The next day, after finishing her consultations, Qi Yue returned to find the tall man greeting her, saying the black market had delivered the money from the medicine sales and placed it in the front hall.
âMaster, this time itâs a million taels of gold. Should we send it to the storehouse?â
Hearing this, Qi Yue halted in her steps.
âGold⦠a million taels?â
The price seemed outrageous!
She had originally estimated that even 2 million taels of silver would be the limit!
âYes, Master.â The tall man added, âThe black market wants to pre-order all the future medicine supplies from the Master.â
Upon hearing this, Qi Yue understood.
They wanted to monopolize the business, afraid she might find someone else.
Understandable!
She proceeded to the front hall and indeed saw several large chests, their lids all open on the side, the gold inside gleaming with a warm, radiant light.
Although dazzling to the eyes, it was quite a pleasant sight.
Qi Yue was overjoyed.
âThis black market boss has good judgment; he must have heard that I like these shiny treasures.â
âIndeed, Master.â
Thinking that the silver in the storehouse had already been properly stored and it wasnât convenient to go in again, she ordered several people to move the gold to her room.
After the tall, short, fat, and thin men left, Qi Yue waved her hand, and the chests of gold were all collected into her space.
Now, her storehouse was piled with small mountains of gold, not to mention the silver.
Gazing at this vast and uncountable wealth, Qi Yue felt a sense of satisfaction like never before.
Her eyes moved to the other half of the empty storehouse, and she curled the corner of her lips.
âIt seems I need to work even harder!â
In the following days, she continued her routine; diagnosing patients at the medical hall in the morning, researching the first kind of medicine pill to launch in the afternoons, and training the young apprentices in the store for a shichen in the evenings.
Initially, Qi Yue was on guard against Qing Nanzun, but after half a month with no sighting of him, she thought he might have left Longnan.
Chu Yuntian said that he had his soldiers search everywhere but found no trace of Qing Nanzun and suspected he had left Longnan.
But soon came news that Hu Chengxuan was about to return to Longnan County Government and the Emperor had even granted an imperial marriage for Hu Keqing, with the decree arriving alongside him.
The majority of Longnanâs citizens knew about Prefectural Magistrateâs son Hu Keqingâs pursuit of Qi Yue and began discussing the news when they heard it.
âCould His Majesty grant marriage between Prefectural Magistrateâs son and the Divine Doctor?â
âIt might happen. One is the Prefectural Magistrateâs son; the other is the Divine Doctor. Itâs a perfect match!â
âWhat perfect match, itâs impossible. You all donât know, do you? Miss Qi was once wed.â
âReally?â
âSo what? Being such a powerful woman as the Divine Doctor, what man canât she marry?â
ââ¦.â
Even Hu Keqing, taking advantage of the momentum, went to the medical hall a few times to find her.
One morning, as she just stepped out of the house, she was intercepted by Hu Keqing at the door.
âYueyueâ¦â
Qi Yue really had nothing to say to this persistent young man.
She had said all there was to say, but he just wouldnât listen.
After so many times, she even grew weary of those relentless eyes that wouldnât let go.
Fortunately, the tall and chubby men quickly stepped in front of her, blocking those piercing eyes from view.
The skinny and short men each took one side, grabbing Hu Keqing and pulling him aside.
âPrefectural Magistrateâs son, please have some self-respect. My master does not fancy you, do not appear before her again!â
But Hu Keqing had no intention of giving up.
He had come countless times in the past few months, each time only able to gaze at Qi Yue from a distance, or at best catch a glimpse of her figure from behind.
But today, he actually stumbled upon her.
She was just as beautiful as before.
That small face, those captivating phoenix eyes, seemed to exist in stillness, unaffected by time, not a single detail had changed.
This was almost divine providence, giving him a hint and an opportunity!
The skinny one and the short one had control of his body, but not his mouth.
Watching that enchanting figure walk away, he shouted without a care in the world.
âYueyue, you are mine, you will marry me sooner or later.â
âYueyue, tell me what you like, I can give you anythingâ¦â
âYueyue, the Emperor has already decreed our marriage, as soon as my father arrives, I will come with the betrothal gifts!â
The short one was so irritated by his words that he swung his fists and gave him a couple of blows to the face.
The skinny one couldnât stand it any longer either and joined in the beating as soon as the short one made his move.
The two of them created a cacophony of thuds, almost beating Hu Keqing to death.
Thankfully, the patrolling soldiers from the Prefectural Office came and separated them.
However, all three were taken to the Governorâs Office at the Prefectural Office.
The Divine Doctorâs bodyguards beating up the son of the Prefectural Magistrate in the streets was big news, immediately adding a new topic of conversation for the townspeopleâs leisure time.
For this matter, Qi Yue was also summoned to the County Government to explain the situation.
There she encountered Feng Liang, who was disproportionately attentive to her.
âMiss, rest assured, the situation is very clear now. The son of the Prefectural Magistrate acted improperly, and your bodyguards intervened to protect your reputation. They will be able to return home with you immediately!â
Qi Yue could only say thank you and first took the skinny one and the short one who had struck the blows back home.
The two seemed aware they had hit someone they shouldnât have and were silent with their heads down the whole way.
Upon entering the house, they tried to sneak away while Qi Yue was not paying attention.
âHey, where do you think youâre going?â
As they turned to leave, they were called back by Qi Yue, and the skinny one and the short one had no choice but to turn around obediently.
âMaster, weâd like to go back to the front yard first.â
âWhatâs the matter, donât you want to celebrate your exoneration?â Qi Yue playfully elongated the tone of her voice.
At her words, the skinny one and the short one were stunned.
âMaster, youâre not blaming us?â
âWhy should I blame you? I canât thank you enough.â
âIs what youâre saying true?â
âOf course, itâs true. After all, you stood up for me! Come on, letâs go eat, Iâve had a feast prepared for you!â
As she spoke, Qi Yue led the way to the dining hall.
Looking at each other, the tall and short, the thin and plump, all gave Qi Yueâs retreating figure a thumbs up.
The four of them thought Qi Yue was generous, magnanimous, and had character, but they didnât know her true feelings at that moment.
Qi Yue was sincere in what she said.
At first, she was understanding toward Hu Keqing.
After all, she, too, was in love with someone.
She understood his uncontrollable feelings and even admired his bold declaration of love.
But as it happened over and over, she began to feel uncomfortable.
Especially today.
In Hu Keqingâs gaze, she saw a kind of crazed, perverse possessiveness, tinged with lecherous obsession.
At that moment, all she wanted was to escape that gaze. It was only after the plump one and the tall one blocked Hu Keqing that she retrospectively felt violated.
Suddenly, she thought of a phrase: His eyes were whaling at her.
Instantly, she felt so sick she wanted to throw up.
Upon hearing the skinny one and the short one had almost crushed Hu Keqingâs eyes, her first reaction wasnât that trouble was brewing, but rather that they did well.
Most girls in such situations would have their brothers, sisters, or boyfriends step forward, but she had none of those.
Thankfully, she still had bodyguards.
Even though others saw her as powerful, almost invincible, she was still just a girl.
In her past life as in this one, she was just a young girl.
A young girl who hoped for unwavering care and love.