43 - The Divine Physician’s Overbearing Wife

**Chapter 43** Yan Zhu Guang had been asleep for several hours when she finally awoke. She hadn't expected to sleep so deeply. Typically, Yan Zhu Guang was always on alert, keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings. But this time, she slept so soundly, completely oblivious to what was happening around her—a deviation from her usual behavior. She vaguely recalled sensing a familiar aura shortly after falling asleep. Could it have been... Senior Sister? The sensation upon waking was distinctly different from before she had fallen asleep. The hard chair back that had supported her before was now replaced by something soft and comfortable. Only her Senior Sister could have arranged this. Yan Zhu Guang opened her eyes and saw Senior Sister sitting beside her. Her Senior Sister was engrossed in an ancient book. When Yan Zhu Guang stirred awake, Yun Mi Xue noticed immediately, raising her head only after Yan Zhu Guang fully opened her eyes, "You're awake? Did you sleep well?" Yan Zhu Guang nodded. She turned around, picked up the blanket Yun Mi Xue had placed behind her, and with some embarrassment, approached Yun Mi Xue. "I'm sorry, Senior Sister. I promised to watch over these people for you, but I fell asleep." Yun Mi Xue shook her head. "It wasn't your fault. When I returned, you seemed very tired, so I used the Fragrant Snow Sleep on you. That's why you slept so deeply." Yan Zhu Guang understood. "So that's what happened." No wonder she remembered smelling a unique floral fragrance. It was the scent of Fragrant Snow Sleep. Fragrant Snow Sleep is a rare spiritual plant found in the Snowy Mountain spiritual lands, known for its calming and sleep-inducing effects. Anyone who inhaled its scent would fall into a deep sleep, and even cultivators would feel its effects, although the stronger the cultivator, the weaker the effect. Of course, this effect only worked when there was no intent to resist. If one intentionally resisted, the flower's aroma would have no power. Using such a flower indeed suited her Senior Sister's considerate nature. In addition to inducing restful sleep, Fragrant Snow Sleep also served another purpose—soothing spiritual energy and replenishing mental exhaustion. Yan Zhu Guang thought for a moment. Knowing her Senior Sister's nature, if she was considerate enough to leave, she wouldn't secretly observe her. So had Senior Sister discerned her mental fatigue? With Senior Sister's abilities, detecting her condition was entirely plausible. After all, she was only at the early foundational stage, still a low-level cultivator in comparison. "Thank you, Senior Sister." Yan Zhu Guang returned the blanket to Yun Mi Xue. Yun Mi Xue didn't accept it. "It was meant for you. The Snowy Peak is frigid, and I've always wanted to make a warming garment for you. But I couldn't find the right materials. I did get some fur from a beast called the Yao Suo Sheep and made a blanket from it." "I’m giving it to you now. Keep it." "For me?" Yan Zhu Guang hadn’t had the opportunity to inspect it earlier. She spread the blanket out—it was just a bit taller than she was. The entire blanket was a deep red, exuding warmth just from its appearance, with a fluffy, soft texture that seemed to warm her heart just by looking at it. Holding the blanket felt pleasantly warm in her hands, and hugging it was incredibly cozy. Yan Zhu Guang couldn’t help but nuzzle it affectionately, "Thank you, Senior Sister. I really like it." Seeing her happiness, Yun Mi Xue was pleased. "As long as you like it." Yan Zhu Guang draped the blanket around her shoulders like a cape and twirled around, saying to Yun Mi Xue, "It works as a cape too. I might just wear it like this." Yun Mi Xue chuckled, amused. "Naughty girl, who wears a blanket like a cape?" "Hurry and take it off. It's not Snowy Peak here; aren’t you hot wearing that?" Yan Zhu Guang grinned sheepishly at Yun Mi Xue, then leisurely took off the blanket, folding it neatly and tucking it into her storage ring. After stowing the blanket, Yan Zhu Guang glanced at the four people still trapped in the illusion. Qiu Qiao looked extremely peaceful, as though he was in the midst of a pleasant dream. The other three, however, had varied complexions tinged with gray, as if they were experiencing unpleasant events. It seemed like Yan Zhu Guang's illusion had taken effect well. She couldn't help but wonder what they would do upon awakening. Would they pretend to have forgotten everything that happened within the illusion, or would they outright betray them? Yan Zhu Guang was quite curious. "Senior Sister, has the Qiao family arrived yet?" "No," Yun Mi Xue replied, closing the book in her hands and moving to Yan Zhu Guang's side, straightening her rumpled clothes from sleep and blanket antics. Yan Zhu Guang gazed steadily at Yun Mi Xue’s delicate chin, "By the way, how is Miss Su?" "Still no sign of activity." Of course, Yun Mi Xue hadn’t used her spiritual sense to monitor Su Qian Er. After they’d given her some space, Su Qian Er had remained quietly by herself, neither appearing nor leaving. Yan Zhu Guang pondered, "Perhaps I should check on her. It’s been so long, I wonder if anything has happened. Additionally, before the Qiao family arrives, I’d like to ask her about her grandfather and the diagram." "That’s fine," Yun Mi Xue nodded. "I’ll leave it to you, Zhu Guang." Yan Zhu Guang waved her hand dismissively and headed for the courtyard. Previously, Yun Mi Xue had placed Su Qian Er on a recliner in the courtyard. When they left, Su Qian Er was there, and Yan Zhu Guang found her still seated there upon returning. Only now, she was sitting on the edge of the recliner rather than lying on it. Her eyes stared ahead, lost in thought, a look of deep contemplation or distress on her face, though it was unclear what occupied her mind. Yan Zhu Guang approached quietly, her movements barely audible, yet Su Qian Er, lost in her thoughts, didn’t notice. Yan Zhu Guang observed her closely, noting the tear streaks on her cheeks and her aura tinged with sadness. If not for her suspecting Su Qian Er's memory issues, this demeanor fit her current situation perfectly. Betrayed by her fiancé, her once passionate love reduced to ashes—it's no surprise she wore a look of utter despair. Yet Yan Zhu Guang was convinced there was something off about Su Qian Er, and thus, she found fault with everything about her. If Su Qian Er had really lost her memory, why was she crying? Was there something else in her past that upset her? Or was it what Yan Zhu Guang had said about Qiu Qiao’s betrayal? But if she lost her memory, shouldn’t meeting strangers like them instill suspicion rather than taking their words to heart? If she hadn’t lost her memory, then what exactly had changed within her? An idea struck Yan Zhu Guang, prompting her to mentally communicate with the system, which had been suspiciously quiet since she awakened. "System, could Su Qian Er possibly share a background similar to mine?" If she could be reborn into a beggar’s body, couldn't others be reborn into different bodies? Su Qian Er had been hunted by Qiu Qiao and his group, and with her body so frail, not even the dedicated protection of her family servant could ensure her survival. Perhaps when Senior Sister and I arrived, the true Su Qian Er was already dead, and now some "wandering ghost" had taken over her body? Alternatively, what if someone had possessed her while the real Su Qian Er was still alive? The system refuted Yan Zhu Guang's first hypothesis, "If another-worldly spirit occupied this body, its aura would differ from this world’s souls, and I'd definitely notice." "As for possession, that’s something I can’t investigate." "However," the system added thoughtfully, "possession requires a formidable being. Su Qian Er's fragile body wouldn’t be an appealing target for such a being." Yan Zhu Guang contemplated this. Su Qian Er was an orphan without parental ties, with only an unseen grandfather and a distant family head for a grandfather. Since Su Qian Er wasn’t a member of the Qiao family, even with the doting attention of her grandfather, she wouldn’t inherit anything from them. Judging by these factors, neither her physique nor her lineage seemed enticing enough to make her a possession target. But Yan Zhu Guang hadn’t entirely dismissed the prospect of possession. Desperation doesn’t discriminate when one's life is at stake. A person cornered might not be choosy about possession targets. Stopping her concealed observations, Yan Zhu Guang looked squarely at Su Qian Er. Almost immediately, Su Qian Er sensed her presence. Turning to see Yan Zhu Guang, Su Qian Er hastily wiped her tears, "Yan Girl, when did you arrive?" Yan Zhu Guang appeared as if she’d just gotten there and walked toward Su Qian Er. "Is Miss Su still distressed? It’s not worth it for someone like Qiu Qiao." Su Qian Er forced a smile, "I was just reminiscing, couldn’t help myself. Sorry for making you laugh at me." Yan Zhu Guang sat beside her, sighing gently, "Don’t fret, Miss Su. Believe me, better days lie ahead." Su Qian Er seemed to contemplate something before shaking her head with a bittersweet smile, "What better times? With this frail body, I doubt anything will change." Yan Zhu Guang silently accompanied her for a while, waiting for her to regain composure. Once she seemed calmer, Yan Zhu Guang broached her purpose, "I actually returned because my Senior Sister and I wanted to ask you something, but we hadn’t expected to encounter..." She shook her head. Su Qian Er looked at her quizzically, "What does Yan Girl wish to ask? You and your Senior Sister are my saviors. Whatever you want to know, I'll surely speak openly." Yan Zhu Guang, seeing that Su Qian Er seemed more composed now, began, "Actually, a senior from our sect had some dealings with your grandfather. We wanted to inquire about him, and thought you might have some information." "But unfortunately, Su Zhen Ren’s whereabouts are elusive. We've searched extensively without success, so I hoped you might know where he could be?" "My... grandfather?" Su Qian Er paused as if deep in thought. Yan Zhu Guang noticed a fleeting trace of confusion in her eyes, quickly hidden. Su Qian Er gave an apologetic smile to Yan Zhu Guang, "I’m sorry, Yan Girl. My grandfather comes and goes as he pleases, and I truly have no idea where he is." "I see..." Yan Zhu Guang expressed her disappointment, "No matter, I and my Senior Sister will just have to look into other avenues." After a moment, Yan Zhu Guang added, "Soon, your family will arrive. Don't be disheartened; they will certainly stand up for you." "That Qiu Qiao is really despicable; he dared to harm you because of your health... Such a person cannot be forgiven. You must have your family stand up for you." Su Qian Er nodded, a fierce glint appearing in her eyes, "I understand." A flicker of an indiscernible emotion crossed Yan Zhu Guang's eyes. The system quietly shook its head. Su Qian Er indeed was problematic, but the host had successfully steered the conversation. As long as "Su Qian Er" remained unaware, there was no worry about the secret of the plans being exposed.