The Widow's Favor

That night.

The Feng Family estate was ablaze with light, permeated by the chaotic atmosphere of a house in turmoil.

Rumors that the Eldest Young Master had secretly poisoned the Third Young Master spread like wildfire.

However, none of this concerned Chen Ye.

After a fierce battle with the mad dog at the Eldest Young Master's side, he was taken to another guest room to recover not long after.

A maidservant serving Madam Zhou soon found him and handed him a porcelain bottle.

"This is our Zhou Family White Medicine; it has miraculous effects for healing. Madam said your performance tonight was commendable and specifically instructed me to bring this to you. Take it as soon as possible. Remember, it is best not to exceed three pills a day."

Chen Ye lay on the bed and said weakly, "Many thanks to Madam for her concern."

After delivering her instructions, the maid placed the porcelain bottle by Chen Ye's pillow and silently withdrew.

Once the maid had left and the door was shut, Chen Ye sat up as if nothing were wrong, his gaze falling upon the porcelain bottle.

He picked up the bottle, pulled out the stopper, and sniffed it.

A rich, refreshing scent, carrying the distinct fragrance of wild herbs and vegetation, wafted into his nostrils.

He poured out a milky-white pill, roughly the size of half a pinky fingernail, which shimmered with a delicate luster under the candlelight.

At present, Madam Zhou was busy maneuvering against the Eldest Young Master of the Feng Family and might need him in the future.

It was impossible for her to move against him at this time.

Chen Ye pondered for a moment, then tilted his head back and swallowed one.

As the White Medicine entered his stomach, a cooling sensation rapidly spread from his dantian throughout his entire body.

The sensation was particularly pronounced at the site of his injuries.

Chen Ye could clearly feel his flesh and blood receiving nourishment and replenishment.

He glanced at the Pawn System.

The lifespan displayed remained motionless, showing none of the decrease he had experienced after consuming a Blood Ginseng Pill in the past.

It was undoubtedly a genuine healing medicine.

Chen Ye closed his eyes, carefully sensing the changes within his body.

He discovered that the essential substances contained in the healing medicine were seeping into his flesh, feeling exceptionally comfortable, like a parched riverbed being soaked by spring rain.

The cooling sensation soon faded, but the feeling of comfort lingering in his body did not dissipate for a long time.

He suddenly recalled the sensation from when he had unleashed his True Yang Physique and the brilliant light had erupted; it was remarkably similar to what he felt now.

Chen Ye felt a surge of suspicion and poured out another white pill, swallowing it.

The same sensation returned.

His flesh and blood, like cracked, arid earth, were greatly satisfied under the nourishment of these essential substances.

Chen Ye developed a keen interest in the potential of his own body.

He proceeded to consume them one by one.

As the medication accumulated, he found that the vitality of his flesh and blood was growing stronger, as if undergoing a rebirth.

Not only had his previous injuries vanished, but his condition was even better than before he had been wounded.

Chen Ye took off his shirt and examined his long, lean frame under the flickering candlelight; his muscles were taut, his lines fluid, and his skin possessed a luster, brimming with a sense of power.

Chen Ye guessed that these abnormalities were, in all likelihood, due to his True Yang Physique.

His flesh and blood required the nourishment of essential substances to further perfect and develop, something that could not be satisfied by daily diet alone.

Noticing that the cooling sensation gradually weakened after continuous consumption, Chen Ye stopped taking the medicine.

He kept the remaining White Medicine, choosing not to consume it all at once, but to save a portion for later.

After the commotion, Chen Ye collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

He drifted into a profound slumber that night, undisturbed and dreamless.

Waking up the next day, Chen Ye felt refreshed as never before, his body filled with vigorous energy and an inexhaustible supply of strength.

By the afternoon, Chen Ye was summoned back to the main hall by Madam Zhou.

Madam Zhou was still dressed in mourning white, her face wearing the composure of one who had achieved a total victory.

However, she did not deliberately hide the reddened rims of her eyes or the tear tracks on her cheeks.

Beneath her dignified appearance lay a palpable sense of exhaustion and sorrow.

Madam Zhou looked Chen Ye up and down, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes: "Your injuries have healed?"

"It is all thanks to Madam's miraculous medicine." Chen Ye, having already prepared his excuse, cupped his hands and said, "I took several pills last night, and the injuries are seven or eight parts healed. I only need a few more days of quiet rest."

A hint of suspicion appeared in Madam Zhou's eyes.

Her family's White Medicine was indeed a sacred healing drug, but its effects shouldn't be so potent as to reach this level.

She took Chen Ye's words as mere flattery and replied indifferently:

"Every medicine has its side effects. Even though the medicine I gave you is good, it shouldn't be taken recklessly; it requires gradual recovery."

Chen Ye bowed and responded, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. I will follow your prescribed dosage from now on."

Madam Zhou leaned back into her grand armchair, looked at Chen Ye, and parted her crimson lips to say, "You have performed a great service this time. Speak—what is it that you want?"

Chen Ye looked up and noticed a hint of kindness on the face of this widow, who was usually as cold as frost.

He knew that by helping her expose the true culprit behind the scenes, he had completely eliminated the threats to the survival of her and her two children within the estate.

Furthermore, with Madam Zhou's profound background, her status as a woman whose husband was secretly murdered by his own family naturally garnered sympathy.

Now, even the head of the Feng Family could not easily manipulate her.

It could be said that through this incident, Madam Zhou had staged a brilliant comeback.

Chen Ye pondered for a moment before speaking, "This was not my achievement alone. I have two friends still locked in the dungeon. I hope you can show mercy and have the Feng Family release them."

Madam Zhou was slightly taken aback.

She had not expected that the first request Chen Ye would make was to save his friends.

How loyal and righteous.

Although the Eldest Young Master was the one behind the schemes this time, and it had nothing to do with the servants in the dungeon, at the end of the day, those people had failed to protect their master. The Feng Family would not let them off lightly.

However, as she now held the upper hand, this trivial matter was nothing more than a single word from her, so she nodded in agreement.

"Anything else?"

Chen Ye did not answer immediately.

He glanced at Madam Zhou first, then mused, "If possible, I would like to request a profound martial art technique from you."

Madam Zhou chuckled, looking at him with a beaming smile as she said, "I do possess the profound martial arts of the Zhou Clan and the Feng Family, but they cannot be taught to outsiders. Choose something else. How about you come and work for me?"

"How was the Eldest Young Master dealt with?" Chen Ye did not rush to answer, asking instead.

"Confined for three years; no one is permitted to visit."

Chen Ye fell silent for a moment.

The waters of the Feng Family were too deep and too murky.

The legitimate son of the Zhou Clan had been stripped of his inheritance rights because of him, losing his qualifications as an heir entirely.

The First Madam was still in the estate.

Madam Zhou had the background, the means, and years of influence; no one in the estate could touch her now.

But he was not so certain about himself.

Once the other side recovered and realized that an outsider like him had been the one plotting behind the scenes, his situation would likely become precarious.

Remaining in the Feng Family estate would be extremely unwise.

However, he could not voice this concern directly.

Therefore, he looked up and said, "I am merely a caravan hand; it is already a stroke of luck to have served you. Third Young Master treats people with kindness, and having helped him find the true culprit, my wish is fulfilled. Staying in the estate would only cause you trouble."

Madam Zhou watched him for a moment.

His words were well-considered.

Having anticipated this outcome, she did not force the issue.

"Then one hundred taels of silver it is," Madam Zhou said decisively. "Do not refuse me if I seek you out in the future."

She unhooked a small jade pendant from her waist, placed it on the table, and said, "This is a token of the Zhou Clan. If you wish to enter the estate to find me in the future, bring this with you."

Chen Ye took the jade pendant, feeling its warmth in his palm.

He immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, Madam. It is a true honor to be valued by you. Should you have any orders in the future, I will certainly come."