…Thank you for the compliment?
Yu Jinnian rushed over and found a curled-up figure on the ground. Due to the slightly sunken ground, the person was sprawled on the ground, their red robes spread out, making them look as if they had melted into the earth. Yu Jinnian reached out, picked up the “melted” person, pieced them back together, and kindly asked, “Young Master Min, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Min Xuefei used Yu Jinnian’s hand to stand up, brushed the snow off his clothes, and smiled at Yu Jinnian.
Since the moment he walked in, Min Xuefei had maintained the demeanor of a noble young master, and now was no different. Yu Jinnian’s peripheral vision caught sight of two small heads peeking from behind a wall, and he also noticed several palm-sized stones scattered on the ground. At first, he thought Min Xuefei had merely been teased by two little beggars throwing stones at him. He then let go of Min Xuefei, preparing to scold the two kids.
Unexpectedly, the moment Yu Jinnian released him, Min Xuefei collapsed like a tall building falling or snow crumbling in an avalanche. Startled, Yu Jinnian quickly used his body to catch him. Min Xuefei tried to steady himself but was too weak. He had no choice but to rest by leaning on Yu Jinnian, one hand gripping the young man’s shoulder for support.
Yu Jinnian noticed that, although Min Xuefei was trying his best to hide it, his face had turned as pale as paper, and the hand gripping Yu Jinnian trembled slightly. He could have fooled others, but not Yu Jinnian. “Is it painful? Where does it hurt?” Yu Jinnian asked.
Seeing that his cover had been blown, Min Xuefei, who had heard that the boy was a little miracle doctor, stopped pretending in front of him. He raised his hand and gently pressed on his right side. “It’s nothing serious,” he said lightly.
Just then, Min Mao ran over to check on them. When he saw his second brother and Yu Jinnian hugging, he was surprised and shouted from afar, “What are you two doing? Hey, Brother Ji, why are they hugging?”
Min Xuefei spat softly, “That little brat.”
He tried to push Yu Jinnian away, but despite the boy’s small frame, he couldn’t budge him. Yu Jinnian sighed and steadied him again. “Forget it. I’ll support you. Have you found an inn to stay at? If not, there’s a small one nearby. It’s clean, the owner is kind, and he’s an acquaintance of mine. I can ask him to give us two rooms. The only thing is… it may not be very luxurious.”
Yu Jinnian thought Min Xuefei would be picky, but he nodded and said, “Thank you.”
Thanks to Min Mao’s loud voice, Ji Hong followed the noise and came out. Seeing the two of them with their arms around each other, Ji Hong’s expression darkened. As he got closer, he noticed that Min Xuefei was hunched over and didn’t seem well. Yet, he couldn’t stand to see anyone else holding “his boy,” so he rushed forward, pulling Min Xuefei over to lean on him instead.
“What happened?” Ji Hong asked coldly.
Min Xuefei smiled at him. “Uncle Luan, it’s nothing.”
Ji Hong frowned. “You think I can’t tell if something’s wrong?”
Yu Jinnian, now standing to the side like an unwanted bean, said nothing. Min Mao soon caught up, helping to support Min Xuefei as well. Seeing the two of them so similar in size, Yu Jinnian couldn’t help but feel a bit frustrated. He led them directly to the nearby Fang Family Inn without answering Ji Hong’s question. The innkeeper was indeed a kind man, and upon seeing that it was the young brother from next door, he quickly freed up two rooms for them without a word.
They helped Min Xuefei onto the bed, and not knowing what had happened, the innkeeper kindly brought them several bowls of steaming noodle soup with a plate of soybeans to warm them up.
As the tray passed by Ji Hong, the salty aroma filled the room, a hint of unique spices in the air. Ji Hong suddenly stopped the innkeeper, asking, “What kind of beans are these?”
The innkeeper smiled. “These are savory Luohan beans, homemade. They’re delicious with porridge or rice! Actually, Young Master Nian here helped us improve the sauce recipe. The guests love it…”
“Take it away,” Ji Hong interrupted, his expression changing slightly. “He can’t eat this.”
The innkeeper, embarrassed, glanced at Yu Jinnian, not knowing what to do. From the bed, Min Xuefei pulled aside the curtain and smiled at the innkeeper. “Don’t be upset. I’m allergic to Luohan beans and almost died from them as a child. My friend here just doesn’t know how to talk, don’t take it personally.”
Upon hearing this, Yu Jinnian squeezed in, pushing Ji Hong and Min Mao aside. Like a crab, he occupied the edge of Min Xuefei’s bed. Min Mao gave him a look that clearly said, “That’s my brother, what are you doing?” Ji Hong simply stood silently, watching Yu Jinnian. Undeterred, Yu Jinnian cleared his throat and said, “He can’t eat anything right now.”
Min Xuefei had already broken out in a cold sweat, and after speaking those few words, his face had gone ghostly pale. His abdomen felt as though it was being churned by iron hooks. He glanced at the people around him, his lips moving as he murmured, “I’m not dead yet…”
“You’ve been poisoned. If you don’t listen to me, you will die soon.” Yu Jinnian glared at him, then, in front of Ji Hong, reached out to undo Min Xuefei’s clothes. “Alright, now take off your clothes.”
Min Xuefei: “…”
Ji Hong frowned, watching the boy for a moment before realizing what was going on. Min Mao started to speak, but Ji Hong, unhurried, let Yu Jinnian undress Min Xuefei. As the young boy fumbled, Ji Hong let out a soft chuckle and grabbed Min Mao. “Fine, we’ll leave. Come find us in the room next door when you’re done.”
“Hey? Hey, hey, hey? Brother Ji!” Min Mao was dragged into the next room.
Ji Hong even closed the door behind them.
Yu Jinnian was left speechless at how quickly they’d left. He turned back to the now disheveled Min Xuefei, whose eyes were filled with a fire that seemed to burn Yu Jinnian down. Min Xuefei scooted back in the bed, shaking, holding onto his clothes. “He left on his own, so don’t take it out on me, alright?”
“Fine, just lie down.” Yu Jinnian slapped him back onto the bed. “Bend your knees.”
Min Xuefei suddenly felt like he couldn’t afford to provoke Yu Jinnian and had no choice but to comply.
Yu Jinnian rubbed his hands together to warm them before placing them on Min Xuefei’s body. He couldn’t help but notice how these noble young masters all seemed to have such smooth and tender skin. Since his hands were already on him, Yu couldn’t resist comparing Min to others he’d treated. His thoughts began to drift, but the sensation under his fingers quickly pulled him back to reality.
Normally, a person’s abdomen should be soft but firm, with slight resistance when pressed—what’s called abdominal wall softness. At first, Yu Jinnian thought Min Xuefei was merely suffering from some mild stomach ailment. After all, these rich young men were delicate and prone to exaggerating minor illnesses. But Min’s abdomen, especially around his navel, had a slight rigidity to it, which immediately put Yu on high alert. He focused seriously on his examination.
Min Xuefei, in pain, tried to avoid Yu’s touch but managed to hold still. However, when Yu pressed a particularly sensitive spot, Min nearly passed out from the sudden sharp pain. Even the most composed and refined person couldn’t help but gasp. He took a deep breath, the grace of his noble upbringing allowing him to endure this round. Yu pressed down again, this time more slowly, before suddenly lifting his hand, causing Min to almost jump off the bed in pain. “Little Miracle Doctor Yu… are you taking personal revenge?”
Yu Jinnian finally withdrew his hand, ending Min’s suffering. He placed his hand on Min’s forehead to check his temperature and asked, “Has it been hurting for a few days? Haven’t you had a proper bowel movement for several days?”
Min Xuefei froze, his expression tightening as he remained silent.
Yu Jinnian continued, “Didn’t you say something came up, which delayed you? So, you were sick, right? And you didn’t want Ah Hong to know, did you?” He wiped his fingers, as if in disdain. “You came here to persuade him to return to the capital? Honestly, if you had told him you were sick as soon as you walked through the door, he wouldn’t have argued with you. He might have even felt sympathy and gone back with you.”
Min Xuefei, enduring the pain, looked at the boy and, for some reason, felt no need to be on guard. His gaze fell on the gemstone dagger hanging at Yu’s waist, and he smiled helplessly. “That’s exactly why I didn’t let him know. Using illness to manipulate others is not the way of a gentleman.”
Yu ignored his comment and abruptly asked, “Intestinal abscess. How were you treated before?”
Min Xuefei, realizing Yu was referring to his condition, answered reflexively, “…liver and stomach disharmony.”
“Quack doctor,” Yu said bluntly. “The abscess isn’t deep yet. It seems the previous treatment suppressed it by chance. What was once an acute condition has turned chronic. But you’ve been traveling for days, going from cold to warm climates, rushing around. The illness that had been temporarily controlled is now flaring up again. At first, quick medicine could have stopped it, but now, after lingering for half a month, it’s much more difficult.”
Min Xuefei, upon hearing this, actually began to feel more pain. He looked at the side of Yu’s face and asked, “Who did you learn from?”
Yu thought for a moment, then suddenly came up with an answer. “The Dream Sage.”
After all, wasn’t it true that this life felt like a grand dream?
To his surprise, Min Xuefei became excited, propping himself up on his elbows. “The Dream Sage? The miracle doctor who disappeared ten years ago?”
“…” Yu Jinnian was stunned. He hadn’t expected his random answer to turn out to be a real person. Seeing Min so worked up, he quickly backtracked, “No, no, I made that up. I was just joking.”
Min, still half-doubting, watched Yu as he turned away to pick up a brush and ink from the table, seemingly to write a prescription.
Red tongue with a thick yellow coating, rapid pulse, and fever. Yu Jinnian wrote out a prescription for “Rhubarb and Moutan Decoction,” a classic remedy for pain and tenderness in the lower right abdomen. Although countless variations of similar prescriptions had been invented throughout history, they all ultimately derived from this ancient formula. Additionally, he prescribed a small concoction made with astragalus, ligusticum, and angelica, with a bit of carp scales and spiny jujube bark ground into medicinal powder. The first would be decocted to clear heat and move blood, while the powdered remedy would help expel pus and heal the abscess.
After writing out the prescription for the oral medicine, Yu glanced at Min lying on the bed and couldn’t resist adding a modified version of the “Da Cheng Qi Decoction” to help regulate his bowels. He handed the prescriptions to Min and reminded him, “While taking the medicine, avoid anything too sweet, salty, greasy, or spicy. Stick to light, liquid foods…” He sighed, “Oh well, since I’m close by, if you can manage, just come to my shop for meals.”
Min looked at the prescription and pointed to one of the ingredients. “This one… a hollow reed the thickness of a finger… what’s it for?”
Yu Jinnian grinned mischievously. “The instructions are written. If you don’t want to die, just follow them!”
Min’s gaze fell on the instructions, and he froze. The paper clearly stated: “Insert a hollow reed three inches into the rectum, slowly administer the medicine, lifting the hips while holding the liquid for a tea cup’s worth of time, then expel. Repeat once daily.”
“……”
As Yu was about to leave, he paused with his hands on the doorframe. Suddenly, he turned back and said, “Oh, right. Earlier, you said using illness to manipulate others isn’t the way of a gentleman…” His eyes curved into a harmless, innocent smile. “I, on the other hand, am just a cook. And, coincidentally, I’m sick today.”
With those cryptic words, Yu casually pushed the door open and left, leaving behind a dumbfounded Min who was still reeling from the reed treatment and furious at the blatant manipulation. He could only sigh in frustration, cursing his luck: after a lifetime of meeting the upright and cold Ji family’s third son, how did he end up with this little rascal?
In the corridor, Yu called out, “His brother! His brother!”
No one answered. Yu tiptoed over to the door of the neighboring room, about to knock when the door opened a crack, like a hungry mouth. With a sudden gulp, Yu was pulled inside.
Before he could react, he was pressed against the wall and kissed passionately.
The man before him, silhouetted against the candlelight, had his shoulders and face edged in golden light. Yu squinted, and as soon as he opened his mouth, a slippery tongue slid inside, exploring mischievously. Yu pushed against the man twice, not putting much force behind it, so of course, he couldn’t break free. The man took full advantage, forcing Yu to tip his head back and stand on tiptoe.
In his peripheral vision, Yu Jinnian noticed someone standing in the corner—it was Min Mao.
Min Mao had his eyes closed, facing the wall, and complained, “Third Brother Ji, I really made a mistake, but it wasn’t on purpose. Second Brother didn’t let me tell you! And now you’ve made me stand in the corner, fine, but why do I have to keep my eyes closed too? Third Brother Ji, did someone just come in? Was it the little boss, or was it my brother? Can I open my eyes now? I’m going to open them…”
Yu Jinnian chuckled, then switched roles, wrapping his arms around Ji Hong’s shoulders, taking control of the kiss. Ji Hong, who had initially forced the kiss, suddenly found himself being overpowered. He barely managed to break free for a moment and immediately commanded, “Shut up and keep facing the wall.”
Min Mao didn’t dare disobey Ji Hong. He was still trying to get into Ji’s good graces, so he obediently sealed his lips and stood facing the wall with a pitiful expression.
Ji Hong looked down at the boy pinned in front of him and mouthed silently, “Does it taste sour?”
Yu Jinnian pursed his lips, seriously contemplating the question before replying, “Sour as can be.”
Before Ji Hong could respond, Yu suddenly called out, “Hey, you over there.” He addressed Min Mao. “Your brother is almost dying. Aren’t you going to check on him?”
“What?!” Min Mao exclaimed and spun around in shock.
Of course, Ji Hong wasn’t the type to behave inappropriately in front of others, so he immediately stepped back, acting as if nothing had happened. Min Mao looked at them curiously and asked, “Third Brother Ji, why are your lips so red?”
Ji Hong’s face darkened. “Hurry up and go.”
Frightened, Min Mao bolted out of the room, muttering under his breath, “All I said was that your lips were red. No need to get so angry,” before striking a dramatic pose, hands on his chest. “Even when angry, you’re still so majestic. That’s my Third Brother Ji for you.”
Yu Jinnian: “…” Is he a die-hard fan?
Now that the third person had left, Ji Hong finally calmed down and softly asked, “Are you alright?”
Yu Jinnian averted his gaze, half-joking, half-smirking as he replied, “Are you talking about your childhood friend? If it’s about him, then no, not really. This time of year—”
Ji Hong interrupted, “I’m asking about you.”
“…” Yu Jinnian froze, looked up at him, and changed his tone to speak directly. “I don’t like him. Aren’t you worried I might add something to his medicine?”
Ji Hong replied, “If you’re treating him, I know he’ll be fine. I’m only asking if you’re angry or upset.”
“Why would I be?” Yu Jinnian laughed mockingly. “I’m not the one with a rotting stomach.”
Ji Hong softened his gaze, staring at him until Yu couldn’t maintain his feigned calm and indifference any longer. Yu stared back into his eyes, which were deep and impenetrable like a dark pool illuminated by the dim candlelight. “If I said I’m terminally ill, and only you could save me… Ah Hong, would you give up the bustling capital and stay in quiet seclusion with me?”
The very fact that Yu Jinnian could ask such a question meant that he had reached a point of no return. Unconsciously, he had placed himself in a lowly position, at Ji Hong’s feet, like a blade of grass or a speck of dust—something insignificant that could only look up at him.
Yu Jinnian wasn’t usually someone prone to self-doubt. Perhaps something inside him had been stirred, making him want to compare himself to others, to seek a unique promise from Ji Hong.
But Ji Hong shattered that illusion with one sentence. “No.”
The resoluteness of his answer nearly made Yu Jinnian stumble and flee.
Ji Hong’s quick reflexes caught him, holding him in place despite Yu’s panicked state, and calmly continued, “Because you’re not a speck of dust. Your talent in medicine will, sooner or later, make you shine brightly. You won’t be able to remain in quiet seclusion, as someone will inevitably disrupt the peace you desire. Only power can ensure your safety and peace.”
“And I have that power,” Ji Hong added.
“Jinnian, I could easily make false promises to deceive you, pretending that the world is peaceful and untroubled—what’s so hard about that? But I won’t. Besides, you should already know how extraordinary you are, how peerless.”
“…” Yu Jinnian looked back at him, stunned. Wait… is he complimenting me?
Not knowing how to respond, Yu stood there, conflicted, staring at Ji Hong. After a moment, he hesitated and frowned slightly, then muttered, “…Thank you for the compliment?”