Regardless of how unwilling Aunt Huang and Madam Chen were, Prefect Jiao had already spoken, and the fifty thousand taels of silver had to be paid. This made both of them resent Zhan Feiyu for "returning favors with greed." The young lady was not old, yet so avaricious.
At the same time, in the inner study.
He Nuan's medical skills were on par with Doctor Luo, but her medicine chest was not lacking in precious medicines. At least the Rejuvenation Pill was more effective than having this sliced ginseng in one's mouth, not to mention the hemostatic powder that instantly took effect when sprinkled on the wound.
Doctor Luo handed the removed silver needle to the nearby medicine boy. His peripheral vision inadvertently swept over the medicine chest on the table, and for a moment, he wished he could rob all the bottles and jars inside.
"Doctor Luo, there's no time to delay." He Nuan urged. After taking the Rejuvenation Pill, Jiao Lianyu's complexion had visibly changed from a sickly hue to pale. Although he was still suffering from excessive blood loss, he clearly showed signs of life.
Coupled with the fact that the bleeding had stopped, it was time to remove the dagger. Any further delay would be fatal.
Regaining his composure, Doctor Luo checked Jiao Lianyu's pulse again. He said solemnly, "I'll trouble the young lady to do the suturing later."
Although Doctor Luo was skilled in treating external injuries, he was not a surgeon. He considered his technique with the special catgut for suturing wounds to be not skillful enough, especially since Jiao Lianyu's stab wound was on his chest. Any slight mistake would be killing rather than saving.
He Nuan did not refuse. She nodded and cooperated with Doctor Luo to treat Jiao Lianyu.
Time passed bit by bit. As the sun began to set in the west, the light in the study dimmed. Zhan Feiyu, who was waiting, couldn't help but look towards the inner room.
If it became completely dark, even with enough candles, the light would not be sufficient. Moreover, the shadows cast by the candles would affect visibility, making Jiao Lianyu more endangered.
"Master?" Aunt Huang, at this moment, could no longer care about the fifty thousand taels of silver promised. She anxiously clutched her handkerchief. She had only this son. If Lianyu had any accident, Aunt Huang dared not imagine how she would live her life.
Madam Chen, however, had calmed down. Thinking that she was sitting in the lowest position by the door, unnoticed by anyone, her schadenfreude was undisguised. If Jiao Lianyu died, this Prefect's mansion would belong to her husband, and she would be the mistress of the Prefect's mansion.
"Master, Lianyu he..." Aunt Huang was so choked with sobs that she could not continue. Just as she was about to wipe the tears from her eyes, she was stopped by Prefect Jiao's warning gaze.
"Silence!" Prefect Jiao said in a deep voice, sitting upright and straight. With such a solemn and stern demeanor, one would think he was not worried about his second son, who was on the brink of death.
Zhan Feiyu glanced at Madam Jiao and Jiao Lianping. Comparing the three with their varied expressions, the mother and son were truly calm, completely indifferent to whether Jiao Lianyu lived or died.
However, as the Prefect's wife, if Madam Jiao truly intended to deal with her concubine-born son, Jiao Lianyu probably would not have lived until today.
As for Jiao Lianping, the arrogant eldest son, Zhan Feiyu could see that although he disliked his concubine-born brother Jiao Lianyu, what Jiao Lianping cared about throughout was only Prefect Jiao's attitude.
Just as Zhan Feiyu was lost in thought, the inner door creaked open, and everyone's gaze snapped towards the entrance.
"Miss." He Nuan's face showed fatigue, as the treatment had taken a full two hours.
Before Prefect Jiao and the others could speak, He Nuan continued, "The second young master is temporarily out of danger. Doctor Luo is bandaging the wound."
"Thank you, Miss He." Prefect Jiao realized his voice was hoarse when he spoke. He had waited for two hours without drinking a sip of water, his throat dry as if it were on fire, but his eyes were filled with joy.
Aunt Huang also wanted to express her gratitude, but she had been standing for two hours. The moment she moved, her vision went black. If Prefect Jiao had not quickly supported her, Aunt Huang would have fainted by now.
Madam Jiao was too lazy to care whether Aunt Huang was truly exhausted or using it to gain Prefect Jiao's pity. She said warmly to Zhan Feiyu and He Nuan, "It's getting late, and the guest rooms are ready. Why don't you, Miss Zhan, stay a night in the mansion before returning? This way, we can fulfill our duties as hosts, and Lianyu might still need Miss He's assistance."
Not plotting against her concubine-born son Jiao Lianyu did not mean Madam Jiao did not want to win over Zhan Feiyu to help Jiao Lianping. Scholar Gu was a Grand Scholar of the Cabinet and the Emperor's most trusted minister. As long as Scholar Gu gave him a little care, Ping'er's official career would be promising.
As for the Jiao family and Prefect Jiao's connections, ever since he decided to groom Jiao Lianyu as his heir, Madam Jiao had stopped relying on Prefect Jiao.
He Nuan's clothes were stained with blood, and Zhan Feiyu also had other plans. She smiled and accepted, "Thank you for your trouble, Madam."
"Miss Zhan, you are too kind. Please come this way." Madam Jiao's smile became even more cordial. With Miss Zhan's intelligence, she would surely understand her intentions. Since she agreed to stay, it meant Miss Zhan was willing to support Ping'er.
After a while, Aunt Huang watched Zhan Feiyu leave with Madam Jiao and clenched her handkerchief again. Madam used Lianyu's name to keep her, but in reality, she was trying to win over Zhan Feiyu for her eldest son. Yet, she couldn't say anything and had to be grateful.
This made Aunt Huang increasingly unwilling. Even though Zhan Feiyu was just a young girl, Aunt Huang felt a sense of apprehension.
Thinking of Prefect Jiao's politeness towards Zhan Feiyu, Aunt Huang became even more uneasy. This young girl might become an asset for her eldest son to turn the tables!
Prefect Jiao's mind was still on Jiao Lianyu inside. Doctor Luo had not come out yet, and Prefect Jiao was still worried. Naturally, he did not notice Aunt Huang's changing expression.
...
Although Jiao Lianyu had been saved, he was still lying unconscious. Madam Jiao did not feel it appropriate to host a banquet for Zhan Feiyu at this time.
Moreover, He Nuan had been busy for two hours, and both Madam Jiao and Zhan Feiyu had waited for two hours. Even iron bodies would feel tired. Therefore, after Madam Jiao settled them in Caiwei Xuan, the place where the Jiao mansion entertained distinguished guests, she did not disturb them further.
He Sheng and the coachman had already eaten dinner and were resting in the side room. He Nuan, after bathing, changed into clean clothes and walked in.
"Let's eat and talk," Zhan Feiyu said with a smile. Since it was just the two of them, there was no need to adhere to the rules of master and servant separation.
Although there were only two of them, the table was laden with seven dishes and one soup. For staple foods, there were rice, dumplings, and flatbreads, totaling four types, plus six small plates of specialty pastries from Qianzhong Prefecture, two plates of cut fruit, a large portion of ice, and twenty bowls and plates that filled the round table.
"Does Miss plan to ask Madam Jiao to help investigate Li Li?" He Nuan asked. Otherwise, Miss would not have stayed overnight.
"That's one reason." Zhan Feiyu picked up a steamed dumpling, drizzled a little balsamic vinegar with a silver spoon. The freshness of the dumpling filling, combined with the vinegar, instantly whetted her appetite. After eating one dumpling in two bites, Zhan Feiyu continued, "Don't you think Li Li's death was too coincidental, just when it cleared Jiao Lianyu's suspicion?"
At first, everyone suspected that Li Li had been bribed by Jiao Lianyu. This time, he had also been instructed by Jiao Lianyu to secretly open the letter sent by Zhan Feiyu, so that the furious Prefect Jiao would act against Jiao Lianping.
But the fact was that Li Li had desperately assassinated Prefect Jiao, and Jiao Lianyu had taken the blow. If it weren't for He Nuan's intervention, Jiao Lianyu would have died. Therefore, there was no question of a feigned injury.
Seeing He Nuan still pondering, Zhan Feiyu did not keep her in suspense. "If I'm not mistaken, Li Li was indeed bribed by Jiao Lianyu on the surface, but in reality, he was an operative of the Old Master. Now that Jiao Lianyu appears innocent, all the evidence of bribing Li Li is in the hands of the Old Master."
Even though he was deeply trusted by Prefect Jiao, Li Li was, after all, just a servant in the study. The information he could obtain was limited. But it was different if it were Jiao Lianyu.
Especially after this incident, Prefect Jiao would surely dote on this son who had taken a blow for him even more. If he became the heir of the Jiao family in the future and Jiao Lianyu entered officialdom through the imperial examinations, he would be a nail buried by the Old Master in the bureaucracy.
He Nuan put down her chopsticks and said seriously, "So, as long as we keep a close eye on Jiao Lianyu, the Old Master will definitely send someone to see him."
"The dumplings are delicious, eat them while they're hot." Zhan Feiyu nodded, signaling He Nuan to continue eating. Jiao Lianyu's life had been saved, and tracing the matter further was only a matter of time.
He Nuan also picked up a steamed dumpling. No wonder Miss wanted to save Jiao Lianyu.
"I'll have Ah Sheng send the news back later. Big Brother will definitely send someone to monitor Jiao Lianyu," Zhan Feiyu thought that if they could find out the Old Master's identity this time, it would be good. If he was too well hidden, they could use Jiao Lianyu to cast a long line to catch a big fish.