Chapter 45: Lord Elder Drinks His Medicine

From then on, Mingyue became Feng Qingcheng's personal medicine attendant. When she first assumed this role, Mingyue was full of curiosity. Would she be involved in alchemy? Was Feng Qingcheng a difficult person to serve?

After spending some genuine time with him, Mingyue discovered that Feng Qingcheng was not as hard to get along with as he appeared on the surface. How should she put it? Although she was designated as his personal alchemy attendant, Mingyue was not actually tasked with any matters related to alchemy.

What Mingyue had to do these past few days was to rise at the Hour of Chen to practice Qi, follow that with sword practice, and then stand by Feng Qingcheng's side to serve him closely. Her duties included serving tea and pouring water, tidying up the desk, grinding ink and washing brushes, dusting flower arrangements, accompanying him for strolls in the garden, and even handling trivial chores like fertilizing and watering the plants in the flowerbed.

Sometimes, Mingyue would stand quietly to one side, watching him practice his swordplay and martial arts, write poetry and paint, or play the zither under the moonlight. At other times, with nothing to do, she would simply stand nearby, spacing out and yawning.

Mingyue did not need to prepare breakfast or dinner for Feng Qingcheng because he had long since attained the state of Bigu and abstained from eating. However, since her immortal power had not yet reached the Upper Immortal realm, she still needed to eat. Following Feng Qingcheng's instructions, Yan Dan had someone prepare a medicinal porridge for Mingyue. It contained a significant amount of herbs, which Yan Dan said were meant to nourish and condition her body. Although it carried a strong medicinal scent, since it was ordered by Feng Qingcheng himself, Mingyue had no choice but to finish it.

Of course, there was one very special task that Mingyue had to perform every single day: brewing medicine for Feng Qingcheng.

According to Yan Dan, Feng Qingcheng had been poisoned in the past. Although the toxins had now been mostly cleared out, he still needed to take his medicine twice a day, a regimen that would continue for some time.

Before Mingyue arrived, the task of brewing the medicine fell to Yan Dan. Once Mingyue took over, the twice-daily brewing duty was handed entirely to her.

Hesitating for a moment back then, Yan Dan had told Mingyue, "Well... Elder is somewhat afraid of bitterness. You must keep an eye on him and make sure he drinks his medicine promptly. Otherwise, once it cools down, he will secretly pour it away."

"Ah?" Mingyue had stared blankly at Yan Dan, then chuckled. "Elder is not a three-year-old child. How could he be afraid of taking medicine?"

Yan Dan nodded solemnly. "From now on, this task is yours."

Brewing medicine happened to be Mingyue's specialty. Therefore, after every breakfast and dinner, she would personally brew the medicine for Feng Qingcheng. Once the decoction had boiled down to a rich consistency and cooled slightly, she would bring it to him to take.

Mingyue remembered the first time she brought the bowl of medicine to Feng Qingcheng, calling out to him, "Elder, time to take your medicine!"

To ensure Feng Qingcheng would drink the medicine promptly, she recalled how she used to treat children in the past, giving them preserved plums to keep in their mouths so they would obediently swallow their bitter draughts. Mingyue had prepared some preserved plums for Feng Qingcheng as well, intending for him to hold one in his mouth while taking the medicine to lessen the bitterness.

That day, Feng Qingcheng was sitting at his desk reading. Hearing Mingyue's call, he glanced at the bowl of medicine, knitted his handsome brows slightly, and said, "Leave it there for now."

Remembering Yan Dan's warning, Mingyue picked up the medicine bowl and walked right up to Feng Qingcheng. She placed a small dish of dark, glossy preserved plums next to the bowl and asked coaxingly, "Elder, would you like to drink some non-bitter medicine today?"

Feng Qingcheng raised his slender, phoenix-like eyes and looked at her curiously. "Non-bitter medicine?"

Mingyue nodded, using the tone one might use to coax a child. "Yes, Elder, would you like to try it?"

A trace of curiosity flashed in Feng Qingcheng's eyes. He looked at Mingyue's alluring expression and finally nodded.

Mingyue handed him a preserved plum. "Elder, hold this in your mouth while you drink the medicine, and you will find that it isn't bitter at all."

Feng Qingcheng stared at the preserved plum for a long time before asking doubtfully, "What is this?"

Mingyue smiled and said, "Elder, these are preserved plums, specially prepared for you. If you keep one in your mouth while taking the medicine, it won't taste bitter. Just try it and see."

Feng Qingcheng picked up the preserved plum, placed it tentatively into his mouth, and an intensely sour yet sweet flavor instantly spread across his tongue. Seizing the opportunity, Mingyue picked up the medicine bowl and handed it to him, encouraging him with her eyes to drink it down quickly.

Feng Qingcheng frowned, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately followed her instructions, raising the bowl to drink slowly. Perhaps because of the preserved plum in his mouth, the sour and sweet taste diffusing through his palate made him feel for the very first time that the medicine wasn't quite as bitter as usual. Although the plum was extremely sour, it truly neutralized a large portion of the medicinal taste.

Mingyue covered her mouth and chuckled. "Elder, how is it? Not so bitter anymore, right?"

Feng Qingcheng nodded, a faint smile inevitably touching the corners of his lips. He was already strikingly handsome, and when he smiled, it was as dazzling as spring flowers blooming in full splendor, leaving Mingyue utterly spellbound. She could not help but sigh inwardly: This person really is breathtakingly good-looking!

The young girl stood gracefully before his desk, her brows picturesque, her eyes sparkling with vibrant light, smiling like an adorable puppy, appearing especially delicate, cute, and naive.

From then on, whenever Feng Qingcheng took his medicine, he would hold a preserved plum in his mouth to suppress the taste. Each time she walked over with the bowl and called out, "Elder, time to take your medicine!"

He would take the initiative to pick up a plum, put it in his mouth, and then obediently drink the pitch-black decoction. At moments like this, the young girl's brilliant, sparkling eyes would always gaze at him with a smile, and from that day onward, Feng Qingcheng never felt that the medicine was difficult to swallow again.

In truth, Mingyue missed the immortal cultivation academy and her fellow students very much. She deeply wished she could return to the academy from time to time to see her friends and study the Dao alongside them.

She had run into Mu Xiaotian at the Alchemy Gate several times and learned that he only came over in the mornings and returned to the academy by evening, whereas she was required to live here permanently. This realization stirred an unbidden sense of envy in her heart.

One day, she cautiously asked Feng Qingcheng, "Elder, when will I be able to return to the academy?"

Feng Qingcheng gave her a calm look. Noticing that her complexion was much ruddier than before—having conditioned her body daily for a time, she was now completely free of major ailments—he figured that after a few more days of recuperation, she could indeed spend some time back at the academy.

However, what came out of Feng Qingcheng's mouth was, "You are now my personal alchemy attendant and must live here every day to assist me with my affairs. Do not forget your duties."

A wave of displeasure washed over Mingyue, and she complained with a pout, "Elder, aside from brewing your medicine and serving it to you every day, I don't seem to have any particular tasks to do. When will I actually get to learn alchemy?"

Seeing her dissatisfied expression, Feng Qingcheng replied indifferently, "What is the rush? Do not forget your agreement with me."

Mingyue's face instantly fell as she remembered that she had, after all, broken many of his valuable possessions and handed him a weakness to exploit. Wanting to retort, she found herself completely at a loss for words.

Moping all the way back to her room, Mingyue muttered to herself, "Utterly selfish! I'm just your alchemy attendant, not your slave. Is there any need to be so petty?"

Feeling depressed, she caught sight of the large plate of preserved plums she had prepared, grabbed a few, and began to eat. The preserved plums were sweet, sour, and utterly delicious. Once she started eating them, she simply couldn't stop. By the time she finally snapped back to reality, she discovered that the entire large plate of plums had been devoured by her alone.

Mingyue thought to herself that she was in deep trouble now. Would Feng Qingcheng blame her when evening came and it was time for his medicine?

She hurried off to find Yan Dan. "Yan Dan, are there any more preserved plums for the Elder?"

Yan Dan asked in surprise, "Weren't there plenty prepared? You've finished them already?"

Scratching her head in embarrassment, Mingyue muttered, "Well... I was hungry, so I ate them all. Hehe..."

Yan Dan sighed, "The earliest we can buy more is tomorrow noon. You'll just have to figure something out for today."

When the Hour of Xu arrived, Mingyue finished brewing the medicine and brought it to Feng Qingcheng as usual, calling out with a guilty conscience, "Elder, time for your medicine."

Habitually, Feng Qingcheng reached out to grab a preserved plum to put in his mouth, but there was no sign of them anywhere. He asked, "Where are the plums? Why aren't there any?"

Looking thoroughly sheepish, Mingyue explained, "Well, Elder, the plums ran out. I've already told Yan Dan to buy some more, so you'll just have to bear with it this once."

Feng Qingcheng took the medicine bowl, knitted his brows in hesitation, but ultimately drank it down in one go. As the liquid hit his palate, he felt an overwhelming bitterness—it tasted many times more bitter than any medicine he had ever taken before.

Seeing his handsome face contort into an expression akin to a bitter melon, looking utterly comical, Mingyue could not help but purse her lips and suppress a laugh. She thought to herself: Probably very few people have ever witnessed this genuine, childlike side of him. The rest of the world looked upon Feng Qingcheng as a genius grand deity, but after spending time with him, Mingyue realized he actually possessed many adorable traits and could even be a little childish at times.

A wave of smug satisfaction bubbled up inside her. Although she couldn't return to the academy to cultivate alongside her peers and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow students, staying here to accompany him did not seem like such an unbearable ordeal after all.

Just like right now, Mingyue was accompanying Feng Qingcheng on a stroll through the garden beside his bedchamber.

Next to Feng Qingcheng's bedchamber were layers of stone-paved steps that extended all the way to a garden not far away. The area was filled with ancient, towering trees, clear springs, and a sea of clouds, presenting a deeply serene and tranquil atmosphere.

Feng Qingcheng walked slowly in front, while Mingyue followed closely behind, carrying a pot of fragrant tea in her hand.

Clad in pristine white robes amidst the verdant trees and clear springs, Feng Qingcheng stood tall and straight. His peerless, matchless visage appeared exceptionally striking against the backdrop of green, and his robes fluttered in the breeze, lending him the otherworldly grace of an immortal descended to the mortal realm.

The petite Mingyue stood a short distance behind him, stretching her neck to gaze up at his elegant and towering posture. Countless breathtaking words of praise flooded her mind, yet she felt that no description could ever truly capture his perfection.

Secretly, Mingyue thought that having the fortune to face such a magnificent person every day was perhaps the most wonderful thing in the world.

Feng Qingcheng walked over to a stone bench and sat down. Hurrying forward with the pot of fragrant tea, Mingyue pulled out a cup, poured him a cup of tea, and placed it before him. "Elder, please have some tea."

The tea liquid was a vibrant, translucent green that contrasted exquisitely with his snow-white robes, creating an indescribable beauty that made the aroma of the tea seem even richer.

Feng Qingcheng picked up the teacup and took a gentle sip. His graceful movements flowed as smoothly as floating clouds and moving water, forming a picture so enchanting she could never forget it.

Lost in her daze, Mingyue watched him, thinking inwardly that there truly was someone so breathtakingly magnificent in this world.

Lifting his eyes to look at her, Feng Qingcheng asked indifferently, "Have you still been experiencing chest tightness or shortness of breath these past few days?"

Meeting his gaze, Mingyue hurriedly averted her eyes, lowered her head, and replied, "I feel much better. Thank you, Elder."

Feng Qingcheng nodded and said, "Go back to the academy tomorrow to have a look, and return in a few days."

Thinking she had misheard, Mingyue asked, "Go, go back to the academy? Really?"

Seeing the look of pleasant surprise on her face, Feng Qingcheng nodded. "Tomorrow is the fifteenth; you can go out and stroll through the markets."

"Yay! Tomorrow I can finally go back to the academy!" Mingyue couldn't help cheering out loud. Catching Feng Qingcheng looking at her, she playfully stuck out her tongue, covered her mouth, and smiled happily.

Watching her childlike display, Feng Qingcheng gave a faint, smiling shake of his head.

After thinking for a moment, Mingyue urged, "Elder, during the days I'm away, you must remember to drink your medicine properly. You mustn't be afraid of the bitterness!"

Looking at her with a hint of awkwardness, Feng Qingcheng defended himself, "When have I ever been afraid of bitter medicine?"

Covering her mouth with a giggle, Mingyue said, "I've asked Yan Dan to prepare some preserved plums. Remember to keep one in your mouth when you take your medicine, and it won't taste nearly as bitter."

Feng Qingcheng nodded silently without offering a retort.

Inwardly, Mingyue chuckled to herself, her heart brimming with even greater anticipation for her life as an alchemy attendant hereafter. And looking forward to tomorrow's shopping trip even more—after all, nothing in the world could make one happier than shopping and buying things.