◎Earning Money, Giving Gifts, and Curing Ailments◎
The medicinal pills were formulated with mild, nourishing herbs suitable for most women. Except for those with extremely rare constitutions, the medicine could generally be consumed.
Lu Jianwei, ever cautious, left room for exceptions. "Different people have different constitutions and conditions. While the Jade Beauty Pill suits Madam Fan, it may not suit everyone."
"Ah, so it's called the Jade Beauty Pill—how fitting!" Fan Mian laughed. "That's simple enough. I'll bring the others for you to examine, as long as you don’t mind the disturbance."
Lu Jianwei pondered briefly before replying, "From the start of the Si hour to its end tomorrow, you may bring them. If more come later, this will be the designated time daily—no exceptions."
"That’s perfect!" Fan Mian clapped her hands cheerfully. "Innkeeper Lu, thank you so much!"
Lu Jianwei stated frankly, "However, the ingredients for this medicine aren’t cheap."
"No matter, no matter! Where else could we find such a wonderful remedy? It’s only right that it’s expensive." Fan Mian replied briskly. "Innkeeper Lu, it’s settled then. I’ll go inform the others right away—they’ll be overjoyed."
With that, she strode out of the inn with decisive energy.
Xue Guanhe: "…"
Not a single word for him?
Lu Jianwei collected the money box—three thousand taels in total. Each bottle contained ten pills, meaning a single pill cost a staggering three hundred taels.
The herbs for ten pills, however, had only cost a few dozen taels.
Indeed, mastery of a skill was the key to wealth.
The next day, Fan Mian returned with four sisters in tow.
Aware that Lu Jianwei was a martial artist of unfathomable depth, none dared to offend her. Though they were usually dignified matriarchs of their households, they tread carefully in her presence.
Had it not been for Xue Guanhe being Lu Jianwei’s disciple—a connection that fostered goodwill—they would never have dared to come for treatment.
Fan Mian said, "Innkeeper Lu, some of my sisters suffer from ailments they’re reluctant to see a physician about. Could you perhaps relieve their troubles?"
In these times, female physicians were rare, and certain conditions were too embarrassing to disclose to male doctors, leaving many to endure in silence.
Lu Jianwei naturally had no reason to refuse.
Though she possessed the invaluable Human Body Model, it couldn’t simulate the countless subtle variations of ailments.
Fan Mian and these women provided her with invaluable experience, greatly advancing her medical expertise.
The four were quickly diagnosed—none had serious conditions. Their minor ailments were largely similar to Fan Mian’s, with only slight variations due to individual constitutions.
Lu Jianwei adjusted the dosages accordingly and informed them that each bottle would cost three thousand taels, ready for collection in three days.
After taking the medicine, their ailments vanished, and their complexions glowed, making them appear years younger.
Word of the Jade Beauty Pill spread swiftly among Moonview City’s wealthy ladies.
More and more affluent women sought Lu Jianwei’s treatment, and her medical records grew thicker.
Nearly thirty bottles were sold, netting close to ninety thousand taels—her personal assets now totaled a staggering one hundred and thirty thousand!
She was inching closer to the wealth-amassing prowess of the Divine Physician Valley.
As the bitter cold gripped the land, the roads outside Moonview City lay deserted, and no new guests arrived at the inn. Lu Jianwei, Xue Guanhe, and Yan Feicang settled into a disciplined yet fulfilling routine.
Training, treating patients.
Training, cooking.
Training, chopping firewood.
This continued until the year’s end, with the Lunar New Year approaching.
Through relentless practice, Lu Jianwei’s martial skills had improved dramatically. The first three forms of "Timeless Flow" were now executed with flawless mastery, and she had begun grasping the threshold of the fourth.
The first two forms of "Frost-Cleaving Saber Art" came effortlessly, while the essence of the third had been internalized—a little more practice, and it would be fully mastered.
The first three forms of "Starlight Swordplay" were wielded with ease, though the fourth still needed refinement.
"Spring and Autumn Medicinal Canon" remained at the "Beginner" stage, proving a tough study. Yet, with the aid of other medical texts and her growing clinical experience, her understanding of medicine deepened.
Two days before New Year’s Eve, Fan Mian arrived, sincerely inviting Lu Jianwei and Yan Feicang to celebrate the festival at the Xue residence. Both declined.
Lu Jianwei was accustomed to spending New Year’s alone and didn’t wish to intrude on a family gathering.
Yan Feicang, on the other hand, simply couldn’t be bothered. He’d rather spend the time honing his blade skills.
Ever since Lu Jianwei had offered him pointers, his saber techniques had advanced rapidly, his movements now bordering on transcendent.
Enraptured by this newfound prowess, he had no patience for distractions.
Xue Guanhe suggested, "What if I stay behind to celebrate with you, Innkeeper, and Great Knight Yan?"
"Go home," Lu Jianwei said with a smile. "You have three days off—but don’t slack in your training."
Xue Guanhe frowned. "But who will prepare your New Year’s feast?"
Lu Jianwei waved a hand. "I’ll manage something simple."
"But—"
"No buts." Lu Jianwei teased. "Keep arguing, and your New Year’s gift might just disappear."
"There’s a gift?!" Xue Guanhe’s eyes lit up instantly.
Lu Jianwei ascended the stairs and returned with an elongated case. Its antique design and deep hue marked it as extraordinary.
"You’ve shown remarkable talent and diligence in saber techniques. This blade is my gift to you. Treasure it as you would a companion."
Xue Guanhe stood frozen, his eyes reddening as tears welled up. His throat tightened, rendering him speechless.
"That day, during your dispute with Wen Nai, I knew it wasn’t malice that drove you. You feared I’d leave for Jiangzhou without you, didn’t you?"
"I—" Xue Guanhe dropped to his knees, tears streaming. "I’m sorry, Innkeeper. I was wrong to think that way."
Lu Jianwei spoke gently, "And when you saw me gift Yue a fine sword, you felt even more hurt and left out, didn’t you?"
"I was too greedy. You’ve already given me so much—more than any of my past masters ever did. I’m truly grateful." His words were heartfelt.
His actions in the following days had matched his words, and Lu Jianwei knew he spoke sincerely.
Her silence that day hadn’t just been to spare his pride in front of others—it had also been a test.
"To master martial arts, one needs both talent and resolve," Lu Jianwei said warmly. "You possess the former, and you’ve proven your ability to temper your emotions and correct your attitude. I’ve seen it all."
Xue Guanhe wept harder, overwhelmed by remorse and gratitude.
Fan Mian, watching nearby, also teared up, her heart brimming with appreciation for Lu Jianwei.
"I’ve never taken a disciple before. You’re the first. If I’ve been lacking in my guidance—"
"Master!" Xue Guanhe wiped his tears and shouted, "You’re the greatest master in the world!"
Lu Jianwei: "…"
Though the praise made her inwardly cringe, the priceless saber she’d bought from the system had been worth it.
"Open it," she said, handing him the case.
Xue Guanhe rose, carefully placed the case on the table, and lifted the lid. A cold gleam burst forth, nearly blinding him.
"What a blade!"
Yan Feicang, drawn by the exclamation, stared transfixed.
A true connoisseur of blades, he hadn’t been overly moved by the earlier sword praised by others. But this saber? It could only be described as a divine weapon!
Even Xue Guanhe, untrained in appraisal, could tell this blade surpassed Yan Feicang’s "Tidal Fury"—far surpassed it.
This was a treasure beyond price!
His hands trembled uncontrollably.
Lu Jianwei was quite satisfied—she had spent a long time making her selection.
There was only one "Frost-Curling Blade," and to find a sword that could maximize the potential of the Frost-Curling Blade technique, she had meticulously examined nearly every remaining blade in the marketplace.
In the end, she settled on this one, priced at a hundred taels of silver.
It had to be said, the system’s pricing for such items was far, far cheaper than the real-world martial arts community.
In terms of craftsmanship alone, this blade wasn’t superior to that five-tael sword, but consumer demand sometimes dictated pricing.
A sword wasn’t suitable for her needs—it wasn’t essential. But a blade was.
In other words, it was the difference between haute couture and ready-to-wear.
"Master, are you really giving this blade to me?" Xue Guanhe still couldn’t believe it. "A treasure like this—wouldn’t it be wasted on me?"
Lu Jianwei replied, "Before this, you practiced with tree branches. You haven’t yet grasped the true essence of a blade. Only with a real sword in hand can you truly understand the meaning of sword intent. Are you sure you don’t want it?"
Xue Guanhe flushed red and fell silent.
He had long dreamed of owning his own blade—nothing too extravagant, just a proper sword would do.
Now, not only had that dream come true, it had far exceeded his expectations. How could he not want it?
He was only afraid his lack of skill would disgrace such a fine weapon.
"If you don’t want it, I’ll take it," Yan Feicang suddenly interjected, his eyes glued to the blade.
Xue Guanhe immediately snapped the case shut, shielding it like a protective cub.
"I want it! I want it!"
Yan Feicang looked on enviously. "Innkeeper Lu, are you still taking disciples?"
Lu Jianwei: "..."
"No," she refused flatly.
Yan Feicang’s shoulders slumped instantly. Crestfallen, he trudged out the door.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Xue Guanhe hugged the sword case gleefully as he returned home. When Master Xue learned of it, he was equally overjoyed and discussed with Fan Mian what gifts they should send Lu Jianwei after the New Year.
But no amount of money could compare to the value of this blade.
On New Year’s Eve, Lu Jianwei had a quick breakfast and barely started her training when the courtyard gate was knocked upon.
"Innkeeper, it’s me!" Xue Guanhe’s clear voice rang out.
Lu Jianwei gestured for Yan Feicang to open the door.
"What are you doing here?"
Xue Guanhe carried a large bundle of vegetables and meat, grinning. "I didn’t cook for you yesterday, and it’s been eating at me all day. So I thought I’d come make you a New Year’s feast. I’ll leave right after—won’t take up too much of your time."
"Go ahead, then." Lu Jianwei didn’t refuse his kindness.
Young people were so full of energy.
"Got it!"
Yan Feicang, who had been chopping firewood, set down his blade and retreated far away—better to avoid the sight and spare himself the envy.
Soon, the sounds of washing and chopping came from the kitchen. After practicing his blade techniques, Xue Guanhe’s knife skills in cooking had improved remarkably, his control over strength and speed now effortless.
This sense of achievement was something he had never experienced in his first decade of life.
He prepared ten dishes, symbolizing "perfection in all things," and wrapped plenty of dumplings—enough to last Lu Jianwei and Yan Feicang two days.
By the time he finished, it was already mid-afternoon.
"Innkeeper, Brother Yan, eat early and rest well. I’ll head back now." Xue Guanhe wiped the sweat from his neck with a cloth.
Lu Jianwei nodded with a smile. "Be careful on the road."
She watched as Xue Guanhe rode off into the distance before closing the courtyard gate and returning to the main hall. Inside, the warmth of the stove enveloped the room, almost stifling.
Neither she nor Yan Feicang feared the cold—the stove was merely to keep the food from cooling too quickly.
"Let’s eat," she said.
Yan Feicang dug in without a word.
Neither of them was particularly talkative, and their interests rarely aligned. When others were around, the atmosphere was lively, but with just the two of them, the room felt as chilly as the winter winds outside.
Fortunately, neither was prone to awkwardness, and they each savored the last meal of the year in comfortable silence.
Compared to the bustling city, the Eight Directions Inn was like an isolated island, quiet and still.
After the New Year’s feast, Lu Jianwei returned to her room to continue her medical studies, while Yan Feicang cleaned up and practiced his blade techniques in the courtyard.
Thus, another day passed.
On the second day of the New Year, snow began to fall once more.
Flakes drifted down, blanketing the surroundings of the inn in white. Around noon, just as Lu Jianwei was about to whip up a simple bowl of noodles, the urgent clatter of hooves approached.
The snow wasn’t deep, so the carriage could still move without trouble.
"Innkeeper!" Xue Guanhe called from outside. "Mother and I are here to wish you a happy New Year!"
Lu Jianwei’s sharp senses detected a third person in the carriage—their breath faint and weak.
The gate opened, and Xue Guanhe drove the carriage inside before jumping down. Fan Mian stepped out as well, her face apologetic.
"Innkeeper Lu, I’m so sorry. He and I came to pay our respects, but..."
She pulled back the carriage curtain, revealing a young woman inside—her eyes closed, her face deathly pale.
"Hu Atiao?" Lu Jianwei’s brows rose in surprise.
Xue Guanhe nodded. "Mother and I found her lying in the snow by the road. She looks like she’s on the verge of death."
"It’s heartbreaking to see a young girl left to freeze in this weather," Fan Mian said, her voice heavy with pity. "Innkeeper Lu, could you see if there’s any way to save her? I’ll cover the medical fees."
Lu Jianwei nodded. "Take her to the common quarters—third room on the left."
She had long been curious about the new poison Lin Congyue had concocted before her death but lacked the opportunity to study it. Now that chance had fallen into her lap—she had no reason to refuse.
Xue Guanhe carried Hu Atiao inside, laying her on the bed and tucking her under the covers.
"Innkeeper, I heard she needs antidote pills every month. But since Hu Jiuniang was captured, it’s been far longer than that, hasn’t it?"
Lu Jianwei speculated, "She’s skilled in medicine and poisons. She likely analyzed the antidote Hu Jiuniang gave her and managed to replicate a dose for herself while gathering ingredients."
"Ah, that makes sense." Xue Guanhe paused. "Wait—if she knew the formula, why couldn’t she just make more?"
Fan Mian couldn’t bear her son’s naivety and shot him a look. "Medicine costs money."
"Oh… right." Having never wanted for anything, Xue Guanhe hadn’t considered that.
"Guanhe, go boil some water," Lu Jianwei instructed. "Madam Fan, please stay. I’ll need your help with a few things."
Fan Mian nodded eagerly. "Of course, of course."
Xue Guanhe left the room, carefully shutting the door behind him.
With no men present, Lu Jianwei tore open Hu Atiao’s thin robes and examined her, relieved to find no signs of frostbite.
Her condition was solely due to the poison’s resurgence.
Hu Atiao’s breathing was dangerously faint. Without an antidote soon, she would die.
Without hesitation, Lu Jianwei pricked her fingertip, collecting the dark, poisoned blood in a teacup. Once half the cup was filled, she stopped the bleeding.
Just then, Xue Guanhe returned with hot water.
"Madam Fan, please clean her up. I’ll fetch fresh clothes—you can change her into them."
Fan Mian nodded quickly. "Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her. You focus on your work."
Lu Jianwei retreated to the third floor, purchasing a new set of sleepwear from the marketplace before handing it to Fan Mian. Then she shut herself in, doors and windows sealed, and devoted herself to studying the poison.
She had already cured the "Beauty’s Envy" toxin. Perhaps adding a new variant wouldn’t be beyond her either.
The primary toxin in "Jealous Beauties" is derived from the sap of the Ironheart Vine's leaves, blended with several other common poisons to create a new, complex venom. Individually, these toxins are not particularly difficult to counteract, but when mixed, they react in ways that make crafting a complete antidote exceedingly challenging.
Rumors say that even the Divine Physician Valley once labored tirelessly to develop an antidote. Hu Atiao herself spent years researching a cure for "Jealous Beauties." Lu Jianwei had previously managed to neutralize it with relative ease, largely due to her extensive collection of medical and toxicology texts.
She had good reason to suspect that the books available in the system’s marketplace were compilations of the world’s most advanced medical and toxicological knowledge. Standing on the shoulders of giants, countering "Jealous Beauties" was hardly a daunting task.
But this new poison was different.
Even Lin Congyue, its creator, had yet to devise an antidote. The system’s assistance likely wouldn’t surpass existing knowledge. If Lu Jianwei wanted to solve this, she would have to rely on her own research.
Research required time—time that Hu Atiao didn’t have.
What about the monthly antidote?
Her spirits lifted at the thought. She retrieved a human anatomical model and used it to test the poisoned blood. As the toxins spread through the model’s system, it gradually simulated the poisoning process.
Lu Jianwei meticulously recorded the symptoms, comparing them to those of "Jealous Beauties," analyzing their similarities and differences. After a thorough examination, she finally identified a symptom unique to this new poison: a dark spot at the Fengfu point on the back of the victim’s head, concealed beneath the hair and easily overlooked.
A compromised Fengfu point could lead to headaches, mental instability, seizures, or even strokes. This insidious poison—
It was "Three Months’ End"!
Lu Jianwei instructed Fan Mian to check the back of Hu Atiao’s head, and sure enough, there was a dark patch.
Her diagnosis was correct—it was indeed "Three Months’ End."
As the name suggested, victims of this poison showed no outward symptoms at first but would gradually suffer dizziness, swollen nasal passages, and throat pain within three months, eventually succumbing to strokes, seizures, or madness.
Once the three months were up, death was inevitable.
The poison was extracted from the Ghost Orchid of the Soul-Severing Ridge in the southwest. As the orchid withered, it secreted a colorless sap that killed any insects passing by, as if determined to drag other living creatures down with it in its final moments.
Currently, there was no known cure for this toxin. Yet Lin Congyue had managed to create a monthly suppressant—proof of her extraordinary talent.
No wonder Hu Jiuniang harbored such a mix of admiration and resentment toward her.
Lu Jianwei suddenly felt as though towering mountains loomed before her. She had only just set foot at their bases, and their sheer height and steepness made her wonder if she could ever scale them.
*"Jianwei, you’re also incredibly talented,"* Xiao Ke offered in consolation.
Lu Jianwei chuckled. *"Hearing you praise me is a rare treat."*
*"If you weren’t talented, I wouldn’t have expended energy binding myself to you."*
She raised an eyebrow. *"Then I’d rather have no talent at all. That way, I could still be lounging on the couch, scrolling through my phone, snacking on chips, and sipping cola—instead of suffering here and constantly risking my life."*
*"..."* Xiao Ke forcibly changed the subject. *"There’s someone waiting for you to save them."*
*"She’s already resigned herself to death. Why should I bother?"*
*"Don’t you need an assistant well-versed in pharmacology? Save her, and she’ll owe you her service!"*
Lu Jianwei shook her head. *"Even if I save her, she might not stay at the inn. She’s not naïve, and I don’t like forcing people."*
*"She saved Niu Xiaoxi and those concubines before. She doesn’t seem heartless—surely she wouldn’t be ungrateful?"*
*"What I mean is, she’s clever. Too clever to control. She might feel gratitude, but that doesn’t guarantee loyalty."*
After enduring so long under Hu Jiuniang’s thumb, would Hu Atiao truly be willing to live under someone else’s command again?
Xiao Ke sighed. *"And here I thought intelligence was a good thing. Humans are so complicated."*
*"Enough chitchat. I need to focus on the antidote."*
*"I thought you said you weren’t going to save her?"*
*"I’m saving her for the sake of medical research,"* Lu Jianwei retorted. *"And because I still need to earn my way home."*
"Three Months’ End" had been documented in toxicology texts, along with potential countermeasures.
The real challenge lay in the fact that "Jealous Beauties" and "Three Months’ End" had combined into a new poison. If she administered medicine to counteract the Ghost Orchid’s toxin, it might react violently with "Jealous Beauties," killing Hu Atiao instantly.
The reverse was equally true.
That was why Lin Congyue had only managed to devise a suppressant.
Lu Jianwei tugged at her hair in frustration, feeling a pressure far greater than when she’d hit a wall in her graduation experiments. Back then, it had only been about earning her degree. Now, a life hung in the balance.
The weight of that responsibility was crushing.
Fortunately, the new poison retained the slow-acting nature of "Three Months’ End." While it rendered its victims unconscious under the influence of "Jealous Beauties," it didn’t kill them outright.
She still had time.
Fan Mian had bathed Hu Atiao and changed her clothes. Stepping outside, she found her son squatting by the door. *"Do you know this girl?"*
In their panic after finding her, they hadn’t discussed Hu Atiao’s origins.
Xue Guanhe stood and explained, *"Mother, she’s Hu Jiuniang’s disciple—the one behind the recent string of poisonings."*
*"Her?!"* Fan Mian gasped, taking a step back and pressing a hand to her chest. *"How did she end up like this?"*
*"Her master poisoned her to keep her under control."*
Fan Mian frowned. *"How cruel. Such a lovely girl—if she’d grown up with parents who cherished her, she never would’ve suffered like this."*
*"Yeah,"* Xue Guanhe agreed sympathetically. *"She knows the antidote formula but can’t afford the ingredients. All she can do is wait to die."*
Fan Mian twisted her handkerchief in thought. *"We found her on the roadside. Do you think she was heading to the inn to seek help from Manager Lu?"*
*"It’s possible."* Xue Guanhe pictured the scene, his heart aching. *"She must’ve felt so hopeless when she collapsed."*
Fan Mian sighed. *"Brewing an antidote won’t be easy. Who knows how long Manager Lu will take? I’ll head back for now, but you stay here. I’ll return tomorrow."*
*"You don’t need to come. I can handle things."*
Fan Mian gave him a knowing look. *"You’ll personally tend to Miss Atiao?"*
Xue Guanhe: *"..."*
He lowered his head, his face flushing crimson.
For three days, Lu Jianwei worked tirelessly, pushing herself harder than she had even during her college entrance exams. Xue Guanhe delivered meals on time each day, while Fan Mian helped care for Hu Atiao.
Lu Jianwei pored over every medical and toxicology text until the pages were nearly worn through. She even forced herself to decipher the first few pages of the *Spring and Autumn Medical Classics’* "Antidote Chapter," until finally, inspiration struck.
*"Red-Tongue Grass, Black Horn, Purple Storm Elixir, Dwarf Fruit Root, Maple Resin..."*
Muttering to herself, she scribbled down the ingredients, then purchased them from the system’s marketplace. She ground them into a fine powder, mixed them in precise proportions, and rolled the mixture into small, yellowish-brown pills.
She fed one to the anatomical model first. Gradually, the pill took effect, suppressing the toxins.
A complete cure remained beyond her reach, but she had succeeded in crafting a monthly suppressant!
Her sleepless nights had not been in vain.
Clutching the vial of pills, Lu Jianwei pushed open the door.
Outside, the world was a vast expanse of white, with the golden sun hanging solitary in the sky. Its gentle rays spilled warmly across the snow, casting the silhouette of the main building’s upturned eaves onto the ground like an ink-wash painting—devoid of excess color, yet breathtakingly beautiful.
“Manager Lu, have you found the antidote?”
Fan Mian, hearing movement in the courtyard, turned and looked up, her voice bright with hope.
Leaning against the railing, Lu Jianwei smiled.
“Yes, I’ve found it.”
