Ding Wu was Wei Caiwei's childhood sweetheart; the two grew up together in the Tieling exile settlement.
In Wang Daxia's eyes, this pair of childhood sweethearts was extraordinary! Having endured hardships together, supporting each other through thick and thin, their bond ran deep—this was evident from how meticulously Wei Caiwei had worked to detoxify the fire lily pollen poison for Ding Rukui just days before.
After two days of taking the medicine, Ding Rukui's throat had returned to normal. Wei Caiwei still found various excuses to prescribe tonics for him, checking his pulse and observing his tongue, all while helping him recuperate. She even shared stories with Ding Rukui about her life with Ding Wu in Tieling.
However, having been betrayed by Lu Bing ten years ago, thrown into prison, and separated from his wife and children, Ding Rukui had lost all trust in the concept of trust itself. He still refused to believe Wei Caiwei.
Ding Rukui remained silent and aloof, yet Wei Caiwei continued to treat him warmly, regarding him as a family elder. Wang Daxia felt indignant on her behalf and cursed Ding Rukui for being ungrateful.
If Wei Caiwei treated me like that—no, even half as well—I'd wake up laughing every night!
But Wei Caiwei said, "...After ten years in a death row cell, witnessing deceit and betrayal, anyone's heart would grow cold. How could he easily trust someone he's never met before? I treat him well because his adoptive parents and Ding Wu were kind to me. Without them, I would have died long ago. That's just how I am—repaying kindness with kindness, and... grudges with grudges."
Wang Daxia promptly shut his mouth. To say more would risk an argument. He desperately wanted to ask how Ding Wu had treated her so well, but he didn't dare.
It was like his intense fear of ghosts. Sometimes, when there were noises in his bedroom wardrobe, he'd rather bury his head under the blankets than open the wardrobe to check and reassure himself enough to sleep.
His instinct was to avoid it: as long as I don't open the wardrobe, whether there's a ghost or not, there isn't one.
So Ding Wu's existence was like the "ghost" in the wardrobe. Wang Daxia never mentioned him, acting as if he didn't exist. Life went on as usual.
But now, the "ghost" Ding Wu had opened the wardrobe door and stepped out on his own!
And he clearly appeared to be a formidable "fierce ghost." He wore a blue round-collar robe so faded it was nearly white, yet it didn't look shabby on him—instead, it carried an air of elegance. His features vaguely resembled Ding Rukui's, but he was more handsome than his father.
Wasn't Tieling supposed to be a bitterly cold place lacking food and clothing? Judging by his tall, robust build and ethereal, almost transcendent demeanor, it seemed less like exile and more like a scenic tour.
Wang Daxia, carrying his oar, headed back, secretly following Ding Wu and scrutinizing his rival. To know yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in a hundred battles, after all.
Ding Wu was a full head taller than him. Wang Daxia consoled himself: He's already twenty-two, and I'm only fourteen. I can still grow taller; I'll definitely surpass him in the future.
I'm richer than him—his clothes are truly shabby.
I'm a low-ranking member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard; he's an exile who, after identifying Wei Caiwei, has to return to Tieling. He can't stay in the capital for long.
As for looks... Wang Daxia firmly believed that he and Ding Wu each had their own merits in appearance, making it a draw.
Wang Daxia covertly observed his rival all the way, scoring himself and Ding Wu in his mind. Of course, it was purely his subjective assessment, with little reference value. The more he scored himself, the more inflated he became, like a frog puffing up.
Ding Wu arrived at Lu Bing's courtyard. Lu Bing was already mobile again and, following Imperial Physician Song's advice, was practicing Wudang Mountain's Tai Chi, his movements flowing like clouds and water.Ding Wu, who had previously enjoyed the privilege of being a tribute scholar at the Imperial Academy due to his father's influence and was exempt from kneeling before officials, had all his status revoked after being exiled. Now a commoner, he was required to perform the kneeling ceremony before Lu Bing.
Kneeling on the cushion, Ding Wu said, "This commoner, Ding Wu, has come to the capital by order to see the Commander."
Wang Daxia noticed that even while kneeling, Ding Wu maintained an elegant posture, like a green bamboo stalk planted firmly on the cushion.
To gauge his character, Lu Bing deliberately kept him waiting, finishing a set of martial arts exercises before saying, "Rise and speak."
"Thank you, Commander." Ding Wu stood up, stepped aside, lowered his gaze, and clasped his hands, awaiting instructions.
Most exiles had their edges and pride worn away by harsh reality, becoming subservient and obsequious. In the presence of high-ranking officials like Lu Bing, they typically groveled like snails, only knowing how to kowtow and beg for mercy.
This Ding Wu, however, seemed unperturbed by honor or disgrace. It appeared that after ten years in exile, the family retainer Wei Nanshan and his wife had raised him well.
After sizing up Ding Wu, Lu Bing turned his gaze to Wang Daxia. "Weren't you going to practice dragon boat racing by the western riverbank at Zhengyang Gate? Why are you back already?"
The western riverbank referred to the moat at Zhengyang Gate. The Imperial Guard Office was close to Zhengyang Gate, just a short walk through Jiangmi Alley, and Wang Daxia made the trip on foot daily.
Wang Daxia habitually lied, "This subordinate forgot his paddle." He had hidden the wooden paddle in the grass when he entered earlier.
This fellow could handle major matters decently but was unreliable with minor details. Lu Bing said, "Bring Doctor Wei here."
Wei Caiwei was reading "Miscellaneous Records of a Female Doctor" and was overjoyed at the summons. She closed the book and hurried out, quickly outpacing Wang Daxia.
Wang Daxia's expression immediately darkened: now that Ding Wu is here, I'm forgotten.
Wang Daxia caught up with his long strides. Hearing the footsteps, Ding Wu's composed face showed a flicker of joy. He walked to the doorway and waved at Wei Caiwei, "Banxia!"
Wang Daxia flared up, "What are you blindly calling her? Have you no manners? You've cut my name in half—I'm Daxia, not Banxia."
Wei Caiwei ran over, carefully looked Ding Wu up and down, then turned to explain, "Banxia is a medicinal herb, and it's also my childhood name."
The formal name Wei Caiwei was one she had chosen for herself three years ago when Ding Wu helped her establish her Female Household. She had always been called by her childhood name Banxia.
Seeing their intimate reunion, Lu Bing knew Wei Caiwei's claims were genuine.
Witnessing Ding Wu affectionately call her by her childhood name Banxia, Wang Daxia burned with jealousy. Like a petty man, he "whispered slander" to Lu Bing, "Lord Lu, now that Ding Wu has been brought here and has confirmed that Doctor Wei is indeed the adopted daughter of Wei Nanshan and his wife, doesn't that clear Doctor Wei of the suspicion of impersonation?"
Lu Bing nodded.
"In that case," Wang Daxia pointed at Ding Wu, "he has completed his task and should return immediately to his exile in Tieling."
Wang Daxia urged the two soldiers who had brought Ding Wu to the capital, "Thank you for your hard work. The mission is accomplished. Please take him back now."Having finally come to the capital on assignment, without even warming their seats—no, without even sitting down—they were already being sent back?" The two Tieling guards exchanged bewildered looks. They hadn't even had a proper look at the capital yet—how could they boast to their comrades back home?
Seeing Wang Daxia's behavior, Wei Caiwei's face turned cold. "Weren't you going dragon boat racing? Why haven't you left yet?" Always meddling! Just focus on rowing your boat and stirring your water—why come here and cause trouble!Ding Wu bowed to Lu Bing and said, "It has been ten years since this commoner last saw his father. I beg Lord Lu to show mercy and allow me to see him once."
Wang Daxia, eager to send him away, asked, "Just one meeting and you'll leave?"
Ding Wu replied, "Yes, I beg for your approval."
Wang Daxia pressed further, "No other requests?"
Ding Wu answered, "As a convicted exile, I must return to my place of banishment. The chance to see my father is already a dream come true; I dare not ask for more."
Wang Daxia's anger turned to joy, and he winked at Wei Caiwei: See, Ding Wu only cares about his father. He doesn't even care how you're faring in the capital.
Wei Caiwei didn't notice Wang Daxia's glance. She also pleaded with Lu Bing, "I beg Lord Lu to grant this. If you ever have need of me in the future, I will go through fire and water without hesitation."
At this point, Lu Ying, who had been silent, spoke up: "Lord Lu, Doctor Wei has rendered service this time. Please grant her request."
In truth, Lu Bing had been waiting for Lu Ying to speak. He wanted Wei Caiwei to owe Lu Ying a favor, so she could be called upon in the future.
Lu Bing nodded. "Commander Lu will arrange it."
His gaze fell on Wang Daxia. "Why haven't you gone to practice for the dragon boat race? The Embroidered Uniform Guard has won first place in the capital's twenty-four guards competition year after year. We must take the top prize again this year. Hurry up!"
Wang Daxia had hoped to linger longer, but Lu Bing was shooing him away. He consoled himself with the thought that after Ding Wu met Ding Rukui, he would return to Tieling, separated from Wei Caiwei by a thousand li—hardly a threat.
With this in mind, Wang Daxia set his worries aside, shouldered his paddle, and went to practice rowing.
In the underground death row cell.
Under Wei Caiwei's careful treatment, Ding Rukui had recovered his health and even gained a pound. He was painting, depicting the moonlight he had seen that night when he left his cell to pay respects to Wei Nanshan and his wife.
The moonlight was truly beautiful. Especially after ten years without seeing it.
After finishing the painting, Ding Rukui moved a chair onto the table, climbed up layer by layer until his hands could just reach the ceiling.
With effort, he pasted his painting "Moonlight Scene" onto the ceiling, then climbed down and lay on the mat, pretending to admire the moon.
"Father."
A voice called out.
Ding Rukui didn't move, continuing to "admire the moon." After ten years of imprisonment, such hallucinations had occurred countless times.
"Father, I've come to see you."
Ding Rukui's body stiffened. He turned to look. When they parted, his son had been only twelve, full of childish innocence, crying as he watched him taken away by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, chasing after the prison wagon.
How far could a twelve-year-old boy's legs carry him? After half a street, he grew tired and fell, picked up by Wei Nanshan.
Now, ten years later, the boy had grown into a young man—more handsome, taller, and sturdier than he had imagined. Standing behind the iron bars, he reached his hands through. "I've come to see you. That jar of Zhuangyuan Hong buried under the tree—I'm still waiting to dig it up with you."
Tears streamed down Ding Rukui's aged face. He rose from the bed, not even bothering with shoes, rushed over, and tightly grasped his son's hands...
By evening, Wang Daxia returned with his paddle.
He went first to see Wei Caiwei, but found her guest room empty—even the copy of "Miscellaneous Records of a Female Doctor" on the desk was gone!
What had happened?
Wang Daxia rushed to find Lu Ying, who was handling official duties for her father. She emerged from behind a mountain of documents. "Oh, she went home."Lu Ying said, "Since her identity has been verified, she should be allowed to return home. The Embroidered Uniform Guard cannot keep detaining respectable women from good families. Besides, with a friend coming from afar, she needs to return home to properly host them and prepare a welcoming feast."
Wang Daxia was even more confused, "Who is this friend?"
Lu Ying replied, "It's Ding Wu, of course."
"He hasn't left yet? He even went to Doctor Wei's house?" Wang Daxia threw down the oar, mounted a fast horse, and rushed across the northern and southern parts of the capital, hurrying toward Sweetwater Lane.
Author's Note: Here comes the jealous Wang Daxia.
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