Chapter 18 Cold Medicine (1)

After this, the Thirteenth Young Master not only continued his role as a prodigal son but also became an alchemist, though still only an apprentice. He never sat for any examination, preferring instead to pursue alchemy within the confines of his home. Alchemy provided him with yet another avenue for squandering his wealth, as he could now purchase alchemical materials with perfect justification. Regardless of the price, he would buy them without hesitation.

This situation aroused envy among many alchemists. Apart from those royal sorcerers supported by the empire, or a select few backed by powerful families, most alchemists struggled to acquire materials. No matter how advanced their skills, without the necessary ingredients, all their expertise was rendered useless.

As the old saying goes, even the most capable cook cannot prepare a meal without rice.

It remains uncertain whether the Thirteenth Young Master possessed true talent for alchemy or simply benefited from his immense financial backing, but his progress in the craft was steady and notable. This delighted Ye Chengtian and his wife, who became even more supportive of his extravagant pursuits. To them, so long as their son achieved some measure of success, no amount of spending was too great. If money could resolve a problem, it was no problem at all.

Yet, as the Thirteenth Young Master found fulfillment in alchemy, the peculiar stares of others only increased. When he was younger, certain things were not so apparent, but as he grew older, these matters became ever more pronounced. Given his family’s status, few dared to bully him, but inevitably, some did. Those who mingled with him were of similar age—a stage in life where youthful bravado often overrides concerns about background.

There were also those consumed by envy—no, now he should be called the Thirteenth Lord, for he was no longer a child. They envied the good fortune that placed him in the Ye family. Many wondered why such a fool had been born into Ye’s household, squandering such advantages, and imagined that, had it been them, they would surely have risen to the empire’s highest ranks.

Such envy bordered on madness and morphed into resentment. As the saying goes, a man with a treasure invites trouble. The Thirteenth Lord’s very identity was like a priceless jade, making him an object of both admiration and animosity.

Of course, some still cared for him as always. Among them was Tigress, who now stood tall and graceful, her beauty beginning to blossom—though she was only entering the first stage of her development, with many more to come before maturity. This budding beauty—no, Tigress—continued her daily routine, which, unsurprisingly, revolved entirely around the Thirteenth Lord of the Ye family, whose luck was enough to provoke envy.

Upon rising each morning, Tigress would prepare his breakfast, select his clothes, ready his washbasin, and attend to all his needs.

By the time her tasks were done, the Thirteenth Lord would have awakened, enjoying Tigress’s attentive care as she dressed him, washed his face, combed his hair, trimmed his appearance, and served him breakfast. Afterwards, he would settle in the courtyard to read.

When it came to books, the Thirteenth Lord read anything and everything, though his main focus was alchemy. He never understood why, but the more he studied, the more familiar it all seemed—the alchemical arrays, the materials, the synthesis formulas. Yet it was strange, for these things weren’t truly his own knowledge, and he couldn’t pinpoint what he already knew. True to his nature, he simply set aside anything he couldn’t figure out, and over time, grew accustomed to this, no longer finding it odd.

While he read, Tigress would practice martial skills and battle aura in the courtyard—a daily regimen she followed. Her abilities did not come from the Ye family but were innate, present from birth. Among the beastfolk, most races possessed inherited abilities; upon birth, they instinctively wielded their clan's powers. For the tiger clan, whose heritage was rooted in strength, the inheritance lay in battle aura and martial techniques.

These skills were fundamental, and to advance further, one needed to refine them and learn from others. Still, such basics served Tigress well at her age, and she required little more for now.

As for her ability to protect the Thirteenth Lord, Tigress was more than capable. Among her peers, her strength was formidable, and her innate power as a tiger only made her more so. She could handle most young experts with ease, and that was all she needed. Few others would dare trouble the Thirteenth Lord, and should any truly attempt it, others of equal standing would step in.

In truth, her greatest concern was the Thirteenth Lord himself, whose actions often caused headaches—such as the incident about to unfold.

“Master, what are you eating?” Tigress suddenly noticed the Thirteenth Lord consuming something odd—some sort of medicine or pills.

“I’m taking cold medicine,” he replied.

“Are you sick? Did you catch a chill yesterday? I’ll fetch the physician right away,” Tigress said anxiously.

“No, I’m not sick,” the Thirteenth Lord shook his head in refusal.

“If you’re not sick, why are you taking cold medicine?” Tigress asked, bewildered. Anyone would be puzzled—why take medicine for an illness you don’t have?

His answer left Tigress momentarily speechless.

“This cold medicine is about to expire. It would be a waste not to take it,” the Thirteenth Lord said earnestly.

“….”

What kind of logic was that? Who takes medicine simply because it’s nearing expiration, even without being ill? Tigress could only think, perhaps her silly master was the only person in the world who would do such a foolish thing.

And now her foolish master continued—wait, he was still going…

“Master…” Tigress watched as he kept taking more pills, and quickly rushed over to snatch away the soon-to-expire medicine.

“Do you want some too?” the Thirteenth Lord asked, looking at Tigress.

“No!” she replied, exasperated.

“Then give it back to me,” he reached out.

“No!” Tigress refused sternly, then gently explained, “Master, you mustn’t take medicine carelessly. It isn’t food. Only when you’re feeling ill should you take it, otherwise it could make you sick.”

“What could go wrong? I’m perfectly fine, aren’t I?” the Thirteenth Lord insisted, using his health as proof that taking medicine indiscriminately was no problem—at least for now.