Chapter 288: The "Painless" Medicinal Pill
In the year and a half since the Tiandao Conference, Yuan Caiwei had been staying on Dan Mountain, helping Yuan Chen wield the Sacred Artifact.
During this time, she walked into the courtyard wearing a purple dress. Her figure looked much slimmer, and her waist was even more slender than before, giving her the beauty of a snowy region lotus under the ice and snow.
She arrived in Shengjing in the early morning. After delivering the Medicinal Pills to Tianshu Academy, she rested briefly before going to Ji You’s courtyard, but couldn't find him.
Later, a Disciple guarding the mountain gate sent her a message, saying that Ji You was currently staying at the Worry-Free Commerce, so she brought her younger brother here.
In fact, on the way here, she had already anticipated that Yan Shuyi would be there, so she was somewhat mentally prepared.
Actually, Yan Shuyi was the same; she knew her 'plastic sister' always looked for opportunities to steal people, and had even secretly gone to Ji Village behind her back, so she wasn't surprised by her arrival.
However, although both of them knew, they both pretended not to understand.
"Sister Caiwei is here again?"
"As New Year approaches, my younger brother and I came to Tianshu Academy to deliver Medicinal Pills. Knowing that Master Jian would be with Young Master Ji, we came to visit as well."
Ding Yao glanced at her Master Jian, thinking, 'See? Even Yuan Guniang knows you want to stick to Young Master. You don't even need to ask to know you'd be here.'
Yan Shuyi felt like she was being treated as a petty woman who longed for her lover every day, and her eyes couldn't help but narrow.
Wei Rui, however, was momentarily stunned, wondering why there were two 'sisters,' when she heard Zhuo Wanqiu whispering a few words in her ear.
After sending Ji You into Xianxian Holy Land, Yuan Caiwei had secretly run to Feng Province, only to bump into Yan Shuyi, who wanted to hear the people of Feng Province call her 'Madam Ji.'
The two women, full of mischievous thoughts, stayed in Ji Village for a day.
During that time, Yan Shuyi always called Yuan Caiwei 'guest,' and Yuan Caiwei, feeling unconvinced, started calling her 'sister.'
The only one truly hurt was Yuan Chen, who was genuinely treated as a guest.
The daughter of the Dan Sect was older than the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain. Logically, she should be the elder sister, but calling Yan Shuyi 'sister' was her subtle way of hinting that she also wanted to marry into the family.
And Yan Shuyi, with a taut little face, calling her 'sister' was just like when she called her a 'guest'—her protectiveness was undisguised.
However, the Young Master Jian herself also knew in her heart that she probably wouldn't be able to handle things alone in the future, and even with Ding Yao, it might not be enough. At that time, Yuan Caiwei might be a savior to share the burden, so she was slightly restrained.
Indeed, in the end, one still needs a good body!
Ji You got up and went into the house, took out stools, and handed them to the two, telling the siblings to sit down. Then he looked at Yuan Chen, noticing that he, like Yuan Caiwei, had lost a lot of weight.
"Is Yuan Chen not eating enough on the mountain?"
Yuan Caiwei looked at Yuan Chen: "My younger brother isn't doing well with controlling the Sacred Artifact, so Father won't give him food—"
Ji You looked at her again: "Then why has Yuan Guniang also lost weight?"
Yuan Chen immediately spoke up: "Sister has a dark face all day. When she sees me failing, she gets angry and can't eat. She even stares at me while I'm kneeling in punishment. Brother-in-law, don't be fooled by my sister's gentle appearance today."
Yuan Caiwei was naturally making paper lanterns with the other girls at the table, as if she were at home. Hearing her younger brother's complaint, she couldn't help but give him a cold look.
Yuan Chen hid next to Ji You, thinking, 'It's fine if you're fierce on the mountain, but if you're fierce here, Brother-in-law might spank you.'
On the mountain, Yuan Chen often said that when he saw Ji You, he would let his brother-in-law spank him. So even though he only thought it to himself, Yuan Caiwei knew what her younger brother was up to.
At this moment, the sky gradually darkened.
Several women were making paper lanterns, while wisps of cooking smoke began to rise from the backyard, blending into the white sky.
Ji You was already building a fire and cooking, stir-frying cured meat in the iron wok.
And while he was cooking, the 'plastic sisterhood' conversations between Yan Shuyi and Yuan Caiwei occasionally reached his ears.
The tsundere girl subtly asked, since the Dan Sect's Medicinal Pills had been delivered, if 'sister' would return today or tomorrow.
Yuan Caiwei replied, "To answer 'sister,' it's boring on the mountain, so 'younger sister' plans to stay here until after New Year before returning."
Although the Dan Sect did not cultivate immortal magic, living a life of Alchemy for too long could also be monotonous. Yuan Caiwei had not descended the mountain for a year and a half, and this trip to Shengjing was also intended for a good rest.
To be honest, although she was also watched with extreme vigilance by her Jianzhu Sister during the last winter, and couldn't do anything with Ji You, she really liked those lively and leisurely days, except for the incident where they lost her brother while visiting the lantern festival as a trio.
Yan Shuyi then casually asked if she had a place to stay, to which Yuan Caiwei said that the backyard of the Worry-Free Commerce looked quite large.
Thus, Ji You, cooking by the stove, could constantly feel Sword Qi rising and falling.
It wasn't until the hour of Wei (1-3 PM) that the courtyard door was pushed open again, and Kuang Cheng, wearing a cotton robe, walked in from outside.
Today was unusually lively, and with Wei Rui also present, Ji You sent a Worry-Free Commerce employee to deliver a message to Kuang Cheng, inviting him for a small gathering.
Kuang Cheng was surprised to see Wei Rui after entering the door: "Why is Miss Rui'er here as well?"
"I was afraid Sister Yan would truly sever all ties, so I decided to persuade Young Master Ji to be more proactive. But as soon as I came in, I found Sister Yan making paper lanterns with Young Master Ji, and asking for praise after finishing—"
"There's such a thing—"
"Sister Yan is too good at deceiving people."
Kuang Cheng's mouth twitched: "I told you not to worry. But why is Yuan Guniang here too?"
Wei Rui couldn't help but lower her voice: "It's like last time, she came to find Young Master Ji. Sister Yan is jealous."
Kuang Cheng looked at the aloof and peerless Fairy Yan and the murmuring daughter of the Dan Sect, and couldn't help but sigh, 'A good body conquers the world.'
Then he rolled up his sleeves, and like Yuan Chen who was tending the fire to avoid the "battle of the two sisters," he began to help Ji You.
When one dish after another was stir-fried, Ji You carried the plates into the house.
At this moment, the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain rose from the tea pavilion and followed him into the room with a cold expression, staring at him for a long time.
Ji You reached out, picked up a slice of meat, and fed it into Yan Shuyi's moist mouth: "Dinner is almost ready, go wash your hands."
The Young Master Jian gave him a cold look, then obediently went out to wash her hands.
Yuan Caiwei, like Yan Shuyi, also got up at a glance from Ji You and bathed her hands in a basin of warm water.
Dinner proceeded in the warm candlelight. The sky was not yet dark, but the snow outside began to fall a bit more heavily.
Yuan Chen was clearly starving, his chopsticks moving non-stop. He exclaimed that his brother-in-law's cooking was excellent and that he wanted to eat it every day, causing everyone to turn and look at him, silently thinking, 'What a silly boy.'
Because among those at the table, besides Kuang Cheng and Wei Rui, he was probably the most legitimate guest.
After dinner, Yuan Caiwei looked at the falling snow outside the window, pondering if she could stay. But before she could figure out how to ask,
she was pulled back to the Wei family's detached courtyard by Yan Shuyi, who claimed to have "accidentally met Rui'er's lover's friend and came for a meal."
Actually, this time seeing Yuan Caiwei come to find Ji You, the Young Master Jian's jealousy and vigilance were not as strong as last time.
Because she hadn't seen it last time, but she had seen it this time. It would be deadly, and she herself didn't dare, so she felt that Yuan Caiwei wouldn't dare either.
However, she was also afraid that Yuan Caiwei might actually dare, so she still chose a safe approach and took her back.
On a snowy night, Yuan Caiwei was arranged in a bedroom in the east wing of the detached courtyard.
The Wei family's detached courtyard used a 'dragon heater,' which meant fire channels dug beneath the house. The smoke from burning firewood would circulate through these channels, bringing heat into the rooms.
In addition to this method, the floors in the rooms were also covered with thick plush carpets to prevent the heat supplied by the 'dragon heater' from dissipating quickly.
At this moment, Yan Shuyi and Yuan Caiwei were sitting on the carpet, their two pairs of fair feet facing each other, their delicate toes like blooming petals.
This scene gave both of them a feeling of spending winter together at Lingjian Mountain when they were children.
After their body temperatures, which had been chilled by the snow, had somewhat warmed up, Yuan Caiwei, who had been looking around the room, suddenly spoke.
"How did Master Jian control the Sacred Artifact back then?"
Yan Shuyi came back to her senses upon hearing this, her beautiful brows slightly furrowed. After a long moment of thought, she asked, "Is Yuan Chen truly in trouble?"
Yuan Caiwei hesitated for a moment before nodding: "Yuan Chen has been trying for over a year, but he still can't awaken the Sacred Artifact. Father is furious about this. Yuan Chen wasn't lying when he said the family wouldn't give him food."
The Sacred Artifact is essentially the cornerstone for an immortal sect, because of its existence, immortal sects are different from those ancient Sect. If Yuan Chen cannot wield the Sacred Artifact, the Dan Sect might face a situation like Lingjian Mountain, and because the Dan Sect does not cultivate the Dao and has no combat power, the situation might be even worse.
Currently, only she, her father, and Yuan Chen knew about this matter, because everyone knew that if the Dan Sect's direct lineage could not control the Sacred Artifact, the impact would be extremely significant.
But she could tell Yan Shuyi, because in her opinion, they were family.
Therefore, Yuan Caiwei's words today were not false; she did indeed know that Yan Shuyi would cling to Ji You, and had specifically come to see her.
"Master Jian is the only one among this generation's direct Disciples who has successfully controlled a Sacred Artifact, so I think you might have a solution."
Yan Shuyi listened to her call her "sister" repeatedly and couldn't help but feel her eyelashes tremble slightly: "Although the Dan Sect's Alchemy and the Immortal Dao originate from the same Origin, they are ultimately different. Moreover, the spirit mirror actively came to see me back then, which is quite different from Yuan Chen's current situation."
After a long period of contemplation, Yuan Caiwei spoke: "Based on your understanding of Sacred Artifacts, is it possible that some direct Disciples are inherently unsuited to wielding them?"
"Historically, not many people in Qingyun have been able to control Sacred Artifacts, and I have never heard of such a precedent before."
"You might have thought of another method." Yan Shuyi pondered for a long time, then gently opened her palm, and a radiant glow appeared from within, shining brightly.
Yuan Caiwei couldn't help but stare for a long time: "What is this?"
"A wisp of the Sacred Artifact's Origin power."
"The spirit mirror's?"
Yan Shuyi nodded gently: "All seven Sacred Artifacts originate from the Heavenly Dao; logically, they should be of the same lineage and Origin. You can have Yuan Chen try to refine it, and then you'll likely know if Yuan Chen can wield a Sacred Artifact."
Yuan Caiwei raised her eyes: "If he cannot refine it, then he cannot become a wielder?"
"It should be so."
"But if it's truly as you say, then my father could also do this. Why has he never let Yuan Chen try?"
Yan Shuyi looked at her: "Perhaps because there's no need to refine it. If this wisp of Origin power resists Yuan Chen, the result is basically clear. As an observer, of course, I wouldn't feel anything, but your father might find it very difficult to face a predetermined outcome."
Yuan Caiwei's red lips parted slightly: "Since father thinks this way, would it be wrong for me to do this?"
"You can choose not to, but you must understand that this is unfair to Yuan Chen, because some things might not be his fault."
As her words fell, the little Master Jian's storage gourd at her waist suddenly flickered, and a Spirit Stone appeared in the palm of her other hand. As her breath, fragrant as a graceful orchid, exhaled, the blue color within the Spirit Stone gradually dissipated, and then that golden wisp of Origin power was sealed within it.
Yuan Caiwei took the Spirit Stone, held it in her palm, and looked at it for a long time, then raised her head to look at Yan Shuyi.
The Origin of a Sacred Artifact is generated within the Sacred Artifact itself; an extra wisp or a missing wisp would not have any impact, but it should absolutely not be given to others casually.
Although she and Yan Shuyi were sisters, that was merely a childhood friendship, and with the Dan Sect and Tianshu Academy being on good terms over the years, and Lingjian Mountain becoming estranged, their friendship had weakened considerably.
Yuan Caiwei felt that if she came seeking help based on their past good memories, the little Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain might not necessarily agree.
And her current actions were actually still due to the relationship between the two of them and Ji You.
Yuan Caiwei felt that although her Master Jian's sister had always been a bit jealous, it was actually because Young Master Ji had become much closer to her.
However, Yuan Caiwei held the Spirit Stone, which contained the sealed Origin power, in her hand and fell into silence.
Honestly, she didn't know whether she should let Yuan Chen try.
Because if her younger brother could be accepted by the Sacred Artifact's Origin, it would be fine, but if not, she couldn't imagine what state the Dan Sect would fall into.
But at the same time, she was conflicted, because she knew that the little Master Jian was right; if it wasn't because her younger brother wasn't trying hard, but rather that he was inherently unsuitable, then this matter would be extremely unfair to him.
In the warm room, on the thick blanket, both of them fell into silence, with only their pink toes occasionally wiggling.
After a long period of contemplation, Yuan Caiwei decided that they still had to try.
Because if Yuan Chen truly couldn't control the Sacred Artifact, then this matter would eventually have to be faced.
She raised her head, intending to tell the little Master Jian her thoughts, but before she could even utter "sister," she realized that the little Master Jian also seemed to be deep in thought about something.
The wind and snow outside the window gradually intensified, making the room feel even warmer.
Yan Shuyi, sitting on the blanket, suddenly came back to her senses and looked at Yuan Caiwei, still with a cold and stunning demeanor, but her pink toes couldn't help but curl up.
"Caiwei, do you have any Medicinal Pills that don't harm the body but can cause soreness in the lower back and abdomen?"
"??"
Although Yan Shuyi was an Empress who wielded a Sacred Artifact, she really liked to cling to Ji You.
Especially last time in Anyuan City, when the scoundrel held her while she slept for a night, although she acted tough and didn't say it, she actually really liked that feeling.
But Ji You's current waist was not the same as his former waist. The little Master Jian, due to being afraid, didn't dare to stay long at night.
Yuan Caiwei observed for a long time and found that although Yan Shuyi's expression was still as cold as ever, there was a hint of evasiveness in her eyes.
When she was brought back by Yan Shuyi, she felt puzzled, because the last time she came to Shengjing, although she didn't stay in Ji You's courtyard, she knew that Yan Shuyi stayed there every day.
But for some reason this time, the little Master Jian's sister suddenly stopped staying there.
At this moment, hearing her ask for a Medicinal Pill that wouldn't harm the body but would cause soreness in the lower back and abdomen, she instantly understood.
The little Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain didn't dare to stay overnight because she was afraid. Yuan Caiwei's mind couldn't help but recall the scene she saw in the medicinal pool back then; it seemed something was rising in her memory.
The cold wind outside the window blew continuously, while the room was completely silent.
After a few breaths, Yuan Caiwei, who had been contemplating for a long time, looked up at Yan Shuyi and spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz: "Actually, I could try to make a Medicinal Pill that doesn't hurt—"
Yan Shuyi instantly narrowed her eyes upon hearing this, looking at her intently like a tiger eyeing its prey.
Yuan Caiwei had indeed seen it.
Ever since the last Tiandao Conference asked Lingjian Mountain, Ji You had told her that Yuan Caiwei had seen the good thing that she should have been the first to see.
She asked Ji You many times, but he wouldn't tell her.
But later, after seeing it with her own eyes in Xianxian Garden, she vaguely guessed what Yuan Caiwei had seen.
This matter was finally confirmed through Yuan Caiwei's mouth.
Because if she hadn't seen it, she wouldn't know why she wanted a Medicinal Pill for lower back and abdominal soreness, nor would she offer a "painless" Medicinal Pill as an alternative solution.
Most importantly, Yan Shuyi felt that her sister's immediate suggestion of a "painless" Medicinal Pill was actually her making plans for herself after having seen it.
"How long would it take to refine such a Medicinal Pill?"
"A painless—Medicinal Pill?"
"A Medicinal Pill that doesn't harm the body but causes soreness in the lower back and abdomen."
"It would probably take a few days."
Yan Shuyi was silent for a moment, then looked to the side: "Then—the painless one?"
Yuan Caiwei looked down to the side: "About the same amount of time—"
After a long silence, Yan Shuyi rose from the thick plush rug and walked out of Yuan Caiwei's room with a cold expression, as if they hadn't discussed anything at all, but her cheeks gradually flushed in the freezing cold.
Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu watched this scene from the covered corridor under the wind and snow, and a hint of bewilderment appeared in their eyes as they looked at each other.
Master Jian's face always turned red when she came out of the Young Master's room, so why was her face red now after coming out of Yuan Guniang's room?
At the same same time, in the small room in the backyard of the Worry-Free Commerce, because a stove was lit, it was just as warm as the Wei family's separate courtyard, which had a heated floor system.
In the room, Kuang Cheng, who had not yet left, was listening to Ji You talk about matters concerning Feng Province.
"Spirit Stone sales have been quite stable recently, and prices have been raised extremely high. The cost of the disaster relief grain should be recoverable."
Ji You took a cotton blanket and draped it over his legs: "However, no matter how much grain is harvested, it can only circulate among the common people, so I've been wanting to cultivate spirit seedlings. This year's spring plowing would be a good time to try."
Kuang Cheng hugged his shoulders and nodded after hearing Ji You's arrangements.
As Ji You said, when the common people of Feng Province still had a surplus of grain production, further increasing Feng Province's grain output wouldn't have much meaning.
It needed to be like the snowy region demon stone, needed by those cultivators, only then could they spit out the taxes they had eaten.
Kuang Cheng pondered for a long time, then suddenly saw Ji You take another cotton blanket and cover his legs, and his eyes couldn't help but show confusion: "Brother Ji, are you cold?"
Ji You shook his head somewhat inexplicably: "It's not cold, I just feel a bit of a chilly draft around my lower back and abdomen."