Chapter Thirty-Six: A Transaction of Wealth

After completing the Pill Gate’s examination for acolytes, Ming Yue set the matter aside and threw herself into the intense and busy life of a cultivation student. The Pill Gate had never accepted female disciples, and although she was deeply disappointed, she had never truly expected to be admitted. However, when the list of successful acolyte assistants was posted, it caused a sensation in the academy. For the first time in the long history of the Pill Gate, a female student had been admitted as a probationary acolyte—a precedent that had never existed before. The academy’s students were in an immediate uproar, discussing it incessantly.

Having heard that the results were out, Ming Yue followed the crowd to the notice board at the training ground to squeeze in and see the outcome.

The Pill Gate had admitted two students this time: Ming Yue in first place and Mu Xiaotian in second. The notice also outlined their primary duties, which were distributed in a very humanistic way that played to each of their strengths.

"I never imagined the Pill Gate would admit a female probationary acolyte," someone exclaimed.

"Indeed," another student replied. "It’s the first time in all these years. But look at who the current elder of the Pill Gate is—it’s none other than the genius, Senior Brother Feng Qingcheng."

Jiang Yiyi pulled Nalan Meidai into the crowd to check the results. Nalan Meidai’s eyes showed sheer disbelief, and her beautiful face was twisted with extreme disappointment and fury.

"Meidai, this... this is too much," Jiang Yiyi said with a look of sympathy. "They aren't even taking you into consideration."

Nalan Meidai’s face was coated in frost, her beautiful eyes practically spitting fire. Every time she recalled the scene of Feng Qingcheng and Ming Yue parting at the academy gates, she trembled with rage. She thought bitterly that she must not let this girl get close to Feng Qingcheng.

Listening to the buzzing discussions, Ming Yue still found it hard to believe. She had heard that the salary for a Pill Gate acolyte was high, and since she had been worrying about her living expenses, this solved all her problems.

"I didn't expect this, Big Sister; you actually took first place! The title of 'Little Medical Immortal' is truly well-deserved," said Nangong Yurou, one of the four girls in Ming Yue’s dormitory, giving her a thumbs-up as they squeezed out of the crowd.

Ming Yue laughed like a flower and said humbly, "Oh, it’s nothing... just third in the world, that’s all."

Mo Yao giggled, "On our day off this month, Fairy Ming Yue should treat us to a grand feast in Jinlu City. Usually, I’m the one paying; finally, there’s a successor. Oh, my poor purse!"

Dou Ruhua patted her belly, which seemed to have grown a bit, and said, "I only care about eating anyway. I want chicken leg rice—just the chicken legs, no rice." The others felt dark lines appear on their foreheads at this.

Ming Yue laughed happily, "No problem, no problem. Forget chicken legs; we'll have nothing but chicken, no rice!" The four roommates lived together in harmony and were very close. Mo Yao, who came from a wealthy background, was extremely generous, often buying four of every daily necessity and taking care of the other three like a big sister. Ming Yue felt particularly happy that she would have the opportunity to contribute to the group in the future.

As the four of them walked toward the cafeteria, laughing and joking, a handsome, tall, and thin male student suddenly chased after them, smiling and blocking their path. As he smiled, two dimples appeared on his cheeks.

Ming Yue remembered that this boy’s name was Long Yichen; he was the same student who had been teased until his face turned bright red by Mo Yao while they were waiting in line for the Pill Gate exam.

Mo Yao adopted her "big sister" persona, blocking the other three and saying, "What is it? Are you here to rob us of our money, or our virtue?" Mo Yao had a natural, heroic aura, looking very much like a knight-errant.

"I... I... am here to rob... your... virtue..." The handsome boy became flustered, his face turning bright red as he stammered.

"What? Rob our virtue? Are you sure?" The four girls were shocked and exchanged glances.

People were coming and going on the path, and this student looked so frail. Compared to the four of them—where Dou Ruhua alone could beat him into the ground—it would be more likely for them to rob him.

"Ah, no, no, no..." The boy became even more anxious, his fair face turning the color of a liver. He hurriedly explained, "I... I am also... from the alchemy class, Long... Long Yichen. I... I also took the... acolyte exam, and I have... have a few questions to ask... Senior Sister Ming Yue."

Ming Yue thought for a moment and realized she had indeed seen him in the alchemy lectures.

"Are you a natural stutterer, or do you only stutter when you're nervous?" Mo Yao asked, frowning. Ming Yue and Nangong Yurou couldn't help but giggle.

"I... I..." Long Yichen sneaked a glance at the proud and upright Mo Yao. For some reason, he blushed and said very shyly, "I only stutter when I see... you all."

"Why? Are we... man-eating tigers?" Mo Yao puffed out her chest and said impatiently, "Speak up if you have something to say. We still need to get to the cafeteria for dinner."

"You all... go ahead and have dinner first... I just wanted to congratulate Senior Sister Ming Yue for getting into the Pill Gate," Long Yichen lowered his head and stepped aside to let them pass.

Ming Yue nodded and said, "Thank you!"

Long Yichen peeked at Mo Yao again, blushing as he whispered, "O... okay, thank you, Senior Sister."

During dinner, Nangong Yurou whispered and teased Ming Yue, "That boy has issues. Could he be interested in you, Ming Yue?"

"How is that possible?" Ming Yue nearly choked on her soup. "His intentions clearly weren't directed at me. From start to finish, he was looking at Mo Yao."

"I... am also... from the alchemy class... Long Yichen," Mo Yao rolled her eyes, imitating his stuttering. "Other than having a somewhat handsome face, is that all there is to him?"

Dou Ruhua, while gnawing on a chicken leg, praised, "I have to say, those two dimples on Long Yichen’s face are actually quite nice."

"Pffft..." Mo Yao sprayed her rice. "So, it was Ruhua who took a liking to him!"

"I don't like pretty boys," Dou Ruhua pouted. "He’s as thin as a little chick; how could he protect me?"

Seeing Dou Ruhua constantly glancing in one direction—where Niu Zhuangzhuang, Han Ruge, and Mu Xiaotian were sitting two tables away—Mo Yao suddenly realized and said, "Oh, so you like muscular men like Niu, huh?"

"Wh-what are you saying? Ah, cough, cough..." Dou Ruhua choked on her bun, her face, rounder than an apple, flushing with embarrassment as her secret was exposed.

Ming Yue and Nangong Yurou burst into laughter, and Mo Yao was shaking with mirth. It was a very joyful meal.

While Ming Yue’s table was having a great time, a cold snort came from the next table: "One shouldn't talk while eating. These wild girls from the mountains truly lack breeding. Don't think that just because you've been admitted as an acolyte, you're something special."

Nangong Yurou sneered and retorted without hesitation: "You really are the one lacking breeding. Cursing people while eating? Did no one teach you not to speak at the table?"

"You!" Jiang Yiyi stood up, ready to lash out, but was stopped by Nalan Meidai, who sat beside her.

Nalan Meidai stood up, walked directly to Ming Yue, and said in a commanding tone, "Are you free? I have something to discuss with you."

Mo Yao refused bluntly, "Just because you have something to say, does she have to go? She’s busy."

Ming Yue remembered how Nalan Meidai had tried to sabotage her before and held no good impression of her. She stopped Mo Yao and asked Nalan Meidai, "What do you want with me? I’ve just finished eating."

Nalan Meidai walked toward the small grove at the side of the cafeteria. Ming Yue gave Nangong Yurou and Mo Yao a reassuring look and followed.

"Should we go protect Ming Yue?"

Nangong Yurou replied, "We must trust Little Sister Ming Yue. There are some things she needs to face and resolve on her own."

Ming Yue and Nalan Meidai arrived at a secluded spot by the lake. Nalan Meidai looked Ming Yue up and down, a deep disgust flashing in her beautiful eyes—a look that made Ming Yue very uncomfortable.

"What is it? Say it quickly," Ming Yue asked impatiently. "I don't think we have anything to say to each other."

Nalan Meidai sneered, "I heard you’re an orphan with no parents?"

Ming Yue was irritated by her condescending attitude: "Does that have anything to do with you?"

Nalan Meidai suddenly pulled two bank notes worth 500,000 taels of silver from her sleeve and handed them to Ming Yue: "How about we make a deal? Feng Qingcheng is not someone you can afford to provoke. As long as you give up the acolyte position, this money is yours."

Ming Yue stared at the thick stack of bank notes and was stunned. She never dreamed that Nalan Meidai had asked her out to bribe her with money.

Ming Yue’s mouth hung open in shock. The annual salary for a Pill Gate acolyte was 1,200 taels of silver; it would take a hundred years to earn 100,000 taels. When she and her mother ran a medical clinic in Chang'an Town, they only earned 400 taels a year, meaning it would take 1,250 years to earn 500,000 taels.

A wave of anger surged in Ming Yue’s heart. Although she loved money, this way of acquiring it felt like a deep insult to her soul. She looked coldly at Nalan Meidai. What did she take Feng Qingcheng for? And what did she take Ming Yue for?

Nalan Meidai had heard that Ming Yue came from poverty, was an orphan, was skilled in medicine, and was frugal, often relying on treating fellow students or helping the Pharmacy Gate organize herbs to get by. Before talking to Ming Yue, she had made detailed inquiries. It was said that this person was of low birth, loved good food, but was very generous to her friends, and was called the "Little Medical Immortal" for helping others.

Nalan Meidai pulled out another 500,000 taels of silver, looking at the radiant girl before her with disdain and contempt: "I’ll raise it to one million taels. Do we have a deal, or not?"

Nalan Meidai believed that no one could turn down money, especially when Ming Yue was just going to be a lowly acolyte at the Pill Gate. She would absolutely not allow any woman to have the chance to get close to him; Feng Qingcheng belonged to her.

Ming Yue was furious, but she wore a mocking smile: "Princess Nalan is truly generous, worthy of being from the royal family. In your eyes, it seems there is nothing that cannot be solved with silver?"

Nalan Meidai said confidently, "In this world, no one turns their back on money."

Ming Yue asked, "Is that so? I’m particularly curious. Between you trying to sabotage me during the competition and now offering me a bribe, what exactly is your relationship with Senior Brother Feng?"

Nalan Meidai paused and said proudly, "We are childhood sweethearts, having grown up together. In this world, only I am worthy of him. He is mine."

Ming Yue smiled faintly and said, "It’s a pity that not everything in this world can be measured by silver. Princess Nalan should keep it for herself to spend slowly. I have things to do, so I’ll take my leave." She turned and walked away, leaving Nalan Meidai stunned.

"If you go to be his acolyte, you will definitely regret it!" Nalan Meidai shouted behind her, grinding her teeth.

Ming Yue didn't want to deal with her anymore. When she returned to the dormitory, she felt a bit depressed. Nangong Yurou and Mo Yao asked her with concern what Nalan Meidai wanted. Ming Yue thought about it and told them everything.

"One million taels of silver? The most money I've ever seen is a hundred taels," Dou Ruhua said, her eyes turning into gold ingots. "That’s enough to eat for several lifetimes!" This earned her a synchronized eye-roll from Nangong Yurou and Mo Yao.

"I was just saying, okay?" Dou Ruhua shrank her neck and mumbled.

"Nalan Meidai is disgusting. Who does she think she is? Ming Yue, you did great," Nangong Yurou said, hugging Ming Yue. "Trying to bribe you with a measly million taels? Don't agree to her, let her fume. But then again, this Feng Qingcheng is really worth a lot."

Mo Yao pondered for a moment and asked, "What is the relationship between Nangong Yurou and Feng Qingcheng? No wonder the academy is spreading rumors that they are engaged. But if they were fiancés, it doesn't look like it; it's said Feng Qingcheng has always advocated for a life of purity. Perhaps they are just old acquaintances. Tell you what, I’ll have people look into it."

Nangong Yurou also said to Ming Yue, "Ming Yue, you must seize the opportunity. If you really become Feng Qingcheng’s acolyte, strike when the time is right, and don't let a good cabbage be trampled by a wild boar."

Ming Yue felt dark lines appear on her head and wiped the cold sweat from her forehead: "I’m just a tiny acolyte anyway. There are so many alchemists in the Pill Gate; who knows whose acolyte I'll be? I’ll just do my job, and let others love whoever they want."

Nangong Yurou laughed, "We were admitted to the Pill Gate based on our own merits. Why should we give it up just because she says so? Ming Yue, ignore her and do your thing. If she’s unbalanced, she can go take the exam herself."

Ming Yue nodded, and her slight depression vanished. She was stubborn by nature, and she was determined to be this acolyte.