Chapter 234
Chapter 234
The medicine was soon ready. Shen Changling carefully carried it inside to feed Ji Hanyi.
But he had never cared for anyone. The liquid ran from the corner of Ji Hanyi’s mouth, and he did not dare wipe it away. He merely offered another spoonful with awkward caution.
At least half the bowl spilled, soaking her collar. Shen Changling dared not look closely.
His heart ached. He had never imagined that when he saw Ji Hanyi again, it would be under such circumstances. The thought of any harm coming to her filled him with anxiety.
As soon as he finished, he rushed outside and demanded to know how long she would remain unconscious.
The doctor hung half-lifted in Shen Changling’s grip, staring at his reddened eyes in terror. He could only say that he could not guarantee she would wake within the hour.
The drug affected every person differently, so there was no way to predict when she would wake.
Seeing Shen Changling’s expression harden, the doctor hurriedly promised that the medicine would certainly work.
Shen Changling remained anxious. Daylight was strengthening, and soon people would fill the streets. To ensure no one saw Ji Hanyi’s face, he ordered the doctor to wrap additional doses of the antidote. Then he carried the unconscious Ji Hanyi away.
When Shen Si found the clinic, he had missed Shen Changling by one step yet again. He saw the remnants of medicine in the room and questioned the doctor about every ingredient. Drawing a deep breath, he struck the bedpost.
Shen Changling’s legs certainly moved quickly.
And the boy had ignored his instructions.
The blow nearly made the doctor fall to his knees.
This newcomer plainly outranked the previous one. More than ten soldiers guarded the entrance, and a staff officer stood at his side. They could easily demolish the little clinic.
The nobleman’s face was dark and terrifying. The doctor silently lamented his dreadful luck that year.
Shen Si surveyed the room and looked toward the bed. Ji Hanyi’s familiar scent lingered there.
His restless, taut heart eased by a fraction.
At least Ji Hanyi appeared to be safe. Though his nephew had always been somewhat unruly, he had been taught decent principles and understood right from wrong. That offered some comfort.
Ji Hanyi was relatively safe with Shen Changling.
But Shen Changling had forgotten the order to take her to the place Shen Si had prepared. It was secluded and would have protected her identity. Instead, the disobedient boy had vanished again, forcing Shen Si to keep searching.
Ji Hanyi did not wake until nearly noon.
Her entire body ached, and her vision was blurred. She stared at the bed curtains, but her mind remained fixed upon the blood-soaked scene before she lost consciousness.
Whenever she closed her eyes, she saw her own hand being forced to plunge a dagger into Cousin’s chest.
The terror of that moment returned to her body. She shuddered involuntarily, alerting Shen Changling, who was brewing medicine behind a curtain.
He worked clumsily over the little stove, both ears strained for the slightest sound from the room.
At the movement, he jumped up and hurried inside. Ji Hanyi’s misty eyes stared blankly into space. She looked badly frightened.
The words Fifth Aunt should have left his mouth, but he could not say them. No matter how many times he tried, he could not address Ji Hanyi that way to her face.
Still, he was overjoyed she had awakened. “You’re awake? Do you feel better?”
At first, Ji Hanyi saw only a blurred face. It took a long while to recognize him.
Silence filled the room. Gradually, the real crackle of the medicine stove drew her from the unreal ruins in her mind and convinced her this was not a dream.
The sight of Shen Changling relaxed her. She trusted him. “Changling,” she whispered.
He immediately answered and sat beside her. “Do you feel better?”
Eyes closed, Ji Hanyi nodded, struggling to endure the pain throughout her body.
Relieved, Shen Changling lowered his head and toyed with a twig. He wanted to ask how the bandits had captured her, but feared it was too painful for her to discuss.
“Don’t worry. No one knows about this.”
“Once you’re better, I’ll take you home. Then I’ll kill every one of those bandits. No one will ever learn what happened.”
He looked at her. “I’ll avenge you.”
Ji Hanyi opened her eyes. The gaze that had always seemed lazy and amused now looked different for the first time.
She forced a reassuring smile. “Thank you, Changling. But those bandits are vicious. The best thing you can do is remain safe.”
“I don’t need you to do anything for me.”
Then she asked, “At the foot of the mountain-were you the one who shot that bandit?”
Shen Changling nodded quickly, unable to resist boasting, “My archery is quite good.”
Ji Hanyi paused, then sighed with relief. “I heard them talking. Only the bandits with me tonight knew my identity. The person behind it was a man called Wei Wu.”
“He concealed my identity to persuade the others to help him. Very few knew who I was.”
Shen Changling considered this. “Those bandits fled quickly, but I brought plenty of men, all skilled archers. They should have killed them all by now.”
“When I rescued you, you had just fallen from the horse. No one saw your face. There should be no one left who knows.”
Ji Hanyi relaxed further. “Good.”
“The matter is not as terrible as it seems. If anyone asks, say only that I came to the temple to pray for blessings and that you happened to meet me.”
She looked at Shen Changling. “Will you help me?”
He almost leapt up to swear his guarantee. “Don’t worry. That is exactly what I’ll say. May heaven strike me if I reveal anything.”
His oath drew the faintest curve from Ji Hanyi’s lips.
Shen Changling cautiously asked, “Does Fifth Uncle know you’re here? If he doesn’t, I promise I’ll hide it from him.”
Ji Hanyi glanced at the light outside and shook her head. “There is no need. Can you ask your Fifth Uncle to come collect me? Or send him a message?”
She had already formed a plan. This was a temple, and Shen Changling’s arrangement was sound. If Shen Si came here and escorted her home, they could explain everything.
Only one night had passed. The situation was nowhere near as disastrous as she had feared.
Shen Changling froze.
He suddenly understood that Fifth Uncle’s massive operation against the mountain had been for Ji Hanyi.
Then he remembered the secret message Fifth Uncle had sent. Cold sweat broke across his back. He had ruined the arrangements.
Fifth Uncle had ordered him to take the woman to a prepared location. Shen Changling, intent upon hiding from Fifth Uncle that he had found Ji Hanyi among the bandits, had ignored the instruction.
Fifth Uncle would surely scold him when they met.
He hastily agreed.
Ji Hanyi, aching and exhausted, slowly closed her eyes. She wanted only to sleep a little longer.
At last, the fear and tension within her loosened enough for her to stop thinking.
Shen Changling stood silently nearby. Blood stained her collar and remained unwiped upon her cheek. Her loose hair framed pale brows and colorless lips. She looked like distant mountains after rain, hazy and fragile.
His heart still ached at the sight. He turned away and hurried outside to finish the medicine.
As he poured it out and wondered how to tell Fifth Uncle that Ji Hanyi was here, rapid hoofbeats sounded outside the courtyard.
Shen Changling’s heart jumped.
He looked toward the gate and saw his grim-faced Fifth Uncle dismount.
The moment Shen Si saw him, he strode directly over.