TMBIABHL: Chapter 16

 Character & Term Glossary

· Ye Chutang (叶初棠): The female protagonist, a reborn heir to an ancient medical family. The "Black-Hearted Lotus." Reveals a pragmatic and ruthlessly efficient side.

· Little Five / Xiao Wu (小五): Ye Chutang's youngest sister. Unfazed by violence and delightfully money-minded.

· Shen Yanchuan (沈延川): The male lead. A nobleman who finds himself both amused and intrigued by Ye Chutang.

· Cao Chengwen (曹成文): The eldest son of the Cao family. Hired the thugs to attack Ye Chutang.

· Silver Taels (银子): A unit of currency. The specific amounts mentioned (100+ taels) indicate a significant sum.

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Chapter 16: Gift of a Lantern

Ye Chutang tilted her head slightly. "Xiao Wu, come here."

Only then did Xiao Wu lower her little hands from her eyes and look back at Ye Chutang.

Shen Yanchuan had expected her to be frightened by the scene, but to his surprise, the little milk bun's eyes lit up upon seeing the three men lying on the ground. Instead of fear, she scurried over.

Then—

After searching diligently for a moment, she actually managed to find three money pouches on the three men. Inside were some copper coins, pieces of broken silver, and a silver note.

Then, she ran back to Ye Chutang as if presenting a treasure.

—Elder Sister! We found more money!

Ye Chutang glanced at it and found the assorted coins added up to over a hundred taels of silver. She patted the little one's head and praised her generously. "Well done!"

Come to think of it, this Cao Chengwen was quite generous with his money for her sake. This hundred-tael silver note was probably the deposit paid to them, with a final payment likely pending.

To deal with a seemingly weak woman who ran a clinic, offering such a price was truly not low.

Ye Chutang was very satisfied, feeling the night had been quite fruitful.

Watching this scene, Shen Yanchuan's eyebrow rose slightly.

The three men in black weren't dead, but they were beaten very badly, covered in blood on their faces and bodies. Large, dark stains of blood had seeped into the ground.

An unmistakable, metallic scent of blood hung in the air.

Such a scene would likely startle even an ordinary adult, yet the little milk bun seemed completely unfazed.

She was clearly only three or four years old, soft and adorable, yet this was her reaction.

She had even run right over to those men to search their belongings.

Shen Yanchuan thought that even if the men lying there were corpses, her reaction probably wouldn't change.

Ye Chutang ran a clinic, possessed remarkable medical skills, and now appeared to be highly skilled in martial arts as well. Her composure was understandable.

But this little milk bun... just how was she raised to be like this?

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Ye Chutang beckoned to Xiao Wu, preparing to leave.

Seeing they were really about to go, Shen Yanchuan spoke up. "Physician Ye, are you just going to leave these men here?"

Ye Chutang blinked, a curve touching her lips. "Isn't Young Master Shen here?"

Shen Yanchuan: "..."

Ye Chutang gestured with her chin towards the other side of the wall. "It seems you've mostly resolved your matters over there. I have a child with me, it's inconvenient. Could I trouble you to help deal with these people as well?"

Shen Yanchuan was silent for a moment, then laughed.

He had never seen someone so brazenly unreasonable, creating such a mess and then casually dumping it on him?

"Physician Ye, aren't we a bit... unfamiliar for this? Are you truly so trusting of me? Aren't you afraid I might report you to the authorities?"

If he employed certain means, Ye Chutang would face countless troubles.

Ye Chutang looked somewhat surprised. "Report me? Did I kill anyone? Young Master Shen, I am a law-abiding citizen. You shouldn't say such things recklessly."

Shen Yanchuan looked at the three unconscious, battered men on the ground and fell silent.

Law—a—biding—citizen—what did she have to do with those words?

Ye Chutang, however, didn't seem to find her statement problematic. Her gaze lingered on Shen Yanchuan's left chest for a moment, implying meaningfully, "Moreover, I thought Young Master Shen and I were already comrades who've faced life and death together."

To be blunt, they were already at the stage of taking off clothes and being candid with each other. If that wasn't close, what was?

She paused, her gaze drifting lower—

"Could it be the two wounds Young Master Shen suffered before haven't healed yet?"

Shen Yanchuan's deep, phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly.

The woman before him was merely standing there, giving him a once-over, yet he felt her gaze carried a scorching heat, burning wherever it landed.

A faint smile still played on her lips, making her seem utterly reasonable.

Yet, hidden within her words was a sharp, cold edge carrying an undeniable, piercing threat.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

This Physician Ye... was even more inscrutable than he had imagined.

The exchange of glances between them lasted only a moment, extremely brief, yet it seemed an unspoken agreement had been reached.

Shen Yanchuan nodded gently. "For the Spring Lantern Festival, Physician Ye must return home thoroughly pleased."

This was his compromise, his agreement to help Ye Chutang handle the remaining trouble.

A hint of a smile finally appeared in Ye Chutang's dark, gentle eyes.

"Young Master Shen as well. The night is dark and the wind is cold. Your health isn't fully recovered yet; you should return early to rest."

The subtle tension in the air dissipated silently, as if nothing had happened.

Ye Chutang reached for Xiao Wu's hand, but the little one seemed to remember something suddenly, turned, and ran to the side to pick up the rabbit lantern.

Ye Chutang understood.

It seemed Xiao Wu really liked this lantern.

But the next moment, she saw Xiao Wu's eyes widen, her whole little face falling, looking utterly heartbroken.

Ye Chutang asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"

Xiao Wu carried the lantern back and held it up for her to see.

Only then did Ye Chutang see several splashes of bright red blood on it, looking very jarring.

No wonder Xiao Wu was so sad.

But this lantern couldn't be kept no matter what.

Ye Chutang ruffled her little head. "It's just a lantern. It doesn't matter if it's dirty. We'll buy a new one another time, alright?"

Xiao Wu hung her head, still very upset.

She had picked this one especially for her sister! And now, before they even got home, the lantern was ruined...

Just then, a deep, mellow voice sounded.

"Here, this is for you."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

A hollowed-out flower lantern suddenly appeared before Xiao Wu's eyes.

This lantern was shaped like a cherry blossom, simple yet exquisite, with excellent detailing.

Xiao Wu was instantly captivated.

She looked up eagerly at Ye Chutang; it was clear she wanted it very much.

But Elder Sister had said not to casually accept things from others, so she had to ask Elder Sister first.

Of course, Ye Chutang could see she adored this lantern. With all the unexpected events tonight, this small wish should certainly be granted.

She nodded and looked at Shen Yanchuan. "Thank you, Young Master Shen. How much for the lantern? I'll buy it."

Shen Yanchuan directly handed it to Xiao Wu, smiling faintly. "No need. It's just a lantern. As long as she likes it."

Xiao Wu took the lantern, bowed seriously to Shen Yanchuan, her fair, chubby little face unable to conceal her joy.

A flicker of emotion passed through Shen Yanchuan's eyes.

He had been staying at the Ye Clinic for several days now and had never once heard this little milk bun speak.

Could she...

Xiao Wu, however, didn't overthink it. Having received the lantern, she turned and happily presented it to Ye Chutang.

Ye Chutang was somewhat surprised, pointing at her own nose. "For me?"

Xiao Wu nodded vigorously.

—Yes! For Elder Sister!

She then tilted her little head and gave Shen Yanchuan a brilliant smile.

—Thank you! Elder Sister really likes the lantern you gave!

(End of Chapter)

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Translator's Note: check out my other work— My Younger Sister Insisted On A Marriage Exchange Wanting To Make Me The Wife Of A Marquis and Rebirth as the Matriarch of a Noble Family (⁠*⁠＾⁠3⁠＾⁠)⁠/⁠～♡

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