Entangled Love GL - Chapter 2

Yiwei Tang (One Flavor Hall) was a two-section courtyard. The front section had medicine cabinets in both the East and West wings, and the main hall was used for receiving guests and holding consultations. The back courtyard was the residence of the owners.

When Divine Physician Duan was alive, people often traveled from afar because of his reputation. Though the plain clinic was not extremely busy, neither was it desolate. After Miss Duan took over, with neither qualifications nor fame, only the neighbors occasionally came to get a few doses of medicine for colds or fevers, and the small courtyard ultimately felt empty.

Night had already fallen. Usually, the courtyard gate would be locked by this time, but today it was still wide open. Looking in, every room was lit.

Duan Min stopped in front of the gate, looking at the couplet on the doorpost in the yellow light of the lamp.

The couplet was personally written by Divine Physician Duan. Duan Youchang solemnly rewrote the same couplet every seven or eight years, saying: “Treat the illness and treat the wound, but do not treat regret; Lose energy and lose bl00d, but do not lose heart.” The fourteen characters were deeply etched, as if they condensed the Divine Physician’s profound admonition and compassion for the world.

Duan Min frowned, examining the couplet carefully: it was an old one from two years ago, the red paper was faded, and the ink was also somewhat mottled.

Duan Min gradually felt like smiling but didn’t. She stood quietly for a moment, finally smoothed out her brow, walked in by herself, closed the door, and set the cross-bar lock.

Hearing the sound, the girl waiting in the main hall rushed out.

The girl, dressed in a blue top and yellow skirt, perfectly matched her delicate features, making one instantly think of a maiden punting a small boat to pick lotus pods in a ten-mile lotus pond. Unfortunately, the gentle laughter and sweet talk were missing here; the girl’s face was full of worry:

“Min Jie [Sister Min]…”

Duan Min raised an eyebrow and smiled: “Scaredy-cat, you’re wasting lamp oil money again. Put out the lights and let’s go talk in the back.”

The two went to the East and West wings respectively, and the few lamps were extinguished quickly. However, before they could go to the back courtyard, a sound of horses’ hooves galloped outside the door, followed by someone knocking.

The “scaredy-cat” was not scared at this moment. She looked at Duan Min and then asked loudly: “Who is it? It’s so late, what’s the matter?”

A clear, bright male voice replied: “I am Xu Chi of the Cidi Lou [This-Place Tower/Lodge]. I have been sent by the Louzhu [Tower Master] to deliver two bolts of clothing fabric to Miss Duan. Please trouble the young lady to open the door.”

Duan Min was somewhat surprised and went to open the door. The “scaredy-cat” followed closely behind her, holding the lantern.

Xu Chi handed over the fabric expressionlessly: “The Louzhu said that such plain and simple clothes are not suitable for Miss Duan. The young lady has extraordinary temperament, and there are not many colors that can complement her. Please try these two for the time being.”

Duan Min thanked him and accepted the fabric. Xu Chi cupped his fist, mounted his horse, and rode away quickly.

The “scaredy-cat” shone the lantern light on the fabric and clicked her tongue: “Min Jie, could it be that the Louzhu has a crush on you?”

Duan Min glared at her, annoyed: “What nonsense are you talking about! Lock the door. I’m hungry and haven’t eaten yet.”

The “scaredy-cat” is named Pingping, and she is actually a quite bold girl. The only thing Duan Min can tease her for is being afraid of the dark and ghosts.

Pingping is not one to concede in an argument. If Duan Min mocks her, she will mock back nine times out of ten; the remaining one or two times are situations like today, which means something serious has happened.

“Min Jie, we shouldn’t have gotten involved with this Cidi Lou matter!” Pingping sat up straight, speaking very earnestly.

Duan Min put down her spoon and picked up her chopsticks: “If trouble is coming, where can we hide from it? Tomorrow, we are going up Longxiang Mountain. I want to go see Xiaonian .”

Pingping was momentarily stunned: “Why see Xiaonian now? Min Jie, tell me the truth, are you going to save him or avoid him?”

Duan Min looked up and sent her a glance, not answering.

Pingping grabbed her arm: “If we are going to leave, we leave together. Don’t you dare have any confused thoughts!”

Duan Min stopped her chopsticks: “We will talk about these things when we get there. Don’t overthink it.” Saying this, she pulled her hand away and continued eating.

Pingping looked at her with worry. After a moment, she leaned closer and whispered, urging her, “Let’s just leave together . The capital city has too many troubles; if we can’t provoke them, we should avoid them. This poison is unusual, and we don’t know what’s behind it. You are the one who shouldn’t overthink things. Uncle Duan is already passed away, and you should think about your own future now.”

Duan Min suddenly smiled when she heard this, a smile that was three parts cold and three parts mocking , which immediately made Pingping look distressed: “Min Jie, don’t smile like that. I’m thinking of your best interest!”

Duan Min was somewhat at a disadvantage regarding her looks. She wasn’t ugly, but her beauty was too unique and aloof ; her brows and eyes seemed naturally etched with arrogance. Divine Physician Duan had made her consciously restrain herself and cultivate a gentle temperament to conceal this demeanor that pushed people away. This cultivation was not without effect, but ultimately, the effect was limited.

Duan Min gave another helpless smile: “I know what you mean, but the Louzhu Yang won’t be unprepared. It would be terrible if even Xiaonian and the others were implicated. Although my father is no longer here, a promise made must be kept. You must be obedient and not act willfully.”

“I…” Pingping’s elegant eyebrows drooped into an upside-down ‘V’ shape, and her spiritual eyes were clouded with worry, but she eventually nodded. After sitting for a while longer, she got up from the table to clean up.