Fu Tingyun’s courage doubled.

She ran along the row of master chairs on the west side toward the study.

If she remembered correctly, the window in the western study was open.

Fan Mama and Mama Sun were separated from her by the chairs. By the time they made their way around, Fu Tingyun was only two steps away from the lattice door of the western study.

But she had forgotten that Chen Mama was standing at the door of the eastern inner chamber. Seeing her head toward the western study, Chen Mama ran directly over and blocked her at the entrance.

In front was Chen Mama, behind were Fan Mama and Mama Sun, to the right was a pink wall, and to the left was a row of master chairs.

Without thinking, Fu Tingyun climbed onto the tea table between the master chairs, intending to climb over, but Chen Mama grabbed her by the waist: “Come help quickly!”

She was terrified, struggling and shouting “Help!” at the top of her lungs.

Fan Mama and Mama Sun were both broad-shouldered and stout, not only strong but long-legged. Seeing Fu Tingyun blocked by Chen Mama, they rushed over without waiting for instructions. In the blink of an eye, they were upon her. Before Chen Mama finished speaking, the two had already grabbed Fu Tingyun’s arms. But Fu Tingyun’s voice was so shrill that it seemed especially piercing in the deserted, quiet courtyard. Mama Sun, afraid of attracting others, tried to cover her mouth, but hesitated when her peripheral vision fell on Chen Mama’s tiger’s mouth wound.

Chen Mama’s low, solemn voice came to her ears: “Quickly, take the Ninth Young Lady back to her room.”

Mama Sun no longer hesitated. Looking at Chen Mama, who was half a head shorter than herself, she wrapped her arms around Fu Tingyun’s waist and lifted her.

He’ll be here soon!

He’ll be back any moment!

I can’t let them succeed.

Whatever happens, I need to stall until he returns… then I’ll be saved.

Fu Tingyun screamed with all her might, kicking, scratching, and punching wildly, but she was no match for their superior strength. She was half-carried, half-dragged back to the inner chamber.

Chen Mama personally brought over that bowl of medicine: “Hold the Ninth Young Lady down!” Her expression was gloomy.

Fan Mama remained silent as she came over and grabbed Fu Tingyun’s arms.

“Ninth Young Lady!” Chen Mama murmured, unclear whether she was addressing Fu Tingyun or reassuring herself. “Don’t blame me. If you must blame someone, blame your bad fortune for catching Zuo Junjie’s eye. Rest easy as you go; Master will seek justice for you regarding Zuo Junjie.” Having finished, she pinched Fu Tingyun’s jaw and tried to pour the medicine into her mouth.

Fu Tingyun kept her lips tightly sealed, using all her strength to shake off Chen Mama’s hand. In her heart, she desperately cried: Why haven’t you come yet? Why haven’t you come yet? If you don’t come soon, you’ll only find my corpse… Tears fell uncontrollably.

Caught off guard, Chen Mama spilled the medicine, splashing it on Fu Tingyun’s moon-white Hangzhou silk shirt, leaving large stains.

She pinched Fu Tingyun’s jaw again, only to be shaken off once more.

Chen Mama signaled to Fan Mama with her eyes.

Fan Mama and Chen Mama were not new to this kind of task and naturally understood her meaning. They exchanged a glance with Mama Sun, and together forced Fu Tingyun onto the bed. Fan Mama freed one hand to pinch Fu Tingyun’s jaw while Chen Mama poured the medicine into her mouth.

I must hold on!

I must hold on!

Perhaps he’s just halfway here, stopped to tie his straw sandals, and that’s why he’s delayed… The next moment, he might appear.

At this moment, I absolutely cannot give up!

If I persist, I can survive!

Fan Mama’s slightly hesitant voice reached her ears: “This isn’t working! Chen Mama, I think we should get a pair of chopsticks!”

They wanted to pry open her teeth.

Fu Tingyun clenched her teeth even tighter.

Chen Mama saw that this standoff was getting nowhere, but where would they find chopsticks in this room? If they had to go to the kitchen for a pair of chopsticks, it would cause problems. They had just managed to find an excuse to send all the nuns to the western scripture hall to recite prayers. If they alerted others because of a pair of chopsticks, it would be troublesome. Besides, they had already spent too much time here; if they didn’t finish quickly, complications might arise.

After thinking for a moment, she said: “If it won’t work, then go to the Ninth Young Lady’s dressing case and find a jade hairpin.”

Fan Mama responded immediately, indeed finding a jade hairpin. Amid Fu Tingyun’s whimpers, they pried open a gap between her teeth.

Chen Mama hastily poured in the medicine.

A sweet liquid flowed in… Fu Tingyun’s heart turned ice cold.

Would she die just like this?

Who had stolen her undergarments? Why had Zuo Junjie falsely accused her? Where was her mother? Did she know her daughter was about to die? And him, why had he not come yet? They had agreed to meet at noon!

The liquid choked into Fu Tingyun’s lungs.

She wanted to cough, but more liquid flowed in.

There was a suffocating discomfort. Chen Mama’s face was like a candle flame in the wind, wavering and flickering before her… She wildly grabbed at everything within reach… Then she heard women’s screams, brief and terrified. The pressure holding her down quickly disappeared… Someone called her name.

It was a man’s voice.

Somewhat frantic, sounding unfamiliar.

Who was it?

She was dazed, wanting to lift her head to see clearly, but her vision was blurred… Her chest felt tight; she coughed violently, making her chest hurt even more… She couldn’t support herself and curled up, collapsing onto the bed.

…

After an unknown period, Fu Tingyun regained some awareness in her haziness. She tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead.

Someone lifted her into their arms, coaxing her in a gentle voice: “Come, let’s take the medicine! Take the medicine, and you’ll feel better right away.” A clean, pleasant scent of soapberry lingered at the tip of her nose.

Who was he?

Why was she being held by him?

Men and women should keep their distance.

She was betrothed.

Was it him?

But how could he speak to her in such a gentle voice?

Where had he gone?

Did he know about her being forced to take medicine?

Her mind was in chaos, and the liquid flowing into her mouth was bitter and astringent.

She tried hard to open her eyes, but her eyelids grew even heavier.

That person laid her down.

The pillow was cool and comfortable.

She sank back into deep sleep.

Then she was awakened by a booming voice: “…Ninth Master, this won’t do! This woman has delicate skin, clearly a daughter from a good family. She’s beautiful too, and even dressed in coarse clothes, it’s impossible to hide. If people misunderstand and think we’ve abducted her, we’ll be in trouble!”

“Ninth Master, please listen to our advice!” someone else continued. “If you desire a woman, when we get to Xi’an Prefecture, whether it’s a brothel courtesan, an opera singer, a pretty maiden, or a noble lady—it would take just one word from you. I guarantee each one will be more beautiful than this woman. It’s not worth risking yourself for her!”

“Yes, Ninth Master,” another agreed. “Now, large numbers of refugees are pouring into Huayin and Pucheng. Even the Huazhou Prefect can’t sit still. Not only have the constables and runners from Huayin and Pucheng been mobilized to drive away the refugees, but the Huazhou Prefect has also sent constables and runners to assist the two counties. Now, who has time for us? We should take this opportunity to go to Xi’an Prefecture. By then, like dragons returning to the sea, where would they find us…”

“You need not say more; my mind is made up.” This voice was flat and emotionless, even somewhat rigid and cold. Yet for some reason, it carried an air of resolute determination that couldn’t be ignored. “Yuanbao, take Fugui and the others and blend in with the refugees from Qingyang. Yucheng, take Sanfu and the others and join the refugees from Gongchang. Go with them to Xi’an Prefecture. Asen, you stay behind. Today is the twelfth of the seventh month. On the fifteenth of the eighth month, we’ll meet at the Yongfu Inn in Ping’an Li, Xi’an Prefecture.”

The twelfth of the seventh month? Was it already the twelfth? Had she been unconscious for nearly seven or eight days?

Fu Tingyun was shocked and tried hard to open her eyes.

Light suddenly pierced in, hurting her eyes.

She quickly closed them again.

Several people were calling “Ninth Master,” speaking in a jumble: some saying “I’ll stay with you,” some saying “let’s leave together,” some saying “how can this work,” some saying “at worst, we’ll just take this woman with us”…

“Enough!” That flat voice sounded again, and the clamor receded like the tide, leaving only one voice. “If you still recognize me as your Ninth Master, just do as I say.” He continued, “Since you’re disguised as refugees, don’t act rashly when faced with trouble. Getting to Xi’an Prefecture safely is most important. If you encounter Feng Laosi’s people, pretend not to know them.”

After a moment of silence, sporadic acknowledgments were heard.

“Go prepare yourselves! You’ll depart after lunch.” After he spoke, footsteps approached.

Fu Tingyun struggled to open her eyes.

A thin silhouette entered her vision.

The sunlight from behind outlined his figure with a golden edge. She couldn’t see his face clearly, but from that flat, calm voice, she knew it was him, it was him.

How had he rescued her? Had he met her mother? Where was she now? Who were those people talking to? Why were they mixing with refugees to go to Xi’an Prefecture? Who was he? Why did they say that in Xi’an Prefecture, he could choose from brothel courtesans, opera singers, pretty maidens, or noble ladies? Had he argued with his companions over her? Was she the woman they were talking about? And was he the one who had held her to give her medicine?

Thinking of this, she felt her face burning. Not knowing where to begin asking, she could only watch as he approached step by step, stopping two or three paces away and looking down at her.

They gazed at each other, neither speaking.

He suddenly crouched down, looking at her at eye level: “Do you recognize me?” As he spoke, he frowned slightly, appearing somewhat displeased.

Was it because she had become a burden to him? Or was he annoyed that she had caused discord between him and his companions?

Yet even with his iron heart, he still maintained some good-hearted persistence.

In this moment, Fu Tingyun was immensely grateful for this persistence.

“I do!” She nodded, wanting to smile at him kindly. But when she tried to stretch her lips, her chest started to ache sharply. She had to settle for slightly raising the corners of her mouth in a faint smile. “Thank you for saving my life!”

He nodded, and though his face remained expressionless, she could sense that his demeanor had relaxed considerably compared to earlier.

“Is there any discomfort?” he asked. “When I arrived, half of the medicine had already been poured into you. Not knowing what medicine they gave you, I had to tell the doctor you had accidentally ingested arsenic.” He explained, “Since both are antidotes, the medicinal principles are similar, so there shouldn’t be any major problems.” He had the look of someone who had guessed correctly—she had indeed woken up.