TMBIABHL: Chapter 7

 Character & Term Glossary 

· Ye Chutang (叶初棠): The female protagonist, a reborn heir to an ancient medical family. The "Black-Hearted Lotus." Observant and sharp.

· Ye Jingyan (叶璟言): The third brother (三郎), responsible and caring.

· Little Five / Xiao Wu (小五): Ye Chutang's youngest sister.

· Shen Yanchuan (沈延川): The male lead. A nobleman recuperating at the clinic. Perceptive and calculating.

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

· Auntie Yang (杨婶子): A neighbor who is friendly with the Ye family.

· Zhou Shi (周氏): Auntie Yang's niece. Her behavior is suspicious.

· Liu Si (刘四): Zhou Shi's husband, who works for the Cao family.

· Golden Sore Medicine (金疮药): A type of topical remedy for wounds and cuts.

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Chapter 7: Something Suspicious

Seeing Ye Chutang return, the little milk bun immediately jumped down from Shen Yanchuan and ran to her, holding up the hibiscus cake in her hand.

—Elder Sister! Have some cake!

Ye Chutang bent down, wiped the crumbs from the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, and then bowed slightly to Shen Yanchuan.

"My apologies. Xiao Wu is young and doesn't know better. I hope she didn't disturb you."

Shen Yanchuan's brows and eyes relaxed, seeming unbothered. He smiled faintly. "It's no trouble. She's adorable."

Ye Chutang picked up Xiao Wu and looked around, just as Ye Jingyan emerged from the medicine room.

"Elder Sister, you're back?"

Seeing Ye Chutang, Ye Jingyan's heart, which had been anxious all day, finally settled a little.

He had been thinking that if they didn't return soon, he would have to go to the magistrate's office to check on them.

Noticing the two white porcelain bottles in his hand, Ye Chutang asked casually, "Did someone come to buy medicine?"

Ye Jingyan nodded. "Auntie Yang's youngest son secretly went to play at the lake during the day and accidentally cut his leg. Auntie Yang came to get some medicine."

So that was it.

Auntie Yang had always looked after them these past few years; it was only right to help with such a small matter.

Ye Chutang asked another question. "Was it serious?"

Ye Jingyan smiled. "Don't worry, Elder Sister. The child's injury isn't bad, just a cut. But Auntie Yang spanked him quite fiercely; his bottom is probably blooming."

Ye Chutang: "..."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Alright, then.

That was a fairly large wild lake. Many children liked to go play there, and accidents happened every year. It was understandable that Auntie Yang, frightened and angry, would resort to physical punishment.

But...

"Why two bottles?"

After all, it was her own child. Auntie Yang probably knew her own strength.

Ye Jingyan looked down at the two bottles in his hand. "Oh, this one is for Auntie Yang. The other is for her niece. She came to Auntie Yang's house to deliver something today and happened to hear her say the Golden Sore Medicine from our clinic is very effective, so she asked for an extra bottle. She said she cut her hand while cooking yesterday and could use it."

Ye Chutang's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Is that so?"

She had met Auntie Yang's niece before. She was a whirlwind of energy, straightforward and efficient.

Cutting a hand while cooking wasn't unusual, but most ordinary folks would at most pound some herbs and bandage it roughly, not specifically buy a bottle of Golden Sore Medicine for it.

After all, this medicine wasn't exactly cheap.

When Auntie Yang came for medicine, Ye Chutang only charged a token amount, but everyone else paid the full price.

The cost of this bottle was equivalent to half a month's wages for her husband—and, coincidentally, her husband worked for the Cao family.

Thoughts raced through Ye Chutang's mind, but her expression remained unchanged as she handed Xiao Wu over, saying, "I haven't had the chance to thank her for today's matter yet. Give me the things; I'll go myself."

Ye Jingyan naturally wouldn't go against his elder sister's wishes and immediately took the little milk bun.

Ye Chutang instructed, "She's been eating a bit too much hibiscus cake these past couple of days. Keep an eye on her, so she doesn't spoil her appetite for proper meals later."

"Alright."

Only then did Ye Chutang turn and head next door to Auntie Yang's house.

...

"Physician Ye certainly has a busy day," Lian Zhou remarked inside the room, watching his master finish the medicine. He couldn't help but mutter, "Not only worrying about her brothers, but also having to remember small things like the child eating pastries."

Shen Yanchuan was reading a letter. Without looking up, he let out a soft laugh.

"Yes, and she has to guard against me, which takes extra effort."

Lian Zhou was taken aback. "What does the Master mean by that?"

Physician Ye was guarding against his master? How had he not noticed?

Shen Yanchuan set down the letter in his hand, recalling the look in Ye Chutang's eyes the moment she returned and saw the little milk bun in his arms.

Clear, sharp, and inscrutable.

And carrying a trace of hostility, extremely difficult to detect.

This seemingly gentle and amiable Physician Ye wasn't so easy to deal with...

Shen Yanchuan raised his hand. His long, pale fingers, illuminated by the candlelight, seemed coated in a faint, glaze-like sheen, cool as jade.

The thin letter was quickly consumed by the flame, turning into a few residual scraps of ash.

Lian Zhou frowned. "Master, regarding the capital..."

Shen Yanchuan said calmly, "No rush."

Now that the news of his injury had been sent back, all he needed to do was wait patiently here.

Lian Zhou bowed his head.

"Yes!"

...

Ye Chutang knocked on Auntie Yang's door.

Seeing it was her, Auntie Yang was both surprised and delighted. "Oh, Physician Ye! You came yourself!"

Ye Chutang smiled. "I just returned with A-Feng and heard from A-Yan that Ping'er was injured, so I thought I'd come take a look."

Auntie Yang quickly said, "He was just being naughty! Serves him right! No need to trouble you!"

She had always held great respect for Ye Chutang, thinking it wasn't easy for a young girl to support her whole family. More importantly, she had excellent medical skills!

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Three years ago, Ping'er had a high fever in the middle of the night and fell unconscious. Several doctors were consulted, all saying it was hopeless. She was holding the child and crying when she happened to meet Ye Chutang, who had just arrived in Jiangling.

In just half a night, Ping'er's fever broke, and after three days, he was alive and kicking again.

From then on, Auntie Yang believed that not a single doctor in Jiangling could compare to Ye Chutang!

Auntie Yang ushered Ye Chutang inside, calling into the house, "Xiao Yun! Physician Ye is here!"

A woman in her twenties came out. It was Auntie Yang's niece, Zhou Shi.

Seeing Ye Chutang, she froze. "H-How is it Physician Ye herself who came?"

Ye Chutang smiled faintly. "A-Yan is looking after Xiao Wu. I heard you also wanted this Golden Sore Medicine. I thought your injury might be serious, so I came to check on you."

Auntie Yang slapped her thigh. "This is truly rare! Xiao Yun, Physician Ye doesn't just treat anyone! Hurry up and show her!"

Zhou Shi hid her hand behind her back, her smile somewhat strained.

"I-It's just a minor injury, it's nothing. There's no need to trouble Physician Ye, right?"

Auntie Yang glared at her. "What's wrong with you! Physician Ye is offering to help, and you're refusing!?"

Ye Chutang seemed not to mind, simply smiling faintly. "It's fine. As long as you're okay."

As she spoke, she handed one of the medicine bottles over.

Zhou Shi reached out to take it.

Ye Chutang saw the index finger on her left hand was roughly wrapped with a cloth strip; it was impossible to tell the actual condition.

"Apply it morning and night. Remember to change the dressing," Ye Chutang instructed.

Zhou Shi nodded repeatedly, her eyes downcast, not looking directly at Ye Chutang, as if she planned to leave as soon as she got the medicine.

Suddenly, Ye Chutang paused and said, "Oh, I forgot to ask. How is your Liu Si doing?"

Zhou Shi's heart skipped a beat.

Clatter—!

The medicine bottle fell to the ground.

She looked up nervously, panic in her eyes. "Wh-What?"

Ye Chutang looked at her, the corners of her lips curving upwards, enunciating each word clearly:

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"Cao Chengwu's death is suspicious. The magistrate's office has detained everyone in the Cao household and is preparing to question them one by one. Didn't you know?"

(End of Chapter)

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