Chapter Twenty-Six: First Encounter

Summer rain arrives without warning. Only moments ago, the sky was clear and cloudless, but after a sweep of dark clouds, torrents of rain poured down in sheets, drumming the earth with drops as big as beans. Puddles quickly gathered everywhere, and the world blurred into a misty haze of water and fog.

“Hyah!”

The coachman snapped his whip again and again, undeterred by the deluge. The horses' hooves thundered, kicking up splashes with every stride.

Listening to the rain pound the roof like a scatter of beans, Wen Qiniang glanced out the window before drawing her gaze back. “Corporal Yang, dusk draws near, and this downpour shows no sign of stopping. What could be so urgent?” she asked.

Corporal Yang opened his bloodshot eyes to glance at Wen Qiniang, his tone impatient. “If the prefect sent for you, it’s certainly urgent. You’ll know when you arrive.”

Lin Bai, displeased, shot Corporal Yang a look but, noticing the man's haggard face, as if he hadn’t slept in days, swallowed back the words on his tongue.

“Sir, the road ahead winds up the mountain. Shall we continue?” the coachman inquired.

“Keep going,” replied Corporal Yang, not even lifting his eyelids.

Wen Qiniang was thoroughly vexed by this “kidnapping.” She had barely escaped death’s door and was loath to risk her life again for some petty official’s secretive summons. That wretched Prefect Wang hadn’t even bothered to explain why he’d “invited” them; it was infuriating. But there was nothing she could do now—jumping from the carriage would only hasten her demise. Seeing Lin Bai composed as ever, she reckoned even the abbot of Dingguo Temple would be hard-pressed to match his calm.

In another carriage, Tianya, the midwife, and a physician sat together. Tianya lounged, one leg crossed over the other, eyebrows raised as he watched his two pale-faced companions grip the carriage rail for dear life.

“Why so nervous, you two? Don’t worry—if we die, who’ll save the prefect?” Tianya chuckled.

“That’s true enough,” the midwife and physician managed a strained smile, yet their hands held tight.

“What do you suppose Prefect Wang wants with us?” Tianya asked.

“If he’s called for an old woman like me, it’s either a birth or some women’s ailment. Most likely, the prefect’s wife is about to deliver!” the midwife replied with certainty.

Tianya nodded; her logic was sound.

Suddenly, the world outside blazed bright as day.

A deafening crash exploded overhead.

Tianya’s gaze sharpened—lightning had struck terrifyingly close. Being on a mountain made them prime targets. He flung aside the curtain and peered out, then let out a startled cry.

Atop the mountain, a great tree had been struck by lightning and split clean through at its base. The massive trunk was falling—straight toward Lin Bai’s carriage!

“Master! Junior Sister!” Tianya shouted, flinging open the carriage door and leaping toward Lin Bai’s vehicle.

But a shadow moved even faster. By a flash of lightning, Tianya saw a small, slight figure strike the falling trunk with a single palm. Landing atop the carriage, the stranger sent the wood hurtling several yards away, off the mountainside.

“What marvelous skill!” Tianya gasped in awe, trying to make out the figure’s face. In an instant, the stranger vanished into the darkness; not even the gender was discernible.

Inside their carriage, Wen Qiniang and Lin Bai heard only a thunderclap, Tianya’s frantic cry, and a shudder from the roof. They had no inkling how narrowly they’d escaped death.

The carriages halted. Corporal Yang stepped out to investigate, only to find Tianya drenched and staring dazedly at the sky. With a snort, Yang climbed back in and ordered the journey to continue.

“Why has the lead carriage stopped? Don’t delay us!” someone called from behind.

Tianya snapped out of his trance, the image of that mysterious figure replaying in his mind. Glancing at the carriage behind, he reasoned that the stranger must be among their party—there was no one else in these wild hills.

Back inside, Tianya still reeled from the shock. If not for that person, the carriage would surely have been crushed. Why had the stranger intervened to save Lin Bai and the rest?

The storm passed as swiftly as it had come, and the rain tapered off. By midnight, the party arrived at the prefecture. The compound was ablaze with light, but white-shrouded lanterns hung from the eaves, as if for a funeral. Monks chanted sutras, Taoist priests performed rites, and maids and servants flitted to and fro.

Wen Qiniang’s heart skipped—had they arrived too late? Was the person already gone?

“Please, follow me,” Corporal Yang instructed.

Just then, an elderly official in court robes hurried over—not to greet them, but to bow past them and address someone behind, his voice trembling. “I had no idea Young Lord Ning would come by night. I am terrified I failed to welcome you properly—please forgive me.”

A strange shock ran through Wen Qiniang. Young Lord Ning—that name sounded so familiar...

“Lord Wang, you have no fault. It is I, Ji, who have come unannounced,” came the reply.

The voice cut straight through the sealed chambers of memory, piercing Wen Qiniang to the core. Grief welled up uncontrollably, her body trembling. It must be a residue of the original owner’s memory—love, hatred, or both, so intense she lacked even the courage to turn around...

In a heartbeat, the man passed by her. In the dimness, a faint scent of incense brushed her nose. The wind from his steps lifted a strand of her hair before it settled again. Glancing up, she saw a man in a black, narrow-sleeved riding coat, a single jade ornament at his waist, broad-shouldered and slender, his silhouette tall and straight.

“Junior Sister, what are you staring at?” Tianya called, turning.

The man paused and looked back, his gaze meeting Wen Qiniang’s. In the lamplight, his face was gentle, brows straight as mountain peaks sweeping into his hair, his eyes deep as ink. He glanced at her, then turned and walked away.

Wen Qiniang steadied herself, her gaze unwavering. She was no longer the original Wen Qiniang; she had done nothing wrong. Why should she hide?

Tianya eyed the handsome young man beside the prefect, guessing he must be from the trailing carriage. At the man’s side stood a frail old servant, slightly stooped, his features indistinct. Besides these two, there was no one else. The young man was tall and well-built—clearly not the mysterious savior from the rain. The old servant’s build was similar, but he seemed too aged and feeble for such feats. Very odd. Could there be a hidden bodyguard lurking nearby?

“Please, this way,” Corporal Yang called, raising his voice.

Following him, they entered a side room where a dozen or more elderly men with white beards stood, each with a look of deep worry. On inquiry, they learned these were the most renowned physicians from the counties of Yangzhou Prefecture.

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances. Presently, the prefect reappeared, his smile gone, worry etched deeper into his wrinkled face.

“Forgive the wait, gentlemen. Is there any remedy to be found?” he asked, hope shining in his eyes.

The doctors looked at one another and sighed.

Corporal Yang leaned in to whisper to the prefect, who let his gaze fall on Lin Bai. At the sight of Lin Bai’s scholarly, pale face, disappointment flickered in his eyes, but he still stepped forward. “I have long heard of Divine Physician Lin’s miraculous skills. If you would, please come this way.”

Lin Bai bowed slightly, and together they entered the inner chamber.