Chapter 20

Not to mention that when Xi Junning accepted the cloth bundle from Yang Hong and opened it, he found only a handful of broken silver coins inside—and he nearly burst into a bitter laugh. He remarked that he’d heard from Yang Hong that Su Jinyuan had sold him out and even dragged Xinglin Hall into the affair.

Xi Junning was so furious he ground his teeth. That damned, heartless little girl!

And to think he even gave her the heart-saving pill at a loss—leaving him here, eyes fixed longingly, waiting for her to return! And now she expects to dismiss him with just a few taels of silver—it’s downright absurd!

“Um… young master, about that antidote from before—”

Without missing a beat, Xi Junning tossed a small box over.

Yang Hong caught it in a flurry and then immediately took the pill out and stuffed it into his mouth.

“How’s Xie Yunyan doing?” Xi Junning asked.

Yang Hong replied, “Not much, really—he was subjected to severe corporal punishment; his leg bones were even broken. For a moment there, he nearly lost consciousness. Fortunately, that little girl who was with you earlier fed him a dose of medicine, and that helped him recover.”

At this, Xi Junning frowned. “Isn’t the charge against the Xiao family still undetermined? Who dares to torment him like that?”

“Who else but Duke Yu and his men.”

Yang Hong didn’t think too much about it—he assumed the man was also of the Xiao family and would be well aware of their affairs, so he spoke without reservation: “When Linchuan was defeated in battle earlier, the Xiao family had already fallen from grace. His Majesty then issued an edict for a thorough investigation and assigned Duke Yu and his associates to preside over the case. As long as they don’t beat him to death and sever the chain of clues, who can fault them?”

Duke Yu was acting on imperial orders, and the case involved the grave crimes of collusion with the enemy and treason. Even if severe punishment was meted out, it was entirely justified—so long as Xie Yunyan remained alive. Even if he’s left completely crippled, no one will hold Duke Yu accountable.

“But don’t worry—I’ve already promised that little girl I’d arrange for someone to sneak into the prison to tend to Xie Yunyan’s leg, doing everything possible to keep his legs and feet intact.” As for the rest, there was nothing he could do.

Xi Junning narrowed his eyes and asked, “So you’re planning to have someone tend to Xie Yunyan’s injuries?”

Yang Hong nodded. “Duke Yu wouldn’t dare let Xie Yunyan die, so he’ll keep him alive. When the time comes, I’ll have someone work some tricks to swap in a doctor to treat his leg…”

After a moment’s thought, Xi Junning said, “Since you’re going to get a doctor, then contact someone from Xinglin Hall. Their doctors possess superb skills—if you want to save Xie Yunyan’s leg, no one is better than they are.”

“But Xinglin Hall is far too conspicuous…”

Even if Yang Hong truly intended to help Xie Yunyan, it would have to be done covertly. After all, Xinglin Hall is the largest medical establishment in the capital, and its resident doctors are well-connected with many high-ranking officials. Once he enters the Ministry of Justice’s prison, wouldn’t that blow his cover?

Although, with Su Jinyuan’s guidance, he wasn’t as fearful of Luo Yu and his group anymore, he still wanted to avoid offending anyone if possible.

Xi Junning said, “Xinglin Hall doesn’t only have that one doctor; there are also several who have never even been on call.”

“I’m well acquainted with the people at Xinglin Hall. Instead of having someone who knows nothing about the details end up in jail with you, it’s far better to ask one of the Xinglin people. At least they can keep their mouths shut and won’t blab things that might get you into trouble.”

Yang Hong was visibly intrigued by his words. “Really?”

Xi Junning simply hummed in affirmation.

Yang Hong agreed, “Alright, I’ll find an opportunity to swing by Xinglin Hall.”

……

After parting ways with Yang Hong, Su Jinyuan quickly made her way along a narrow alley, deftly avoiding the night patrol, and hurried back to that same dog hole from before.

The man who had been knocked unconscious earlier was long gone, and the surrounding silence gave no hint of anything amiss.

After keeping watch for a while and confirming there was no danger, she dashed off in a flash, crouching as she slipped back through that dog hole.

As the night deepened and the bright white moonlight cascaded over the treetops, a layer of shadows was cast upon the ground.

Inside the General’s mansion, everything was quiet. After climbing out of the dog hole, Su Jinyuan followed a small path that led to the servants’ quarters.

During the day, many of the servants had been dismissed, leaving the servants’ quarters rather empty. Although the room doors were tightly shut and locked, the windows were left open. She found the spot where she had changed her clothes before—having clambered up the window ledge and just managed to sneak in to change before returning to her lodgings—when suddenly the room burst into light.

Startled, Su Jinyuan jumped; looking up, she saw the stern-faced Old Mada Xiao and Nanny Chen. “Old M–Madam…” Su Jinyuan stammered.

“Where have you been?” Old Madam Xiao asked in a deep, commanding tone.

Keeping her composure, Su Jinyuan replied, “I just couldn’t sleep, so I came out for a stroll for a while.”

“Strolling around the mansion and dressed like this?” Old Madam Xiao’s remark made Su Jinyuan’s face go pale.

With a steely expression, Old Madam Xiao commanded, “Come here!”

Su Jinyuan was admittedly intimidated by this old lady. Not only had she already committed a misdeed, but she still vividly remembered the several lashes she had administered earlier that day—lashes forceful enough to shatter even a large flower pedestal. If she were whipped, she feared it might cost her her life.

Hesitating and shuffling her feet, and seeing Old Madam Xiao’s cold glare fixed upon her, Su Jinyuan had no choice but to brace herself and walk over.

“Old Madam…”

Just as Su Jinyuan began to speak, Old Madam Xiao suddenly raised her hand.

Su Jinyuan instinctively shut her eyes, thinking she was about to be struck. To her surprise, the old lady grabbed her arm and pulled her forward instead. “You can’t even lie properly. Look at yourself—covered in blood. Do you think I’m blind?”

Old Madam Xiao noticed the blood on Su Jinyuan’s face, hands, and clothes. With a stern voice, she demanded, “Where are you hurt? Let me see.”

“Nanny Chen, fetch the medicine!”

Su Jinyuan froze for a moment, and seeing Nanny Chen leave, she quickly called out, “Nanny, don’t go! I’m not injured. This blood isn’t mine…”

“Not yours?” Old Madam Xiao wiped at the blood, noticing that most of it had dried and that the young girl showed no signs of pain. She realized the blood truly wasn’t hers.

Su Jinyuan was about to lie, claiming the blood belonged to someone else, hoping to brush off the matter and avoid alarming the old lady. But Old Madam Xiao pursed her lips and spoke, “So you went to see Little Sixth. They tortured him, didn’t they?”

“Old Madam…”

Old Madam Xiao, seeing Su Jinyuan’s anxious expression, calmly said,
“I’m nearly sixty years old, with one foot already in the grave. I’ve weathered countless storms. Whatever it is, you can tell me directly.”

“How is Little Sixth? Is he still alive?” The word “alive” was spoken with difficulty.

Su Jinyuan hurriedly replied, “He’s alive. However, Duke Yu and Luo Yu have tried to force him to confess to General Xiao’s collusion with the rebel army. Sixth Young Master refused, so they resorted to severe punishment.”

“I happened to witness it. I leveraged Yang Hong’s weakness to force him to arrange a doctor to treat Sixth Young Master. Madam, don’t worry—he’ll be fine.”

Old Madam Xiao, however, was not reassured. The sheer amount of blood, which had even left Su Jinyuan reeking of it, spoke volumes about Xie Yunyan’s suffering. Even without witnessing it firsthand, she could imagine the torment Xie Yunyan endured under such punishment.

Nanny Chen, who had served Old Madam Xiao for many years and had watched Xie Yunyan grow up from infancy in the Xiao household, spoke softly with reddened eyes, “Sixth Young Master has always been stubborn. Even if his bones were broken, he wouldn’t bow his head.”

Recalling the scene in the prison earlier, Su Jinyuan felt Nanny Chen’s words were entirely accurate. That young man would rather endure mangled flesh and lose half his life than bend his spine.