Chapter 46 A Glimpse into Secret Affairs

Pushing open the heavy door, a rich fragrance of medicinal herbs mixed with an unidentifiable scent rushed toward them. How should one put it... the smell was quite overpowering. Qu Wanqing could not help but wrinkle her nose; this medical clinic certainly had some hidden depths.

The dim lighting in the clinic's main hall made everything appear hazy and indistinct. The medicine cabinets were crammed with a wide variety of herbs, and the air was filled with a mysterious atmosphere, making one feel as though they had stepped right into an ancient legend.

"Wanqing, be careful," Jiang Yu whispered in her ear, his gaze sweeping vigilantly across the surroundings.

Qu Wanqing nodded slightly. She was hardly some naive, helpless girl; this level of display was not going to frighten her. She looked around, attempting to glean clues related to her ongoing remarriage crisis from the minutest details.

Several young apothecary assistants hurried back and forth, carrying medicine bowls in their hands. Their expressions were slightly tense, as if they were deliberately trying to avoid something. This only served to heighten Qu Wanqing's suspicion—something fishy was definitely going on here!

Just as she was about to stop an assistant to inquire about the "special illness," a stout man dressed in a brocade robe swaggered over, his protruding beer belly thrust forward, and blocked her path. It was none other than Steward Qian.

"Oh, if it isn't Miss Qu? What wind blew you in here?" Steward Qian asked with a forced, joyless smile, his tone dripping with mockery.

"Steward Qian, let's dispense with the pleasantries. I've come today to look into the situation of this clinic," Qu Wanqing stated her purpose directly and unceremoniously.

Steward Qian's expression sank. "Miss Qu, the affairs of this medical clinic are not for just anyone to poke around in. I advise you to mind your own business, lest you bring disaster upon yourself!"

"Disaster upon myself? I think someone is just afraid that their secrets will be exposed," Qu Wanqing retorted without yielding an inch, fixing a sharp gaze on Steward Qian as if she could pierce straight through to the secrets hidden deep within his heart.

Jiang Yu stood silently by her side, yet the cold, piercing aura emanating from his entire body made it impossible for anyone to underestimate him.

The tension between the two sides was poised on a hair-trigger.

Suddenly, Qu Wanqing changed her tune, a deeply meaningful smile blooming across her face. "Steward Qian, actually, I came here today for one more matter..."

Qu Wanqing suddenly clutched her stomach and let out a string of miserable wails, sounding as though she were undergoing the most agonizing torture in the world. While crying out, she surreptitiously observed Steward Qian's expression. Seeing his utterly bewildered look, she felt a burst of secret glee, though she put on an even more agonizing performance. "Oh dear, my stomach hurts! It hurts so much! Steward Qian, I heard that Doctor Li of this clinic possesses miraculous medical skills, so I came specifically to seek treatment." As she spoke, she leaned against the wall for effect, swaying like a flickering candle in the wind, her complexion as ghastly pale as a zombie just crawled out of a grave. Her acting skills rivaled those of a seasoned theater star.

The surrounding assistants had been trying to maintain their composure, but upon seeing this spectacle, they could not help snickering inwardly. This Miss Qu really was an eccentric and amusing character.

"This... Miss Qu, what are you..." Steward Qian was momentarily at a loss for words, completely unprepared for the female protagonist to pull such a stunt.

"Ah, Steward Qian, nature calls when it calls. Do stop blocking my way to see the doctor," Qu Wanqing waved a hand, putting on an utterly frail and feeble front. Before Steward Qian could react, she flashed past him and slipped straight into a dimly lit dispensary next door.

"Hey! Miss Qu! You can't go in there!" Steward Qian finally snapped back to reality and rushed to give chase, only to be intercepted by two assistants who suddenly materialized. "Steward Qian, Doctor Li gave strict instructions—no unauthorized personnel allowed inside!"

Inside the dispensary, the pungent aromas of various medicinal ingredients blended together to create a peculiar scent.

Qu Wanqing held her breath and cautiously surveyed her surroundings.

Under the dim light, jars and bottles of all shapes and sizes lined the medicine shelves, their labels blurred and illegible, exuding an aura of deep mystery.

Qu Wanqing's gaze fell upon a table scattered with several medical prescriptions.

She picked one up, peering closely at it in the faint light. The handwriting was sweeping and wildly cursive, making it difficult to decipher, but a few characters immediately caught her eye: "...Soul-Shattering... Powder..."

"Soul-Shattering Powder? What on earth is that?" Qu Wanqing murmured to herself, a lingering intuition telling her that this prescription might be tied to her remarriage crisis.

She picked up the other prescriptions, discovering that similar phrases were written on all of them. Furthermore, the handwriting on these prescriptions seemed to be emitting a faint, shimmering glow. Although Qu Wanqing felt a twinge of doubt, recalling all the mysterious phenomena she had encountered earlier in the clinic, she suspected that these glowing characters might conceal a major secret and could serve as the crucial clue to resolving her remarriage crisis.

A sense of excitement welled up within her, making the entire dispensary feel charged with a mysterious power.

Just as she prepared to investigate further, a low voice abruptly sounded beside her ear: "Wanqing, what are you doing?"

Jiang Yu's voice startled her. She whipped her head around to see him standing at the doorway of the dispensary, gazing at her with an expression of deep concern.

"Shh, keep your voice down. I've found some good stuff!" Qu Wanqing beckoned to him, speaking in a conspiratorial whisper.

Jiang Yu walked over to her side, glanced down at the prescription in her hand, and furrowed his brow. "Soul-Shattering Powder? That is hardly anything good."

"I know, but this thing might be connected to my remarriage crisis!" Qu Wanqing lowered her voice and shared her discovery with him.

Hearing this, Jiang Yu's expression grew grave. "It seems this clinic truly has something to hide." He looked at her tenderly, raising a hand to gently brush a lock of hair from her forehead. "Don't worry, I'll help you."

Qu Wanqing's cheeks flushed slightly, and the surrounding herbal fragrance suddenly seemed to turn sweet.

This damned romance had arrived so unguardably!

Apothecary Assistant Sun, hiding outside the door, peeked in with burning curiosity. Watching the pink bubbles floating between the two of them, he could not help sighing inwardly: a talented youth and a gorgeous maiden, a match made in heaven!

Pity he did not dare make a sound to disturb them; he could only quietly watch the drama unfold.

Suddenly, an aged and majestic voice shattered the intimate atmosphere: "What are you two doing?!"

Doctor Li had appeared at the dispensary entrance unannounced, his face livid with anger as he glared at Qu Wanqing. "Who gave you permission to enter?! This is no place for you to barge around as you please!"

"Doctor Li, I..." Qu Wanqing attempted to explain, but Doctor Li cut her off roughly. "I don't care who you are! Now, get out of here immediately!"

The surrounding assistants watched the scene with bated breath, not daring to draw a single loud breath.

Doctor Li had an eccentric temperament and was the absolute authority within the clinic; no one dared to cross him.

Qu Wanqing felt like a little rabbit that had mistakenly strayed into a wolf's den, the air around her growing oppressive. She took a deep breath and forced herself to remain calm. "Doctor Li, I came today because I wanted to..."

"I have no desire to listen to your explanations! Out!" Doctor Li roared again, pointing toward the doorway and issuing an unsparing expulsion order.

Jiang Yu stepped forward, placing himself in front of Qu Wanqing with a winning, confident smile curving the corner of his lips. "Doctor Li, we came today to discuss a business proposition with you..." He paused deliberately, observing Doctor Li's reaction. Seeing the old man's brow furrow slightly as expected, Jiang Yu continued, "A proposition that is guaranteed to leave you more than satisfied."

Doctor Li let out a cold snort. "What business? This old man has no time to humor your nonsense."

With a faint smile, Jiang Yu slowly drew an ancient tome from his sleeve. The book exuded a classical aura, with a faint luster seemingly flowing across its surface. Jiang Yu handed the manual forward to Doctor Li. "This is the long-lost manual of *The Medical Secrets of Qi and Huang*. I wonder if Doctor Li might find it of interest?"

Doctor Li took the ancient book, flipped it open, and his eyes instantly widened as if he were gazing upon a peerless treasure. His hands began to tremble uncontrollably, his gaze filled with disbelief. "This... is this real?"

Jiang Yu replied with absolute confidence, "Without a doubt."

Everyone around held their breath, watching Jiang Yu as though he were a supreme master effortlessly controlling the entire situation. Jiang Yu went on, "Provided Doctor Li agrees to our terms, this copy of *The Medical Secrets of Qi and Huang* is yours."

At this moment, Jiang Yu appeared in everyone's eyes like a king holding all the winning cards, radiating an awe-inspiring charm.

Doctor Li hesitated for a brief moment, but ultimately unable to resist the temptation, he asked, "What terms?"

Jiang Yu glanced at Qu Wanqing before replying, "We wish to stay in the clinic for a few days to observe and study Doctor Li's medical techniques."

"Just that?" Doctor Li looked somewhat surprised; he had anticipated far harsher conditions.

"Just that," Jiang Yu nodded affirmatively.

After a brief internal deliberation, Doctor Li finally conceded, "Very well, this old man agrees. However, you are not permitted to wander about at will, nor are you to pry into the secrets of the clinic."

"Deal!" Jiang Yu extended a hand and shook hands with Doctor Li.

Steward Qian watched the scene in utter dumbfounded shock. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that Jiang Yu could win over Doctor Li with a single ancient book! His face flushed to the color of a pig's liver with fury, his eyes bulging like copper bells. His mouth hung wide open, wanting to say something yet utterly unable to utter a single word, leaving him standing off to the side, seething in impotent rage.

The assistants looked at Jiang Yu with undisguised adoration. One junior assistant even leaned over to whisper excitedly to his companion, "I've never seen anyone so formidable before. That is nothing short of divine maneuvering!"

Qu Wanqing cast a grateful glance at Jiang Yu, her heart overflowing with sweetness.

This man was simply too reliable!

The surrounding assistants had all completely revised their opinion of Jiang Yu; this was what you called a true titan!

He had resolved the crisis with effortless ease—he was practically a living Zhuge Liang!

Just then, a crisp, clear voice shattered the harmonious atmosphere: "Brother Jiang Yu, why are you here?"

The crowd turned toward the source of the sound to see a woman in white approaching gracefully. She possessed delicate features and an ethereal temperament, much like an immortal maiden descending to the mortal realm.

It was Miss Bai.

Miss Bai walked straight up to Jiang Yu and familiarly linked her arm through his, her gaze filled with tender affection.

She cast a fleeting glance at Qu Wanqing, a flicker of hostility flashing in her eyes.

Qu Wanqing's internal alarm bells rang wildly; this woman was trouble!