Martial Arts Crossover: My master tricked Huang Rong into becoming my wife!

"This is my improved version of the 'Body Tempering Soup' based on an ancient formula, with added aconite, aconitum carmichaelii, and..."

Standing at the entrance of the steaming lobby, Chen Yanzhou pointed to the golden signboard with a smug look on his face, "Don't let the rustic name fool you, the effects are immediate. After soaking, your meridians will feel relaxed and your whole body will feel refreshed. I guarantee you'll want to soak twice after just one time."

Huang Rong looked around suspiciously. Most of the people coming and going here were fat and wealthy merchants, and occasionally there were a few martial arts practitioners carrying swords and knives.

A peculiar aroma filled the air, a blend of the bitter fragrance of herbs and a hint of spiciness.

"Is it really as amazing as you make it out to be?" Huang Rong pouted, somewhat skeptical.

"Stop talking so much nonsense, just go in and try it and you'll know."

Chen Yanzhou didn't offer any further explanation. He reached out and gently pushed her back, and the two of them stepped across the threshold one after the other.

As soon as I entered, a wave of warmth hit me, instantly dispelling the chill of the night.

The shopkeeper behind the counter was busy fiddling with his abacus when he heard footsteps. He habitually called out, "How many guests? Would you prefer the main hall or a private room...?"

Before he could finish speaking, he looked up and saw who it was.

With a thud, the brush in my hand fell onto the ledger, spreading a blot of ink.

The shopkeeper, disregarding the distress over the account books, hurriedly stepped out from behind the counter, his face plastered with his signature professional fake smile, only this time with a hint of genuine reverence.

"Oh my, Chief! Why did you come in person?" The manager jogged over, bending over like a shrimp. "The waiter from Juxianlou just told me you're back. I was thinking of going to the branch headquarters tomorrow morning to pay my respects."

Chen Yanzhou waved his hand and casually said, "I just finished eating, so I came over to stretch my muscles. How's business lately?"

"Thanks to you, it's booming!" The shopkeeper's face was flushed. "It's autumn now, and customers suffering from rheumatism and bone pain are lining up to come. Our medicinal bath is now the best in Xiangyang City."

"Alright, enough with the flattery." Chen Yanzhou pointed to Huang Rong behind him. "I brought her here to broaden her horizons."

The shopkeeper was very shrewd; he glanced at Huang Rong.

Despite being dressed in beggar's clothes, his eyes were bright and piercing, and his figure was slender and graceful. He didn't look like a boy at all.

Having spent many years navigating the worlds of romance and business, he has developed a keen eye for such matters.

"I understand, I understand!" The shopkeeper smiled meaningfully, but did not reveal the truth.

"Same as always," Chen Yanzhou instructed as he walked towards the stairwell, "Give me the top-tier room number one, and use the highest-grade medicine kit. Also..."

He stopped, glanced back at Huang Rong, then turned to the innkeeper and whispered, "Give her the second-class room, also with a top-grade medicine pack. Find two quick-handed old women to go there, and remember, they need to be careful."

The shopkeeper understood immediately and nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, there are women in the back courtyard who are specially trained to serve you, and their skills are top-notch."

Huang Rong stood to the side, and although she couldn't hear what the two were whispering about, she couldn't help but feel uneasy seeing the shopkeeper's ambiguous smile.

However, since she was already there, she might as well make the best of it. After enduring wind and rain and sleeping in the open along the way, even she herself could hardly stand the stench on her body.

The three of them went up to the third floor.

The decor here is significantly more luxurious than downstairs. The floors are covered with thick wool carpets, and the walls are adorned with calligraphy and paintings by famous artists. Even the smell of medicine in the air is much fainter, replaced by a calming sandalwood fragrance.

"This is your room," Chen Yanzhou said to Huang Rong, pointing to the room on his left. "Go in and take a good shower."

Huang Rong made a face at him and pushed the door open to enter.

Chen Yanzhou then turned and went into the No. 1 room across the street.

The room was spacious and bright, with a huge wooden barrel in the center that could hold two or three people. The barrel was decorated with exquisite cloud patterns.

As soon as they entered the room, without Chen Yanzhou giving any instructions, three waiters immediately filed in carrying steaming copper kettles.

The sound of rushing water filled the air, and steam rose, instantly turning the room into a misty, cloud-like atmosphere.

Immediately afterwards, a shop assistant who looked like a manager walked in carrying a brocade box in both hands.

"Boss, this is a premium medicine packet that was just prepared today." The steward carefully opened the box, revealing a bulging medicine bag inside, emitting a rich medicinal aroma.

Chen Yanzhou took off his outer robe, leaving only his undershirt, and walked to the bucket. He didn't immediately instruct the servant to add the medicine; instead, he reached out, picked up the medicine packet, and gently sniffed it.

His brow furrowed slightly.

The manager's heart skipped a beat, and he didn't dare to breathe.

"The age of this aconite is wrong." Chen Yanzhou put down the medicine bag, his tone calm but with an undeniable authority. "The prescription I made is for three-year-aged aconite, which is used to remove toxins and retain heat. This smell is pungent, clearly from last year's new stock, and it's too hot."

The foreman broke out in a cold sweat and explained, "Boss, medicinal herbs are in short supply lately, and the purchasing department might be..."

"Don't give me excuses." Chen Yanzhou interrupted him, his voice not loud, but it lowered the temperature in the room by a few degrees. "The Yiyun Division does business by being honest and fair to everyone, young and old. If outsiders find out that we've cut corners, what will become of our reputation?"

"Yes, yes, yes! I'll go change it right away!" The manager was so scared that his legs went weak, and he grabbed the medicine bag and was about to run out.

"Come back." Chen Yanzhou called out to him, "Let it go this time. New goods are fine. Go tell the shopkeeper that if I find any more medicines that are short-weight or of inferior quality, he can pack his bags and get out of here."

"Thank you, Chief! Thank you, Chief!" The manager felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and hurriedly threw the medicine packet into the water, then retreated with profuse thanks.

As the medicine packet was added to the water, the originally clear hot water quickly turned reddish-brown, and a pungent and intense aroma spread out.

Chen Yanzhou took off his clothes and stepped naked into the tub.

"hiss--"

The medicinal power of Aconitum carmichaelii, stimulated by the hot water, seeped wildly into the body through the pores.

The heat in the body and the stimulation of the medicinal bath converge in the meridians, and the tingling, numb, sore, and distended feeling is even more blissful than that of a god.

……

Meanwhile, in room number two across the street.

Huang Rong was lying comfortably in the bathtub.

The treatment here has clearly been specially arranged.

The huge wooden tub not only contained medicine packets, but was also covered with a thick layer of rose petals. The pink petals floated on the water, both beautiful and cleverly masking the pungent smell of Chinese medicine.

Two old women dressed in neat cloth clothes were serving the tub.

An old woman gently wiped Huang Rong's back with a loofah, while another woman poured hot water onto her rounded shoulders from time to time with a wooden ladle.

"Young lady, is this pressure alright?" the old woman scrubbing your back asked with a smile.

Huang Rong squinted comfortably, like a lazy kitten: "Hmm, not bad, a little heavier."

Soaking in hot water, her originally fair skin turned a faint pink, and her long, wet hair was draped behind her head. She no longer looked like a little beggar at all; she was clearly a beautiful woman in the making.

"Our medicinal bath is the best for nourishing the body," the old woman chatted as she rubbed the skin. "The leader specifically instructed that milk be added for the girl. After soaking, her skin will be even more tender than a peeled egg."

Huang Rong was pleased to hear this, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

After soaking for a while, all the dirt on her body was gone, and Huang Rong suddenly remembered something.

She looked down at the pile of tattered clothes thrown on the ground—clothes she had specially worn to pretend to be a beggar. Now that she had been exposed, it would be too much of a humiliation to wear such tattered clothes any longer.

Besides, how can a body that has just been washed get covered in dirt again?

"Granny." Huang Rong stretched out a section of her lotus-root arm from the water and pointed to the clothes on the ground, "I need to trouble you with something."

"Please give your instructions, young lady."

"These clothes are too dirty, I can't wear them." Huang Rong blinked her big eyes. "Could you please help me buy a new set? It needs to be made of good material and have a bright color."

As she spoke, she instinctively reached for her purse.

The old woman was a shrewd one; she quickly wiped her hands, her face crinkling into a wide smile: "Oh, young lady, what are you saying! You're a distinguished guest brought by the gang leader; how could I trouble you with such a small matter?"

"No need to pay?" Huang Rong was taken aback.

"Look at what you're saying. Although this is a bathhouse, it's also property of the Yiyun Division," the old woman explained. "Since the gang leader brought you here, you're one of us. Just tell us what you want to buy, and the accountant will put it directly under the gang leader's name."

Huang Rong raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes: "You can do that? Then... what if I buy the more expensive one?"

"No matter the price!" another old woman interjected, her tone full of pride. "Young lady, you must be from out of town. Don't you know the name of our Chief Chen in Xiangyang? Let alone a single set of clothes, you could empty all the silk shops on this street, and as long as you mention Chief Chen's name, the shopkeepers would all send them to your door with fanfare!"

"That's amazing?" Huang Rong exclaimed in surprise.

Although she knew the Beggars' Sect was wealthy, she didn't expect them to be this wealthy.

"That's right!" the old woman said proudly. "Our leader is like a god of wealth descended to earth. Now, who in Xiangyang City doesn't know the golden signboard of the 'Yiyun Division'? Even the prefect treats our leader with utmost respect."

Huang Rong nodded thoughtfully.

"Since that's the case..."

Huang Rong's eyes darted around, and a sly smile played on her lips. "Then I'll trouble you, Granny, to go to the best clothing shop and pick out two... no, four sets of the best clothes for me! They must be Suzhou embroidery, made of Yun brocade! And the shoes and socks must match!"

He has plenty of money anyway, so why not spend it!

"Alright! I'll go take care of it right away, I guarantee the girl will be satisfied!" The old woman agreed and rushed out.

Huang Rong lay back down in the water, scooped up a handful of flower petals, and gently blew on them.

He bullied me like that in the valley before, so this garment is my compensation.