Chapter 13

The evening meal was the chestnut porridge that Kou Yue had specially prepared for them. It was thick and smooth, perfect for someone who was unwell.

Shao Qing thanked her, but the girl smiled and waved it off, saying it was only a matter of a handful of firewood—nothing serious at all.

After finishing their dinner with Wei Jing, she mumbled that she would cook him some bone soup tomorrow to help him recuperate, and then she promptly went to sleep.

Wei Jing blew out the oil lamp and lay down, pulling the thin quilt over both of them while closing his eyes.

In the middle of the night, when Shao Qing started feeling a bit feverish, Wei Jing quickly noticed. He propped himself up, got off the bed, and asked one of the Kou family members to fetch Yan Ming.

Even in the late hour, the Kou family remained as warm and hospitable as ever—although Yan Ming, who was rudely awakened, sported a scowling face and grumbled incessantly. He took her pulse, prepared a prescription, and simmered the medicine for quite a while. Though Shao Qing felt dizzy, she was still conscious. She got up by herself, accepted the medicine bowl from Wei Jing, grimaced as she drank it, and then lay down and fell back asleep.

“I’m fine. You go back to sleep—you still have injuries,” she said.

Facing inward and mumbling, she added that earlier, she had felt very hot, but now she felt cold. Curling her body up, she pulled the thin quilt tightly around herself.

A warm body shifted closer from behind, and Wei Jing responded with an “mm.” However, he did not fall asleep immediately; he waited until Shao Qing’s breathing became steady and her warmth gradually subsided before closing his eyes again.

When they were on the run, being pressed close together hadn’t felt like a problem. Now that they were safe and had the comfort of a proper bed, Shao Qing felt awkward being so tightly pressed against him, so she shifted inward slightly. However, her consciousness didn’t remain alert for long—she quickly succumbed to the effects of the medicine and drifted off to sleep. So when she regained full awareness the next day, Shao Qing discovered that she was lying with her face turned outward, huddled tightly against Wei Jing. He was lying on his back, and her face was even pressed against his left upper arm.

“Ah! Why aren’t you pushing me away? Aren’t you worried about your wound?” she asked.

That spot was exactly where Wei Jing’s poisoned injury was. Startled, Shao Qing’s eyes widened in shock. Without a moment to spare over any awkwardness, she suddenly sat up and lowered her voice as she inquired.

Wei Jing waved it off indifferently, “It’s nothing more than a minor scrape.”

And that was true—the wound itself was the least severe part; the real danger lay in the toxin on it.

Realizing this, Shao Qing decided not to dwell on the matter any further. Glancing at the light seeping in from under the door—outside, it was already broad daylight—she sprang to her feet, quickly donned her jacket, and helped Wei Jing get dressed. He seemed noticeably more spirited now, his sense of weakness lessening, which made Shao Qing happy. Once they both were properly groomed, she fetched some water to wash up and headed to the kitchen to lend a hand.

Though her head was still a bit dizzy, she wasn’t planning to lie down any longer—not only because she hadn’t come to laze around like a noble but also because she couldn’t relax without keeping an eye on the surroundings.

After all, the murder on the riverbank and the ongoing follow-up searches by the new emperor’s faction were matters not to be taken lightly.

Meanwhile, the Kou family had already eaten breakfast. At the break of dawn, Kou Xuan had set off for the county office to take his duty, while from the main house sounds of a little girl crying could be heard—with Wang Mi patiently comforting her.

In the kitchen, Kou Yue was busy at work—tending the fire under the chestnut porridge prepared for Wei Jing and Shao Qing while simultaneously picking beans from a dustpan.

“Sister Ah Qing, why did you get up? Didn’t you have a fever last night?”

“I did have a fever last night—but aren’t I feeling better today?” Shao Qing took out the money she had prepared. First, she asked Kou Yue to help her buy some big bones, and then to go to Yan Ming’s place to purchase some medicinal herbs—things like jujubes and goji berries—to replenish blood. She also planned to buy some rice since rice porridge is more nourishing. She intended for Wei Jing to have the porridge as part of an injured patient’s care, while she herself would have chestnut porridge with beans like the Kou family. After all, while she was staying with the Kou family, it wouldn’t be right for only the two of them to eat well; these days, rice is in short supply and expensive, and she didn’t have much money at hand.

Kou Yue said that there was no need to spend so much—she’d return the leftover money when she got back. After all, there was a butcher in the village who could supply big bones later, though for rice, they’d have to go to the county town. Tomorrow, she planned to sell the embroidered items she’d been saving at a shop in the county, and with that money, they would purchase the rice together.

Naturally, Shao Qing had no objection. She opened the medicine pouch she held and began decocting the herbs for Wei Jing. The matter was too important to risk by handing it over to someone else.

After carefully putting away the coins, Kou Yue glanced at the figure by the stove, hesitated for a moment, and then softly asked,

“Sister Ah Qing, that day…”

When Shao Qing heard her begin, she knew exactly what the young lady wanted to ask. Coincidentally, she was also eager to draw out some information. She tidied up the medicine jar, stoked the fire, pulled a small stool, and sat beside Kou Yue. “What is it?” she inquired.

“Did you—did you see anything in the pavilion…” Kou Yue cautiously began her question, gazing into Shao Qing’s sparkling eyes. She then measured the distance between the thatched roof and the small pavilion, but suddenly stopped and, with a hint of frustration, said, “Sister Ah Qing, please don’t tell my brother and sister-in-law.”

Shao Qing replied, “What’s going on between you and him? And what about that Sun family?”

She wasn’t really all that interested in the matter herself, but she figured that once everything was cleared up, the true background of Kou Xuan—and the Kou family’s secrets—would all be revealed at once.

Sure enough, Kou Yue cautiously peeked toward the main house, then turned around and spoke to Shao Qing in a low voice. She explained that the Kou family had been locals for eight generations and that their father, while alive, had served as the chief clerk in the county office with a salary of 150 shi. In Wei Jing’s eyes, that wasn’t much of a big deal—but in Gong County, he was considered a prominent figure. On the other hand, Father Sun had been transferred from a neighboring county, serving in a comparable position as a subordinate officer under his new administration. By a twist of fate, Grandmother Sun had once saved Mother Kou’s life, forging a close relationship between the two families; later, even a marriage alliance was arranged between their children—this being the union of Sun family’s eldest son and Kou Yue.

However, the good times didn’t last long. Not long after the marriage arrangement was fixed, Father Kou fell ill and died. At that time, Kou Xuan was only fifteen and had just begun working as a clerk in the county office through his father’s arrangement.

Father Kou was known for his straightforward nature and, during his lifetime, even offended the deputy magistrate of Shangfeng County. Fortunately, the county magistrate appreciated him and was strong enough to uphold justice, so things remained relatively smooth. But once Father Kou died—and within two short years of the former magistrate’s reassignment—Kou Xuan began to suffer. He was continuously suppressed and left frustrated; he served as a clerk for nearly ten years without getting ahead.

In this remote southwestern frontier, where the county magistrate holds absolute power and the emperor remains distant—and with the added burden of family responsibilities—even a clever and capable person can do little more than struggle to avoid being pushed out of the county office.

In contrast, after the new county magistrate took office, Father Sun played to his patron’s favor and rose swiftly. He is now one of the top two officials in the county office—a county captain earning 300 shi and in charge of the county’s military affairs.

Aren’t the two families now connected by marriage? Why wouldn’t they extend a helping hand?

One only truly discovers the warmth or coolness of human relationships when help is needed, and clearly, the Sun family is not one to offer timely aid. The two families have gradually drifted apart, although the marriage arrangement has not been canceled—because back then, Eldest Sun declared that Kou Yue was most suited for him, and that welcoming her into his family would ensure a smooth and secure future, while anything else might lead to disastrous misfortunes.

Nowadays, to the Sun family, Kou Yue was nothing more than a liability of sorts. Marrying her would be done unwillingly, while not marrying her leaves lingering misgivings, so the matter has been left hanging. Kou Yue is already seventeen this year, yet there is still no sign of her betrothed coming to claim her. Kou Xuan even wanted to withdraw the engagement, but the command of parental authority shut down that idea immediately.

In the end, Kou Yue shed tears. Although she and Yuan Lang had developed mutual affection, every step of their path has been fraught with difficulty.

“Don’t cry; I believe your elder brother cares about you too much to let you go into the Sun family,” she was told.

Shaoqing carefully noted the place names and then comforted Kou Yue further. Her impression of Kou Yue has been very positive—she is a kind-hearted girl. She casually revealed that she once rescued Yuan Lang and his late widowed mother and then settled them in Hexiang.

At the mention of her elder brother, Kou Yue’s confidence grew; she wiped away her tears and nodded firmly, “Yes, I believe that.”

“Sister Ah Qing, …”

Just as she had spoken a few words, they suddenly heard a rapid series of footsteps at the back window of the kitchen facing the street. When the sound reached the window and paused hesitantly, almost imperceptibly, Kou Yue’s face lit up with delight. She quickly apologized to Shaoqing and hurried over, exclaiming, “Yuan Lang!”

A face appeared in the back window—it was that same scholar from yesterday. He was startled at seeing Shao Qing’s profile as she sat there. Quickly, Kou Yue lowered her voice and explained, “Sister Ah Qing already knows about our business. Yuan Hong, don’t panic—what is it you need from me?”

Usually, Wang Mi spends most of her time in the kitchen, so Yuan Hong rarely uses this method to get in touch. That is why Kou Yue had posed her question in this manner.

Yuan Hong didn’t even have time to wonder how this sudden “Sister Ah Qing” came to know about his affairs. He quickly lowered his voice and said, “Yue Niang, have you heard? There’s been a major incident in the county—a homicide on the riverbank outside the small pavilion. People from the county have already arrived!”

They are now conducting a large-scale search for everyone who was seen in the vicinity on that day!

Once the news broke, it sent shockwaves throughout Hexiang. As Yuan Hong was one of those who used to frequent the area, he knew nothing of the murder. Yet, with countless unfounded charges now being levied against him, he was gripped by fear and anxiety. He hurried over to urge Kou Yue not to let this matter be publicized.

Of course, with Shao Qing present, he chose his words very carefully, keeping his voice extremely low—and even signaled for Kou Yue to step outside for their conversation.

Kou Yue quickly departed.

Shao Qing, as if nothing had been said, subtly furrowed her brow. She wondered silently: The incident on the riverbank?

Having once roamed the riverbank herself, Shao Qing was equally determined not to get entangled— not merely to avoid being implicated by these unfounded accusations but also to steer clear of the imminent manhunt being organized by the new emperor’s faction.

On the riverbank in the lower reaches of Qian River, an unusual pair of young people had been seen—a young man, notably injured and even poisoned. If the Kou family members are located, all these clues will line up perfectly. Whether the renewed manhunt can be successfully avoided is only one matter; secondly, the news that Wei Jing and she are still alive will inevitably be brought before the new emperor. The ensuing troubles will be endless.

Shao Qing furrowed her brows in deep thought, and her absent-mindedness had its cost. When she picked up the medicine jar to pour out some medicine, she burned her hand severely, letting out a sharp hiss of pain. With her mind full of worries, she didn’t pay too much attention to the burn. Instead, she casually splashed it with cold water and hurriedly carried her early meal and medicine bowl back.

She closed the door behind her and turned around to serve Wei Jing some porridge. As she furrowed her brows and was about to speak, he unexpectedly grasped her hand.

“What’s wrong with your hand?”

There was an abrupt burn—a bright red mark on the back of her hand near her thumb. Her ten delicate, fair, and luminous fingers stood out strikingly.

Wei Jing frowned as he looked at her hand. Noticing that her palm still bore some fine scratches, his expression darkened. “In the future, I will never let you suffer such indignity again.”

She was a noble lady of the marquisate, raised in luxury as precious as gold and jade. Yet, entirely because of his involvement, she had suffered this calamity. Her dangerous escape was still far from over—and today, she still had to dress in plain attire, ending up with burn marks all over her hand.

His voice was very soft, yet the earnest seriousness behind his words was unmistakable.

Even though Shao Qing was heavy-hearted, she felt a soothing relief upon hearing his words. After all the hardships of the journey, at least her companion was not completely oblivious to the dangers. She smiled and uttered a gentle “mm,” then withdrew her hand to hand him the bowl of porridge. “Quickly eat breakfast and rest a bit—it’s the perfect time to take your medicine.”

Wei Jing had instructed her to send Kou Yue next door to fetch the burn remedy ointment. With a smile, Shao Qing agreed. After finishing her porridge, she busied herself recounting the matters at the riverbank, also relaying the latest news she had gathered from Kou Yue.

“Gong County?”

Regarding Kou Xuan and the Kou family, Wei Jing offered no comment. However, when it came to Gong County, after a moment’s thought, he had no recollection of it—this must be some obscure, remote little county tucked away in a forgotten corner. He had already studied the lower reaches of the Qian River and had a rough idea of the situation there, so it did not concern him much.

“If Yue Niang’s whereabouts are discovered, there’s no guarantee that the Kou family won’t betray us to save themselves.”

In a low voice, Shao Qing said, “Husband, I’m afraid we must prepare early.” Once things turn awry, we’ll have to leave in advance.

Wei Jing replied with a sound and added, “Do not worry—this is a case of one time versus another.”

What he lacked most in the dense forest was a bit of buffer time and some medicine. Now that the wound had been treated and the poison was beginning to subside, even if the situation were to take the worst turn, it would still require a short while to fully develop. In the worst-case scenario, he was confident he could still get Shao Qing safely out of there.

That was indeed true; Shao Qing exhaled slightly in relief, yet she still said, “We’d better not leave any trace of ourselves.”

The best outcome is to vanish without a trace—neither seen alive nor discovered as corpses.

She hoped that Kou Yue and Yuan Lang would evade detection and let everything slip away into nothingness. The chances were not slim; after all, this little couple was meeting in secret and would surely take care to avoid attracting attention.