Chapter 5, The Intention of the Drunken Old Man

Half an hour later, Atai arrived at the Chrysanthemum Garden carrying a jar of medicinal soup, accompanied by her earnest instructions

Yuan Chenglie poured out seven pills from the bottle and smiled, saying: "Your Highness, Miss Murong is concerned that you might become dehydrated from diarrhea, and specifically instructed to take seven pills."

She felt that Yelv Yan was a man of depth, appearing well-educated and possessing an extraordinary demeanor. If one were to nitpick and find a flaw, it would be that he had a slight inclination towards money, as he asked for ten taels of silver when helping her retrieve Pei Jian. However, a gentleman loves wealth and acquires it through proper means; his straightforward request only made him seem more honorable. In any case, she had plenty of money, and as long as it was for someone she liked, she would not hesitate to give everything she had, let alone a fortune. Wealth was merely an external possession, and she had never regarded it highly.

Yelü Yan stepped over the threshold and saw that the flower hall was elegant and clean, with a painting of a solitary fisherman in the snowy river hanging in the center. On the side, the flower stand displayed weeping crabapple and Buddha's hand, lush and verdant.

Murong Xueyan smiled gently: "The meal is ready, Brother Ye and Brother Yuan, please take your seats."

Thirty thousand?" The folding fan in Yelv Yan's hand snapped shut with a sound, and then he smiled.

Yelü Yan let out a grunt and said, "Just leave it there"

A melody of high mountains and flowing water gently flows in the tranquil and fragrant courtyard, like the spring light on the water. A woman in white sits by the window, playing the guqin, as the spring light casts a slanting glow, her profile resembling a painting

He is not only good-looking, but also very courteous. Even sitting so close, he does not glance at her more than a few times because of her beauty, clearly indicating that he is not a lecherous man. Although she is proud of her looks, she does not wish for a man to like her solely for her face; she hopes that the man loves her for her inner qualities.

The residence of the Murong family is a typical Jiangnan-style courtyard, featuring white walls and green tiles, surrounded by winding corridors, with a variety of flowers and plants cultivated in the garden

If Murong Xueruo were not the daughter of the divine physician Murong Lin, Yelv Yan would never have taken the medicinal soup she prepared. Initially, he had no hope for her medical skills, yet to his surprise, the effect was remarkably good; by the latter half of the night, the diarrhea had actually stopped

It seems that he has no intention of eating. Yuan Chenglie is also helpless; this master has always been picky about food, and it is already a rare occurrence for him to be able to drink a bowl of medicine with ease

"You made this yourself?" Yelv Yan was quite surprised, looking her up and down. With her enchanting appearance and impeccably clean attire, it was hard to associate her with the kitchen.

Each dish pays attention to color matching, with the exception of the white lotus root which has no accompanying vegetables. However, effort has been made in the presentation, as the green porcelain plate is adorned with a few sprigs of moneywort and a lotus flower, resembling a miniature landscape painting of a lotus pond

Murong Xue asked seriously, "Does Brother Ye know about the three treasures of Yixian?"

She returned to the clinic with great joy, personally preparing the medicine and brewing it herself. Ah Tai and Pei Lan rushed to help, but she refused, insisting on doing it herself. She had always been pampered, and while the smoke from the brewing made her eyes water, loving someone made even the hardships and toil feel sweet.

Yuan Chenglie silently thought that it was not good; he was well aware of Yelv Yan's temperament, which typically involved a smile before he lost his temper

Murong Xue was waiting for this sentence, and immediately smiled at him, saying: "As long as you agree to one thing, I will take nothing in return"

Next, Murong Xue, with her small mouth resembling a begonia flower, spoke a series of incomprehensible words in a crisp voice

Of course

Upon leaving the Chrysanthemum Garden, Murong Xue immediately asked, "Dingxiang, did I appear to have the demeanor of a renowned physician just now?"

The next day at noon, Yelv Yan brought Yuan Chenglie to the Huichun Medical Hall

Murong Xue invited to dinner, and Yuan Chenglie was very eager to attend. However, if Yelv Yan did not go, he could not attend the invitation alone. Thus, he inquired with concern, "Will Your Highness be going tomorrow?" In the capital, there was a sea of people inviting Prince Zhaoyang to dinner, but he had always been reluctant to visit easily, to avoid drawing the Emperor's attention and arousing any suspicion.

Yelü Yan also raised this question

The young master consumed a crystal bun from a restaurant and was treated by a young lady from Yixian. Coincidentally, I am a doctor at the Huichun Medical Clinic. Since it involved the three treasures of Yixian, the consultation fee for the young master amounted to thirty thousand. She finished speaking unabashedly, feeling quite impressed with her own cleverness.

At the sight of them, A Tai hurriedly welcomed the two into the back.

The first is the crystal buns from Yishi Yipin Restaurant, which are exceptionally delicious. The second is the miraculous doctor Murong Lin from Huichun Medical Clinic, who possesses remarkable healing skills. The third is the young women from Yixian, who are suitable for both family and home.

"That would be wonderful." Yuan Chenglie let her into the house, thinking to himself that she was truly a kind, considerate, gentle, and lovely girl. Murong Xue also believed this about herself, and on her way here, she had already imagined that when Yelv Yan saw her, he would surely display a grateful and gentle smile, even a gaze filled with affection. However, when she entered the house, what she encountered was a face that was even colder than when they first met. Murong Xue also believed this about herself, and on her way here, she had already imagined that when Yelv Yan saw her, he would surely display a grateful and gentle smile, even a gaze filled with affection. However, when she entered the house, what she encountered was a face that was even colder than when they first met

It is already done, thank you, Miss Murong

The lilac had long been waiting at the entrance of the drooping flower gate. Upon seeing Yelv Yan, it hurriedly led him towards the back flower hall

"Go, why not go?" Yelv Yan smiled, yet there was not a trace of warmth in his eyes

Murong Xue looked at him seriously, then reined in her smile and asked, "Young Master, are you truly willing to pay the consultation fee?"

"Indeed, if you don't believe it, you can ask Ding Xiang and Pei Lan." Murong Xue tried hard to smile modestly, but over the past sixteen years, Murong Lin had held her in the palm of his hand, eager to praise his daughter as if she were a fairy from the heavens. In his eyes, no one was as intelligent and beautiful as his daughter. Having been accustomed to compliments since childhood, Murong Xue was filled with confidence even in her hair strands, making it quite challenging to expect her to smile gently and humbly.

Murong Xue pondered for a moment and said solemnly: "The consultation fee is thirty thousand taels."

What is the matter? Yelü Yan wore a smile on his face, but in his heart, he was sharpening his knives. Looking across the court and the realm, apart from the current emperor, no one else dared to threaten him

Murong Xue brushed her hand, and the young maid Bai Zhi Furong immediately removed the stove from under the table. Ding Xiang and Pei Lan lifted the lids off the dishes one by one, and instantly, twelve vividly colored dishes came into view

Miss, Young Master Ye has arrived

After a long and troubled journey, upon arriving at Juyuan, she saw Yuan Chenglie and asked, "Is Brother Ye feeling better?"

Yelv Yan glanced around and then noticed that a table of dishes had already been arranged on the zitan table in the flower hall, all covered with white lids of the same color

The sound of the zither came to an abrupt halt, and Murong Xue gracefully rose, turning back to smile.

Unfortunately, the person before her is well-informed, has a picky temperament, and has always been someone who enjoys putting others down

"No need to thank me," Murong Xueyan smiled, "I personally cooked some porridge to help Brother Ye nourish his stomach."

Murong Xue bit her lip and uncertainly asked Peilan, "It is said that men do not particularly like women who are too capable. Peilan, do you think I was a bit too capable just now?"

What if I do not go

Yuan Chenglie tasted it first before serving it to Yelv Yan

Murong Xueyan smiled gently and said, "Please ask Brother Ye and Brother Yuan to come to the clinic for a simple meal tomorrow at noon."

"Why is it so expensive?" Yelv Yan squinted slightly, gazing at the girl before him, who was as vibrant as a flower. He couldn't help but sneer inwardly, thinking, I have lived for so long without being swindled by anyone, yet you have the audacity to try.

If Brother Ye does not come," Murong Xue bit her cherry lips, steeling her heart and throwing her reserve over the courtyard wall, boldly declaring, "If you do not come, you will regret it for a lifetime." After saying this, she quickly slipped away while the warmth on her face had not yet turned her cheeks red.

Stepping onto the Crescent Moon Bridge, the waters of Huanhua Creek flow gently by, and the breeze from the willows brushes against her face, filling her heart with a sense of tipsy delight

The inner courtyard has become increasingly tranquil, with several pear trees blooming, their branches delicate and white like snow

Yelv Yan patted the folding fan in his palm and said, "I would like to hear more about it."

She wore a flowing and elegant plain white dress, with a long skirt and wide sleeves, accentuating her slender waist, which was less than a hand's breadth. Around her waist was tied a waist chain made of red agate, each bead round and smooth like pearls, with a bright and vivid color. In the center was embedded a hollow white jade disc, intricately carved with flowers blooming in pairs. The combination of red and white highlighted her round and lustrous appearance, radiant and captivating, resembling a white jade lotus swaying gracefully.

Brother Ye need not stand on ceremony. To appear more intimate, she took the liberty of changing 'young master' to 'brother'. Unexpectedly, Ye Liyan replied coldly, "In a medical clinic, how can one not charge a consultation fee? Chenglie, bring some silver for Miss Murong."

Yelü Yanjin, having enjoyed a life of luxury for twenty-four years, had encountered countless delicacies. The few dishes before him were unexpectedly exquisite, catching his eye. The taste remained unknown, but the first aspect of color in the combination of color, aroma, and flavor had already been perfected to the utmost.

Yelü Yan slightly squinted his eyes, perhaps due to the brilliance of the spring light, he found himself momentarily dazzled and entranced

Yelü Yan elegantly waved his folding fan and said, "It is a pity that I do not have thirty thousand taels of silver." His nonchalant demeanor was completely unlike that of someone who owed thirty thousand taels; rather, it seemed as if someone else owed him thirty thousand taels.

"Brother Ye, please come in." Murong Xue arrived at the door, and as she moved, a fresh and sweet fragrance wafted in with the wind

This is the porridge I made myself. Murong Xue presented the food box with a smile, but Yelv Yan showed no intention of appreciation and replied淡淡道: "Thank you, Miss Murong. May I ask how much the consultation fee was yesterday?"

Dingxiang and Peilan are both surprised; they are locals, yet they have never heard of the "Three Treasures of Yixian"

Yuan Chenglie had followed Yelv Yan for over ten years and could immediately tell that he was angry, yet he could not fathom the reason behind his anger. Such a lovely and beautiful lady was hosting a dinner, which was clearly a refined and enjoyable affair; why then was he displeased

That is certainly the case

Yelü Yangu's cold and indifferent attitude towards official matters left Murong Xue feeling somewhat hurt. She had fully expected this to be a romantic tale of a beauty saving a hero, followed by the hero dedicating himself to her, but the unfolding of events deviated somewhat from her imagination

This sentence sounds somewhat familiar. Yelü Yan suddenly recalled a similar remark she had made to Pei Jian on the Crescent Moon Bridge that day, and her expression immediately darkened. What does she take him for?

No, the young lady's performance was just right

In summary, her smile is so confident that it makes one want to strike it down.

Dingxiang is even more impressed: Miss, you truly have a talent for nonsense and stubbornness, living up to being the biological daughter of the master. Your ability to demand exorbitant prices is indeed surpassing the master, a true case of the student surpassing the teacher.

Naturally, she had no idea that the box of "thoughtful and considerate" ointment from yesterday had caused such great distress to Prince Zhaoyang. She had good intentions, but unfortunately, she understood too little about men and did not comprehend that there exists a type of man who prefers to suffer in silence for the sake of maintaining his pride.

Murong Xue looked at her proud creation and said with great anticipation: "Brother Ye, please try the dish I made with my own hands"

Two great advisors, one on the left and one on the right, encouraged her, instantly boosting her already abundant confidence to an extraordinary level of 120 percent

It seems that this moment of brilliance at the age of sixteen is meant to astonish him

As the young lady of the Huichun Medical Clinic, Peilan exchanged a glance with Dingxiang, both expressing their strong agreement with Murong Xue's summary. However, what does this have to do with the thirty thousand taels of consultation fee

Yelv Yan hesitated for a moment before reluctantly taking a drink

Murong Xue got up early in the morning, cooked a small pot of thin porridge, placed it in an exquisite food box, and personally delivered it to the Chrysanthemum Garden. Those who are ill need care and consideration the most, especially since he is far from home, making the need for compassion even greater. Along the way, she felt a mix of hope and anxiety, wishing for the medicine to cure him quickly so that he could recover immediately, while also hoping that he would remain ill for a few more days, so that she would have more opportunities to be close to him