After about half an hour, they saw three thatched cottages connected together, with a small courtyard in front, filled with an array of unknown green herbs, some blooming with red flowers, others with yellow, creating a vibrant display. A bamboo fence surrounded the courtyard, and beyond it, a bamboo building stood, with a small sign hanging on the upper level that read “Medicine King’s Residence.” Before they even entered, a tender voice called out, “Who are you? What are you doing here?” Shang Bieye looked at the speaker, a girl in simple purple attire, standing in the courtyard. “Hello, miss, we are here to see the Medicine King. Is he at the Medicine King’s Residence?” Shang Bieye asked earnestly. The girl in the purple cloth looked at Shang Bieye for a moment before saying, “The Medicine King isn’t in the Medicine King’s Residence right now.” Hearing this, Shang Bieye and Wu Yangfeng exchanged glances. “Will he be back soon?” Shang Bieye asked politely. The girl in purple didn’t answer his question but instead scrutinized him. “Who are you?” Shang Bieye, though anxious, replied courteously, “I am Shang Bieye.” “Shang Bieye from Shang Hehang?” The girl raised an eyebrow to confirm. “Yes.” “Who’s sick?” “It’s my wife.” The girl on her tiptoes looked over Shang Bieye’s shoulder at the person he was carrying. “Is it her?” “Yes.” Shang Bieye nodded. After examining Yan Xinmeng, the girl turned her attention to Wu Yangfeng, a flash of cunning in her eyes. After a long pause, she spoke, “And you, what is your name?” “I am Wu Yangfeng of the Wu family,” Wu Yangfeng clearly stated his identity. “What are you here for?” “I am here to accompany my good friend.” “I see!” This girl was strange, asking all sorts of questions without revealing her identity or purpose. Shang Bieye and Wu Yangfeng exchanged puzzled looks. The girl lowered her head as if pondering, then looked up and said, “Come in first!” “Thank you, miss,” Shang Bieye said, carrying Yan Xinmeng into the Medicine King’s Residence.
As Wu Yangfeng stepped into the Medicine King’s Residence, the girl suddenly blocked his path. “You can’t come in yet.” “Why?” Wu Yangfeng raised an eyebrow. “The smell of medicine on you is too strong,” the girl smiled and pointed to the thatched cottage on the side, “Go there to wash off the scent. You’ll know what to use when you get there.” Wu Yangfeng looked at her with some displeasure, but she dismissed his irritation with a glance, showing no regard for his anger. He had never realized that the medicinal smell on him could be “too strong.” Normally, he would have walked away in a huff, but today, for the sake of saving someone, Wu Yangfeng said nothing, gave the girl a deep look, and silently turned to the other cottage.
