Chapter 2

The swaying cattail leaves slowly came to a stop.

Without the breeze, the loose strands of hair fell quietly by her ears, bringing a strange itch.

Jiang Fuying reached out and touched the still-warm medicine bowl.

“I need to take medicine myself, and I can’t see…” she lowered her voice. “How can I help?”

The man didn’t answer, simply “looking” at her with those dull eyes. After a long pause, he said, “I’m seriously injured and blind. If it weren’t for Madam Jiang’s help, I’m afraid I would be dead.”

So that’s how it is. It’s heartbreaking to ignore someone who saved your life.

Jiang Fuying lowered her eyelashes, unable to discern the man’s expression in the semi-darkness of the room. “You, a wealthy man from a wealthy family, naturally don’t know how we country folk live. Life is hard and often unhappy… It’s common.”

There was a sadness in his tone that he himself hadn’t noticed.

The man raised his eyebrows slightly and turned toward her.

His eyes were dull, his expression appearing a bit more indifferent, but his words lost their coldness: “Even wealthy families have their own worries. We’re all human, and we experience joy and sorrow. If something doesn’t go our way, it’s okay. Just speak up. Perhaps there’s a solution.”

Solution…

Jiang Fuying twitched her lips. “Maybe.”

“By the way,” she turned, “did you fetch that water?”

The man nodded. “This is all I can do to repay your kindness, my lady.”

Jiang Fuying raised her eyelashes slightly and glanced at him again.

His expression was calm, always composed, his tone steady, his demeanor calm, none of the shambles he’d had on the day she’d found him.

He was indeed completely different from anyone she’d met in years.

From the moment she’d found him in the mountains, she’d known he was a distinguished figure. He bore serious injuries, scars resembling those sustained by a fall from a cliff after a fight. His clothing, though unremarkable and lacking any distinctive patterns, felt fine.

The jade pendant around his waist was evidently of exceptional quality, warm to the touch, and the sword he clutched tightly was sharp enough to nearly cut her.

But he was unconscious, his breath weak, his face pale.

He seemed as fragile and insignificant as they were.

Jiang Fuying closed the door and stood for a moment in the shadows beneath the house.

The man had been invisible since waking up, and he had no recollection of where he came from. He could only manage to piece together the name “Chang Yuan” from memory, but knew nothing else.

But at the mention of reporting to the authorities to find his relatives, his expression tensed unnaturally.

Though he remembered nothing, his intuition told him not to reveal his whereabouts, as his life was in danger.

Jiang Fuying recalled his miserable appearance and suspected that a wealthy young man must have gotten into some kind of trouble to end up like this. She had no choice but to inquire privately, frequently visiting the county to gather information.

Having already saved someone, it would be a shame to abandon them halfway. Jiang Fuying’s late father had been a doctor, and she had learned some medical skills from him, so she had been caring for him for some time.

Chang Yuan’s injuries were gradually improving, but his memory and eyesight remained elusive.

She had seen similar patients with her father before, most of them suffering head injuries, and their recovery time varied. She had no idea when they would recover, so she could only nurse them slowly.

After calming down for a while, Jiang Fuying took advantage of the good weather and went to the kitchen to get a basket of eggs and some homemade wine. She worked for a long time, finally getting something done.

This matter could not be put off any longer.

–

The courtyard gate was tightly shut. She could hear faint noises from inside, but no one answered.

Jiang Fuying stood at the doorway, feeling a chill in her heart.

The village chief was an elder of Luojia Village, having seen them grow up. He was fine in his early years, but now, with his age, he seemed less involved.

Today, as if they knew she was coming, they refused to open the door.

Jiang Fuying waited a moment, then called a few more times. The aunt next door heard the sound and poked her head out, then saw her and retreated.

She understood why they were acting this way. The Zhang family was a well-known name in the county. Everyone in Anping County knew that this young man, Zhang, was the only son of the Zhang family, the lifeblood of Master Zhang, and had been pampered since childhood. To provoke him was to get into serious trouble.

She had assumed it was just a momentary whim of a rich family kid, that it would soon be over, until today.

The weather was scorching, and soon Jiang Fuying was sweating profusely. She knocked on the door, but received no response. With no other options, she gathered her things and prepared to return when she glimpsed a child running back from a distance.

As he ran, he called out, “Grandma! Open the door! I want some cold water!”

He was about five or six years old and looked familiar. Jiang Fuying recognized him immediately. It was the village chief’s grandson, who had followed the older children around to ask for her candy just this morning.

Little Radish Ding had returned from a frantic play, drenched in sweat. Seeing a stranger at his doorstep, he was wary.

Jiang Fuying, intent on being approachable, knelt down and wiped his sweat with a fragrant, soft handkerchief. She softly said, “Do you remember me? I gave you candy this morning at the village entrance.”

“…I don’t want to talk to you,” the child said, turning his back and knocking on the door. “Grandma told me not to eat your candy this afternoon.”

The knocks on the door were deafening, and finally, as Jiang Fuying half-closed her eyes, they slid open.

The village head’s wife stepped out, picked up the child, and said angrily, “You’ve worked yourself up in sweat again.”

Then, as if she had just seen her, her smile faltered.

“It’s so hot, why are you here now?”

Jiang Fuying, begging for help, lifted the things she was carrying.

“I picked up some eggs and some of Uncle Luo’s favorite wine,” she said, smiling, her eyes full of intimacy. “My mother kept saying it was weather like this when my father passed away, and I remembered how Uncle Luo took care of his funeral. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have known when…”

Talking about the past, the village head’s wife, Mrs. Hu, softened her expression again and sighed, “You’ve had a tough life… Come in and talk.”

Jiang Fuying smiled as she entered the house. Before she sat down, Mrs. Hu said, “The old man isn’t feeling as well as usual. He’s resting from the harsh summer heat. Have some water first.”

“If it’s the harsh summer heat, I have a recipe that could help. Do you have paper and pen?” She took the water tactfully. “Maybe I’ll go to the pharmacy and get some for you later so we don’t have to run back and forth.”

She spoke softly, her voice as clear and melodious as the sound of spring water, yet not boisterous. Mrs. Hu, looking at her, softened a little.

“I’ve watched you grow up,” she said. “You’re a good child, and you’ve always been sensible. But you should take these things back soon—”

“We can’t help you with that.”

Hu’s blunt refusal left Fuying with no room to speak.

She raised her eyes, her dark, gleaming eyes filled with confusion: “Why?”

“You’re so beautiful, it’s natural that you’d be favored. The Zhang family is fierce, and the old man is old,” she said, tossing her grandson around. “Now, I just want to live a peaceful life. As someone who’s experienced this, I’d say… the Zhang family isn’t bad at all.”

Hu looked at Fuying’s face and sighed.

The Jiang family’s daughter had been a refined beauty since childhood, and she grew even more graceful as she grew older. Young men often fought for her, but never even a glance in return.

Over time, the villagers said the Jiang family’s daughter was arrogant and looked down on the village’s rough men.

The Zhang family’s incident had many people watching in awe.

But Jiang Fuying never nodded, continuing to live her peaceful life, as if… determined to stay in that small courtyard for the rest of her life.

Mrs. Hu shook her head: “With your looks, even if the Zhang family is gone, there might still be the Li or Wang family. Are you really going to stay indoors forever?”

Jiang Fuying was knowledgeable in pharmacology and often collected herbs and sent them to the county pharmacy, where they fetched higher prices. A few days ago, she was delivering herbs there, and she also stayed in the county a while longer to help inquire about Chang Yuan’s situation, and she happened to run into the Zhang family’s carriage.

She lowered her head. “I have no interest in marrying into a wealthy family.”

“I know that. If I really wanted to, I would have…” Mrs. Hu was speechless. She simply said, “Think about it carefully. The young master of the Zhang family treats you with some sincerity. Marrying into his family might bring you happiness. Or, if you find a suitable marriage partner early, you won’t have to deal with these troubles. Failing that… you’ll have to marry anyway.”

You’ll have to marry anyway, no matter who you marry.

This was Mrs. Hu’s opinion, and it was also the opinion of most of the village. The Zhang family was so wealthy that many people wanted to enter but couldn’t.

Jiang Fuying curled her lips, understanding their attitudes.

“…Keep these things. Uncle Luo loves this wine. Back then, my father and Uncle Luo could drink two jars together.”

She stood up and said goodbye, looking at the child, whose eyes were wide open, wondering what was happening, and smiled. “If you’re sweating, change your clothes quickly. I won’t keep you any longer.”

Mrs. Hu murmured, “I know there are some things you young people don’t like to hear. Go back and think about it. We… really can’t help.”

“I know,” she smiled, her eyes crooked. “I shouldn’t let my misfortune bring others to my own.”

–
Afternoon, the sun was no longer as scorching. Jiang Fuying, avoiding the scorching sun, still walked away sweating.

“Sister Fuying!”

Tonghua came running over, panting. “Where have you been? I can’t find you anywhere.”

“I just went to the village chief’s house,” Fuying said, noting her hurried appearance. “What’s wrong?”

Tonghua was usually lazy and rarely left the house in the sweltering heat. If she hadn’t said she was going to the county this morning, she wouldn’t have bothered to move.

It was strange that she’d come out now.

“I told you, don’t be angry.”

She tugged at the hem of Jiang Fuying’s clothes, her smile ingratiating.

…

When the two returned to the Jiang residence, Luo Xujun, who had collapsed in the yard, had already been taken back inside by Chang Yuan.

Tonghua’s mother, Cai, blushed in unison with her daughter. Seeing Fuying return, she looked away, not daring to utter a word.

It was Tonghua who said, “My mother was free and came to talk to Auntie. As they were talking… Auntie fainted. It was Brother Chang who heard the noise and came out to take Auntie in.”

Jiang Fuying’s face wasn’t looking good. She wiped Auntie’s face. The woman, already looking ill, lay pale and unconscious on the couch, a terrifying sight.

She looked at Tonghua. “It’s okay. It’s just the heat, and she got frightened again. I’ll get some medicine back soon.”

Mrs. Cai tugged at her daughter’s clothes. “We’ll pay for the medicine. I apologize. Tonghua, you’re so mean! You didn’t tell me, and your mother didn’t know.”

“Mother! I clearly…”

Tonghua felt very wronged, but Mrs. Cai held her back. “Don’t make things worse. Just learn to take care of her here. I’ll go back and get some meat and make soup tonight for your aunt to nourish her.”

Mrs. Cai left quickly. Tonghua looked embarrassed, but Fuying took the initiative to comfort her.

“It’s okay,” she said softly. “You’ve already helped me a lot. If it weren’t for Uncle Liu, I wouldn’t be living in peace today. Auntie didn’t mean to do that, I know.”

Ms. Cai was quick-witted, and Tonghua, like her outspoken nature, had long known this couldn’t be concealed for long. She just didn’t expect her mother to find out so suddenly. She didn’t know what Mrs. Cai had said, but it had made her faint with anxiety.

Jiang Fuying went to the kitchen to boil some medicine, and Tonghua followed closely behind her, like a child who had made a mistake.

“Sister Fuying,” she said with difficulty, “you just went to the village chief’s house. What did they say?”

Jiang Fuying shook her head.

Tonghua quickly defended herself: “The village chief is like that! Every time something happens, he hides and refuses to help, only spouting empty words!”

“But… Sister Fuying, do you really have no feelings for the Zhang family?”

The girl, slightly shorter than her, twisted her clothes and asked the question she had always been curious about.

Jiang Fuying squatted by the medicine pot, unsure how to respond. Seeing she didn’t answer, Tonghua squatted down with her. After a long moment of hesitation, she said, “I just saw the things in that box. They’re really beautiful. I thought the young man from the Zhang family…”

“Tonghua,” Jiang Fuying said slowly, “Did you open the box?”

Tonghua choked and fell silent.

The things couldn’t be taken back to the Jiang family, nor could they be left where they were. She had no choice but to have Uncle Liu carry them back first.

Jiang Fuying seemed to have no strength left to speak. She took a deep breath and said patiently, “If there’s anything you like, I’ll buy it for you in the county later. These things aren’t ours, so you can’t have them.”

Tonghua’s face flushed red like a tomato, and Fuying’s words only made her even more embarrassed. She stammered, “Sister Fuying, don’t be angry. I didn’t touch those things. I just took a look.”

“Dong, dong—”

There was a slow, gentle knock on the wooden door. Jiang Fuying turned around. Chang Yuan, carrying a bottle of water, stood by the door, his body casting a long shadow in the light. “I’ll bring some water,” he said, his voice clear but calm. “Isn’t it a bad time?”

Tonghua jumped up. “Brother Chang is here! I’ll go see Auntie first.”

With that, he scurried off. Jiang Fuying and Chang Yuan were left alone, their figures intertwined in the sunlight, staring at each other in silence.

To be precise, it was Jiang Fuying who was watching him.

“Come in.”

She stood up, and the hem of the man’s clothes brushed her shoulder, bringing with it a familiar aroma of grass and trees.

Slightly bitter, but with a sweet aftertaste.