Chapter One: First Encounter in Lingzhou City

It is rented," Bai Wanlu answered honestly, adding at the end, "It costs one tael of silver for an hour.

The figure in white on the carved railing stood up, and with a "whoosh," lifted the curtain, heading straight towards Bai Wanlu. Bai Wanlu glanced at him and quickly lowered her head

Bai Wanlu playfully beckoned her with a finger: "Come here"

As she spoke, Bai Wanlu was forcibly dragged by Third Master towards the back door. Confused, Bai Wanlu glanced back, but Third Master pressed down hard on her head with his large hand, rendering her unable to move

Because Liu Xiaoyun really encountered that man named Gu Ying

The two figures were flattering the guards at the city gate, saying: "Sir, we are in a hurry to go and conduct business."

Yes, boss

It seemed that Bai Wanlu had suddenly understood the language of the sparrows. She abruptly sat up, pushed Liu Xiaoyun's body, and softly called out: "Sister Yun"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiaoyun and Bai Wanlu exchanged glances. Bai Wanlu reacted even more swiftly, her hand emerging from her sleeve to cover her face, and she immediately began to weep bitterly: "It is pitiful for us two young women, unable to bear burdens or lift anything, to survive in this world which is already so difficult. Now we must be sent to the government office and spend the remainder of our lives in prison. Thinking of this, I feel utterly despondent; it would be better to die!"

Master San lifted the dish from the pot and poured a circle of clear broth around the edge of the porcelain plate, causing the carved lotus flowers made of radish in the dish to bloom instantly, a sight of unparalleled beauty

This girl has some skills, he cannot let her escape

Third Master released Bai Wanlu's hand, rolled up his sleeves, and personally began to pick the exceptionally good fruits and vegetables, tossing them into the basket held by Bai Wanlu. Bai Wanlu looked at this scene in astonishment, increasingly unable to discern who exactly this Third Master was.

Liu Xiaoyun approached her, and Bai Wanlu whispered her plan in her ear

Go search for the statue of Yue Lao. The leader commanded.

Miss, your medicine is ready

Xiao Lang, startled, fled outside, tightly clutching the silver in his palm. He hurriedly ran to a riverbank. The riverbank was shallow, with some green duckweed floating on the surface, and a winding, decayed bridge extended to the opposite bank. On the other side stood a cluster of sturdy willow trees, which were lush and green in the early spring.

There are such audacious individuals in Lingzhou City, prescribing medications indiscriminately to patients and deceiving them for silver. What great boldness they possess

"Heh, this business is not worth it; it would be better to go back to being a little doctor and swindle some silver." The man in white spoke these words with a feigned ease, but anyone with discernment could tell that he was mocking the two young ladies.

Under the interplay of red and green lights, the daughter, dressed in white, nibbled on a candied hawthorn while mumbling indistinctly, "Fortunately, I reacted quickly and escaped from those two guys; otherwise, I would have really been sent to prison, and that would have been the end of my life."

Then, with a start, she slowly turned her head. It was indeed that deceitful young doctor; today, she had actually disguised herself as a peasant woman.

The medicine was taken back and cured grandmother

Bai Wanlu is indeed a jinx.

The man struggled to get up, retching at the edge of the bed, then weakly raised his arm and shook it, saying: "Water ... ... "

"Fool, eating too much of that will surely upset your stomach and make you feel nauseous," the young doctor said, giving him a sidelong glance and muttering a curse.

Then it is up to you. The man in white walked down the tea house with his hands behind his back, swaggering, and said, "I am going to the Wanhua Building to find Miss Cui'er."

"Not good." Gu Ying rushed forward, arriving at the carved railing and looking down, but the bustling street below had already lost sight of the two figures.

"Young Master, you have mistaken the person." Bai Wanlu lowered her head slightly, but inwardly she cursed: "Could it be that I stepped in dog feces when I went out? How could I encounter him again?"

"No mistake." Third Master pointed at Bai Wanlu, then at Liu Xiaoyun, who was standing to the side, "A deceitful doctor, an accomplice! It cannot be wrong."

The young doctor expressed doubt: "Just a little bit?" He emphasized the word "bit" a bit more. The man hesitated, seemingly too embarrassed to speak, and said, "I ate a bit more."

"Yes." Gu Ying clasped his fists and then said, "By the way, Third Master, are you still going to the Fragrant Kitchen at dawn?"

In a hurry to get medicine for his grandmother, Liu Xiaoyun rushed into a pharmacy and explained his grandmother's symptoms to the doctor at the pharmacy, asking him to provide some suitable medication

Third Master turned around, raised his left hand, and gestured for her to feel free.

Old Master San nodded and said, "Then let them go."

The young doctor took a deep breath, tiptoed out of the inn, and quickly left the place

"The officials? It's quite interesting that the officials are handling the case in such attire," Bai Wanlu did not believe the other person's words

Their footsteps are light and silent, as if they have practiced profound lightness in their movements

The young doctor sat alone, feeling somewhat bored, and no longer held himself with the same formality as before. He leaned forward, closely examining the hairpin on the head of the man on the bed, curiously poking at the red jade on top, and sighed, "What wealth! If I had a jade like this, it would be enough for me and Sister Yun to eat well for several years."

"Wait a moment, since this is the finest first sprout from the Su Ding, how can it only be sold for three taels? My master is also an expert in tea tasting and is willing to pay ten taels of gold to purchase this half basket of first sprouts"

Bai Wanlu gazed longingly at the delicious dish and tentatively asked, "Third Master, may I take this back for Sister Yun to taste?"

"Indeed, however, the matter of you writing a false prescription to treat my illness cannot simply be overlooked," said Master San

"Wan'er..." Liu Xiaoyun reached out and grasped Bai Wanlu's sleeve, a look of heartache appearing on her face

Then Gu Ying took his leave, saying he would return to fetch Master San at the hour of the rabbit. As he spoke, he turned his back to the door and exited the Xiaoxiang Pavilion

Looking at the pitiful handful of silver and copper coins in her palm, Third Master said without blinking: "This amount of silver is not even enough for me to fill my teeth. Gu Ying has already informed me that you used that silver to save someone, so I will not take you to the authorities.

However, Mr. Zhou San does not think so

After he gave the silver to the young doctor, he took the prescription and left the inn. The young doctor played with the silver, biting it with his teeth, and suddenly realized something.

However, before Third Master had left the city, he noticed two familiar figures standing at the city gate

The young doctor turned around cautiously, his hands awkwardly rubbing together: "I apologize, it was not my intention."

"Not just a rival to the *illustrated* book, but even surpassing a rival." Master San said as he opened his palm, revealing a shiny ingot of silver in his hand

Bai Wanlu let out a cold laugh and said: "Who I am is not important. What matters is that my sister and I are resting here, yet we have encountered an attack from a group of people with strange behavior. In order to protect our lives, we can only offend you first."

Master San dressed as a cook and early in the morning carried a bamboo basket to the outskirts of the city to pick vegetables. According to Master San, even the fresh produce from the morning market cannot compare to the freshness of vegetables picked directly from the field.

Liu Xiaoyun closely followed Bai Wanlu, slowly walking out from behind the curtain

Upon entering this temple, the situation inside became apparent. It is indeed an abandoned marriage temple, but it has been tidied up quite well, making it more than sufficient as a temporary resting place. A fire is burning in the temple, with a black pot set over it, cooking a light vegetable porridge.

The elderly woman selling paper umbrellas on the street is doing exceptionally well in business. Those wealthy young ladies and gentlemen cannot endure the sweltering heat, surrounding her umbrella stand tightly, hoping that her paper umbrellas can shield them from the relentless sun

The child sobbed softly, raising their head with tear-filled eyes and asked, "Sister Wan'er, will Grandma die?"

A chirping bird came from the waterway. After crossing the river, there stood a dilapidated marriage temple. The young doctor crouched by the weathered door and quickly uttered a password

Before she could speak, a tall and handsome man descended from the railing of the tea house. He was Gu Ying, who had met both Bai Wanlu and Liu Xiaoyun.

Bai Wanlu and Liu Xiaoyun were holding the man in black hostage, gradually retreating from the encirclement of the crowd. She furrowed her brows and asked, "Who are you?"

"The White Girl and the Willow Girl are kind-hearted individuals, and kind-hearted people will not drift away for too long," Grandma said with a kind smile.

"Gu Ying, take them to the government office," said the man in white, standing upright with a mischievous smile at the corner of his mouth

She has always listened to Bai Wanlu. Although Wan'er has a wild temperament, she knows her limits, and Liu Xiaoyun never worries about her

Suddenly, the words of Bai Wanlu emerged in his mind, and Liu Xiaoyun reached out to snatch it, saying: "This is mine!"

"Absolutely not." Bai Wanlu and Liu Xiaoyun quickly helped the two up. They exchanged glances, and Bai Wanlu said, "Grandmother, the money for the medicine was obtained through deception by Wan'er. Therefore, it is not appropriate for me and Sister Yun to show ourselves to escort you out of the city. You must take care of your own safety."

A hand slowly pulled aside the dark yellow curtain, while Bai Wanlu drew Liu Xiaoyun behind her. Taking advantage of the visitor's unpreparedness, she seized his wrist and pinned it to her chest, drawing a short dagger from her boot and placing it across the visitor's neck

Gu Ying suddenly recalled the scene of encountering Liu Xiaoyun at the pharmacy; Liu Xiaoyun indeed came to buy medicine with that silver ingot.

In an instant, a shadow descended, and Liu Xiaoyun was taken aback, only to see the silver being swept into a large hand. When she looked up, she happened to see Gu Ying's serious face drawing near: "Miss, where did this silver come from?"

Liu Xiaoyun looked at the guard who had blocked her way, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, feeling a sense of trepidation.

Liu Xiaoyun came to her senses, expressed her gratitude, and handed the silver to the attendant who was fetching the medicine

What should I do? The only way to escape from the Marriage Temple is through this door, and now those few men in black are approaching the entrance. Bai Wanlu turned around and looked at the empty Marriage Temple; apart from the statue of the Old Man of the Moon, there was nowhere else to hide.

I... Liu Xiaoyun displayed a weak and fearful demeanor like that of a little girl, thinking to herself that if the other party were an open and straightforward person, they would certainly not make things too difficult for her

Bai Wanlu divided the remaining silver coins in half and gave one portion to her grandmother. The grandmother repeatedly declined, stating that the two young ladies had saved her life, and she dared not accept any further favors.

Bai Wanlu mocked, "What? Has the Third Master been pursued by enemies?"

"Sister Yun, wait for me at the old place," Bai Wanlu whispered to Liu Xiaoyun. Liu Xiaoyun nodded, turned, and ran away, her figure disappearing into the night.

"Oh! Is this the first bud of Su Ding?" A clear voice rang out, and as a folding fan was flipped open, a young gentleman dressed in luxurious attire approached with curiosity.

Xiao Lang was taken aback, suddenly realizing, and did not dare to turn around

The young doctor sat down by the bedside, gazing at the person lying there—his brows were tightly furrowed, his face covered with fine beads of sweat, and surprisingly, his hairpin was inlaid with jade and gold trim; this was truly a wealthy individual

The young doctor looked at the old woman lying on the ground and the child who was tearfully watching, then turned to reply: "Sister Yun, it is truly inconvenient for me to go out dressed like this. The person I just deceived might have significant connections. Here, take this silver ingot and go get some medicine for grandmother, and also buy some food to bring back."

"Jumping down from there won't kill you; at most, you'll end up disabled. If you want to die, you need to go to the rooftop and jump from there to ensure it works," the man in white kindly reminded.

However, this afternoon, my subordinate clearly reported that these two con artists entered the Temple of Marriage. The informant has been keeping watch, and no one has been seen coming out.

The young doctor pretended to hold the man's hand, checking his pulse, and frowned: "Ah! Has this young gentleman consumed something inappropriate?"

In this city, there are two places that are separated: one is wealthy, and the other is impoverished. Gu Ying and the man in white belong to the former, while Bai Wanlu and Liu Xiaoyun belong to the latter

Bai Wanlu was taken aback, exchanged a glance with Liu Xiaoyun, and asked again, "Are you serious in what you say?"

Alas, my poor self, a divine physician, goes unappreciated by a discerning patron, and my unparalleled medical skills are thus buried!" The young doctor sighed as he took large strides forward, his loose robe trailing on the ground, and if he was not careful, he would trip over the hem.

Third Master stroked his chin with his fingers, his gaze shifting back and forth on the figures of the two individuals. Suddenly, as if recalling something, he quickly walked up and patted one of them on the shoulder, saying: "Fraudulent doctor!"

"It is not permissible, young man. If I only sell one or two taels of silver, I will be scolded when I return home," Liu Xiaoyun pleaded.

Ten ... ! ... twelve taels of gold ! The assistant, who originally turned to fetch the silver, was stunned; this master is indeed quite generous!

However, this Liu Xiaoyun is a person of frail constitution, and Bai Wanlu truly fears that she might have bad luck and encounter that burly man

Bai Wanlu gently tugged at Liu Xiaoyun's sleeve, then knelt down to admit her mistake: "Young Master, I know I was wrong. I had no intention of harming you. I am aware that there is an issue with that prescription, and the doctor who prepares the medicine will certainly stop the heroic Gu Ying from taking it. In the end, you definitely would not have consumed that medicine. Moreover, that ingot of silver was obtained through deception to save a life. My sister and I are both alone and helpless; we happened to save an elderly lady who had fainted on the street. However, the doctor at the clinic insisted on payment before he would prescribe any medicine. In a moment of desperation, I devised this plan, and this half-basket of white tea is the gratitude that lady bestowed upon us."

Liu Xiaoyun adjusted the half basket of white tea on her back and said, "Please lead the way, young master"

"Divine Doctor." The man on the bed suddenly opened his eyes weakly, just a short distance away from him.

He has been out for a full two hours, and has only earned a few copper coins. Are the common people no longer falling ill? If he cannot earn a few more silver coins, someone will truly end up dying

In the place where the orioles nest and the swallows build their eaves, a captivating red pervades the air. Here, every night is filled with music and revelry, enchanting all who partake. This is the Wanhua Tower of Lingzhou City, a favored destination for men.

The night is both very quiet and very noisy

The subordinate was about to pursue, but the leader raised a hand, signaling them not to chase any further

This is nothing, just a trivial matter. Master San clasped his hands behind his back and strode over to pour himself a cup of tea to moisten his throat

Liu Xiaoyun lowered her head, her eyes darting around, and said: "This silver was found by me on Liyuan Street. I am just an ordinary commoner, and upon seeing this large ingot of silver, I couldn't help but be tempted. Coincidentally, my grandmother fell ill, so I..."

The young doctor nodded repeatedly, swiftly wrote a few lines on the paper, and respectfully presented it to him

"Then what do you want?" Bai Wanlu glared at him

"I made it." The young doctor swiftly dashed into the marriage temple, breathing heavily.

"I kindly ask the two of you to come upstairs, my master wishes to meet you both." Gu Ying walked to the entrance of the teahouse, leaning against the door, making a gesture of invitation, yet a hidden malice lurked behind his smile

However, as she placed the silver in such a manner, it caught the attention of a person nearby

Thinking of this, Bai Wanlu fiercely grasped the shoulder of the person in her arms and resentfully said: "Tell your master that the silver ingot I, Bai Wanlu, deceived him of was for two reasons: first, to save a life, and second, for my livelihood! I would never deceive him unless it was absolutely necessary. If he cares about it, I will repay him five or ten times in the future!" After saying this, she kicked the back of the person being held hostage and swiftly darted back, escaping.

Seeing her long black hair cascading over her shoulders, Third Master took a step back and said with a smile, "Little trickster, you have quite the temper."

Bai Wanlu sighed softly, turning to face the river surface covered with green duckweed, gazing at the willows swaying in the wind and the apricot blossoms, and said: "It's a pity I quite like it here, but now I cannot stay for long." After speaking, she turned to Liu Xiaoyun and said, "Let us first avoid the storm; we will leave the city tomorrow."

Bai Wanlu turned and walked towards the corner where the basket containing white tea was located, reaching out to scoop some tea leaves and bringing them to her nose to smell. The tea is of good quality and should be able to fetch a decent price

On that day when I saw him, he was drenched in sweat due to excruciating pain in his stomach. I did not expect that this young man in white would possess such remarkable looks. He was born with a refined and gentle appearance, and one can assume that his character is not likely to be too bad.

Seeing the young master praise the items in the basket so highly, the young attendant quickly approached and asked, "Young master, are these truly top-quality goods?"

Bai Wanlu took a step back, catching the basket, and stared at Third Master with a strange expression. However, Third Master seized one of her wrists, tossed a token to the city gate guard, and swaggered out of the city gate

The man glanced at the prescription and instructed the man on the bed: "Third Master, Gu Ying will return shortly."

"Who exactly are you? That group of men in black last night was sent by you, wasn't it?" Bai Wanlu asked. "Asking so many questions is of no benefit to you," San Ye said, leading Bai Wanlu to a farmhouse. Upon entering the courtyard, he greeted the elderly man chopping firewood, saying, "Uncle Qi."

The consultation fee cannot be overlooked! The person who grabbed his hand is tall and has broad, strong shoulders, suggesting that he is likely a martial artist. His urgency indicates that the sick individual is of great importance to him, and perhaps he is even a wealthy person

Bai Wanlu scolded, "Shut up!"

"Divine Doctor, the paper and pen have arrived." The man who had run out returned, holding the paper and pen that were just brought in. Upon seeing this, the young doctor quickly let go and ran over. Before he could respond, he heard a thud behind him, as something heavy fell to the ground.

Seeing this, the remaining men in black were about to pursue, but Bai Wanlu pressed the dagger against the throat of the person being held hostage and said, "Do not pursue!" After saying this, she turned to the leader and asked, "I ask you, are you the ones sent by Gu Ying and the man in white?"

"Third Master, the person has been brought here." Gu Ying performed a fist salute to the individual, while Bai Wanlu's eyes sparkled, contemplating that this person's identity must be extraordinary

Suddenly, a little bird flew in through the cracked window and landed on Bai Wanlu's hand, gently pecking at her skin. Bai Wanlu slowly awakened, and the bird flew to her ear, chirping twice.

You are the little swindler! Bai Wanlu, fuming with anger, yanked the money pouch from her waist and poured all the loose silver coins inside it out to hand over to Third Master, saying, "I return the money I swindled from you!"

The Xiangchu, as mentioned by Gu Ying, is a restaurant in Lingzhou City. According to the locals, apart from the delicacies found in the imperial palace, there are no culinary creations that can compare to those crafted by the chefs at Xiangchu.

The other party calmly said: "Such actions are convenient, but who is the young lady? She seems to possess remarkable skills."

These young men work in the teahouse, not by recognizing goods through their quality, but by recognizing goods through the people. This young master, dressed in splendid attire and speaking eloquently, leads the young men to believe that what he says is true

The young man merely glanced and said: "One or two taels of silver"

Gu Ying turned around to wait for the assistant at the pharmacy, his sharply defined profile exuding a sense of ruggedness and compelling charisma

I understand that I have returned to Lingzhou City, and I am being urged incessantly, by former officials and the imperial harem, it is utterly annoying. The third master, feeling vexed, stared at the memorial and continued, "It is said that the bridge over the river near the Tongde and He residences has collapsed, and funds from the national treasury need to be allocated for repairs. After one allocation, they came back to tell me that the money is insufficient! These good-for-nothing fellows have no idea to investigate who has embezzled these funds along the way; they only know how to reach into the national treasury!"

Hmm," said Third Master, nodding, as he pulled Bai Wanlu to the backyard. The backyard was a vegetable garden, featuring both common and uncommon fruits and vegetables.

Yes. The man turned around and went out to ask the shop assistant for paper and pen

The leader walked straight towards the bamboo mat, reaching out to touch its woven surface, which bore no warmth, unlike that of someone who had lain upon it

He calls her the Divine Doctor Miss

After watching Third Master leave, Gu Ying glanced again at the street beneath the carved railing, his brows gradually furrowing.

It seems that the deceitful little doctor possesses some skills. The man in white slowly walked to the carved railing, his fingers stroking his chin, and remarked, "Interesting"

In the Xiaoxiang Pavilion of the Wanhua Tower, during the day, a man in white leaned against a soft couch, holding a document high in his hand, muttering to himself: "I truly have wasted my efforts on this group of people; they can only raise questions but cannot solve problems. They still need me to make decisions on such trivial matters."

However, they did not wait until dawn the next day to leave the city, and instead encountered danger that very night

Gu Ying turned his head and said, "Third Master, these two individuals are too cunning; they have escaped!"

The white-bearded Seventh Uncle straightened his back, planted the axe on the ground, and greeted with a smile, "Third Master has arrived"

Unbeknownst to them, this young master is actually Bai Wanlu in disguise as a man, and this scene was also planned by Bai Wanlu and Liu Xiaoyun.

At the hour of the rabbit, a grayish-white hue appears on the horizon, and morning dew slides off the delicate red apricots, falling into the shallow river pond

"Alright, I will go now." The young woman, referred to as Sister Yun, took the silver ingot and turned to leave the Marriage Temple

She trembled as she took the money pouch, leading her grandson and said: "Anan, bow to the two benefactors who saved our lives"

At the hour of the ugly, only a faint candlelight remained in the marriage temple, while Bai Wanlu and Liu Xiaoyun were sleeping soundly, completely unaware that a group of men in black was slowly approaching outside the temple

This child is in a pitiable state. A few days ago, they were accompanying their grandmother selling white tea on the street, and for some unknown reason, the grandmother fainted. The young doctor and Sister Yun happened to pass by and lent a hand. However, what is infuriating is that the doctors in Lingzhou City are all heartless scoundrels; if one cannot produce money, they will stand by and watch one die.

Third Master! The man approached and helped the frail young master back onto the bed

Boss!" The remaining men in black exclaimed.

And Liu Xiaoyun was saved by Bai Wanlu in that desolate desert, after which the two became sisters in this barren world

Liu Xiaoyun, dressed as a tea girl, walked into the tea house carrying a basket of white tea. She grabbed the young attendant and said, "Young man, would you like to buy some tea? I have excellent white tea here"

The young man glanced into the basket and asked, "How much does it cost?"

"I ate a little wild fruit about an hour ago," replied the man who was standing.

However, Third Master took Bai Wanlu away on a whim. He thought to himself that carrying a basket full of fresh fruits and vegetables would be quite heavy, so having someone around to help would be much more convenient

The young doctor was so frightened that he stood up and kept retreating, exclaiming: "My goodness, are you trying to scare this divine physician to death?"

Bai Wanlu covered half of her face with a folding fan, unsure of what to say. Liu Xiaoyun lowered her head and bowed to Gu Ying, saying: "Young master, you are quite generous. I am merely running a small business, and this half basket of first buds is only worth three taels of silver, not ten taels of gold."

"Thank you, Third Master," Third Master said his farewells. Bai Wanlu gracefully stepped forward to Third Master, properly performed a salute, and turned to leave.

Truly stingy

Bai Wanlu's eyes widened in surprise as she snatched the silver ingot, then turned to smile brightly: "Come with me!"

He turned around, weakly shaking the sign he held in his hand, and lazily called out: "Medical treatment, medical treatment. Treat illnesses early if you have them, and take preventive measures if you do not. If I cannot cure you, there is no charge; if I can cure you, gentlemen and ladies, please give a little reward!"

"Hey, you can let go now," Bai Wanlu said, staring at the 'thieving hand' of Third Master on her wrist, reminding him.

Those fourteen individuals did not awaken until the second watch of the night, one by one they crawled up, their mouths uttering the bitter complaints like a barrage of arrows... The storyteller struck the table and spoke eloquently, captivating the audience with great interest

Liu Xiaoyun was taken aback, looking at him with surprise in her eyes

What puzzled Bai Wanlu even more was that after the Third Master took her to pick fruits and vegetables, he returned to the fragrant kitchen. The Third Master asked Bai Wanlu to assist him, and he dressed as a cook, directly starting to prepare dishes in the fragrant kitchen

Just then, as he was about to fall, his slender wrist was seized by a strong hand. The young doctor cried out a couple of times, and then he heard an urgent voice call out: "Divine Doctor, come quickly and help save someone!"

It was almost as if her neck was about to break from the pressure

Gu Ying brought them to the east wing on the second floor. Bai Wanlu only saw a man in white sitting on a pear wood chair behind a curtain of tassels, with his legs resting on the table, tossing peanuts into his mouth intermittently.

From a distance, Bai Wanlu was seen walking towards the main entrance. Third Master stepped forward, hooked his arm around her neck, and said in a low, flattering voice: "You are going to the Marriage Temple, right? Come, Third Master will take you the shortcut"

"Being scolded is your concern, I won't sell it for a couple of coins, go sell it elsewhere!" The young man waved his hand impatiently

Bai Wanlu swallowed that "White Lotus" and exclaimed excitedly, "So crispy! So fragrant! So delicious! I have never eaten anything this tasty before"

The young doctor waved his hand and said, "It's nothing serious, bring me some paper and pen, I will prescribe some medicine for him to take"

At that time, Bai Wanlu had retreated to the entrance of the Marriage Temple

"Divine doctor, you should hurry and write the prescription." the man urged

"Has someone discovered it?" The young woman who just opened the door looked at the young doctor with concern and asked

I do not know where that Third Master intends to take Wan'er, I hope nothing goes wrong

The city gate will officially open at 3:45 AM. At this moment, there is still a quarter of an hour left until 3:45 AM, and the guards will naturally not allow them to leave.

This young doctor was originally not a young doctor at all, but rather a quirky girl with a very pleasant name—Bai Wanlu, a name given to her by her sister Yun. Sister Yun's real name was Liu Xiaoyun, and she had previously been a maid in a wealthy household. Later, her master died in the desert.

Bai Wanlu turned her head to look at Liu Xiaoyun, who was tightly hugging her arms, and prepared to engage in combat with the enemy

Liu Xiaoyun performed a bow and said, "Young master, you have a keen eye; this is indeed the first bud of Su Ding."

The man brought the young doctor to an inn, and without further ado, ran up to the second floor, kicked open the door of a guest room, and brought him to the bedside, pointing at the person on the bed and saying: "Quick, take a look at him!"

"Wan'er!" Liu Xiaoyun, unaware of the Third Master's intentions, quickly called for Bai Wanlu.

"Tsk, you young lad, how is it that while working in the teahouse, you cannot even recognize good tea? You should know about the first buds of Su Ding, right? Moreover, good tea leaves, when pinched by fingers, will turn into tea dust. Is this little piece of knowledge something you still need others to teach you?" The young master lightly tapped the young lad's head with his folding fan, admonishing him.

This person appears to be a young master from a wealthy family, yet he is quite adept at farm work, which is truly strange

Bai Wanlu frowned slightly, suddenly raised her head, tore off the headscarf wrapped around her hair, and glared at Third Master, saying: "What if I deceived you? Do you want to send me to the authorities?"

Third Master was taken aback, a look of terror appearing on his face. He pressed down on Gu Ying's arm and said: "Just say you don't know where I went."

Bai Wanlu hurriedly followed San Ye's footsteps and turned to shout: "Sister Yun, you go back to the Marriage Temple and wait for me."

Sister Yun, in our next life, let us be sisters again! Since we have decided to die, let us die together! Bai Wanlu cried bitterly as she held Liu Xiaoyun's hand, leading her to the carved railing.

First, there was the young doctor, and then the young master; this tea girl must be in cahoots with this little swindler. They have come to Lingzhou City to engage in their deceitful antics, truly bold of them

Liu Xiaoyun's hand bore the lingering warmth of Gu Ying's palm, as she slowly turned her head to gaze in the direction Gu Ying had departed, as if a gentle breeze had swept through the long street, brushing against a certain place within her heart

"This is not a favor; it is the money for that half basket of white tea you have." Bai Wanlu pointed to the half basket of white tea in the corner of the marriage temple and said with a smile

There are naturally those who perform in plays, as well as those who watch them

Third Master turned his back to Bai Wanlu, yet the corners of his mouth suddenly curled up: "There is something even more impressive coming up." Bai Wanlu instinctively stepped aside, only to see Third Master lift the lid of the pot on the stove, and a cloud of white steam gradually dispersed. Immediately, the intoxicating aroma filled the kitchen, and Bai Wanlu swallowed hard, covering her rumbling stomach.

"Have a taste?" Master San handed a pair of chopsticks to the dazed Bai Wanlu. After a moment's pause, Bai Wanlu took the chopsticks and ate a "white lotus".

Hmm," Liu Xiaoyun nodded in response

As she passed by that table, Bai Wanlu couldn't help but secretly take a few peanuts.

Only then did the door creak open, revealing a beautiful face that asked: "Have you made any money?"

The young doctor sighed with an air of wisdom, saying: "Foolishness!"

The young man chuckled and said: "I know that the first buds of this Su Ding are small. Since it is good tea, my lady, please wait a moment. I will go and get three taels of silver to buy this white tea for you."

Farewell, the magnificent mountains and rivers of this world. Bai Wanlu exaggeratedly wiped away her tears and suddenly embraced Liu Xiaoyun's waist, leaping down from the carved railing

"We are officials of the government and have received reports of bandit activity in this area recently, so we have come to take a look," the leader said leisurely.

Sigh. Outside the crowd, a frail doctor sighed, tugged at the collar of his robe, and shook his head, saying, "A group of ignorant people!"

What does Third Master plan to do? Gu Ying asked

As soon as the words were spoken, Third Master quickly shed his kitchen attire and swiftly exited the kitchen

There is someone. Bai Wanlu helped Liu Xiaoyun up, hiding her behind the statue of the Moon Elder, while she herself went to the temple gate to check.

Yes, boss

Bai Wanlu's joy was evident on her face as she searched for a few mulberry leaves in the kitchen. She carefully placed the "Red Snow Lotus" between the leaves, wrapping it up as if it were a precious treasure.

The gaze of the leader, like a short arrow imbued with a cold light, slowly descended upon the statue of the Moon Elder

Stepping out of the fragrant kitchen, Bai Wanlu broke free from Third Master's restraint and glared at him, saying: "It hurts so much"

"Third Master, Gu Ying is sending someone to investigate their background. If they are merely small-time con artists from the rivers and lakes, then it can be overlooked. However, I fear they may be spies and informants from elsewhere." Gu Ying has always been loyal, and such suspicious behavior compels him to be on guard.

Master San pondered for a moment and said: "I will provide the silver as promised. You are to hand over my golden order to Old Guo's son, instructing him to take people and the silver to Tongde and Yueli. It is imperative to ascertain the whereabouts of the first batch of silver. If it has been consumed by corrupt officials, let him take my place in rectifying those pests.

The sunlight flickered, and Bai Wanlu could not clearly see the man's features, but she speculated that he must be the man who had eaten too many wild fruits that day.

"Third Master is just an ordinary con artist in the jianghu," Gu Ying said

Gu Ying took out a silver ingot from his waist seal and clasped his fists, saying: "Thank you, Divine Doctor Miss."

His condition was merely a fabrication of hers, and she just happened to guess it right. The names of the herbs on that prescription were also written at random by her; whether it could actually cure that fellow is still uncertain

As I was thinking this, a voice from a figure in white came softly from above: "Is this clothing stolen or deceived?"

Bai Wanlu paid him no mind, but instead placed the wrapped "Red Snow Lotus" into the bag she carried with her

The leader confidently stated, "There is no need to pursue them; they are merely ordinary people."

How? Although the words are inquiring, San Ye seems to be fully confident and prepared.

"Saving people?" Upon hearing this, the young doctor was struck with inspiration. Without caring who was pulling him, he cheerfully said, "Saving people is great! Sir, please take your time. Shall we discuss the consultation fee while we are on the way?"

Lingzhou City, Fengyue Teahouse

Let go? What will you do if you run away? Third Master resolutely refused to let go

Bai Wanlu and Liu Xiaoyun were startled by the figure behind the God of Marriage, and could not help but take a step back.

Then, Liu Xiaoyun placed the shiny silver ingot on the counter

"Where did you find it?" Gu Ying pressed for an answer

Liu Xiaoyun woke up, rubbed her eyes, and asked: "What happened?"

It is better to leave early; if that person named Gu Ying discovers the truth and turns back, it would be quite unusual if she doesn't break her ribs in the process

"The value in silver is not important; what matters is that the young lady sells tea. My master enjoys tasting tea. When the appetite is right, naturally one wishes to meet in person." Gu Ying smiled faintly, yet the eyes beneath his sword-like brows held a piercing cold light

Third Master glanced back in fear and poked Bai Wanlu's forehead with his finger: "Little liar, take me with you."

This man is a martial artist, and the two of them, being weak women, certainly cannot defeat him. If they do not go up together with Gu Ying, Gu Ying will expose their tricks on the spot, and in the future, it will be difficult for them to make a living in Lingzhou City.

At this moment, Gu Ying pushed open the door of the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, finding the scene unremarkable. Upon seeing this, the beauty obediently got up from the soft couch, left the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, and closed the door behind her

The young doctor peered through the crack in the door, watching Sister Yun walk away, before slowly turning around to face the old woman and the child.

"Grandma will not die, Sister Yun has gone to get the medicine, and once the medicine is brought back, Grandma will get better." The young doctor bent down and gently stroked the child's hair. The child was young, and whatever his sister said was what it was; he obediently responded and anxiously watched over his grandmother.

"Go! The dishes made by those cooks are terribly unpalatable; I must go teach them how to cook." At this mention, Third Master displayed a hint of excitement on his face, reclining on the soft couch, swinging one leg, and humming an unknown tune.

The door of the marriage temple was gently pried open, and after the figure in black looked around cautiously, he stepped inside

Third Master threw the empty basket to Bai Wanlu: "Continue."

There were approximately five or six people outside the door, each dressed in black, tall in stature, and all were adult men. Bai Wanlu thought about the powerful figures she had offended in Lingzhou City, and the only ones that came to mind were that man in white and Gu Ying; they were likely sent to capture her.

As expected, Gu Ying realized that he had frightened the young lady before him, so he released his grip and clasped his fists, saying: "I was being rude. This silver was originally meant to pay a young doctor for his medical fees. That young doctor prescribed the wrong medicine and nearly caused the death of my master. That is why I became a bit agitated upon seeing this silver."

"Third Master, do not let your anger harm your health." A pair of delicate hands brushed across Third Master's chest, gently tugging at his white robe, with an extremely alluring tone

Bai Wanlu swiftly turned over the mat on the straw, and with a flash of her figure, she slipped into the curtain behind the statue of the Moon Elder

The remaining five individuals slowly approached, surrounding Bai Wanlu and the other person. Upon realizing that they were being threatened, the leader signaled to his subordinates not to act rashly

"Beautiful lady, do not rush." Third Master grasped the beauty's hand and kissed it a few times, coaxing her.

Not much, just a few taels of silver, I will give you this half basket. Young man, this half basket of white tea is quite substantial.

"Grandma, may your words bring good fortune. This is a gift from Yun'er to you." Liu Xiaoyun supported her grandmother on the left side, while her grandson Anan supported her on the right side, as they slowly walked out of the Marriage Temple

Liu Xiaoyun returned after seeing off Grandma and, noticing Bai Wanlu's contemplative expression, asked: "Do you have any new ideas?"

As she stepped out of the kitchen, Gu Ying walked in from outside. Upon seeing the Third Master, he whispered in his ear: "The Shu Fei has arrived"

Upon hearing this, Gu Ying suddenly grasped Liu Xiaoyun's hand and placed the silver ingot back into her palm, saying: "Since that is the case, you may take it. After all, I have already paid the consultation fee, so this silver does not belong to me. If you have found it, then it is yours."

The leader remained silent, but Bai Wanlu guessed something in her heart and disdainfully said: "Hmph! Is it just because he was deceived out of a silver ingot? Is it necessary to treat us this way?"

In that case, my lady, let us accompany this young gentleman to meet the esteemed personage. Bai Wanlu lightly covered her face and raised an eyebrow at Liu Xiaoyun

"Tsk tsk, the first buds of Su Ding are indeed a fine product." The young master pinched a few tea leaves between his fingers and rubbed them, the leaves quickly crumbling into tea dust. "Ha! Still top-quality goods."

Thus, Liu Xiaoyun lowered her head and said, "This silver... is what I picked up."

Wait! The young doctor stopped the man named Gu Ying, opened his hands, and asked, "Where is my consultation fee?"

"Wan'er, it seems we can no longer stay in Lingzhou City. Should we go to another place?" Liu Xiaoyun asked

"The divine doctor is indeed right; I humbly request the divine doctor to save my master." The man slightly bowed, a faint worry appearing between his brows

The young doctor, still shaken, hurriedly poured him a cup of water, then walked over to support his shoulder and help him drink. The man took a few sips of water and slowly raised his head: "I will no longer be greedy and eat so many wild fruits."

Gu Ying glanced at the folded document placed in front of the soft couch and asked, "Third Master, have they urged you to return again?"

However, even though the man in white knew that the two young ladies would not truly jump, he was still unable to discern their true thoughts

Is there no way to escape it

"Boss, there is no one here," said the man in black, glancing around the temple before addressing the leading boss.

Seeing the respect shown to him by the people in the fragrant kitchen, Bai Wanlu realized that the Third Master must be an extraordinary figure, so she seized the opportunity to flatter him: "Third Master, you look truly impressive."

"Young Master, your medicine is ready." The assistant at the pharmacy handed the medicine wrapped in mulberry paper to Gu Ying, who took it, expressed his gratitude, and hurriedly left.

Third Master watched her series of actions, his eyes gradually transforming into crescent moons, yet his words were far from pleasant: "Why does it look like you've never had good food? Wrapping it in mulberry leaves will rob it of its original flavor, what a fool."

The man in white and Gu Ying both stared intently at Bai Wanlu, watching the spectacle with great interest

"If you, young lady, do not speak the truth, I shall send you to the authorities." Gu Ying grasped Liu Xiaoyun's wrist, his gaze sharp and piercing like that of an eagle, fixated on Liu Xiaoyun. Liu Xiaoyun was afraid to meet his eyes, always feeling that he would uncover her secret.

There was no other way, so the young doctor had no choice but to bring the child and his grandmother here with Sister Yun. Reflecting on the past few years when the two had survived by deceit, the young doctor decided to return to his old profession—deception, both for his own livelihood and to help this poor grandmother and grandson

A little sparrow circled a few times at the entrance of the tea house, chirping incessantly, seemingly in a hurry about something. Upon witnessing this scene, Bai Wanlu, who had initially appeared confident, suddenly felt a sense of unease, secretly thinking: "This is not good!"

How did he see that he was a girl! The young doctor hurriedly touched his face, then lowered his head to look at his own attire, feeling somewhat guilty as he glanced back at the man on the bed.

Eight years later, Lingzhou City

The green willows sway lightly in the morning chill beyond the mist, while the red apricot branches are bustling with the spirit of spring

Today's weather is indeed strange; it is only the early spring season, yet the sunlight is so scorching, as if it intends to burn holes in one's skin