San Niangzi, with a heart to help others succeed, readily said, "I have plenty of Gynecological Masters here; choose any you like. Saving lives is urgent—if one doesn’t work, just switch to another." San Niangzi also suspected the female proprietor might be pregnant.
Ding Wu expressed his gratitude and went to the place where the physicians were held under soft confinement, specifically requesting He Daifu from Datong, Shanxi.
When the siblings reunited, they both suppressed their excitement, feigning indifference. It wasn’t until Wei Caiwei boarded Ding Wu’s carriage that they dropped their disguises. Ding Wu held Wei Caiwei’s hand, scrutinizing her from head to toe. "Are you hurt? Were you scared?"
Wei Caiwei shook her head. "No, I’m fine. I’ve caused trouble for you all this time. I never thought it would be unsafe even inside the pass."
Ding Wu replied, "Don’t say such things. I know you came to the northwest for my sake." Of course, there was also Wang Daxia.
He then explained the escape plan to her. "Everything is arranged. Once you reach the Rouge Cosmetics Shop, pretend to treat Wang Daxia. Then, use the excuse of personally selecting medicinal herbs to go to the pharmacy. Knock out the shopkeeper who accompanies you to fetch the herbs and steal her purse. In reality, you’ll take the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s carriage back to Datong."
Wei Caiwei asked, "But if a physician from the Khanate Court escapes because of you, will San Niangzi hold you accountable?"
Ding Wu said, "The Khanate Court has over a dozen Gynecological Masters; losing one won’t make a difference. Besides, San Niangzi has a gentle temperament and isn’t the type to resort to violence easily. She won’t blame me for this."
Ding Wu unfolded a hand-drawn map of Fengcheng. "...At that time, neither Wang Daxia nor I can be by your side. Only you and the shopkeeper will be there. Remember the route: knock her out in this alley. She’s one of us, pretending to be drugged by you. Take the purse and exit the alley, heading south to the main street. It’s crowded there, with plenty of witnesses who will see you leaving alone."
"Head north to the livestock market, buy a horse, and ride straight out of Fengcheng along East Chang Street. About a mile outside Fengcheng, there’s a hilly area where a carriage will be waiting to pick you up. Lu Ying will be in the carriage and will escort you back to Datong."
Wei Caiwei nodded. "I’ve memorized it. After returning this time, I’ll only treat military families and refugees who have fled the White Lotus Sect to reclaim wasteland. I’ll refuse any patients whose backgrounds I’m unsure of."
When they arrived at the Rouge Cosmetics Shop, the couple reunited. Wang Daxia, miraculously cured without treatment, leaped out of bed, barefoot, and tightly embraced Wei Caiwei.
He couldn’t bear the thought of losing another loved one. Ding Wu tactfully exited the room, thoughtfully closing the door behind him. After a moment’s consideration, he reminded the reunited couple, "You only have a quarter of an hour."
Time was tight—they couldn’t repeat the last time when he and Lu Ying were stuck upstairs drinking tea and eating walnuts until they were stuffed, while the two of them still hadn’t "finished."
Hurry up!
After two months apart, Wang Daxia made every second count. Wei Caiwei had no time to cover her eyes, accepting Wang Daxia, who was dressed in women’s clothing, as he firmly pinned her waist against the edge of the table.
Half of her body hung in the air, supported entirely by Wang Daxia, as if she might fall at any moment. Behind her was an abyss, and she could only cling tightly to the lone pine tree at the cliff’s edge.
This pine tree swayed violently in the strong wind, its roots seemingly on the verge of tearing from the rocky crevice and plunging into the abyss. She was terrified, yet utterly captivated by this loss of control.Bang bang! Outside, Ding Wu mustered his courage and knocked on the door. "Alright, time's up. Come out quickly, we need to go."
Through the door, Ding Wu heard the scraping sound of table legs dragging across the floor, like moving furniture—incessant noise. Last time it was awkward, this time it was shameful. Ding Wu simply stuffed two cotton balls in his ears, his eyes fixed on the Western pocket watch as if pouring his soul into it, trying hard not to think of anything else.
The only consolation now was that Lu Ying wasn’t here—she was waiting outside the city, a mile away, for Wei Caiwei to rendezvous. Let me bear this shame alone.
Wang Xiaoxia was no longer the inexperienced youth he once was and could now control himself with relative ease. The commotion before the knock had sounded like a house renovation, but it quickly quieted down afterward. When Wei Caiwei emerged, a strong scent of Western perfume wafted from the room, meant to mask the smell of hawthorn flowers.
Seeing Wei Caiwei come out, Ding Wu finally removed the cotton balls from his ears.
Wei Caiwei, feeling guilty, avoided meeting her sworn brother’s eyes. Ding Wu did the same, silently escorting her downstairs and saying only, "Take care."
Wang Daxia leaned against the window, peering through a crack as Wei Caiwei and the shopkeeper’s figures disappeared down the street. This farewell—who knows when we’ll meet again? After this turmoil, Wei Caiwei will probably visit even less.
I hate long-distance relationships!
Let’s just wipe out the White Lotus Sect. Once this is done, I’m quitting.
The plan proceeded smoothly. Wei Caiwei remained calm and composed, meticulously following the escape route as she rode out of the city.
At dusk, in the Rouge and Powder Shop.
Wang Daxia stared at the map while checking his pocket watch. It was as if a tiny ant-like figure were darting through the streets and alleys on the map, his mind imagining where Wei Caiwei might be at that moment.
Ding Wu, glancing at the sky, remarked, "By now, she and Lu Ying should have met."
Wang Daxia, still haunted by the trauma of his father’s disappearance and tragic death, remained tense and vigilant. "I hope so. But according to the plan, once Lu Ying picks up Caiwei, she’ll send a scout to report. That person hasn’t arrived yet."
Ding Wu checked the time on his pocket watch. "It won’t be that fast—the distance is quite far."
Night fell, and the rouge shop closed for the day, but the messenger still hadn’t come.
Wang Daxia paced anxiously around the room. "Why hasn’t he arrived yet? Fengcheng is about to close its gates for the curfew."
Even the usually unflappable Ding Wu grew restless. "I’ll go out of the city to check. I have a pass."
Ding Wu threw on his fox-fur cloak, pulled up his hood, and mounted his horse. Suddenly, several men appeared, blocking his path—they were San Niangzi’s guards. "Physician Ding," one said, "Zhongjin Khatun summons you."
Ding Wu, anxious to find Wei Caiwei, replied, "It’s late now. The Khatun should rest early. If it’s not urgent, I’ll come to the Khanate Court first thing tomorrow morning."
The guard insisted, "Zhongjin Khatun demands your presence now, immediately, at once."
From his saddle, Ding Wu looked up and saw a graceful figure in the second-floor window of the Rouge and Powder Shop. He knew Wang Daxia was watching the street and had seen him being summoned by Zhongjin Khatun.
With no choice, Ding Wu followed the guards to the Khanate Court, planning to return as soon as he resolved San Niangzi’s matter.
At the Khanate Court.
Ding Wu heard music drifting from inside—the melody of "The Gyrfalcon Captures the Swan," depicting how the hunting falcon, the Gyrfalcon, pierces through clouds and mist, searches for its prey, the swan, by the lake, and after a struggle, seizes it, returning triumphant.Ding Wu dared not disturb San Niangzi's refined mood. He waited until the zither music ceased and heard San Niangzi summon him before entering to see her.
San Niangzi had hosted a grand banquet tonight. There were female musicians from twelve tribes, along with dancers who had performed earlier—one portraying a Gyrfalcon, another dancing as a swan.
The banquet was held solely to entertain one person. When Ding Wu saw Wei Caiwei, who should have escaped, seated among the guests, he was utterly shocked!
San Niangzi generously rewarded the musicians and dancers and ordered them all to withdraw. Only she, Ding Wu, and Wei Caiwei remained in the banquet hall.
"Sit," San Niangzi said, pointing to the seat opposite Wei Caiwei.
A storm raged in Ding Wu's mind. Like a small boat struggling to steer through fierce winds and towering waves, he desperately sought a way to respond.
What happened? Why hadn't Banxia managed to escape? Did San Niangzi distrust the physician leaving the palace and have her secretly watched all along? How much did San Niangzi know now? Had she seen through his identity as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?
Ding Wu's guess was accurate. Wei Caiwei had been kidnapped by Anda Khan's men and brought to the Khanate Court as the Great Khan's "honored guest." San Niangzi, unwilling to see anything happen to Anda Khan's guest under her watch—which would tarnish her image as a virtuous wife—had dispatched her personal guards to monitor from a distance after Ding Wu borrowed the physician, just in case.
And indeed, something went wrong.
The guards intercepted Wei Caiwei at Fengcheng Gate as she attempted to escape and brought her to the Khanate Court to claim credit. When San Niangzi saw "He Daifu's" face, she was stunned: Wasn't this Doctor Wei, Wang Daxia's former neighbor and now his newlywed wife?
At the banquet, San Niangzi asked knowingly, "Do you two know each other?"
Ding Wu replied, "She is Banxia, my sworn sister. In Datong, Shanxi, she goes by the name He Daifu."
San Niangzi asked, "Why is she in Datong?Observing Wei Caiwei's expression and relying on their years of sibling understanding, Ding Wu answered, "Because she never gave up on me." She always fantasized about persuading me to abandon the darkness for the light. With the new Ming emperor's ascension, he has been lenient toward former officials. Many who were suppressed in the previous reign have been rehabilitated. If I return and show repentance, I could clear the Ding family's name and restore our honor."
Wei Caiwei gave a confirming look—it seemed she had given the same answer to San Niangzi. This hurdle was cleared.
San Niangzi pressed further, "For her to abandon her new husband and travel thousands of li to the northwest to find you—I doubt it's that simple."
San Niangzi even knew that Banxia had married Wang Daxia! Ding Wu glanced at Wei Caiwei. "Yes, it's not that simple. She wanted to persuade me, using my position as a judge in the Privy Council, to send intelligence to the Ming court to offset my crime of treason and atone through merit. I refused her, but she never gave up, always pestering me. I couldn't bear the harassment."
"However, she is, after all, my sworn sister. We shared hardships since childhood, relying on each other in the bitter cold of Tieling. I can't ignore her life or death. When I heard she was kidnapped to the Khanate Court as a physician, and knowing that the Hatun had met her in the capital, I feared the Hatun would recognize her. So, I used the excuse that the female owner of the Rouge and Powder Shop was ill to borrow her from the palace and let her go."
"I deceived the Hatun. I am guilty, and I accept punishment. But I have never betrayed the Khanate Court or the Hatun. My loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon."
My sole focus has been on crushing the White Lotus Sect.
San Niangzi pointed at Wei Caiwei. "In your opinion, how should I punish your sworn sister?"Ding Wu knelt and pleaded, "All this trouble arose because of your humble servant. I am willing to accept punishment in my foolish younger sister's stead, bearing the penalties for both of us."
However, San Niangzi declared, "A woman follows her husband after marriage. Since she has married Wang Daxia, she is now a member of the Wang family. When it comes to assuming responsibility, you as her sworn brother must step back. Her husband should be held accountable for her words and actions. Summon Wang Daxia here—he must personally come to claim his wife."
Author's Note: A male protagonist with the configuration of a Jinjiang Mary Sue female lead and a Qidian Jack Sue universally adored character thanks the little angels who voted for me or irrigated with nutrient solutions between 2020-10-18 16:44:18 and 2020-10-19 02:32:51~
Thanks to the little angel who threw landmines: akuita 1;
Thanks to the little angels who irrigated with nutrient solutions: 46663525 30 bottles; Manman Zixi 20 bottles; Xiaoshiguang, Arctic North, Elder Single Woman 10 bottles; EVA 6 bottles; Glutinous Rice Ball, I Choose Doge 5 bottles; suzuran, Mo 2 bottles; Naming-Incapable Star Person, Tranquil Elegant Orchid 1 bottle;
Thank you all for your support—I will continue to work hard!
OpenNovel