Chapter 20: A Physician’s Heart Is Like a Parent’s

At this moment, even what Yin Susu had just said was shrouded in confusion; she herself did not know what she meant. Le Qianxue pressed her lips together—things outside were in chaos and she could not afford to leave alone for too long.

Yin Susu understood she could not stay, so she said, “You should go first. Once I return to the capital, I’ll contact you.”

Le Qianxue replied, “Take this, it’s poisonous. It could save your life.” She pressed a few silver needles into Yin Susu’s hand, the ones she always used.

Yin Susu glanced at the needles and gave a soft chuckle. “These ghost physician’s needles, so renowned in the capital, are quite something. Can they really kill with a single prick?”

Le Qianxue nodded. “Just don’t underestimate me. I’m the only one who can neutralize this poison.”

Yin Susu tucked the needles away without doubting her abilities. In the past three months, Le Qianxue’s skills had amazed many, her medical prowess earning widespread respect. Yet Le Qianxue preferred to remain quiet and never revealed her true identity. Now that the ‘ghost physician’ had offended Zhan Lianjing, there was even less chance of her resurfacing.

After bidding Yin Susu farewell, Le Qianxue returned first to the Night Manor. She had already told Huatao to wait for her there. Huatao, worried, had been waiting anxiously by the door amidst the chaos outside.

“Young miss! Are you all right?” Huatao hurried over as soon as she saw Le Qianxue.

Le Qianxue shook her head gently. “I’m fine.”

Huatao said, “The Fourth Prince thought you’d gone missing. He’s taken people out to look for you.”

Le Qianxue frowned. She was increasingly unsure what Yunan Feng was up to; he had been acting oddly these past two days. “Let’s head inside. With the city in chaos, he’ll come back when he can’t find me.”

Huatao nodded. After all, with so many casualties from the night’s events, everyone in the city feared more wild beasts and panic was everywhere.

As soon as they entered the manor, they saw a flurry of guards hurrying about.

“Hurry! Protect the City Lord!”

“There are too many wounded and not enough doctors in the city!”

“Go find anyone who can bandage wounds, bring them all!”

The guards shouted as they rushed to help the injured.

Le Qianxue turned her head away, refusing to listen further.

Huatao, still nervous, asked, “Miss, I heard many people were wounded by the wild wolves. Aren’t you going to…”

She knew Le Qianxue was skilled in medicine, but she never displayed it openly. The last time she had saved Yunan Feng was already a rare exception. This time, Le Qianxue was unlikely to risk herself again.

Sure enough, Le Qianxue replied, “No.”

She retreated to her room, shutting out the world. This was not the lawful society of her previous life—here, the more one stood out, the greater the danger. She was the eldest daughter of the General’s Manor, but she was also Zhan Lianjing’s sworn enemy: a single mistake would implicate not just herself, but everyone in her family.

Huatao understood, though she still felt a pang of regret.

After a while, Le Qianxue emerged with several small porcelain bottles in hand.

Huatao recognized them immediately—these were the jars Le Qianxue used for her medicinal powders. “Miss, have you changed your mind?”

“I haven’t, and I won’t,” Le Qianxue answered. “I’ll deliver the medicine, but you stay here and keep watch.”

Huatao smiled. For all her tough words, Le Qianxue’s heart was soft. She could never stand by when innocent people suffered. She would not treat them openly, but she could still help in secret.

The city was in turmoil; too many were gravely injured. For some reason, someone sent a group of street urchins to deliver medicine to the clinics, leaving behind only a message: “Medicine from the Ghost Physician.”

The little beggars, clearly paid for their trouble, dropped the medicine and ran. The doctors were skeptical at first, but the reputation of the Ghost Physician made them examine the powders. When they tried them, wounds that had refused to stop bleeding immediately ceased.

“A miracle,” one doctor exclaimed. “I’ve never seen medicine this effective.”

Thanks to this, much suffering was eased, and many lives were saved. The doctors, previously dismissive of the Ghost Physician—a woman, and one who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere—were forced to admit her skill. In just an hour, word spread throughout Night City, and the grateful injured praised and thanked the Ghost Physician.

Naturally, the news soon reached Zhan Lianjing’s ears. Haoyue reported the matter in detail. Zhan Lianjing’s gaze darkened as he tilted his head. So, that little thief was here after all.

He glanced at the unconscious City Lord lying on the bed. The City Lord had been saved earlier, and a message had been left behind stating payment was received—clearly the work of the same little thief.

“This Ghost Physician is bold. Knowing my prince is here, she still dares to appear. Yet she has a healer’s heart, sending medicine to save the people,” Zhuixing remarked quietly.

Zhan Lianjing replied coldly, “A healer’s heart? She stole my medicine; she’s nothing but a petty thief.”

Knowing Zhan Lianjing’s hatred, Zhuixing dared not say more.

Then Zhan Lianjing’s eyes narrowed. “Zhuixing, go find those street urchins. Haoyue, find Le Qianxue.”

Though he had already verified things once before, Zhan Lianjing still sensed a connection between the two identities.

In the courtyard, Le Qianxue was sorting her medicine bottles. She said, “Fourth Prince, your wound isn’t healed yet. Why come looking for me? There were too many people and I just slipped away for a bit. I’m not a child; I know how to come back.”

Yunan Feng had returned from searching for her, but had only managed to get his arm cut in the process. The wound wasn’t serious, but for someone of his noble status, it was rare indeed.

Le Qianxue had no choice but to dress his wound, since he had at least made an effort to find her.

“I never thought you’d carry medicine with you,” Yunan Feng said warmly, a smile on his lips. He felt genuinely happy to be cared for by her.

“My father taught me. When traveling, always carry a little medicine for protection,” Le Qianxue replied as she sprinkled powder and bandaged his arm.

At that moment, Huatao and the attendants saw someone approaching and quickly knelt.

“Greetings, Prince Zhan!”

Le Qianxue paid them no heed, continuing to bandage Yunan Feng. If she stopped, she’d have to start over, and she wasn’t about to do that.

Zhan Lianjing watched as she finished wrapping the wound—her technique wasn’t expert but was passable.

Yet all of Yunan Feng’s attention was fixed on Le Qianxue, his gaze filled with adoration.

Zhan Lianjing almost laughed aloud. How amusing—Yu Guhan also seemed interested in Le Qianxue, and now Yunan Feng had fallen for her too. The crown prince and the fourth prince vying for the same woman? This was truly entertaining.

Yunan Feng stood up when he saw Zhan Lianjing enter. “Prince Zhan, are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” Zhan Lianjing replied. “Didn’t the Fourth Prince leave the arena early? How did you get hurt?”

“I got separated from Qianxue while searching for her. It was an accident,” Yunan Feng explained.

Zhan Lianjing narrowed his eyes. So Le Qianxue had an alibi.

He signaled, and Haoyue began inspecting the bottles on the table.

Le Qianxue glared. “What are you doing with my medicine? Are you hurt too, Prince Zhan?”

Haoyue smiled, “Just curious, Miss Le. Please don’t mind me.”

Secretly, Haoyue shook her head at Zhan Lianjing; the medicine was not from the Ghost Physician.

Zhan Lianjing’s attempt to catch her off guard had failed; Le Qianxue had shown no flaw. He stared at her. “Le Qianxue, where did you go just now?”

Le Qianxue produced a small box and said, “I was just about to tell you. I got separated from the Fourth Prince and went to Lotus Fragrance Pavilion to buy some pastries. Would you like one, Prince Zhan?”

He stared at the box for a long time, then said, “No.”

With that, he departed, Haoyue following quickly behind.

Le Qianxue snorted, bit into a pastry, and thought to herself how she’d anticipated his interrogation, going so far as to buy pastries as a cover. In the end, he just glanced and gave up.

Unfortunately, she disliked sweets. Huatao, seeing her expression, poured her a cup of tea.

Le Qianxue took a sip and handed the whole box of pastries to Yunan Feng. “Here, Fourth Prince, these are for you.”

She then returned to her room, and Huatao tidied away the medicine.

Huatao couldn’t help but praise, “Miss, it’s lucky you only used regular wound medicine, or you’d have been found out.”

“Remember this, Huatao: I am Le Qianxue, and I only know some simple detox methods. I know nothing about alchemy,” Le Qianxue said firmly.

Huatao covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “Yes, Miss is a ‘three-nots’ lady!”

“Three-nots?”

“Yes, that’s what everyone in the capital says: no talent, no virtue, no skill.”

Le Qianxue’s lips twitched. So that was how useless she was thought to be.

“All right, pack up. We’re returning to the capital tomorrow; best not to linger here.”

Huatao agreed and hurried off to prepare.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Yunan Feng’s voice called, “Qianxue, something’s happened—Young Lord Mu is in trouble. Open up, I’ll explain.”

Le Qianxue frowned and went to open the door, seeing Yunan Feng sweating and breathless as if he had rushed over.

“Why come to me if something’s happened to him?” she asked impatiently.

“He was fine before, but then an assassin appeared. His tendons have been severed! He heard you saved me before, so he’s asking for you urgently!” Yunan Feng said in a rush.