"Aside from Young Master Yi, you don't have any other patients for the moment. Young Master Yi's condition has stabilized, so you can take a break."
Following her whim, Xie Jiang ventured down a small path, gradually deviating from the main mountain trail and moving further away from the teahouse where she had arranged to meet Xu Hengyi and his sister.
Xu Hengyan offered no reminder.
Her face was alight with a genuine, radiant smile.
Looking at her, he could feel her joy, as bright as the spring sunlight.
"Even if I take a break, there's no one to play with me. You're returning to Ninghe, Xu Hengyi and Xia Zeshi have school, Yi Yanting is busy with state affairs. Besides you few, I don't know anyone else."
Xie Jiang turned, chatting with him as she walked backward.
Xu Hengyan, with quick reflexes, brushed aside a flower branch that was about to brush her face.
His gaze involuntarily fell to her ear.
Her skin was delicate and fair, and her ear...
Xu Hengyan quickly withdrew his gaze as if burned.
Xu Hengyi was also fair-skinned, but it was different from hers...
Xu Hengyan couldn't articulate the difference, only that she seemed to possess a magic that unsettled him whenever he wasn't paying attention.
"Then do you want to come with me to Ninghe?"
Xie Jiang thought about it seriously, then frowned, "I'm not interested in farming."
"Then, we'll go somewhere else when Hengyi and His Highness the Fifth Prince have a day off, or when I have time to return to the capital from Ninghe."
As she rounded a corner, she misstepped and was startled, but Xu Hengyan steadied her, and she started laughing again.
She had discovered a new amusement, playing with it like a child, endlessly entertained.
Xu Hengyan had to constantly watch her footing and occasionally brush away branches that might scratch her.
"Walk properly."
"It's fun, do you want to try?"
Xu Hengyan refused without a second thought.
"Be careful you don't sprain your ankle later."
"Then carry me."
Xie Jiang's heel nearly hit a stone.
Xu Hengyan helplessly pulled her back, "Haven't you had enough fun?"
"You're so boring, Young Master Xu. What will your wife do when you get married?"
Xu Hengyan imagined his future wife would be steady, dignified, and sensible, not as mischievous and boisterous as her.
"Xu Hengyan, do you like anyone?"
As they emerged from the winding pebble path, they encountered a group of young men and women walking and talking. Hearing Xie Jiang's question, they all looked over.
More than half of them were familiar faces.
Xu Hengyan instantly shed the casual ease he had with Xie Jiang.
He was once again the formidable heir of the Duke of Wei.
Those who knew him came forward to greet him.
Then, both men and women were drawn to Xie Jiang.
As if beholding a scene from paradise.
Xu Hengyan frowned slightly and moved to block the others' view.
When the others came to their senses and saw that Xu Hengyan had no intention of lingering, they naturally departed.
Xie Jiang poked her head out from behind him, staring at his face, and asked, "You still haven't answered my question."
Xu Hengyan: "No."
"Then what kind of person do you like?"
"What about you?"
Xu Hengyan had never considered this question.
Did it matter what kind of person he liked?
He needed to consider what kind of wife he needed as the heir.
"Me?" Xie Jiang also seemed not to have thought about it. After a moment's thought, she looked at Xu Hengyan again, "I think someone like you is quite good."
Xu Hengyan chuckled, speechless, "I'm a man."
...
At the end of the path was an octagonal pavilion, built right on the edge of a cliff. Opposite it, a cascading waterfall flowed like a veiled beauty, weaving freely through the rocks and trees.
The two rested in the pavilion for a quarter of an hour before heading towards the main peak to meet Xu Hengyi and his sister.
Halfway there, they encountered two acquaintances.
A man and a woman, who looked like siblings, were standing at a crossroads, seemingly discussing something. Then they spotted Xu Hengyan and Xie Jiang.
"Brother Xu!"
The tall man strode over, clearly familiar with Xu Hengyan. He paused for a moment upon seeing Xie Jiang beside him.
"And who is this?"
"Brother Shen, this is the poisonous doctor, Young Master Xie." Xu Hengyan then introduced the other to Xie Jiang, "This is Brother Shen, the third son of the Duke of Liang's mansion, Shen Zecheng."
Xie Jiang inwardly exclaimed, "Oh ho!"
Shen Zecheng, the third young master of the Duke of Liang's mansion, then the young lady behind him must be Shen Qinghuai!
What a coincidence!
Shen Qinghuai boldly stepped forward to pay her respects, "Young Master Xu, Young Master Xie."
Seeing Xie Jiang staring at her curiously, she didn't seem annoyed. She looked up and gave Xie Jiang a generous smile.
"I've heard of the poisonous doctor, Young Master Xie, before. I didn't expect to have the fortune to meet you on Xihua Mountain today."
"You are Shen Qinghuai?"
"Yes."
Shen Qinghuai was somewhat surprised that Xie Jiang knew her.
"Xu Hengyi told me about you."
Shen Qinghuai appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old. Her light gauze skirt and elegant demeanor, coupled with her straightforward and generous manner of dealing with people, made her a perfect match for Xu Hengyan.
One had to admit that Madam Xu and the Duchess of Wei had excellent taste.
Shen Qinghuai seemed a little surprised, and then likely guessed why Xu Hengyi had mentioned her, a faint blush appearing on her face.
Xie Jiang looked back at Xu Hengyan.
So Shen Qinghuai also had feelings for Xu Hengyan.
Over there, Shen Zecheng said to Xu Hengyan, "It's quite a coincidence running into you, Brother Xu. I have something urgent to attend to, so I must leave first. My sister was just telling me she wanted to find some of the Xu sisters. Since we've met you by chance, I'll entrust my sister to you."
Shen Zecheng seemed genuinely in a hurry. After a brief exchange, he departed.
Xie Jiang looked at the exceptionally handsome and refined Xu Hengyan, then at the elegant and beautiful Shen Qinghuai, and felt her own head suddenly gleam.
Although Xu Hengyi had repeatedly warned her not to meddle, and that his second brother's affairs with Shen Qinghuai didn't require her involvement, and that their entire family begged her to let them be without expecting any repayment.
But this was a chance encounter!
This was fate's arrangement!
"Ah, that, I think I dropped my jade pendant on the way. I'll go look for it. Why don't you two chat for a while? I'll be back shortly."
Xie Jiang waved at the two with benevolence and quickly darted into the nearby woods.
However, as if suddenly remembering something, she turned back and pushed Shen Qinghuai into Xu Hengyan's arms.
This was all she could do! The rest was up to you!
With a beauty in his arms who also had feelings for him, and then... did he still need instruction!
Xie Jiang winked at Xu Hengyan and then ran into the dense woods without looking back.
Neither Xu Hengyan nor Shen Qinghuai expected Xie Jiang to return specifically for this.
Both were completely caught off guard.
Xu Hengyan was tall and upright, not appearing particularly strong, but his chest was firm and broad.
Shen Qinghuai's nose hit it hard, causing a sharp pain and involuntarily bringing tears to her eyes.
Xu Hengyan was even more taken by surprise and momentarily stunned.
Then his face instantly darkened.
Both of them took a step back simultaneously.
Shen Qinghuai clutched her nose, "I, Young Master Xie..."
She was dizzy, her emotions a mix of confusion.
Young Master Xie had brought her and Young Master Xu together, did that mean the Duke of Wei's mansion, or rather Young Master Xu, also had feelings for her...
Xu Hengyan glared furiously in the direction Xie Jiang had disappeared!
Where did she get a jade pendant from! Had they just come out of these woods! How could he not remember!