"My tone just now was caring."
"Only your tone was caring."
Qu Xin fell silent for a moment, then pondered. "How do other women please you?"
"...Whatever you do, don't think about that question."
Qu Xin thought for a while. "I'll give you something."
"No need-hm-" Pei Ye's final syllable quivered and choked off as though squeezed thin, turning into a rising note.
Qu Xin brought out a great, gleaming ingot of silver in both hands.
"..."
"..."
"Twenty taels of silver. You're my patient, but I didn't treat you this time you were injured. Judging by the marks, the injuries were quite serious," Qu Xin said. "Little drake, take this and buy some medicine to build yourself back up. Underneath is a prescription I wrote for you."
Only then did Pei Ye notice an overlooked sheet of paper beneath that great lump.
"This... this..." Pei Ye was bewildered. "Twenty taels?"
Qu Xin took his hand, opened it, placed the silver and prescription inside, and closed it. Then she looked up and saw the tremor in the young man's eyes.
She analyzed it and judged that this expression meant he was moved. After another moment's thought, she lowered her head and picked a little white flower from the flower bed.
Then she rose onto her toes and tucked it into Pei Ye's topknot.
"Qu Xin..."
"You must live well." Qu Xin's voice was flat. "Go on."
She pushed the young man outside, then closed the courtyard gate.
Pei Ye looked at the heavy weight in his hand, feeling for a moment as though he were dreaming.
He turned to look at Black Cat on his shoulder and held the silver up to the cat's mouth. "Take a bite."
Black Cat rolled green eyes and turned away.
Pei Ye bit it