Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Rescued on a Snowy Night After performing a round of acupuncture, Ling Jiayue put away her silver needles, wrote out a prescription, and carefully instructed them on the order and timing for decocting the medicine. The effort left her exhausted, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Seeing how hard her master had worked, Lingxue felt sorry for her and spoke up indignantly. “Old Man, my mistress was brought here by your steward the moment she got out of bed. You didn’t even prepare breakfast for her. As the host, do you think this is acceptable?” Ling Jiayue suppressed her laughter and put on a serious expression. “Lingxue, Old Man has his own arrangements. There’s no need to rush him.” Xu Hongjun burst out laughing and smoothed his sleeves. “This old man hasn’t laughed so heartily in a long time. Deng Xu, hurry to the kitchen and have them send up a meal. I’m going to properly reward these two girls.” The steward who had brought Ling Jiayue over immediately acknowledged the order and went to the kitchen to hurry them along. At the dining table, Xu Hongjun was full of energy. He had completely shed his usual solemn and gloomy demeanor, and all the attendants marveled inwardly at the excellence of Ling Jiayue’s medical arts. “Ling Girl, I know you’re the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter, so there’s surely nothing you lack. However, this old man believes in repaying kindness. I have quite a few rare treasures in my residence. Pick whatever you like and take it with you.” A pure smile, like a white lotus, blossomed at the corner of Ling Jiayue’s lips. A trace of shrewdness flickered through her phoenix eyes, too subtle for anyone to notice. Just as she had planned. “Old Man, I’m not lacking gold or silver, and I don’t need any rare treasures. I only wish to ask you for a few people.” Xu Hongjun’s gray-white eyebrows rose slightly as he asked directly, “What kind of people?” “Patients.” Xu Hongjun was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter again. “Ling Girl, are you planning to use me as your signboard?” “Old Man, just tell me whether you’re willing or not.” Ling Jiayue shamelessly wheedled like Lingxue, her eyes rippling like autumn waters and making it impossible to refuse her. It was no difficult matter, so Xu Hongjun readily agreed. “Ling Girl, once this reputation of yours spreads, I’m afraid you’ll have your hands full~” Ling Jiayue was brimming with confidence. “As long as you can find the people, Old Man, I’ll have a way to cure them.” In her previous life, she had already possessed superb medical skills. She had often discussed medical theory with the imperial physicians in the palace and had traveled far and wide, seeking advice from many wandering physicians. Naturally, she had the confidence to make such a promise. Xu Hongjun had no children, only an adopted son, who was away on an assignment. He had been feeling bored these past few days, and Ling Jiayue happened to cure his illness. The little girl was beautiful and sweet-tongued, and she kept Xu Hongjun in such high spirits that he took her around the residence, showing her his treasured medicinal materials, calligraphy and paintings, antiques, and curios. It was not until evening approached, after they had eaten dinner, that Xu Hongjun was finally willing to see her off. Night deepened, and snow fell thickly, coming down even harder than before. On the way back to the residence, they passed a medicinal shop. Seeing that it was brightly lit inside, Ling Jiayue got out of the carriage and had the people from the Xu Residence return first. The place was not far from the Ling Residence, and she and Lingxue could easily walk back. After browsing in the medicinal shop for quite some time, Ling Jiayue finally bought the lingzhi she wanted. As soon as the two of them stepped out, the shopkeeper hurriedly closed up. The wind and snow were fierce at night, and medicinal materials could not be allowed to become damp. “Phew~ Miss, it’s so cold. Let’s walk faster.” Lingxue brought the hand carrying the medicinal materials to her mouth and blew on it for warmth, looking particularly comical. Ling Jiayue murmured an acknowledgment and withdrew her searching gaze, quickening her pace. Ever since she had gotten out of the carriage, she had felt as though someone was watching her from the surroundings. She had not paid it much attention while she was in the shop, but now there were few people left on the streets and every household had closed its doors. Unease gradually crept into her heart. Whoosh! An object suddenly flew toward them from behind. Ling Jiayue instinctively dodged, and only when she turned around did she see that it was a flying dart. Lingxue cried out in fright. “Miss!” Another flying dart swiftly came at them, heading straight for the back of Lingxue’s head. Ling Jiayue had no time to think. She leaped into the air and shoved Lingxue aside with one palm, immediately feeling her arm go numb with pain. Her legs gave way, and she fell into the snow. Blood slowly seeped through her clothes, staining the snow like a red lotus. “Bang!” A stone flew from somewhere and struck Lingxue unconscious. She toppled over beside Ling Jiayue. Ling Jiayue gritted her teeth. Remaining alert as she surveyed her surroundings, she pulled Lingxue into her arms and checked her for injuries. Finding none, she shouted angrily, “Who dares behave so outrageously? How dare you commit murder under the emperor’s nose!” In a daze, she saw four masked black-clad assassins appear on the otherwise empty street. They sneered, “She’s nothing but a pretty vase with no substance. Kill her!” The black-clad assassins charged forward without mercy, the blades in their hands flashing blindingly. Ling Jiayue forced herself to summon her remaining strength. Drawing the dagger she always carried in her sleeve, she tangled with the black-clad assassins. In her previous life, she had been the Empress, but she had also been a renowned general who had never lost a battle—except at Shigu Pass, where she had been defeated by Mu Yuheng. Tonight, however, Ling Jiayue’s right arm was injured, and every movement tugged at the wound. Moreover, she had only one dagger, while all four opponents wielded long swords of extraordinary sharpness. The slightest carelessness could leave her throat cut open. “Ah!” Focused on the fierce assault in front of her, Ling Jiayue failed to notice the attack from behind. A sword pierced her shoulder, and the attacker took advantage of the opening to kick her in the abdomen. She was sent flying through the air before crashing heavily into the snow. “Who are you people?” Ling Jiayue clenched her fists, a vicious, murderous light shooting from her eyes. Could it be that Chu Chaoci knew she had been reborn here and had sent people to kill her? Ha! After all the years they had spent as husband and wife, he was actually determined to exterminate her completely! The four black-clad assassins were also in a somewhat sorry state, but they paid no attention to her question. They pressed forward step by step, sword light flashing in her eyes. Just as they were about to finish her off, four flying darts suddenly whistled through the air and struck the black-clad assassins. “Who?!” A purple figure descended from the sky. In the blink of an eye, he kicked each of the black-clad assassins once, sending them sprawling. A blur of blades and swords followed, accompanied by cries of agony. Blood gushed from all four assassins’ legs, and the heat of it even melted the snowflakes as they fell. “Who sent you?” the man demanded, his back to Ling Jiayue as he interrogated the four of them. Unexpectedly, the four were death warriors. They said nothing, their brows tightly furrowed. But moments later, black blood seeped from the corners of their mouths, and they died from the poison. Watching this unfold, Ling Jiayue broke out in a cold sweat. Only then did she feel a chill run down her back. The man wore a purple python robe and cloud-patterned boots. When he turned around, his eyes were as cool and pale as water, and his voice was deep and steady. “Are you all right?” “It’s you?” Looking at that handsome, heroic face, beautiful enough to belong to a celestial being, Ling Jiayue could hardly believe her eyes. “Why is the Seventh Prince here?” A profound meaning filled Mu Yuheng’s eyes as he countered, “That day, when I saved you, you were sitting inside the carriage and never saw my face. How did you recognize me?” Ling Jiayue was rendered speechless for a moment. Then she suddenly remembered that her present appearance was almost identical to the one she had possessed in her previous life. She certainly could not tell him that she had fought him in her previous life and had now been reborn. Wouldn’t that scare him to death? As she pondered, she lowered her gaze and noticed the jade ring-pendant at his waist. It was particularly distinctive, so she immediately began to spout nonsense with a perfectly serious expression. “I heard that the Seventh Prince is extremely fond of this jade ring-pendant and wears it at all times. That’s how I recognized you.” Nearby, Feng Yan nearly burst out laughing when he heard this. After all, the jade ring-pendant had only been bestowed upon Mu Yuheng by the emperor yesterday. He had worn it for merely two days… Just as Feng Yan was about to expose her, Mu Yuheng put on an expression of sudden realization. “So that’s how it is. Miss Ling, you truly are perceptive.” Feng Yan was dumbstruck. It was the first time he had ever heard his master spout such an outrageous lie with a completely straight face. The snow beneath them was icy cold, and the blood from Ling Jiayue’s wounds had frozen into clots. She felt dizzy and tried to stand, but the movement tugged at her injuries and drew a sharp gasp from her. Cold sweat soaked her back, and her body had grown cold and weak. Looking up at Mu Yuheng and Feng Yan, who seemed to have all the time in the world, Ling Jiayue did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Seventh Prince, could I trouble you and your guards to escort me home?” Mu Yuheng looked utterly unbothered. “Why should I escort you?” Ling Jiayue viciously bit her lip. “Seventh Prince, you’re so benevolent and righteous. Do a good deed—” “Thud!” Before she could finish saying “to the end,” Ling Jiayue rolled her eyes back and pitched forward. Feng Yan jumped in alarm. “Your Highness, are we still escorting her or not?” Without another word, Mu Yuheng bent down and sealed Ling Jiayue’s acupoints to stop the bleeding. Then, with one smooth motion, he lifted her into his arms. A young woman’s fragrance drifted into his nose with the wind, traveling straight to his heart and stirring a circle of ripples within it. She was slender, with a delicate waist. Her long, straight black hair fell like a waterfall to his waist, while her head rested against his sturdy chest. The tip of her nose was reddened by the cold wind, and her lips were slightly pale. Her long eyelashes were thick and curled, casting a small shadow beneath her eyelids. With her quiet, obedient appearance, she looked exceptionally well-behaved. The slight furrow between her brows inspired an instinctive tenderness. “What about this one?” Feng Yan pointed to Lingxue, who lay nearby. Mu Yuheng did not even turn his head. “You carry her.” It was the dead of night, and all was silent. The snow-covered ground stretched pale and boundless, gleaming like the full moon in the eighth month. Through the windows of the shops came a crystalline glow from the snow. Only the Prime Minister’s Residence remained brightly lit, making the snowflakes filling the sky look even more delicate and translucent. Madam Liu sat beside Ling Jiayue’s bed, clutching her hand tightly and refusing to let go. Her eyes were filled with anxiety, and tears rolled continuously from their corners. Every so often, she tucked the quilt more securely around her daughter. The charcoal burned quietly in the room. Wind slipped in through the gap in the raised window, making the candle flames sway. “Lingzhu, go close the window a little more.” Madam Liu gave the instruction, but her eyes never left Ling Jiayue for even a moment. Lingzhu closed the window, leaving a narrow gap for ventilation. “Madam First Wife, please go and rest. I’ll keep a close watch over Miss. As soon as she wakes, I’ll notify you immediately.” Madam Liu shook her head stubbornly. “I’m going to stay until Yue’er wakes up. She’s delicate and frail—how could she possibly endure such suffering? When the Seventh Prince carried her in just now, she was covered in blood. I was so frightened that my soul nearly left my body.” Lingzhu did not try to persuade her again. She could only sit nearby, warming porridge and brewing tea while praying for Ling Jiayue to wake. In the side hall stood a set of fine cinnabar-lacquered golden-thread nanmu tables and chairs. Yet the person seated in the main seat was not the master of the Prime Minister’s Residence, but Mu Yuheng. Ling Taian thanked Mu Yuheng profusely, overwhelmed with gratitude. “Thank you, Seventh Prince, for saving her. Otherwise, my daughter’s life would have been in danger!” This daughter of his had been raised in the mountains and was somewhat mischievous and unruly, but she was exceptionally clever and even-tempered. Besides, after nearly ten years of separation, he naturally wanted to show her more care and affection. Mu Yuheng took a sip of hot tea and set down the cup. No emotion could be discerned from his eyes as he said indifferently, “Prime Minister Ling, you’re too kind. I serve by imperial command to protect the people of the capital. It was simply my duty.” “By the way, Prime Minister Ling, I heard your daughter is highly skilled in the medical arts. I’ve suffered from insomnia for a long time. Would it be possible to ask her to examine and treat me after she recovers?” Ling Taian was taken aback, then gave a wry smile. “My daughter only understands a little of the basics. How could she compare with the imperial physicians in the palace?” Mu Yuheng wiped the tea from the corner of his mouth and rose to his feet. A smile played at his lips. “If you don’t try, how will you know the result?”