“No one knows how the rumor began…”
Inside the speeding carriage, Dan Feng wept bitterly. “After you left last night, my lady did not speak a single word all day. The Master and Madam dared not press her; they only gently pleaded with her while changing her medicine. Thankfully, she softened and took it. By evening, seeing how exhausted they were after two days and nights without rest, she finally urged them to sleep. We thought then that she was merely shaken and would recover in time. Perhaps today she might even be back to her usual self.”
Her voice grew indignant. “But who could have imagined—before dawn today, the kitchen maid in charge of purchases rushed to the inner court, pale with fright. She said that when she went to Tianshui Alley to buy fresh meat, she overheard people gossiping about our household, claiming that the young lady had been caught in illicit relations at Yuzhen Temple…”
“The maid asked where the rumor came from. Everyone said it began spreading last night. Terrified, she hurried back to report. No sooner had she spoken than the Xu family arrived at our gates…”
Dan Feng’s sobs grew harsher. “The Xu family had heard as well. The Old Madam sent Nanny Wang and several others to inquire, insisting on seeing the young lady. Madam thought her spirits were better today, so she let her lie there and show her face, hoping to dispel their doubts. But who knew—they asked her outright about the alleged affair. Worse still, they demanded to examine her body!”
Her voice shook. “Our young lady is upright and pure, yet her future in-laws sent servants to ‘verify’ her chastity. Even common households do not humiliate concubines so! The Master and Madam were beside themselves with rage. Hearing such vile rumors outside and seeing the Xu family’s attitude, the young lady dashed her head against the bedpost. Her wounds from last night had not yet healed, and now she struck her head again. By the time I came to fetch you, she was already at death’s door.”
Dan Feng buried her face in her hands, sobbing. Huai Xi offered her a handkerchief in comfort. When she looked up, she saw Jiang Li’s clear eyes frozen like ice.
Jiang Li said coldly, “As long as she lives, there is still room to turn the tide.”
Dan Feng shook her head, choking back tears. “All of Chang’an is talking. How can she face the world now? The Xu family’s attitude is even more chilling. The Old Madam, knowing of the Yuzhen Temple incident, must have suspected already. Now that the rumor has spread, she believes it completely—otherwise she would never have shamed our lady so…”
Jiang Li said no more. When the carriage reached Earl Shou’an’s estate, the three hurried toward the inner court. As they neared Fu Yunci’s courtyard, they saw two unfamiliar maids nervously peering outside.
Spotting Jiang Li, the girls called inward, “Nanny Wang, they’ve arrived!”
Jiang Li strode through the gate and came face to face with three finely dressed middle-aged women. The foremost turned toward the inner chamber and said, “Master, Madam, we did not force the young lady. Now that the physician is here, we shall take our leave.”
Before her words had faded, Fu Yunheng rushed out from within. “Until Xu Lingze arrives, I’ll see who dares to leave!”
Then, catching sight of Jiang Li, he softened his tone. “Miss Xue…”
Jiang Li did not pause, striding straight into the inner chamber. Inside, she found Fu Yunci lying unconscious, a white bandage wrapped around her brow. At the sight of her, Madam Liu and Fu Sheng looked as though they had grasped a lifeline. “Miss Xue!”
Jiang Li nodded, rolled up her sleeves, and stepped forward to take the pulse. After feeling the rhythm and examining the wound on her temple and chest, she said, “Fortunately, the injury to her forehead is not fatal, as she is too weak to struggle. The true danger lies in her grief and fury—her breath is short, her heart oppressed, her qi rising instead of descending, her limbs cold as ice. Coupled with two external wounds, her life hangs in the balance…” Her words came quick and sharp. “When was the last dose of medicine given?”
Nanny Cui answered hastily, “At the fourth watch last night.”
As Jiang Li drew out her needle case, she ordered, “Prepare another decoction.”
Nanny Cui hurried off. Jiang Li drew Fu Yunci’s hands from beneath the quilt, rubbing them gently. “Huai Xi—Xingjian, Zhongfeng, Shangqiu.”
Huai Xi scrambled to the foot of the bed, baring Fu Yunci’s feet and locating the points. Soon, Jiang Li was at work: needles in the hand’s Taiyin meridian at Yuji to ease the heart’s oppression and reverse qi; in the Shaoyang meridian at Yemén to dispel cold and dizziness; in the heart’s source point Dalíng, the channel point Jianshi, and the Luo point Neiguan to calm palpitations and terror. Each needle sank three fen deep. Then she moved to the ankle, piercing Zhongfeng and Shangqiu four fen deep, steady and unmoving. At last, she pricked Xingjian between the great toe and the second toe, drew the needle, and watched a trickle of black blood flow. Only then did she exhale in relief.
A sheen of sweat covered her brow. She wiped away the dark blood, all the while monitoring Fu Yunci’s breath and pulse, adjusting the depth of each needle with care. After half a quarter hour, she withdrew the needles and straightened. “In another quarter hour, she should wake. But her qi remains unsettled—when she wakes, she will likely still be haunted by fear and delusion. At that time, Master and Madam must soothe her with gentle words.”
Huai Xi stepped forward to wipe her sweat. Jiang Li glanced toward the outer room. “Those women—are they from the Xu household?”
Madam Liu’s eyes were red, Fu Sheng’s face dark as iron, and Fu Yunheng burst out angrily, “Yes, Xu’s people. They heard the rumor and came demanding to examine her body! I’ll see Xu Lingze give us an explanation!”
Jiang Li frowned. “How could such a rumor spread in a single night?”
Fu Yunheng’s anger flared. “I’ve already sent guards to investigate and informed Brother Hechen. When my sister was sought at the temple, some pilgrims saw her, but only said she had gone astray. Later, when she was found at midnight, no one else saw her. How this slander arose, I cannot fathom…”
Fu Sheng muttered hoarsely, “Could it be from Yuzhen Temple?”
Jiang Li shook her head. “Unlikely. Whoever spread this rumor seems to bear deep hatred toward Miss Fu, intent on destroying her reputation…”
Fu Yunheng suddenly said, “Could it be the murderer’s doing?”
Jiang Li thought for a moment, then shook her head again. “The killer committed a capital crime. What he fears most now is Miss Fu giving the authorities a clear lead. Spreading rumors would only risk exposing him and offer him little advantage.”
Fu Yunheng clenched his jaw. Just then, a startled cry sounded from outside.
“Young Master Xu has truly come?” His brows shot up, and he strode out at once. Madam Liu and Fu Sheng hurried after him.
At the doorway, Jiang Li glanced out and saw a young gentleman enter, clad in an indigo martial robe patterned with swastika medallions.
It was none other than Xu Lingze, son of the Commander of the Patrol Battalion. Seeing Madam Liu and Fu Sheng, he bowed apologetically. “Uncle, Aunt, I have come to beg forgiveness. How is Ah Ci?”
Nanny Wang of the Xu household interjected, “Young master need not apologize. We servants have done no wrong. If the young lady’s conscience is clear, why would she seek death?”
Fu Sheng laughed bitterly in his fury. “Lingze, is this the Xu family’s way?”
Xu Lingze flushed red and pale by turns. “Uncle, I truly did not know—”
Before he could finish, Nanny Wang pressed on. “Please, sir, do not be angry. Our young master was unaware of the Old Madam’s orders. I was sent only to convey her wishes. All of Chang’an is abuzz with talk of the young lady. Even if we trust her, we cannot pretend ignorance. And the matter at Yuzhen Temple was never explained clearly. I had no choice but to mention an examination. If the young lady is indeed innocent, then it is my insolence. Even if I am beaten to death, I will not complain.”
Though the Xu family held no noble title, Xu Lingze’s father, Xu Zhao, had been promoted last year to Commander of the Patrol Battalion, one of Chang’an’s most powerful generals. Having lost his father at a young age, Xu Zhao was raised by his mother and remained deeply filial. Thus, the Xu household was firmly ruled by the Old Madam. Nanny Wang, her trusted confidante, spoke boldly, her words of self-sacrifice lending her an air of loyal righteousness.
Xu Lingze’s face was taut with urgency. “Nanny Wang, even if you are willing to die, Ah Ci cannot suffer such humiliation. She is to be my wife. I believe with all my heart she would never commit such shameless acts.”
He turned earnestly to Fu Sheng. “Uncle, today the Xu family has been discourteous. I am willing to bear the blame. But… the rumors outside are deafening. I must give an account to my grandmother, to my parents.”
Fu Sheng sneered. “And how do you propose to account for it?”
Xu Lingze replied with sincerity, “I only ask to see Ah Ci. Whatever she says, I will believe.”
Nanny Wang opened her mouth, but Xu Lingze silenced her with a cold glare. With her earlier insolence, his words now sounded far more reasonable. Madam Liu and Fu Sheng, feeling the shame of their daughter’s plight, wavered visibly.
Only Fu Yunheng remained indignant. “If you truly regard my sister as your betrothed, then go ask your grandmother why she has been so insulting. Before the marriage, you drive her to despair—after the marriage, what suffering will she not endure?”
Xu Lingze’s voice was bitter. “Ah Heng, my grandmother is old; her judgment is not always sound. I will reason with her when I return. For now, I only pray Ah Ci is safe. I will also investigate the source of these rumors to see who seeks to harm her.”
“Master, Lord Pei has arrived,” came a sudden announcement from outside.
Nanny Wang paled. “Wh-why call the authorities? No one has died…”
Xu Lingze was also startled. Fu Yunheng strode out, explaining the situation as he ushered in Pei Yan, stern-faced. He wore a snow-white fox-fur cloak, and his gaze swept the room with icy sharpness. Xu Lingze stepped forward to greet him, but Pei Yan fixed him with a piercing stare. “Young Master Xu, where were you between the hours of Shen and You two days ago?”
Xu Lingze froze. “Lord Pei, what is this…”
Pei Yan’s eyes darkened. Xu Lingze stammered, “I—I was at the Patrol Battalion camp west of the city that afternoon, and did not return home until the second watch of the night. Why do you ask?”
Pei Yan nodded without explanation, then turned to Fu Yunheng. “How is Miss Fu?”
Fu Yunheng glanced toward the inner chamber. “Miss Xue has just treated her…”
Inside, Jiang Li had returned to the bedside. Dan Feng and Mo Mei kept watch. Suddenly, Fu Yunci’s brow furrowed; she coughed lightly and slowly opened her eyes.
Dan Feng cried out in joy. “My lady is awake!”
Mo Mei, overjoyed, rushed to report outside. Dan Feng knelt by the bed, choking with emotion. “My lady, you are awake at last. Young Master Xu has come. Do not heed those vile words…”
Fu Yunci regained clarity swiftly. Yet upon hearing Xu Lingze’s name, she felt no joy. Her eyes darted around, searching for something. Then, reaching out, she brushed away the tears from Dan Feng’s eyes. Then, all at once, she snatched the silver hairpin from Dan Feng’s coiffure. In a flash, like lightning striking, she closed her eyes and drove it fiercely toward her own throat.
“Fu Yunci—!”
At Jiang Li’s sharp cry, Dan Feng, crouching nearby, felt her hairpin suddenly loosen. Before she could react, Jiang Li had already lunged forward. In the next instant, Jiang Li seized the silver hairpin. Its sharp tip slid across her palm, halting just an inch from Fu Yunci’s throat—Jiang Li had caught both pin and hand together.
Dan Feng was horrified. “Miss! Miss Xue! Someone, help—!”
Fu Yunci, with a strength born of desperation, resisted Jiang Li’s grip. Dan Feng rushed to assist, and by then, the commotion had drawn everyone from the outer chamber inside.
Madam Liu ran in first. Seeing the scene, she cried out in anguish, “Ah Ci! Must you insist on dying?!”
Pei Yan entered just as a streak of blood welled from Jiang Li’s hand. She wrenched the hairpin free and stepped back. The bloodied pin clattered to the floor, while her palm bore a long gash, bleeding profusely. Huai Xi, who had been farther away, rushed to cradle her hand. “Miss, you—!”
She hurried to fetch medicine, but Jiang Li only looked sorrowfully at Fu Yunci. “Miss Fu… do you know how many struggle with all their strength just to survive? And how many, even with all their strength, cannot? You have both parents and family at your side. Will you, for the sake of a rumor, bring grief to those who love you and joy to those who hate you?”
Huai Xi dressed her wound; Jiang Li winced softly at the sting. Pei Yan, standing not far off, watched her hand, his brows drawn tight.
Fu Yunci, having spent all her strength in that attempt, now closed her eyes and wept silently. Madam Liu looked from Jiang Li to her daughter, choked with helpless tears.
Xu Lingze stood at the doorway. “Ah Ci…”
Fu Yunci, dressed neatly after seeing Nanny Wang earlier, did not shy from outsiders. But at Xu Lingze’s voice, her shoulders trembled, and she bit her lip without reply.
Fu Yunheng, distraught, cried, “Sister, why must it come to this? Why?! Would you abandon Father, Mother, and me? Miss Xue has saved you again and again—how can you betray her so? That rumor is strange; we are investigating its source. In three to five days, we will surely clear your name. How can you…”
“Miss Fu seeks death not only because of the rumor.” Pei Yan, silent until now, spoke with chilling calm, anger beneath his words. Seeing Fu Yunci remain mute, he continued, “I have traced the rumor—it was deliberately spread. But more urgent than the rumor is to resolve Miss Fu’s own doubt, for she herself is uncertain of the truth.”
His words puzzled Xu Lingze and the Fu family, though they sensed it was tied to her attack. Yet with her will to die, how could she be made to recount it?
“I… I will only speak with Miss Xue…” When all hope seemed lost, Fu Yunci’s hoarse voice broke the silence.
Everyone turned in shock to Jiang Li, whose hand Huai Xi had just bandaged. Jiang Li herself was surprised.
Fu Yunheng reacted first. “Good, good. As long as Sister is safe, she may do as she wishes. We will leave. Miss Xue, we entrust her to you…”
Thus, one by one, they withdrew, leaving Jiang Li alone.
The room fell quiet. Fu Yunci wiped her tears, then looked at Jiang Li, eyes glistening. As Jiang Li approached the bed, Fu Yunci’s gaze fell on her bloodied hand. “I have long heard of your skill in medicine. When I learned you were also in your twenties, I thought of an old friend…”
Jiang Li’s heart gave a jolt.
Fu Yunci met her eyes. “Your eyes resemble hers. Even the way you called my name just now—it was so like her…” She paused, then whispered, “She was one of those you spoke of—who gave all her strength, yet could not survive.”
Memories overwhelmed her, tears flowing anew. “My friend endured worse than I—endless slander and curses. But she did not die of slander. She never gave up her life. Years have passed; I thought I had forgotten. But your words just now brought it all back…” Her tears fell in streams. “You are right. I still have my parents and brother. When she died, she had nothing left…”
Jiang Li stood rigid, her face stiff.
Seeing her silence, Fu Yunci gave a bitter smile. “I must seem foolish. Yet you, with a healer’s heart, have saved me many times. I hear from Yunheng that you care deeply about my case and want to know what truly happened that day. Then I will tell you.” She drew a breath, her expression twisting in pain. “That day at Yuzhen Temple, I did not leave casually. I… I heard the voice of my betrothed, Xu Lingze…”