After provoking the holy maiden of Miao territory, she was infected with a love curse.

Fengming Mountain.

Hua He remained seated in the bamboo chair, with a tea table, medical books, and a freshly brewed cup of tea in front of her, leisurely enjoying the afternoon sun.

The entire Miao village was deserted, and there wasn't a single living person to be seen in the countless stilted houses.

Hua He didn't care about any of that; she was undisturbed and enjoyed some peace and quiet.

Why not?

But... this moment of peace and quiet is always disturbed by someone.

Wuming squatted on the green tile. She was very grateful for the secret recipe that Yin Huaixi gave her on her way here. Otherwise, she would probably have been bitten into a sieve by these "little darlings".

"You thief, why are you staring at me like that? Do you mean you've taken a fancy to me?"

Hua He had long noticed that someone had been watching her these past few days, and that ever-present gaze was making her very uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, this guy still refuses to show himself.

She was extremely skilled in martial arts.

He walks very quietly, and if you don't listen carefully, you probably won't know where he is, appearing and disappearing like a ghost.

The nameless woman raised an eyebrow when she was called out. Without hiding anything, she simply stepped onto the green tiles of the stilted building and leaped down with a light and graceful movement.

"Miss Hua, let's be frank. Since you know why I'm here, hand over the antidote, or that herb."

The nameless man spread his hands.

She bowed slightly to Hua He, a fairly kind smile on her face.

They didn't fall out on the spot.

Hua He picked up her teacup, took a sip, and savored the delicate aroma of the tea.

"You're joking, young lady."

"I've done so many bad things in the world that I can't even remember them all. Which one are you referring to, young lady?"

nameless:"……"

Judging from her clear, official-sounding speech, she probably isn't from a Miao village.

Anonymous: "Miss, did a Miao man buy a medicinal herb from you a few days ago? That herb is not some roadside weed; it is yang in nature and highly poisonous."

Hear this.

Hua He's arrogant attitude finally subsided, and she put down her teacup.

"You came here for that herb? Could it be... that thing poisoned your entire family?"

That's a really vicious remark.

However, Wuming has seen many storms over the years.

She wasn't annoyed.

"You're mistaken, young lady. But shouldn't you take responsibility for selling these herbs to others so casually?"

"Since you dare to sell yourself, are you not afraid of your enemies coming after you?"

Hua He: "..."

Helplessly, she used her fingers to tuck strands of hair behind her ear.

Hua He: "I never expected that someone who practices martial arts would talk so much."

"It's so noisy."

"If this medicine hadn't harmed your family, you wouldn't have come here to ask me about it, and I wouldn't be telling you."

Hua He seemed intent on turning away the guest, and Wuming, too lazy to argue with her, simply revealed his hand.

"Doctor Hua, you must be familiar with the holy maiden of your Miao region."

"This poison was used on her."

Her hand trembled, and Hua He frowned.

She didn't sell this poison to Lü Panshan, but to a Han Chinese she often traded with. This rare poison from the Western Regions was something Hua He had found by mingling among Han Chinese for many years.

The Miao people are most skilled at using poison.

Han Chinese doctors avoided this extremely potent poison like the plague, but Hua He was different. She knew of a treatment called "fighting poison with poison."

Her house also contained many rare poisons, not to harm people, but to save them.

Seeing that the flower stalks, which had been as hard as an iron plate, were finally starting to soften, Wuming knew that there was a way out.

Before Hua He could ask a question, she continued, "I came here specifically to find you, hoping you could provide this solution. Otherwise, your status as a holy maiden is in grave danger."

Hua He: "I do know the antidote for this medicine, but so many days have passed, is the Holy Maiden truly safe and sound?"

Hua He had initially wanted to cultivate these rare and poisonous herbs from the Western Regions, but the Miao region couldn't sustain these herbs that required scorching sun. Helpless, Hua He could only process them all into dried goods.

Anonymous: "I don't know the specifics, but... her condition is really not good. If you are willing to save her, I will take you away."

"As long as you trust me."

Compared to ordinary Han people, Wuming's skin was somewhat dark, and there seemed to be a faint scar between her eyebrows, indicating that she had been injured.

My hands are also very rough.

Hua He could tell at a glance that Wuming's appearance was the result of years of practicing with swords and weapons.

She had heard that the imperial court kept some women as secret guards and assassins.

Because some places are narrow, only a woman's figure can pass through, and women can greatly lower the bandits' guard. They die in their sleep, not even knowing how their heads were cut off.

Hua He sneered.

"You're a government official, how can you expect me to trust you?"

"What if... everything you said is a lie? What should I do then?"

Wuming had anticipated this, and she reached into her bosom and pulled out a letter, handing it to Huahe.

"This was written to you by Miss Yin. After you've read it, you can decide whether or not you want to come with me."

...

The snow was still falling.

Sang Che was not surprised to learn that the poison came from Hua He. The two of them were not exactly close, but they were not exactly strangers either.

Hua He had always disapproved of her ruthless methods and had tried to persuade her gently several times, but Sang Che always ignored her.

Pretend it never happened.

With his brush smeared with ink, Sang Che still wanted to finish writing the half of the medical book he had written before leaving.

Sang Che didn't know how long her broken life could last.

People always say that she is blessed by the gods, and Sang Che does not disagree with that.

If she hadn't been blessed by the gods, she probably wouldn't have lived this long, barely clinging to life like the roadside weeds that can't be burned out.

Sang Che wasn't afraid of leaving; she just wanted Huai Xi to be able to protect herself as she was now.

Then one will be content.

"Ah Che, if you can't see it, then don't write it. Why torture yourself like this?"

After finishing her business with her elder sister, Yin Huaixi rushed to Sang Che's room without stopping. She still had a vague worry in her heart, afraid that Sang Che would disappear in the blink of an eye.

Sang Che didn't change her movements at all; she remained seated on the soft couch, only her writing movements were slightly slower.

Upon hearing Yin Huaixi's words, Sang Che obediently put down her brush, a gesture that conveyed a hint of melancholy.

Yin Huaixi sensed something was wrong at just one glance.

Was she... a little too harsh just now?

Otherwise, why would Sang Che have such an expression on his face?

"Ah Che, I didn't mean to say that... I was just worried about you..."

Yin Huaixi walked to Sang Che's side, her tone softening and gentle.

Worried that the ink might not be dry and that closing the book abruptly would make it a mess, Sang Che put the medical book down. There was no anger on her face, only a smile.

"Huaixi, I don't blame you."

"You're telling the truth, I was indeed putting on a brave face."

To be able to shed tears for the one you love seems to be enough to make you content for this lifetime.

Sang Che thought to himself.

Seeing her so dejected, Yin Huaixi felt no anger and simply sat down opposite Sang Che.

"Ah Che, didn't you say that as long as I don't leave you, you'll do whatever I want?"

Sang Che: "That's true."

Sang Che: "Huai Xi...do you need me to do something?"

Yin Huaixi: "I want you to pull yourself together and not look like a dying man."

"Ah Che, do you think death... will wipe the slate clean between us?"

"Impossible."

You owe me... far too much.