With that, he took out a box of medicinal pills to show Master Yun.

Master Yun took it and examined it closely. Shaking his head, he said, "These pills are decent enough, but I’m afraid they won’t be very effective."

He then asked for details about Juhua’s pulse, symptoms, and her aversion to cold before saying, "I thought something was strange last time I asked you about her. Her constitution is too weak, and she’s sensitive to the cold. You didn’t mention this before, or I would have prepared something for you then. As it happens, I have some fine medicinal herbs on hand—squeezed from those rich folks. Wait two days, and I’ll compound a new medicine for you."

Qin Feng was overjoyed to hear this and smiled. "I searched the whole way back, and this was all I could find. It would be even better if you have superior herbs, Master. But if I wait another two days, I’m afraid it will delay my trip to Qinghui County."

Master Yun said angrily, "So what if it’s delayed? Do you really think that Fifth Prince is gravely ill? If he were, he’d probably have me kidnapped by now. Who knows what sort of trick he’s playing."

Seeing the old man had lost his temper, Qin Feng didn’t dare say more and agreed to wait two more days.

Master Yun added, "With a constitution like hers, her menstrual period will likely be very late. She really does need treatment sooner rather than later."

Qin Feng nodded. That was precisely what he had been worried about.

’For some reason, even though he felt there was something very unusual about Juhua, he had no intention of exposing or harming her. On the contrary, he wanted to help her. When he looked into her serene, pure eyes, he longed to understand what was in her heart.’

Yun Ying spent the night in anguish. To her dismay, when the next day came, her senior brother didn’t set off immediately. He was going to wait another two days, and the reason was still that Juhua—her father was preparing medicine for her.

She felt numb. She didn’t want to ask her senior brother why, after he’d already prepared the beauty cream, the antidote, and Mrs. Jiang’s Clear Condensing Dew, he still needed to make more medicine.

She had no heart to cook, let alone help treat patients.

This left Qin Feng to manage the front hall all by himself. Overwhelmed, he finally couldn’t take it anymore and called out, "Junior Sister! Junior Sister!"

Yun Ying was sitting dazedly in her room, frowning and trying to think of a plan. Hearing Qin Feng’s call, she listlessly made her way to the front hall and asked, "Senior Brother, did you call for me?"

Seeing his junior sister’s dispirited look, Qin Feng asked with concern, "Junior Sister, are you not feeling well?"

Yun Ying forced a smile and said weakly, "I’m fine. Did you need me for something, Senior Brother?"

Seeing her absent-minded state, Qin Feng said, puzzled, "Of course I do. Look, there are still a lot of people over there waiting to be treated. What’s wrong with you?"

’Normally,’ he thought, ’when so many patients came, Junior Sister would be as busy as a butterfly, flitting about without a moment’s rest. But today was strange. The outer room was clearly packed with patients, sitting and lying about—most of them poor. That old woman looked like she was about to pass out, yet Junior Sister hadn’t even seemed to notice.’

Yun Ying quickly looked outside and saw that the room was indeed full of patients. She forced herself to rally her spirits and began helping her senior brother treat them.

But with her mind preoccupied, she wasn’t as attentive as usual.

Before, she would have gently comforted the patients as she treated them, telling them not to worry, and would occasionally flash a brilliant smile that made them feel as if a fairy had descended to the mortal world, putting their minds at ease.

Today, even though she was visibly out of sorts, her well-known reputation for kindness and gentleness meant the patients still revered her like a fairy. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The old woman, though frail and weak from her own illness, even asked her in a soft voice, "Are you unwell? If you’re not feeling well, you shouldn’t be here treating us. It’s all right if I wait a little longer. It’s just my old ailment."

Hearing this, Yun Ying was struck with guilt. She hurriedly cast aside her worries and focused wholeheartedly on treating the patients.

After two busy days, just as Master Yun finished preparing the medicine, a sudden idea struck Yun Ying.

She beamed at Qin Feng, who was about to depart, and said, "Senior Brother, you’re heading to Donglin on a tight schedule. If you detour to Qinghui County to see Juhua, you’ll lose quite a few days. Why don’t I go in your place? It’s just to treat her face, right? You and Dad have already prepared the medicine, so it’ll be the same if I help her."

Qin Feng froze, looking at his radiant and lovely junior sister with great hesitation. ’He couldn’t feel at ease letting her go out looking like that. A young woman traveling alone? Isn’t that just asking for trouble?’

But before he could object, Yun Ying said, "I’ve been traveling with Dad since I was little; it’s not like I’ve never been out on my own. Besides, I can dress as a man to avoid a lot of trouble. Or... is it that you’re worried I won’t handle it properly and will mess up that Juhua’s treatment?"

Qin Feng shook his head. "Junior Sister, it’s you I’m worried about. It’s really not safe for a young woman like you to go to Qingnan Village alone."

Master Yun looked at Yun Ying and sighed to himself. ’A daughter will always leave the nest!’

He said to Qin Feng, "Let her make the trip—just escort her part of the way. I’ll alter her appearance a bit. It’ll be good for her to go out and get some experience."

Yun Ying was ecstatic. Her face glowing, she rushed over to hug his arm and called out sweetly, "Dad!"

Master Yun gave his daughter a displeased sideways glance.

’Hmph! So happy just because you get to spend a few more days with your senior brother? Just listen to how sweet that "Dad" sounds.’

’Sigh! With my daughter gone, I’ll have to find someone else to cook for me.’

Qin Feng saw no way out and had to agree to take Yun Ying with him.

After Master Yun finished applying Yun Ying’s disguise, Qin Feng circled her twice and said to his master, "This won’t work, Master. Junior Sister still looks like a woman."

’She looks like a handsome and graceful young gentleman, but a closer look reveals she’s a woman in disguise. With her long lashes and those big, blinking eyes, she’s even more captivating than when she’s dressed as a woman.’

Master Yun looked at his daughter, as beautiful as a flower, and said helplessly, "There’s nothing more I can do. I can’t just smear soot from the bottom of a pot on her face, can I?"