Volume One, Chapter 20: I Can Do a Good Deed for You Right Now

At this moment, a flicker of hope still lingered in Su Yi’an’s heart: how she wished she had misjudged—that the adorable little tiger had nothing to do with the Northern Duke.

Yet, Su Yi’an had secretly followed the little tiger all the way to the outer wall of the Northern Duke’s mansion, watching helplessly as he crouched low and nimbly slipped through the dog hole beneath the wall.

Her heart froze completely...

Xiao Tiger entered the courtyard and, under the watchful eyes of the guards, boldly walked into his own courtyard.

These guards had all come back with the Northern Duke from the northern border. They were used to the young master crawling around the military camp as a toddler, running everywhere as he grew older, raising him in a free-range manner: as long as he lived, it was fine; if he died, it didn’t matter.

Even though it was deep into the night, no one bothered to ask where he came from or where he was going.

Xiao Tiger went to his room, crawled under his bed, took out the bundle given by the lady he admired, found the rhinoceros horn, tucked it into his chest, then crawled out from under the bed again.

Then, right under the noses of the night patrol guards, he walked out of his courtyard and vanished into the pitch-black night in an unnoticed corner.

Su Yi’an retrieved the century-old rhinoceros horn, squatted down, and patted the little tiger’s small shoulder.

“Little one, I’m going on a long journey. From now on, don’t come looking for me at the cloth market.”

Xiao Tiger’s dark eyes immediately welled up with tears, his childish voice choked with emotion.

“When will you come back?”

Seeing him cry, Su Yi’an’s heart twisted painfully. She couldn’t bear to say anything too harsh and could only lie.

“I’m going back to my hometown to spend the New Year with my parents. When spring arrives, I’ll come back.”

“Mm…” The little one nodded vigorously, tears streaming down both cheeks, his face filled with unspeakable reluctance. It was clear he was desperately trying to control his emotions.

Such a young child had already learned to manage his feelings—he was truly sensible.

Moved, Su Yi’an couldn’t help but care a little more.

“From now on, eat well during the day and sleep well at night, so you can grow tall and strong. Never sneak out alone again. You’re so handsome; if some bad person took you away, you might never come back. Then, when I return, I’d never see you again.”

Xiao Tiger wiped his tears with a small hand and whispered hoarsely,

“Mm, I remember. I won’t run around anymore. When spring comes, I’ll wait for you at the cloth market.”

Su Yi’an’s eyes stung; she fought back tears and pulled him into a tight embrace.

“You little fool, when spring comes, I will be leaving the capital…”

Truly unbelievable—he was so well-behaved and mature. How could he be the son of that hyper-masculine man?

Su Yi’an bade farewell and secretly escorted the little one back to the mansion before she took heavy steps away.

She comforted herself inwardly:

Children have short memories; after a while, he’ll naturally forget me. Time will fade everything.

From now on, whenever I visit the Northern Duke, I must avoid the backyard to prevent awkward encounters…

Su Yi’an had told countless lies in her life without remorse. Only this time, deceiving an earnest little child made her conscience ache, tossing and turning through the night.

Even tricking a child—I truly am despicable.

But he is the Northern Duke’s son; better a sharp pain now than a longer suffering.

Unable to sleep, Su Yi’an rose and began sketching.

Before crossing over, she had been a devoted Hanfu enthusiast, naturally including various ornamental hairpins.

Taking advantage of her sleeplessness, she designed a set of headpieces, intending to make them and give them to the lady’s maid.

Since she had taken a chest full of property deeds from her, she ought to offer something in return.

The next day.

After breakfast, Su Yi’an set out to find a jewelry shop.

After inquiries, she arrived at the capital’s most famous jewelry store: the Precious Treasure Pavilion.

She presented her drawings and requested a custom order.

The shopkeeper’s eyes lit up at once.

“Miss, would you let me use your designs? If so, I won’t charge you for the craftsmanship.”

“You won’t charge for the jewelry either?”

The shopkeeper smiled awkwardly. “Miss, you must be joking. Your design is gold inlaid with jade. How could I possibly give it to you for free?”

“No. I painstakingly drew the design and don’t want duplicates.”

“Miss, consider this: if I waive the labor cost, I can give you an extra twenty taels of silver.”

“Only twenty taels? No thanks! Please finish it as soon as possible—I want it before the New Year.”

“Understood. When it’s done, to which mansion shall I deliver it?”

At this, the shopkeeper’s greedy eyes suddenly dulled.

The Duke’s mansion... I dare not counterfeit this one...

He immediately bowed deeply, flattering.

“Rest assured, Miss. Since this is a commission for the Duke’s mansion, I will have the craftsmen work day and night. It will be finished within fifteen days, and I will personally deliver it first thing in the morning.”

“Thank you.”

Su Yi’an left the Precious Treasure Pavilion and walked a while along the street. Passing by a pharmacy named Ji Xin Hall, she saw an elderly white-bearded man posting a notice:

“Century-old Pharmacy for Sale—Seeking a Virtuous Healer.”

Su Yi’an stepped into the main hall. “Sir, why are you selling this pharmacy?”

The old doctor looked melancholic.

“Ji Xin Hall has been the heart and soul of my family for three generations. Alas, I have no sons, and my apprentice passed away a few years back. No one remains to inherit my craft. My wife and I plan to travel the world, doing good deeds daily, praying to be blessed with a son in the next life.”

“Doing good deeds daily? You’re truly a good person. Surely, you’ll have many sons in your next life. I can help you start by doing a good deed now—transferring this pharmacy to me would be a kindness.”

“Young lady, what would you do with my pharmacy?”

“To be honest, I’m also a doctor. Buying this pharmacy is for the purpose of healing and benefiting people. Isn’t that a great kindness?”

The old doctor looked at her incredulously. She was dressed like an unmarried young woman with unbound hair, clearly not very old.

“Miss, don’t toy with me. Ji Xin Hall carries the medical skills of several generations. I’d rather close it than entrust it to an unreliable healer who might ruin its reputation.”

Su Yi’an’s bright eyes sparkled.

“Sir, why not test me? See if I’m truly qualified to take over Ji Xin Hall.”

Seeing her confidence and with nothing else to do, the old doctor invited her in and quizzed her on medical theory.

In the end, the old doctor was overjoyed. He didn’t even charge her a transfer fee, only the cost of the herbs in the shop: two hundred taels of silver.

“My Ji Xin Hall will be in good hands with such a talented young healer. I can depart this world peacefully.”

Thus, Su Yi’an took over Ji Xin Hall.

Once the old doctor left, she turned to the assistants and announced:

“From now on, Ji Xin Hall will not treat minor illnesses, focusing solely on difficult and complex cases. Also, doctors will only see patients for one hour each night.”