"Married, yet still so unruly. Now it's known all over the city, how can I possibly show my face? If the Xia family finds out, your father will have another handle to use against me. You truly are my good daughter!"
Xing Jie flicked his sleeve, his face as dark as charcoal.
Xing Jia Hui's face was flushed, tear streaks marking her cheeks. She didn't understand how things had escalated to this point.
She had intended to secretly send household staff to search for Duan Xu Cheng's whereabouts. To her surprise, shortly after she left, she found him in an abandoned empty house nearby.
Duan Xu Cheng was bound and injured, his mental state also compromised. He grabbed her hand and begged her to save him, claiming someone in the imperial city wanted to harm him. Softening her heart and acting impulsively, she prepared to flee with Duan Xu Cheng.
After all, she hadn't gone through with the wedding ceremony or consummated her marriage with Xia Yun Ting, so she wasn't truly part of the General's household yet. At worst, she could abandon everything and leave. However, as soon as they reached an inn on the outskirts, people from the Imperial Hospital surrounded them.
Not long after, people from the Prime Minister's mansion also arrived.
Caught red-handed, she doubted she would ever see Duan Xu Cheng again.
Seeing Xing Jia Hui weeping profusely, Xing Jie showed no signs of relenting. "Reflect on your actions. From now on, you are forbidden to leave your room. Wait patiently for someone from the Xia family to pick you up!"
Xing Jia Hui's marriage to the Xia family was originally a plan to help him gather information. If Xia Yun Ting used this as an excuse to break off the engagement, all his efforts would be in vain.
The door was closed, shutting out the sound of footsteps. Xing Jia Hui wiped her tears, the more she thought about it, the stranger it felt.
Why had Xiao Yao seen Duan Xu Cheng in Changping County in the first place? Why did she find him so easily after going out? And why were they discovered by both the Prime Minister's mansion and the Imperial Hospital just as they were about to leave the imperial city? It felt as if it had been meticulously planned.
Could it be… Xiao Yao?
As she thought this, her eyes gradually turned cold.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yao had not received a reply from Xing Jia Hui. Strangely, she hadn't seen any sign of Duan Xu Cheng since then, as if what she had seen that night was merely an illusion.
She clearly remembered the person who appeared that night was Duan Xu Cheng, and he had even said he was from the imperial city.
Could it be a haunting? Or was someone playing tricks?
Puzzled, she went out and saw Lu An preparing to go to work. She called out to him.
"Wait a moment."
Lu An turned around, his face immediately breaking into a smile. "My Lady, what are your orders?"
"Did you find the person I asked you to look for?"
Lu An's expression stiffened. Find him? Even if he suspected Xia Yun Ting was involved, he wouldn't dare leak any information. He was a celebrated general who had earned military exploits, and she was the daughter of the only non-imperial prince in court. He couldn't afford to offend either of them.
Seeing her impatience, Lu An replied vaguely, "The yamen staff have been diligently searching, but there has been no news. I presume General Xia has already left this place?"
Hearing this, Xiao Yao also began to waver.
Perhaps Xing Jia Hui's intelligence was mistaken?
If she couldn't find him, she couldn't linger here too long. Just as she was contemplating when to leave, she suddenly noticed a look of feigned relief on Lu An's face.
She suddenly decided she didn't want to leave. These officials were adept at flattery but dragged their feet when it came to doing actual work.
She cleared her throat. "Then I will have to trouble Your Excellency to dispatch more men. If the person is not found, I will absolutely not leave."
She patted his shoulder, successfully witnessing his relieved expression turn into a grimace. She felt quite satisfied.
"This Lady will personally go out to investigate. If I find any clues that you have missed, you will all be in trouble."
Xiao Yao left with a threat. Lu An gaped, then slapped himself.
Why had he so eagerly tried to curry favor? Now, he couldn't find the person, and if this Lady were to say anything untoward in the imperial city, would his official hat be lost?
As he pondered, Lu An thought of the couple in Yun Shui Village.
It wasn't that he didn't suspect the man was Xia Yun Ting. If it were true… he couldn't afford to offend either side. Perhaps he should… try to gather some information?
With that thought, he hurried back to his room to change.
He traveled to Yun Shui Village but found no one. Looking at the empty house at the far end of the village, with its dark wood and scorched ground, Lu An scratched his head. Had he come to the wrong place?
"Lord Lu!"
A surprised voice suddenly called from behind him. Lu An turned and saw Yu Rong standing behind him, his face a mixture of surprise and reverence.
"Lord Lu, what happened? Why have you come in person?"
Yu Rong, carrying a hoe over his shoulder, felt a pang of unease. Had Miss Lin changed her mind, and Lord Lu had come to investigate the house fire?
"I came to find the Lin young lady and young master Xia of this house. Where are they?"
"They've moved," Yu Rong said, smiling awkwardly as he looked at the house.
"Where to?"
"I heard they moved near the pauper's graveyard, not far from Doctor Chu's home. Do you need to find them? I can lead you there!"
Fearing that Lu An would question him about the house, Yu Rong made a gesture of invitation and quickly led him away.
Lu An wanted to ask more, but seeing the man's enthusiasm, he thanked him. "Then I'll trouble you."
"No trouble, no trouble."
Meanwhile, Rong Zhi was discussing with Xia Yun Ting when Xiao Yao might leave. They heard hurried footsteps outside.
The two of them went out and saw Yu Rong bringing Lu An over. Both of them had conflicted expressions.
"Lord Lu, what a rare visitor! What brings you to my humble abode?"
Although she found it strange, Rong Zhi still welcomed him in.
"I have a small matter to inquire about."
Lu An smiled courteously and followed Rong Zhi into the room. Seizing this opportunity, Yu Rong quietly asked, "Why is Lord Lu looking for you?"
Rong Zhi shook her head. "I don't know either."
"Didn't you report it?"
Seeing his nervous expression, Rong Zhi understood. She reassured him, "Village chief, you saw just now, I truly don't know why Lord Lu is here. Don't worry, I promised I wouldn't hold you accountable for the arson, and I won't go back on my word."
Right, it seemed he had been petty. Yu Rong felt a little embarrassed. "Then you chat, I'll go back to work."
Having received a clear answer, Yu Rong felt a weight lift off his shoulders. It seemed he had judged others by his own narrow standards. They didn't take the matter to heart at all; he was the one who kept dwelling on it.
Rong Zhi watched Yu Rong leave and returned to the room. She found Xia Yun Ting had already invited Lu An to sit in the main hall. Although Lu An, as the local official, occupied the principal seat, he wore a cautious smile. Compared to Xia Yun Ting, who sat upright and composed, Lu An seemed to lack presence.
"Lord Lu, what important matter warrants your personal visit?"
Lu An searched for words in his mind, unsure where to begin. Finally, he said, "Recently, a distinguished guest arrived at the county yamen, the daughter of His Highness Prince Xiao, Xiao Yao. Have you two heard of her?"
Rong Zhi sat down beside Xia Yun Ting. Hearing him mention this, she was a little surprised. Could it be that Lu An had seen through Xia Yun Ting's identity?
Xia Yun Ting calmly replied, "I have heard of her. The daughter of the only non-imperial prince in court. I've heard she's also skilled in martial arts, likely a heroic woman."
Lu An nodded and continued, "Do you two know why this Lady has come to Changping County?"
"We don't know."
"My Lord, what are you implying? Lady Xiao Yao is from the imperial city and the daughter of a prince. How could two commoners like us possibly fathom her intentions?"
Rong Zhi smiled, her tone very relaxed, but she cast a questioning glance at Xia Yun Ting.
He wouldn't have come to inquire for no reason. If Lu An had indeed investigated their identities in secret, would Xia Yun Ting admit it or deny it?
He only responded with a reassuring glance, indicating for her to remain calm. Rong Zhi then withdrew her gaze and heard Lu An reply, "The reason the Lady has come to Changping County is to find the general, Xia Yun Ting, who went missing recently."
At this point, Lu An specifically observed their expressions but found nothing.
Xia Yun Ting asked, "Are you suggesting that we help find him?"
Lu An froze, then forced a smile. "Yes. I see that you two are quite skilled, you'll surely be able to find this general. If you succeed, this official will offer a generous reward."
He had originally intended to test if they were indeed Xia Yun Ting, but now he had no concrete evidence. And seeing their reaction, it was clear they had no intention of admitting it. In that case, it was fine to ask for their help in the search. If they could find him, it would be a happy outcome for everyone. If they couldn't… he could shift the blame onto them.
In an instant, Lu An made up his mind. "If you two are willing to help, this official will return immediately to ask the Lady for a portrait."
"I will do my utmost." Xia Yun Ting stood up and cupped his fists in a gesture of farewell.
Lu An, who had intended to ask a few more questions, now found it difficult to do so.
"This official takes his leave."
Lu An departed with a smile.
Rong Zhi watched Lu An's retreating figure and poked Xia Yun Ting's shoulder. "I think you've been exposed."
Xia Yun Ting raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
Rong Zhi said, "As a prefect, a local official, he called himself 'this official' to you. And the official notices posted in the county town a while ago were also very strange. Without anyone's instruction, they specifically mentioned that you were not responsible for the forced conscription, the missing persons cases, or the human experimentation for medicine in Swallow Mountain. It's as if he was deliberately trying to curry favor. I think this Lord Lu might already know your identity."
Xia Yun Ting laughed. "If he knew, he wouldn't have bothered with this unnecessary trip."
"Even if he doesn't know for sure, he has likely guessed."
"It's just a guess. Without concrete evidence, what can a guess do?"
As long as there was no concrete evidence, he could come to and leave Changping County without anyone noticing.
Seeing Xia Yun Ting's confident demeanor, Rong Zhi had nothing to worry about. That evening, Rong Zhi went to the pauper's graveyard to check on Zhang Ya Jing.
Although Cui Xi was taking care of her now, Cui Xi was not a doctor, and Chu Qing Ze was a man. Rong Zhi was still uneasy.
Upon arriving at the pauper's graveyard, Rong Zhi found that Zhang Ya Jing was recovering well. However, Chu Qing Ze was not doing well.
"Why do you look so dejected?"
Seeing Chu Qing Ze, who looked haggard, unshaven, and disheveled, Rong Zhi was startled. How could he have become a wild man in just a few days?
Chu Qing Ze's eyes looked as if he hadn't slept for days. He glanced back at the room where Zhang Ya Jing was resting, then said to Rong Zhi, "Zhang Ya Jing intends to leave here."
"Leave?" Rong Zhi asked in confusion. "Where does she plan to go?"
Chu Qing Ze uttered three words: "Medicine King Valley."