Chapter 43: Qing Ge's Counterattack

  This pharmacy is the best in Quanzhou, with a wide variety of medicines and many rare and precious medicinal materials that are hard to find on the market. The store's interior design is particularly special, with wooden carved cabinets neatly displaying various medicinal materials, and the Chinese medicine cabinet reaching up to the ceiling showcases its economic strength, filled with all sorts of Chinese medicinal scents.

  "Miss, what medicine do you want to buy? Are you feeling unwell?" Xing'er followed Qing Ge's footsteps into the pharmacy, her eyes darting left and right, her big eyes filled with worried inquiry.

  "No, just looking for something useful." Qing Ge replied lightly, and at the same time pointed to the medicine in the cabinet, instructing the shop assistant on the quantity of each one needed. Indeed, this place was as good as its reputation, basically everything she needed could be found here.

  Xīng ér zhàn zài yī páng shǎn zhe móu zǐ kàn zhe nà xiē yào, "xiǎo jiě, nà nǐ dǒng dé hǎo duō, nǐ hái huì zhì bìng?"

  Translation:

  The star stood by, shining her eyes at those medicines, "Miss, you know so much, can you also cure illnesses?"

  Is she a doctor? Qing Ge was taken aback, if it's just simple bandaging and using medical equipment, Western medicine, then she's indeed doing quite well. In life-and-death situations, when injured, it's unavoidable, but now that we're here, everything relies on pulse diagnosis, and she's not as good as those skilled doctors. It seems Xing Er saw her buying medicine and thought she could diagnose illnesses, if being able to concoct various poisonous medicines counts, then I suppose she does too.

  Xing'er stood at the counter, the smell emanating from her body wrinkling the nose of the shop assistant, but the service quality of this pharmacy was obviously very good, and even though the smell under his nose was very unpleasant, he didn't open his mouth to be difficult or drive Xing'er away.

  Qing Ge's impression of this store improved a bit, especially since they didn't cheat young people who are poor.

  Xing'er pointed at some Chinese medicine that Qing'ge had bought and asked her what effect it had. Qing'ge briefly explained it to her. Since Xing'er was her person, she couldn't say nothing. These days, she gradually got used to the fact that she had crossed over and she needed to plan for her own future.

  "Miss, here you are, your medicine is all wrapped up." The shop assistant handed the wrapped medicine to Qing Ge.

  Qing Ge took the medicine over, turned her eyes and saw a ginseng placed on a separate platform, with neat whiskers, smooth body shape, and pearl-like protrusions all over it. The quality was perfect, looking like a high-quality ginseng. Ginseng is the most nourishing, if given to Ping Er to eat, it would be better for her body. She pointed at the ginseng and asked: "Shopkeeper, how much does this sell for?"

  "Miss, your eyes are really good, this is a hundred-year-old wild ginseng dug from Changbai Mountain, it just arrived today. It's great for nourishing and beautifying, the best tonic for the body. If you think it's good, it's 500 taels." Qing Ge's appearance was already extremely outstanding, with a subtle aura that set her apart from others, but without the arrogant air of those beautiful women who knew they were stunning. The shopkeeper couldn't help but like her and introduced more about the ginseng.

  On this side, the familiar figure of Qing Ge's introduction walked in from outside the door.

  A woman stepped in from the doorway, with a clear and beautiful face, wearing a pure white half-length dress with green bamboo patterns on the hem, exuding a subtle scholarly aura, giving off an air of a refined and talented young lady.

  A woman in white clothing walked into the store, covering her nose and frowning. "Yichen, doesn't this medicine shop seem to be getting worse? How can it smell so bad as soon as I walk in?"

  As the voice faded away, a man walked in from outside the shop door. His gentle voice was like a willow swaying in the wind, soft and soothing. "It's better to be mindful of one's words when speaking in front of others." He stepped inside, his white long robe fluttering with each step, the bamboo pattern on one corner also swaying back and forth. With handsome eyebrows and eyes, and a warm, smiling face, who else could it be but Yu Yi Chen?

  "It's just a habit, okay?!" He Xueying slightly stomped her foot, lowered her head and pouted, the shy and coy expression of a little woman was fully displayed on her face. When she batted her eyelashes, it was very charming, making people want to tease her some more.

  Yu Yan's faint smile was enough to satisfy He Xueying, and if he hadn't done something like betting on martial arts, he thought she...

  After listening to his partner's introduction, Qing Ge nodded and instructed: "You help me wrap it up too, and count it with the ones from earlier."

  The sound of Qing Ruoxue's voice was clear and crisp, entering his ears, Yu Yichen's thoughts suddenly stagnated, and he raised his clear and bright eyes to look at the counter in front of him.

  Eyes as clear as water, moist as jade, with just one glance, the inner waters suddenly surged like a torrent, the jade color churned, and the calm surface was no more.

  The dark-colored clothes covered her slender and delicate figure, the jet-black long hair was not adorned with any beautiful hairstyle, but simply tied up high, from the top of her head to her thighs. The lines of her profile were as beautiful as a painting, and when she spoke, her chin moved slightly, with a bright white arc. Her eyes, which were normally cold like jade, now had a faint coolness, like the most beautiful snowflake stuck between her eyelids, pure and icy.

  Even without looking at her directly, he knew who she was. Such elegance, just standing there was like a vast expanse of icy terrain. Such charm, with just a faint smile, could melt the majestic glaciers. Apart from her, in this life, he wouldn't consider anyone else.

  He Xueying, who had been waiting for a long time without getting a response, put away the disappointment in her heart, lifted her slightly lowered head, and softly called out: "Yichen..." As soon as she looked up, she happened to see Yu Yichen's gaze lowering towards a certain place in front of him, with a dazed color in his eyes.

  Following her gaze, she happened to see Qing Ge lighting up some herbs for a beggar next to him who was covered in filth and smelled terrible.

  He Xueying couldn't help but feel a surge of anger in her heart, and again it was Mu Qing's song. Why did this Mu Qing's song linger on like a ghost, refusing to disperse for a long time? Wherever she went, it followed, constantly appearing before her, before Yi Chen! This was simply going against her!

  She took a look at the ginseng that Qingge was pointing to, and her eyes lit up. "Yichen, look at this ginseng, it's really good! My grandfather has been coughing lately, we should buy it for him."

  Before Yu Chen could speak, she took a few steps forward, pretending to have just seen the ginseng, and smiled: "Wrap it up for me."

  The fellow furrowed his brow and looked at her with some difficulty: "This young lady has already specified it."

  He Xueying looked as if she had just seen a familiar tune, with a faint smile on her delicate face, carrying the unique elegance of a talented woman from a book. Everyone's eyes widened in surprise, and they nodded slightly, saying: "So it was the young lady of the Mu mansion who wanted it. Just now, Xueying didn't see it. This ginseng is what Xueying wants to buy for her grandfather. As the Right Minister of the country, he always has to work hard for the country, and as his granddaughter, she can't help him with anything, so she can only buy some good supplements to send to him."

  She thought she had spoken very properly, showing that she hadn't intentionally snatched the Qing Song's things earlier, and also demonstrating her filial piety. More importantly, she had also shown off her status, letting the pharmacy know that she was the granddaughter of a first-class official, while Qing Song was just a discarded concubine from the Mu Mansion. These people knew how to read the situation and would naturally know who to sell things to, but little did they know that her actions would instead make people feel disgusted.

  The shopkeeper was deeply disgusted by her behavior, and anyone could hear and see that He Xueying was intentionally trying to steal the goods. However, they were doing business in the capital city, where many forces were at play, and they had to be constantly on guard. At this moment, they were in a difficult position: if they gave it to Miss Shu, they would definitely offend the grandson of the Right Chancellor, but if they gave it to the Right Chancellor's grandson, that was originally what Miss Shu wanted, which also wouldn't work. For a while, they didn't know what to do.

  He smiled apologetically at He Xueying and said, "Miss He, take a look at this ginseng from Korea. It's the most nourishing for people who work late into the night, it nurtures your spirit and prolongs your life..."

  He Xueying glanced at the ginseng in his hand with a hint of interest, and her eyes sparkled with a calculating light. "How many years old is this ginseng?"

  "It's been over 70 years since we've had ginseng of this quality, it's very rare." The shopkeeper hastily replied, business is business, and even if you don't like the customer, you still have to smile and welcome them.

  "I've heard that ginseng over a hundred years old is the best, it's been refined for a hundred years, nourishing blood and flesh, and only then can it match Grandfather's status." He Xueying crossed her hands in front of her chest, casting a somewhat disdainful glance at the other piece of ginseng held by the shop assistant.

  When he heard He Xueying's words, Yu Yichen's eyebrows wrinkled slightly, and his gaze remained on Qing Ge.

  Xing'er looked up and down at He Xueying, her mouth pouting high, her bright eyes flashing with anger. She rushed forward and shouted loudly at He Xueying, "You're really hilarious! My mistress has already chosen this ginseng and started wrapping it up. What are you rushing out to grab?" The young lady didn't say anything, that was because she had good breeding, but she couldn't stand this woman who was showing off like a peacock.

  He Xueying took one look at her and saw that her hair was matted into knots, with black, gray, and other colored things tangled in it. Her clothes were so dirty that the original color could no longer be discerned. One shoe was big while the other was small, and one of them had a hole that exposed a big toe. Her face was smeared with dirt, but her eyes shone brightly, black and white distinct. He Xueying hastily retreated two steps, turning her head to avoid her, disdain in her eyebrows and eyes. "Do you know who I am? You filthy beggar, get lost!"

  Xing'er watched He Xueying dodging and intentionally walked closer, as if she wanted to put her face on He Xueying's body. "Who doesn't know who you are? The number one talented woman, pretending to be elegant, hypocritical, fake..."

  "Ah..." He Xueying looked at her approaching body, shouting loudly: "You crazy woman, get away from me!" At the same time, she raised her palm high and was about to slap Star.

  Qing Ge's figure flashed, quickly grabbing He Xueying's hand as it swung down. His originally calm face suddenly turned cold, and his eyes, which had been as clear as snowflakes, were shrouded in a thick mist, like the dark, endless forest, where a deep, dark fog spread out, making people feel an inexplicable chill run through their body, and a sense of fear emerged from within.

  He Xueying had never been treated like this before, and the others knew her identity. Being treated like this by Qing Ge, she felt a chill rising from her toes, her right wrist was grasped to the point of pain, her face scrunched up, eyes narrowed as she yelled: "Yichen, quickly tell this woman to let go! She's pulling me so hard it hurts!"

  Yu Yi Chen, who had been standing silently beside him, seemed to have finally reacted. He looked at the girl's slender fingers grasping He Xueying's wrist. This He Xueying was usually fine, but why did she always seem to short-circuit whenever she saw Mu Qingge? Every time, she would impulsively act like an ill-mannered person, causing trouble and then being unable to handle it herself. Yu Yi Chen's clear eyebrows subtly hid a trace of impatience. He slightly lowered his eyes and said to Qing Ge, "Let her go."

  Qing Ge's gaze didn't waver, not putting Yu Yi Chen in her eyes at all. This person had said yesterday that she wanted to take back the divorce papers, but today she was accompanying the predetermined Crown Prince's consort on a stroll. In his heart, women would never surpass his status, and the woman he loved was destined for tragedy.

  Her dark eyes stared straight into He Xueying's, her voice stern and severe: "He Xueying, my people can only be hit by me, I'm the only one who can scold them. What are you, daring to lay a hand on my person? If there's a next time, whichever hand you use to hit with, I'll chop off that hand of yours. And if your mouth isn't clean, I'll help you wash those sharp teeth of yours!"

  The words are not loud, but they are powerful and sonorous, every word is like a pearl falling to the ground, striking people's hearts.

  After finishing speaking, he threw He Xueying to one side with a fierce toss. His whole body was as cold as an ice cellar as he walked to the counter and said in a chilly tone: "Shopkeeper, ginseng."

  The companion who had been standing by hastily handed the well-packed ginseng to Qing Ge, took over the silver ticket she handed over, and even felt that there was a hint of cold air on the silver ticket.

  How cold is the young lady of the Mu family? Is this still the timid and weak young lady of the Mu family in the rumors? The atmosphere between these three people feels very strange... One is the ex-fiancée who was jilted, one is the ex-fiancé who did the jilting, and the other one, looking at that arrogant demeanor, is she a third party who intervened?

  He Xueying pulled her wrist over to Yu Yichen's face, complaining: "Yichen, look, my wrist is all red... it hurts so much..." The tone was so coquettish that it seemed like the person who had scolded him earlier wasn't her at all, but someone else.

  "Ah, just apply some medicine when you get back to the manor and it'll be fine." Yu Yi Chen looked at her wrist, the skin was white and transparent, delicate and smooth, obviously well taken care of. But the hand that had grabbed there earlier was thin and bony, every joint visible... yet they were both young misses...

  Qing Ge carried a medicine bag, followed by Ti carrying an outer box, with the gaze of the stars faintly visible in the mist. In this way, her gaze was calm and didn't glance sideways as she walked past Yu Yi Chen and He Xue Ying.

  A faint fragrance wafted through the air, refreshing and pleasant, neither too strong nor too weak.

  She walked away, every time it was like this, brushing past each other, she always just walked away, her gaze not staying on him for a moment.

  He Xueying bit her lip hard, raised her wrist and looked at Yu Yi Chen's stunned expression. He had always been warm and polite, how could he have such an appearance? Recently, for Mu Qingge, one after another, he lost his soul!

  Yesterday, she even went to ask Mu Qing Ge to take back the divorce letter. How could she be so calm? Since childhood, she had been pampered and spoiled due to her grandfather's status. In the Tian Yue Kingdom, even the Empress Dowager would have to praise her a few times when they met. She was always used to getting what she wanted and never losing anything.

  Yichen was originally hers, and the divorce papers had already been written, just waiting for the proposal to be made. But who would have thought that Mucqingge would suddenly change her mind? At the martial arts meeting, she became a laughing stock of the entire upper class, ridiculed by those young masters and misses. Now Yichen was still locked up by Lingdi for a day because he wanted to take back the divorce papers, and it was only after Shugui's plea that he was released. How could she not be angry? How could she remain calm?!

  Song of Clear Water, Yi Chen is mine, mine!

  She turned her head and saw that all the shop assistants were staring at Qing Ge's back in a daze, and she was even more jealous and furious inside, coldly snorting: "After all, just a divorced woman who has been abandoned, an illegitimate child born out of wedlock!"

  The Qing song, which had already stepped to the door, suddenly stopped in its tracks. The bottom of her eyes was like a deep and unfathomable abyss, with waves of turbulent whirlpools surging up, and there were inexplicable eddies swirling in her pupils.

  Good, He Xueying, you scold well!

  She suddenly turned her head, and her usually calm face seemed to be filled with great anger. Her eyebrows were slightly raised, and she pointed at He Xueying: "What did you just say!"

  He Xueying clutched her aching arm, her lotus steps quickening as she walked to the door, saying word by word: "What's wrong, are you angry? I said you're just a discarded wife who was abandoned!"

  Qing Ge seemed unable to bear it, and took a step back, already out of the store. Pointing at He Xueying with a wronged expression, he was also somewhat furious: "What do you mean by this? Did the Emperor himself...?"

  This street was originally the most prosperous street in Dayong, with many merchants opening their doors here, daily necessities, fabrics, pharmacies and so on were all on this street, it would never be deserted during the day. At this time, the crowd coming and going saw that there seemed to be a quarrel over here, and it was two young women, both of whom were of high status, people have the psychology of gathering around the excitement, and gradually they all gathered around.

  Qing Ge has always been calm and collected, never getting angry or agitated. But this time, her eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot, looking like she was both wronged and furious. He Xueying couldn't help but feel triumphant, thinking that Qing Ge was still a woman after all, trying to use this tactic to attract Yi Chen's attention. Now look at her, seeing herself and Yi Chen standing together as a pair, she's consumed by jealousy, unable to keep up the act anymore!

  She smiled triumphantly, with a victorious glint in her eyes, and said: "Everyone knows that you are the abandoned wife who was divorced by Qu Da Yong!"

  Her eyes sparkled with a hint of laughter, but her face remained furious. She shoved the medicine package into Xing'er's hands and rummaged through her own, pulling out something that she waved in front of He Xueying's face. Her expression was one of indignation, as if she had lost all reason. "Look!" she bellowed, "I wasn't abandoned! I have this! I have this!"

  Yu Zhen's eyes fixed on something held high by Qing Ge, his face suddenly changed, and he hastily shouted: "Xue Ying, don't..."

  But it's too late now...

  That thing was so close to He Xueying's face, blocking her view, swaying back and forth, making it impossible for her to see Qingge's expression. She felt a bit dizzy from the proximity and couldn't make out what the thing was. With some annoyance, she slapped at it, "What is this thing? Move it away! You're useless no matter what you do, who doesn't know that you're a worthless good-for-nothing!"

  She finished speaking, looking at the thing in Qing's hand with some surprise, and suddenly slapped it out. A roll of bright yellow satin slowly unfolded in the scorching summer sun, flying out for a good three feet before gently floating down, rolling over once before spreading out on the ground.

  Golden sunlight shines on this yellow satin, the refracted light is so dazzling that it seems to scorch people's eyes. On the satin, nine dragons are flying with their teeth and claws exposed, their spirits are vividly displayed, competing for a wheel of bright red sun. The steaming clouds seem to rise from all directions, lifelike and vivid. At the bottom, the four square red ink stamps pierce the eyes of all onlookers.

  One of the onlookers suddenly shouted, "This is an imperial edict!"

  Digression

  Power outage for three days, electricity just came back last night after 9pm. The updates over the past three days were not due to laziness! Please understand!