Cuddling with the Cold Female Protagonist – Chapter 90

Volume 4: The Perils of the Jianghu

Peeking

After Su Yi and the other person extended their hands, the Valley Master took their pulses.

A moment later, she sighed with a solemn expression, “My Changsheng Valley specializes in medicine; we are not proficient in poisons. Of the poison you’ve been afflicted with, I can only neutralize sixty to seventy percent. The rest, I cannot, unless my Senior Sister​¹ were to treat you. But unfortunately… she is no longer of this world.”

            

To only be able to detoxify halfway… they had never heard of such a thing.

The hearts of the few waiting for detoxification grew heavy. Feng Ruoqing, however, was particularly agitated. Hearing the Valley Master’s words, she hurriedly asked, “May I ask, Valley Master’s Senior Sister… was she perhaps Baicao Laoren?”

The Valley Master glanced at her a couple more times before slowly nodding, her voice heavy with grief, “Indeed. Senior Sister loved to research poisons. Any poison would be readily solved in her hands. Unfortunately, over a year ago, Senior Sister tested a medicine on herself and tragically…”

            

Feng Ruoqing stumbled back two steps, utterly crestfallen. Hua Wuying, seeing this, subtly moved a step behind her, supporting her to prevent her from collapsing under the blow.

Such sorrowful emotions couldn’t be faked. Seeing her like this, the Valley Master’s gaze flickered.

“May I ask, young lady, did you know my Senior Sister?”

            

Feng Ruoqing opened her mouth, her voice hoarse, “I…”

Hua Wuying smiled and answered for her, “This young lady was also poisoned when she was a child and once came to Changsheng Valley. It was Baicao Laoren who detoxified her. How could she remain indifferent to the passing of her life-savior?”

“Is that so?” The Valley Master smiled faintly. “Then this young lady is indeed a kind-hearted person. But it’s a pity…”

            

Feng Ruoqing’s eyes were red-rimmed. “Then, may I ask the Valley Master, where is her grave? I would like to go and pay my respects.”

“It’s on the back mountain. In a little while, I’ll have Feng Zhu take you there.”

“Many thanks, Valley Master.”

            

“You’re welcome.” The Valley Master smiled at Su Yi and said, “Young lady, it seems there are several types of toxins in your body. Although my skill in researching poisonous herbs is not equal to my Senior Sister’s, I can still help you neutralize some of them.”

“Then many thanks to the Valley Master!” Ji Qingchi was overjoyed upon hearing this and had people bring over some valuable gifts for the Valley Master.

After some polite refusals, the Valley Master accepted them. She had Su Yi and Hua Wuying stay behind for acupuncture and medicinal baths.

            

After seven days of treatment, Su Yi felt much stronger and less sensitive to the cold. She no longer needed a wheelchair or someone to support her and could walk a short distance on her own.

Rarely able to walk independently, she would stroll back and forth in the courtyard every morning to breathe in the fresh air.

“Young Miss’s health is improving!” Watching her young miss walk steadily, Gancao clapped her hands happily. “The doctors of this Changsheng Valley are truly amazing.”

            

Yan Can, carrying breakfast, saw Ji Qingchi carefully carrying medicine from across the corridor and hurriedly called out to Gancao, “Don’t just stand there watching, quickly help Her Highness with her things.”

“Yes.” Gancao trotted up to the second floor and raised her hands to help Ji Qingchi, but was refused with a smile. “No need. You two go eat. This Palace will watch over your Young Miss.”

“But…”

            

“Go on.” Ji Qingchi also smiled at Yan Can. “Yan Can, you go with her.”

It seemed Her Highness wanted to be alone with their Young Miss. Yan Can was perceptive and pulled Gancao away.

Su Yi, relying on her much-improved health, felt like stirring things up again. She twisted her arms and legs, performing a simplified version of broadcast callisthenics on the spot. By the fifth set, she was panting like an ox, leaning on the fence, and calling out to Gancao, “Help… help me… get… get some water…”

            

A bowl of dark, murky liquid appeared before her, and at the same time, a warm sensation spread through her body.

Su Yi felt much better. Turning her head, she saw Ji Qingchi, her brows furrowing into little hills as she tried to evade, “Time to drink medicine again?”

During this period, Ji Qingchi supervised her medicine-drinking more strictly than the divine general guarding the mountain in Journey to the West. Three doses a day were mandatory, much stricter than Yan Can and Gancao had ever been. She couldn’t escape even if she wanted to.

            

“When your body has recovered, you won’t have to drink it anymore.” Ji Qingchi raised an eyebrow, her eyes motioning towards the bowl in her hand. “Drink it while it’s hot, or there’ll be no snacks tonight.”

Su Yi tugged at her sleeve, swaying back and forth, and said pitifully, “Your Highness, you are wise and mighty! Look, my body is much healthier now. Do I still have to drink it?”

“The Valley Master said you must drink the medicine for ten consecutive days for your poison. This is only the third day.” Ji Qingchi remained unmoved. After enjoying Su Yi’s coquettishness for a moment, she said sternly, “If you want to eat and drink well in the future, drink the medicine now.”

            

Under her combination of coercion and coaxing, Su Yi reluctantly picked up the bowl and downed it in one gulp. After finishing, she stuck out her tongue. “Ahhh, it’s so bitter, I could die…”

Ji Qingchi quickly handed her water to rinse her mouth and then placed a candied fruit in her mouth. “Better now?”

“Mhm…” Su Yi chewed on the candied fruit, her cheeks puffing out. “Much better.”

            

Her adorable appearance made Ji Qingchi unable to resist poking her cheek. Su Yi, with something in her mouth, couldn’t speak, so she used her eyes to stop Ji Qingchi’s “atrocity,” glaring at her sideways.

Ji Qingchi, unfazed, rubbed even more enthusiastically.

Su Yi immediately raised her hands to block, mumbling indistinct curses at Ji Qingchi for bullying an injured person. The two of them instantly “tumbled” into a playful fight.

            

Their playful fight in the courtyard was entirely seen through a small hole in the courtyard’s fence by Feng Lin, who was standing outside along the base of the wall.

He lowered his gaze, a towering wave of jealousy burning away his rationality. His fingernails dug into his palms, unnoticed.

These past few days, Ji Qingchi had meticulously cared for Su Yi. Everyone around them seemed to revolve around Su Yi. Su Yi alone was like the apple of everyone’s eye​², cherished and doted upon. Everyone in Changsheng Valley saw it, and he, of course, was no exception.

            

Why?

They were both sick. Why was it only she who could receive such affection?

Why couldn’t he?

            

He wanted it too.

He was immersed in his own emotions when a coarse, familiar voice came from behind him.

“I knew you’d be here.”

            

Caught peeking, Feng Lin showed no sign of panic or guilt. He turned around unhurriedly and met the newcomer’s gaze, looking down slightly.

“What do you want with me?”

The Valley Master frowned, glanced at the two people in the courtyard, and lowered her voice. “This isn’t a suitable place to talk. Come back with me.”

            

Feng Lin cast a lingering look at the scene in the courtyard before reluctantly following her back to the Valley Master’s private courtyard.

As soon as they returned, Feng Lin flicked his sleeves. “Speak. What exactly do you want?”

The Valley Master was angered by his attitude. “I am your mother! Why do you always speak to me in this tone?”

            

“Mother? Ha!” Feng Lin sneered, his voice low. “Did I agree to you bringing me into this world? Did I agree to you being my mother? Mother… Hmph!”

He scanned her from top to bottom with a contemptuous look. “What qualifications do you have to be a mother?”

The Valley Master’s expression, as one could imagine, turned ugly. However, this wasn’t the first time Feng Lin had talked back to her. Ever since Feng Lin had grown up a bit, he had deeply resented his origins.

            

He wasn’t born legitimately. His father died when he was young, his mother was short in stature, and he himself was frail. Every time he studied medicine with other children, he would be bullied.

Over time, he developed his current personality.

The Valley Master was initially angry, but seeing her son’s pale face, she suppressed her anger and sighed, “Mother knows you’re suffering. But here in this valley, haven’t I let you have your way?”

            

“How is that enough?” Feng Lin said furiously. “Didn’t you see that sickly woman in the courtyard today?! Everyone revolves around her… That woman who is prettier than her is even completely devoted to her! Why? Why?! Isn’t she just a woman? How can she receive so much preferential treatment?”

As he spoke, his eyes became bloodshot. He smashed several vases, already somewhat frenzied.

A fragment from a vase flew onto his face, instantly cutting his fair, delicate skin.

            

Blood trickled out, not red, but a dark green mixed with a hint of black.

The Valley Master’s expression changed the moment she saw it. “I’ve told you not to touch Gu anymore! Have you been secretly researching it again?”

Feng Lin glanced at her coldly. “You mess with it yourself but don’t allow me to touch it. Afraid I’ll steal your things?”

            

“Of course not,” the Valley Master said gravely. “The slightest carelessness with that Gu can lead to a violent death. Besides, there are already… so many people have gone missing in the valley. If this continues, it’s inevitable that suspicion will fall on us.”

Feng Lin sneered, “What’s there to fear? That old woman Baicao, she spent her whole life researching poisonous herbs, such a capable person, didn’t she still fall into my hands?”

The Valley Master shook her head. “This new batch of patients seems to have significant backgrounds. If they discover any clues, we’ll be in trouble.”

            

“There’s nothing to be troubled about,” Feng Lin said sinisterly. “Whether it’s poisonous herbs or Gu-insects, there will always be something suitable for them.”

After taking a sip of tea, he calmed down somewhat. When he looked up at his mother, the hostility around him receded, and he reverted to an innocent and ignorant appearance. “Mother, this new batch of people, what are their origins?”

Lately, there were too many people in the valley, and the spies from Xuanji Tower hadn’t contacted him for a long time. He couldn’t even ask them to help investigate the origins of the newcomers.

            

Seeing her son like this, the Valley Master’s expression also softened. “I’m not too clear either. However, those two women with the best appearances should be the masters among this group, especially the healthy one. She speaks and acts with the confidence of a superior.”

“Mother, you mean, all those people revolve around her, right?”

“Yes, I guess she is the true master of this group.”

            

Then, if I can get her into my hands, will I receive the same treatment as that sickly woman?

No, perhaps even better. That sickly woman is just a woman, but he is a man.

A glint flashed in Feng Lin’s eyes. He reached out and gripped something in his sleeve, joy spreading from the bottom of his heart.

            

Whatever he wanted, he had to obtain.

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After tussling with Ji Qingchi for a while, Su Yi was panting heavily. She simply ordered Ji Qingchi to lie down on the couch, then sprawled on top of her, using her as a human cushion.

She was happily tugging at Ji Qingchi’s hair when the courtyard door was forcefully pushed open with a “Bang!”.

            

Ji Qingchi quickly pulled Su Yi into her embrace to hide her, a hidden weapon in her hand ready to be launched.

The arrival was quite unexpected. It was actually Feng Zhu’s Junior Sister. She was panting, holding onto the doorframe, and gasped out, “S… Several… Young Misses… Your… your friend is missing…”

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LP: Why is there so many delusional characters in this novel

            

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