Chapter Thirty-Seven: Only Virtue Exudes True Fragrance

Qin Xiaomo feigned impatience.
“I’m giving you one last chance. Don’t waste my time.” Since she had chosen to intimidate him, she decided to go all the way, snapping another mop stick in half.
“Others may not know what illness the Young Master of the Valley has, but I do!” The little mustached man wore a look of smugness, as if he were privy to some great secret. He paused, then continued, “He’s been poisoned.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Think about it—numb lips, bruises all over the body. These symptoms clearly come from within. Either the meridians are damaged, or something is traveling through the bloodstream. What else could it be? It has to be poison.” The little mustached man looked contemplative.
“And how do you think it should be treated?” Qin Xiaomo, sharp as ever, asked with a hint of curiosity.
“Obviously, you have to check everything he’s ingested. First, make him drink lots of water.”
Qin Xiaomo found herself reevaluating the mustached man. She had thought he was good for nothing but bluffing and trickery, but it turned out he had some real skill. So she asked, “Since you know all this, why don’t you treat the Young Master yourself and claim the reward? Why give the chance to me?”
“I… I was just about to, but then I ran into you.” The little mustached man put on a look of resigned misfortune.
“So that’s my fault now?” Qin Xiaomo raised an eyebrow.
“Not at all, not at all. Please, miss, spare my life.”
Qin Xiaomo thought to herself: This is an opportunity not to be missed. Coming from a modern, technologically advanced world, she could handle minor ailments at least. Plus, she’d studied culinary medicine at the Five Star Restaurant—if food therapy was needed, she could manage. If all else failed, she could bring the mustached man along for advice.
“Alright, I, Qin Xiaomo, am not a petty person. Here’s the deal: you’ll come with me into the manor and help treat the Young Master. Once he’s cured, you’ll be free to go. How’s that?” Qin Xiaomo knew she had to keep a trump card. If the man ran off, it would only bring her more trouble—or worse, he might sabotage things at a critical moment. Keeping him as a hostage meant his fate was tied to hers; he wouldn’t dare try anything.
The mustached man hesitated, clearly aware he was being taken as a hostage. He didn’t quite trust Qin Xiaomo’s medical skills—what if she failed and he lost his own life too?
“What are you thinking about? Hurry up and agree,” said the red birthmark, giving him a shove. The mustached man landed hard on the ground, grumbling, “How can you force people like this?”
“Fine, I won’t force you. Stay or go—it’s your choice,” Qin Xiaomo said generously.

“That’s your word, right? No take-backs…” The mustached man retreated several steps as he spoke, then spun around to run. Qin Xiaomo shot a glance at Leng Mian, who leapt forward and knocked the man out with a single chop to the neck. Red Birthmark tied him up and slung him over his shoulder as they left the alley with Qin Xiaomo.
Back at the carriage, Jiang Wei stood outside, cradling the sleeping white bundle and scanning the surroundings.
Qin Xiaomo approached and lifted the curtain; the carriage was empty. “Jiang Wei, why are you alone? Where’s Qian Mubai?”
“The Young Master was called away by Young Master Wen Yao. They said they had urgent matters to discuss and would return soon. He told me to stay and look after you, Young Mistress.” As Jiang Wei finished speaking, the white bundle woke up, whimpering like a puppy and reaching for Qin Xiaomo to be held.
Qin Xiaomo picked it up with affection. The moment she did, she realized it had gained at least five pounds. She bounced it gently and said, “You’ve gotten fat, you know that?” The white bundle pursed its lips, looking like it might cry at any moment.
There was no helping it—her spirit pet, spoiled as ever—she had to give in. She quickly soothed it, “Alright, alright, I like you even if you’re chubby. Good boy!” She shook her head in resignation, confirming that this cub was now too heavy for her to carry.
At the inn.
“What’s going on! Hey! What is this? You promised to let me go, but now you’re breaking your word. This is banditry!” Half an hour later, the mustached man was woken with a splash of water by Leng Mian and kept shouting.
“Enough! Stop shouting! Miss Qin has gone to the Valley Master’s manor; just stay here quietly. Once things are done, you’ll be released.” Leng Mian, left to watch him by Red Birthmark, was instructed not to mistreat the prisoner. Honest as he was, he kept offering the mustached man sips of water and bites of food, and even told him stories when he was bored.
“More rice! Give me another bite!” The mustached man pouted, gesturing with his chin at the plate of fried rice, not bothering with courtesy since he was tied up so tightly.
“Alright! Coming!”
At the gates of the Golden Valley Manor.
Qin Xiaomo looked up at the towering red doors adorned with golden rivets. Above them hung a plaque inscribed with four large characters: Virtue and Kindness. If she didn’t know the old Valley Master’s true character, she might have thought him a truly virtuous man.
Qin Xiaomo patted Red Birthmark and whispered, “Go, knock on the door. Announce my name as loudly as you can—make a scene.”
“At once!” Red Birthmark grinned; this was his specialty.
He banged the copper knocker shaped like a taotie beast, shouting at the top of his lungs, “Open up! The Seer of Mirror Void City, Lady Qin, has come to treat the Young Master of the Valley!”
Jiang Wei whispered to Qin Xiaomo, “Young Mistress, why are we making such a scene?”
Qin Xiaomo covered her mouth and replied quietly, “That old Valley Master is ruthless. If anything goes wrong, making a show of entering will make them think twice about harming me, since I’m the Seer.”
“Ah, you’re truly thoughtful, Young Mistress.” Jiang Wei said aloud, though inwardly he thought: The Emperor ordered me to stay behind precisely to protect her. If the old Valley Master dares lay a finger on her, the Emperor will raze the entire Golden Valley to the ground.
The manor gates creaked open a crack, and a haughty attendant poked his head out, sizing up Qin Xiaomo and her companions for a long moment before saying, “Wait here!” With that, the doors slammed shut.
“What ill-mannered servants,” Red Birthmark muttered, about to bang the door again, but Qin Xiaomo pulled him back. “Wait a moment.”
After a while, the double doors swung open with a loud clang, and out strode a man in a peacock-blue robe embroidered with golden qilin, a belt set with three pigeon-egg-sized rubies, four gold rings inlaid with gems on his fingers, and a gilded folding fan in hand.
Qin Xiaomo thought, This family must have a gold mine. Compared to him, Xu Qinxian was graceful and refined, nothing like the daughter of such a man.
The old Valley Master, Xu Youqian, wore the face of a nouveau riche, but tried to greet Qin Xiaomo with humility. “I did not know the esteemed Seer was coming, and failed to greet you properly—please forgive me. My son’s illness has me deeply worried. If I have been remiss, I beg your understanding.”
“No need for such courtesy, Valley Master. I am here to treat the Young Master and nothing else. For his sake, let us not delay. Please, lead the way so I may examine him.” Qin Xiaomo replied politely as well, knowing that the Young Master’s illness could not wait. If he wasn’t cured, the matter of the Immortal Spring would be ruined.
“You are truly virtuous, Seer; my son is fortunate indeed. However…” The old Valley Master hesitated.
“If you have something to say, please speak plainly.”
“Then I shall be frank. Your abilities are well known throughout the three counties, Seer, but you are not a physician. This matter of treating the sick and saving lives…”
“Oh, you need not worry, Valley Master. Since I dared to enter your gates, I naturally have a way.” Qin Xiaomo replied confidently.
One must always speak boldly; otherwise, how could she convince him to let her treat the patient?