Chapter Thirty-Two: The Rescue

The two matrons only now noticed Ji Changge, who stood silently to one side. As their eyes measured him, it was clear he was no ordinary scion of an official family; yet neither had ever seen him before. They were momentarily cowed by his imposing presence. Wang Fu stepped forward and whispered a few words to the second madam, whose face instantly turned pale.

“We pay our respects to Young Lord Ning,” the two women said in unison.

Ji Changge merely replied with a cold “Mm.” He harbored a deep aversion to such domineering women who fawned over the powerful and trampled the weak; had it not been for the scene just now, his attitude would not have been so frosty.

“Since the divine physician was invited by Young Lord Ning, let the physician take charge,” the second madam said, turning with a smile toward Wen Xun. With that, both women quietly stepped aside, as if the imperious figures from moments ago had never existed—true exemplars of those who can turn their faces faster than flipping a page.

Of course, if anyone knew that the dignified young man before them was the sole son of the emperor’s only sister—the Princess—they would never dare continue their antics. Neither the second nor the third madam was foolish; they wisely held their tongues.

Wen Xun’s lips twitched. Young Lord Ning certainly commanded respect. She felt a hint of gratitude, but recalling how he might once have treated “Wen Qiniang” in much the same manner, her gaze turned cold.

She replaced the damp towel on Prefect Wang’s body and fed him a little salted water, but he remained unconscious.

Those present watched Wen Xun’s indifferent expression. The heat of the day made their faces flush with anxiety. If Ji Changge were not there, they would have already carried Prefect Wang inside and sent for a physician. This young lady hardly looked the part of a skilled healer. With the young master not yet buried, and the prospect of soon having to buy a coffin for the old master as well, the thought frightened them, and they quickly spat it away in their minds.

Ji Changge wiped the sweat from his brow, but noticed that Wen Xun’s face showed not a single bead of perspiration. Seeing Prefect Wang still motionless, he grew anxious. Wen Xun’s method of saving lives was unheard of, but at present, waiting was their only option. If Prefect Wang did not awaken and his family caused a scene, not even Young Lord Ning’s status would allow him to remain uninvolved. The one who would suffer most was Wen Qiniang; delaying treatment for a fifth-rank prefect and causing his death was a serious charge.

A soft groan came from Prefect Wang. Wen Xun removed the wet towel from his face and found him awake. She breathed a sigh of relief; though she was confident he would recover, had it taken much longer, who knew what rash actions these people might have taken.

“Master, you’re awake!” the two madams exclaimed, crowding around him with joy.

“Please, step aside for a moment,” Wen Xun said.

Wen Xun rose to her feet and addressed two servants, “Carefully carry your master inside, prepare a tub of warm water for bathing, have the kitchen make some mung bean porridge, and feed it to Master Wang while it’s warm. Be sure not to let him eat anything raw or cold.”

“Yes, yes, we’ll do exactly as the divine physician says!” The servants, faces full of reverence, hurriedly set about their tasks, never doubting her words.

Wen Xun turned to the two madams with a gentle smile, “The servants are rough-handed; please, madams, personally attend to Master Wang’s bath and change of clothes.”

The two madams exchanged glances and looked at Prefect Wang, lying in the ashes and covered in mud. Having married him to secure a comfortable life, they had no affection for him and would prefer he take his leave of this world sooner. Accustomed to lives of leisure, now being asked to touch the stinking mud on his body, their faces soured.

Wen Xun watched their shifting expressions, smiling inwardly. Moments ago, they had been ready to sacrifice themselves for him, yet now they balked at the simplest tasks. Truly, in modern times, they would have the makings of award-winning actresses.

“Such virtuous and dutiful ladies—how moving,” Ji Changge said with a smile, secretly thinking he had never known Wen Qiniang to have such tastes. Was she simply that skilled at disguising herself, or had his own eyes been blind?

“Hehe, it’s merely our duty as concubines,” the two madams replied with forced laughter.

Wen Xun washed the dirt from her hands and prepared to head home. Her master and senior apprentice must be anxious by now; any further delay would mean she would be unable to return today. Her father at home must be equally worried.

After a few steps, she noticed Ji Changge following behind, with the thin old man sticking close to him. She realized he must also reside in Lotus Garden, so it made sense they walked the same path.

“I heard Xu Third Lady got married, but her husband died shortly after. You and she were close—have you heard what became of her?” Ji Changge asked lazily.

Wen Xun’s expression changed slightly, but her pace did not falter. “Young Lord Ning, when did you become so curious? Besides, it was Xu Fifth Lady I was close with, not the third.”

Ji Changge’s lips curled; a glimmer flashed in his eyes. She was becoming more and more interesting…

Upon returning to Lotus Garden, Wen Xun found Tianya and Lin Bai gone, their packs taken with them. A sudden sense of loss washed over her. On the table, she found a note from Lin Bai, explaining they had urgent business and would return to Hanjiang County ahead of her.

“They’ve already left?” Ji Changge asked.

Wen Xun nodded, thinking they must have had pressing matters, or else they would not have left her behind. What could have happened? If only this era had phones—then a call would suffice.

“Then you’d best wait for me and return together. It’s not convenient for a young lady to travel alone.”

“In that case, I thank you, Young Lord Ning.” Wen Xun did not refuse; she truly had no funds for the journey, and the road was mountainous. If she encountered bandits, it would be calamitous. She never courted danger, especially when it could be avoided.

To live is to be human; to die, merely a skeleton covered in decaying flesh. Life outweighs all else—Wen Xun understood this better than anyone.

Seeing that Wen Qiniang showed none of the usual shyness of noble ladies, and that she trusted him so implicitly, Ji Changge’s expression softened.

As the sun set, Wen Xun visited Prefect Wang again. Though he remained fatigued, his health was stable. The root of his ailment was grief and exhaustion; she urged him to rest and instructed the maids to care for him well.

The sunset mirrored fire upon the pond, lotus blossoms and the dying light stretching to the horizon, blooming in the intense, passionate embrace of summer—a magnificent sight. Wen Xun closed her eyes, savoring the thick fragrance in the air. The journey, indeed, had not been in vain.

From afar, Ji Changge watched the figure standing by the lotus pond, bathed in pale golden light, her face tranquil and serene, as if she no longer had any ties to the world and was about to ascend to immortality.

“Uncle Quan, what do you think of this young lady?” he asked.

“The old servant has no interest in anyone besides the young master,” replied the elderly man, stooped and expressionless, his gaze fixed ahead.

Ji Changge’s lips curled, and he said no more.