How could she escape such a sly wolf? Smiling, Liu Mingxuan refilled his tea. Xianyue was taking a pulse, but to outsiders, she seemed to be touching Feng Feishuang’s wrist intimately.
He was astonished. Though his friend greeted everyone pleasantly, underneath he was extremely cold and disliked physical contact.
“Don’t use internal energy for now. With proper recovery, you’ll be well in three months. Keep using it recklessly, and you won’t recover even in six months or a year.”
She withdrew her hand. “Show me your current prescription.”
He blinked. “It’s at my residence. Would you come and look, Xianyue?”
The first step in courtship began with subtly changing how he addressed her.
The storytelling below had just finished. “Alright. I might as well see this through.”
He stood. “Let’s go.”
Watching them leave together, Liu Mingxuan reached after them helplessly. They were abandoning him? What brotherly loyalty! He had specifically accompanied his friend to enjoy a performance and relax.
Feng Feishuang no longer stayed at Willow Manor. It was someone else’s home, and prolonged intrusion was improper. Once his internal injuries improved, he bought a quiet Jiangnan residence.
Entering, Xianyue felt transported elsewhere. Winding covered bridges, streams, rocks: a classic Jiangnan garden. Why hadn’t she thought of buying one? Living perpetually in inns was inconvenient.
“How much did this cost?” she asked casually as he brought the prescription.
“Not much. Two thousand taels.” She tapped the armrest. She had that much. Decided. Tomorrow, she would buy a residence too.
“The doctor who wrote this is skilled, but a few changes are needed. Take the revised medicine for three months, and you’ll recover.”
She altered it into a new prescription. He handed it to an attendant. “Get these herbs, and bring back some signature dishes from Ruyi Restaurant.”
She frowned. “Their roast duck is good, but still inferior to Xiao Feng’s cooking. Buy some ingredients instead. Could my disciples and I impose on you for dinner?”
At Xiao Feng’s name, his brow tightened almost imperceptibly. Hearing “disciples,” he immediately smiled warmly.
“I’d be delighted. If outside food doesn’t suit you, cook here whenever you like.”
After considering, she said, “Then we’ll trouble you for a week. My own residence should be ready by then, and we won’t inconvenience you further, Clan Leader Feng.”
He smiled. “We’ve known each other so long. Calling me Clan Leader Feng is rather distant.”
She faltered. “Young Master Feng? Eldest Young Master Feng?”
“Just Feishuang. All my friends call me that.”
She readily agreed. “Alright, Feishuang.”
Although she wanted someone sincere, she had never considered him. Being Feng Feiyang’s elder brother alone ruled out any other relationship.
But something was odd. Hadn’t Feng Feiyang’s parents had only one son? Who was Feng Feishuang, and how had he become clan leader?
“Strictly speaking, I’m his older paternal cousin. My father was the previous clan leader.”
He explained gently. Thinking over her tea, she had inadvertently spoken aloud.
“So that’s it.” She nodded. No wonder Feng Feiyang had inherited previously. Feng Feishuang must have been gone, perhaps through some accident.
Remembering the Bone-Mending Ointment Jiang Chan made, she had a general guess. He had probably died from that incident, leaving the leadership to Feng Feiyang.
The attendant soon returned with herbs. She checked them. “Excellent potency. One bowl morning and evening. You’ll recover in three months.”
Then the large food container caught her eye. She could cook and loved eating. Delicious food held her attention irresistibly.
She had tried Ruyi Restaurant’s dishes before. Sniffing, she asked, “Is there roast duck?”
As it was mealtime, he smiled. “Let’s eat first. Do your disciples know you’re here?”
She frowned and tossed a signal flare from her sleeve. “They’ll come shortly. I’m starting.”
For the meal, she removed her veiled hat. They knew one another, so there was little to avoid. Besides, if he grew lustful, she had plenty of ways to deal with him.
Her true face astonished him. Even disguised, she had seemed attractive, but now he realized how limited his imagination had been.
Unlike the pure, delicate beauties fashionable now, she was bright and striking, like a peony in full bloom, a flower of worldly splendor.
She ignored him and ate happily, wrapping sliced duck in a pancake and taking a large bite. Watching her gave even the unhungry Feng Feishuang an appetite.
Only the two occupied the side hall. He occasionally served tea and water, making her thoroughly comfortable. With delicious food before her, what else would she think about?
Suddenly, her ear twitched. “My disciples are here.”
Sure enough, the attendant led in a young man and girl. He carried many bags; she hugged a packet of sugar-roasted chestnuts, beaming.
“Master, look what I brought! Sugar-roasted chestnuts!” Rendong eagerly displayed her treasure. “Senior Brother, fetch Master’s packet. She loves them!”
Flustered, Xiao Feng answered, “You bought too much, Junior Sister. I don’t know which packet!”
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Well… Xianyue can take care of herself at least. She’ll only be “trapped” by this Feishuang if she chooses to be. She’s open and friendly when she wants, but how can a previous lifetime, and Jiang Chan’s memories, not make her at least more wary?