Servants heard the commotion and hurried over. "Second Young Master, why are you here? Young Master said no one is allowed in this courtyard."
"Get lost. This is my home, I can go wherever I please." Han Jisi shoved the servant aside and strode into the house.
Su Yunmo entered the courtyard and indeed saw a familiar face.
The door to the house opened.
Feng Qing'er emerged from within, clad only in a simple outer robe. White, sheer fabric enveloped her body, and her pale face was half-hidden by her hair.
Her eyes were clear but vacant, her entire being surrounded by a deathly stillness, as if she were ready to depart this world at any moment.
"So you really are hiding someone here? Hah, what's that smell? Disgusting!" Han Jisi covered his nose and staggered back several steps, his eyes filled with revulsion.
"Are you the prostitute my brother brought back from the brothel?"
A flicker of sorrow flashed in Feng Qing'er's eyes, like still water, but it was quickly submerged by loneliness. "Yes."
"I don't care what your relationship is with my brother. Our Han family cannot harbor a woman of your loose character." Han Jisi said with disdain.
He pulled out a silver ingot from his embrace and threw it, striking Feng Qing'er. "I know women like you are only after our family's influence."
"But I'm warning you, my brother brought you back out of pity. Don't think you can turn into a phoenix by clinging to a straw."
Feng Qing'er was not angered. She had heard words tens of thousands of times more unpleasant in the pleasure quarters.
She bowed respectfully, her gaze lowered. "Thank you for your generosity, Second Young Master. But you are right, I have disturbed your household for many days, and it is time for me to leave. Since I have caused trouble, I cannot accept this money."
Han Jisi sneered, "I didn't realize you had some backbone, or are you just trying to play the victim for sympathy? A slut is a slut. I'm not as easily fooled as my brother."
Su Yunmo's fists twitched, itching to fight again.
"Your injuries healed surprisingly fast. You were beaten yesterday, and you can leave today."
Hearing this, Han Jisi's heart skipped a beat, and he turned around sharply. "Why are you here?"
Feng Qing'er also saw the little dumpling standing at the courtyard entrance and was momentarily stunned.
Su Yunmo walked over, picked up the silver ingot from the ground, and threw it back. "Keep this money for your broken nose."
She turned to look at Feng Qing'er by the doorway, her brow furrowed. "He called you a slut."
Feng Qing'er nodded, her eyes placid, showing no emotion. "He spoke the truth."
Su Yunmo's heart sank. She suddenly regretted taking on this patient.
It seemed this illness would be difficult to treat today.
"What if I cursed her? What about you, why are you at my manor? Who let you in!" Han Jisi, hit on his bandaged nose by the silver ingot, yelped in pain.
She had hit him yesterday when he wasn't paying attention, and he hadn't settled the score yet, but she had come to his doorstep first!
"Guards, tie up this wretched girl and send her to the authorities! Accuse her of trespassing!"
The servants knew Su Yunmo's identity and quickly stepped forward. "Second Young Master, this is the person the Eldest Young Master invited. We cannot tie her up."
Han Jisi slapped them. "Nonsense! I have the final say in this house!"
"I wasn't aware that a concubine's son had any say in this household." Han Jitong strode in from outside, his expression grim.
"Brother..." Han Jisi's arrogant expression subsided, and his body instinctively flinched.
Han Jitong walked quickly up the steps and extended his hand to Feng Qing'er. "Why did you come out? You shouldn't be exposed to the wind."
Feng Qing'er took two steps back, evading his hand. "Thank you for your concern, Young Master. I am fine."
Han Jitong's hand froze, then slowly retracted. He said cautiously, "Don't be afraid. I know you don't like me touching you, so I won't."
Han Jisi watched them and couldn't help but exclaim, "Brother, do you have to be so protective of her? She's just a lowly woman from a brothel."
Han Jitong's gentle expression vanished instantly. He turned sharply to look at him, his eyes filled with a murderous glint.
Han Jisi was startled by his gaze and stumbled back two steps.
Su Yunmo stood with her arms crossed, scoffing, "Bullying the weak and fearing the strong."
Han Jisi, as if his tail had been stepped on, flushed and pointed at Feng Qing'er, shouting, "Am I wrong? Our Han manor is a prestigious family. How can we keep someone who has been ridden by a thousand men and straddled by ten thousand..."
*Slap!*
A loud slap echoed.
Han Jisi was sent sprawling to the ground, his newly set nasal bone broken again.
The servants were shocked and rushed forward to help him up.
Han Jisi, dazed by the blow, looked at the person who hit him in disbelief. "Brother, why..."
He had never hit him before. Now, he had struck him so hard for such a woman.
Han Jitong didn't even glance at him and said coldly, "Lock him back in his room. No one is to let him out without my order!"
"Why? I refuse! Brother!" Han Jisi struggled desperately.
The two servants obeyed and dragged him away, letting him thrash about.
The courtyard quieted down.
Han Jitong then turned his attention back to Feng Qing'er, his voice even more solicitous. "It was my fault for not keeping my family members in check. Please don't be angry."
Feng Qing'er shook her head. "Second Young Master is also a straightforward person. It's alright."
Su Yunmo frowned.
The young man's actions just now could hardly be described as 'straightforward'.
Han Jitong gestured Su Yunmo forward and introduced her. "This is the doctor I invited for you. Although she is young, her medical skills are excellent. I've asked, and she can definitely cure you."
Su Yunmo pouted, slightly disapproving of him deceiving the patient this way.
Feng Qing'er looked at Su Yunmo again, and after a moment, asked softly, "Isn't your medicine box heavy to carry like that?"
Su Yunmo's frown deepened.
Normally, a patient would focus on the doctor's ability and the possibility of being cured, not on whether the medicine box was heavy.
"Qing'er is so thoughtful. I had forgotten about that. Let's not stand here talking, let's go inside." Han Jitong intended to invite them into the house.
Su Yunmo shook her head and refused, looking directly at Feng Qing'er. "Before I treat you, there's something I must ask clearly. Do you wish to be cured?"
Han Jitong was taken aback. "What kind of question is that?"
Who wouldn't want to be cured?
Feng Qing'er was slightly stunned, surprised by her question, but she replied truthfully, "If it's possible, I hope this young lady doesn't have to trouble herself with me."
Han Jitong was aghast. "Qing'er!"
Su Yunmo had expected this answer. She picked up her medicine box and turned to leave. "Then if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Wait!" Han Jitong was flustered and hurried after her.
Su Yunmo was caught up by him as she neared the courtyard gate.
Han Jitong said urgently, "She refuses to be treated just like that? Perhaps she's just speaking in anger. You're practically a doctor yourself, how can you be so impatient?"
"It's not anger, it's her true feelings." Su Yunmo indeed felt the medicine box was a bit heavy and tried to lift it higher.
"When your brother called her a slut earlier, do you know how she replied?" Su Yunmo imitated Feng Qing'er's tone and recounted, "He spoke the truth."
Han Jitong's body stiffened abruptly, and he instinctively clenched his fists.
Su Yunmo looked up at him. "You should understand what I mean, right?"
When Feng Qing'er said that, she had been too calm. Anyone with a shred of spirit would not have accepted such insults so readily.
But Feng Qing'er had no intention of refuting. Deep down, she didn't accept herself.
To put it more deeply, she had no will to live.
"She has already sentenced herself to death. No doctor, no matter how good, can save her."