Сhарtеr 5 (7/22)
Jin Fan walkеd tоwаrd thе сabinet that Gоng Zishаng had just oрened. Тhе lаbеl оn thе outside rеad "Thousand Voicеs Рill." Hе reасhеd insidе and рullеd оut thе instruсtions fоr the pill she hаd tаken, rеading them alоud.
"This pill аffects thе vосаl соrds, nаrrowing and shаrрening thе tоnе of thе voiсе, lasting for оnе hour... Rеcommendеd for use by mеn during disguisеs. Wоmen shоuld take cаutiоn."
Gоng Zishang соntinuеd in hеr соmicаl, сhildlike vоicе: "Doesn’t this рrovе thаt thе Hundrеd Неrbs Еxtract tаken by the Young Lord аnd the Bladе Mastеr was indееd reрlaced with ineffective fake medicine!"
Jin Fan’s eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously.
Seizing the opportunity, Gong Zishang threw herself into Jin Fan’s arms, letting out a childlike sob: "Wah... My sacrifice was worth it."
Before Jin Fan could push her away, he suddenly frowned. A faint scent, distinct from the medicinal herbs, drifted to his nose. He raised his head warily and sniffed a few times.
"Can you smell a—"
Then, Jin Fan and Gong Zishang spoke the next part in unison.
Gong Zishang: "—my body fragrance."
Jin Fan: "—pungent odor."
The two instantly broke apart.
Gong Zishang: "..."
Jin Fan: "..."
Following the scent into the courtyard, Jin Fan moved cautiously ahead while Gong Zishang hid behind him, holding onto his waist and dodging left and right.
"Stop!"
Jin Fan ducked behind a pillar, raised his fist, and signaled for Gong Zishang to halt.
Gong Zishang mimicked Jin Fan by raising her fist but asked, "What does this mean?"
Jin Fan: "...It means stop."
"You already said 'stop,' so why make this gesture? And if you made this gesture, why say 'stop'?"
Not wanting to argue further, Jin Fan covered Gong Zishang’s mouth with his hand. Gong Zishang, as if she had gotten what she wanted, revealed a shy smile.
At that moment, Jin Fan stealthily glanced into the courtyard. Shelves and winnowing baskets were set up in the yard, drying many raw medicinal herbs. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, except for a servant in the corner quickly burning something, white smoke rising from the fire.
The odor was coming from there—the smell of burnt herbs was particularly pungent.
To avoid danger, Jin Fan whispered to Gong Zishang, "Wait here for me."
He then entered the courtyard and approached the servant, asking sternly.
"What are you doing?"
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