Chapter 35: Accepting the Favor

Jiang Jin was somewhat surprised, not understanding why Shen Mu was treating her so well.

Although she had borrowed the Shen family’s influence to secure peace,

the contributions she had made to the Shen family over the years had long since repaid that initial debt of gratitude.

Now, his unwavering protection of her truly exceeded her expectations.

Nevertheless, after her initial surprise, Jiang Jin accepted his kindness.

She bent slightly at the waist, bowing to Shen Mu in gratitude.

Shen Mu smiled as he accepted her gesture, then offered a few more words of advice before departing.

…

Later that evening, Jiang Jin was painting at her desk.

With a soft whoosh, a short arrow appeared by the window.

Jiang Jin pulled out the arrow, retrieved the note tucked inside, and unfolded it.

After a long moment, she clenched the note tightly, her expression darkening.

How utterly… outrageous!

Jiang Jin summoned Furong, handed her the note, and instructed her to find Shen Mu.

Furong quickly left with the note. After she departed, Jiang Jin walked to the window, tracing the path left by the arrow to speculate on its possible origin.

After observing for a long while, she suddenly looked up, shifting her gaze toward the apricot tree in the courtyard.

The person must have used the tree for cover, shooting the arrow from behind it.

He was taunting her, making it clear—if he could send this arrow to her window, he could just as easily send one through her heart without a trace!

Yet, Jiang Jin did not believe the Shen Residence’s defenses were lacking. Instead, she now felt a sense of detached amusement.

Initially angered by the note’s contents, she now felt only that the fish was eagerly taking the bait!

…

The next day, Jiang Jin received another note.

This time, however, it appeared directly on the small table beside her bed.

Jiang Jin examined it carefully—the message was identical to the previous one.

This act was merely a further step in intimidation and provocation.

But Jiang Jin would not fall into the trap.

As noon arrived and sunlight streamed in,

Jiang Jin gave a light cough, covering her mouth with one hand to hide the upward curve of her lips.

At the same moment, a startled cry rang out in the courtyard.

This was followed by the sound of over a dozen hurried footsteps.

Jiang Jin did not go outside. She remained seated on her bed, eating pastries while holding a book.

Before long, the commotion outside gradually subsided.

Soon after, a familiar voice sounded at the door.

“Miss, it’s time for your medicine!” Furong pushed the door open, carrying a bowl of medicine.

She placed the bowl on the small table beside Jiang Jin and added, “Miss, Steward Shen said you may take this medicine now!”

As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Jin set down her book.

Looking at the bowl Furong had brought, she frowned slightly.

The color was noticeably darker than before.

Moreover, even before bringing it close, she could smell a pungent medicinal odor.

But bitter medicine often brings healing. As long as it benefited her health, she could endure it.

Jiang Jin picked up the bowl, held her breath, and drank it down sip by sip, finishing it quickly.

Immediately after, she snatched a piece of preserved fruit from the side and ate it.

Seeing this, Furong fetched a few more.

“Miss, Physician Qu said you will likely need to take this new medicine for some time. So I prepared extra sweets like preserved fruit. If it tastes bitter, having a few more will help.”

After finishing one piece, Jiang Jin nodded in satisfaction at Furong’s words. “You’ve become increasingly thoughtful lately.”

“This is what a servant should do,” Furong replied.

“You needn’t be so modest. By the way, has Buyu contacted you recently?” Jiang Jin asked curiously.

After an unknown length of waiting, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the inn room.

Hearing this, Jiang Jin knew the matter must have reached a conclusion. Just as she was about to say something, she saw the woman quickly run over and open the door.

Furong hurried in and immediately told Jiang Jin and the woman the news she had just received.

“He’s been saved.”

Upon hearing Furong’s words, the woman’s previously tense spirit briefly relaxed.

Seeing this, Jiang Jin asked further, “Where are they now?”

“They haven’t entered the city yet. Because many people in the village were injured, they are all currently waiting for treatment at a doctor’s residence.” After saying this, Furong glanced at the woman and then exchanged a look with Jiang Jin.

Jiang Jin immediately understood that the woman’s husband’s condition might be somewhat complicated.

Hesitating for a moment, Jiang Jin still said to the woman, “Madam, your husband is now out of danger. Since you’ve seen with your own eyes that he is safe and sound, why not follow our carriage back to the village now?”

The woman immediately nodded, saying gratefully, “Thank you, young lady, for your help.”

…

The carriage soon left the city. The coachman was a local of Qingzhou. As soon as the woman mentioned the village’s name, he quickly knew the direction.

Not long after, the carriage arrived at the village.

When getting off the carriage, Jiang Jin told Furong to keep an eye on the woman.

Sure enough, just as the woman tried to get off the carriage herself, her legs suddenly went weak, and she nearly fell.

Fortunately, Furong supported her in time, preventing any injury.

Only after she steadied herself did Furong let go.

After Jiang Jin got off the carriage, she asked the woman another question, “Madam, do you still have any strength now?”

The woman was about to shake her head when suddenly dizziness struck her head. Feeling faint and unsteady, she staggered a couple of steps.

Seeing this, Furong quickly got back into the carriage to fetch some pastries and water.

Jiang Jin took them and handed them to the woman, saying, “Madam, eat something to sustain yourself and regain some energy.”

Now the woman dared not refuse. She was very afraid that if she didn’t eat now, she wouldn’t last until she saw her husband.

If both people in the household were injured then, she truly wouldn’t know who would take care of whom.

The group paused by the roadside for a short while. Only after the woman had recovered some energy did they proceed into the village.

The doctor’s house was at the front of the village, just a few steps away.

When they reached the doctor’s courtyard, they saw two guards from the Shen Residence stationed at the entrance.

They recognized Jiang Jin, so when she and the others arrived, they quickly opened the gate to let them in.

Upon entering, they saw this scene:

Several makeshift beds were placed in the courtyard, each occupied by an injured person. Beside each bed stood a guard and the injured person’s family members.

There was no crying of children, nor any words of complaint.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was very peaceful, with everyone attending to their own tasks.

Seeing Jiang Jin and the others arrive, an acquaintance directly pointed to an inner room for the woman and said, “Hongying, your husband is inside. Doctor Jiang is still treating him. With Doctor Jiang here, you needn’t worry too much.”

“Your little Bao’er was frightened earlier. Granny Zhao managed to soothe her to sleep, and she’s now sleeping in the small room at Doctor Jiang’s house. Would you like to go see her?”

The woman nodded and prepared to go see her child, but then suddenly remembered Jiang Jin and Furong beside her. After hesitating for a moment, she still did not move.