Seeing Ye Chutang return, the Little Milk Group immediately jumped off Shen Yanchuan's lap. She ran to Ye Chutang and held up the Furong Cake in her hand.
'Big Sis! Eat the cake!'
Ye Chutang bent down and wiped the crumbs from the corner of the little girl's mouth with a handkerchief before turning to Shen Yanchuan and giving a slight bow.
"My apologies. Xiao Wu doesn't know any better. I hope she wasn't a bother."
Shen Yanchuan's expression softened, showing he didn't seem to mind. He smiled faintly. "It's no trouble. She's adorable."
Ye Chutang picked up Xiao Wu and looked around, just in time to see Ye Jingyan emerging from the dispensary.
"Sister, you're back?"
Seeing Ye Chutang, Ye Jingyan finally felt the worry that had been nagging him all day begin to subside.
He'd been thinking that if they didn't return soon, he would have to go to the government office to see what was going on.
Ye Chutang noticed the two white porcelain bottles in his hand and asked casually, "Did someone come for medicine?"
Ye Jingyan nodded. "Aunt Yang's youngest son snuck off to play in the lake today and accidentally scraped his leg. Aunt Yang came by to get some medicine for it."
'So that's what happened.'
Aunt Yang had been very good to them over the years, so helping with a small matter like this was the least they could do.
Ye Chutang asked another question, "Is it serious?"
Ye Jingyan chuckled. "Don't worry, Sister. The boy's injury isn't serious, just a gash. The beating Aunt Yang gave him was much worse—his backside is probably black and blue."
Ye Chutang was speechless.
'Fair enough.'
It was a large, undeveloped lake where many local children liked to play. Accidents happened there every year, so it was understandable that Aunt Yang, overcome with fear and anger, would discipline him.
'But...'
"Why did you get two bottles?"
'He was her own son, after all. Aunt Yang surely would have held back some.'
Ye Jingyan glanced down at the two bottles in his hand. "Oh, one is for Aunt Yang, and the other is for her niece-in-law. She was visiting Aunt Yang today to drop something off and happened to hear her say how effective our clinic's golden sore medicine is. So she asked for an extra bottle, saying she'd cut her hand while cooking yesterday and could use it."
Ye Chutang's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Is that so?"
She had met Aunt Yang's niece-in-law before. The woman was a whirlwind—impetuous, straightforward, and efficient.
Cutting one's hand while cooking wasn't unusual, but most common folk would just mash up some herbs and bandage it themselves. They wouldn't specifically buy a whole bottle of golden sore medicine for it.
After all, golden sore medicine wasn't exactly cheap.
When Aunt Yang came for medicine, Ye Chutang only ever charged her a nominal fee, but everyone else paid the full price.
The price of this one bottle was equivalent to half a month's wages for her husband—and as it happened, her husband worked for the Cao Family.
Ye Chutang's mind raced, but her expression remained impassive. She handed Xiao Wu over to him and said, "I haven't had a chance to thank Aunt Yang for her help today. Give the medicine to me. I'll take it over myself."
Of course, Ye Jingyan wouldn't object to his sister's wishes, so he immediately took the Little Milk Group into his arms.
Ye Chutang added a reminder, "She's had a little too much Furong Cake these past two days. Keep an eye on her, or she'll fill up on snacks and won't eat her dinner."
"Alright."
With that, Ye Chutang turned and headed to Aunt Yang's house next door.
...
"Doctor Ye is certainly busy all day," Lian Zhou muttered from inside the room, watching his master finish his medicine. "It's not enough that she has to worry about her brother; she even has to keep track of little things like how many pastries the child eats."
Shen Yanchuan was reading a letter. He didn't look up, merely let out a soft chuckle.
"Yes. And she has to be wary of me, which must take even more effort."
Lian Zhou paused, confused. "Master, why would you say that?"
'Doctor Ye is wary of the master? How did I not notice?'
Shen Yanchuan set the letter down. He recalled the look in Ye Chutang's eyes the moment she'd returned and seen the Little Milk Group in his arms.
It was clear and sharp, yet impossible to read.
And it held a barely perceptible trace of hostility.
'This seemingly gentle and kind Doctor Ye... she's not as easy to handle as she looks.'
Shen Yanchuan raised a hand. In the candlelight, his long, slender fingers seemed to be coated in a faint, cool glaze, like jade.
The thin letter was quickly consumed by the flame, turning to wisps of ash.
Lian Zhou frowned. "Master, about the Capital City..."
"There's no rush," Shen Yanchuan said calmly.
'Now that news of my injury has been sent back, all I need to do is wait here patiently.'
Lian Zhou bowed his head.
"Yes!"
...
Ye Chutang knocked on the door of Aunt Yang's home.
Seeing who it was, Aunt Yang was both surprised and delighted. "Oh my, Doctor Ye! Why have you come in person?"
Ye Chutang smiled. "I just got back with A Feng. When Yan mentioned Ping'er was hurt, I thought I'd come and take a look."
Aunt Yang quickly replied, "He was just being reckless! It serves him right! There's no need to trouble you over it!"
She held a deep respect for Ye Chutang. She felt it wasn't easy for someone so young to support an entire family, and more importantly, her medical skills were outstanding!
Three years ago, Ping'er had fallen into a coma from a high fever in the middle of the night. They had seen several doctors, but all said it was hopeless. As she was weeping and holding her son, she happened to run into Ye Chutang, who had just recently arrived in Jiangling.
In just one night, Ping'er's fever broke, and three days later, he was back to his lively, bouncing self.
From that day on, Aunt Yang was convinced that not a single doctor in Jiangling could hold a candle to Ye Chutang.
Aunt Yang ushered Ye Chutang inside, calling out into the house as she did, "Xiao Yun! Doctor Ye is here!"
A woman in her twenties walked out. It was Aunt Yang's niece-in-law, Mrs. Zhou.
She started when she saw Ye Chutang. "Wh-why has Doctor Ye come in person?"
Ye Chutang smiled faintly. "Yan is looking after Xiao Wu. He mentioned that you also wanted some golden sore medicine, so I thought your injury might be serious and decided to come take a look myself."
Aunt Yang slapped her thigh. "What a rare opportunity! Xiao Yun, Doctor Ye doesn't normally see just anyone! Hurry and let her take a look!"
Mrs. Zhou hid her hands behind her back, her smile somewhat strained.
"I-it's just a small cut. It's nothing, really. There's no need to trouble Doctor Ye, is there?"
Aunt Yang shot her a look. "What's gotten into you? Doctor Ye is offering to take a look herself, and you're refusing?"
Ye Chutang didn't seem to mind, just offering a faint smile. "It's fine. As long as you're alright."
As she spoke, she handed one of the bottles to her.
Mrs. Zhou reached out to take it.
Ye Chutang saw that her left index finger was crudely wrapped in a strip of cloth, making it impossible to see the wound underneath.
"Apply it once in the morning and once in the evening. Remember to change the dressing," Ye Chutang instructed.
Mrs. Zhou nodded repeatedly, her gaze fixed on the floor. She wouldn't meet Ye Chutang's eyes, and seemed ready to leave the moment she had the medicine.
Ye Chutang suddenly paused. "Oh, right, I forgot to ask. How is your husband, Liu Si?"
A wave of panic washed over Mrs. Zhou.
CRASH!
The bottle of medicine smashed onto the floor.
She looked up in alarm, her eyes filled with panic. "Wh-what?"
Ye Chutang watched her, the corners of her lips curling into a slight smile as she spoke, enunciating each word.
"There's something suspicious about Cao Chengwu's death. The government office has already detained everyone in the Cao Family household for questioning. You didn't know?"