Chapter 286: The Young Miss
Hui managed to escape to his feet and yanked free of Aunty Wen. Adjusting the hems of his robes, he walked on his own. So, Madam I understand the Young Miss needs some help?
Oh, just call me Aunty Wen like everyone else, she said, slapping him hard on the shoulder. She drew back her hand and gripped it, a pained expression on her face.
A second too late, Hui flinched. Ow!
Aunty Wen frowned at him, still gripping her hand.
Shit, blending in with mortals is too hard! Hui laughed lightly and rubbed the back of his head.
What kind of doctor are you? Aunty Wen asked conversationally.
I mostly work with internal energy blockages, balancing, that kind of thing, Hui explained. Er, wait. Should I instead claim to work with physical injuries? I dont think diseases can be cured with life qi, but physical injuries should go away, more or less. Besides, Im not even sure mortals know about internal energy Hui peeked at Aunty Wen with his third eye, and saw a dim but shimmering constellation inside her, so dim his eyes could barely make it out, but present nonetheless. Everyone in this world has internal energy, and anyone can get a blockage, but its less of a problem for mortals compared to cultivators. Such injuries must be rare, right? He coughed into his fist and glanced at Aunty Wen. And, uh, broken bones and stuff.
I really need to get my spiel down that was a mess.
Qi blockages? Good, good. The Young Miss has had some sort of stagnation for a month now. We hoped it would go away, but with the banquet coming up, we were worried wed simply have to cover it up as best we could. Lord Fu is an immortal, but even he couldnt fix it ah, but he isnt a physician, so hes unsuited to it. Aunty Wen nodded to herself.
Hui startled. He lifted his head and stared at the grand mansion before them. Lord Fu is a cultivator?
Aunty Wen nodded, frowning at Hui. Have you never heard of the Fu Clan?
Hui paused, then bowed quickly. Madam Wen, please forgive me! Im but a mortal with some small comprehension of qi, please overlook my inadequacies!
Aunty Wen laughed and waved her hand. Youre a traveler, no? Youve come from afar. Naturally, you wouldnt have heard of Lord Fu and the Fu Clan.
Here I thought it was a village of mortals but it turns out it was a clan! Hui looked at Aunty Wen. How many disciples does the clan have? What are their levels?
Mmm? Ah should be four, now that the youngest is old enough to start practicing. As for their level Im not sure I understand. All immortals are superhumanly powerful to me.
Four disciples? What a tiny clan! No, does it even count as a clan? Isnt that simply a rogue cultivator and his four personal disciples? Hui looked around, taking in the mortal village around the grand manor, the mud huts and thatched roofs, and sighed. I suppose I cant expect much from a place like this.
Well, thats perfect. Ill be able to prod the Fu Clan for information on Starbound and All-Heavens Sect. Even if they suspect something, who would listen to a clan so tiny it only has four disciples?
And the banquet? Hui asked, smiling.
Aunty Wen nodded. As they approached the red gates to the manor, she leaned in. A rich young immortal is looking for a partner! From what I understand, hes incredibly handsome, too. Hes invited all the sects and clans around the area to a banquet supposedly to celebrate his locating some artifact, but everyone knows its to find a Daoist partner a wife!
Oh. I understand. A scum, Hui thought, nodding.
Wait, when Ying Lin asked to be pretty was she aiming at that rich young immortal, too? Ying Lin, youre too young! Savor your youth! As I thought, I absolutely need to turn down that request of hers. I wont aid and abet such immorality!
He cleared his throat and glanced sidelong at Aunty Wen. May this lowly servant request that illustrious young immortals name?
Naturally. Hes known as
The doors to the manor slammed open, cutting off Aunty Wens whisper. A young lady of about eighteen years stormed out, hair streaming behind her, her face the picture of indignation. Cherubic cheeks and cupids-bow lips pouted at them, and dark eyes narrowed. Long hair flew with the wind, as malleable and shiny as silk. She wore a short pink gown that barely hid fine curves and a small waist. She looked down on Aunty Wen and Hui, eyes scouring over their figures. When she failed to find something, her pout turned into a scowl.
Even with the pout six points. Tang Fei is far cuter, Hui thought quietly. Well, she is only a mortal, after all.
Wait is she? He cautiously extended his mental energy, careful to stay far enough away that she wouldnt be able to sense him. Slowly he drew closer, until at last, he sensed her cultivation. Second stage? He suppressed his cultivation just in case, but wasnt too worried. Theres no way shell be able to sense anything wrong. With her cultivation that low, shes basically a mortal, compared to me.
Aunty Wen, the seeds, she demanded, sticking out a hand.
Aunty Wen patted her waist down, searching for the pouch, then laughed. My apologies, Young Miss. I must have left them with Ying Lin.
Fu Liyu scowled. Cant even complete a task like that correctly? Worthless. I dont even know why Father keeps you around! If it were me She let the threat hang on the air and turned away, harrumphing.
Forgive me, Young Miss. Ill be back with them in a moment, Aunty Wen promised.
Too slow! Ill starve by then. Ugh, peasants, honestly.
Five points. I dont like spoiled brats, Hui decided immediately. Complaining about nothing, surrounded by loving parents, doted on with toys and presents and good food and what did I have? Yep, its decided. Brats are the worst.
Aunty Wens face turned an ugly shade of red, but she still forced a smile. Ill be right back. Young Miss, this esteemed sir is a doctor. He heard about your condition and suggested that he might be able to help.
Eh, when did I do that? Hui wondered, narrowing his eyes at Aunty Wens back.
What did Father say? Fu Liyu asked, looking down on Aunty Wen.
I did not tell your father, as Young Miss requested, Aunty Wen replied, bowing.
Fu Liyu harrumphed, then turned and nodded at Hui. Follow me.
Hui looked at her, then hesitated. Young Miss, though I am a doctor, to allow a man you dont know to enter your room alone with you
Who said we were going to my room? Or going alone? Fu Liyu asked, narrowing her eyes.
Hui bowed deeply. My apologies. This lowly servant assumed. Good! I dont want to be alone with this girl. Who knows what kinds of twisted schemes shed cook up? I dont need to be involved in the politics of such a pitiful clan!
Besides Ill warn you. I am an immortal. If you make one wrong move She turned and punched the gate.
Bam! A dent the size of her fist appeared in the stone. Stone dust clouded the air.
Fu Liyu turned and looked at Hui.
He shivered, eyes wide. Ill keep that in mind, Young Miss. Punching a gate? How impressive! It cant even move. Ha, if I punched a gate wait, no. Dont compete with the second-stage cultivator, Hui! How ridiculous.
Hmph! A glint of satisfaction showed in her eyes as she turned and walked off.
Aunty Wen shivered. Young Miss, the gate your father
Father wont mind. Send some servants with plaster and paint, itll be as good as new in no time, she said, waving her hand.
Aunty Wen hung her head pitifully. Hui gave her a commiserative look. She really is a brat, isnt she?