Chapter 127: Opportunity

Jiang Xuening’s vision was blurry.

She looked seriously ill.

Her small face was pale, and cold sweat covered her forehead due to the sudden pain. Her limbs and bones ached as if struggling, and she clung to the table edge, barely able to stand.

Xiao Bao immediately moved to support her.

But someone else was faster, a pair of hands usually steady with pen and paper, now catching her as she was about to fall.

Jiang Xuening struggled to lift her eyes but couldn’t see clearly.

She only felt the hands holding her, trembling slightly, which was unusual.

“Oh dear, what’s happening? Quickly, put her on the bed.”

Since receiving that letter outside the city, Feng Mingyu had been trying to get information from Zhang Zhe, who might be a “spy.” So, they were still discussing late into the night when Jiang Xuening’s incident happened. They rushed over immediately, surprised by the scene.

“She was fine during dinner…”

Zhang Zhe placed Jiang Xuening on the bed. Despite his gentle movements, she still felt intense abdominal pain, spreading to her spleen and lungs.

She didn’t want Zhang Zhe to worry, so she gritted her teeth and endured it.

Her pale face even showed a hint of blue.

Zhang Zhe had told her to pretend to be sick at dawn, but this was clearly not an act. Usually calm and composed, he now felt his palms sweating, almost losing his composure.

Standing by the bed, he was momentarily at a loss.

Seeing Zhang Zhe’s concern, Feng Mingyu quickly approached, “It looks like a sudden illness or severe poisoning. I know some basic medical skills. Please let me check her pulse.”

The pain was intense, and her throat felt like it was burning.

Jiang Xuening was terrified.

She weakly reached out to grab Zhang Zhe’s sleeve.

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

The commotion in the middle of the night alerted many people.

Xiao Dingfei, always eager for excitement, naturally came to the door. Seeing Jiang Xuening’s pale face from a distance, his eyelid twitched.

Seeing Xiao Bao nearby, he felt a chill.

Feng Mingyu took Jiang Xuening’s pulse.

Everyone’s eyes were on his face.

But after a while, he looked puzzled, glancing at Zhang Zhe with some hesitation.

Zhang Zhe asked, “Master Feng, how is my sister?”

Feng Mingyu hesitated.

Zhang Zhe’s expression turned colder, showing a rare sternness, “Is there something you can’t say?”

“No, no, it’s not that.” Feng Mingyu indeed had concerns but felt confident he hadn’t ordered anyone to harm Jiang Xuening. He explained, “Her illness came on suddenly and looks severe. I’ve never heard of such an acute illness without warning. It seems like poisoning…”

Xiao Bao shouted, “Poisoning?!”

Zhang Zhe’s gaze immediately focused on Feng Mingyu.

Feng Mingyu smiled bitterly, “I know you might suspect the Tianjiao Sect, so I hesitated. But we have no reason to harm her. My medical skills are basic, I can handle minor illnesses, but not severe poisoning. The priority is to treat her; her life is at risk.”

Huang Qian frowned, “But it’s not even dawn yet. Where can we find a doctor?”

Xiao Bao had an idea, “There’s Dr. Zhang at Yongding Pharmacy. He lives there. But sister is so sick, calling for him might delay her treatment. Let’s take her there instead!”

The mention of “Yongding Pharmacy” made Zhang Zhe’s heart skip a beat.

He turned sharply to look at Xiao Bao.

This child, whom they had met after joining the Tianjiao Sect, had a round face, a high ponytail tied with a red ribbon, and wore shabby clothes. His eyes, seemingly innocent, were filled with worry, and he appeared genuinely concerned for Jiang Xuening.

But there was no time to think. He was worried about Jiang Xuening’s life and knew Yongding Pharmacy was a court-established communication point. Going there was the best option.

He immediately bent down to pick her up and asked someone to lead the way.

Unexpectedly, Feng Mingyu’s expression changed. He exchanged a glance with Huang Qian, stood up, and blocked Zhang Zhe, “Master Zhang, it’s almost dawn. You were sent by the Master of Duojun Mountain, and we’ve informed the sect that we’ll take you to the branch at dawn. If you take your sister to see a doctor, we…”

Right.

The Tianjiao Sect suspected him. How could they let him take Jiang Xuening to see a doctor?

Zhang Zhe’s heart sank.

While they were talking, Jiang Xuening had lost her strength. The pain had slightly subsided, but a deep fatigue overwhelmed her, and her hand slipped from Zhang Zhe’s sleeve.

Zhang Zhe’s expression changed.

He didn’t want to back down, but the Tianjiao Sect members, led by Huang Qian, had their hands on their swords, ready for a confrontation.

At this moment, Xiao Bao, standing in the room, looked around and, biting his lip, timidly raised his hand, “How about I take sister to see the doctor?”

Zhang Zhe’s gaze turned icy as he looked at him.

Huang Qian scolded, “What nonsense!”

Feng Mingyu, however, thought for a moment and said nothing.

Xiao Bao said confidently, “I know every place in Tongzhou. I attended a few days of private school and can read the characters ‘Yongding Pharmacy.’ Master Zhang and the Left Minister can send two people with me.”

Huang Qian wanted to scold the boy.

Feng Mingyu raised his hand to stop him and said to Zhang Zhe, “Master Zhang, you know you’re the Master of Duojun Mountain’s man. If someone poisoned your sister, they must have a motive. We can’t let you make any mistakes. Xiao Bao is young but clever and familiar with Tongzhou. We’ll send two people with him to take your sister to Yongding Pharmacy immediately. This way, her treatment won’t be delayed, and you can still go to the branch. If there’s any news about her condition, Xiao Bao can report to the branch. Is that acceptable?”

Zhang Zhe’s gaze remained fixed on Xiao Bao.

Xiao Bao, unusually serious, bowed to Zhang Zhe, “Please rest assured, Master Zhang. I’ll take good care of sister.”

He clasped his hands in a respectful gesture.

Zhang Zhe glanced at the black ink stain on Xiao Bao’s fingernail, knowing there was more to this plan. But to ensure Jiang Xuening’s safety, he closed his eyes and agreed.

He personally carried the unconscious Jiang Xuening to the carriage.

After she fainted, the pain seemed to lessen, but her brow remained furrowed.

Zhang Zhe lifted the curtain to leave.

After hesitating for a moment, he raised his sleeve to wipe the sweat from her smooth forehead, fearing the cold wind would make her worse.

The Tianjiao Sect sent two more men along with Xiao Bao.

One drove the carriage, and the other provided security.

Xiao Bao stayed inside the carriage to take care of Jiang Xuening.

When Zhang Zhe came out of the carriage, Xiao Bao, standing by the side, smiled at him before getting back inside.

The whip cracked in the pre-dawn light.

The carriage wheels rolled.

Soon, they disappeared down the cold street.

---

In the darkness, there was a sound like tearing fabric, followed by something splattering against the wall.

Then came two thuds of bodies hitting the ground.

Jiang Xuening, in a daze, heard it.

Then she smelled a strange fragrance, which seemed to clear her mind like a refreshing rain washing away the dust in the mountains. The drowsiness that had enveloped her dissipated.

Someone put a pill in her mouth.

It dissolved instantly, leaving no taste.

Waking from a dream, she felt as if she had been to the underworld and back, fried in oil by little demons. When she opened her eyes, everything was quiet.

She was in the carriage.

But it wasn’t moving.

Xiao Bao was crouching in front of her, smelling of fresh blood. Seeing her awake, he put away a small white jade bottle, his bright eyes shining in the dark, and said, “Miss Jiang is awake.”

Jiang Xuening was startled.

She had been unconscious and didn’t know what had happened. Hearing the familiar address, her scalp tingled. Recognizing Xiao Bao, her pupils contracted, and she understood most of it: “You poisoned me?”

Xiao Bao’s face had lost the casual look he had when dealing with the Tianjiao Sect, replaced by a maturity beyond his years. He explained, “It was a necessary measure to save you. Last night, I had to put medicine in your food, which only lasted an hour. Fortunately, everything went smoothly.”

Jiang Xuening stared at him without speaking.

Xiao Bao took out a small bundle containing a few silver ingots, “This is travel money. There will be chaos in Tongzhou after dawn. There’s an inn across the street. Stay there for the night. Don’t wander around. Someone will come for you within a day.”

From danger to safety, it felt like a dream.

Jiang Xuening was stunned for a moment, understanding the situation. The court had planned to capture the Tianjiao Sect, not letting Zhang Zhe take all the risks. There were other plans in place. Zhang Zhe had arranged for her to pretend to be sick, but Xiao Bao had drugged her, indicating they didn’t know each other’s plans. Zhang Zhe didn’t know about Xiao Bao!

A chill ran through her.

Sitting in the carriage, she didn’t move, her voice cold, “Whose side are you on?”

Xiao Bao was surprised by her sharpness. He only knew she was the master’s student and he had to save her. Cautiously, he didn’t reveal much, “I’m not here to harm you.”

Jiang Xuening asked, “What about Master Zhang?”

Xiao Bao paused, then calmly said, “Yongding Pharmacy is prepared. The court has a plan. Don’t worry.”

Right.

Yongding Pharmacy was the court’s contact point.

Hearing this, Jiang Xuening almost laughed, feeling more at ease despite lingering doubts. She thanked Xiao Bao, “Thank you for saving me.”

“You’re welcome.”

By now, Feng Mingyu should be heading to the branch.

Xiao Bao knew he had more tasks to complete and couldn’t delay. He reminded Jiang Xuening to wait at the inn, then lifted the curtain and disappeared into the dark in his inconspicuous clothes.

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

Jiang Xuening, still in the carriage, looked across the street and saw a grand inn standing in the gradually brightening sky.

But why did it look like a prison to her?

She turned her gaze back to the silver ingots in front of her.

A hundred taels.

Enough to go to Shu.

The thought emerged like a devil’s whisper, impossible to suppress. Jiang Xuening looked down, picked up an ingot, and remembered Zhang Zhe’s words by the river: If you don’t want to, don’t come back.

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