Chapter 148 Barbecue and Acupuncture

Previously, Miao Yunyou hadn’t given much thought to virus protection. Now that he did, he realized their precautions were indeed lacking.

If a virus were accidentally transmitted… and to put it bluntly, if an ancient virus reached the modern era—even a slightly stronger one—it might not be too dangerous here, given our good medical conditions.

But the reverse was even scarier: if a modern influenza virus were accidentally transmitted to the ancient era, with the limited medical conditions back then, countless people could die!

Therefore, Miao Yunyou immediately purchased a professional spray-style disinfection system and installed it inside the secret passage.

Whether it was people entering or leaving, or transporting supplies, everything could be thoroughly disinfected, minimizing the risk of virus or bacterial transmission.

Soon, good news arrived: the smallpox outbreak in the capital had been completely contained.

Night blanketed the sky like ink, dotted with stars. On the rooftop of the staff dormitory, the evening wind carried a chill, causing the wind chimes at the eaves to sway gently, producing a crisp, tinkling sound.

Lu Yunxiao stepped lightly in the moonlight, delivering the news personally:

“My dad says there’s a court physician at the Imperial Medical Bureau who has exceptional experience treating smallpox. Decades ago, he accompanied his master on house visits and cured many common people, so he has considerable expertise. The situation in the capital is now fully stabilized, so Doctor Chu’s prescription hasn’t been used for the time being.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the rooftop fell into silence.

Everyone: “……”

Wait a minute… doesn’t this story sound familiar?

“Hold on…” Miao Yunyou was the first to break the silence, frowning as information flashed rapidly through his mind. “Decades ago, accompanied his master on house visits, cured many smallpox patients… Could this master be… Ningshuang’s father?”

“……” Chu Ningshuang stood silently, her fingers slightly clenched. A faint, almost imperceptible ripple passed through her normally calm eyes, but she remained silent.

Lu Yunxiao scratched his head, having never heard these stories:

“What does that mean? Was he an old acquaintance of Doctor Chu? My dad said that after this incident, the court physician was promoted to head of the Imperial Medical Bureau.”

No doubt, this must be one of Chu Ningshuang’s senior brothers.

Back then, they couldn’t accept a woman inheriting the Medicine King Sect. To strip Chu Ningshuang of her inheritance, they had expelled her from the sect and imprisoned her master—a blatant betrayal of their teacher and ancestors—which still seemed vivid in memory…

And now, this person had risen in rank and wealth, still relying on the prescriptions painstakingly developed by his master years ago…

Thinking about it this way was even more chilling.

All eyes fell on Chu Ningshuang.

Especially Chu Fuling, whose almond-shaped eyes were full of worry and concern, staring intently at Chu Ningshuang, afraid that old wounds might sting her.

After a moment of silence, Chu Ningshuang slowly spoke:

“…At least curing the sick and saving lives isn’t a bad thing. Let him be.”

She didn’t want to waste another glance on past people and events.

“Yeah! That’s the right attitude!” Seeing this, Miao Yunyou immediately stepped forward, patting Chu Ningshuang on the shoulder and cheerfully breaking the somber mood: “Who cares about all that old nonsense! The most important thing now is to live well!”

She turned and pointed to a shiny new piece of equipment in the corner of the rooftop, eyes sparkling with pride:

“Come, everyone, take a look! My brand-new 360-degree automatic rotating barbecue grill! It’s a lazy person’s dream!”

It was a limited-time discount—three units at 30% off—so she bought three in one go!

After all, there were many people here who could eat, and more importantly, they—

Didn’t! Lack! Money!

As soon as Lu Yunxiao heard the word “barbecue,” his eyes lit up, and his mouth watered:

“Ah, we’re having barbecue today?”

Since September 1st, when the sect leader had kicked him out, he hadn’t had a proper meal on Xuanwu Mountain for a long time. Just thinking about it now made his mouth water.

“I’m telling you, Lu Yunxiao, you’re really lucky to be here!” Miao Yunyou said proudly, lifting her chin. “This barbecue grill is brand new, just delivered today!

It’s so convenient—fully automatic and rotating. We don’t even have to cook by hand. Just put the skewers on, wait a bit, and they’re ready to eat—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, absolutely fragrant!”

“Sounds like you’ve ever cooked it yourself before, Sect Leader…” Su Qingyu, standing nearby, couldn’t help but mutter under his breath.

He still remembered last time, when Miao Yunyou was bored and tried to make cola chicken wings—almost burned down the kitchen.

“Su Qingyu!” Su Qingluo shot him a glare. “Stop picking on the Sect Leader. Go downstairs and grab some more fruit!”

“Alright, alright~” Su Qingyu shrugged and quickly went downstairs, light steps and a grin on his face.

Miao Yunyou had already begun giving orders: “Come on, put the skewers on! Chicken wings go on! Sausages, mushrooms, corn—everything goes on!”

Clearly, whether it was a fully automatic barbecue machine or not, the Sect Leader had no intention of cooking herself.

Xie Dingnian smiled: “I’ll handle it then.”

Even with an automatic grill, someone still needed to add the seasonings.

Lu Yunxiao happily bounced over: “I’ll help too!”

He was so excited to eat something cooked by his master again.

Oh, right—he’d also pack some to take back for Li Mancang. The two had been inseparable while studying together lately.

But Li Mancang had gone home today to care for his sister, so he hadn’t come along. He couldn’t forget his friend, even though he was being loyal.

Soon, the automatic barbecue grill started to rotate slowly. The charcoal crackled softly. Golden droplets of oil dripped from the meat, and the aroma exploded instantly, filling the rooftop with a rich scent of grilled meat that made everyone’s stomachs growl.

Everyone sat in a circle, warm string lights casting a cozy glow on smiling faces. The evening breeze carried the scent of the barbecue.

Chu Ningshuang sat among them, surrounded by warmth and aroma. Seeing all the relaxed, happy faces before her, the last trace of gloom in her heart completely dissipated.

Old grudges, past people—it all no longer mattered.

At this moment, what she had was peace, companionship, the simple joys of life—far warmer than all the wealth and prestige in the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Miao Yunyou, munching on a skewer of squid beside her, said: “Listen, from my many years of watching dramas, that position of head of the Imperial Medical Bureau isn’t a good one. They’ll have to take the blame sooner or later; it won’t end well. I’ve watched TV for years—hardly any heads of the Bureau retire peacefully. That guy who betrayed his master and ancestors will get his comeuppance, don’t worry…”

Chu Ningshuang smiled: “Alright, I understand. But late at night, try not to eat too much barbecue.”

“Ah, you don’t get it!” Miao Yunyou waved her hand, eyes sparkling with pride, smiling widely. “Actually, barbecue and acupuncture are basically the same principle!”

Chu Ningshuang froze for a moment, raising her brows, a hint of confusion in her eyes: “?”

What nonsense was this? How had she never heard this before?

“Look!” Miao Yunyou pointed at the skewers, animatedly explaining, “It’s all using needles, only ours are a bit bigger. We’ve skewered some beef and lamb, sprinkled on chili, added some cumin. Then we put it on the fire to disinfect it, and send it into the patient’s mouth—Tsk tsk tsk, miracle doctor, all ailments cured~”

Chu Ningshuang: “………………”

She was going to find a chance to grab this person and give him a proper jab herself!