Gu Zhenshan felt his mind struggling to keep up.
How did so many people from the imperial court suddenly appear at his sister's home?
Since he had been solely focused on finding his sister back then and hadn't thoroughly investigated the situation when he arrived at the old Yun family's place, it was no wonder he was bewildered...
"General Gu, please don't worry. Only a portion of the old Yun family went to the capital to seek refuge. Da Man and Er Man, the couple, are staying in the county town to look after the shops. If you wish to see them, I can take you there anytime!" Er Longzi said with a chuckle.
Upon hearing this, Gu Zhenshan looked Er Longzi up and down. "You should tend to your wound first. Old Cao, go fetch the medicine chest and help him bandage his injury..."
He had a general understanding of the situation, but Shen Ducai's oppression of the common people and his lashing of the Yun family's maid were crimes against heaven. Gu Zhenshan had no intention of letting him off.
Moreover, Shen Ducai was a person sent by Consort Xian. If he were allowed to return alive, it would be detrimental to both the Crown Prince and Prince Ming...
"General Gu, how is the situation on the northern frontier?" Er Longzi sat on a stool, allowing Butler Cao to tend to his wound. "Also, you call Yun family's eldest daughter 'sister,' is that true? You haven't mistaken her, have you?"
Gu Zhenshan: "..."
Was this general blind?
If he could mistake his own sister, he might as well die.
Seeing Gu Zhenshan remain silent, Er Longzi continued, "By the way, General Gu, there's something I must inform you about..."
Gu Zhenshan listened and curved his lips. "What is it?"
"A madam came to the Yun family before, I believe her surname was Zhen. She claimed to be the second madam of the General's mansion. Because her words were too unpleasant, the Yun family drove her out. If I recall correctly, that Madam Zhen is still staying at an inn in the county town; she didn't even go home for the New Year..." Er Longzi murmured.
"What?" Gu Zhenshan's expression changed in surprise, and he quickly stood up. "Meili came?"
Er Longzi twitched his lips. "She... she is quite beautiful..."
It was just that her mouth was too sharp, and she didn't know how to behave. No matter how beautiful she was, she was just a vase.
Gu Zhenshan was utterly bewildered. How could so many things have happened at home during his time in the north?
Why did Meili come to the old Yun family's place in good health?
"Which inn is she at?" Gu Zhenshan asked.
Er Longzi scratched his face, thinking for a long time before saying, "It seems to be the Auspicious Inn..."
"Old Cao, immediately send someone to the Auspicious Inn to pick up the Second Madam!" Gu Zhenshan frowned anxiously.
Despite having many wives and concubines in his mansion, Gu Zhenshan only cherished Zhen Meili.
This little vixen was beautiful and knew how to coax people, though her temper was not good, and she loved to throw tantrums...
Butler Cao responded with an "En" and called two soldiers to go to the county town to fetch the person.
The wailing in the courtyard gradually subsided. Shen Ducai was beaten until his whole body trembled, almost losing half his life, and was thrown into the woodshed by the soldiers.
After the stove was lit and the heated brick bed was warmed, Gu Zhenshan called County Magistrate Chen and a group of constables in, pouring each of them a bowl of hot tea...
"Oh my, General Gu, why didn't you inform the county yamen before you came? Your subordinate could have prepared a welcome feast for you!" County Magistrate Chen said, sweating profusely in fear.
He had only just learned that Madam Gu was General Gu's own sister. Fate was truly wondrous...
It seemed that the Yun family was destined for prosperity.
With Chu Jiangtun as their wealthy son, and General Gu supporting their family in the capital, who would dare to bully the Yun family in the future?
Furthermore, Da Man and Er Man had started doing business, San Man was material for commerce, and Si Man worked under Marquis Pingyang and was dating Princess Xinling. If he were to be made a驸马 (prince consort) in the future, it would be an unprecedented rise...
None of the children of the old Yun family were born with golden keys in their mouths, but ever since the birth of a little daughter, good fortune had come like a flood, rushing into the old Yun family's home.
County Magistrate Chen felt that marrying Xiao Ran to Jingde was extremely wise; it was the most correct thing he had ever done in his life...
Gu Zhenshan waved his hand. "County Magistrate Chen, there's no need for pleasantries. This general heard that you took good care of the Yun family over the years. For reasons both of sentiment and duty, this general should have brought gifts and visited your esteemed residence. However, military affairs were too numerous, and I couldn't get away. Meeting you here today is truly this general's honor!"
Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Chen was overjoyed, his eyes beaming with delight. "General Gu flatters me. It is my honor to receive your praise..."
Meanwhile, in a medical clinic in the county town.
The doctor had already gone to sleep but was forcefully woken up by Xiao Jinfeng.
"Doctor, as long as you can save her, I'll pay any amount of money!" Xiao Jinfeng said urgently.
The doctor looked speechless: "..."
I also want to save this young lady, but can you let go first?
Because Jin Huaihua's injuries were all in sensitive areas, such as her chest and waist, and the doctor was male, every time he tried to touch Jin Huaihua, Xiao Jinfeng would tightly grip his arm, his eyes as cold as if they could kill a polar bear...
"Doctor, tell me how to stitch, and I'll do it myself!" Xiao Jinfeng said seriously.
The doctor: "..."
At this critical moment, do you have any sense of propriety?
What if the stitches are off, and this young lady suffers to death from the pain?
In fact, in Xiao Jinfeng's heart, Huaihua was the purest, cleanest girl, like a flawless blank sheet of paper. Her status in his heart was extremely important...
In the future, Huaihua was destined to be a princess consort, so how could she be seen naked by a male doctor?
As the saying goes, love makes the ugly beautiful. As long as it's someone you cherish, even if they are defecating, you find it pleasing to the eye.
A moment later, the doctor was sent behind the screen. Xiao Jinfeng hesitated for a moment before slowly using scissors to cut open Jin Huaihua's clothes...
Due to the severity of the injuries, the bloodstains covered her skin, and there was no longer any hint of revealing beauty.
As dawn approached, Xiao Jinfeng finally finished treating all her wounds. Exhausted, he had already slumped by the bedside and fallen asleep.
"Xiao, Young Master Xiao..."
When Jin Huaihua woke up, the first thing she saw was Xiao Jinfeng's exhausted appearance. Her heart felt as if it were being cut by a knife; it was very painful.
"You're awake!" Xiao Jinfeng raised his head, his dark circles filled with weariness and exhaustion. "Are you hungry? I asked the doctor to simmer some eight-treasure porridge for you. I'll go get it now..."
He had turned a good doctor into a runner, simply because Xiao Jinfeng was wealthy and paid handsomely.
Jin Huaihua's eyes welled up with tears. She turned her face away and wept silently.
Meeting a man like Young Master Xiao in this life, she felt her life was already complete...
Just then, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the clinic.