Chapter 54

Chapter 54: Hua Jinzhi's Privileges (5).

The hidden guard, realizing she was addressing him and surprised that she had detected his presence, lightly tapped the wall, a faint sound as his acknowledgment.

After leaving Doctor Wang's place, an hour had passed. Leng Jiu left a silver note for Doctor Wang, instructing him to send regular updates to Mo Di, and then she departed, planning to return in a few days.

It was still early in the day when Leng Jiu, using a jade piece as collateral, rented a horse and rode out of the city. Aside from a previous hunting trip at the royal lodge, this was her first time venturing beyond the capital.

Outside the capital, the landscape opened into a vast expanse. A few hills later, the scattered villages around the city came into view, their simplicity and modesty a stark contrast to the city's bustle.

Leng Jiu didn't enter the village but stopped on a small hill nearby. Behind her was a forest, and in front, the village lay spread out. From this vantage point, she could see almost the entire village.

After tying her horse to a tree to graze, Leng Jiu found a spot to sit and looked up at the sky. The weather was pleasant, with the sun shining brightly but not scorchingly, and a gentle autumn breeze carried a slight chill. Perfect for flying kites, she noted as she spotted several in the sky, beautifully crafted in the shapes of butterflies and swallows. Following their direction, she saw a group of colorfully dressed young ladies and gentlemen from affluent families chasing after the kites, getting closer to her position.

Not wanting to encounter these people, Leng Jiu quickly mounted her horse and headed towards the forest. But shortly after entering, she sensed something amiss – the air was thick with the scent of blood and imminent danger.

She turned to leave, but the assailants seemed determined to not let her go. Two arrows whistled through the air towards her, forcing Leng Jiu to leap from her horse and roll on the ground to dodge the deadly projectiles.

Leng Jiu hid beneath a tree, concealing her presence and waiting silently. Soon, she sensed someone approaching cautiously, step by step.

Remaining still and holding her breath, Leng Jiu waited for the right moment. As the person drew closer, she sprang out, swiftly disarming and overpowering him with a series of precise moves – grabbing his arm, kicking his leg, and throwing him over her shoulder, before seizing his weapon and holding it to his neck.

"Miss?" The man's incredulous voice halted Leng Jiu's actions. She looked at him, keeping the sword in place, ready to strike if he showed any signs of hostility.

The man on the ground was young and handsome, in his twenties, with a face showing exhaustion and smeared with blood – clearly not his own.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Changqing, the personal attendant of the Grand General. Don't you remember me, Miss?"

"Leng Yue?"

"Exactly! The General is injured. I thought the enemy had returned, so I acted. But I nearly harmed you by mistake, please forgive me, Miss!"

Leng Jiu, believing his sincerity, slightly lowered her sword. "Get up! Take me to him!"

Changqing, feeling unjustly mistrusted by Leng Jiu, was deeply aggrieved. But there was no time for that now; he hurriedly led Leng Jiu into the forest, pulling the injured Leng Yue out of a grassy hole. Leng Yue had been stabbed in the hand, hit by a poisoned dart in the shoulder, and was now unconscious, his face unnaturally pale.

"Let's take him back first!"

Changqing interjected, "Those were the Emperor's secret guards. They're probably in the capital waiting for the general. If they find out he's injured, they'll surely strike again!"

Leng Jiu frowned, "Is Long Yi planning to kill him?"

Assuming Leng Jiu still harbored feelings for Long Yi, Changqing's tone became heavier, "Miss, don't think the Emperor is a good man. He's been relentlessly pursuing the general for three years. The general has narrowly escaped death several times. Although I don't understand why he's so intent on taking the general's life, he's definitely not virtuous!"

"I know!" Leng Jiu extended her hand to help Leng Yue, "First, let's find a place in the village below. His wounds are severe, and he's been poisoned. We can't delay!"

"The general's wounds are critical, and we need a skilled physician. I can't return to the city, so I hope you can make the trip, Miss."

Leng Jiu nodded, "Take him to the village ahead. I'll go find a doctor right now."

Mounting her horse, Leng Jiu galloped towards the city and soon reached the medical clinic. She burst in to find Doctor Wang, "Doctor! I need your help to save someone!"

Doctor Wang, seeing Leng Jiu's seriousness, responded promptly, "Who are you saving, Miss?"

"You'll know when you get there. He's been stabbed and poisoned. Hurry!"

Doctor Wang quickly gathered medicines and tools into his medicine box. Without considering the appropriateness, Leng Jiu pulled him onto the horse and sped off.

Changqing left markers along the way, which Leng Jiu destroyed as she followed. Soon, she found them in an abandoned mud house, a perfect hiding spot.

Doctor Wang, understanding the gravity upon seeing the blood trail and the distance they traveled, immediately attended to Leng Yue. The poison on the dart wasn't too severe, and he had just the right antidote. His timely intervention saved Leng Yue's life.

"Doctor, I just took you out, and people with ill intentions must have seen us. It might be dangerous for you to return now. I'm sorry, but you'll have to stay here tonight," Leng Jiu apologetically said.

Doctor Wang was not upset, "Miss, your urgency to save someone is understandable. Besides, it's my practice to stay overnight for such injuries, so there's no need for apologies."

Leng Jiu instructed Changqing to watch over them and went to the village herself. Dressed simply, she didn't attract attention. She bought some food and a medicinal jar to bring back.

Handing the food to Changqing, "You must be hungry after so long. Eat and regain your strength!"

Gratefully accepting, Changqing thanked her, "Thank you, Miss!"

Handing another package to Doctor Wang, Leng Jiu prepared to boil water, but Doctor Wang quickly stopped her, "Let me do it!"

Seeing his insistence, Leng Jiu didn't argue and simply sat next to Leng Yue, feigning sleep. She seemed unguarded, but nobody knew she was at her most alert at this moment.

After Doctor Wang administered medicine to Leng Yue, he assured Changqing, "This young master has a strong constitution. He should be fine after taking the medicine!"

Gratefully, Changqing knelt down to Doctor Wang, "Thank you, Doctor!"

Doctor Wang quickly helped him up, "I'm just a physician, I don't deserve such a grand gesture from a nobleman!"

Changqing solemnly responded, "To me, a doctor is like a second parent. You fully deserve this respect! If you ever need anything, just command me, and I'll make it happen."