As Ziling administered the acupuncture, she carefully observed Gong Mohan’s expressions. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Her hands remained perfectly steady, every needle placed with absolute precision.
Gong Mohan watched her serious expression, his gaze lingering on her face. For some reason, a strange feeling stirred in his heart.
Only after a long while, when sweat had already begun forming faintly on her brow, did she finally withdraw the silver needles. As she stood up, she staggered slightly from exhaustion.
“Are you alright?” Gong Mohan instinctively tried to rise and support her, but his injured leg could not exert any strength.
“It’s done. Did you feel anything just now?” Ziling finally stopped moving and let out a long breath, asking tiredly with exhaustion written across her pale face.
Gong Mohan looked at her. Seeing how weary and pale she was at that moment, he suddenly felt an urge to shield her behind him and never let her suffer even the slightest grievance again.
“There was a numb tingling sensation. It lasted only a short moment before disappearing.”
“That’s normal. We’ve only just started the acupuncture treatment, and we still don’t have all the necessary medicinal herbs. When we reach the next town, I’ll check the apothecary for what we need. If I can buy the right herbs, your recovery will be much faster.”
Ziling actually possessed modern medicine inside her space, but now was not the right time to use it. His leg injury was far too severe—if he recovered too quickly, it would arouse too much suspicion.
“Just tell me what herbs you need,” Gong Mohan said softly. “You’re tired too. Get some rest first.”
His voice carried a gentleness she had never heard from him before. Ziling looked up at him in surprise and found an unfamiliar trace of concern in his eyes. Her heart stirred slightly.
“Tell you? You have a way of getting medicinal herbs?”
Only now did Ziling carefully study Gong Mohan. Perhaps he still had secrets she did not know about. After all, how could the famed young general—renowned for both talent and martial skill—possibly have no hidden resources left?
“I’ll find a way,” Gong Mohan replied without elaborating further.
Ziling was truly exhausted. She reminded him seriously, “While I’m treating you, you absolutely must not force yourself to walk. Even if your leg starts regaining sensation, you still cannot use force before the treatment is complete.”
After saying that, she immediately lay down and fell asleep.
Late at night, when both the guards and prisoners had already fallen asleep, Gong Mohan slowly sat up. He made another subtle gesture toward the night sky, and the black-clothed figure from before appeared once again in front of him, bowing respectfully.
“Master, the people sent to investigate Madam have returned.”
“Speak.”
“Master, according to the investigation, before Madam married into the General’s residence, she rarely left the manor and seldom even entered the front courtyard of the marquis’ estate. Her stepmother and stepsister frequently bullied and even beat her. She often went hungry as well. Madam’s life in the marquis’ household was extremely miserable—she did not even have a servant maid attending her.”
Gong Mohan recalled the pale look on her face earlier and finally understood just how difficult her past life had been. No wonder she could do so many things noble ladies normally would not know how to do—and seemed quite practiced at them.
“Master, there is another matter.”
“What is it?”
“There are rumors spreading in the capital that the Old General defected to the enemy and that his life or death is unknown.”
“Where did these rumors originate? Has it been investigated clearly?”
“It was traced back to the Right Chancellor’s residence. The rumor says that evidence was received claiming the Old General had defected to the enemy. The Emperor flew into a rage during court session. The Left Chancellor petitioned for an audience with His Majesty, but the Emperor instead confined him to his residence and forbade him from leaving for three months.”
Gong Mohan clenched his fists tightly, his eyes turning icy cold.
“Immediately send a letter to my maternal grandfather’s family. Tell Grandfather that we are all safe and ask him not to worry. For now, he must remain silent and focus on self-preservation, lest others seize upon any weakness against him. Also send out two more people to secretly search for the Old General’s whereabouts. This must be done discreetly—no exposure.”
“Yes, Master. Also, Young Master Ning has followed us here and has already arrived nearby. He heard your injuries were severe and wishes to examine you.”
“Mhm. Bring him tomorrow night.”
Young Master Ning, whose name was Ning Yuan, was Gong Mohan’s closest friend. He had studied under the Medicine King Valley and possessed medical skills considered among the very best in the entire country. Even the Emperor had once tried to recruit him, but Ning Yuan loved wandering freely and had no interest in becoming an official.
After today’s acupuncture treatment from Ziling, Gong Mohan already understood that her medical skills were extraordinary. He wanted Ning Yuan to examine him as well, to see whether his leg truly had hope of recovery.
The black-clothed man was about to continue his report when Gong Mohan suddenly raised a hand. Instantly, the man disappeared without a trace.
Gong Mohan then noticed that Ziling—who had supposedly been asleep—quietly rose to her feet and stealthily slipped away from their resting place.
In the next instant, she vanished completely.
Gong Mohan was utterly shocked. She had disappeared so abruptly and mysteriously.
Who exactly was she?
Yet at that moment, he felt no fear whatsoever—only worry that she might never return.