After provoking the holy maiden of Miao territory, she was infected with a love curse.

Close the book.

Yin Huaixi stared at the person, her mind racing to find the character from the original work and begin to match him up.

"They brought me to you so you could teach me this kind of thing?"

"Don't you think...this is going too far?"

Yin Huaixi remembers this role.

Hua He.

In the early stages, she was indeed Sang Che's subordinate, researching antidote formulas in the village, oblivious to everything else. When the villagers came to ask for medicine, she would deliver the medicine to them on the spot.

The Miao people in Miao territory harbored a certain degree of hostility towards the Han people, especially since the Miao king frequently clashed with the imperial court.

Fighting for territory.

Hua He's situation, with bloodlines from both sides, is likely to be quite awkward in this village.

If it weren't for her status as a doctor, she would probably be a drug addict by now.

Hua He turned her head and looked at Yin Huaixi in surprise, then smiled faintly.

"You're quite clever."

"However, sometimes being too clever and quick-witted is not a good thing."

She pointed to the bamboo chair next to her, indicating that Yin Huaixi could sit down.

"Take the book and read it here."

"I specially picked this one with a picture for you, so it shouldn't be hard to understand."

Yin Huaixi: "..."

She sat down slowly, wearing cloth shoes.

While absentmindedly flipping through the meticulously crafted "teaching manual," Yin Huaixi would occasionally steal glances at Hua He's expression.

I really want to get information out of them.

"Don't even think about escaping."

Hua He heard the sound of the teapot boiling, poured out the hot water, and brewed the tea leaves.

"You are the one chosen by A-Che, and you will belong to A-Che for the rest of your life."

"Even if you want to run, the curse planted in your body won't let you go."

"Isn't it good to just let things take their course here? I think A-Che is quite satisfied with you."

It wasn't Hua He who was locked up and deprived of her freedom; her words of comfort sounded more like a threat to Yin Huaixi.

Yin Huaixi feigned innocence: "I know."

With a muffled reply, Yin Huaixi once again donned the skin of a weak and innocent rabbit. She lowered her head and continued flipping through the book, passing the time as if she were reading extracurricular books during class.

An hour passed.

Hua He finished writing a prescription.

She put down her brush, looked up, and suddenly asked, "Did Little Teeth bite you last night?"

Yin Huaixi, who was engrossed in the book, didn't expect Hua He to ask such a question. She looked up from the book, paused for a moment, and honestly replied, "No...no."

Hua He looked extremely regretful.

She leaned forward, her eyes filled with an unfathomable expression.

"If you get bitten, then I'll have to give you a good look today."

Confused and alert, Yin Huaixi asked, "Why...?"

Hua He didn't tease her and said truthfully, "Little Tooth's venom has the effect of paralyzing people, and it also has the ability to make people—feel passionate."

"Once you get bitten, you'll feel an irresistible urge to crave it."

Yin Huaixi closed her eyes slightly, feeling utterly hopeless.

Posts shouldn't be taken seriously; the settings within them are all for... well, you know.

Seeing Yin Huaixi looking half-dead with fright, Hua He reached out and brushed her hair aside, her eyes blatantly tracing Yin Huaixi's face.

"You should learn to behave yourself here. Don't be like those outsiders who are always thinking about running away."

"Otherwise, you'll become nourishment for these medicinal herbs."

Startled, Yin Huaixi stood up and staggered backward, trying to avoid Hua He's touch.

The yellow bamboo chair fell over onto the bluestone bricks with a jarring sound.

"Let's go eat."

"Remember to come find me at this time tomorrow too."

A smile played on Hua He's lips as she rolled up her book, crossed her legs, and swayed her long skirt slightly as she continued reading the medical text.

The indescribable book was turned by a gentle breeze, and scenes of unspeakable beauty unfolded before Yin Huaixi's eyes.

Take a deep breath.

Yin Huaixi bent down and picked up the book.

She carried the books and hurried upstairs.

Walking back along the corridor, Yin Huaixi looked at the rooms and felt a surge of curiosity.

Based on observations last night and this morning, Yin Huaixi can conclude that there is no one else living in the stilted house where Sang Che lives.

Only a few maids serve Sang Che at night; the others leave on their own when the appointed time arrives and never linger.

In Miao territory, the art of Gu poison is passed down only to women, not men; those who know how to use Gu are all women.

However, not all Miao women learn Gu magic.

Raising poisonous insects, using poisonous insects to nourish poisonous insects.

If one is not careful, the poisonous insects will bite back and devour them.

If the poison can be treated in time, one might be able to save their life; but if not, death is the only outcome.

As someone with the bloodline of Chi You of Jiuli, Sang Che was naturally attracted to poisonous insects, who revered him as their king and were willing to grovel before him.

She is indeed the undisputed saintess of this Miao region, and this village is merely a hiding place for Sang Che to recuperate.

With her gaze fixed on the wooden house, Yin Huaixi didn't notice Sang Che approaching. She bumped into him while holding her books.

Feeling pain in her shoulder, Yin Huaixi looked closely and saw Sang Che smiling at her.

There was absolutely no annoyance at being bumped into.

Sang Che, dressed neatly, had her silver ornaments jingling as Yin Huaixi bumped into her. Using the sensation of being bumped, she reached out her five fingers toward Yin Huaixi's waist.

Today, Sang Che wore a black braid, which softened her cool and aloof face, making her look more tender and affectionate.

With her striking features, she was unforgettable.

Sang Che held him firmly by the waist.

Yin Huaixi heard her voice clearly ring in his ears: "If you are not used to wearing the clothes in the village, I will have someone prepare a set of Han Chinese clothing for you."

"We have all kinds, would you like to take a look?"

As Sang Che pulled her closer, Yin Huaixi looked at her upturned nose and her heart skipped a beat.

A small red snake slowly emerged from Sang Che's shoulder, its tongue flicking as it intently examined Yin Huaixi with its black eyes.

The sudden appearance of Xiao Ya'er instantly brought Yin Huaixi to her senses. She swallowed hard and placed her fingers on Sang Che's wrist.

Unbeknownst to them, the distance between them had grown further.

"Thanks…"

Sang Che always gave Yin Huaixi the illusion of gentleness, making Yin Huaixi subconsciously want to ask the taboo question, "Can we go home?"

"You're welcome."

His fingers did not leave Yin Huaixi's waist. Sang Che leaned forward and gently sniffed Yin Huaixi's scent, from her collar to her neck and cheeks.

Finally, Sang Che uttered a single sentence.

"Someone...touched you."

She pointed her finger forward, and Yin Huaixi's legs seemed to be bound to the spot by something.

They didn't dare to hide at all.

Hua He doesn't know how to use Gu poison or control venomous insects, but Sang Che does.

The silver bells jingled softly with each footstep, and Sang Che's fingers once again touched Yin Huaixi's face, her nose brushing against Yin Huaixi's cheek.

The smile on his face gradually froze.

"Is it... Hua He?"

Knowing that if she didn't explain, some misunderstanding would definitely occur, Yin Huaixi took a deep breath.

She tried to dodge, but Sang Che noticed and took another step closer.

She was almost face to face with Yin Huaixi.

"I don't like you smelling like other people. Next time, don't let her touch you."