BTTH : Emperor Yang

Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Ye Xian’er

”Is it inconvenient for you to tell me?” Wei Yang asked with a smile.

”N-No, it’s not that.” Xiao Yixian immediately shook her head upon hearing his question. She seemed a little nervous, her small hands clutching the hem of her clothes so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Lowering her head, she whispered softly, ”M-My name is Ye Xian’er.”

Her voice was light and melodious.

”Ye Xian’er...”

Wei Yang murmured the name twice, then smiled. ”A beautiful name—it suits you well.”

This name was much better than just ”Xiao Yixian.”

She truly lived up to her name—ethereal like a fairy.

”T-Thank you.” Ye Xian’er lowered her head shyly, her voice soft and hesitant.

”I’m Wei Yang,” he introduced himself with a smile before turning around and continuing forward.

”Wei Yang...” Ye Xian’er repeated in her mind. She looked at his back, then pursed her lips into a smile before following him with light, quick steps.

...

Back at the inn.

Wei Yang pushed open the door and walked inside.

Behind him, Ye Xian’er stopped at the entrance, hesitating. She wasn’t sure if she should follow him in.

”Come in. Why are you standing there like a statue?” Wei Yang called out as he sat down on a chair.

Ye Xian’er took a deep breath to gather her courage before carefully stepping inside. She moved hesitantly, her eyes scanning the lavishly decorated room, looking a little uneasy.

”Sit down.” Wei Yang poured her a cup of tea and gestured for her to take a seat.

”Thank you, young master.” Ye Xian’er accepted the cup with both hands, lowering her head as she sipped slowly. She kept her head down for a long time, not daring to lift it.

Wei Yang couldn’t help but chuckle at her reaction.

Hearing his laughter, Ye Xian’er sneaked a glance at him.

Seeing his smiling expression, she was startled, and like a frightened little deer, she quickly looked away. Her face instantly flushed red, the color spreading all the way to the tips of her ears.

Even her delicate, tiny earlobes seemed to glow like translucent jade.

Wei Yang found her shyness amusing but didn’t tease her further. Instead, he asked, ”You’re just a young girl—why are you alone in Qingshan Town?”

A flicker of sadness flashed across Ye Xian’er’s face, but she quickly hid it. She answered softly, ”I... I heard there’s a place here called Thousand Medicine House. It’s quite famous and has a good reputation. They’re recruiting apprentice physicians, so I wanted to try my luck.”

”Oh? You’ve studied medicine?” Wei Yang nodded, pretending to be curious.

Ye Xian’er nodded at first, then hesitated and shook her head. ”I-I haven’t really studied it. I... I just taught myself.”

”Self-taught? Impressive.” Wei Yang praised her.

Ye Xian’er quickly waved her hands, looking embarrassed. ”N-No, I haven’t mastered anything... I just learned on my own... I-I’ve never actually treated anyone before.”

”Funny coincidence—I’m a physician too. And like you, I’m self-taught.”

Wei Yang chuckled. ”But I’m a little better than you—I’ve already treated people. Back in Wu Tan City, I even made a bit of a name for myself.”

”Really?” Ye Xian’er lifted her head in surprise, her bright eyes sparkling.

”Of course. Why would I lie to you?” Wei Yang spread his hands. ”They even call me, uh... Physician Wei.”

”Wow, you’re amazing! I... I want to be like you someday.” Ye Xian’er said enviously.

”Perfect timing—I need an assistant. Want to consider the position?” Wei Yang raised an eyebrow, a sly smile forming on his lips.

”Really?” Ye Xian’er asked excitedly.

”Of course.” Wei Yang nodded seriously.

Ye Xian’er bit her lip lightly, her watery eyes glancing at him. A faint, unreadable emotion flickered in her gaze before her face suddenly flushed again.

She turned bright red, like a ripe apple—adorable and irresistibly enticing.

Her expression and demeanor were so endearing that it made people want to reach out and take a bite.

Wei Yang couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion stir in his heart as a hint of heat flashed in his gaze.

Unfortunately for him, Ye Xian’er caught that momentary flicker of warmth.

Instantly, her face turned an even deeper shade of red, as if it might start dripping blood.

Wei Yang suddenly felt a bit guilty, like he’d been caught doing something wrong. But he maintained a calm expression and stiffened his neck. ”So, are you in or not? If you don’t want to, forget it.”

”Pfft~” Ye Xian’er couldn’t hold back a giggle but quickly stifled it. She stole a quick glance at Wei Yang.

When she saw the slightly stiff expression on his face, she struggled to hold back another laugh, then quickly nodded and whispered, ”I’ll come with you.”

”Hmph.” Wei Yang snorted lightly, but inside, he let out a huge sigh of relief.

Thank goodness.

If this little girl had rejected him on the spot, he would’ve died of embarrassment. He might’ve even packed up his things and run back to Wu Tan City overnight, never daring to show his face again.

”I’ll cover your meals and lodging. As for your salary... ten—no, fifty gold coins a month.” Wei Yang spread his fingers, showing five.

”Huh?” Ye Xian’er stared at him in shock.

”Is that... too low?” Wei Yang hesitated and asked tentatively, ”Should I... raise it a bit more?”

”No, no!” Ye Xian’er quickly shook her head.

Wei Yang nodded.

”It’s too high,” Ye Xian’er weakly mumbled.

”Oh, then it’s fine. As long as it’s not too low, we’re good.” Wei Yang immediately dismissed the concern and waved his hand. ”That’s settled.”

Money? No big deal.

If there’s one thing Wei Yang had plenty of, it was money.

Right now, he could confidently say: ”I have absolutely no interest in money.”

If he weren’t worried about scaring Ye Xian’er, he wouldn’t have minded offering her a thousand, even ten thousand gold coins a month.

Ye Xian’er felt both amused and helpless.

This boss... really had the aura of a rich fool.

Fifty gold coins a month?!

Even the managers of regular shops didn’t make that much!

She was just an apprentice. Getting free meals and a place to stay was already more than enough for her.

Ye Xian’er hesitated, wondering if she should remind him.

But Wei Yang didn’t care what she was thinking. He made the decision without a second thought. ”Go pack your things. We’ll leave for Wu Tan City first thing in the morning.”

...

The Next Morning

After breakfast, Wei Yang took his newly recruited little assistant, Ye Xian’er, and left the inn.

He rented a spacious and luxurious carriage before setting off from Qingshan Town.

Inside the carriage, Wei Yang leaned against a plush beast-hide seat, his eyes half-closed.

Though he appeared to be resting, he was actually cultivating.

Ye Xian’er sat quietly beside him. After preparing tea for her boss, she picked up a book on Basic Herbal Knowledge and began reading with great interest.

The carriage had barely left Qingshan Town when it suddenly came to a stop.

Ye Xian’er put down her book and looked up.

Wei Yang also frowned, halting his cultivation and opening his eyes.

”Young master.” The coachman knocked on the carriage door from outside.

”What is it?” Wei Yang asked in a low voice.

”Young master, there’s... there’s a group of people outside blocking the road.” The coachman answered cautiously. ”They’re from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. Leading them is their young master, Mu Li.”

”Young master...” Ye Xian’er’s face paled as she turned to look at Wei Yang in panic.

This was happening because of her—how could she not be nervous?

She had heard of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group before. In Qingshan Town, they were considered a formidable force, one that wasn’t easy to deal with.

”Calm down. Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.” Wei Yang shot her a reassuring glance.

He got up and stepped toward the carriage door. ”What a hassle. I already warned them not to mess with me. I hope they can afford the price they’re about to pay!”