Chapter 10: Successfully Obtaining the Herb

Observing Lin Chuyi’s reaction, a corner of Physician Li’s mouth curled into a smile. This girl.

Physician Li chuckled helplessly and said, "Alright, I know you aren't actually fainting. Aren't you tired of keeping this up?"

This time, Lin Chuyi was certain she had been caught. She cautiously opened her eyes, and sure enough, she saw Physician Li standing by the table, looking at her with an amused expression.

"Uh, heh heh, Physician Li, long time no see!" Lin Chuyi sat up from the table, feeling embarrassed. She had thought her act was convincing—how had he seen through it? She was covered in blood, after all! Even if it was mostly dried by now.

Physician Li sat down, smiling as he looked at her. "Long time no see? We only just saw each other yesterday."

Upon hearing this, the expression on Lin Chuyi’s face became even more awkward. She scrambled off the table and chuckled, "Is, is that so? I must have misremembered."

"What happened to you? And, well, what about your mouth?"

Physician Li frowned as he looked at her. Since he knew she wasn't actually injured, he couldn't fathom where all the blood on her body had come from.

At this, Lin Chuyi immediately put on a look of utter despair. "Physician Li, although I lied about fainting, this really is my blood! I went into the mountains today to pick some mushrooms, and who would have thought I’d run into a leopard? It took all my strength to kill it. These wounds on me are from that fight. Please, you must prescribe me some life-saving medicine!" As she spoke, she slumped weakly over the table, instantly appearing as if she were breathing her last.

Physician Li’s brow furrowed. He didn't believe for a second that this girl could fight and kill a leopard, but he still carefully checked her pulse. As he felt her wrist, his brow knit even tighter.

*Oh no,* Lin Chuyi thought, stealing a glance at his face. Her heart began to race. She knew she had given herself away again. Why did she have to choose to fake an illness in front of Physician Li? She must be dim-witted.

Just as she was panicking, Physician Li finally spoke: "Your pulse is weak and thready, likely from excessive blood loss. I will prescribe some blood-nourishing medicine for you."

Lin Chuyi looked up at him in disbelief. When she caught the look in his eyes, she immediately slumped back over the table. "Physician Li, could you also give me some herbs to apply to my wounds? I’ll take care of the dressing myself when I get home."

She spoke in a frail voice and then went silent. Though she was puzzled by Physician Li’s attitude, now was clearly not the time to seek answers; there was someone back in the mountains waiting for her to save them.

"Mm," Physician Li nodded and stood up to prepare the medicine himself.

As he gathered the herbs, his brow remained furrowed. He knew perfectly well that the girl had no injuries, but then, where did the blood come from? He could think of no logical explanation, and what he feared most was that she had stumbled into some kind of trouble.

*Sigh, I suppose I’ll just have to take it one step at a time.*

Physician Li sighed silently and brought over the medicine and bandages. "There you go. Take these. You should get home and dress those wounds immediately."

As soon as she heard the medicine was ready, Lin Chuyi sprang to her feet. "Oh, right, right!" She then bolted toward the door.

The moment she opened it, she paused, then immediately cried out in a weak voice, "Cough, cough... Physician Li’s medical skills are truly brilliant! Apart from some soreness, I feel like I’m basically fine now!"

Having said that, she dashed through the crowd and sprinted away. Her swift, nimble retreating figure looked nothing like that of an injured person.