He Yaoyao fell silent for a while too, then said, "Divine Physician Qu, I think... you seem to have the same illness I do."
Qu Xin looked down at He Yaoyao, and He Yaoyao looked up at Qu Xin.
Pei Ye came out of the Waterside Pavilion just then.
He arrived at the pavilion with a look of pleasant surprise.
"Young Hero Pei, I found someone secretly asking about your whereabouts," He Yaoyao said, mustering her courage. "It's her. She even claimed to be your good friend."
Pei Ye paused, then smiled. "This is Qu Xin, the [Little Medicine Lord] of the Mount Tai Medicine Lodge. She really is a good friend of mine."
Since their last parting at Vermilion Mirror Hall, Pei Ye had not seen this young woman for quite some time. She had treated his injuries several times in the palace, and had even given him a Turning-Mech Puppet worth over twenty taels. Pei Ye's opinion of her had now risen considerably.
"What brings you here today-you don't practice the sword much either, do you?" Pei Ye asked with a smile.
"Some business," Qu Xin answered vaguely. Turning her gaze, she raised her chin and glanced at He Yaoyao by the table. "Believe me now? You are ill. You can't tell sincerity from pretense at all."
He Yaoyao lowered her head, a little hurt. She was not quite convinced, but right now she truly did not know how to refute her.
Pei Ye stared. "What nonsense are you talking? What illness does True Disciple He have?"
"Are you the physician, or am I?"
"...You are." Pei Ye had never doubted her medical skills. Now he remembered to ask, "What did you come here for? To see me?"
Qu Xin paused, then said earnestly, "Pei Ye, I've come