Characters: -
Lan Yuying/Meng’an: MC’s childhood friend.
Bai Ruofei: MC’s master.
Lan Xilin/Old man Lan: Bai Ruofei’s chess buddy.
Chapter 2: Different Decisions
"Yunyi, Yunyi..."
Marquis Xia called out as he pushed open the door, only to see Xia Chu standing silently before the bronze mirror, her fingers gently tracing the faint strangulation marks on her neck.
His daughter, Xia Chu, had nearly died. His wife had died after naming her Yunyi, and from that day on, Yunyi became his only treasure—his reason for living. But now, he had almost lost her. Almost.
His eyes reddened, but he held back his emotions. Slowly, he walked toward her, as if even the dust beneath his feet might disturb her fragile presence.
He took Yunyi’s hand into his own. It had been so long—she had been just a baby the last time he held it. Small, soft, and boneless. She hadn’t even been a year old when she was sent to Zilan Mountain. In the ten years since, there had been countless letters, but not a single meeting. It was as if fate had meant to keep them apart forever.
While she lay unconscious, he had only one thought: if she lived, he would do anything—absolutely anything—for her.
Gently patting the back of her hand, he said in a hoarse voice, “Father promised you. I’ll ask the emperor for the marriage.”
Xia Chu looked at her father’s sorrowful expression and felt a deep pang of guilt. In her past life, she had flung herself so eagerly into Xiao Yanjun’s arms, never realising how much she had forced the father who loved her most into a corner—how her actions had aged him overnight.
She clasped Marquis Xia’s hand tightly.
“Yunyi was unfilial,” she whispered. “I don’t want this marriage anymore. I want to stay by your side for the rest of my life.”
Marquis Xia froze. He had long since given up trying to stop her. He had even rehearsed a speech for the emperor. He had resigned himself to the marriage. And now… she didn’t want it?
Xia Chu gently lifted her father’s chin and smiled comfortingly.
“Yunyi was reckless before. I gave you so much grief. But I’ve thought it through. Xiao Yanjun... he’s not worth it.”
Marquis Xia, afraid she was simply comforting herself, quickly said, “Yunyi, you don’t have to hold back on my account. If you truly like him, I’ll go to the emperor right away.”
“I mean it, Father,” she said firmly. “I don’t want him anymore. And I don’t want to live in the palace either.”
At that, Marquis Xia sighed deeply.
“In that case, let me tell you something. When your mother was pregnant with you, she once saved the emperor from a deadly poison. In gratitude, His Majesty promised her: if the child were a boy, he would become heir to the Marquis household, and once crowned, he could marry any princess of his choice. But if the child were a girl, she would be Crown Princess, destined to marry the future crown prince.”
He paused, the weight of memory pressing down on him.
“But your mother didn’t want you to enter the cold, distant palace. She didn’t want you bound by strict rules, surrounded by envy and intrigue. She wanted you to live freely, to find someone who would love you wholeheartedly until old age. That’s why we hid your gender from the world. After detoxifying the emperor, your mother was weakened beyond recovery. She gave birth to you, and then... she passed away.”
His voice trembled as he continued.
“You were born frail, likely affected by the remnants of poison in your mother’s body. I feared that people in the household might uncover your true identity, so I sent you to Zilan Mountain under the care of your mother’s mentor, Bai Ruofei. There, you could heal and stay hidden.”
He looked at her with deep emotion. “Originally, if you had insisted on marrying the Fourth Prince, I planned to keep all of this from you. But now that you’ve chosen otherwise, I want you to understand why I was so willing to do anything for you, yet still opposed the marriage.”
So that was it. In her past life, she had been too consumed with joy to hear any of this. She had never understood the cost behind her father’s resistance. No wonder Xiao Yanjun had so eagerly agreed to the wedding once he knew she was a girl. He must have heard the emperor’s old promise. As the emperor's chosen Crown Princess, the man who married her would be heir to the throne.
“I understand now, Father,” she said softly. “But I have two more requests.”
“What are they?” he asked.
“After the New Year, I want to go to Hanyang City - to join the Zhao family army.”
Marquis Xia raised his eyebrows. “You want to see your grandfather? But why join the army? Look at your health—how could you fight?”
“I don’t intend to let Grandfather know who I am. You can find someone to recommend me as a military doctor instead.”
She wanted to investigate something—the massacre of the Zhao army in the early summer of the following year. In her previous life, her grandfather, uncle, and cousin had all died in that disaster. Thankfully, there was still time to change it.
When Marquis Xia didn’t reply, she increased the pressure on his shoulders and said playfully, “Daddyyy...”
He sighed in defeat. “And your second request?”
Seeing his agreement, Xia Chu leaned in and whispered shyly, “I want to open a courtesan house”
“What?!”
Marquis Xia slapped the table and shot to his feet, glaring. “What did you just say?!”
“A brothel.”
“You—!” He pointed at her, trembling with anger.
Xia Chu quickly took his arm and pulled him down to sit again. “Oh, Father, I’m a woman now—I can’t just laze around and drink every day. I need something to do. I can’t just vanish into the streets.”
She poured a cup of water and pushed it toward him. “I want to open a courtesan house and have Li Xinlan manage it for me. I’ll be in Hanyang after the New Year, and in the capital, nowhere gathers news better —or hides secrets deeper—than a brothel.”
Marquis Xia looked at her in astonishment. “Yunyi... It’s as if you’ve grown up overnight.”
His eyes softened. “Li Xinlan is a good choice. She was your mother’s most loyal handmaiden and the only one who knows your true identity. With her managing it, it will indeed be easier for you. I’ll see to it.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Since heaven had granted her a second life, she would not waste it. She would fulfil her oath—seek justice, take revenge, and find happiness.
She would grow strong, strong enough to become Xiao Yanjun’s eternal nightmare. And with power, she would protect those she loved.
Chapter 3: Back to the mountain
Early the next morning, Xia Chu rose quietly. Not wanting to wake the maids, she dressed carefully, tiptoed around her chambers, and left a note for her father.
In it, she wrote that she was returning to Zilan Mountain and would be back in two days. Then, without another word, she slipped away from the Marquis’s residence.
By the time she reached the foot of the mountain, the sky had just begun to brighten. The soft, golden-orange light of dawn crept over the horizon, casting a gentle warmth across the landscape.
Xia Chu gazed at the familiar pine trees standing tall at the base of the mountain, just as thick and towering as she remembered. At the very top, five red silk streamers fluttered in the breeze, swaying like old memories dancing with the wind.
Not far from the pine tree was the old maze. As Xia Chu stepped into the formation, a familiar ache stirred in her chest. She had grown up on this mountain. When she was eight, she once sneaked down alone, only to meet with an accident that left her seriously injured and destroyed the maze at the foot of the hill. After that, Master Bai Ruofei brought her back and strictly forbade her from ever going down again.
It wasn’t until she turned thirteen that Marquis Xia sent a letter requesting her return. Bai Ruofei had agreed, and Xia Chu had gone home. But if she counted her past life too, she hadn’t returned to Zilan Mountain in over ten years.
Moving through the maze slowly, she followed her memory with ease. She didn’t use her lightness technique. Instead, she climbed the slope step by step, taking her time to feel the earth beneath her feet and the wind brushing past her cheeks, savouring the landscape she’d once taken for granted.
Zilan Mountain had two peaks. Midway up the mountain, the path split in two — each side protected by its formation. One led to Zishan Peak, the other to Lanyun Peak. After a moment of thought, Xia Chu turned toward Lanyun.
That road was lined with wildflowers in full bloom. Even in winter, the sea of blossoms flourished across the slopes, unfazed by the cold, blooming like a flowing rainbow of colours. The path was warm, fragrant, and peaceful — just like she remembered.
She hiked all the way to the top and soon saw a wooden house surrounded by a short fence. A plaque above the gate read Lan Yuan. As she pushed open the gate and entered, she saw Lan Yuying tending to the garden.
Xia Chu remembered the day they first met — they were both five years old. Old Man Lan had brought a sickly Yuying to Bai Ruofei for treatment. That day, Xia Chu had been thrilled to meet another child her age. She’d clung to her excitedly, firing off endless questions.
“How old are you? What’s your name? What illness do you have? Don’t worry, Master Bai is amazing. You’ll be cured in no time. Though… the medicine is bitter.” She remembered wrinkling her nose, vividly recalling her suffering with the bitter decoctions.
Lan Yuying had smiled gently and pulled a vial from her pouch.
“This is nectar I made myself,” she’d said. “Drink it after your medicine.”
“You’re so nice,” Xia Chu had grinned. “My name is Xia Chu. My courtesy name is Yunyi.”
“Lan Yuying. Courtesy name, Meng’an.”
“When you’re better, I’ll take you bird hunting!”
“Okay!”
Friendship in childhood was simple — they were each other’s only playmates. From that day on, Xia Chu took Meng’an up trees, picked wild fruits, chased birds, and even trampled through Bai Ruofei’s carefully tended herb fields. In return, Meng’an showed her rare flowers, brewed her all sorts of floral nectars, and kept her company.
These memories made Xia Chu smile unconsciously. Shaking herself from the past, she looked over at Lan Yuying, dressed in a sky-blue brocade gown with soft white fur trimming the cuffs and collar, her skirt embroidered with butterflies fluttering mid-flight.
“Meng’an, I’m back.”
Lan Yuying’s hand froze mid-motion, and the water scoop dropped onto a pansy. She turned sharply, her hibiscus-like face full of shock. Her eyes, more beautiful than spring peach blossoms, welled with tears.
“There’s a beauty blooming among the flowers — peerless and unmatched,” Xia Chu teased with a wink, opening her arms.
With a small cry, Lan Yuying lifted her skirts and ran to her, throwing herself into Xia Chu’s embrace.
“You’ve been gone more than a month… Master Bai said you wouldn’t come back,” she choked out.
To Xia Chu, though, it had felt like more than ten years.
“Where’s Old Man Lan?”
“He went to look for Master Bai.”
“Let’s go find them. I want to cook for you.”
“You? Cook?” Lan Yuying blinked in disbelief.
“Well, I’ve gone back to school,” Xia Chu grinned. In her past life, she had learned dozens of recipes trying to please Xiao Yanjun. What a joke — so much love wasted on the wrong man.
She slipped an arm around Meng’an’s waist, and this time didn’t hold back. With a whisper of inner energy, she soared into the air, carrying them both toward Zishan Peak using her lightness technique.
When they landed in Bai Zhai, Bai Ruofei and Lan Xilin were seated in the courtyard playing chess. Bai Ruofei’s hand froze mid-move when she saw Xia Chu approaching. Lan Xilin, clearly on the verge of losing, seized the chance to knock over the entire board.
“No, no, we start again! Eh? Xiao Chu?! What are you doing back?” he exclaimed.
Xia Chu took off her outer robe and knelt respectfully.
“Your disciple missed you, Master. It may have only been a month in this life, but for me, countless springs and autumns have passed.”
Bai Ruofei’s mouth twitched. “Why are you so dramatic now that you've been down the mountain? Get up already. Don’t be so formal.”
Lan Yuying helped her up. Xia Chu sighed softly. Dramatic, maybe — but the longing was real. The time lost was real.
“Master,” she said seriously, “I want to learn martial arts. Sword, spear, whip, staff — anything that can make me invincible as fast as possible.”
Bai Ruofei smirked. “I tried teaching you before, remember? You didn’t stick to anything. You only learned a bit of lightness technique and basic medicine — and even that’s barely passable.”
“What?! Master…” she pouted, then added hopefully, “Is there at least a secret weapon I can use to defeat someone in one strike?”
Bai Ruofei massaged her temples. “There is something. Very suitable for you, in fact — and you’re already familiar with it.”
Before Xia Chu could ask, a silver needle shot from Bai Ruofei’s sleeve and pierced directly into her Jianjing acupoint. A jolt of numbness spread across half her body.
“You should know about the four acupoint categories: numb, dizzy, heavy, and light — nine points in each. That’s thirty-six lethal points in total. If you know them, you have an edge in real combat. Hit Baihui — collapse. Strike Weizhong — they’ll never return home. Touch Zhangmen — nine out of ten die. Hit Taiyang or Yamen — it’s straight to the underworld. Break the spine — collapse. Hit the knees — instant death.”
While speaking, Bai Ruofei walked over and pulled the needle out from her shoulder.
“But this flying needle technique takes precision and strength. You’ll have to train it properly.”
“I understand,” Xia Chu said seriously. “This suits me well. I’ll master it.”
“Is that why you came back?” Bai Ruofei raised a brow.
“I plan to join the army in Hanyang. Before that, I need something more reliable than my sloppy martial arts to protect myself.”
“You’re joining the army?”
Xia Chu nodded. “There are things I need to find out.”
Bai Ruofei rolled her eyes but didn’t press further. Xia Chu was no longer the carefree child she once was, and this time, she wouldn’t be turning back.
Xia Chu was relieved when Bai Ruofei didn’t ask further. She turned to Lan Yuying and said, “Meng’an, I need you to prepare some spices for me.”
“Hm? What kind of incense?”
“Various functional ones”, Xia Chu replied, lowering her voice as she leaned close to Lan Yuying's ear. “In powder, tablet, pill, and thread form. And... an aphrodisiac too.”
“What? You want the heir of the Lan family, renowned for incense across the world, to make aphrodisiac incense?” Lan Xilin exploded the moment he overheard. Bai Ruofei looked away in discomfort. Lan Yuying turned bright red.
Xia Chu cleared her throat. “Come on, it’s for emergencies out in the world. Old man Lan, don’t be so dirty-minded.”
Lan Xilin, fuming, lunged with a flying kick. Xia Chu dodged, slipping behind Lan Yuying. Lan Xilin gave chase. Around the trees, behind the house, for half an hour they ran.
Grinning from atop a tree trunk, Xia Chu dangled her leg and teased, “Old man Lan, don’t forget. You haven’t been able to catch me since last year.”
Lan Xilin was gasping for breath and finally gave up. “If I ever catch you, I’ll snap your legs and use you as flower fertiliser for my Lan Yuan.”
Xia Chu laughed brightly. “You won’t catch me. Besides, I’m taking Meng’an down the mountain.”
“In your dreams.”
But Xia Chu caught a hopeful glint in Lan Yuying’s eyes and ignored him. She jumped down and took Lan Yuying’s hand. “Meng’an, I’ll come fetch you after I return from Hanyang.”
Before Lan Yuying could answer, Xia Chu pulled her away. “I’m going hunting. You gather vegetables. Let’s make a meal together—consider it practice.”
Lan Xilin watched them leave and glared at Bai Ruofei. “Great disciple you’ve raised.”
Bai Ruofei pressed a hand to his forehead. “My disciple’s excellent, naturally.”
“Say that again?”
“Nothing. Another round of chess?”
“You’re lucky that I am not beating you up.”
Chapter 4: Red Fox
After a simple meal at Bai Zhai, Xia Chu sneaked into Bai Ruofei’s pharmacy. It was filled with rare herbs and elixirs, accumulated over a lifetime. But Xia Chu was no stranger to them—she could refine them herself. She entered the inner room, found the turtle essence plate, elk gum, and schisandra, and carefully packed them.
These three herbs were rare: turtle essence plate nourished yin, elk gum nourished yang, and schisandra helped with asthma. She took them without hesitation, then grabbed a few other useful jars before slipping out.
Back in Lan Yuan, Xia Chu joined Lan Yuying to make incense. She offered to help with grinding petals, but Lan Yuying shooed her away to rest. Bored, Xia Chu remembered the silver needle technique and went to the back mountain to practice.
Bai Ruofei was right, knowing the acupuncture points wasn’t enough. Too light, the rabbit just twitched and ran. Too heavy, and it dropped dead. She kept experimenting, slowly finding balance.
Just as she retrieved the final needle from a rabbit, she caught a faint scent of blood and moved deeper into the forest. Suddenly, a roar shook the trees. She leapt into the branches and spotted a wounded black bear facing off against a bloodied white fox.
The bear’s eye was scratched. The white fox, covered in wounds, still snarled and braced itself, tail raised, protecting something behind it.
Xia Chu didn’t hesitate. She threw three silver needles, striking the bear at Baihui, Weilu, and Zhangmen. The bear let out a strangled roar and collapsed.
The fox froze, then turned to flee, but collapsed. Too much blood lost.
As Xia Chu went to recover the needles, she heard a squeak. Behind a boulder, a small red fox cub stared at her, clean and fluffy, with big dark eyes and a wagging tail.
Clearly, the white fox had died protecting it.
Xia Chu picked up the cub, checked it over, and got bitten in return. “Oi!” she scolded. “Don’t be a brat. I’ll get you something to eat.”
The red fox blinked, then licked the blood it had drawn and nuzzled into her arms.
She sighed, rubbed its head, then retrieved the silver needles and used a dagger to carve off the bear’s paw before heading back.
At Lan Yuan, Lan Yuying opened the door and was stunned by the sight. Xia Chu stood there, holding the red fox in one hand, while the other balanced a string of seventeen or eighteen pheasants, hares, and birds slung over her shoulder.
Lan Yuying’s mouth fell open, her face blank with confusion. Xia Chu gave a sheepish smile.
“At first, it was hard to control the force... These... well, they all kind of got stabbed to death by accident...”
Lan Yuying snorted, clearly unconvinced. Xia Chu laughed awkwardly and looked up at the sky in embarrassment. Just then, a small head poked out from her arms. Lan Yuying’s attention was instantly drawn to the little red fox, and Xia Chu gently passed it over to her.
She walked to the side and hung the prey on the wall, then went inside and briefly explained to Lan Yuying how she came across the little fox.
“I’ll be heading down the mountain tomorrow, and I won’t stay in the capital for long. After the new year, I’m going to Hanyang. If things go well, I should be back by midsummer. If not...’ she paused, adjusting her tone, ‘...then it might take a little longer.”
She reached out and touched the fox’s small head. “This little red fox is special. I’ll leave it in your care. Once I’m gone, it’ll keep you company. When it grows up and I return, I’ll take you down the mountain. Just us, in fresh clothes on spirited horses, roaming the ends of the world.”
Lan Yuying had been frowning, her heart clouded with worry, but Xia Chu’s words made her laugh at last.
“Is it going to be dangerous?”
Of course it was dangerous. Danger, she couldn’t even predict yet. That was why she had to go—why she had to uncover the truth about the Zhao army’s annihilation after their battle with the Hu people in the early summer of the coming year.
“What danger? You know General Zhao is my grandfather. I just miss him. I’m going to visit.” Xia Chu said with an easy smile, as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
“That’s good then.” Lan Yuying exhaled softly, her hand petting the red fox gently. “Shall we give it a name?”
“Sure. What do you want to call it?”
“Asha.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Then... Ah Chu.”
“Definitely not!”
“This doesn’t work, that doesn’t work—didn’t you say it should be a reminder of you, like you're still with me?” Lan Yuying huffed with mock anger.
“Fine, fine, whatever you say. As long as you’re happy.” Xia Chu raised her hands in surrender.
Lan Yuying beamed, picking up the little fox from the table and cradling it in her arms.
“Alright, that’s settled. I’ll feed Ah Chu some goat’s milk, and you can cook up a meat paste.”
Xia Chu watched her walk off and shook her head with a sigh, then turned to prepare the meat paste and cook dinner.
After they ate, Lan Yuying handed Xia Chu a cloth bag. Inside were bottles and jars neatly labelled with white slips of paper—each one indicating the use of the incense powder. Alongside them were incense tablets, pills, and threads, each wrapped with care and detailed notes.
Xia Chu looked at them and exhaled. ‘So thoughtful,’ she murmured, repacking the items. She reached out to ruffle Lan Yuying’s head in thanks, only to be met with a quick slap on the wrist and a glare.
The two of them broke into laughter, chasing each other around the room until they were breathless.
Later, Xia Chu fetched two jars of fruit wine from the kitchen, draped a thick coat over Lan Yuying’s shoulders, and led her outside. They sat on the stone steps in the courtyard, sipping wine in the evening breeze, moonlight spilling across their faces. They chatted about childhood mischief and dreams of the future until darkness finally sent them back inside.
The next day, Xia Chu slept until nearly noon. When she awoke and went to wash, she found Lan Yuying already up and preparing breakfast.
They ate quietly. It was almost time to part ways. Only the little red fox squeaked and pawed at Xia Chu’s legs, eager for attention. After eating, Xia Chu stood to help with the dishes, but Lan Yuying stopped her.
Turning, Lan Yuying handed her two bundles—one containing the incense, and the other holding the herbs she had taken from Bai Ruofei’s pharmacy.
Xia Chu took them in silence, hesitated for a moment, then turned to leave.
“Yunyi, Ah Chu and I will be waiting for you to come back.” Lan Yuying hugged the restless fox to her chest, her voice thick with emotion and her eyes shimmering with tears.
Xia Chu didn’t dare look back. She hummed in acknowledgement, raised a hand in farewell, and continued down the mountain.
Chapter 5: Descending the mountain to find someone.
Characters: -
Su Qian’an – Swordsman/ 4 th prince’s person in previous life
Su Qianle – sick sister
At the beginning of summer, guided by memories from her previous life, Xia Chu made her way to a pharmacy in the West Market of the capital.
She was alone now, and she didn’t want to inform her father or rely on the influence of the Marquis’ household—it would only make the Marquis worry.
So, what to do? Simple: poach people. In her past life, those who surrounded Xiao Yanjun had served him loyally. This time, she’d bring them to her side early and make them her confidants. The thought of turning Xiao Yanjun’s own people against him made her feel strangely satisfied.
The first people who came to mind were the Su siblings. In the previous life, Xiao Yanjun had brought the Su family’s younger sister to Xia Chu for treatment. After checking her pulse, Xia Chu diagnosed tuberculosis. It was already at an advanced stage—incurable. The only way to keep her alive was by using expensive herbs to prolong her life, which forced her brother to work desperately for Xiao Yanjun.
From memory, Xiao Yanjun had once mentioned meeting the brother outside Ji’an Pharmacy in the West Market. He’d seen a strong, tall young man being bullied because he couldn’t afford medicine. Noticing that he was well-built and trained in martial arts, Xiao Yanjun stepped in. Later, realising the man’s extraordinary skill in swordsmanship, he recruited him. When he learned of his sister’s illness, he brought her to Xia Chu for treatment.
Now, in this life, Xia Chu weaved through alleyways and narrow streets, searching carefully, until she finally found Ji’an Pharmacy. She stepped inside and looked around. The shop was small but well-stocked.
A clerk, noticing her refined appearance and empty hands, approached politely. “What is it that you’re looking for, young master?”
“I’m looking for a man who often comes here to buy medicine for tuberculosis,” Xia Chu said. “He’s tall—about eight feet—burly, with good looks.”
“There is such a man who buys medicine often,” the clerk started, but then fell silent, staring at her intently.
Xia Chu smiled and pulled out a silver ingot.
The man’s hand instinctively reached forward. Xia Chu nodded for him to continue.
“He comes around every day near dusk. Our doctors already told him tuberculosis can’t be cured and that the medicine’s useless, but he doesn’t listen.”
“Don’t mention that you’ve seen me,” Xia Chu said, placing the silver into his hand.
The clerk grinned. “Understood, understood. Young master, take care.”
Leaving the pharmacy, Xia Chu spotted a teahouse across the street. She crossed over and went inside to sit down and wait.
It was only about the time it took to drink two cups of tea before Xia Chu saw the Su family’s brother enter the pharmacy. She left a piece of silver on the table, stood up, and went downstairs.
She timed it just right—just as the man grabbed the medicine and turned to leave, they bumped into each other head-on.
No one was hurt, of course. But the medicine scattered all over the ground.
“Sorry about that,” Xia Chu said quickly, kneeling to help him pick up the scattered herbs. “Oh, this is for tuberculosis?”
The man from the Su family remained silent, quietly gathering the medicine.
“You know, tuberculosis is said to be incurable...”
He suddenly looked up and glared at Xia Chu, his eyes filled with fury.
“But I can cure it.”
The man's expression crumbled. His eyes widened in disbelief—first shocked, then hopeful, then suspicious.
Xia Chu waved a hand in front of his face. “What? Stunned? Across the world, only I can—”
With a thud, the Su family’s brother dropped to his knees.
Xia Chu, who had just been speaking while looking up at him, now found herself looking down.
“As long as you can save my sister, my life is yours,” the man said, bowing his head to the ground.
“Your life is mine?” Xia Chu raised an eyebrow.
“Yes” he said firmly and loudly.
“Alright.” Xia Chu didn’t waste another word. She helped him up. “Take me to her.”
The man quickly stood and nodded, leading the way.
Along the way, he seemed to want to say something several times but hesitated. Xia Chu found it amusing.
“You’re thinking I look too young, and you’re worried I might be lying, aren’t you?”
The man nodded... and then shook his head quickly.
“Relax. I’m not bluffing. In this world, I really am the only one who can save your sister.” Xia Chu said with full confidence.
If she were being honest, tuberculosis was a terminal illness. Maybe Bai Ruofei could’ve saved the girl, but she wasn’t as familiar with this case. In her past life, Xia Chu had treated the Su girl for a long time, just too late to fully heal her. This time, though, she was meeting her two years earlier. She was confident.
Seeing how calm and sure she was, the man finally let himself feel a little relieved.
“We’re here” he said, pointing at a run-down temple ahead.
“We couldn’t stay at an inn,” he added, eyeing Xia Chu’s fine robes nervously. “I am afraid you’d mind the mess.”
This towering man, nearly eight feet tall, looked like he was shrinking with guilt.
Xia Chu nodded. She understood. Tuberculosis was contagious, feared by the public, and often called the "white plague." No inn would take them in, and most homes would drive them out.
Seeing his honest but uneasy face, she simply stepped forward and entered the ruined temple first.
The temple was barren. In the far corner, a woman lay asleep. Xia Chu approached quietly, and the woman stirred awake—her face covered in sweat, even in winter.
“Do you often get night sweats?” Xia Chu asked.
The woman nodded.
“May I take your pulse?”
She glanced at her brother, and at his nod, she offered her wrist.
“Do you have symptoms like chest tightness, pain, low appetite, coughing, or blood in the phlegm?”
“Yes,” she replied. “All of them—except I haven’t coughed up blood. Just... sometimes a little blood in the phlegm.”
Xia Chu nodded. She hadn’t begun hemoptysis yet. It was still early-stage tuberculosis. With the three herbs she’d taken from Bai Ruofei’s pharmacy, a slow recovery was possible.
Su Qian’an—the brother—watched her frown in thought and assumed the worst. His voice dropped. “It can’t be cured, right?”
“Brother, it’s okay. I’ve... gotten used to it,” his sister said softly.
“Huh?” Xia Chu blinked. “No, I didn’t mean that. It can be cured.”
“Really?!” they both exclaimed in unison. Their eyes lit up with a joy that only those who’ve spent a long time in darkness can understand.
“Of course. Though... you two really don’t have a penny to your name, do you?”
Su Qian’an flushed with shame and immediately knelt again, pulling his sister down with him.
“I’m Su Qian’an.”
“I’m Su Qianle.”
“I’d become a cow or a horse—I’d wear a grass ring if I had to—to repay you for saving her,” he said, knocking his forehead to the floor three times.
“Alright, alright! Get up already,” Xia Chu said, exasperated. “You really need to quit kneeling every other minute.”
“Yes, yes” Su Qian’an said, quickly helping Su Qianle to her feet.
“Now, clean up—well, actually, there’s nothing to pack. You’re both coming home with me. She’ll recover there.”
“Huh? Home? Where exactly?”
“My name is Xia Chu,” she said with a grin. “Only son of the Marquis Xia family. So, you tell me—which house?”
Su Qian’an froze. “You’re... the Little Marquis?”
“Just call me ‘Young Master.’ Let’s go.”
“Yes, Young Master,” he said respectfully, helping his sister walk as they followed Xia Chu out of the temple.
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