Chapter 106.2
In the blink of an eye, the Dragon Boat Festival was approaching, and everyone in the mansion was busy preparing for the holiday, making the atmosphere lively.
The children were especially excited about boating on the river.
On this day, Wei Wanyu had gathered An Qinghan and the others to play in Qingyuan. They were kicking shuttlecocks in the corridor, having a great time.
Shortly after, Wei Zhan came looking for them. They planned to release lanterns on the river the following day, so he was taking them to pick out lanterns.
The An sisters had to attend to a family matter that evening and couldn't join, so they asked Wei Wanyu and Zhao Heng to help pick out beautiful lanterns for them.
Li Wenjian had intended to go with them but was called to the study by An Jingliu. With Wei Zhan present, he wasn't worried, and simply instructed Zhao Heng to behave and stay with Wei Zhan, not to run around recklessly.
Zhao Heng agreed readily, tilting her head up to him as she said, "I will help you pick out a very beautiful lantern."
Li Wenjian nodded, feeling relieved as he let them go.
Grandpa An discussed with him about arranging for some family members to leave the capital, and it was already late when they came out of the study.
He thought Wei Zhan and the others would return soon, but as night fell, all they received was the steward Xie informing Li Wenjian to come to the flower hall, as the people from the mansion had gone to the Ministry of Justice to fetch Wei Zhan back.
The Ministry of Justice?
Li Wenjian furrowed his brows, puzzled as to why Wei Zhan, along with Zhao Heng and Wei Wanyu, would go to the Ministry of Justice to buy lanterns.
"What's going on?" he asked.
Steward Xie sighed, saying in annoyance, "They ran into Daoist Baiyun."
When Wei Zhan took the two girls to buy lanterns, they stopped halfway as Wei Wanyu wanted to eat a certain pastry from Rong Ji. So Wei Zhan parked the carriage on the side of the road and asked them to wait for him there.
Zhao Heng and Wei Wanyu were watching the hustle and bustle from the carriage window, when suddenly they saw Yue Li selling mountain produce under the tea house's steps.
Remembering that it was Yue Li and her father who had saved her, Zhao Heng jumped off the carriage to find her. But at that moment, Daoist Baiyun galloped past on his horse, almost trampling Zhao Heng.
Yue Li, being skilled in hunting from a humble background, rushed forward to rescue Zhao Heng from under the horse's hoof.
The horse, startled, toppled Daoist Baiyun off its back.
Humiliated in front of everyone, Daoist Baiyun saw the culprits were a few young girls. He waved his hand, and his followers surrounded the girls, without asking any questions, viciously lashing out at them with whips.
The onlookers dared not provoke the Daoist, so no one came forward to defend the girls.
The coachman, in a panic, hurriedly interjected, saying that they were from the An family. However, Daoist Baiyun just laughed, claiming that the An family was a scholarly family, and it was unlikely for their members to appear so shabby on the streets. He paid no heed and allowed his followers to lash even harder.
When Wei Zhan came back with pastries, the poor girls were hoarse from crying. Out of anger, he pinned down Daoist Baiyun and beat him severely. However, with the Daoist's followers outnumbering them, the situation could have escalated. Fortunately, the Ministry of Justice patrol passing by intervened and took everyone to the government office.
The current emperor believed in the Daoist teachings, promoting the construction of Daoist temples and favoring Daoist priests. Daoist Baiyun was one of the priests, known for making elixirs for the emperor. He took advantage of the royal favor and was often arrogant, engaging in lawlessness like a crab, causing trouble and harming people while riding on his horse.
Daoist Baiyun was arrogant even in the government office, demanding that the magistrate throw the group of swindlers into the lake to feed the fish.
The magistrate had long been fed up with Daoist Baiyun, who had engaged in countless unscrupulous activities. His White Cloud sect followers, under the guise of alchemy for the emperor, were known for looting, committing crimes against women, and deceiving people.
The Daoist's persuasive words had led the emperor to trust him completely, believing his dedication to alchemy, despite his misdeeds.
Seeing him bruised and battered, the magistrate felt a sense of satisfaction and immediately sent someone to the An family to identify the girls' identities. If they were indeed from the An family, the situation would be easier to handle.
The An family boasts a prestigious lineage of scholars for centuries, with their teachings reaching students across the realm. If Taoist Baiyun dares to provoke their ire, he'd best contemplate the consequences.
Upon learning of this, Steward Xie wasted no time in informing An Yuanqing. As the patriarch was outraged, he went to the Ministry of Justice office himself to bring them back.
By the time Li Wenjian arrived at the flower hall, everyone had returned.
Except for Wei Zhan, everyone else was in a sorry state. Wei Wanyu was crying on Wei Zhan's shoulder, sounding extremely aggrieved. During the altercation, Yue Li had shielded both Zhao Heng and Wei Wanyu in her arms, consequently receiving the most severe injuries, with even a few red whip marks on her face.
The flower hall was in chaos, with everyone cursing the despicable Daoist.
Upon seeing their injuries, Madam Bai's eyes reddened with distress. She hurriedly instructed the maids to prepare hot water and medicinal powder, and had the servants escort the frightened girls downstairs.
Li Wenjian scanned the crowd and saw Zhao Heng sitting in a corner chair, her hair disheveled and silently biting her lip. Even when a maid tried to pull her hand, she seemed somewhat dazed.
The young girl was shocked.
Li Wenjian walked up to her and knelt down. The candlelight cast Zhao Heng's shadow on his face, and he noticed her trembling eyelashes. He gently stroked her head and asked, "Are you hurt badly?"
Zhao Heng blinked but remained silent.
Li Wenjian reached for her hand, causing her to gasp in a breath of cold air. His movements slowed as he lifted her sleeve and saw the whip marks on her arm, furrowing his brow.
"I'm sorry," Zhao Heng said softly, biting her lip.
Li Wenjian turned his face slightly, his eyes fixed on her somewhat dejected expression, and asked, "Why are you apologizing?"
"I lost the lantern," Zhao Heng said, lowering her head to see the young man's clear eyes in the lamplight. She continued, "I promised to bring back a lantern for you."
Unfortunately, they had run into trouble as the rascals had knocked over the lanterns piled on the cart, trampling them on the ground, causing them to be scattered and damaged.
"It's okay," Li Wenjian replied casually. A strand of her hair brushed against his fair cheek, and he managed to squeeze out a faint smile, "There will be more lanterns."
"Did I do something wrong and cause trouble again today?" Zhao Heng asked, feeling unsure.
Li Wenjian let go of her sleeve, looking at her as he asked, "Do you think you did something wrong?"
"I didn't do anything wrong," Zhao Heng said, pursing her lips. "I was walking on the street, and his horse almost ran into me. I didn't do anything wrong."
"Understood," Li Wenjian replied. "I know."
ShaoHeng's eyes were slightly red as she spoke tearfully, "Then why did he wrongly accuse me and blame me for his mistake?"
"It's not your fault," Li Wenjian said, lifting her into his arms. "He falsely accused you, and he will pay the price for it."
*
Yue Li was accommodated in Lixiang Garden. The last time she had brought Zhao Heng back, she and her father had stayed in Lixiang Garden.
She thought she would never have the chance to set foot in this beautiful courtyard again in her lifetime, but she never expected to return so soon.
The mansion was preparing for the Dragon Boat Festival banquet the next day, and there was a shortage of manpower. The maids led her to her room, prepared hot water, medicinal powder, and meals before leaving.
She first took a hot bath, then sat in front of the mirror to apply medicine to her wounds. There were a few cuts on her face that she could reach, but most of the bruises were on her back, too painful for her to reach.
After dressing, she stood up and looked around the room to see if there was anything that could help her apply the medicine.
As she was about to get up, she suddenly heard a knocking on the door.
She walked over to open it.
"It's me," a clear, cool voice spoke.
She raised her head, and the moonlight filtering through the night fell on the young man's face. His long eyelashes cast a faint shadow on his eyelids.
Yue Li's eyes showed a hint of surprise, as if she hadn't expected him to come.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Wei Zhan scratched his head.
Yue Li asked, "You were looking at me like that the other day too. What are you looking at?"
"I wasn't," Wei Zhan subconsciously defended, looking into her curious eyes as he explained, "I was looking at the bow you were carrying."
Yue Li didn't understand. "What about the bow?"
"That's yours? It's a big bow, it must take a lot of strength to draw," Wei Zhan said.
"My father made it for me. When drawn, it can shoot up to 800 paces," Yue Li said proudly, her eyes showing a hint of pride. "I use it for hunting."
"800 paces?" Wei Zhan was momentarily stunned, looking at her incredulously.
How could an ordinary girl lift such a heavy bow?
She appeared as thin as a willow branch, yet she could draw it?
"Do you not believe me?" Yue Li said nonchalantly. "I am the best hunter in the village. Sometimes even my father can't outmatch me in hunting."
Wei Zhan's expression still held some doubt.
"Do you not believe me? We can compare another day. I may not beat you in a fight, but in archery, you may not beat me," Yue Li tilted her head slightly.
Wei Zhan smiled. "Alright."
Yue Li looked at him, her delicate nose wrinkling slightly. "Do you look down on me?"
"Never," Wei Zhan met her gaze, looking at the candlelight reflected in her eyes. "I admire you."
Yue Li pursed her lips, the candlelight flickering in her bright eyes.
"Tomorrow, the mansion is hosting the Dragon Boat Festival banquet. Everyone is busy in the kitchen. I came to see if you needed any help," the burning candle wick crackled, the night breeze lifting Yue Li's skirt. Remembering his purpose, he explained, "After all, you were injured because of my sister and Zhao Heng."
There was an unwitting hint of guilt in his tone, eliciting a slight curve in Yue Li's eyes.
"Come in," Yue Li stepped aside.
After a moment of hesitation, Wei Zhan scratched his head, lifted his robe, and walked into the room. Because she had just bathed, the room carried a sweet fragrance. Upon entering, Wei Zhan realized the source of the scent and felt his ears turning red.
"You've come at the right time. I do have something I need your help with," Yue Li walked to the table and picked up a medicine bottle, then turned back to face him.
Wei Zhan turned to see the bright eyes of the girl.
"What is it?" he asked.
Yue Li placed the medicine bottle in his hand. "I can't reach the wounds on my back. Can you help me..."
"No, no," Wei Zhan quickly shook his head in refusal.
"Why?" Her slender white neck lifted slightly, a few strands of damp green hair falling on her face.
Wei Zhan hesitated for a moment. It was not proper for a man to help a woman apply medicine. He had heard that people from the mountains were bold, but it still seemed improper. He cleared his throat and said, "It's not appropriate."
With a puzzled look, Yue Li asked, "Is it such a big deal to help me with the medicine?"
Help her with the medicine?
Wei Zhan's ears started to burn, and he spoke a bit incoherently, "I... I... I'll go find someone to help you right away."
While Yue Li was still in a daze, he placed the medicine bottle on the table and swiftly walked out of the door. She watched as he disappeared into the night, his ink-like robes gradually fading into the darkness.