TMBIABHL: Chapter 21
Glossary
·Ye Chutang (叶初棠): Female Protagonist. Heir to an ancient medical family. "Black-Hearted Lotus." Runs a clinic in Jiangling.
·Shen Yanchuan (沈延川): Male Lead. The Marquis of Dingbei.
·Lian Zhou (连舟): Shen Yanchuan's attendant/guard.
·Cao Deping (曹德平): Owner of Caoji Restaurant. Father of Cao Chengwen and Cao Chengwu.
·Cao Chengwen (曹成文): Eldest Young Master of the Cao family.
·Wu Xu (吴旭): A yamen runner who owes Ye Chutang a favor.
·Liu Si (刘四): Servant in the Cao household. The confessed murderer of Cao Chengwu.
·Zhou Shi (周氏): Auntie Yang's niece. Wife of Liu Si.
·Liu Liyi (柳姨娘): Magistrate Yang's concubine. Cao Deping's cousin.
---
Chapter 21: What Kind of Man Could Handle Her?
Cao Deping stood with his hands behind his back and let out a cold snort. "Regardless, once she enters those gates, even if she doesn't die, she'll be skinned alive!"
Cao Chengwen was first pleased, then somewhat worried. "But those people didn't actually die. At worst, she's just an incompetent physician who harmed her patients. They'll probably just detain her for a few days before letting her out. Wouldn't she then still…"
"Fool!" Cao Deping couldn't resist kicking him. "Four people have died in just the last few days! If we cause more commotion now, how will we explain it to the Magistrate?!"
Actions required a sense of proportion!
The Magistrate was willing to turn a blind eye and help them now for two reasons: first, out of regard for his cousin's face, and second, because he wanted to close the cases quickly and suppress all these matters.
If more people died, causing public panic, someone was bound to step forward and accuse the Magistrate of incompetence, unable to even manage a small place like Jiangling.
"The Magistrate's term is almost up. It's said he has hopes for a promotion this time, so nothing can go wrong during this period!"
If that official got promoted, wouldn't they benefit as well?
By then, what was a mere Jiangling to them!
Cao Chengwen's eyes instantly lit up."Really!?"
Cao Deping stroked his beard, a hint of smugness appearing on his face. "Your cousin-aunt told me this personally. How could it be false? But you must not reveal this news to anyone, understand?!"
"Your son isn't stupid! I know my limits!" Cao Chengwen quickly promised, patting his chest.
But then, the scene of his confrontation with Ye Chutang in front of the yamen that day inexplicably surfaced in his mind. For some reason, a vague unease always stirred in his heart.
"However, Father, that Ye Chutang seems quite resourceful. We still need to be very cautious. Even if we can't crush her completely, we absolutely cannot give her any chance to turn things around!"
"Useless!" Cao Deping snorted disdainfully. "What ability can a mere woman have? This trip to the yamen will probably scare her half to death! Right now, all the major herb shops in Jiangling refuse to do business with her. There have been several 'accidents,' and her clinic is sealed. Even if she gets out, she won't be able to stay in Jiangling. Turn things around? In her dreams!"
As he spoke, he couldn't help but criticize Cao Chengwen again.
"Since you were little, you've always been like this—lacking courage, overly timid, afraid of wolves in front and tigers behind! Nothing like Chengwu—"
He stopped abruptly, swallowing the rest of his words. He snorted coldly, turned, and strode away.
(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)
After he left, Cao Chengwen slowly raised his head, his gaze towards his father's retreating back filled with resentment and bitterness.
For so many years, he and Chengwu had constantly been compared. Chengwu was always praised more, as if he was inferior in every way!
But now Chengwu was dead! And his father still—
Cao Chengwen slowly pushed himself to his feet, a cold laugh escaping him.
Yes. Anyway, Chengwu was dead. No one would compete with him anymore.
Even if his father knew he was responsible, he still had to protect him, didn't he?
Now, he just needed to wait patiently for the result.
Ye Chutang…
He recalled that drizzly spring day, the woman holding an oil-paper umbrella, the exposed section of her delicate, wrist particularly eye-catching.
Cao Chengwen narrowed his eyes slightly, a restless heat stirring in his heart.
In all of Jiangling, you couldn't find another woman with such looks and bearing. If only—
…
"So, you're truly not leaving today?"
On the doorstep, Ye Chutang asked again.
Lian Zhou nodded firmly. "Yes."
His master's mind was made up; he wanted to investigate thoroughly here. Naturally, they couldn't leave.
Ye Chutang glanced towards the room.
She couldn't see the person, only vaguely catching a glimpse of a moon-white brocade robe hem.
It seemed they really had no intention of leaving.
In both her lifetimes, this was Ye Chutang's first time encountering this kind of person.
Facing trouble head-on instead of avoiding it, stubbornly charging forward.
Fine.
Ye Chutang didn't dwell on the matter for too long, giving a slight nod.
(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)
"Since that's the case, then it's fine to stay until Young Master Shen's injury is fully healed. However, I'm afraid I won't be able to continue providing medical care during this period."
Lian Zhou immediately said, "Physician Ye, don't worry. We understand. Please attend to your matters. I will naturally take care of my master."
According to her, they only needed the medicine for a short while longer. He could handle these tasks.
Ye Chutang gave a light smile. "In that case, please pay the accommodation and meal fees."
…
"She actually wants to charge us extra!?"
Lian Zhou's face was full of disbelief.
"The consultation fees we've paid her these past few days are enough to buy another house!"
Shen Yanchuan lay lazily on the rattan chair. Hearing this, the corners of his lips curved upwards, as if it was no surprise at all. "The clinic is closed. She asked us to leave, which would have settled our accounts. If we continue staying, of course she'll charge anew."
Lian Zhou was even more shocked. "That's exactly what she said! How did you know!?"
Did he even need to think? It was practically a given.
Ever since that night of the Spring Lantern Festival, Shen Yanchuan felt that no matter what she did next, he wouldn't find it strange or surprising.
"Just pay her."
Since his master gave the order, Lian Zhou naturally had to obey.
It wasn't that they lacked money, but… this constant stream of payments, flowing out like water—who could stand it!
Lian Zhou couldn't help but complain,"What kind of man could possibly handle a woman like that!"
Shen Yanchuan's brow moved slightly. He suddenly looked up and asked, "Go investigate when she came to Jiangling and who her former husband was."
To clarify her relationship with Xu Fengchi, they first needed to understand her identity and background.
The fastest method was naturally to start with the people around her.
…
After arranging matters at home, Ye Chutang went with Wu Xu and the others to the yamen.
(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)
Walking along the road, Ye Chutang seemed to remember something and asked, "By the way, what was the outcome of Liu Si's case?"
Wu Xu was somewhat surprised. Shouldn't most people be most concerned about their own affairs at a time like this? Why was she asking about someone else's situation instead?
He reconsidered, thinking Ye Chutang might still be worried about Ye Yunfeng being implicated, and comforted her, "Physician Ye, don't worry. Liu Si has already confessed, saying he was the one who killed Cao Chengwu and that it has nothing to do with anyone else."
Previously, suspecting Ye Yunfeng was purely a mistake.
"Oh?" Ye Chutang seemed somewhat surprised. "But didn't Zhou Shi publicly accuse Cao Chengwen of instigating it that day?"
Wu Xu explained somewhat helplessly, "That's true, but the key point is, she has no evidence! So after repeated interrogations, they still had to release Cao Chengwen."
Ye Chutang lowered her gaze slightly.
Cao Chengwen had probably been preparing for this day for a long time, so he was very cautious with every step. Although there was Zhou Shi's testimony, without evidence, they ultimately couldn't convict Cao Chengwen.
But Liu Si was doomed to die.
They soon arrived at the yamen entrance. Wu Xu said in a low voice, "Physician Ye, it's just a routine inquiry. Don't be nervous."
Ye Chutang looked up and saw a woman's figure flash past behind the gate.
Luxuriously dressed and adorned, quite graceful.
It was the current Magistrate's wife, Cao Deping's cousin, Liu Liyi.
(End of Chapter)
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