[Herbal Shed · Afternoon]
The air was thick with the fragrance of herbs, sunlight slanting in through the curtains.
Li Furong casually flipped through the medical texts on the table, yet her gaze kept drifting toward Sang Qi, who was grinding herbs with his head lowered.
With a light, teasing tone, she spoke.
"Doctor Sang, you prescribe medicines every day. You must know all sorts of tricks. For example… are there really prescriptions that make someone grow taller?"
Sang Qi paused. He glanced at her coldly.
"That's a bone-strengthening, yang-boosting formula. It can help the growth of muscles and bones. It may suit men, but if a woman takes it recklessly, it will throw her qi and blood into chaos and damage her meridians."
Li Furong's heart tightened, yet she smiled lightly.
"I see. I was just thinking—if someone is short and really wants to grow taller, wouldn't that do the trick?"
"Medicine is no joke," Sang Qi snorted. "Take it blindly, and you'll ruin your body."
A determined glint flickered in Li Furong's eyes, though her tone stayed playful.
"Then what if a woman took it by accident for a while? Can it still be fixed?"
Sang Qi frowned.
"Stop it immediately. Use mild herbs like angelica and ligusticum to regulate the blood. It can recover slowly. But if it goes on too long, there may be lasting harm."
"Then could you write both prescriptions for me?" Li Furong smiled sweetly, even giving him a teasing wink. "I'd like to learn a bit of medicine too. You never know when it might come in handy."
His ears warmed slightly. He cleared his throat, trying to stay stern.
"Be serious. Learning herbs isn't a joke."
Even so, he picked up his brush and quickly wrote out two prescriptions—one for strengthening the bones, the other for nourishing and regulating the blood.
"Here." He slid them toward her, his tone calm, his handwriting neat and firm.
Li Furong accepted them with a bright smile, relief flashing in her eyes.
"Thank you, Doctor Sang. I really learned something today."
Quietly, she held tight to the blood-nourishing prescription.
This was the answer she needed.
Sang Qi went back to sorting medicine, as cold and focused as ever.
Li Furong discreetly separated the two papers, folding the nourishing prescription into a small envelope. A trace of resolve crossed her eyes.
When Sang Qi turned away, she walked to the corner where a few young apprentices were sorting herbs.
"Boy, come here."
A child of about ten hurried over.
She slipped him the envelope and whispered,
"Take this to the Yao Residence. Deliver it personally to Lord Luo Ye. Tell him Doctor Sang says the prescription has been changed—this is the new one."
"Yes, ma'am."
The boy hugged the envelope and ran.
Li Furong watched him go, then returned to the shed with a faint, satisfied smile.
[Yao Residence]
Scrolls piled high in Luo Ye's study.
As he was checking accounts, a report came in:
"Milord, an apprentice from the herbal shed has brought a letter. He says Doctor Sang sent it."
"Let him in."
The boy presented the envelope.
"Lord Luo, Doctor Sang says the prescription has been revised. This is the new one."
Hearing Sang Qi's name, Luo Ye took it seriously and opened the letter. The handwriting was unmistakably Sang Qi's.
"Angelica, ligusticum, white peony, mugwort…?"
He didn't understand medicine, but he didn't doubt it either.
"So he changed the prescription again?" he muttered.
"Have it prepared. One dose every ten days. Send it to my study."
"Yes, milord."
[Study · Night]
Steam curled up from the bowl of medicine.
"Drink it." Luo Ye stood nearby, arms folded.
Ling Dang took the bowl, hands trembling.
The scent was different—no longer harsh and bitter, but warm, with hints of red dates and ginger.
She took a sip. A soft warmth spread through her body.
Her eyes shone, though she quickly lowered her head and finished the bowl.
"How is it?" Luo Ye asked coolly. "Doctor Sang changed it—it should suit you better."
Ling Dang nodded, tears glimmering.
"Yes… it's not so bitter anymore."
In her heart, warmth bloomed.
It must be sister Furong who changed it for me…
[Herbal Shed · Afternoon]
On her day off, Ling Dang brought some small cakes to the shed to thank Li Furong.
"Furong-jie…" she whispered shyly. "Thank you for changing my medicine."
Li Furong smiled gently. "Did it help? Any discomfort?"
Ling Dang blushed. "No… I just get a little tired."
They leaned close, whispering.
Just then, Sang Qi returned and saw them.
A strange irritation flashed in his eyes. He strode over and flicked Ling Dang on the forehead.
"What are you doing here?"
"I—I just came to thank Sister Furong…"
Furong laughed and pushed Sang Qi's arm.
"Why are you so fierce?"
Ling Dang called softly, "Sister…"
That word pricked Sang Qi.
"Sister? You call her that so easily?"
Li Furong raised a brow. "He's my sworn brother. Any problem?"
Sang Qi went silent, turning away to grind herbs, his back stiff.
Furong smiled to herself, then leaned in and whispered into his ear,
"I'm heading back now. I'll come see you tomorrow."
Then she took Ling Dang's hand and left.
Sang Qi sat frozen, pestle hanging in midair.
[Carriage]
Inside the warm carriage, Ling Dang hugged her cakes, still flushed.
Li Furong leaned over, teasing.
"Did you see? He was totally jealous."
"Jealous?!" Ling Dang squeaked.
Li Furong smiled knowingly.
"You called me 'sister' so sweetly—of course he wasn't happy."
Ling Dang's face burned red.
Li Furong chuckled.
"You're just too adorable. Even I want to protect you."
Ling Dang clutched her cakes.
"Furong-jie…"
The carriage rolled on, filled with laughter and shy warmth.