Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: You Don’t Even Know the Name?

Amid the reverent and admiring gazes of the assembled doctors, Ye Xuan’s expression remained utterly unchanged, as if all this were simply natural and deserved. He offered a slight nod in acknowledgment before turning to Liu Chengye.

“Master Liu, the acupuncture has drained my energy; I must rest quietly.”

His voice was soft yet carried an unmistakable tone of command.

“Yes, yes! Please, Divine Doctor!” Liu Chengye seemed to awaken from a trance, hastily taking the lead with utmost respect, even positioning himself a half-step behind rather than walking shoulder to shoulder with Ye Xuan.

“Rest assured, sir. I have prepared the best and most serene lakeside villa, the ‘Listening Rain Pavilion,’ where no one will disturb your rest!”

Ye Xuan neither confirmed nor denied, following him through a corridor to an elegant courtyard.

Liu Chengye personally opened the gate and ordered new bedding, the finest fragrant tea, and assorted delicacies to be brought in before cautiously withdrawing, strictly commanding that no servant come within a hundred paces of the villa.

Once inside the room, Ye Xuan closed the door, the calm composure he had shown moments before melting away, replaced by a profound weariness.

Indeed, he had expended immense energy.

The “Nine Palaces Rejuvenation Acupuncture” was overwhelmingly powerful, harnessing the forces of heaven and earth alongside human potential, posing an enormous challenge to his spirit and internal strength.

Yet he understood all the more that at such times, one must appear serene and unruffled.

This was not only to awe others but also a form of invisible self-protection.

He sat cross-legged, slowly regulating his breath, his mind rapidly replaying the day’s events and beginning to strategize the next moves.

Yun’an City would be his first stop to lie low in the depths.

...

As time passed and the sun slanted westward, a modestly adorned yet finely crafted carriage, flanked by several capable guards, slowly entered the city gate along Yun’an’s broad cobblestone avenue.

Inside, Su Qingxue lifted a corner of the curtain, gazing at the bustling street scene with a hint of fatigue in her clear, cool eyes.

From the capital to Yun’an City, the journey had been arduous and dusty.

The blood-soaked massacre and the haunting words, “There is no longer an Eighth Prince in this world,” still haunted her like a nightmare.

“Miss, shall we find an inn to rest first, or...” her loyal servant Zhong whispered.

Su Qingxue lowered the curtain, gently massaging her brow.

“Zhong, the Liu family is an allied household. Since we have arrived in Yun’an City, there is no reason not to pay our respects.”

“Besides, I haven’t seen Sister Yuexue for almost a year. Though our letters never ceased, I miss her dearly.”

The Yuexue she spoke of was none other than Liu Yuexue, the young lady of the Liu family.

“That sounds good,” Zhong nodded. “The Liu family has deep roots here in Yun’an City. Settling here will be safest for us.”

The carriage soon stopped before the imposing Liu residence.

---

The vermilion gates and stone lions guarding the mansion proclaimed the owner’s distinguished status.

Zhong approached, handing the visiting card to the doorman and announcing solemnly, “From the Su family of the capital, Miss Su Qingxue, daughter of the Prime Minister, here to pay respects to Master Liu.”

Hearing “Su family of the capital” and “daughter of the Prime Minister,” the doorman trembled, nearly dropping the card.

This was a figure of towering influence!

He dared not show the slightest negligence, sending someone running inside to inform them, then personally opening the gates wide, respectfully welcoming the carriage in.

Moments later, in the main hall of the Liu residence.

Liu Chengye, whose emotions had rollercoastered from settling Ye Xuan to visiting his daughter, was about to catch his breath when word came of Su Qingxue’s arrival.

His spirits lifted instantly, and he hurried out to greet her.

“Ah! It’s you, niece Qingxue! What a rare visitor, truly a rare guest!”

Liu Chengye’s face was beaming with warmth as he stepped forward briskly.

“Uncle Liu, I hope this visit finds you well.”

Su Qingxue bowed gracefully, her demeanor refined and dignified.

“After such a long journey, I apologize for the sudden intrusion, and hope you will forgive me.”

“Nonsense! Your coming brings me great joy!” Liu Chengye laughed heartily, ushering her into the hall. “Please, have a seat! Bring the finest tea!”

After polite exchanges, a maid served fragrant tea.

Su Qingxue glanced around but found no sign of her close friend from the inner chambers, prompting a slight, teasing smile with a gentle hint of girlish coquettishness.

“Uncle Liu, where is Sister Yuexue? Could she be avoiding me just because she knows I’ve come?”

“We haven’t seen each other for so long; if she doesn’t come out, I might have to accuse her of becoming estranged.”

Though meant in jest, the mention of “Yuexue” froze the genuine warmth on Liu Chengye’s face.

His eyes reddened instantly; his lips trembled as countless words condensed into a heavy sigh.

“Ah...”

Su Qingxue’s sharp mind immediately sensed something amiss.

Her smile faded, concern knitting her brow.

“Uncle Liu, has something happened to Sister Yuexue?”

Liu Chengye lifted his cup but his hand shook violently, spilling tea.

He set it down and hoarsely recounted in full detail how his daughter had fallen ill with cold marrow syndrome, how even renowned doctors were powerless, and how today she had been declared beyond hope.

At the darkest moments, this iron-willed man, a force within Yun’an City, nearly wept.

Yet as the story turned to its unexpected salvation, his face flushed with excitement, gesturing animatedly.

Su Qingxue listened quietly, her heart tightening.

She regarded Liu Yuexue as a sister and could scarcely imagine that lively, cheerful girl having faced death’s door.

“What? Cold marrow syndrome is so perilous?”

---

Su Qingxue was shocked, her delicate face filled with worry and fear.

“Then... how is Sister Yuexue now? Uncle, may I... visit her?”

“Of course, of course!” Liu Chengye rose swiftly. “Come with me. She just fell asleep; we must be quiet.”

Nodding, Su Qingxue followed him nervously through the courtyard to Liu Yuexue’s chamber.

Before entering, she detected a faint scent of medicine mingled with alcohol.

Pushing open the door, she found the room still cool, though not as piercingly cold as described.

She hurried to the bedside.

The girl lying there still looked pale but now bore a healthy flush, breathing steadily—worlds apart from the deathly ashen figure Liu Chengye had described.

Faint black stains remained on her forehead, remnants of toxins expelled from within.

Su Qingxue’s heavy heart finally eased.

Turning to Liu Chengye, she sincerely exclaimed, “Uncle Liu, Sister Yuexue is truly blessed. To have survived this ordeal is extraordinary.”

“Yes, indeed! A miracle!” Liu Chengye’s eyes glistened again as he gazed at his sleeping daughter.

“If not for a divine doctor who came to her rescue, I fear today I would have mourned my child!”

His words brimmed with gratitude and lingering dread.

“A divine doctor?”

Curiosity flickered in Su Qingxue’s beautiful eyes.

To have reversed the cold marrow syndrome, a disease that had baffled all Yun’an’s finest physicians, such skill was worthy of the title “divine doctor.”

“Yes! A true divine healer!” Liu Chengye gestured excitedly. “Such skill was like a god descending to earth, beyond comprehension!”

Su Qingxue’s interest deepened, her voice gentle as she asked, “May I ask the name of this miraculous healer? If the opportunity arises, I would like to thank him personally for saving Sister Yuexue’s life.”

At this question, excitement on Liu Chengye’s face suddenly froze.

He opened his mouth, uttered a hesitant “uh” for some time, but no words came out.

His flushed face turned a deep shade of purple.

Su Qingxue looked at him, puzzled.

Blushing deeply, Liu Chengye awkwardly scratched his head and stammered:

“Well... well... at that moment, I was too overwhelmed with emotion and joy... I completely forgot to ask for the gentleman’s full name...”