Chapter Twelve: We're in This Together

“Go through everyone who visited the pharmacy that day one by one. I want to see exactly who dispensed those prescriptions,” Yang Bin instructed Liu Junyi’s men.

He was getting thoroughly annoyed with these few people. If you reasoned with them, they demanded evidence; when you provided evidence, they spoke of personal favors; then if you appealed to favors, they reverted to reasoning. No matter what, they always claimed to be right. The chaotic nonsense just now was actually them showing some courtesy to Jiang Bai. But suddenly, Yang Bin’s eyes brightened. Now that they had a miraculous doctor like Jiang Bai, there was no need to indulge these two old men who leaned on their age while pretending to be mad or foolish.

Liu Junyi remained calm. After all, it wasn’t entirely his doing. At most, he was someone who misjudged character. Even if they were held accountable, it would only be a farce. Today’s gathering was meant to gauge Yang Bin’s stance. Judging by the outcome, the upper echelons were leaning toward Jiang Bai. The elusive general they had been trying to locate must be truly impressive. Yang Bin needed to return and strategize thoroughly; small skirmishes wouldn’t suffice.

Meanwhile, Wang Da and Liu Junyi planned to appeal to the years of camaraderie with Yang Bin, but the events soon spiraled beyond their control.

“Chief strategist,” someone reported outside. Duan Jingyi glanced at the person and immediately ordered them in. They had to resolve at least one issue; otherwise, it would be a sign of incompetence.

“The man who accused Jiang Bai was bribed to frame him. He’s a notorious local scoundrel, idle and unruly. Recently, he suddenly became extravagant, throwing lavish parties with wine and meat, inviting his disreputable friends. We tracked down those who partied with him, and they said he boasted while drunk that in a couple of days he’d help fabricate false testimony for a hefty sum of money — just a few lies, and the cash would roll in. Quite the audacity.”

The man’s face turned pale, his lips trembling, unable to offer any rebuttal. It was over, utterly over. How could he have been so foolish as to try framing someone? “Commander, I know I was wrong. Ask me whatever you want; I’ll tell you everything.”

“Take him away. This matter must be thoroughly investigated,” Duan Jingyi said without even looking at him. Then he turned to Yang Bin, his tone grave. “If someone tampered with the medicine, this isn’t just a medical issue; it’s a matter of military discipline.”

Yang Bin nodded, eyes cold. “Bring Liu Junyi and Wang Da down for strict interrogation!”

“Deputy General Yang, why are you arresting us?!” Wang Da panicked, shouting. He still had plans up his sleeve; if they arrested him now, those plans would be ruined.

“Exactly. This doesn’t concern us,” Liu Junyi tried to evade the soldiers grabbing him.

“Silence!” Yang Bin shot a cold glance at Wang Da. “Once the interrogation is clear, your innocence will be restored.”

Several soldiers stepped forward, covering their mouths, and escorted Liu Junyi and Wang Da away.

Jiang Bai watched everything unfold, her anger dissipating. She knew Wang Da and the others were making a fuss just to see which side the military leadership favored. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have resorted to such petty squabbles. But clearly, the outcome favored her.

“Doctor Jiang, are you alright?” Duan Jingyi approached, his voice full of concern.

Jiang Bai glanced at him calmly. “I’m fine.”

Duan Jingyi smiled faintly, a glint of meaning in his eyes. “I understand. But the priority now is to heal these soldiers.”

Jiang Bai nodded. At that moment, Chen Jie and the others had finished preparing the medicine and quickly brought it over for the soldiers to take.

“Doctor Jiang, this antidote…” Duan Jingyi looked at her, pretending ignorance of the earlier events.

“It’s a makeshift concoction I prepared. It should neutralize the poison,” Jiang Bai said calmly.

Duan Jingyi laughed softly. “Doctor Jiang, your medical skills are indeed superb. No wonder Deputy General Yang trusts you so much.”

Jiang Bai said nothing, lowering her head to continue observing the soldiers’ symptoms alongside Chen Jie.

“How’s it going?” Yang Bin asked anxiously.

Chen Jie studied them for a moment, a slight smile appearing on his face. “The medicine is taking effect. Their symptoms are gradually subsiding.”

Yang Bin exhaled in relief and turned to Jiang Bai, gratitude evident in his voice. “Doctor Jiang, we owe you this time.”

Jiang Bai nodded. “It’s my duty.”

Duan Jingyi looked at Jiang Bai with a complex expression. He had come to realize that although she was young, her medical skills were exceptional, and her mind was sharp—far beyond an ordinary girl with some medical knowledge. He shouldn’t have treated her as just a little doctor to soothe; see, that hadn’t gone well, and now she was angry.

“Doctor Jiang, this matter is probably more complicated than it seems,” Duan Jingyi said quietly. “There may be others behind Wang Da and Liu Junyi.”

Jiang Bai lifted her head, her gaze icy as she looked at Duan Jingyi. “I know. But, Chief Strategist Duan, why tell me this?”

His tone was laced with persuasion. “Because I think they’re targeting both me and you. Maybe there’s useful information we can exchange.”

Jiang Bai studied this strangely toned man before her. “Cooperate? What’s your plan, Chief Strategist?”

A sharp gleam flashed through Duan Jingyi’s eyes. “Doctor Jiang, your medical skill is brilliant. I can help you uncover the truth behind this.”

Jiang Bai almost laughed in exasperation. “Help me investigate?”

“Of course not. We’re on the same side. I just want to understand what really happened,” Duan Jingyi confessed. He was genuinely curious how such a big blunder could have occurred. Prescriptions were recorded meticulously; adding or tearing pages was forbidden. The pharmacy assistant wouldn’t sabotage and leave such an obvious clue.

Jiang Bai’s heart stirred slightly. She knew Duan Jingyi was far more complicated than he appeared. If they exchanged information now, it would benefit him even more. But how could she tell him the truth—that her supernatural ability had been used here? The power covered the paper, embedding itself on the page they were about to write; after the frame was set, the page would be removed, and at night vines would slip the paper back in. For someone with such powers, it was effortless. Many strange occurrences in the area bore her signature, but she couldn’t reveal that.

Most importantly, the prescriptions were indeed prepared by her. She had no way to prove whether the right medicines were seized or not. She couldn’t even explain why she hadn’t been caught doing so. It was pointless to debate; it was better to flatly deny ever dispensing the medicine. After all, only that pharmacy assistant had witnessed her preparing it. She couldn’t refute him, and he couldn't prove whether she had dispensed the medicine or not. But one thing she could say: “The pharmacy assistant they found was nervous. I haven’t dispensed any medicine myself in all these days here. That day, no matter what he said, he insisted I personally prepare one prescription. How could that not cause problems? I just didn’t expect those people to...”

Her voice trailed off.