After the scolding, the elders soon dispersed.
Since that day, the family elders had not troubled her anymore. Chu Ri Huaizhu ignored the outside voices and focused solely on her studies. Her mind was set on recuperating Wangquan Baye's health. She cooked delicious meals for him and spent all day in the kitchen. She was so busy that she had no time to care about others.
"Ginger, ginseng, safflower, cassia twig, cinnamon," Chu Ri Huaizhu murmured the names of these medicinal herbs as she tossed them into a small porcelain pot beside her. After adjusting the proportions, she started to boil them into a soup.
Chu Ri Huaizhu patiently stirred the contents in the pot while preparing the ingredients beside her. She was going to cook congee for Wangquan Baye.
In the kitchen, there was only the busy figure of a woman. She wiped the sweat from her forehead from time to time, but she had no complaints in her heart. She was willing to do all this.
About two quarters of an hour later, the slowly simmered contents in the pot finally began to bubble. Chu Ri Huaizhu picked up the lid with a rag and added some seasonings to make it less bitter.
Then she took out another small pot and put the pre - soaked rice into it. She added a bit more water than usual and started to cook the congee. When the time was right, she put in the prepared ingredients and added seasonings. The congee in the pot was a riot of colors, truly a feast for the eyes and taste buds.
A sense of pride welled up in Chu Ri Huaizhu's heart. She carefully scooped out the congee into a delicate porcelain bowl. Then she carried the medicine and the congee to Wangquan Baye's room.
"Hubby, it's time to eat," Chu Ri Huaizhu said as she opened the door. Wangquan Baye was sitting at the desk, happily practicing calligraphy.
During this period, Chu Ri Huaizhu had combined recipes and pharmacy knowledge to adjust Wangquan Baye's three meals a day. He had never missed a dose of the medicine.
Wangquan Baye's health was gradually improving. His complexion had become rosier, and he seemed to be full of vitality. Chu Ri Huaizhu was extremely happy to see this.
"You're here?" Wangquan Baye stood up and walked to the round table beside him. He stared at Chu Ri Huaizhu with shining eyes.
How long had it been since she last saw such a look in the eyes of the number - one young swordsman?
A sudden feeling of sourness welled up in Chu Ri Huaizhu's heart. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and could have achieved great glory easily. Why had he ended up in such a situation because of her...
Chu Ri Huaizhu lowered her eyes to hide the surging emotions and the tears that were about to fall.
"Today's congee is medicinal congee. I don't know how it tastes. Try it quickly," she said with a beaming smile as she placed the food on the table. Watching Wangquan Baye sipping the medicinal congee appreciatively, she felt extremely satisfied.
A few days later, there was a martial arts competition in the Wangquan Manor.
This seemed to be an unspoken rule in the Wangquan Manor. There was no special notice, and it was held as usual. People were used to it, and Chu Ri Huaizhu didn't take it seriously. She regarded it as just a small episode.
"Next, our challenger is from a martial arts sect. Let's welcome him onto the stage!" The host of the martial arts competition on the stage waved his hand. A man strode onto the stage in big steps. He was of a powerful build with well - developed muscles, but his appearance was ordinary, and his clothes were rather plain.
"Enough of the nonsense! Today I only want to challenge the young master of the Wangquan Manor, Wangquan Baye!" the man said arrogantly on the stage.
He had heard from somewhere that Wangquan Baye, the master of the Wangquan family, had been seriously injured before and his physical condition and magical powers had declined significantly. So he wanted to challenge him today to see if the young master of the Wangquan family really had a hidden illness.
"How dare you call the master by his name directly!" Some impatient young disciples of the Wangquan Manor in the audience couldn't hold back their anger and were about to rush onto the stage to teach this man a lesson. But the host on the stage gave them a look, and the people beside them quickly held them back.
"Brother, what are you talking about? Today our Wangquan Manor is holding a martial arts competition. As the organizer, the master has never participated. Brother, you can choose someone else to challenge," the host on the stage said smoothly.
However, this man didn't seem to appreciate it. He came here today just to cause trouble and would never give up.
Hearing that the host refused his challenge to Wangquan Baye, he believed the rumor he had heard even more. He became more confident and raised his voice.
"Stop talking nonsense! I'm a rough man and don't understand any fancy stuff! Are you going to compete or not? If not, I'll consider the master of the Wangquan family as a loser."
The host remained unmoved. The people watching the competition and those who came to challenge were all getting restless and whispering to each other.
"What's going on? Could what he said be true?"
"Yeah, I've also heard that Wangquan Baye was seriously injured."
"If so, it all makes sense."
"Really?"
"It's hard to say."
The whispering in the audience grew louder. The trouble - making man on the stage looked extremely proud, as if he was about to grow a tail.
"I didn't expect the master of the mighty Wangquan family to be afraid of competing with a brute like me! Although he was talented in his youth, if he doesn't compete today, he won't be able to convince the public. How can he manage such a large Wangquan Manor in the future? How can he convince the world?"
The man on the stage was pressing hard, seemingly confident of victory. At this moment, Wangquan Baye walked out from the side, his steps calm and steady.
"Not at all. The servants just passed on the news slowly. Of course, the challenge is allowed. It's still hard to say who will win or lose," Wangquan Baye said unhurriedly as he walked onto the stage. He looked down at the crowd below, and the aura of the young swordsman began to show again. His eyes seemed to contain the grandeur of the world's mountains and rivers. His chest was filled with pride, and his whole body exuded a cold and powerful aura, which made the restless crowd below fall silent.
This was still the Wangquan Baye they knew! He was the number - one swordsman in the world!
Seeing Wangquan Baye like this, the man was instantly a bit flustered. He comforted himself not to lose his nerve and started to prepare his moves without further ado.
"Okay, then the competition officially begins!" The man took the lead, drawing out his long sword and dashing towards Wangquan Baye, slashing out a beam of sword light.
Wangquan Baye didn't hesitate and used his sword to block. As soon as the Wangquan Sword appeared, everyone fell silent.
Wangquan Baye took the opportunity to counter - attack. He didn't use any fancy moves but simply lifted his sword and slashed at the man. Although this move seemed ordinary, it carried all his strength, making the man's hand that was holding the sword numb.
The man's brute force came in handy at this moment. He pushed Wangquan Baye away. Wangquan Baye barely managed to stand still and took a few steps back. He resisted the returning sword energy and desperately suppressed the sweet taste of blood rising in his throat.
After a few more rounds of back - and - forth fighting, Wangquan Baye gathered his spiritual energy at the tip of his right - hand sword and swung out a powerful sword energy with all his might. Then he rushed forward. The man barely managed to block the sword energy with his sword. When he looked up again, the young swordsman was already approaching his throat.
The man had no power to fight back and had to admit defeat.
Chu Ri Huaizhu was standing in the audience, already sweating nervously. Seeing this, she let out a long breath. Wangquan Baye walked off the stage without saying a word, and the people in the audience didn't dare to discuss this matter anymore.
Wangquan Baye walked to a place where no one could see him and suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Hubby, how are you? Let me help you back to your room," Dongfang Huaizhu helped the injured Wangquan Baye back to his bedroom.