Jiang Xuening’s vision blurred before her eyes.

She appeared severely ill. Her palm-sized face had drained of all color, and due to the sudden onslaught of pain, cold sweat densely covered her forehead. Every limb and bone ached as if struggling, and though one hand braced against the table’s edge, she swayed unsteadily.

Xiao Bao immediately moved to support her.

But unexpectedly, someone beside him moved even faster. A pair of hands that usually held brush and ink steadily or turned through case files reached out, directly catching her around the waist just as she was about to collapse to the ground.

Jiang Xuening struggled to lift her eyes, but couldn’t make out anything clearly.

She only felt that the palm holding her, gripping her firmly, carried a faint trembling that was usually absent.

“Oh my, what’s happened? Quick, quick, quick, put her on the bed.”

Ever since receiving that letter outside the city, Feng Mingyu had been trying to extract information from Zhang Zhe, this possible “mole,” which was why he’d kept Zhang Zhe up discussing “business” until late into the night. When the commotion erupted on Jiang Xuening’s side, they were in a nearby guest room. Hearing the disturbance, they came immediately, never expecting to encounter such a scene. For a moment, they were utterly astonished.

“She was perfectly fine during dinner…”

Zhang Zhe carried Jiang Xuening and laid her back on the bed. Though his movements were already gentle, any motion still caused her abdomen to twist with pain, even faintly spreading to her spleen and lungs.

Yet she was unwilling to let Zhang Zhe worry too much, so she bit down hard and endured it.

Her deathly pale face had taken on a slightly greenish cast.

Though Zhang Zhe had indeed told her to feign illness come dawn, how could this situation be something one could fake? Someone who was usually calm and composed now found his palms covered in sweat, nearly losing his usual composure.

Standing by the bedside, he experienced a moment of utter helplessness.

Seeing this, Feng Mingyu knew Zhang Zhe’s concern had clouded his judgment, so he quickly stepped forward: “This looks like some acute illness, or perhaps poisoning. This old man is a wanderer of the jianghu with some knowledge of medicine. May Zhang Daren please step aside so this old man can take her pulse?”

The pain came violently, and her throat felt scorched and hoarse.

Jiang Xuening was terrified.

She weakly reached out to clutch at Zhang Zhe’s robe.

Zhang Zhe only moved half a step back, saying to her: “I’m not leaving, I’m here…”

The commotion in the middle of the night became known to many.

Naturally, Xiao Dingfei, who loved excitement without restraint, also arrived at the doorway. With no one to constrain him now, he followed inside. Before even drawing close, seeing that faint greenish cast on Jiang Xuening’s face from afar, his eyelids jumped sharply.

When he saw Xiao Bao also huddled nearby, his heart turned cold.

Feng Mingyu raised his hand to feel Jiang Xuening’s pulse.

Everyone’s gaze fell upon his face.

But unexpectedly, after his fingertips rested on Jiang Xuening’s wrist for a long while, and after examining her eyes and mouth, he revealed an expression of startled uncertainty. He seemed about to say something, but glancing at Zhang Zhe, appeared to have some misgivings and didn’t speak.

Seeing this, Zhang Zhe only asked: “Master Feng, how is my sister?”

Feng Mingyu hesitated somewhat.

Zhang Zhe’s brow gathered with coldness, even displaying a sharpness he’d never shown others before: “Is there something inconvenient to say?”

“No, no, no, that’s not it.” Feng Mingyu did indeed have misgivings, but considering he’d never ordered his subordinates to harm a young woman like Jiang Xuening, he dared say with a clear conscience and explained: “Your sister’s illness came on fiercely and appears quite dangerous. I’ve never heard of any acute illness without warning signs. It, it rather resembles poisoning…”

Xiao Bao cried out: “Poisoning?!”

Zhang Zhe’s gaze immediately shot toward Feng Mingyu.

Feng Mingyu smiled bitterly: “This old man knew Zhang Daren would likely suspect the Heavenly Teachings, which is why I hesitated. However, our party has already reached Tongzhou—there’s really no reason to target your sister, a mere weak woman. But this old man’s medical skills only scratch the surface. Treating minor ailments is one thing, but I dare not make judgments about serious illnesses or severe poisoning. The urgent priority is to have your sister properly diagnosed. Continuing like this, I fear for her life.”

Huang Qian frowned: “But dawn hasn’t even broken yet—where can we find a physician?”

However, Xiao Bao had a sudden inspiration: “There is one! Doctor Zhang from Yongding Apothecary lives at the shop. But sister’s illness is so urgent, going to fetch someone might delay her treatment. Let’s take sister there for treatment instead!”

The moment the four words “Yongding Apothecary” were spoken, Zhang Zhe’s heart gave an imperceptible震 (jolt).

He whirled around sharply, looking at Xiao Bao.

This child they’d only met after arriving at the Heavenly Teachings had a round face, hair tied in an upward ponytail with red cord, rough cloth and short garments in the shabby dress of a poor family. His eyes, which appeared innocent and unknowing, were full of worry, seeming completely sincere, as if he’d only mentioned “Yongding Apothecary” out of concern for Jiang Xuening.

However, there was no time to think further at this moment. First, he worried for Jiang Xuening’s life; second, Yongding Apothecary was indeed a place the court had established for intelligence communication—being able to go there would naturally be best.

He immediately bent down to pick her up, asking someone to lead the way.

Unexpectedly, seeing this, Feng Mingyu’s expression changed. Exchanging a glance with Huang Qian, he abruptly stood and actually blocked Zhang Zhe, saying: “Zhang Daren, dawn is not far off now. Originally, you came sent by Shangshan, and we’ve already informed the teaching that we would take you to the branch altar first thing in the morning. If you take your sister for treatment, we…”

Of course.

The Heavenly Teachings now suspected him—how could they possibly let him take Jiang Xuening for treatment?

Zhang Zhe’s heart sank.

During this brief exchange, Jiang Xuening had already lost her energy and strength. Somehow the pain had diminished slightly, but instead a deep, thick fatigue surged up. Her hand relaxed its grip, and the fingers that had been clutching Zhang Zhe’s robe slipped away.

Zhang Zhe’s expression changed.

He was unwilling to retreat a step, but on the Heavenly Teachings’ side, led by Huang Qian, they all placed hands on their waist knives—clearly having received secret orders. The atmosphere grew tense, swords drawn.

At this moment, Xiao Bao stood in the room, looking left and right. Whether or not he truly understood the situation before him, he bit his lip, timidly raised one hand, and said: “How about I take sister for treatment?”

Zhang Zhe’s gaze fell upon him with near-freezing coldness.

Huang Qian barked: “What nonsense are you spouting!”

Feng Mingyu, however, began to ponder and said nothing.

Xiao Bao said crisply: “There’s nowhere in Tongzhou City I don’t know. I attended private school for a few days and learned to recognize a few characters from my teacher. I definitely won’t misread the four characters ‘Yongding Apothecary’! If Zhang Daren and Lord Zuo Xiang are worried, just send a couple more people to go with me.”

Huang Qian wanted to rebuke this impudent young fool.

But Feng Mingyu raised a hand to stop him, and actually said to Zhang Zhe: “Zhang Daren should also know that you are Master Du Jun’s man. If villains poisoned your sister with some purpose, we cannot allow you to come to any harm. Though Xiao Bao is young, he’s clever, and indeed familiar with Tongzhou. We’ll send two more men with him to escort your sister to Yongding Apothecary immediately. First, this won’t delay your sister’s condition; second, it won’t delay your trip to the branch altar. If your sister’s condition becomes clear, we’ll have Xiao Bao report to the branch altar immediately. How does that sound?”

Zhang Zhe’s gaze locked steadily on Xiao Bao.

But Xiao Bao, unusually serious, bowed to Zhang Zhe with a salute: “Please rest assured, Zhang Daren. Xiao Bao will certainly take good care of sister.”

He clasped his hands together in a formal gesture.

Zhang Zhe’s gaze dropped slightly. He saw a line of ink-black beneath the nail of Xiao Bao’s left ring finger. His heart warred within him. He already knew there was another scheme behind this, but to protect Jiang Xuening’s safety, he ultimately closed his eyes slowly and tacitly agreed.

He personally carried the unconscious Jiang Xuening onto the carriage.

After she’d lost consciousness, the pain seemed to have lessened considerably, though her brows remained furrowed.

Zhang Zhe lifted the curtain, about to step out.

But after a moment’s hesitation, he still raised his sleeve. Worried that the cold wind outside would chill the sweat and make her catch cold, he slowly wiped the dense sweat from her smooth forehead.

Besides Xiao Bao, the Heavenly Teachings indeed sent two other warriors.

Conveniently, one would drive the horse, one would guard.

Xiao Bao would tend to her inside the carriage.

When Zhang Zhe emerged from the carriage, Xiao Bao stood by the vehicle. With his back to the Heavenly Teachings crowd, he actually grinned at Zhang Zhe, then climbed into the carriage and ducked his head inside.

The whip cracked in the gradually brightening night.

The carriage wheels rumbled.

Before long, it disappeared at the end of the cold street.

Sizzle.

In the darkness came a sound like tearing silk, and then as if something blazingly hot had splattered against the wall.

Immediately followed by two “thud” sounds of bodies hitting the ground.

Jiang Xuening heard it in her confused, muddled state.

Then she felt a strange fragrance drifting toward her. As she breathed, it seeped into her spleen and lungs, like a refreshing rain pouring down and washing away all the dust and mist from the mountains. The heavy, drowsy feeling that had imprisoned her suddenly scattered.

Someone else stuffed a pill into her mouth.

Before she could taste what it was, it dissolved upon entry.

Hazily waking from a dream, she felt as though she’d made a trip to the underworld in her sleep, been thrown into a cauldron of oil by little demons and fried. When she opened her eyes, everything around her was quiet.

She was actually in the carriage.

Only now the carriage wasn’t moving.

Xiao Bao crouched half-kneeling before her, still carrying a fresh scent of blood. Seeing her awake, he put away a small white jade vial in his hand. In the darkness, his bright, spirited eyes seemed to glow as he said: “Miss Jiang Er has awakened.”

Jiang Xuening was shocked with alarm.

Having been unconscious earlier, she didn’t know what had happened in between. Suddenly hearing this familiar form of address, her scalp tingled. Then, recognizing the person before her as Xiao Bao, her pupils contracted sharply, already understanding most of it: “You drugged and harmed me?”

At this moment, Xiao Bao’s face no longer bore the casual naturalness he’d shown before the Heavenly Teachings crowd. Instead, there was a maturity beyond his years as he explained: “An expedient measure, also to rescue you. Last night I had no choice but to put medicine in your food, though it would only last an hour. Fortunately, things worked out despite the danger.”

Jiang Xuening stared at him without speaking.

Xiao Bao produced a small bundle containing several silver ingots: “This is travel money. After dawn, there will be great chaos in Tongzhou. There’s an inn across the street—you should lodge there for a night. Don’t wander about. Within a day at most, someone will come to fetch you.”

From danger to safety, it was all like a dream.

After hearing his explanation, Jiang Xuening actually found herself stunned for quite a while. Recalling the causes and effects of everything, she already understood: Since the court was casting nets to capture the Heavenly Teachings people, they wouldn’t have Zhang Zhe take risks alone—there must be secret plans. But Zhang Zhe had agreed with her beforehand to feign illness, yet this Xiao Bao had intercepted by drugging her—clearly both sides didn’t know the other’s plan. In other words, at the very least, Zhang Zhe definitely didn’t know of Xiao Bao’s existence!

Her heart suddenly turned cold.

Sitting inside the carriage, she didn’t move an inch. Her voice carried several degrees of coldness as she suddenly asked: “Whose man are you?”

Xiao Bao was surprised by her perceptiveness. But aside from knowing that this young lady before him was Master’s student and that he was to rescue her, he knew nothing else. Out of caution, he didn’t clarify, only saying: “In any case, not someone who would harm you.”

Jiang Xuening asked again: “And Zhang Daren?”

Xiao Bao paused briefly, lowering his eyes steadily: “As you know, Yongding Apothecary has arrangements. The court has long had nets spread everywhere. No need to worry.”

Of course.

Yongding Apothecary was the court’s reception point.

Only after the other person spoke did Jiang Xuening realize she’d nearly forgotten. She laughed, and though some lingering doubts remained in her heart, she felt more settled and thanked Xiao Bao: “Thank you for the rescue.”

“You’re too kind.”

By this hour, Feng Mingyu’s side should also be heading to the branch altar.

Xiao Bao knew Master still had plans waiting for him to complete and dared not delay. But he still gave Jiang Xuening one more reminder to wait at the inn for someone to fetch her before lifting the carriage curtain, leaping out. His inconspicuous dark-colored clothing quickly vanished without a trace.

Wait at the inn, and within a day someone will come to fetch her…

Jiang Xuening sat inside the carriage. Lifting the curtain to look across the street, she indeed saw an inn of considerable grandeur standing in the gradually brightening sky.

But why, when she looked at it, did it seem like a grim prison cage?

Turning her gaze back, several silver ingots lay before her.

One hundred taels.

To go to Shu, it was enough.

That thought suddenly burst forth in her heart like a devil’s whisper, impossible to suppress. Jiang Xuening looked down at it, raised her hand to pick up one ingot. In her ears echoed only that sentence from the riverbank that afternoon: If you don’t want to, then don’t return.