TMBIABHL: Chapter 2

 Character & Term Glossary 

· Ye Chutang (叶初棠): The female protagonist, a reborn heir to an ancient medical family. The "Black-Hearted Lotus." Runs a small clinic in Jiangling.

· Shen Yanchuan (沈延川): The male lead. A severely wounded nobleman. Referred to as "Master" by his attendant Lian Zhou.

· Lian Zhou (连舟): Shen Yanchuan's attendant/guard.

· Ye Jingyan (叶璟言): The third brother (三郎), calm, gentle, and studious.

· Ye Yunfeng (叶云风): The fourth brother (四郎), fierce, hot-tempered, and protective.

· Little Five / Little Milk Bun (小五/小奶团): Ye Chutang's youngest sister.

· Caoji Restaurant (曹记酒楼): The largest restaurant in Jiangling, owned by a powerful local family.

· Apricot Blossom Tower (杏花楼): A pastry shop known for its expensive, high-quality点心 (dim sum/pastries).

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Chapter 2: Entrusting His Life To Her

The medicine pot bubbled and gurgled, white steam rising in wispy tendrils.

Little Milk Bun had dragged over a small stool and sat beside Ye Chutang, obediently munching on her hibiscus cake.

After finishing one piece, she stopped, carefully wrapping up the remaining two.

She knew this pastry was from Apricot Blossom Tower—very expensive. The family always bought three pieces, one for her and one for each of her two older brothers.

Ye Chutang glanced over. "No need to save one for your Fourth Brother. He got into a fight today, so he doesn't get any."

Little Milk Bun's big, dark eyes widened. She looked down at the pastries in her arms, a conflicted expression appearing on her little face.

In the end, she still shook her head—Fourth Brother worked hard fighting! She had to save it for him!

Ye Chutang hefted the heavy money pouch in her hand, filled with the silver the attendant had given her earlier.

Say what you will, rich people were certainly generous.

If only they didn't bring so much trouble along with them, that would be even better.

She ruffled Little Milk Bun's hair. "We have money now. Why be so thrifty?"

The little one grinned up at her, hugging her arm and nuzzling it affectionately.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The scent of the medicine grew stronger. After a moment's thought, Ye Chutang went and locked the main gate before returning to her herbs.

A short while later, she heard a noise from behind the firewood shed.

She didn't even look up. "Back?"

The sounds abruptly stopped.

After a moment, two teenagers walked out, one after the other.

The one in front looked about thirteen or fourteen, his body just starting to shoot up, tall and slender, with a gentle and refined demeanor.

The one behind him was slightly shorter, his face still bearing traces of youthful immaturity, but his features were bold and handsome, hiding an untamed wildness.

"Elder Sister."

The one in front spoke first. The one behind scratched his head and followed with a guilty murmur.

"...Elder Sister."

Ye Jingyan glanced around the courtyard. "Did we get a patient? It's still so early, why did you lock the gate, Elder Sister?"

Ye Chutang countered, "Were you two planning on using the front door today?"

The two boys instantly looked embarrassed.

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Ye Yunfeng coughed forcefully, even more guilt-ridden. "Elder Sister already knows?"

Ye Chutang: "I would have liked to remain ignorant, but you had to go and pick a fight with the Cao Family's Second Young Master. It was impossible not to know."

At the mention of that name, Ye Yunfeng's face turned cold, his voice filled with anger. "He deserved it! Who told him to—"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Ye Jingyan subtly tugged at his sleeve.

Ye Yunfeng stopped, forcibly swallowing his next words. "...Who told him to speak ill of Elder Sister!"

To be honest, Ye Chutang had already anticipated this reason.

Though the brothers, A-Yan and A-Feng, were only a year apart, their temperaments were worlds apart.

One was mild-tempered, restrained, introverted, and preferred quiet; the other was unrestrained, unruly, and of a fierce and ardent nature.

Ever since their family moved to Jiangling three years ago, A-Feng had been getting into frequent fights.

At that time, she was a fourteen-year-old girl, with two brothers barely taller than an adult's waist, and a baby sister who cried to be fed—they were the easiest targets for bullies.

During those first few months, A-Feng would often disappear during the day and return at night, always covered in injuries, stubbornly refusing to let her see.

It was only after Ye Chutang opened her clinic that the family's situation gradually improved.

Ye Chutang nodded. "How badly were they injured?"

Ye Yunfeng was naturally strong and robust. Though only twelve, he was already like a young panther. In a fight against multiple people, Ye Chutang wasn't worried about him getting hurt; she was worried he might have hit too hard.

Ye Jingyan immediately said, "Don't worry, Elder Sister. They only sustained superficial wounds. They'll be fine after resting for a few days."

Ye Chutang breathed a slight sigh of relief and said to Ye Yunfeng, "Understood. Tomorrow, you'll come with me to the Cao residence to apologize."

Ye Yunfeng was indignant, but remembering his third brother's earlier warnings, he could only swallow his anger, staying silent.

Ye Chutang paid him no further mind. Thinking the medicine was about ready, she turned to go back inside.

Only once she was gone did Ye Yunfeng finally can't help but vent his frustration. "Cao Chengwu was the one who disrespected Elder Sister first! And I still have to go apologize to him!? It's a good thing I didn't beat him to death today! That good-for-nothing older brother of his, how dare he have designs on Elder Sister? I spit on him!"

Ye Jingyan patted his shoulder.

https://gossipyperennial.com/ixjkivmkq?key=dbd8da2cdf3adba0538bfd92957495ad

"This did cause trouble for Elder Sister. Just do whatever she says. And remember, keep those vulgar words from her ears."

Ye Yunfeng, filled with both guilt and anger, pressed his lips tightly together. "I know! I'm just… I'm just so angry at my own uselessness! Letting Elder Sister be insulted by someone like that!"

As they were talking, a little milk bun ran over, struggling to hold up the hibiscus cake in her hand.

—Gege, have a pastry!

Ye Jingyan picked her up, and Ye Yunfeng also reined in the fierce energy surrounding him.

Remembering the carriage parked outside the gate, Ye Jingyan tapped her little nose.

"You're such a good girl, Little Five! Did you keep Elder Sister company during the consultation again today?"

…

Ye Chutang brought over the prepared medicine and took out a packet of silver needles.

Fine as a strand of hair, the needles reflected a cold light under the sun.

Aside from ensuring her siblings were fed and clothed, the first sum of money she had saved was used to have these made—the tools of her trade could not be neglected.

Lian Zhou watched the young woman take out the silver needles and couldn't help but worry secretly. Wrists and hands so fair and slender, they looked like they could shatter with a pinch—could she really perform acupuncture on his master?

If she made a mistake…

Before he could finish the thought, Ye Chutang already began inserting the needles.

With seamless, fluid movements, she inserted needles into the exact center of Shen Yanchuan's brow, the hollow at the base of his throat, and the fleshy web between his thumb and index finger.

The process was extremely fast. Before Lian Zhou could even react, he saw his master's face suddenly turn deathly pale, and then he violently coughed up a mouthful of black blood!

"Master!"

Lian Zhou was horrified. With a shing, he drew his sword, ready to strike at Ye Chutang!

But before the blade could reach her, he heard Shen Yanchuan coughing hoarsely, "Lian Zhou, you will not disrespect Physician Ye."

Lian Zhou hurriedly sheathed his sword, but a sharp strand of sword energy still swept perilously close past Ye Chutang's neck.

A stray lock of hair hanging by her cheek was silently severed, the dark strands drifting softly to the ground.

Shen Yanchuan lifted his gaze to see the young woman before him, her expression composed and steady from start to finish. Not a single ripple of disturbance could be seen in her clear, pure black eyes.

It was as if she didn't care in the slightest that she had almost been slain by a sword moments before.

"The residual poison in your system has been entrenched for a long time, damaging your lungs and organs. It's been expelled now, but you still need to rest and recuperate properly for a while."

Ye Chutang deftly retrieved the needles, casually tucking the severed strands of hair behind her ear. Her voice was gentle,

"Especially avoid agitating your anger. If the condition relapses, not even the great immortals could save you then."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Lian Zhou's face flushed with shame and guilt. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Ye Chutang had already turned and left.

He clasped his fists and bowed. "This subordinate acted impulsively! I beg for Master's punishment!"

https://gossipyperennial.com/ixjkivmkq?key=dbd8da2cdf3adba0538bfd92957495ad

Shen Yanchuan's coughing gradually subsided. He leaned back against the headboard, closing his eyes to rest.

"You were protecting your master. There is no fault in that."

For some reason, the image of the young woman's gentle yet sharp-tongued words surfaced in his mind, and he couldn't help but laugh softly.

"I thought she had a good temper, but who knew she'd be so formidable…"

He murmured softly, then looked at Lian Zhou, advising him half-jokingly,

"Try not to provoke her in the future, otherwise, your master's life might just end up in her hands."

(End of Chapter)

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Author's Note: Anyway, from top to bottom, you were always going to be Ye Chutang's in the end (shrugs ┓(`∀´)┏)

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