TNIBFT -Chapter 84 How Could I Embarrass Myself?

Qiu Feibai reached out and gently patted Jiang Yunxi’s head.

Immediately, he pulled his hand back. After all, as the saying goes, a grown girl avoids closeness with her father. Jiang Yunxi was already ten, and any further intimate contact would feel awkward.

No matter how great Jiang Yunxi’s talent in medicine was, Qiu Feibai still felt a pang of regret in his heart.

If Jiang Yunxi had been a boy, they could have traveled together, practiced medicine to help the world, and shared drinks and conversations—like both a teacher and a father. But being a girl, there was inevitably some regret.

Qiu Feibai’s gaze shifted toward Xiao Jiang.

If it were possible… this kid wasn’t bad…

Xiao Jiang, busy roasting his shoes, suddenly felt a chill run down his back. He turned to see Qiu Feibai staring at him. Xiao Jiang scrunched up his little face; he would never leave Ye Tian or his home.

“Brother Ye, I see you look healthy—not like someone who constantly has to grab herbs or seek treatment. If you have any difficulties, feel free to tell me. If nothing else, I’m quite experienced at taking pulses and treating illness,” Qiu Feibai said.

The eyes of the four children in the room instantly focused on Ye Tian.

Ye Tian was surprised. “Grabbing herbs and treating illnesses?”

“Do you think I need it?” Qiu Feibai asked, looking at Xiao Jiang.

Xiao Jiang’s little face turned red. “I didn’t say Father was treating anyone with herbs. It wasn’t me,” he explained, waving his hands.

Qiu Feibai felt awkward. Jiang Yunxi, pouting beside him, snapped, “Do you even know who my master is? Treating someone like you is something countless people would beg for, and you act so boldly…!”

“Yunxi!”

Qiu Feibai interrupted her, then looked around and smiled. “Brother Ye knows his herbs well. You’ve actually added quite a bit to this beef soup.”

“Would you care to join us for dinner tonight?”

Ye Tian, busy serving the food, froze for a moment.

He knew that, as the master of a supporting female lead, Qiu Feibai was the famed Divine Physician of Medicine King Valley—charming, elegant, and refined. Who would have thought he was a complete rogue, secretly in love with his disciple Jiang Yunxi and harboring improper thoughts toward her?

Once the male lead ended up with Jiang Yunxi, Qiu Feibai would be finished, and Medicine King Valley would fall under Shen Jie’s influence.

Ye Tian had initially assumed he was a lolicon, but seeing how Qiu Feibai treated Jiang Yunxi just now, this man didn’t seem like a pervert or villain.

He had boundaries.

“Sure!” Ye Tian agreed readily.

A few minutes later, the group gathered around the fire to eat. Qiu Feibai’s gaze shifted to the three children beside Ye Tian. Each of them had a remarkable presence.

The eldest was steady and reserved, the second was spirited, and the youngest was refined and gracious. The more Qiu Feibai looked, the more he liked them. Combined with Ye Tian himself, the more he interacted with him, the more interesting he found him.

“Brother Ye, this beef soup of yours is truly exquisite,” Qiu Feibai praised, then turned to Xiao Jiang. “This child seems destined to meet me. He is clever and lively. If Brother Ye agrees, may Xiao Jiang learn medicine under me?”

Xiao Jiang, chewing on his meat, widened his eyes at the mention of his name, his little mouth moving like a hamster, chewing faster and faster.

The steaming beef made him keep sighing between bites.

With his small hands holding the bowl and chopsticks, he swallowed big mouthfuls of beef, nervously watching Ye Tian.

Ye Tian said, “This is the child’s decision. I won’t make it for him.”

He looked at Xiao Jiang and asked, “Qiu the Divine Physician is a legendary master. If you learn medicine under him, when you grow up, you’ll have a skill to rely on and a means to establish yourself. But a doctor must save the dying and help the wounded. In times of plague, you must face danger head-on. You’ll have responsibilities and obligations. If you like something, your father will support you. If you want to do something yourself, your father will support you too.”

Xiao Jiang frowned, lowering his head to look at his bowl and chopsticks.

After a long while, he didn’t say anything.

Jiang Yunxi was about to lose her mind. How could this brat make her master even consider taking on a disciple?

He was just a lowly commoner—how could he compare to her nine-generation medical family?

Becoming her junior disciple? Absolutely not!

Before Xiao Jiang could speak, Qiu Feibai knew there was no chance. He put down his bowl and chopsticks, stood up, and bowed to Ye Tian. “Brother Ye, it’s late. I won’t trouble you further. Thank you for saving my disciple tonight. I’ll make sure to repay your kindness properly another day.”

“Properly repay?”

Ye Tian’s eyes lit up, and the corner of his mouth involuntarily lifted. “That’s far too kind of you.”

“No, no.”

Qiu Feibai smiled. Behind him, Jiang Yunxi looked at Ye Tian with complete disdain. A petty person like this—how could he even hope to meddle with her master?

After the meal was finished, Sun Wuji slowly returned from outside.

Only then did the night feel completely peaceful.

…

Sifang City, Huichuntang.

Huichuntang was a prestigious name, with each generation of city lords personally inscribing the signboard. Its architecture was grand and extraordinary, making it the leading medical hall in Sifang City. From the city lord’s mansion to high-ranking officials and nobles, anyone seeking treatment came here.

At this moment, in the study, Jiang Huichun was speaking with Qiu Feibai.

Jiang Huichun said, “You and I both come from Yao Wang Valley and share similar temperaments. Over twenty years of friendship, plus this matter with Yunxi, your position as her master surely demands you know about it.”

Qiu Feibai gently blew on his tea before speaking. “Brother Jiang, please go ahead.”

“It’s Lord Xiao of the city. He invited you to treat someone, but that person went missing, so nothing came of it. However, yesterday, he mentioned Yunxi’s engagement to Xiao Tianyi again.”

“Marriage is a serious matter—arranged by parents and formalities. As long as Brother Jiang approves, that is enough.”

Qiu Feibai set down his teacup.

Jiang Huichun frowned. “Yes… Lord Xiao rules this city, so this engagement is a step above me. But if we could become relatives through our children, it wouldn’t be impossible…”

Before he could finish, a young man entered, tall and straight as green bamboo, his face pure as jade. His eyes were determined as he stared at Jiang Huichun. “I refuse!”

This young man was Shen Jie, whom Jiang Yunxi had rescued and brought home.

He happened to pass by the door and overheard Jiang Huichun and Qiu Feibai’s conversation.

Liu Ruyan was gone, and Shen Jie was certain her fate was grim. Several days had passed since they last saw her, and she was already near death then—she couldn’t have survived two more days.

Now, her life was uncertain. The only hope left was Jiang Yunxi.

If Yunxi were betrothed to Xiao Tianyi, he would truly have nothing. He had finally earned Yunxi’s favor and couldn’t allow it to end halfway.

Shen Jie’s face was resolute as he cupped his fists in salute. “Divine Physician Jiang, Xiao Tianyi is nothing but a complete playboy. He toys with countless women, and people have even died because of him. Though the city lord’s mansion is powerful, are you confident entrusting Miss Jiang to such a man? Miss Jiang is your only daughter—can you bear it? Xiao Tianyi is just an incompetent son of the second city lord. Such a man does not deserve Miss Jiang.”

Every word he spoke was for the sake of the girl. And this young man before them, with his remarkable demeanor, had been working tirelessly since Jiang Yunxi brought him home. He was quick to understand, even surpassing some apprentices who had been studying for years.

Handling medicine, preparing prescriptions—he was extremely proficient.

A youth like this, given time, would be far from ordinary.

“Impudent! Are you claiming authority over the second young master?”