(Hehe! Sorry for the late update! I've been typing ten-plus hours a day for several days straight, utterly exhausted, so I slept in a bit this morning and only finished this chapter now.)
"I don’t need these sisters of mine to take this medicine, do I? My own life isn’t enough as collateral?" Lady Yan, who had swallowed the pill, stopped Second Mistress Li from also wanting to take the medicine.
Upon hearing Lady Yan’s words, Han Li blinked slightly, a hint of surprise crossing his face.
But after a moment’s thought, he nodded gently and said, "Since the four ladies are so close-knit and have said as much, I, Han Li, am not unreasonable. Very well, the second lady and her sisters need not take the medicine."
Having said that, Han Li took the bottle back from Lady Yan’s hand and slipped it back into his robe.
"Since we’ve settled this, I’ll take my leave for now. I’ll return tomorrow at this time to the Mo manor to collect the portrait and other items, then head straight to the Tyrant’s Mountain Villa."
"Thank you for the trouble!" Lady Yan and the others rose to see Han Li off.
Han Li gave a faint smile, turned gracefully, and left the room.
Han Li had just stepped down the small building when hurried footsteps sounded behind him.
"Senior Brother Han, wait a moment! My second sister has something else for you!" cried Xiao Caihuan, the little girl, her voice ringing out. Han Li heard it, sighed, and turned around helplessly.
There before him, the little sprite dashed ahead, while Mo Fengwu and Mo Yuzhu followed behind, heading his way.
Caihuan caught up to Han Li in a few steps, then widened her eyes, circling him and making a continual “zha zha” sound, as if examining some rare curiosity.
"Alright! Senior Brother Han, you’ve really had me going! I never imagined you were also a fraud—using little trinkets to keep people spinning around."
Han Li rolled his eyes at the girl. "What little trinkets? You’re the one demanding gifts, insisting on getting your way!"
"Third sister, don’t be rude—don’t mess around with Lord Han."
This was the first time Han Li heard Mo Fengwu’s voice: soft, gentle, and pleasing to the ear.
"What’s that! I’m just venting for my mother—who let this guy act so arrogantly in front of her!" Caihuan huffed.
Han Li realized, just as he’d suspected, that the girl was merely trying to annoy him, so he ignored her and turned to Mo Fengwu.
"Miss Fengwu, is there something you need from me?"
Seeing Han Li address her, Mo Fengwu’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she still spoke softly: "I sought you out only to ask whether the Fragrance‑Sealing Pill on my third sister is truly a gift from you, and whether you have received the true transmission of my father’s medical arts."
Upon first meeting Mo Fengwu, Han Li had taken a liking to her; now, seeing her speak so gently and shyly, he felt a surge of pity for her.
He replied amiably, "Miss Fengwu wishes to know this; I, Han Li, will hide nothing."
"Miss Caihuan’s Fragrance‑Sealing Pill was indeed given by me. I also indeed learned much medical knowledge and prescriptions from Master Mo; this pill is one of them. Perhaps Miss Fengwu, you are also greatly interested in it?"
Having observed the medicinal herbs planted in the Mo manor’s rear courtyard, Han Li knew there must be someone who had studied Master Mo’s medicine; seeing Miss Fengwu’s question, he sensed that the graceful lady before him was likely that person.
Sure enough, as soon as Han Li finished speaking, the girl who had seemed utterly demure showed a flicker of delight in her eyes and said:
"Don’t hide it from me, Sir—I have been fascinated by my father’s medical arts since childhood, studying many of his texts and notes. Unfortunately, when Father left the Mo manor I was still young, so what I managed to learn is limited."
After saying that, Miss Fengwu hesitated, then continued:
"I have a request, and I hope you will grant it. Could you please transcribe my father’s medical insights for me, so I may study further and refine my own medical skill?"
Having spoken those words, the Mo manor’s second lady blushed slightly, clearly embarrassed by her bold request.
Yet upon hearing the maiden’s plea, Han Li did not even pause before agreeing immediately.