Rong Zhi went out to pour the medicinal dregs at the foot of the wall. She saw several unfamiliar faces entering the back garden. They were not in the general's mansion attire and carried a hint of肅殺之气. The one directing them was a young, spirited official who appeared quite scholarly.
It must be Li Wenxuan.
Xia Yunting had told her that Li Wenxuan had received news that someone had reported the discovery of an item buried in the general's mansion to alter feng shui, which was a serious crime in the Tianque Kingdom.
The accuser was none other than Duan Xucheng, who had eloped with Xing Jiahui. Li Wenxuan knew about Duan Xucheng and Xing Jiahui's affair and feared that personal grudges might be involved. He had informed Xia Yunting in advance, partly as repayment for saving his life at the wedding.
The favor Xia Yunting wanted to ask Rong Zhi was also related to this matter.
Li Wenxuan sensed eyes on him and turned to see a young man of short stature with a rather delicate appearance. He didn't shy away when discovered, but boldly stared in their direction.
He smiled and nodded, and the other party returned his smile.
Only after Li Wenxuan led his men to surround the back courtyard did Rong Zhi turn and return to her room.
This man was the top scholar of this year's imperial examinations, new to the officialdom, with a clear mind and a grateful heart. He was a good person.
Upon returning to the room, Rong Zhi heard a cough. The person on the bed was clutching his chest, reaching for the teacup by the headboard. Rong Zhi quickly stepped forward and handed him the cup.
"You're awake? How do you feel?"
Zhang Can gulped down the tea and looked up at Rong Zhi, his eyes showing gratitude. "Thank you, Doctor. I am no longer in danger."
"Although you are awake, your meridians are severely injured. You cannot practice martial arts or engage in strenuous exercise for a while. I will stay here and take care of you until you are ready to leave."
"Thank you, Doctor." Zhang Can lowered his eyes and thanked her. With this movement, he had taken in Rong Zhi from head to toe.
"Are you a young lady, Doctor?" he asked.
"Good eye." Rong Zhi was a little surprised. She had put considerable effort into her disguise, and he recognized her so quickly.
"It's just intuition. I've followed the General for many years and have developed some keen observation skills. Unfortunately, I was careless and fell into someone's trap, allowing them to usurp my position and bring so much trouble to the General."
"Are you referring to Zhu Yeqing, the head of the Silver Snake Hall of the Blood Drinking Pavilion? He is already dead."
"How do you know that?" Zhang Can was somewhat surprised.
"I not only know about the Blood Drinking Pavilion, but I also know about the events on Swallow Mountain in Changping County, and the feud between Xia Yunting and Xing Jie."
Her implication was very clear: her relationship with his General was not ordinary. Rong Zhi had noticed his scrutiny earlier. Perhaps it was a habit of Xia Yunting's subordinates to be cautious and probe the other party's background even upon first meeting.
Since that was the case, it was better for her to admit it proactively.
"To tell you the truth, I have a request from Xia Yunting. We help each other, and you could say we are mutually beneficial. Saving you this time is also part of the transaction."
Zhang Can looked enlightened. That seemed to be the General's personality.
Since the other party was a woman, what he had seen in his semi-conscious state before... No, even if she was a woman, how could the General be so intimate with such a person?
Wasn't the General always cold to strangers?
Could it be that this person in front of him had an extraordinary relationship with the General?
The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed, and he began to scrutinize Rong Zhi's appearance carefully. As he did, Zhang Can's expression changed dramatically.
"You... you..."
"What about me?"
Seeing Zhang Can's ashen face, Rong Zhi couldn't help but touch her own.
"You are Rong Zhi, the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley!"
"..." Had she given herself away somehow?
"Are you delirious from sleep? The Valley Master of Medicine King Valley passed away almost 20 years ago. If I were her, I would be an old woman by now."
Zhang Can's eyes darted around. He seemed to think her explanation made sense and then apologized, "I'm sorry, you look so much like her that I made a mistake."
Rong Zhi chuckled twice. "It's alright. Your eyesight isn't great right after waking up. A good rest should help."
She gave him some instructions and then left, feigning a need to prepare medicine.
Outside the general's mansion, Rong Zhi took out a small mirror from her embrace and examined herself. She was indeed looking more and more like her appearance in her previous life. If she had only resembled her by seven parts before, she now had eight parts. Anyone familiar with her would surely think they were mother and daughter.
Rong Zhi didn't understand why she was becoming more and more like her past self, but one thing was undeniable: she couldn't continue living with this face, or she might attract unnecessary trouble.
Xing Jiahui had asked her for a medicinal powder for internal use. Rong Zhi couldn't prepare it quickly and decided to borrow a couple of doses from Chu Qingze for emergency purposes.
However, when Rong Zhi arrived at Chu Qingze's pharmacy, she found only a half-open door and an empty room.
Many medicine bottles were arranged on the shelves on both sides, but some spaces below were empty. Many bottles were overturned haphazardly, looking as if they had been stolen.
"Chu Qingze?" Rong Zhi called out curiously. No one answered.
Strange, it was broad daylight, could a living person just disappear?
She rummaged through the shelves and finally found a small yellow medicine bottle, which she tucked into her embrace. She then quickly headed towards Hundred Herbs Pavilion.
Hundred Herbs Pavilion had many patients today. Zhang Yajing and Cui Xi were helping to dispense medicine. Rong Zhi went straight up to them and asked, "Have you seen Chu Qingze?"
Zhang Yajing, overwhelmed, replied without even looking up, "No."
After Rong Zhi left, Zhang Yajing belatedly looked towards the door, but no one was there.
Rong Zhi searched the streets, asking around. Everyone around said they hadn't seen him. Chu Qingze had only recently arrived and was unfamiliar with the place, so not many people knew him. Finding him would indeed be a difficult task.
Could he have been kidnapped? Rong Zhi dismissed the thought as soon as it arose. Chu Qingze was no ordinary doctor; he was highly skilled in martial arts, and ordinary people couldn't control him.
Perhaps he had gone to make a house call. The matters at the general's mansion were more pressing, so Rong Zhi didn't delay and returned to the general's mansion with the medicine.
"Madam, this is the medicine you requested. Remember not to take too much, or it will be harmful to your health." Rong Zhi handed the medicine to Xing Jiahui, earnestly admonishing her.
"I know. You may leave!" Xing Jiahui glanced warily outside, afraid that someone might enter at any moment.
"This commoner takes her leave." Rong Zhi retreated discreetly. Xing Jiahui held two pills in her hand, feeling a bit curious. Could such small pills really make someone...
She sniffed the pills, finding them a bit smelly and unpleasant.
To ensure she gained Xia Yunting's favor, she had no choice but to take a gamble.
She carefully placed the pills in her makeup box when she heard an argument outside. Listening closely, she recognized one of the voices.
"Brother Duan..." Xing Jiahui was startled. She slipped out, avoiding the crowds, and went to the source of the sound, near the back garden. Through a door, Xing Jiahui saw the situation inside.
In front of Duan Xucheng was a bloody animal trap. Although not large, its teeth were very sharp. Duan Xucheng was sitting on the ground, clutching his leg, and a dark red stain was seeping through his trousers.
Doctor Chen, an old man, looked anxious and helpless as he examined Duan Xucheng's leg. Li Wenxuan stood aside with a look of disdain.
"I say, Imperial Physician Duan, this is the General's mansion, not a market. You wander around like this, and now you've injured your leg. I wonder how you'll be able to practice medicine in the future."
Duan Xucheng's brows were tightly furrowed in pain, and large beads of sweat dripped from his forehead.
"It was Xia Yunting who deliberately harmed me! He intentionally placed that animal trap on the path!"
"That animal trap was at the foot of the wall, a place even dogs rarely go. Yet you stumbled upon it. Is that also General Xia's fault? I advise you to behave yourself. If your leg is broken, it will bring shame to the Imperial Hospital, and Physician Chen might even disown you for being a disgrace."
Although Physician Chen remained silent, his expression revealed his displeasure. Since arriving at the general's mansion, his disciple had shown none of his usual maturity and composure, instead constantly embarrassing himself, making his master lose face. It was truly a disgrace in his twilight years.
All of this was witnessed by Xing Jiahui outside the door. She couldn't help but furrow her delicate brows, a hint of pain on her face.
"Brother Duan, I didn't expect Xia Yunting to resort to such base tactics."
Further away, Rong Zhi watched Xing Jiahui's back and said to Xia Yunting beside her, "Most likely, she's cursing you. Did you really send someone to do this?"
Xia Yunting shook his head. "It was probably something left behind by the dark guards during their practice setting traps. I was unaware."
"Then Imperial Physician Duan is truly extremely unlucky." Rong Zhi shook her head, watching with the air of an amused spectator.
After this incident, Duan Xucheng became more subdued. He lay still, extending his leg, waiting for nightfall to see what tricks Xia Yunting would play.
As the sky gradually darkened, the atmosphere grew increasingly heavy, and everyone intently watched the spot where the Bagua mirror had been dug up.
At that moment, a sound, like a mixture of crying and laughter, emanated from a room in the rear quarters. It was intermittent and rather eerie.
Duan Xucheng twitched his ears. The sound seemed incredibly familiar. Before he could discern it, he saw a woman in a pink dress rush out – it was none other than Xing Jiahui.
The guards at the door tried to stop her, but Xing Jiahui, with surprising strength, pushed aside two guards and ran towards the crowd. She began to sing and dance, striking strange poses that resembled a Taoist ritual rather than a dance.
Li Wenxuan and Physician Chen watched in confusion. Only Duan Xucheng's face turned ashen. If Li Wenxuan decided to be strict, he could have her arrested and punished for her behavior.
"Why is the General's wife here? What is going on?" he shouted, trying to awaken Xing Jiahui. However, she seemed possessed and didn't hear him, only dancing more wildly and muttering to herself.
Li Wenxuan narrowed his eyes and signaled to two guards. The guards understood and moved forward to grab Xing Jiahui. Their actions were rough, tearing her clothes.
"How can you be so rude? She is the General's wife!" Duan Xucheng cried out in alarm.
"I am merely carrying out my duties." Li Wenxuan appeared righteous and unyielding, leaving Duan Xucheng speechless.
"Tie her up and hand her over to the General for disposal." With Li Wenxuan's order, Xing Jiahui was immediately bound.
It was then that Duan Xucheng realized a problem: where was Xia Yunting? He hadn't been seen at all since the afternoon.