Making Friends

Bai Zhanfeng lowered the curtain of the bamboo window and suddenly saw a white shadow flash by. Xian Yue, who had been quietly sitting by the window admiring the scenery, dashed out like an arrow loosed from a bow, flinging open the carriage curtain.

He turned around to glance at Lan Ruyuan, only to find him staring blankly at the swaying curtain.

"So he didn't know either."

This thought inexplicably pleased Bai Zhanfeng.

Lan Ruyuan set down the scroll he was holding and stood up. Just as he reached the carriage door, Lei Yun had already proactively lifted the curtain, and Lei An stared dumbfounded at Xian Yue's figure. Upon seeing Lan Ruyuan come out, he bowed respectfully and said, "Young Master."

Lan Ruyuan nodded and got off the carriage. "Let's go take a look."

Xian Yue ran quickly down the street, and the crowd only felt a white shadow flash by, bringing a gust of coolness. By the time they regained their senses, the elegant white figure had already vanished.

"Jun Pinyu."

"Jun Pinyu, wait!"

Xian Yue skirted around the heavily armed Yulin soldiers and gracefully stopped in front of Jun Pinyu, her white dress fluttering like the wings of a butterfly.

"Who is it?"

The Yulin soldiers, who prided themselves on their martial skills, were startled to see Xian Yue easily breach their encirclement. They quickly drew their swords, pointing them at her. The man at the front was particularly startled and hurriedly shielded Jun Pinyu behind him.

With the king's health in question, they had finally managed to summon a divine doctor. If anything were to happen to him under these circumstances, even if he had ten heads, it wouldn't be enough to cover the consequences.

"Does Doctor Jun know this young lady?"

The gleaming blades emitted a cold light.

Jun Pinyu pushed aside Xu Zhenwei, who was shielding him, and approached Xian Yue. "Miss, what brings you to me?"

With a smile at the corners of his mouth and a calm demeanor, his gem-like eyes sparkled with excitement.

For a moment, Xian Yue thought she was hearing a voice from thousands of miles away, reminiscent of Feng Jiulan—gentle and pure. Her brother's tone was full of affection and care, while his was indifferent and aloof. The midday sun shone down from the tall buildings, illuminating the gleaming blades and scattering silver glimmers on Jun Pinyu's face.

His face was young and handsome, lacking the princely aura of her brother, resembling the pure white snow of the grasslands—clear, transparent, and clean. His smile evoked thoughts of gentle spring rain falling on one's face, refreshing yet indescribably comfortable.

"Put down your swords; they're blinding me."

As soon as she finished speaking, numerous white shadows swirled around where Xian Yue had been standing, dazzling the onlookers and making them dizzy. They involuntarily closed their eyes, and in the faint distance, they seemed to hear a crisp sound. When the uncomfortable sensation gradually faded and they opened their eyes, they found their swords had returned to their sheaths without them realizing it. They looked up at Xian Yue.

"Much better now."

Xian Yue clapped her hands, smiling with satisfaction as she looked at Jun Pinyu. "You feel the same way, right?"

If she wanted to take someone, none of these people combined could stand a chance against her.

"What kind of shame is it for a young girl to chase after a man in the streets?"

Bai Zhanfeng stepped forward, watching Xian Yue smile so brilliantly at another man. Considering how she had always had a stern face towards him these past two days, he felt a twinge of discomfort, and the words slipped out.

"I can chase whoever I want; what's wrong with that? Just because Miss Xu can chase after Bai Daxia around, does that mean I can't pursue a good man?"

Facing Bai Zhanfeng's reprimand, Xian Yue seemed completely unbothered, tilting her chin and leaning closer to him, successfully noticing his face turning red, and she laughed with delight.

"Bai Gongzi."

Jun Pinyu approached Bai Zhanfeng, smiling and nodding.

"Jun Pinyu."

Xian Yue stepped forward, positioning herself between Bai Zhanfeng and Jun Pinyu, and excitedly grabbed his hand. "Besides boosting internal strength, can the blood toad alleviate frostbite and ease pain when taken during an onset?"

In an instant, their gazes met, and the young girl's cheeks flushed with excitement. Her bright eyes brimmed with hope, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, and her lips pressed together, as if she were pondering something: "Someone with deep internal strength wouldn't be affected by the cold even in the harshest winter. If one takes the blood toad and gains ten years of power—"

Xian Yue grasped Jun Pinyu's hand and spoke to herself. Jun Pinyu watched her, suddenly feeling a chill shoot toward him, carrying a penetrating coldness. He looked up and saw Lan Ruyuan, dressed in purple, leisurely walking over with a smile, looking completely unfazed. As he walked by, the nearby young girls blushed.

"Lan Gongzi."

At a distance, Jun Pinyu slightly nodded to Lan Ruyuan.

Lan Ruyuan approached Jun Pinyu, smiling as he bowed his head. "Doctor Jun, it's good to see you well."

"Lan Gongzi, what brings you here?"

Hearing the voice, Xian Yue turned around, still holding Jun Pinyu's hand, looking at Lan Ruyuan in the sunlight with a smile. Though calm on the surface, Xian Yue felt a hint of anger in the upward tilt of his brows.

"Does Miss Xian know Doctor Jun?"

Lei Yun stood behind Lan Ruyuan, looking at Xian Yue and asking.

"I have long admired your name; we've met once before."

Lei An frowned and clicked his tongue a few times. "Miss Xian, you're being so flowery; it's hard for me to get used to."

"Haha."

Bai Zhanfeng laughed heartily and walked over to pat Lei An's shoulder. His hand was heavier than he realized, and Lei An's face turned pale as he coughed several times.

"Jun Pinyu, you still haven't answered my question!"

Xian Yue let go of his hand and tugged at his sleeve.

"I haven't seen the patient, so I can't rashly conclude."

"Observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation, treating according to symptoms."

Xian Yue's smile dimmed as she murmured to herself. Upon hearing this, Jun Pinyu's eyes lit up with excitement. "Observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation—what you say is indeed true."

Seeing Jun Pinyu's enthusiasm, Xian Yue was puzzled; these were merely theoretical concepts. What she needed were results tested through practice, and Feng Xian Yue would absolutely not use Feng Jiulan as a test subject.

The medical practices of the Zhou Dynasty were advanced, with many medical texts having been published, but the language was quite crude, lacking a systematic theory. Though Xian Yue spoke casually, her simple eight-character summary truly encapsulated the art of healing, which was why Jun Pinyu was so excited.

"Doctor, the national lord is waiting for you in the Yanlan Hall."

If they kept the national lord waiting too long, it would be bad for all of them.

"I have a few questions I'd like to ask you, may I accompany you?"

Jun Pinyu bowed slightly to Xian Yue.

"The palace?"

Xian Yue asked, and Jun Pinyu nodded.

"I won't go."

Xian Yue looked at Jun Pinyu with a smile and continued, "That place would suffocate me."

As she spoke, her brows slightly furrowed, wearing a look of disgust, exuding the innocence of a young girl. As she spoke and nodded, it was as if that place could truly suffocate someone. Jun Pinyu couldn't help but laugh.

"Since that's the case, I'll come to visit you another time."

Observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation; her brother was far away in Feng Kingdom and in poor health. How could he possibly be in Yanjing under normal circumstances?

"Calling me 'young lady' sounds so awkward; just call me Jun Pinyu, and you can call me Xian Yue from now on. We'll be friends."

Before Jun Pinyu could respond, Xian Yue had already turned around and noticed Lan Ruyuan's brows slightly furrowing. She walked up to Lei Yun. "Lei Yun, where are we staying? And where's the food? I'm both tired and hungry."

Regardless of where it was, she closed her eyes and stretched lazily. Although it was a crude and vulgar gesture, the others found it carefree, unrestrained, and innocent—impossible to dislike.

"Lei Yun, take her back to rest first."

His brows, unexpectedly, relaxed.

"Bai Daxia, Lan Gongzi, I bid you farewell."

"Doctor Jun's miraculous skills will surely ensure the national lord of Yan recovers soon."

Bai Zhanfeng glanced at Jun Pinyu and then at Lan Ruyuan, faintly sensing that there was more to the conversation than met the eye.