Chapter 20 It Turns Out to Be My Husband
After listening to the scholar's story, Shen Yuexi felt that something was amiss.
If the notice was posted at midnight, it must be extremely urgent. Who was this bandit?
There were several layers of people in front of her, and she couldn't see the notice at all. She felt a vague sense of unease. She thanked the scholar and continued to push forward.
She endured the sweat stench of the crowd, dodged left and right, and finally arrived under the notice. She had just lifted the veil and had no time to look up when someone suddenly bumped into her from behind. She staggered and almost fell.
Fortunately, there was a woman standing nearby who reached out to support her in time, thus preventing her from falling to the ground.
"Young lady, why are you so anxious to come here?" Seeing Shen Yuexi's hurried look, the woman winked at her knowingly, "You also want to see the man on the notice, right?"
She thought Shen Yuexi was also attracted by the person in the painting, which was why she was so anxious to squeeze to the front.
Look at the young ladies looking at the portraits in front of you, each of them has a shy look on her face.
Shen Yuexi didn't have time to reply to her. After thanking her, she quickly turned her gaze to the notice.
When she saw this, her eyes almost popped out of her head.
The man on the notice was as clear and bright as the moon, and extremely handsome.
This... isn't this Xiao Zhuo?
No wonder these people are talking about his appearance, but few people pay attention to the crimes he committed.
Only one night later, Xiao Zhuo's portrait was posted in such a remote place.
Only now did she fully understand how terrifying it was to be hunted by the Emperor. No matter where she fled, the pursuit would follow her like a shadow. No wonder Xiao Zhuo had decided from the beginning to flee to the bitter cold of the northwest frontier. If she had stayed inside the Great Wall, she would have been caught and killed sooner or later.
"This bandit is handsome, isn't he?" the woman smiled and patted her. "It's enough to just look at him. He's a wanted thief by the imperial court. He'll be caught and beheaded sooner or later. Did you see it written above? Anyone who provides information will be rewarded with 100 taels of silver."
After saying that, he smacked his lips and said, "A hundred taels! If she could have such a good thing, their family would never have to worry about food and clothing."
She looked at the young lady beside her and shook her head. She was another one attracted by the appearance of this bandit.
Shen Yuexi's heart was beating fast. The only person who had seen Xiao Zhuo was Feng Zhang.
She turned her gaze to Feng Zhang, who was enjoying the cool breeze under the shade of a tree.
Even though Xiao Zhuo saved him, if he was tempted by the reward...
She didn't dare to think any further, and hurriedly left the crowd and walked quickly back to the mule cart. Feng Zhang saw her coming and waved and shouted, "Madam Pei, hurry up, it's our turn."
Shen Yuexi looked at Feng Zhang now, her eyes showing vigilance that she couldn't hide. Fortunately, she was wearing a veil on her head, so outsiders couldn't see the momentary loss of composure on her face.
"Brother Feng, let's go into the city." Trying hard to suppress the uneasiness in her heart, Shen Yuexi got into the car and urged.
She lowered her eyelids, clenched her hands, and stared at Feng Zhang's every move.
The soldiers guarding the door checked them and quickly let them pass.
Only then did she feel fortunate that her portrait did not appear on the wanted poster.
After entering the city, Feng Zhang asked as he drove forward:
"Madam Pei, are the authorities going to start arresting the bandits? But the county magistrate seems to have said that these bandits are not from here."
Shen Yuexi stared at him for a moment, and after confirming that he didn't know about the wanted poster on the wall, she relaxed a little.
However, I wonder what his attitude will be once he finds out that the person in the portrait is Xiao Zhuo.
Will he secretly report it to the police without telling her?
Human nature is the most vulnerable, especially under pressure.
She didn't dare to gamble.
"It seems so," she said casually, pulling at her sleeves as if nothing had happened. "I couldn't squeeze in behind the crowd, so I couldn't see clearly. Thinking that my husband still had an injury that needed treatment, I left first."
Although Xiao Zhuo's wanted poster had been posted, Doctor You said that his arrow wound must be treated by a doctor, otherwise his life would be in danger.
Even if it means taking risks, you must find a doctor to treat you.
Feng Zhang nodded in agreement after hearing this. He raised his hand, whipped the mule pulling the cart, and said in a relaxed tone, "It has nothing to do with us anyway. Master Pei's injury cannot be delayed."
As they were talking, they had already arrived at the market. Shen Yuexi first set up a stall with Feng Zhang to sell tiger skins.
There were two tiger skins, one large and one small. The large skin was sold for forty-seven taels, and the small skin was sold for twenty taels, for a total of sixty-seven taels of silver.
At first, Shen Yuexi thought she'd sold it for too little, but the buyer said the tiger skin had been punctured in several places, leaking everywhere, and was in poor condition. Whether it was used as a cloak or a robe, it would need to be mended. Furthermore, the head was still there, otherwise it could have fetched a higher price. She had no choice but to give up.
Feng Zhang handed all the silver to her and said, "Madam Pei, it's all here."
Shen Yuexi counted the money and gave Feng Zhang twenty-seven taels. This was what they had agreed upon before: the tiger skin would go to Feng Zhang. She also gave Feng Zhang the remaining balance.
Feng Zhang refused: "Madam Pei, this is too much. Your husband killed the tiger, and you saved my life. What's the point of taking all this money from you?"
After refusing several times, Shen Yuexi didn't force it. She and Xiao Zhuo would still be living in Feng's house for a while, and she would just give them more subsidies when the time came.
He was given the twenty taels of silver from the sale of the tiger cub's skin and was not allowed to refuse again.
The two left the market, Shen Yuexi walked in front and Feng Zhang followed behind pulling the cart.
Passing by the Baohetang clinic she'd visited the previous night, Shen Yuexi glanced towards the end of the alley. Quite a few people were lining up for medical treatment. She had forty-seven taels of silver, more than enough to cover the cost. But thinking of the doctor's arrogant expression, she didn't go in. Instead, she walked back to the main street and chose another clinic.
This pharmacy is located on the main street, facing south and backing north. Its location is far superior to Baohetang. Just the appearance of the shop is a notch above Baohetang. A black horizontal plaque inscribed in vermilion lacquer on the main entrance reads "Yishengtang." The aroma of medicinal herbs fills the air, and people frequently walk in and out carrying large and small bags of medicine. Business is booming.
Shen Yuexi turned around and called Feng Zhang, "Brother Feng, come in with me."
She didn't dare let Feng Zhang out of her sight now. It would be troublesome if he accidentally found out about Xiao Zhuo.
Feng Zhang was a little puzzled and scratched his head, saying, "Madam Pei, I'm watching the car outside and won't go in."
Shen Yuexi stood there without moving a step, her slender hands tightly twisting the corners of her clothes, pretending to be worried: "Brother Feng, if you don't follow me in, what if I run into the same person who made things difficult for me last night? I'm just a weak woman..."
Before he could finish his words, Feng Zhang had already tied the mule cart to the stone pillar at the entrance of Yishengtang.
"Madam Pei is right. I didn't think it through." He rolled up his sleeves as he walked. "I'll go with you. If anyone dares to give you a hard time again, I'll knock his teeth out."
A smile immediately appeared on Shen Yuexi's lips, and she felt relieved.
The two entered the pharmacy, and Shen Yuexi asked the clerk across the counter, "Excuse me, is the doctor here?"
Behind the counter, two young men, one tall and one short, were busy weighing and packing medicine for customers. The taller one looked up at Shen Yuexi and asked, "Miss, is there a patient who needs treatment?"
"Exactly."
"The doctor is currently out seeing patients and is not in the hall." The tall waiter shook his head.
Feng Zhang looked disappointed and turned to Shen Yuexi: "Madam Pei, since the doctor is not here, let's go to another one."
Shen Yuexi was unwilling to give up and asked, "Where is the doctor treating patients now?"
Before the tall clerk could speak, the shorter one answered quickly, "He went to see Old Li in the south of the city. His son fell off the roof two weeks ago, and a vertical iron rod was stuck in his thigh..."
When Shen Yuexi heard this, her heart moved and she asked, "Is your doctor Hua good at treating this kind of wound?"
"That's right," the short waiter said as he wrapped the medicine. "When it comes to treating these kinds of puncture wounds, my doctor Hua is second to none."
It seems that I have come to the right place and found the right person today.
Shen Yuexi found out the location of Old Li's house and hurried out of Yishengtang with Feng Zhang.
Just as they stepped out of the door, two yamen runners with steel knives on their waists came towards them.
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