Chapter 2
The next day, Song Qingchao woke with a start. She sat up abruptly, her hands gripping the snow-white, thick bedding. The weather was already quite cool. She blinked, then looked down at her slightly unbuttoned collar. It was then she remembered. Bai You'an had visited last night, and then she had lost consciousness. He had apparently said the prescription was ready and would be administered to the temple residents first today. Oh, the prescription was ready… She ran a hand through her hair, then groggily got out of bed to tidy up. If the large-scale use of the medicine had no other adverse reactions, she planned to cooperate with the Lin family to send the medicine to the county town. After stretching, she went out. She visited every designated spot and found everyone wearing smiles. The temple, silent for over half a month, was finally alive with energy again. She didn’t look for Bai You’an. Instead, she led Zhou Zhengxi and pulled a cart to the back mountain. She had asked Lin Tingwan for a prescription before setting off, under the guise of collecting medicinal herbs left behind by the Medical Ghost. Of course, she had informed Lin Tingwan beforehand. There were still some medicinal materials in her spatial dimension that hadn't been taken out. She used this opportunity to move them all. While she had emptied it, she wanted to keep some other wound medicines, chilblain ointments, and precious herbs. After all, they were acquired through money, and she wasn't running a charity. Rebellion would require a steady stream of silver in the future… By the time they had finished moving the medicinal materials and returned to the temple, it was already evening. Song Qingchao hadn’t expected Bai You’an to be waiting for her at the courtyard entrance. She waved for Zhou Zhengxi to go about his business, then asked Bai You’an, “Are you done?” Bai You’an lazily grunted, then stood up, supporting his neck, and walked towards her. “Are you finished?” Song Qingchao awkwardly grunted. “If I hadn’t come to find you, would you have run off again?” Song Qingchao grunted again, her eyelashes drooping uncomfortably. Bai You’an chuckled softly, a hint of hoarseness in his voice, “Miss Song is truly heartless.” Song Qingchao wanted to retort but ultimately closed her mouth. The more she said, the more she’d be in the wrong, so it was better to say nothing. Bai You’an stooped slightly, looking up at her, his long eyelashes fluttering. “You don’t have it, but I do.” With that, her hand was pulled away. Song Qingchao stared, her eyes fixed on the hand that was held, “Hand… Hand!” Bai You’an grunted, “I know.” He didn’t let go; instead, he tightened his grip and pulled her towards the small garden in the backyard. “I made beggar’s chicken. If you want to eat it, I’ll let go.” Song Qingchao, who had been about to pull her hand away, hesitated… Although, she really wanted to eat it. So, she obediently followed Bai You’an. She found her own justification: this was a freebie, so she should extend it. While gnawing on the fragrant chicken, she listened to Bai You’an’s report. “You mean adding my cart of herbs isn’t enough?” Bai You’an handed her a chicken leg. “Yes, with the existing amount and what you brought back today, it’s only enough for the people in the temple.” “Ah, then what should we do…” Song Qingchao was truly helpless. She had no more in her spatial dimension. Bai You’an, however, remained composed. “It’s fine, I have some. It will just require General Chang’s assistance to open the gate.” “Delivered from outside?” “Yes, the day I left, I went to the neighboring county to order medicinal herbs. Judging by the timing, they should have arrived.” Song Qingchao immediately brightened. “Then I’ll go tomorrow!” The next day, Song Qingchao, riding in a carriage with Zhou Zhengxi, prepared to go to the city gate to find Chang Pinghe. She was intercepted by Bai You’an again. Song Qingchao, seeing him leaning against the doorframe, couldn’t help but chuckle. “You again? What do you want today?” “Hmm… Nothing much.” Bai You’an languidly stood up, took Song Qingchao’s hand, and said, “I have something to ask of you.” “What is it?” Song Qingchao raised an eyebrow in surprise, then looked down at the paper placed in her palm. “Help me give this to Ying Zhong.” He leaned in, his long, narrow eyes lifting. “Will you?” Song Qingchao leaned back slightly, withdrew her hand, and held the note between two fingers. “What will Mr. Bai trade with me for?” Bai You’an paused, then smiled. “What does Miss Song want?” “What do I want…” Song Qingchao let her voice trail off, walked past him, and whispered in his ear, “White grilled chicken, plus two cups of wine.” Song Qingchao didn’t look back, but the low laughter behind her made her lips curl upwards. The note in her arms felt warm, like it was warming her somewhat frozen body, especially her fingertips, which felt the hottest. The weather was truly getting cold now. She took Zhou Zhengxi’s arm and got into the carriage. As they passed the temple entrance, she noticed it was bustling again. The pastry Song Qingchao held in her hand immediately crumbled. Could it be the Chang family again… They were truly persistent. “Zhengxi, go take a look.” She popped the pastry into her mouth and then lowered her head to tidy up the crumbs. Soon, Zhou Zhengxi returned. “Master, it’s a group of residents. They say they have no money and have come to seek refuge.” “Alright, let’s go.” As she passed by, Song Qingchao lifted the curtain and took a look. These people were burly and stout, with bulging bellies; they didn’t look like they were struggling to survive. But she merely smiled, then let down the curtain. At any rate, with Bai You’an at the temple, she felt at ease.