Chapter 981 - 983 Yao Yuxuan’s Intentions_1
Although the Yao Family aimed to snatch the fresh rice noodle soup business, Bai Ruozhu was still filled with curiosity about Mr. Yao, known as the peerless healer. Legend had it that in his youth, he could revive the dead and mend bare bones, even reattaching severed limbs for people—a mythological existence. Moreover, the severed limb he reattached was an entire arm, so Bai Ruozhu had always been curious how he achieved that without using the Suturing Technique.
Yao Yuxuan smiled, "Where is Madam’s Caladium Lily located?"
It looked like he was in urgent need of the Caladium Lily, Bai Ruozhu thought, but she had stored the Caladium Lily in her Space and couldn’t just take it out of nowhere. She simply said, "It’s at my home. How about we set a time and place to meet, and I will bring it to Mr. Yao later. As for the hefty reward, you can forgo it. I only ask that Mr. Yao helps treat a friend of mine one day, is that acceptable?"
Bai Ruozhu had originally wanted to request Yao Yuxuan to immediately treat Princess Diao Bin, as she was very eager to save Diao Bin. However, since they had just met and she didn’t know what sort of person Yao Yuxuan was, she dared not risk letting him see the princess.
Yao Yuxuan’s gaze upon Bai Ruozhu became somewhat cold, "Madam is also a healer, isn’t she? Why seek me out? I have not treated anyone for many years."
Bai Ruozhu hadn’t heard about this and was momentarily stunned, forcing a bitter smile, "If I could cure her myself, I wouldn’t bother others."
"What if I am powerless to help?" Yao Yuxuan asked.
"Do your best, that’s all. I won’t force someone to do the impossible," Bai Ruozhu said while continuously pondering the uses of the Caladium Lily. Yao Yuxuan really needed the Caladium Lily urgently.
"Alright, I agree," he said as he took out a token and passed it to Bai Ruozhu, "When you need me to treat your friend, bring this token to the Yao Family in Capital City. I should remain there for the next half year."
Bai Ruozhu accepted the token and took a glance at it, seeing the character "Yao" carved on the front and a small "Doctor" character on the back.
They agreed to meet at the Welcome Inn in the afternoon. Bai Ruozhu handed over a Caladium Lily to Yao Yuxuan, who then took his leave.
Bai Ruozhu also walked out, arm in arm with her mother, as the excited voice of a young waiter came from behind, "Shopkeeper, I just saw the peerless healer Yao Yuxuan! It’s true, I even saw his Yao Doctor token!"
The shopkeeper came out and saw no one, thinking the waiter was mistaken. After asking what had happened, he slapped the waiter’s head, "The Divine Doctor Yao came to our shop and didn’t buy any medicine, and you still have the nerve to shout about it? Settle down!"
The waiter shrank his neck, thinking how did he forget about this in his excitement?
Bai Ruozhu continued shopping with her mother. When there were fewer people around, Lin Ping’er cautiously asked in a low voice, "Do you want him to check on the princess?"
"Yes, but I’m not clear about his character. Let’s wait a while longer, at least until Diao Bin’s safety is assured," Bai Ruozhu whispered back.
Lin Ping’er nodded, "You’re doing the right thing. She did save your second brother, after all. We owe her that much."
Bai Ruozhu hummed a response and said no more. She felt the same way. Simply because Princess Diao Bin had not made any excessive demands out of gratitude, Bai wanted to do her best to help the girl.
If it had been a petulant princess, she might have already caused a commotion with the Emperor, maybe even demanding Bai to abdicate her position so that Jiang Yichun could be given to her as compensation.
The mother and daughter casually strolled for a while longer when Jianqi came over and whispered to Bai Ruozhu, "Master, I just received a message from the Commerce Association. Yao Yuxuan inquired about your information. The Commerce Association has informed him of the basics. Additionally, he asked about Prince Duan’s whereabouts, and the Association is considering whether to inform Mr. Jiang due to the involvement of court affairs."
Bai Ruozhu was stunned. It was normal for Yao Yuxuan to check on her, after all; suddenly a stranger offering him a Caladium Lily and asking him to treat an unknown person would naturally raise anyone’s guard.
But what could his reason be for looking for Prince Duan? Could he be planning to seek refuge with Prince Duan? Yet, he had just mentioned that he would stay in the Capital thereafter. Or maybe he sought the Caladium Lily to save Prince Duan or someone close to the prince?
If it’s related to Prince Duan, then she must not give him the Caladium Lily!
If Yao Yuxuan had any ties with Prince Duan, she would never dare let him treat Princess Diao Bin.
"Is it possible to find out his true intentions?" Bai Ruozhu asked gravely.
"We’re still investigating; the Commerce Association will send us a message once there’s any news." Bai Ruozhu nodded, feeling a bit conflicted about the matter and lost the desire to continue shopping. After all, there would be more opportunities to shop once in the Capital City.
After returning home, Bai Ruozhu wanted to discuss the matter with Jiang Yichun, but he was staying at the Northwest Main Camp for the next couple of days to make arrangements before heading to the Capital with them. After some thought, she called Chénfēng over to deliver a few instructions, asking him to inform Jiang Yichun of the situation so he would be aware.
After lunch, Bai Ruozhu lulled Dengdeng to sleep and then took out the Caladium Lily from her Space and wrapped it up, preparing to meet with Yao Yuxuan at the agreed time.
She intended to get to the bottom of things—if he truly had connections with Prince Duan, she absolutely couldn’t give him the medicine.
With that in mind, Bai Ruozhu took Jianqi and Muyu with her, and also arranged for ten dark guards to hide and protect them from the shadows.
Upon arriving at Yingkelai, she immediately requested a private room for tea, and soon after, footsteps approached and Yao Yuxuan was led into the room by the Waiter.
If not for the signs of age that time had etched at the corners of his eyes, one might mistake him for a young and graceful gentleman based solely on his figure.
Yao Yuxuan greeted Bai Ruozhu, "Madam Jiang, thank you for your trouble."
Bai Ruozhu thought it amusing that he had gone to the Commerce Association to investigate her identity. She couldn’t help but let a slight smile lift the corners of her mouth, "Please have a seat, Mr. Yao."
Yao Yuxuan sat upright and looked toward Bai Ruozhu, "Madam Jiang perhaps still has concerns and does not wish to give the Caladium Lily to me so readily, does she?"
Just by looking at her posture and attitude, he knew she was indeed as intelligent as rumors suggested.
"May I ask, Mr. Yao, what brings you to Beiyu City? Do you have some purpose here?" Bai Ruozhu stared into his eyes, asking unabashedly.
Yao Yuxuan was taken aback, the woman before him was about the same age as his niece. She appeared to be just a child, yet she possessed such a sharp gaze and presence, making him feel even older.
"A personal matter, it could be said I’m here to settle a personal grudge. I, Yao Yuxuan, dislike meddling in the worldly matters of gratitude and grievances. The affairs of the Yao Family are of no concern to me, and so too are the matters of the court; however, my reputation is not something that others can sully so easily." Yao Yuxuan’s presence surged with the last words, a cold intent flickering in his eyes.
Muyu rushed nervously to Bai Ruozhu’s side, sensing a hint of murderous intent.
Yao Yuxuan reined in his aura, smiling as he said, "No need to worry, these matters do not concern Madam Jiang. Besides, you are someone she favors, why would I harm you in the slightest?"
The last sentence was spoken in a whisper, so faint it was almost inaudible. Had Bai Ruozhu not possessed exceptional hearing, she would not have been able to catch it clearly.