"Oh, oh—then, then please come in first."
The little girl's tone changed at once. All the fierce energy she had shown moments ago vanished, a faint blush even coloring the tips of her ears, and her voice grew softer.
Shen Lang stared wide-eyed from the side.
The difference in treatment was a little too obvious.
A moment ago, she had been like a little hedgehog bristling all over; in the blink of an eye, she had turned into a docile, well-behaved kitten, even speaking in a cloying tone!
He glanced at Lu Chen, unable to keep a trace of sour jealousy from creeping into his gaze.
But when Lu Chen's eyes swept lightly over him, he immediately shuddered. That sourness scattered at once, replaced by an expression of cowardly ingratiation.
The two followed the girl into the courtyard.
The courtyard was rather spacious, with several ancient willows planted within. Beneath the eaves and before the corridors, more than ten young people in pale green robes sat or stood, each attending to their own task.
They were all disciples under Master White Willow.
Some bent over bamboo trays, carefully sorting medicinal herbs. Some held pestles and slowly ground medicine in stone mortars. Others leaned against pillars, murmuring passages from medical scriptures. The courtyard was filled with the bitter fragrance of herbs and the faint sound of pounding.
Lu Chen was tall and imposing, his black robes stern and cold. The moment he entered, quite a few disciples secretly cast glances his way.
Before the main hall, the two wooden doors remained tightly shut.
When the little girl turned to Lu Chen, her voice became soft and gentle. "Master is seeing a patient inside and should be finished soon. He does not like being disturbed by others, so—so could you wait here