Chapter Sixty-One: A Visit

Looking at the promissory notes handed over by Wen Jing, the old women sighed deeply and pressed their thumbprints onto the paper with mournful faces. The notes stated that each woman was to repay Wen Seventh Lady four strings of coins every month after receiving their allowance. If they failed to repay on time, three percent interest would be added and collected the following month.

Qingliu watched as Madam Gu finished imprinting her thumb and reached out to take the note, but when she tugged lightly, it wouldn't budge. Madam Gu's face was full of reluctance, her fingers gripping so tightly their nails went pale. Qingliu, half-smiling, said, "Madam Gu, if you don’t let go soon, the note will tear and you’ll have to press your thumb again."

Madam Gu loosened her grip, watching with longing as the promissory note passed into Qingliu’s hands.

After Qingliu carefully collected all four notes, Wen Jing smiled, took them, placed them in her box, and turned to He Ma, saying, "Do you wish to continue searching, Madam He?"

He Ma glanced at the Daoist nun.

“What is all this commotion? What has happened here?” Lady Wen entered, accompanied by her personal maid, Lianxiu.

The old women turned pale with fright, standing behind Madam He, not daring to utter a sound.

"Madam, we were following your instructions, assisting the Daoist nun in expelling evil. The old women moved a bit hastily and did not expect Seventh Lady to hide a Ru kiln porcelain among her bedding. It was accidentally... shattered," Madam He said, face full of remorse.

Wen Jing sneered inwardly. What a slick old woman—she managed to shift all the blame onto her.

Lady Wen’s face darkened at once. "I told you to help the Daoist nun, not to rummage through the young ladies’ rooms."

"Yes, yes, madam, please calm your anger. We were indeed careless. We have already agreed with Seventh Lady to compensate her a little every month," Madam He bowed her head.

Compensation?

A hint of doubt flashed across Lady Wen’s eyes. She knew well how difficult it was to get these old women, who only take and never give, to utter the word "compensation." She glanced at Wen Jing, her suspicions deepening. If it were the former Wen Seventh Lady, she would have been weeping as she cleaned up the shards, then run crying to her. That was the delicate, fragile Wen Seventh Lady she had raised. But the young woman before her watched Madam He coldly, utterly composed and calm—was this truly Wen Seventh Lady?

Lady Wen looked down at the fragments of the three-legged wash basin on the floor, puzzled. She had no idea such a valuable antique was in the household. Could it be part of Chu Zhuolian’s inheritance left to Wen Seventh Lady?

She picked up a shard and examined it carefully. She loved studying antiques and jewels—not an expert, but her eye was keen. After scrutinizing this so-called Song Dynasty Ru kiln celadon three-legged wash basin, she felt it was just slightly inferior in color and craftsmanship to those she’d seen before. Was it a high-quality imitation?

Wen Jing’s gaze sharpened. The three-legged wash basin was indeed not genuine; otherwise, she would never have let those filthy old women smash it.

“What nonsense is this?!” A sudden angry shout came from outside the door.

Lady Wen was lost in thought and was startled nearly out of her wits by Wen Qiran’s abrupt arrival. She had planned to settle everything before her husband returned, so nothing would be discovered. He always came home precisely at mealtime, but today he returned an hour early. And when she saw the man standing behind him, she was so shocked she dropped her fan to the floor.

"Young Lord Ning!"

"Lady Wen." Ji Changge bowed, his gaze sweeping past Wen Jing, who stood with her eyes lowered. It had only been about a month, yet it felt as though he had not seen her in ages.

Wen Qiran glanced at the chaotic room, then at the Daoist nun, and asked Lady Wen, "What is all this about?"

Lady Wen quickly replied, "Tenth Son had another episode today. I feared something unclean in the house, so I invited the Daoist nun from Huaqing Temple to see if any evil spirits were at work."

Wen Qiran was furious, but with Ji Changge present, he suppressed his anger.

“Have you found any evil spirits, then?” he asked.

Lady Wen glanced at Wen Qiran’s displeased face and turned to the Daoist nun. "Nun, did you find anything?"

The Daoist nun looked at the shattered three-legged wash basin on the floor. "Just now, my peachwood sword sensed a foul aura emanating from these shards. This basin has been in circulation for years; it may have been a burial object once, absorbing impurities. Better let me take it away for purification and return it when it’s cleansed."

Lady Wen was anxious and wanted to object, but seeing Wen Qiran’s expression, she changed her mind. If she refused, she’d be undermining herself. She was the one who had asked the nun to expel evil—if she found something and wasn’t allowed to take it, Wen Qiran would surely become suspicious. Their relationship was already tense; she did not want to worsen it.

"The nun may take it. Since it’s already broken, there’s no need to keep it," Wen Qiran said.

Wen Jing observed Lady Wen’s forced patience, a barely noticeable smile flickering in her eyes. The Daoist nun gave her a meaningful look, understanding that Wen Jing’s actions had helped her, and returned a grateful glance.

"Very well." The nun crouched to gather the fragments, and Qingliu hurried forward to help, making sure not a single shard was left behind, all placed in the nun’s cloth bag.

"Thank you, nun," Wen Jing said.

The nun nodded slightly without speaking and then took her leave from Wen Qiran and Lady Wen.

Lady Wen was now more concerned with why Young Lord Ning was here. Ever since two failed attempts at marriage alliance between the Ji and Wen families, both sides avoided each other, exchanging pleasantries only when necessary. Privately, there was no contact.

Wen Ninth Lady suddenly entered and greeted Ji Changge gracefully, "Ninth Lady pays her respects to Young Lord."

Wen Fifth Lady and Wen Eighth Lady had also arrived, having caught wind of the commotion.

Wen Jing glanced at the maids behind them—truly diligent.

Wen Ninth Lady, slightly shy, stood behind Lady Wen, lowering her gaze but occasionally darting a glance at Ji Changge, wondering if he was here to test the Wen family’s intentions, perhaps to renew old affairs.

Wen Fifth Lady looked at Wen Ninth Lady’s bashful demeanor and sneered inwardly. Did she really think herself the future daughter-in-law of the Ning Marquis household?

"Seventh Lady, may I speak with you in private?" Ji Changge looked at Wen Jing.

Wen Jing glanced at Ji Changge, thinking he must be here to have her examine some unusual corpse again. Was there no competent coroner at the Court of Judicial Review?

Wen Ninth Lady’s smile froze, staring at Ji Changge in disbelief. He was here for Seventh Lady? She was stunned, as if struck by lightning, but luckily everyone’s attention was on Wen Jing, so no one noticed her.

Lady Wen was equally surprised. Everyone knew Young Lord Ning disliked Wen Seventh Lady. She had thought Ji Changge was here to consult Wen Qiran, but he had come specifically for Wen Seventh Lady.

"Are you ill?" Wen Jing suddenly asked Ji Changge.

Everyone’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Did Wen Seventh Lady have the courage to call Young Lord Ning ill? Outrageous!

"Can’t I come to see you if I’m not ill?" Ji Changge laughed instead of being angry, his long eyes shining. His already handsome face seemed even more enchanting.

Wen Ninth Lady was momentarily dazed, a song from the Music Bureau echoing in her mind: "Stones like jade, pines like emerald. His beauty unmatched, unique in the world."

Even Wen Fifth Lady and Wen Eighth Lady blushed slightly.

Wen Jing’s heart trembled, and she turned her head away, a flood of memories flashing through her mind.

"Seventh Lady, Lord Ji has business with you. Answer him properly," Wen Qiran said sternly.

"Yes, Father," Wen Jing replied.

"What are you all standing here for? Disperse," Wen Qiran said, annoyed at everyone lingering as if watching a play.

Lady Wen glanced at Wen Jing before leaving, her eyes full of reluctance and confusion.

Wen Ninth Lady suppressed her jealousy and hurried out, equally perplexed—since when had Young Lord Ning changed? He had come looking for Seventh Lady? In the past, even her tears wouldn’t earn her a glance.

"You two talk; I have household matters to attend to. Today, Lord Ji must have found us amusing," Wen Qiran said as he left.

"I can only treat illnesses now. If Lord Ji is not ill, perhaps you should return early," Wen Jing replied with a smile, implying she would not agree to examine any corpses.

Ji Changge smiled wryly. He had never faced such polite rejection, especially from a young lady. Wen Seventh Lady truly was indifferent to him.

"Then I won’t beat around the bush. There is indeed an illness, though not mine. The autumn provincial exams are approaching, and one candidate is ill. He is a friend of mine. Would Seventh Lady be willing to visit the examination hall and see him?"

"What about the imperial physicians?" Wen Jing asked in surprise. This was the capital, and their skills surpassed her own.

Ji Changge smiled. "The imperial physicians are busy attending to the emperor and concubines; they have no time for us. Besides, their skills aren’t necessarily better than yours. Your surgery for the He family was unheard of among them."

Having said so much, Wen Jing could no longer refuse. Her father’s return to the capital was thanks to Ji Changge’s efforts; she owed him this favor.

"Let me prepare."

"Alright, I’ll wait outside," Ji Changge replied, blinking. Whether the imperial physicians were busy, he didn’t know, for he had never approached them—but he knew Wen Jing was not busy, and if he asked, even the busiest physician would make time.

Qingliu watched Ji Changge leave with a beaming smile, glanced at Wen Jing, and thought, Seventh Lady’s temperament has changed, and now even Young Lord Ning has renewed his intentions. This really is wonderful.

"What are you smiling at? Hurry and tidy up the house," Wen Jing said, noticing Qingliu’s absentminded grin. The girl was already dull-looking, and smiling made her seem even sillier. Wen Jing grabbed her box and left.

Qingliu chuckled to herself a few more times before beginning to tidy up the room. (To be continued…)

ps: Only one update today—will catch up tomorrow~