Hello folks, I hope you’re all doing okay. Today we have an extra chapter because it’s Dia dos Namorados in Brazil (which roughly translates to Lovers’ Day or “Boyfriends and Girlfriends Day”). This day is the local equivalent to Valentine’s but they’re not related at all, Dia dos Namorados was created by a marketing expert called João Doria in the state of São Paulo as a way to boost sales of certain products and stimulate the local economy (it’s been a national thing for some decades now).
The date 12th of June was chosen because it’s the day before Saint Anthony of Padua’s (Anthony of Lisbon) Day on the 13th of June. Saint Anthony is known as a marriage saint in Brazil because some of his legends are related to the theme of love, especially to him reconciling couples.
Taking a breather
Two days later, Fulong Inn in the southern skirts of the town.
The rumour spread extremely fast and even if Yu Qingluo, in the beginning, only wanted the beggar to let Yu Zuolin know about it however she couldn’t stop those who were interested from getting ahold of the news.
And so, at the first sight of light, the tavern was already fully packed with distinguished guests. The crowd was made of both patients seeking to consult with the Ghost Doctor and those who were curious to glimpse at his person.
The shopkeeper of the tavern smiled from ear to ear. It was rare to see this many guests entering her doors, and the energy spent to get things done was even higher. So, naturally, the prices had been raised accordingly. There was no other way, there were just too many rich people here and if they didn’t take this opportunity that Yu Qingluo gave them to profit, how could they be worthy of her?
“Shopkeeper, isn’t this dish priced too high? Will anyone eat it?” the shop’s helper walked towards the shopkeeper with trembling hands as he held the menu in his hands, almost as if he gave it another look his life would come to an end.
Even if you want to make a profit, that was just too blatantly overpriced.
The shopkeeper of the Fulong Inn was a woman, that seemed to not even have 20 years of age yet. She exuded a charming and enchanting aura about her, filled with indescribable grace. Seeing the helper’s awkward manner, she couldn’t hold a snort: “Da Wu [1], didn’t I tell you? This was Yu Qingluo’s, that little wench, idea to attract clients over. Do you really think she won’t want a share of the profits later? And I still think the prices are too low, it’s not enough to get a good share.”
Da Wu’s head hanged low, thinking that this should be still ok. Miss Yu had always been impolite and if the profits aren’t high enough it was quite possible that even he wouldn’t receive his pay afterwards.
Silent, he could only accept the prices on the menu, instructing the other helpers to hurry up to work.
“Shopkeeper, the private boxes are already full and the hall is packed with people, but there are still more people arriving. Do you think we should set a tent outside for those incoming guests to sit in?” The busy helpers outside were coated in sweat as one of them ran inside to ask so. Thinking about the number of guests that were coming, their faces were filled with happiness.
With a jade-like hand stroking the rim of a cup, Jin Liuli thought about it for a moment. After a while, she shook her head: “No, it will take too long to build a tent. There already are many people here and our staff isn’t enough to serve them all. Oh, right, Da Wu. Have all the guests in the private boxes (TL: the private rooms, VIP rooms) received a token?”
Da Wu nodded: “All of them.”
“Oh, who was the first to come?”
“That guest’s surname was Yu. It seems like he came from the imperial capital, but he refused to disclose his name, only giving the name of the subordinate accompanying him. Called Yu Feng.”
Jin Liuli’s hand paused a bit, her brows raising in surprise. “Yu?” So it was like that after all, she felt that this was all too strange. Yu Qingluo had always been very reluctant to show up in front of other people. This time it seems that her big move was directed towards this person surnamed Yu from the capital. It seems that soon there would be a good show to spectate.
“Who else is here?”
Da Wu looked at the notes in his hand, answering in a lower voice: “There are also those mysterious people from the Mo Residence in the western part of the city. They also booked a box and waited early on. There is also a young looking but very imposing veiled girl with a group of people and people from Jiang Cheng’s great Yang family, largely known for their benevolence. They also booked a box, but there’s no news of a sick person in that family right now, so they probably just came to partake in the event. The other private boxes were taken by other big households native from Jiang Cheng, the boxes are all fully packed. In the hall, there are some locals and some who are seriously ill and also those who came only to see the true appearance of the Ghost Doctor.”
Jin Liuli chuckled. Yu Qingluo’s, that little wench’s face was really big[2], uh? That many people showing up just to catch a glimpse of her true appearance. It seemed that today there would be a good show to watch.
“Shopkeeper, when will Miss Yu arrive?” Da Wu was actually very worried, they knew just how unreliable Miss Yu was. She is absolutely the type that would stand others up. If she didn’t come, then wouldn’t these people destroy their tavern?
Jin Liuli’s lips twitched. She snorted and said: “Just how can I know when that little wench is coming? But she better show up early, otherwise, I’ll skin her alive.”
“Atchoo” Someone who had just been cursed sneezed. She took out a clean cloth she usually kept on Nannan’s robes, for him to wipe his nose, to use herself.
The little kid looked at her with disgust, seeing that after wiping her nose she stuffed it right back in his clothes. He hurriedly retreated a couple of steps to stand behind Ye Xiudu.
“Miss Yu, are you uncomfortable?” Shen Ying swiftly poured her a cup of water and gracefully placed it on the table in front of her.
Yu Qingluo shook her head: “It was probably someone badmouthing me.” That woman, Jin Liuli had been cursing her since earlier for sure.
Ye Xiudu stared at the steamy cup of tea in front of her and then sneered at Shen Ying, the latter could feel his back getting cold. Turning his head hurriedly, he smiled drily to his Lord: “Lord, please drink some tea.”
Ye Xiudu gave him a sideways glance and kept silent. He turned to open a small window inside of the box, that was located behind a curtain made of a thin material.
Downstairs was already filled with the noise of the crowd’s voices. Many guests were stretching their necks, using this crude way to try seeing through what was happening inside of this invulnerable inn. Most people were carrying wooden numbered tokens in their hands, probably a trinket arranged by the Ghost Doctor. In his hand there was also one, it was delivered by Housekeeper Yan (TL: Cuz he booked the private box). But he didn’t know what that was for.
Nannan grumbled as he petted the black panther. He still didn’t know why his mother decided to come to aunt Jin’s place. This tavern was located really far away and it took a long time to arrive here. He had to wake up early and was feeling sleepy until now.
“There’s already a lot of people here, Lord. Just what type of story is this tavern actually trying to sell? This token…” Mo Xian glanced at the crowd downstairs. At this moment someone gave a loud shout as he was turning impatient.
Ye Xiudu raised his brows, taking a sip of tea and saying: “Wait.” If they waited for a while longer it still wouldn’t be too late to act.
“Yes.” Mo Xian was very anxious. The Ghost Doctor’s reputation was too big, he didn’t know just what kind of tricks he had on his sleeve.
Yu Qingluo drank her tea until seeing the bottom of the cup, she then raised her eyes to look at the other people inside of the box. They were strictly trained up by Ye Xiudu, so even if they were nervous their faces didn’t let it show. They would also not send people to urge others (TL: I believe she’s saying about sending someone downstairs to urge the workers of the tavern to start the examinations by the GD).
She looked at the sky, gauging the time. It was not early anymore, if she kept sitting here, she could guess that Jin Liuli would probably want to kill her.
“I’m going to take a breather” putting down her cup, Yu Qingluo leisurely stood up and glancing at the group for a last time before she turned around and left the box.
Ye Xiudu’s looked in her direction with suspicion. His eyes were pensive.
Shen Ying said with a grin: “I think Miss Yu isn’t going out to take a breather at all, I bet she just can’t hold her curiosity any longer and is trying to sneak in to see what the Ghost Doctor looks like.”
‘Ghost Doctor?’ Nannan raised his head and gazed blankly at him. Did he just hear the words ‘Ghost Doctor’? Hah, he should have heard it wrong’. My mother is already here so how could you, without rhyme or reason talk about going to see the Ghost Doctor?’
Nannan shook his head, turning back to play with the panther again.
Ye Xiudu heard Shen Ying’s words with a nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right. But after thinking about it for a moment, he couldn’t put a finger on what yet. It was then that the tavern’s shopkeeper’s voice sounded from downstairs.
Translated by C, The Apostle of Coffee
Edited by NoveLeo, Life is a Drama
Translator’s Notes
[1] – (大五 )Da Wu – Literally his name means ‘Big Five’.
[2] – Like I told before, they like using “face”, we could change it to fame but it wouldn’t have the same meaning as the original. Here it gives off a meaning of fame but must of all of respect.
Obviously Too Busy to Translate 
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