Chapter 113 Beechwood
As dusk deepened, the moonlight shone like a ribbon.
The two walked through the courtyard one after the other, casting two intersecting shadows on the bluestone path. Night dew clung to the grass on the steps, reflecting the lanterns hanging under the eaves, giving them a crystalline sheen.
The two went up to the second floor. Meng Yutong stopped in front of the stairs, turned around and said to Ji Yun, "Your injuries haven't healed yet, go back to your room and rest first."
To everyone's surprise, Ji Yun not only didn't stop, but took another step closer, saying, "I'll go with you."
His voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable authority.
Looking at him like this, Meng Yutong couldn't help but think of the pigeon that Liu Sijun had given her.
When she lets it out of its cage for some fresh air, it always hops and skips around her feet, following her wherever she goes, like a little tail. Sometimes it even gently pecks at the hem of her skirt, as if afraid she'll wander off.
At this moment, Ji Yun actually resembled that little thing somewhat.
He himself was completely unaware that there was anything wrong with his actions.
He used to be too restrained, burying his feelings deep in his heart. Looking back now, he feels incredibly foolish, having missed so many precious moments with her.
Having realized his mistake, he no longer wished to hide it. At this moment, she was the only one in his eyes.
"Don't worry," he softened his voice, his usually aloof features softening slightly in the moonlight, "I won't make a sound, I won't disturb your discussion, I'll just stay by your side, is that alright?"
The usually aloof and arrogant Physician Ji now showed a pitiful expression, as if he would stand there and not let her leave if she refused.
Meng Yutong ultimately did not insist, saying, "Whatever you say."
The two arrived at Wu Lin's room and saw a warm yellow light shining through the window paper; he was still awake. Meng Yutong gently knocked on the door, and Wu Lin's lazy voice came from inside: "Come in."
Pushing open the door, they saw Wu Lin sitting at the table, toying with the tortoise shell in his hand. Seeing them come in, he lazily raised his eyes: "I just cast a divination and said I wouldn't be able to sleep well tonight. It really was you, you little brat."
“I’m sorry to bother you, sir,” Meng Yutong said as she sat down at the table. “I have some questions I would like to ask you.”
Ji Yun silently sat down beside her, and just as promised, remained silent.
Meng Yutong gazed at Wu Lin and slowly said, "When my grandmother came some time ago, I noticed that the two of you looked strange when you met. In my grandmother's eyes, I saw... 'guilt'... while in your eyes, I saw 'resentment'."
Wu Lin narrowed his eyes, twirling the tortoise shell between his fingertips: "What does Doctor Meng want to say?"
“I’m wondering,” she smiled slightly, “what kind of person is the gentleman?”
Wu Lin maintained his usual casual demeanor, but a dark glint flashed in his eyes: "So what do you think? What kind of person do you think I am?"
"Sir, do you know about beech wood?" Meng Yutong asked instead of answering. "This wood grows on mountain cliffs, with upright branches that always climb upwards. Its texture is hard and its grain is straight, symbolizing uprightness and integrity."
She paused, her eyes clear, "Sir may seem unrestrained and easygoing, but deep down he is a prudent, upright, and morally righteous person."
Wu Lin's fingers lightly touched the tortoise shell, producing a faint, crisp sound.
He gazed at Meng Yutong, a hint of admiration in his eyes: "You guessed my identity just from a glimpse from afar that day? Girl, you're far too perceptive."
“Not entirely.” Meng Yutong shook her head. “Only just now did I learn the whole story of the Jiangnan tribute silk case from back then. The Assistant Supervisor in this case, Lord Wu Ju, and Dou Ying were both from Guangling.”
Her tone deepened, “Sir, please don’t forget that my grandmother was also from Guangling. I’ve heard the Guangling folk songs you sometimes hum at night from my grandmother.”
Wu Lin suddenly laughed, a hint of relief in his voice: "What a clever girl. Since that's the case, what do you want to know from me tonight?"
He leaned back lazily and pointed to the sky outside. "We've known each other for so long, and as you know, I always have to go to bed before 9 PM. Now there's only the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, so you'd better hurry."
Meng Yutong said solemnly, "When Dou Zhijie came to Zhaoyutang last time, you offered to tell his fortune, but he said, 'Man proposes, God disposes, and fate is in one's own hands.' In your opinion, is the theory of fate truly credible? Can one really control one's own destiny?"
Wu Lin stroked his beard and chuckled: "What kind of answer do you expect to hear when you ask a fortune teller such a question?"
His gaze was distant. "I'm old now, and I don't care about fate or luck anymore. I'm quite content with this kind of life."
"Sir's smile is forced." Meng Yutong looked straight into his eyes, her dark pupils seeming to churn with unseen currents. "Sir, are you truly willing to accept this?"
The candlelight crackled, casting flickering shadows between the three people.
Ji Yun sat quietly to the side the whole time, but his gaze never left Meng Yutong's profile.
The candlelight cast a soft glow on her delicate features, and her usually calm eyes now burned with a scorching light.
She was no longer the calm and composed female doctor, but rather like a sharp sword about to be drawn, its cold gleam suddenly appearing.
He could see clearly that she wanted to use Wu Ju as a connection to pry open Dou Ying, this stubborn rock.
"Sir, you say you are advanced in years, but what I see in your eyes is still the same sincerity and unyielding spirit you had back then." Meng Yutong's voice was clear and melodious, especially clear in the quiet night. "I do not accept the outcome of the Jiang family's case. I will definitely seek justice for my grandmother and the Jiang family. I hope you can help me."
Wu Lin stared at the woman before him. She was slender and insignificant compared to the powerful and wealthy, but the determination in her eyes and the resolute words she spoke stirred ripples in his heart, which had been dormant for many years.
He had to admit that his resolve to stay away from conflict was already hardened, and his seemingly unbreakable resolve was now showing signs of wavering.
Ji Yun spoke at the opportune moment, his voice steady: "Sir, you and Dou Ying were classmates, and you know him all too well. Over the years, he has assisted the Empress Dowager in framing loyal officials, embezzled disaster relief funds, and allowed his nephews and nieces to seize farmland..."
With each incident he mentioned, Wu Lin's brow furrowed more deeply. "Now is the perfect time to uproot them completely. Sir, are you willing to watch more innocent people repeat the mistakes you and Madam Meng made?"
The candlelight crackled, reflecting the shifting expressions on Wu Lin's face. He slowly closed his eyes, and after a long while, he said, "The time for an incense stick to burn has come."
Meng Yutong and Ji Yun exchanged a glance and gently shook their heads. The two stood up, and Meng Yutong bowed, saying, "We apologize for disturbing your rest, sir."
Just as they turned to leave, a soft "thump" sounded behind them.
He waved his hand wearily. "If you want to find something to hold against him, perhaps you can start here."
Meng Yutong's eyes lit up, and she solemnly thanked him, "Thank you for your guidance, sir."
The two left the room and looked back to see that the candlelight inside the window had not been extinguished for a long time. It seemed that Wu Lin was going to break the rules he had set for many years tonight.
The moonlight shone like water under the eaves. Meng Yutong frowned and pondered, clearly planning how to proceed.
Ji Yun stopped and said gently, "It is indeed the best strategy to eliminate the Empress Dowager's cronies one by one. As for Dou Ying's matter, I will send someone to investigate tomorrow, so you don't need to worry too much."
"But these are ultimately my private matters..."
“Madam Meng and my grandfather were old friends. Based on that alone, I cannot stand idly by.” He interrupted her, his voice gentle yet firm. “Moreover, there is the matter of my aunt being poisoned. These are no longer just matters concerning you alone.”
He raised his hand and gently brushed her hair, his movements incredibly tender: "You've always been the one giving, now give me a chance to repay you, okay?"
Meng Yutong turned her face away and finally gave a soft "hmm": "If you find anything, be sure to tell me immediately."
"good."
The night sky was clear and bright, the moon hung high, and a gentle breeze rustled through the persimmon tree in the courtyard, bringing with it the fragrance of grass and trees.
The weather is getting colder every day; it feels like winter is just around the corner…
*
As dusk deepened, Ji Yun stood with his hands behind his back by the window of his desk, watching the last sycamore leaf drift down in the courtyard. For the past month, the guards he had sent out had been keeping a close watch on Dou Ying day and night, and finally, today they received definite news.
“That silk shop in the west of the city,” Yunzhou whispered, “Minister Dou visits every day, and there is indeed a secret room in the shop.”
On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the day of Frost's Descent, Ji Yun delivered a stack of secret letters to the residence of the Minister of Works.
In the midst of factional struggles at court, this man, who had been openly and covertly fighting with Dou Ying for many years and belonged to the Qingliu faction, was the most suitable to take action. His report not only detailed numerous pieces of evidence of Dou Ying's crimes of embezzlement, bribery, and forming cliques over the years, but also included many pieces of evidence related to the Empress Dowager.
Two days later, Ji Yun brought Xiao Xue into the palace.
The two walked on the bluestone palace path leading to Jinglan Pavilion, and the colorful braided rope on the little girl's wrist was particularly eye-catching in the warm winter sun.
When Ji Yun led the people into Jinglan Pavilion, Jin'an was quite surprised.
A mocking smile curled at the corner of her lips: "What are you doing here? What? To see me in this wretched state?"
Ji Yun pulled Xiaoxue closer, his voice indifferent: "I brought someone to see you. I think you'd like to see her."
When Jin'an saw the braided rope in Xiaoxue's hand and those amber eyes that were exactly like her own, she suddenly took half a step back and fell to the ground.
"Get out!" She hurled the teacup in her hand at the two of them with a fierce shout, and shards of broken porcelain splashed at Xiaoxue's feet.
Ji Yun pulled Xiao Xue back a little.
Xiaoxue broke free from Ji Yun's hand, timidly stepped forward, and reached out her small hand to touch the bloodstains on Jin An's sleeve.
She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She could only stand on tiptoe and gently breathe on the wound.
Jin'an was stunned.
In a daze, she seemed to see herself many years ago, pushed down onto the artificial hill by palace servants. Her forehead hit the stone, opening a large gash, and bright red blood gushed out. She was so frightened that she couldn't speak.
It was a winter day like that when Brother Zhao discovered her wound, bandaged it for her, and said gently, "Ah Jin, don't be afraid."
It was Ji Zhao who drove away the palace servants for her, treated her illness, and helped her out of those dark and hopeless days...
“If my brother were alive,” Ji Yun’s voice pulled her back to reality, “he would be heartbroken for your current state.”
“Brother Zhao…” Jin’an suddenly gave a shrill laugh, “What’s it to you? If it weren’t for you, he wouldn’t have died!”
"Your brother is kind and compassionate. He can only feel sorry for that innocent and carefree little sister. Why has she turned out like this? Perhaps if he knew what he had done, he would regret having been kind to you in the first place."
These words pierced her heart like a sharp blade. Jin'an slumped down, tears streaming onto her clothes: "I didn't want to either... but Brother Zhao is gone, and there's no one in this world who will truly care for me anymore..."
Seeing this, Xiaoxue also burst into tears. She reached out her small hand and clumsily wiped away the tears on Jin'an's face, struggling to utter a few indistinct syllables: "Don't...cry..."
Jin'an looked at her, her heart trembling, and a hint of tenderness flashed in her eyes.
Ji Yun stepped forward and pulled Xiaoxue behind him: "If you still have a shred of conscience, during tomorrow's court hearing, I hope you will truthfully state everything concerning the Empress Dowager."
Jin'an looked at him and suddenly smiled, "Ji Yun, you brought her to see me today, so I'll give you a big gift in return."
She took out a small box from her sleeve and handed it to Xiaoxue, indicating that she should give it to Ji Yun.
Xiaoxue looked bewildered, but took the box and obediently handed it to Ji Yun.
Ji Yun took the box, frowned, and asked, "What is this?"
"This is a poisonous insect I crafted from golden marigold jade, called the 'Heart-Entangling Insect.' I've been refining it for many years, and it's finally complete today. I'll never have the chance to use it again, which is a boon for you. Don't you adore your wife? But I see she doesn't reciprocate your feelings. I'll teach you: first, feed this insect your blood, then feed it to her. That way, she'll never leave you again. If she ever tries to separate from you, she'll suffer the agony of being devoured by countless insects, an unbearable pain, a fate worse than death!"
"You're a complete madman!" Ji Yun threw the box on the ground without even opening it.
Jin'an shrugged indifferently, "It's all for nothing that I tried to be nice."
She looked at Xiaoxue, reached out and touched her face, and murmured, "It's alright, you look more like me."
"May I have your name"
Xiaoxue blinked, smiled, and opened her mouth, trying very hard to make a sound: "Xiao...Xiao...Xue..."
"Xiaoxue," Jin'an repeated, his gaze falling on Xiaoxue's eyes, his eyes revealing a hint of tenderness.
Ji Yun frowned, pulled Xiao Xue aside, and quickly left Jinglan Pavilion.
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