Ding Wu was Wei Caiwei’s childhood sweetheart, and the two grew up together in the exile land of Tieling.

In Wang Daxia’s view, this pair of childhood sweethearts was extraordinary! Having suffered hardships together, supporting each other, their bond was deep—this could be seen from Wei Caiwei’s careful treatment of Ding Rukui’s fire crane flower stamen poisoning a few days earlier.

After taking medicine for two days, Ding Rukui’s throat returned to normal. Wei Caiwei still found various excuses to prescribe body-strengthening remedies for Ding Rukui, taking his pulse and examining his tongue, helping him regulate his body. She also told Ding Rukui stories about her and Ding Wu’s life in Tieling.

However, ten years ago Ding Rukui had been framed by Lu Bing and thrown into prison, his wife and children scattered. Having lost all trust in the concept of trust itself, he still refused to believe Wei Caiwei.

Ding Rukui remained silent with a cold attitude, while Wei Caiwei remained enthusiastic, treating Ding Rukui like an elder relative. Wang Daxia felt indignant on her behalf, scolding Ding Rukui for not knowing what was good for him.

If Wei Caiwei treated me like this—no, even if it were only half as much—I would wake up laughing every night!

But Wei Caiwei said, “…After being locked in death row for ten years, seeing all kinds of scheming and betrayal, anyone’s heart would grow cold. How could he easily trust someone he’s never met before? I’m good to him because of what my adoptive parents and Ding Wu did for me. Without them, I would have died long ago. This is just who I am—I repay kindness with kindness, and… grudges with grudges.”

Wang Daxia fell silent. If he continued, they would end up quarreling. He very much wanted to ask her how good Ding Wu had been to her, but didn’t dare.

Just like how he was very afraid of ghosts—sometimes when there were sounds from the wardrobe in his bedroom, he would rather cover his head with a blanket than open the wardrobe to check, allowing himself to sleep peacefully.

He instinctively chose to avoid: As long as I don’t open the wardrobe, regardless of whether there’s something there or not, there isn’t.

So Ding Wu’s existence was like the “ghost” in the wardrobe. As long as Wang Daxia didn’t mention him, he could pretend he didn’t exist. Life would go on as usual.

But now, the “ghost” Ding Wu from the wardrobe had opened the door himself and come out!

And at first glance, he was a powerful “fierce ghost.” A blue round-collar robe that was nearly faded to white looked anything but shabby on him—instead, it gave him an air of nobility. His features faintly resembled those of Ding Rukui, but he was better looking than his father.

Wasn’t Tieling supposed to be a bitter, cold land lacking food and clothing? Looking at his tall, healthy build and ethereal appearance like a banished immortal, it didn’t seem like exile but rather like he’d gone on a pleasure trip.

Wang Daxia shouldered his oar and went back, quietly following behind Ding Wu, carefully observing his love rival. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat.

Ding Wu was a full head taller than him. Wang Daxia consoled himself: He’s already twenty-two, but I’m only fourteen. I can still keep growing and will definitely surpass him in the future.

I’m richer than him—look how shabbily he’s dressed.

I’m a member of the Jinyiwei; he’s an exile who has to return to Tieling after identifying Wei Caiwei. He can’t stay long in the capital.

As for appearance… Wang Daxia stubbornly believed that he and Ding Wu each had their own merits in looks, making it a draw.

Wang Daxia observed secretly all the way while scoring himself against his love rival. Of course, this was purely his personal subjective scoring with no reference value. The higher he scored himself, the more he swelled up like a frog.

When Ding Wu arrived at Lu Bing’s courtyard, Lu Bing was already able to walk around. Following Imperial Physician Song’s advice, he was practicing Wudang Mountain’s Taiji boxing, flowing like clouds and water.

Ding Wu had previously enjoyed his father’s protection and was a National Academy tribute student who didn’t need to kneel before officials. But after being exiled, all his status was stripped away, making him a commoner who naturally had to perform kowtow rituals before Lu Bing.

Ding Wu knelt on the prayer mat: “Commoner Ding Wu, ordered to come to the capital to see the Commander.”

Wang Daxia noticed that even when kneeling, Ding Wu looked good, like a green bamboo planted on the prayer mat.

To observe his character, Lu Bing deliberately left him hanging, finishing a complete set of boxing before saying, “Get up and speak.”

“Thank you, Commander.” Ding Wu stood up, stepped aside, lowered his eyes and folded his hands, waiting for instructions.

Most exiles had all their edges and pride worn away by reality, becoming servile and obsequious. Upon meeting a high official like Lu Bing, most would grovel like slugs, knowing only to kowtow and beg for mercy.

This Ding Wu had a rather composed demeanor in the face of favor or disgrace. It seemed that during ten years of exile, the loyal retainer Wei Nanshan and his wife had raised him well.

After sizing up Ding Wu, Lu Bing’s gaze fell on Wang Daxia. “Weren’t you supposed to go practice dragon boat rowing at the west moat of Zhengyang Gate? Why are you back?”

The west moat was the protective moat of Zhengyang Gate. The Jinyiwei office was very close to Zhengyang Gate—just walk through Jiangmi Alley to get there. Wang Daxia walked back and forth every day.

Wang Daxia habitually lied: “This subordinate forgot to bring the oar.” He had hidden the wooden oar in the bushes when entering earlier.

This fellow was reliable in big matters but unreliable in small ones. Lu Bing said, “Go call Doctor Wei.”

Wei Caiwei was reading “Miscellaneous Remarks on Female Physicians.” Upon hearing this, she was delighted, closed the book, and hurried over in small quick steps, leaving Wang Daxia behind.

Wang Daxia’s expression immediately changed: With Ding Wu here, she’s forgotten about me.

Wang Daxia caught up with his long strides. Hearing footsteps, Ding Wu’s composed face showed a trace of joy. He walked to the doorway and waved at Wei Caiwei, “Banxia!”

Wang Daxia became angry: “What are you shouting randomly? Have you no manners, cutting my name in half? I’m called Daxia, not Banxia.”

Wei Caiwei ran over, carefully examined Ding Wu, then turned to explain, “Banxia is a type of medicine, and also my pet name.”

Wei Caiwei’s formal name was one she chose herself three years ago when Ding Wu helped establish her female household registration. She had always been called by her pet name Banxia in daily life.

Seeing the intimacy between the two during their reunion, Lu Bing knew that Wei Caiwei’s words were true.

Seeing Ding Wu affectionately calling her pet name Banxia, Wang Daxia burned with jealous fire and like a petty person, “slandered” to Lu Bing: “Lord Lu, now that Ding Wu has been brought here and has identified that Doctor Wei is indeed the adopted daughter of Wei Nanshan and his wife, has Doctor Wei been cleared of the suspicion of identity theft?”

Lu Bing nodded.

“In that case,” Wang Daxia pointed at Ding Wu and said, “He has completed his mission and should immediately return to the Tieling exile site.”

Wang Daxia urged the two soldiers who had brought Ding Wu to the capital: “Thank you both for your hard work. The mission is complete. Please trouble yourselves to take him away.”

Having finally come to the capital on assignment, they hadn’t even warmed their seats—no, they hadn’t even sat down—and now they had to go back? The two Tieling Jinyiwei looked at each other. They hadn’t even gotten a good look at what the capital looked like, so how could they brag to their brothers when they returned?

Seeing Wang Daxia’s behavior, Wei Caiwei’s face turned cold: “Weren’t you supposed to go dragon boat rowing? Why haven’t you left yet?” Stop meddling! Go row your boat and stir your water properly, what are you doing here stirring up trouble!

Ding Wu bowed to Lu Bing and said, “This commoner hasn’t seen his father for ten years. I beseech Lord Lu’s mercy to allow this commoner to see his father once.”

Wang Daxia, anxious to drive him away, said, “See him once and then leave?”

Ding Wu said, “Yes, I beseech your lordship’s fulfillment.”

Wang Daxia asked, “No other requests?”

Ding Wu said, “This commoner is exiled for crimes and must definitely return to the exile site. Having the opportunity to see my father is already a dream come true. I dare not have other extravagant hopes.”

Wang Daxia’s heart turned from anger to joy, and he even winked at Wei Caiwei: Look, Ding Wu only has his father in his heart. He doesn’t care at all whether you’re doing well in the capital.

Wei Caiwei didn’t see Wang Daxia’s expression at all. She also pleaded with Lu Bing: “I beseech Lord Lu’s fulfillment. In the future, if Lord Lu has need of me, this common woman will go through fire and water without hesitation.”

At this moment, Lu Ying, who had been silent all along, spoke up: “Lord Lu, Doctor Wei has merit this time. Please agree to her request.”

Actually, Lu Bing had been waiting for Lu Ying to speak. He wanted Wei Caiwei to owe Lu Ying a favor so she could be useful in the future.

Lu Bing nodded: “Let Commander Lu make the arrangements.”

His gaze fell on Wang Daxia: “Why aren’t you going to practice dragon boat rowing? The capital’s twenty-four guard dragon boat race—our Jinyiwei has won first place every year for years, earning top honors. We must win first place again this year. Hurry up and go!”

Wang Daxia had wanted to linger a while longer, but Lu Bing was driving him away. He thought that after Ding Wu met with Ding Rukui, he would also return to Tieling, separated from Wei Caiwei by thousands of miles, no longer a threat.

Thinking of this, Wang Daxia relaxed and shouldered the oar to go rowing.

In the underground death row prison.

Under Wei Caiwei’s careful care, Ding Rukui’s body had recovered and he had even gained a pound. He was painting, depicting the moonlight he had seen that night when he left his cell to pay respects to Wei Nanshan and his wife.

The moonlight was truly beautiful. Especially after not seeing the moon for ten years.

After finishing the painting, Ding Rukui moved a chair onto the table, climbed up layer by layer until his hands could just touch the ceiling.

Ding Rukui struggled to paste his artwork “Moonlight Picture” on the ceiling, then climbed down and lay on the straw mat, pretending he was admiring the moon.

“Father.”

A voice sounded.

Ding Rukui didn’t move, continuing to “admire the moon.” After being imprisoned for ten years, such hallucinations had appeared countless times.

“Father, I’ve come to see you.”

Ding Rukui’s body stiffened. He turned his head to look. When they parted, his son was only twelve years old, full of childish innocence. When he saw him being taken away by the Jinyiwei, the boy only knew how to cry, chasing the prison cart while crying.

How long could a twelve-year-old’s legs be? After chasing for half a street, he was exhausted and fell to the ground, then was picked up by Wei Nanshan.

Now ten years had passed. The little boy had grown into a young man, better looking, taller, and sturdier than he had imagined. He stood behind the iron bars, reaching his hands inside: “I’ve come to see you. That jar of zhuangyuan red wine under the tree—I’m still waiting to dig it up with father.”

Ding Rukui’s tears flowed down his aged face. He got up from the bed without even putting on his shoes, rushed over and tightly grasped his son’s hands…

In the evening, Wang Daxia returned shouldering his oar.

He went to see Wei Caiwei first, but found her guest room completely empty—even the “Miscellaneous Remarks on Female Physicians” from her desk was gone!

What was going on?

Wang Daxia rushed to find Lu Ying. Lu Ying was handling official business for his father, poking his head up from the mountain of paperwork on the desk: “Oh, she went home.”

Lu Ying said, “Since her identity has been proven, she should be allowed to go home. The Jinyiwei can’t keep detaining respectable women indefinitely. Besides, when friends come from afar, she needs to go home to entertain them properly and welcome them with a feast.”

Wang Daxia was even more confused: “Who is the friend?”

Lu Ying said, “Ding Wu, of course.”

“He still hasn’t left? He even went to Doctor Wei’s house?” Wang Daxia threw down his oar, mounted a fast horse, crossed the capital from north to south, and hurried to Tianshui Alley.

Author’s Note: Wang Daxia (Big Vinegar) has arrived