Yuan Yunzhong actually returned after leaving!
Song Jiyun couldn’t help but crane her neck to look around.
Soon, Zheng Quan entered with an awkward expression, accompanying Yuan Yunzhong.
Song Jiyun hurriedly asked, "Is there something wrong?"
"Can’t I come if there’s nothing wrong?" Yuan Yunzhong said coldly, tossing something beside her hand.
Song Jiyun looked down and saw that it was a small and exquisite dagger.
The sheath was pitch-black, made of some material she couldn’t identify, looking inconspicuous, like a slightly longer fruit knife.
She tried to pick it up and unsheathe it but, whether it was a lack of strength or the wrong technique, she failed to pull it out after several attempts.
Yuan Yunzhong let out a snort of laughter, sat on the bed, took the dagger, and showed her, "Look here, feel this small bump; just press it lightly, and the dagger will spring out."
No sooner had he spoken than the dagger came out of the sheath.
In the dim light, the dagger’s cold gleam was everywhere, emitting a menacing aura.
Song Jiyun couldn’t help shivering.
Yuan Yunzhong then said, "Keep it for self-defense."
This dagger was clearly no ordinary object; how could she easily accept such a valuable gift from him?
But Yuan Yunzhong was really thoughtful.
All she had focused on were anger and revenge, neglecting self-protection.
Yuan Yunzhong’s reminder made her realize that she had to prioritize her safety when out and about in the future.
"It’s too valuable," Song Jiyun declined tactfully and said, "I’ll be careful in the future. I could ask the Escort Agency to find a maid skilled in martial arts."
Yuan Yunzhong appraised her from head to toe, "Isn’t Zheng Quan skilled enough?"
Was this contempt for her or a suspicion of being schemed against?
Song Jiyun felt disheartened and whispered, "That... that was an accident, wasn’t it?"
Could he please not bring it up?
"Take it!" Yuan Yunzhong insisted without allowing her to interject, "I don’t want to end up not finding anyone to collect those 100,000 silver taels!"
Song Jiyun’s face burned, and she hastily said, "I’ll have Zheng Quan send you the silver note right away."
Yuan Yunzhong did not respond, just looked straight at her, his eyes somewhat serene.
She immediately realized she had misspoken.
Was Yuan Yunzhong the kind of man to lack 100,000 silver taels?
By saying that, she obviously belittled him.
Song Jiyun immediately apologized, "That’s not what I meant. It’s just that I don’t know how to properly express my gratitude!"
Yuan Yunzhong’s gaze then fell on the dagger.
Song Jiyun quickly said, "I’ll put it away right now."
A hint of satisfaction flickered in Yuan Yunzhong’s eyes.
Song Jiyun sighed inwardly.
Indeed, the hardest debts to repay are those of gratitude!
And the debtor is short of breath...
"I’ll keep the dagger under my pillow when I sleep," she assured Yuan Yunzhong, "And if anything happens, I’ll instruct Zheng Quan or seek help from Shao Qing, so you can rest assured!"
Yuan Yunzhong nodded and left promptly this time.
Zheng Quan personally saw him out.
Song Jiyun held the dagger, feeling warmth in her heart.
She had once imprisoned him in her Jade Cabinet, but when it mattered, he stood by her side, helping and taking care of her.
Although not a single word was spoken about his personal feelings, every expression and action of Yuan Yunzhong, even his scolding, conveyed his concern for her.
"Is this what they call typical pride?"
Song Jiyun thought to herself, and couldn’t help but laugh. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
*
Early the next morning, Yuan Yunzhong brought Doctor Wang to diagnose her pulse.
The half-open window lattice allowed morning light to settle on the oily green leaves, bringing a dazzling glow to the early autumn morning.
Yuan Yunzhong stood tall and graceful by the half-open window, clad in a treasured blue golden-phoenix brocade robe, his gaze pure, his expression detached, and his brows revealing an unusually gentle warmth.
Song Jiyun found herself staring absently.
Doctor Wang, who had diagnosed her pulse through a layer of silk, withdrew his hand and looked at Song Jiyun, who was now able to move her limbs freely, and said with relief, "Miss Song is in very good health. I had thought it would take at least three or four days for Miss Song to recover, but now it seems she will be back to normal by tomorrow."
Song Jiyun came back to her senses.
She did not know how potent the medicine she had been given was, but since Doctor Wang had prescribed it, and he was hired by Yuan Yunzhong, she felt obliged to offer a few courteous words, "It’s also thanks to your excellent medical skills and the right medication."
Doctor Wang responded modestly, "Not at all! Not at all!" but he couldn’t hide his pride.
Yuan Yunzhong heard this and cast a glance at Doctor Wang.
Doctor Wang immediately restrained his smile and solemnly told Song Jiyun, "I will prescribe you another medicine. You only need to take it twice more."
Song Jiyun thanked Doctor Wang with a smile and glanced at Yuan Yunzhong.
She always felt as if Doctor Wang was somewhat afraid of Yuan Yunzhong.
Seeing her look over, Yuan Yunzhong said, "In that case, after lunch, we shall return."
Song Jiyun felt that this arrangement was good—she hadn’t been home for several days due to the business at the Kiln Factory, and it would be troublesome if her mother grew suspicious.
Xiang Zhan accompanied Doctor Wang to get the new prescription.
Song Jiyun couldn’t help asking Yuan Yunzhong, "What about Zheng Quan?"
Yuan Yunzhong replied indifferently, "He said he had something to do and left."
Song Jiyun had stressed to him only yesterday to coerce the Registrar’s brother-in-law. She didn’t dwell on it and, after breakfast and taking her medicine, fell into a deep sleep under the influence of the drug.
When Xiang Zhan woke her up for lunch and they started for home, Song Jiyun realized that she had been staying in a suburban inn named "Peace."
She often passed by this place on her way to Gratitude Temple.
However, the usually bustling street was now dotted with clusters of people whispering among themselves.
Song Jiyun furrowed her brows, sensing something unusual.
She sent Xiang Zhan to investigate.
Xiang Zhan returned quickly, astounded.
"Miss," she stammered, "everyone’s talking about how Registrar Wang was tied up by a brothel madam and a Protector after he drank and slept with a girl there the night before last and then refused to pay. They hung him from the city gates and even wrote ’cad’ in large letters on his body!"
In those times, brothels were referred to as "houses," and the madams running them were called "mothers."
"That’s impossible!" Song Jiyun declared without hesitation.
Registrar Wang was a big fish in Liang County, with many shady dealings operating under his protection: it was unthinkable that a brothel wouldn’t pay him instead. The idea of him being tied up and hanged from the city gates just didn’t make sense.
Furthermore, it wasn’t so easy to get someone hung on those gates.
Xiang Zhan blushed, "It’s true! I asked several people, some even saw it with their own eyes. They also said that Registrar Wang was hung there for nearly two Shichen before being taken down. Not just those entering and leaving the gates, many from the county went to peek.
"They also said that Registrar Wang passed out from anger because of this incident and hasn’t woken up yet!"
This made even less sense.
Song Jiyun instructed Xiang Zhan, "Quickly have someone find Zheng Quan and bring him back."
She needed to know what had happened.
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