Cuddling with the Cold Female Protagonist – Chapter 89
by Little PandaVolume 4: The Perils of the Jianghu
Changsheng Valley
Changsheng Valley was like spring all year round and grew many bamboo trees, so their medical huts were a cluster of bamboo buildings.
The bamboo buildings were arranged in a ring. The maids and servant boys lived on the outermost edge of the entire complex. Patients lived in the third ring of bamboo buildings, and the disciples lived in the second. As for the center, like stars surrounding the moon1, it housed nine highly respected2 healers. Feng Ruoqing’s master, Elder Baicao3, was one of them.
And the Valley Master these people spoke of was Elder Baicao’s junior sister. She was a personal disciple of the previous Valley Master and had been chosen as the new Valley Master because she was flawless in her dealings with people and matters.
The entire Changsheng Valley had about three hundred people. One hundred and eighty of them were disciples Changsheng Valley had taken in since they were young, learning medical arts from the nine great healers. The rest were maids and servant boys bought by previous Valley Masters to serve them, as well as some patients who were homeless or couldn’t return to their homes.
There were many people studying medicine, but the valley had a rule: the great healers could only have a few personal disciples, never more than twenty at most. For example, Feng Ruoqing’s master had only her as a disciple, while the Valley Master had nineteen. These personal disciples usually studied medicine together, sparring and researching with each other. They addressed one another as senior sisters or martial brothers and didn’t care whose master the other person followed.
“I am my master’s eldest disciple. My name is Feng Zhu4.” The woman leading them was one of the Valley Master’s disciples. As she explained the general situation in Changsheng Valley, she said, “The reception of patients and their daily needs after arriving in the valley are usually my responsibility, along with my junior sister, Feng Lan5.”
She pointed to the woman who had pushed the wheelchair over earlier. “While you are staying here, if you need anything, you can tell me or my junior sister directly. If it’s something we sisters can do, we will definitely take care of it for you all.”
As Feng Zhu was speaking, Su Yi leaned back in her wheelchair, observing the situation in the bamboo buildings.
Just as Feng Zhu had said, after they entered the bamboo buildings, they saw many people coming and going, carrying medicinal herbs. Perhaps because their group was so large, these people looked at them curiously as they walked by.
Each bamboo building had two stories and was built along a bluestone path, arranged neatly one after another, their true forms partially hidden among the trees. Upstairs, some people were drying clothes, others were collecting dried herbs. Beside the bamboo buildings, some young children were playing hide-and-seek, their laughter echoing continuously.
A stream, like a silver jade belt, encircled the bamboo buildings. Upstream, there was a waterwheel continuously channeling water downstream.
Watching this, Su Yi sighed to herself that this place was truly an earthly paradise. Not only were the people self-sufficient, but the environment was also so wonderful. It truly lived up to its reputation in the original novel as the Changsheng Valley that could ‘heal the dead and bring flesh to white bones.’ Living in such a serene place, one would surely live a long life. Even the mood for treating illnesses would improve.
Of course, it would be even better without that man who had been staring daggers at her earlier.
The patients’ living quarters were different from the disciples’. When they parted ways at a fork in the road, the resentment in Feng Lin’s eyes seemed like it could swallow her whole.
Feng Zhu led them to their accommodations, pointing at several larger bamboo buildings. “The rooms here are big. Since there are many of you, you can stay here.”
After explaining some important points in detail, she was about to leave. Before she could go, Ji Qingchi quickly asked, “May I ask when we can receive treatment?”
“It’s late today. Let’s wait until tomorrow.” After saying this, she and her junior sister left.
Ji Qingchi had Yue Ling help arrange lodging for the guards and maids. She chose a well-ventilated bamboo building, staying on the second floor with Su Yi. Feng Ruoqing and Hua Wuying stayed on the third floor, and Yue Ling stayed on the first floor with a few guards.
While waiting for the maids to prepare the beds, Su Yi pulled Feng Ruoqing aside. “That man in the wheelchair earlier, do you know him?”
“Miss Su, are you talking about our youngest junior brother?” Feng Ruoqing found it a bit strange that she would mention Feng Lin for no reason. However, seeing Su Yi’s curiosity, she still explained, “Our youngest junior brother is the Valley Master’s son. Because he was born prematurely, he’s been frail and sickly since childhood. The Valley Master usually doesn’t allow him to wander around. I don’t know why he ran out alone to gather herbs today.”
“What’s your youngest junior brother’s name?”
“Feng Lin.”
That name didn’t seem to be among Ji Qingchi’s harem.
Su Yi thought for a moment and felt relieved. “Alright, Miss Feng, you need to be careful. This place is crowded and full of prying eyes, and Changsheng Valley still has a warrant out for you. You mustn’t reveal your identity.”
Feng Ruoqing gave a wry smile. “I know.”
Having a home but not being able to return… it was truly the height of sorrow.
Ji Qingchi came over with medicine. Hearing this, she asked curiously, “Speaking of which, Doctor Feng, why are you wanted?”
Feng Ruoqing shook her head, looking rather embarrassed. “Actually… I don’t even know what happened myself… I was compounding medicine when my junior sister, Feng Chen6, suddenly ran over in a panic, telling me that people outside were searching for me. They said I stole some secret medicine formulary from the valley. I’ve never even seen it, let alone stolen it. I wanted to argue, but those people wouldn’t listen to me at all. I was quickly captured and thrown into a water prison near the forbidden area.”
Speaking of this, Feng Ruoqing became very dejected. “Later, my master came to see me. Taking advantage of the guard’s absence, she released me. I fled in a hurry. I don’t know how my master is doing, or my junior sister Feng Chen… I need to find her… I’m scared… scared that the skeleton outside really is hers.”
Ji Qingchi looked at the sky outside. “It’s a bit late today. Let’s talk about it tomorrow.”
“What are you talking about? Time to eat.” Hua Wuying came up and called them, waving from the doorway. “By the way, Doctor Feng, you’ve been wearing that human-skin mask for a long time. It’s about to crack. You need to go back and moisten it before you can eat.”
“Got it.” Feng Ruoqing replied and went back to her room.
Hua Wuying entered the room, and Yue Ling, having arranged things, also came up.
As soon as they entered, they bolted the door.
Their expressions were very solemn.
Su Yi asked strangely, “What’s wrong?”
Ji Qingchi handed her the medicine. “No matter what, drink your medicine first.”
For the sake of her own life, Su Yi pinched her nose and gulped down the medicine, enduring the pungent, bitter taste. Before she could even yell out, “This bitterness is killing me!” something was stuffed into her mouth.
She chewed a bit. It was sweet! The taste of candied jujube! Su Yi’s eyes instantly lit up. She immediately turned to Ji Qingchi and hummed, “Ninth Highness…”
Ji Qingchi knew what she meant and smilingly turned her head away. “Your digestion is weak. You can only eat one a day. Any more, and I’ll have to go fish you out of King Yama’s palace7.”
Su Yi was very sad about being refused. Ji Qingchi smiled and rubbed her shoulders, then turned to the two who had been standing there all along. “What happened to make you two look like that?”
Having gotten used to these two interacting as if no one else was around, Yue Ling only spoke after Ji Qingchi asked, “We found many poisonous plants in this valley.”
Ji Qingchi pondered for a moment, then said, “A few poisonous plants are no big deal.”
“The news I have is a bit more troublesome.” Hua Wuying smiled. “My people sent a message by carrier pigeon saying that good-for-nothing father of mine has finally found out who ruined his plans. Now, Xuanji Tower is offering a huge reward for us, and he has already sent the remaining six great masters to Changsheng Valley to capture us.”
This news was indeed more explosive and more difficult to handle. Ji Qingchi frowned deeply. Su Yi’s treatment would take an unknown amount of time. If Xuanji Tower really came to Changsheng Valley to deal with them, how would they escape?
“Let them come.” Su Yi slumped in her wheelchair, feeling like a salted fish8. “No matter how many come, we’ll deal with them as they arrive. Didn’t they say Changsheng Valley and Xuanji Tower have friendly relations? I don’t believe those people would dare to make a move in this valley.”
Her ‘lie flat’9 attitude was admirable, but waiting for death was definitely not Ji Qingchi’s style. She thought for a moment. “Have the guards we brought prepare themselves. Also, you all should chat more with the valley’s disciples. Don’t be stingy with the gifts you have. Build good relationships with them and casually ask which herbs are poisonous, preferably the kind that can kill in one strike.”
Changsheng Valley itself was a large defensive area. Since there were so many poisonous plants in the valley, it would be a waste not to use them. Anyone who passed up this opportunity would be a fool.
Yue Ling thought the same. Hearing that Ji Qingchi’s idea coincided with hers, her admiration for her grew even more. As expected of the imperial daughter who had outshone her on the battlefield; she was both brave and resourceful. “Yes, this subordinate understands.”
Hua Wuying laughed charmingly. “We can’t rely entirely on those poisonous plants. We should focus on getting treated quickly. If I recover my martial arts, our chances of winning will increase.”
Su Yi was very curious about who was stronger, her or Xuanji Tower’s ten great masters. After she asked, Hua Wuying smiled, covered her red lips, and gave her a charming look. “Miss Su, that’s not something you should ask.”
Su Yi poked her little head out, even more curious. “Why not?”
“Because everyone who has asked is already in the underworld.”
Su Yi immediately shut up, pressed her palms together, and said with mock terror, “Amituofo10, this poor nun said nothing just now.”
“Pfft… I was joking, Miss Su, don’t take it seriously. Among the ten great masters, there’s only one I can’t beat: the one ranked ninth, Jing You11. Her movement techniques are bizarre, her figure is agile, and her qinggong12 is far superior to mine, so I can’t defeat her.”
Ji Qingchi asked, “What does she look like?”
Hua Wuying shook her head. “It’s because she’s too fast, like she can create afterimages, so I’ve never seen her appearance clearly. She doesn’t often show up in the Tower either. I only know she’s a woman.”
Ji Qingchi nodded. “This Palace understands. I will pay attention. To avoid any further complications, let’s go find the Valley Master for treatment tomorrow.”
Early the next morning, just as the sounds of sweeping began outside, Su Yi and the others dressed neatly and, asking for directions, went to the bamboo building where the Valley Master resided.
The courtyard outside the bamboo building was filled with flowers, so colorful and fragrant, cluster after cluster, that one might almost think they had arrived in a garden.
After a maid announced them, they met the Valley Master in a large, three-story bamboo building.
The Valley Master looked to be in her thirties, with a kind face and fair skin. She wore cyan clothes, her sleeves rolled up, revealing clearly visible blue veins on her arms. Her eyebrows were light-colored, but her hair was half white and half jet-black. This incredibly cool hairstyle made Su Yi’s cat-like form tremble; she almost rushed up to ask the Valley Master what brand of hair dye she used.
Fortunately, when the Valley Master spoke, it dispelled that notion.
“Which of you needs to see a doctor?”
Her voice was as hoarse as if a whetstone had been scraped across something, not very pleasant to hear.
Su Yi hurriedly raised her hand. “Me!”
Hua Wuying also spoke up. “And me.”
The Valley Master stared at them intently for a long while before slowly saying, “You two have been poisoned.”
Ji Qingchi quickly said, “That’s right! Can you help cure the poison?”
The Valley Master stood up. Only then did Su Yi realize she wasn’t very tall. In her current body, Su Yi was at most 1.2 meters tall when sitting, but this Valley Master was only about a head taller than her current self, reaching only up to Ji Qingchi’s and the others’ waists. However, Feng Lin looked quite tall, probably around 1.75 meters. For a short mother to have a tall child, unless the father was tall enough or there was a genetic mutation, it should be impossible.
She was calculating how tall Feng Lin’s father would have to be to improve his genes when, unexpectedly, the Valley Master had already walked up to her.
She said to Su Yi expressionlessly, “Hold out your hand.”
Footnotes
- 众星拱月 | zhòng xīng gǒng yuè | An idiom literally meaning “all the stars cupping the moon.” It describes a situation where many people surround and revere a central figure or thing.
- 德高望重 | dé gāo wàng zhòng | An idiom meaning “of noble character and high prestige,” used to describe someone who is highly respected for their virtue and achievements.
- 百草老人 | Bǎicǎo Lǎorén | Literally “Elder of a Hundred Herbs,” a respectful title for an experienced herbalist or doctor.
- 风竹 | Fēng Zhú
- 风岚 | Fēng Lán
- 风晨 | Fēng Chén
- 阎王 | Yánwáng | King Yama, the king of hell in Chinese mythology, who judges the dead. The text refers to 阎王殿 (Yánwáng Diàn), his palace.
- 咸鱼 | xiányú | Literally “salted fish.” In modern internet slang, it refers to someone who is lazy, unmotivated, resigned to their fate, or has no ambitions.
- 躺平 | tǎng píng | Literally “to lie flat.” A contemporary Chinese slang term describing a lifestyle and social protest movement that involves rejecting societal pressures for hard work and achievement, opting instead for a more minimalistic and indifferent attitude towards life, doing just enough to get by.
- 阿弥陀佛 | Ēmítuófó | Amitābha Buddha. A common Buddhist invocation, often used as an expression of piety, mercy, or even as a mild exclamation or greeting in certain contexts.
- 镜又 | Jìng Yòu
- 轻功 | qīnggōng | Lightness skill, a martial arts technique that allows practitioners to move swiftly and lightly, often involving leaping great distances or heights.
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