Chapter Fifty-Four: The Eldest Young Master, Pei Qinghu!

Huang Pianruo still wanted to ask more questions, but the other person had already turned the corner and disappeared.

“Putting on airs and acting mysterious,” muttered Xiaocui with a pout. “Luckily you’re all right, miss. Otherwise, I would have called for help…”

“And you dare say that?” Huang Pianruo glared at Xiaocui, reminding her, “The gentleman didn’t hold your words against you, and he even saved me.”

“If you can’t be grateful, so be it, but to talk about him behind his back? In my view, although he’s young, he’s truly capable. You really can’t judge a book by its cover.”

Xiaocui frowned, dismissing her words, “Is he really that amazing?”

“You fainted from the sight of blood, that’s all. Do you really think he rescued you?”

“Maybe I did faint at the sight of blood, but someone who understands the habits of Langya grass so thoroughly—do you really think that’s just luck?”

Xiaocui was puzzled and asked curiously, “Miss, what do you mean by that?”

“My master once said that to cure my brother’s illness, there are many medicinal herbs, but the most important is this Langya grass. But even my master knows little about it. I came today just to try my luck, but every attempt made the grass crumble.”

“But he saw the problem at a glance—you have to lift the entire patch of earth for the grass to retain its original medicinal properties.”

As she spoke, Huang Pianruo walked to the meadow. Following Ye Wushang’s advice, she didn’t pick the grass individually but lifted the entire clump, soil and all.

This time, the Langya grass didn’t break, nor did any thorns pierce her skin. It sat whole in the basket, radiant and translucent in the bright sunlight.

“It’s true…” Xiaocui’s eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn’t expected that man’s words to be true. She’d thought he was deliberately getting close to her mistress—just a charlatan making noise—but it turned out she had misunderstood him.

“Go find out about that man just now—I want to know his background. He knows about Langya grass and understands it so thoroughly; maybe he can help with my brother’s illness.”

Xiaocui dared not delay and nodded. “Don’t worry, miss, I’ll get right on it.”

…

Ten minutes later, Ye Wushang arrived on foot at the entrance of the manor.

From afar, the manor looked grand and imposing, as if it were a natural part of the landscape, inspiring awe. But standing at the gate, it seemed almost otherworldly, every detail impeccably designed.

Clearly, the owner of this manor not only held great status but also had exquisite taste.

“Young Master Hu, you’re here! Please, right this way—President Huang is waiting for you.” The security guard at the gate, seeing a man step out of a luxury car, greeted him with a broad smile, entirely ignoring Ye Wushang as he jogged over, bowing and scraping.

The so-called Young Master Hu wore a leopard-print suit, sunglasses perched on his face, and his hair slicked back. Though young, he affected a mature demeanor, and with his sturdy build, he cut an impressive figure.

Yet he took on the role of chauffeur, hastening to the back seat and opening the door for an elderly man with white hair and beard, whose spirit shone brightly.

“Divine Doctor, I must trouble you this time,” said Pei Qinghu, supporting the old man as they walked. “President Huang’s son, Huang Pianqiang, is gravely ill. No famous doctor has succeeded, so we’ve invited you personally.”

“Our Pei family is close with President Huang, and I’m also pursuing his daughter. If you can cure Huang Pianqiang, it would be a great favor to me. I’ll be sure to thank you handsomely.”

The old man’s breath was steady, his steps sure. He nodded, “Rest assured, Xiaohu, your father and I are old friends. This time, I’m helping an old friend and also indulging my passion for medicine. I hear the patient’s illness is strange—I’ve never encountered such a case before. I’d like to see if I can solve it and thereby further my medical knowledge.”

Pei Qinghu flattered him, “As expected of the Divine Doctor, called the living Hua Tuo! Even with such mastery, you still seek to learn.”

“One learns as long as one lives.” The old man laughed.

The two chatted as they walked, followed by several bodyguards in suits.

Ye Wushang, standing in their way, was shoved aside. The security guards ushered the party in, ignoring him completely.

Only after they had gone did the security guard glance at Ye Wushang and ask indifferently, “And who might you be?”

“Ye Wushang.” He had seen enough of this kind of snobbery to be unfazed. “I was recommended by Elder Tang. He said—”

“Hold on,” Pei Qinghu, who had only walked halfway, suddenly stopped and looked back at Ye Wushang, frowning. “You were introduced by Elder Tang? What for?”

“Today is about treating the eldest young master, Huang Pianqiang. All the visitors are doctors. Why would he send a greenhorn like you?”

Ye Wushang’s face was cold. He ignored Pei Qinghu and spoke to the security guard. “He told me to give my name and that would be enough. Can I go in now?”

“Elder Tang did mention a Ye Wushang was coming…” The guard hesitated. “But Elder Tang is just a guest. What right does he have to let outsiders in at will?”

Pei Qinghu stepped over, sizing up Ye Wushang with a sneer. “You dare call yourself a great traditional doctor with skills like yours? You’re nothing compared to our Divine Doctor. I bet they brought you to put on a little show, just to save face.”

“I’ll make the call—don’t let him in. If the Divine Doctor cures the young master, even Elder Tang will have to leave.”

Pei Qinghu was the young master of the Pei family, a top family in Jinghan, influential and powerful. Moreover, because of his close relationship with the eldest young mistress, his words sometimes carried more weight than those of family members.

He didn’t think much of this Ye Wushang—other than a handsome face, he saw nothing commendable. Given the choice, he certainly wouldn’t offend Pei Qinghu.

Thus, the guard nodded and said to Ye Wushang, “Young Master Hu has spoken. You’d best leave. If you want to see Elder Tang, wait outside, but you can’t enter the manor.”

“Why not?” Ye Wushang’s voice was low.

He hadn’t expected that he’d just come to treat an illness and repay Elder Tang’s favor, only to run into such short-sighted snobs. If this so-called Young Master Hu judged people by appearance, he was probably no good himself. As for the Divine Doctor, he might be skilled, but anyone who kept company with the likes of Young Master Hu was likely cut from the same cloth.

“Because I, Pei Qinghu, said so!” Pei Qinghu was used to getting his way; no one had ever dared defy him. Feeling his authority challenged, he strode over, glared at Ye Wushang, and said coldly, “I’m telling you to leave to save Elder Tang’s face. If you keep making trouble, it won’t matter if he comes—nothing will change.”

“Security, get this man out of here. Don’t disturb Young Master Huang!”

At his command, the guard tried to drag Ye Wushang away, but Ye Wushang brushed him off. When the guard tried to get physical, Ye Wushang called for backup, but in a flash, he had knocked them all to the ground.

“Talk if you have something to say, but don’t lay a hand on me.”

“I was invited by Elder Tang. If anyone wants me gone, it should be at his word. I’ll call him now.”

With that, Ye Wushang took out his phone to call, but with a sharp smack, Pei Qinghu slapped it out of his hand. With a crisp crack, the phone split in two on the ground.

“Call, my foot! Even if Tang Wenzong shows up, it won’t work! I told you to get lost and you refuse, even daring to fight in public. You must have a death wish!”

“Today, I’ll take charge on behalf of the Huang family and teach you a lesson!”

With that, he signaled his bodyguards, who quickly surrounded Ye Wushang. Ye Wushang immediately took a defensive stance. Just as a fight was about to break out, a sharp female voice rang out, “Since when does the Pei family have the right to meddle in the affairs of the Huang family?”

Everyone froze. Ye Wushang’s face darkened.

The Pei family? Was this Young Master Hu the same Pei family that had twice ruthlessly struck against the An family over the medicinal cuisine project? He didn’t know the identity of the Huang manor’s owner, but they were clearly not ordinary people. Judging by the guards’ deference, it was very likely these were Pei family members.

He hadn’t expected to encounter them here.

What surprised him even more was that the voice sounded familiar. He instinctively turned to look, and was stunned: wasn’t this the young lady he’d met earlier on the mountainside, picking Langya grass?

She claimed to be a member of the Huang family?

“So, it’s Pianruo…” Pei Qinghu’s expression changed as he quickly forced a smile and walked forward. “You misunderstand. I just didn’t like this kid and wanted to teach him a lesson. Besides, with our relationship—”

“There is no relationship between us,” Huang Pianruo interrupted coldly. “We’re not close. You may call me Miss Huang or use my name, but ‘Pianruo’ is only for family or friends. Young Master Hu, please show some respect.”

She walked straight to Ye Wushang, her expression shifting as she spoke sincerely, “Mr. Ye, I truly thank you for what you did earlier.”

“Hm?” Ye Wushang frowned. “How do you know my surname is Ye?”

“I not only know your surname is Ye, I also know you are Ye Wushang, specially invited by Elder Tang to treat my brother.”

…