Chapter 53

Chapter 53

The tactic of a hero saving a beauty is indeed cliché, but it never fails to work.

Anyway, Madam Shen's impression of Han Zhang changed dramatically in that instant.

She didn't think Han Zhang was putting on an act, because there were too many unpredictable factors in the wolf attack; no one would be foolish enough to truly risk their life like that.

So, Han Zhang really was willing to give up his life for her son!

"These two foolish children…"

Madam Shen's eyes immediately filled with tears, and she couldn't help murmuring softly.

Lan Geer could risk everything for Little Han, like a moth to a flame;

Little Han could also sacrifice his life for Lan Geer, sparing no effort.

Such sincere affection, even if the future is unpredictable, is worth it.

Han Zhang caught Madam Shen's expression from the corner of his eye and knew his scheme had succeeded, smiling inwardly.

His mother-in-law, though shrewd, had been a hopeless romantic when she was young. Even though she had sobered up now, she was still the type of person who was naturally emotional and easily moved by true feelings.

So no matter how excellent he was in other aspects, nothing could move Madam Shen more than showing his true heart.

Madam Shen was moved to tears.

And Shen Qinglan immediately shed tears, nearly rushing forward to choke out a cry of "Brother Han."

But Han Zhang stopped him with a glance.

"Don't… it will ruin your reputation."

As he passed by him, Han Zhang forced a comforting smile and whispered a reminder.

"Sob, sob, sob…"

Shen Qinglan cried even harder.

His Brother Han was still thinking of him at this moment—Brother Han truly loves him so much!

In order not to let Han Zhang down, Shen Qinglan had to forcefully restrain his feelings and sobbed loudly, "Thank you, sir, for your selfless rescue!"

Then he continued to join the fight, helping to fight off the remaining wolves.

And Han Zhang was finally able to free his hands, secretly directing two wolves to attack Third Master He!

He hadn't forgotten that Third Master He had just thrown gravel at Qinglan, trying to kill his Qinglan.

Since that was the case, Third Master He could just meet his end.

"Mother, save me—!"

Seeing the fierce wolf pounce, Third Master He retreated in panic, calling for his mother, and without hesitation he pushed Madam He toward the wolf's jaws.

"Ah—!"

Madam He, caught off guard, had her throat savaged by the wolf and died instantly.

Her eyes wide open, she couldn't believe, even in death, that her own son had pushed her to be a shield.

Unfortunately, Third Master He was also unable to escape.

Not to mention that these wolves were controlled by Han Zhang, but given Third Master He's frail scholar's physique, even if he were given ten chances to flee, he couldn't avoid this calamity.

In an instant, Third Master He was also bitten on the neck by a wolf, his eyes wide, breathing his last.

"Madam…"

"Young master…"

The cries of the He family servants rose up one after another.

After the mother and son were dead, Han Zhang commanded the remaining wolves to feign defeat and scatter back into the forest.

Then Han Zhang also pretended to collapse from exhaustion and blood loss, feigning a faint.

"Mother, the city is still too far away. Let's quickly return to Jinguang Temple and ask the temple doctor to treat this benefactor… his injuries are too severe…"

Shen Qinglan was the first to rush to Han Zhang's side, frantically bandaging his wounds that kept bleeding and crying for help to his mother.

The bloody scene made Madam Shen's heart ached with worry and urgency.

She immediately called out to the nearby servants, "What are you still standing there for? Quickly, two of you strong men, come and carry the benefactor back to the temple for treatment!"

"Also send someone back to the city to report the news, and the rest of you, escort the young master and young lady back to the temple. We'll stay at the temple tonight."

"Also send a He family servant to their residence to report the deaths; the rest of you, gather the bodies of the madam and the young master and carry them back to the temple for preparation. The smell of blood is strong here. If we delay, we may attract more beasts!"

Madam Shen issued her orders clearly and methodically.

Everyone, as if suddenly finding their backbone, quickly acted on her orders.

Especially upon hearing the words "attract more beasts," those who had been paralyzed with fear suddenly sprang into action and rushed desperately toward the temple.

They didn't want to end up like the He mother and son, torn to pieces by beasts!

After a flurry of activity and confusion,

Everyone finally returned to the temple.

After cleaning Han Zhang's wounds, the temple doctor let out a long sigh and spoke gravely:

"The wolf bit into a major blood vessel. This benefactor has severe external injuries and has also lost a great deal of blood. The situation is critical. After applying medicine, we can only use ginseng decoction to sustain his vital energy. Tonight we must watch closely for signs of a high fever."

"If he makes it through tonight, there is still a glimmer of hope. If not… then prepare for the worst."

Prepare for what? Naturally, for his funeral.

Such injuries would be nothing in modern times with antibiotics, but in this ancient era, where even a common cold could be fatal, whether he would survive came down to fate.

To sell the act completely, the weight of the life-saving grace had to match the severity of the injury. The worse the injury, the greater the debt of gratitude.

Counting on his special ability to keep himself alive, Han Zhang deliberately injured himself severely today.

But no one else knew he would survive, so Shen Qinglan thought he might truly die. He immediately burst into tears and turned to Madam Shen:

"Mother… please find a way to save Han… this benefactor! He saved my life. If he dies, I will be haunted by guilt for the rest of my life…"

If Brother Han dies, he won't go on living either.

Brother Han is so devoted to him, he can't let him down.

Madam Shen knows her son's nature well. Hearing his words, her heart tightens, and she quickly soothes him:

"Silly child, this benefactor not only saved you but also saved the entire household from death. How could I forget such a great kindness? Don't panic. I've already sent someone back to town to summon a better doctor. This benefactor is blessed with deep fortune and will surely turn misfortune into good fortune."

With that, she turns to the temple physician and says solemnly:

"Venerable Master, I beg you to do everything possible to treat this young man. If any precious herbs are needed, feel free to use them. We are the family of Shen, an official in the Ministry of Rites. Afterwards, we will surely donate for the temple's upkeep to repay your kindness."

"Amitabha. Saving one life is better than building a seven-tiered pagoda. This old monk will naturally do his utmost."

The temple physician replies with folded hands.

Shen Qinglan insists on staying: "Mother, go and settle the others. I will stay here to take care of the benefactor."

"...Very well. Qiao Dong, Qiao Xi, Qiao Nan, Qiao Bei, take good care of the young master."

Madam Shen has no choice but to let him stay, then turns to handle the other arrangements.

Especially concerning the He family—both the master and his wife died; the servants are at a loss. She has to handle many funeral arrangements herself.

After a flurry of activity, it wasn't until late at night that Madam Shen can return to her room to rest.

The next day.

Madam Shen instructs the servants to escort the rest of the family back to the residence first, leaving all household matters to her second sister-in-law, Li Huilan. She herself stays at the temple with Shen Qinglan to keep vigil.

Because Han Zhang's injuries are too severe, he should not be moved; they have to stay temporarily at Golden Light Temple to recover.

For the next two days, Han Zhang remains unconscious, his condition fluctuating, several times he hung by a thread, barely alive. This nearly breaks Shen Qinglan's heart, and his feelings for Han Zhang become clearly stronger.

If his earlier vow to live and die together was still partly a youthful whim,

now Shen Qinglan has truly made up his mind to follow Han Zhang to the afterlife... because he has already prepared a dagger, hidden away from others.

He only waits for Han Zhang to breathe his last, then immediately takes his own life to follow him!

"Brother Han, you must wake up... If you do not wake up, I will go with you. Do you hear me?"

Shen Qinglan bends over the bedside, his voice choked with tears.

Although Han Zhang is "unconscious," he is actually alert. Hearing the weeping at his ear, his heart also melts at the other's tears.

He knows how much this young man treasures his own life, and he knows that the other loves him deeply, but he never expected that the other would actually be willing to die for him.

If Han Zhang dies for Shen Qinglan, it's because he knows he himself won't really die;

but if Qinglan dies for him, that would be real death...

In two lifetimes, past and present, there have been people willing to die for him, but all of them had some interest to gain from him. Only Shen Qinglan does it simply because he likes him.

Such pure and intense feelings are far too precious and special to Han Zhang, an orphan.

Even if in the future others offer their true hearts, they probably can't surpass Shen Qinglan's place in his heart.

This little drama queen is so silly—how would he get by without him...

Hearing the calls at his ear, Han Zhang feels his chest swell with something warm and satisfying.

And Madam Shen, seeing her son growing thinner day by day, can't help feeling regret. In private she sighs to her trusted maid:

"If I had known this would happen, why did I go to all that extra trouble? Even if that Han boy had ulterior motives, what does it matter? As long as Lan'er is happy, we'll deal with later problems when they come..."

"If he really cannot wake up and Lan'er follows him in death, how can I go on living..."

As she speaks, she begins to wipe her tears.

The trusted maid comforts her: "Madam, this was an accident. Who could have foreseen it? Your kind intentions are evident to heaven and earth. Master Han is blessed; he'll surely recover."

"How can I not blame myself?! If we had not come to Golden Light Temple, this accident would certainly not have happened..."

Madam Shen is still guilty and self-reproachful: "Now that I think about it, I was probably too suspicious to begin with. With Han lad's appearance and character, if he really wanted to gain influence, he could even marry a princess or duchess.

"Our Shen family is only of the fifth rank, and Lan'er has such a bad reputation. If he did not truly care for Lan'er, why would he go through all this trouble? Now he's even risking his life for Lan'er..."

"He truly treasures Lan'er from the bottom of his heart..."

Hearing this, the trusted maid cannot help but sigh inwardly—their young master really has found someone genuine.

After the mistress and maid have been moved by this,

Madam Shen suddenly remembers something and says worriedly: "Tomorrow is the academy's rest day. Han lad usually comes home on this day. This matter can no longer be hidden..."

"Go personally to Upper Slope Village and inform Han's family of this matter. Ask Master and Madam Han to come over. Remember to bring medicines and a doctor, and be careful not to frighten the elders."