Master, Please Help Me Break the Love Curse! - Chapter 43

Wen Shuang trembled, dared not raise her head. In truth, she wasn’t very familiar with Qin Wangyue. Before these past few days, they had barely interacted at all.

It had been that day in the Medicine Field, while she was tending to the Spiritual Herbs threatened by pests, that Qin Wangyue suddenly appeared that evening. After returning from gathering herbs, Qin Wangyue had actively initiated a conversation with Wen Shuang, asking if she would be willing to take on some additional tasks.

Wen Shuang vividly remembered Qin Wangyue’s gentle smile that night as she said, “I’ve noticed you’re far more meticulous than the other disciples. I’d like you to help care for someone who’s been injured. Would you be willing?”

Qin Wangyue was the Eldest Senior Sister of the Medicinal Cultivators, while Wen Shuang was just a junior disciple who had joined the sect two years prior. Naturally, she couldn’t refuse, especially since tending to the injured was part of her core duties. There was no reason to decline.

But when Wen Shuang learned she was being sent to the Dungeon to care for someone, she froze in shock.

She immediately sought out Qin Wangyue to decline the assignment. Being timid by nature, she couldn’t help but wonder what kind of people were imprisoned in the Dungeon.

Qin Wangyue reassured her, “Don’t worry. The person is severely injured and won’t be able to harm you. Besides, someone will be watching over you during each treatment session, so there’s no need to fear.”

Wen Shuang murmured, “But…”

Qin Wangyue blinked. “If you’re truly afraid, just don’t speak to her. That way, she won’t be able to do anything to you.”

Wen Shuang hesitated, unable to refuse, and was forced to accept this hot potato of a task.

With this burning responsibility thrust upon her, many onlookers were amused. After all, Wen Shuang had been a marginal figure within the sect for two years, spending her days doing menial chores or helping in the Medicine Field.

Given her humble origins, few paid her any attention, and naturally, no one would speak up for her.

“Senior Sister Qin,” Wen Shuang said softly, her gaze fixed on her toes. “I really can’t treat that person anymore. Senior Sister, could you… assign someone else?”

Qin Wangyue blinked slowly, her eyes sweeping over Wen Shuang.

She had investigated Wen Shuang’s background. Originally a farmer’s child, Wen Shuang’s family had sold her into servitude at the age of seven or eight when they could no longer afford to feed her. At sixteen, a sect member visiting the household discovered her promising spiritual root and suggested she begin cultivating.

The wealthy household, never lacking in gold and silver, generously sponsored Wen Shuang’s mountain cultivation, hoping she would one day attain enlightenment and immortality, and remember their kindness.

Unfortunately, Wen Shuang was timid and shy, lacking social skills and unable to ingratiate herself with others. She only knew how to study diligently in silence.

In common parlance, she was a bit simple-minded.

Qin Wangyue, naturally unwilling to let such an easily manipulated scapegoat slack off, immediately adopted a troubled expression and pleaded, “Xiao Shuang, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but we’re desperately short-handed. Everyone else has so much to do. You’re the only one who can assist me.”

“But…”

“Besides, you’re already familiar with her. It’s better than having someone new,” Qin Wangyue said, taking Wen Shuang’s hand. “Xiao Shuang, the Snake Lady won’t need your care for long. She’s a high-priority prisoner. Once Luo Jiu emerges from seclusion, she’ll take her away. At most, you’ll only need to look after her for another three to five days.”

Hearing this, Wen Shuang looked up, her eyes filled with confusion. “Senior Sister, are you saying that woman will die?”

Qin Wangyue nodded. “Sooner or later.”

For some reason, Wen Shuang felt a heavy weight in her heart.

Although the Snake Lady seemed far from virtuous, even brazen, Wen Shuang had found dealing with her these past few days a real headache. Yet, upon hearing that this woman would die in a few days, Wen Shuang felt a pang of sadness.

“Did she… commit some grave sin that warrants death?” Wen Shuang hesitated before asking, “Is there anything I can do to help her?”

Qin Wangyue immediately recognized the girl’s compassionate nature.

It seemed the Snake Lady’s Charm Technique extended beyond mere magical power. Even without a shred of spiritual energy, she could still manipulate the young woman before her with ease.

“What you can do is take good care of her,” Qin Wangyue said gently. “Make her final days as comfortable as possible.”

Wen Shuang nodded blankly.

Having soothed the sulking child, Qin Wangyue smiled at her. “Xiao Shuang.”

Wen Shuang looked up.

Qin Wangyue continued, “I know you’re a kind-hearted girl. You must feel sympathy for the Snake Lady. Since she only has a few days left, why not treat her kindly? Agree to some things, but never agree to others.”

Wen Shuang didn’t quite understand. “Senior Sister, what do you mean?”

Qin Wangyue chuckled. “You’ll understand someday.”

Shang Qianye circled the medicinal furnace, even sneaking into Qin Wangyue’s bedroom for a thorough search, but found nothing unusual.

Though her suspicions lingered, she lacked concrete evidence. To avoid alerting her target, Shang Qianye decided to observe quietly for now.

Sooner or later, she’ll slip up.

After wandering around for nearly a full day, Shang Qianye realized the Lingxiao Sect had no designated market. To buy supplies, one had to travel down the mountain to the town. Something felt off—the usually bustling street vendors were gone, leaving only the storefronts open.

Unfazed, Shang Qianye headed straight to the grain shop to stock up on rice, flour, and cooking oil.

The shopkeeper was at the counter, clicking his abacus and sighing as he muttered something to his assistant. Both looked up immediately when Shang Qianye entered, recognizing her as a Lingxiao Sect disciple by her attire. They hurried to greet her.

“Welcome, Fairy,” the shopkeeper called out. “What will you be purchasing today? Our shop has everything you need. Please, browse at your leisure.”

Shang Qianye nodded and said to the shopkeeper, “I’d like to buy some rice, flour, and seasonings.”

A shop assistant immediately came out from behind the counter and led Shang Qianye to the grain section.

The area around Kunlun Mountain remained cold year-round, with snow even in June and July. Consequently, grain prices were never cheap. But today, Shang Qianye discovered they were far more than just expensive—they had doubled since her last visit.

Frowning, she pointed to the price tag and asked the assistant, “Why has the price of grain in your shop increased so drastically? It wasn’t this high when I bought it last month.”

The assistant explained, “The weather has been unusually cold lately, preventing grain shipments from outside the region. Naturally, prices have risen. But Fairy, you can ask around—our shop still offers the cheapest rice in the area.”

The shopkeeper chimed in, “Indeed, Fairy, we truly offer the most reasonable prices within a ten-mile radius. If you’re buying in bulk, we can even negotiate further.”

Shang Qianye wasn’t exactly wealthy, but she rarely had occasions to spend money. After achieving Bigu, she no longer needed to buy food or tea, saving even more. Aside from occasional trips to the mountain market to buy trinkets for Luo Jiu, her money mostly accumulated.

Still, she found the situation odd.

Why are they all crowding around just because I’m buying supplies? Is grain really that hard to sell?

“I’m not buying much today,” Shang Qianye said, listing her needs. “Just charge me your usual prices.”

As the clerk hurried off to gather her order, the shopkeeper beamed at Shang Qianye and offered her a bag of red dates.

“These are wild dates gathered from the mountains,” he said. “I don’t know the price, but please take them as a snack, Fairy.”

Shang Qianye accepted the gift with a smile, showing no false modesty.

While the clerk was packing her order, a young girl in her early teens entered the shop. Her clothes were tattered, but her eyes were large and bright. She gazed at the room full of grain, her gaze darting from one pile to another, unsure where to focus.

The young girl glanced around the room at the other customers. Deciding that Shang Qianye was the best-dressed among them, she approached her, pulled three copper coins from her pocket, and held them up.

“Coins… I want to buy rice.”

Shang Qianye winked at her. “Little girl, I’m here to buy rice too.”

The girl paused, then looked blankly at the shopkeeper beside her and repeated, “Coins… I want to buy rice.”

The shopkeeper, who had been watching her closely, especially the three copper coins in her hand, looked slightly uncomfortable.

“Little girl, where are your parents?” the shopkeeper asked.

“Everyone at home is sick,” the girl replied. “They can’t get out of bed. I’m the only one who isn’t sick, so I came to buy rice.”

The shopkeeper hesitated, looking at the coins in her hand. After a moment, he took them. “Alright, wait here. I’ll get you some rice.”

The girl beamed. “Thank you, Shopkeeper!”

Rice was expensive; three copper coins wouldn’t buy much. But the shopkeeper scooped out some stale rice from behind the counter, filling a scoop. After a moment’s hesitation, he added another scoop before sealing the bag and handing it to her.

“This is the cheapest rice I have. I’m only selling it to you because you’re a child. Don’t go telling anyone about this, or I won’t sell you any more in the future.”

“Okay, thank you, Shopkeeper.”

As the little girl walked away clutching the rice bag, Shang Qianye turned to the shopkeeper. “Do you know that child?”

The shopkeeper shook his head. “No, I don’t.”

“Then why…?”

“Fairy, you may not be aware,” the shopkeeper explained, “but it’s not just the bad weather preventing grain shipments. Several nearby villages have been struck by wind-cold. The pharmacies in town are swamped with villagers seeking treatment, and all the medicine has been bought up.”

“Is that so?” Shang Qianye found this strange. “The Lingxiao Sect holds free medical consultations every half-month. If the town’s clinics are short-staffed, they can seek assistance there.”

“The Fairy truly has the heart of a Bodhisattva, but it’s not a severe case of wind-cold. She’ll likely recover on her own in a couple of days.”

“Still, we shouldn’t underestimate it.”

While they chatted, the shopkeeper had already prepared everything Shang Qianye needed. She counted the items, confirmed nothing was missing, and with a wave of her hand, stored them in her pouch.

Before leaving, she gave the shopkeeper extra silver, enough to cover the little girl’s rice.

Before returning, Shang Qianye strolled through the streets. Though some of the small vendors selling trinkets hadn’t set up shop, the pastry shop Luo Jiu loved was still open. Shang Qianye bought a large assortment of pastries to bring back.

Luo Jiu had been thinking about Shang Qianye’s outing all day. She started preparing to return as soon as dusk fell, assuming Shang Qianye would take advantage of her rare trip out and come back later. To her surprise, the cave was already brightly lit when she arrived.

Shang Qianye had just finished setting out a table full of dishes when she saw Luo Jiu standing at the cave entrance.