comforted her gently.

“Aman, you had no obligation to detoxify me. Asking for terms that benefited you wasn’t wrong, so you don’t need to blame yourself.

“You saved my life twice, and I’m deeply grateful. As long as it’s something I can do, you only need to ask.

“But from beginning to end, I’ve only ever regarded you as a friend. I have no way to return your feelings. I’m truly sorry.

“Don’t worry. Since Atang agreed to create opportunities for you to spend time with me, I won’t refuse your advances. I won’t let her become someone who breaks her word.”

Those final words shattered the strength Aman had been pretending to possess.

The tears in her eyes could no longer be held back. They poured down her cheeks.

She stared at Qi Yanzhou through tear-filled eyes, her hands clenched tightly. Her fingernails dug into her palms, but she felt no pain.

“Brother Qi, do you really love Ye Chutang that much? For her, you’re willing to risk your life. For her, you’re even willing to wrong yourself and spend time with me!”

Qi Yanzhou looked at Aman’s tear-streaked face and nodded gently.

“I love Atang very much, and I will only ever love her.

“If staying alive meant losing her, I would rather die.

“For her, I’m willing to do anything—even sell myself out or betray my principles.

“That is how I feel about Atang, and that will never change in this lifetime!”

After saying that, he added, “Aman, how about we spend the next three days getting along properly?”

Aman’s vision was blurred by tears, and she couldn’t make out the expression on Qi Yanzhou’s face.

She raised a hand and wiped away her tears, and her vision immediately cleared.

Looking at Qi Yanzhou’s handsome and serious face, she felt confused.

“It was Ye Chutang who promised me. As long as she creates an opportunity for me to spend time with you, she won’t have broken her word.

“Brother Qi never promised me anything. You could have refused to let me get close to you. Why did you choose to spend time with me?”

Qi Yanzhou’s sensual lips curved upward, and a confident smile appeared on his face.

“Because in three days, you’ll not only understand why I must be with Atang, but you’ll also come to like her and let go of your obsession.”

Aman didn’t believe him.

“Brother Qi, let’s make a bet. If you can’t do what you just said, then marry me. How about that?”

Qi Yanzhou answered decisively, “I will never marry you. Choose another condition.”

Although he was absolutely certain that he could make Aman change her mind, he would never use matters of the heart as a wager.

That would not only be disrespectful to Ye Chutang, but would also humiliate Aman.

Aman gave a coquettish snort.

“Is it because you don’t have the confidence to win that you’re afraid to bet?”

“Aman, when you meet someone you truly love, you’ll understand that I’m not refusing to bet because I’m afraid of losing.”

Qi Yanzhou knew very well that Aman’s feelings for him were not as deep as she imagined.

Nor was he someone she could not live without.

What she felt for him was merely the stir of her heart upon their first meeting, her admiration for the God of War, and the unwillingness to accept rejection.

If she truly loved someone, how could she bear to force him or put him in a difficult position?

Seeing that Qi Yanzhou didn’t believe her feelings for him were genuine, Aman’s eyes filled with reproach.

“Brother Qi…”

She had barely begun when Qi Yanzhou interrupted her.

“Aman, I’m a little tired. I’d like to rest for a while. You should go back to your room and sleep too. Come talk to me after I wake up.”

Aman swallowed the words she had yet to say.

“All right. Call me when you wake up.”

After Qi Yanzhou lay down, she tucked the covers around him and left the room.

As she closed the door, Xi Ze, who had been leaning against the wall, raised an eyebrow.

“Care to talk?”

Aman had traveled with Xi Ze for two months, and the two of them were quite familiar with each other.

She asked casually, “What do you want to talk about?”

“Something that will benefit you.”

“Let’s go.”

Aman took Xi Ze to her room.

After they sat down, Xi Ze poured her a cup of cold tea.

He didn’t beat around the bush and asked her directly, “Aman, have you ever considered returning to Southern Xinjiang?”

“No. I’ve already severed ties with my people.”

“That isn’t a problem. As long as you want to return to Southern Xinjiang, my master can resolve the matter of your expulsion from the clan.”

His words immediately made Aman wary.

“What do you mean? Does Brother Qi want to send me back to Southern Xinjiang?”

Seeing Aman bristle, Xi Ze quickly tried to reassure her.

“Don’t misunderstand. That isn’t what my master wants. I just think you should consider your future.”

As he spoke, he placed the cup of cold tea into Aman’s hands.

“Aman, you know perfectly well that my master will never marry you. When you face reality, what will you choose? Return to Southern Xinjiang, or stay?”

Aman had never thought about the future, but there was one thing she was certain of.

“The moment I gave up my identity as a shaman-healer and left Southern Xinjiang, I never planned to return.”

Although her people had no idea why she had left Southern Xinjiang, she had been resolute at the time. She had ignored their earnest pleas and threats, declaring that she would never regret her decision.

If she returned, she would become a laughingstock.

After hearing Aman’s answer, Xi Ze said, “Aman, whatever you decide, my master will make proper arrangements for you.

“Besides, we’ve faced life and death together so many times. I won’t abandon you either.”

With that, he left Aman’s room.

Aman drained the cold tea in her hand, her eyes filled with confusion.

She really ought to start planning for the future.

But no matter how much she thought about it, she still had no idea what to do.

***

Over the next three days, whenever Qi Yanzhou was awake, he spent time alone with Aman in the room.

Old Madam Qi was terribly worried.

She kept trying to find excuses to enter the room and check on them, but Ye Chutang stopped her every time.

Seeing that everyone in the Qi family was unable to settle down, Ye Chutang dragged them into a game of cards. She won quite a bit.

“Let’s not cook tonight. How about we use these ten-odd taels of silver to buy a feast?”

The money had been won by Ye Chutang, so Old Madam Qi naturally had no objections.

“All right. Atang, buy whatever you want to eat.”

As she spoke, her eyes kept drifting upward.

While gathering up the cards, Qi Qingyu asked Ye Chutang, “Sister-in-law, are you really not worried at all?”

Although she trusted her husband completely, if he spent every day with another woman, she certainly wouldn’t be able to remain completely unconcerned.

Ye Chutang handed the money she had won to Concubine Xu.

“Auntie, just choose whatever you like for dinner. I’m not picky.”

“All right. It’s almost dark, so I’ll go to the restaurant and buy the food.”

Concubine Xu tucked the money into her sleeve pocket and rose to leave.

She had just reached the entrance when the door to the Heaven-Class Room opened.

Aman hurried out and walked to the top of the stairs. Then she called down to Ye Chutang below.

“Ye Chutang, I’m giving up on Brother Qi! I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!”