"Doctor Lin..."
"You wait here, I'll be back soon."
Rong Zhi instructed, and then left in a huff.
The new county magistrate had not yet taken office, and the area was temporarily under the jurisdiction of the prefect. The guards at the gate recognized Rong Zhi and did not stop her, allowing her to pass unhindered.
Lu An was reviewing past case files. When he saw Rong Zhi enter, he even offered a polite smile.
"Miss, you've come here..."
"Bang!" Rong Zhi slammed her palm onto the table, startling Lu An. A teacup next to him tipped over onto the case files, soaking a large area.
"Sir, this is outrageous! The guilty party is already imprisoned, and those with no outlet for their resentment are taking it out on the innocent, causing the innocent to die tragically. Is there any law in this world?"
Lu An wiped the tea stains from the case files. Seeing Rong Zhi so angry, he couldn't help but ask, "What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about Zhang Chu's family," Rong Zhi pointed in the direction of Zhang Chu's home. "Zhang Chu is currently serving his sentence in prison. His wife was alone at home. The villagers broke into their house and scared her to death. Now Zhang Chu's family is scattered, and his wife's body lies on the bed, with no one to help with the burial!"
Upon hearing this, Lu An's jaw dropped in surprise. "Such a thing happened? How did I not know?"
Just then, a commotion arose from outside.
"You can't go in! The magistrate can't handle this matter!"
"Don't stop me!"
A scuffle ensued, and two men in official uniforms appeared at the doorway. One was Li Zhao, Zhang Chu's subordinate, and the other was Lu An's subordinate.
In the struggle, the door was knocked open, and their argument came into Lu An's view. They had no choice but to release each other and simultaneously bowed to Lu An.
"Sir."
"What's going on?"
"Sir, he..."
Lu An's subordinate was about to speak when Li Zhao interjected.
"Sir, our Lord Zhang... Zhang Chu is innocent!" He corrected himself mid-sentence. "Zhang Chu has entered the prison, and his home is unattended. A mob of ruffians forcibly entered the house and scared his wife to death. I tried to report this to you several times, but was blocked. Please, sir, deliver justice for us!"
Hearing this, Rong Zhi looked at the official next to Li Zhao with surprise. Did Lu An really not know about this?
"Take me to see. If the facts are as you say, I will certainly deliver justice for you."
"Thank you, sir!" Li Zhao quickly kowtowed.
"Let's go together, Miss Lin." Lu An gestured for Rong Zhi to precede him, showing her great courtesy. Seeing that he was genuinely unaware, Rong Zhi suppressed her anger and went with him.
As they passed the doorway, Li Zhao leaned over and asked, "Miss Lin, have you seen our young lady recently? I went to the mass grave a few days ago to look for Doctor Chu, but I didn't see our young lady."
Rong Zhi replied, "She's doing well."
"That's good." Li Zhao sighed in relief, finally at ease.
When the group arrived at the scene, not only the official but even Lu An himself was startled by the desolate state of the mansion. "What happened?"
Cui Xi heard the commotion and ran out. Upon seeing Lu An, she hesitated, unsure if he was an ally or an enemy. Only when she saw Rong Zhi did she slowly approach and kneel, kowtowing.
"Sir."
Lu An saw that the maid's hair was disheveled, her face sallow, as if she hadn't eaten for days, appearing half-dead. His heart sank, and he quickly helped her up. "Take me to see your madam."
"Yes."
Cui Xi led Lu An to the madam's room. Upon seeing the person on the bed, Lu An couldn't help but chant Amitabha. Then, he turned and reprimanded the officials behind him.
"Such a significant matter, and you didn't report it to me? Why block people when lives are at stake?"
The official was also startled by the person on the bed, but still explained, "Zhang Chu colluded with human traffickers, which has incurred the wrath of the people. The people's anger is difficult to quell, sir. If we intervene, the public might become dissatisfied with us."
"Absurd!" Lu An snorted. "Are you saying that because the crowd is large, they can disregard law and order? Zhang Chu is the one who committed the crime. His wife was not involved. If she were truly guilty, she would be punished by the law of the land. How can they resort to vigilantism and scare her to death? Go and investigate thoroughly who is responsible, and bring the ringleaders to me immediately."
"Yes."
The official, having been reprimanded, did not dare to argue and quickly went to carry out the order.
Lu An sighed. "It is my oversight. I should have anticipated this earlier."
Cui Xi was still wiping away tears. Lu An comforted her, "Don't worry, I will personally arrange for the burial of your madam."
"Thank you, sir."
Seeing Lu An handle the matter so efficiently, Rong Zhi was naturally relieved.
"Cui Xi, there is no one left in the manor. What are your plans?"
In this situation, no one would fault Cui Xi if she left.
Cui Xi wiped her eyes. "Doctor Lin, where is my young lady?"
"She is at the mass grave."
"I want to serve my young lady. My young lady and I grew up together. Now there are only the two of us left in the manor. I cannot abandon my young lady."
"Very well."
Rong Zhi was touched that Cui Xi could still think of Zhang Yajing in such circumstances.
"However, your young lady is not in good health. When you go back, do not speak carelessly, and let her rest well."
"Mm."
Zhang Yajing was already ill, so Cui Xi did not suspect anything and nodded.
After returning, Lu An dispatched officials to purchase a coffin and bury the madam. The entire large mansion was sealed with paper strips, and two officials were stationed at the entrance to prevent the public from causing trouble.
The handling of the matter was quite appropriate. Rong Zhi did not stay any longer and took Cui Xi back.
On their way back, Chu Qingze was feeding medicine to Zhang Yajing. Zhang Yajing was still "unconscious," but she took the medicine smoothly.
Cui Xi saw that Zhang Yajing had lost more weight and couldn't help but shed tears again.
"Chu Qingze, you go out for a moment."
Rong Zhi gave Chu Qingze a meaningful look, indicating that the mistress and maid needed a private conversation.
Chu Qingze understood, handed the medicine bowl to Cui Xi, and turned to leave.
As soon as he left, Zhang Yajing immediately woke up. Seeing Cui Xi, she smiled.
"Why are you here?"
"I came to see you, young lady. You went out to play without me, and I missed you." Cui Xi suppressed the bitterness in her heart and managed a slight smile.
"Young lady, after not seeing you for so long, why has your illness worsened?"
"It's nothing. The weather has turned colder. You are here to keep me company, and I feel much better."
Zhang Yajing held Cui Xi's hand, feeling as if a lifetime had passed. She had been away from home for less than a month, yet it felt like years.
"You two chat. I'll go and check on the medicine."
Rong Zhi did not disturb them. As she walked out, she saw Chu Qingze holding a medicine pot and peering inside.
"Cui Xi's expression is not right. Did something happen?"
Rong Zhi nodded, pulled him aside, and told him what she had seen and heard.
Chu Qingze's eyes darkened. "Such a big matter, it's better to let her know."
"You know her condition. She just woke up and cannot bear too much shock. The living come first. As for Madam Zhang, we can pay respects later."
As a doctor, Rong Zhi naturally prioritized the feelings of the living.
Chu Qingze did not insist. He just wondered if Zhang Yajing would blame them if she knew they had concealed this matter.
"Huh? Where did Xia Lei go?"
Rong Zhi suddenly realized she hadn't seen Xia Yunting since entering.
Chu Qingze explained, "Chen Xing came over just now and hurriedly called him away. I don't know what happened."
Rong Zhi felt a sense of worry. "I should go back and check."
"No need."
As soon as he spoke, Xia Yunting's voice came from the doorway. His hair was disheveled, his face was smudged with black, and his clothes had several burnt holes, emitting a smoky, scorched smell.
"Xiao Mo, I'm back."
Behind him, Chen Xing, carrying someone, rushed over.
"Madam, quickly check if this old man is alright."
He put the person down. Rong Zhi recognized the face. It was none other than Yu Cheng.
"Uncle Yu!" Rong Zhi exclaimed in shock and rushed forward to examine him. Chu Qingze also lifted his clothes to check for any wounds.
Chen Xing explained, "The houses in Yunshui Village were set on fire. This old man was injured while trying to save them."
"Who burned our houses?"
Rong Zhi noticed soot blocking Uncle Yu's nose and mouth, so she fetched a basin of water and used a wet cloth to clean him. She looked up and asked Chen Xing. Chen Xing replied, "It was villagers from the village. The village chief is investigating. However, that house cannot be lived in anymore."
He was a bit angry. So many villagers had been cured by Madam, and so many people on the mine had been saved by General. Yet, they repaid kindness with enmity.
Xia Yunting brushed the dust off his clothes. "New accommodations have been arranged. We don't need to go back."
So quickly?
Rong Zhi was a little surprised. He seemed unbothered by the villagers' ingratitude. But then again, perhaps only a small portion of the ignorant people were causing trouble, and there was no need to be sad or angry over such people.
"As long as the person is alright."
As soon as she spoke, Yu Cheng coughed on the ground and slowly opened his eyes. Seeing Rong Zhi, he instinctively tried to push himself up.
"Girl, are you alright? I couldn't find you in the house earlier."
"Uncle Yu, I've been here treating patients for the past two days and wasn't in Yunshui Village. Don't worry."
"That's good." Yu Cheng patted his chest.
Chu Qingze also helped him adjust his clothes. "There are no injuries on his body, just that he inhaled too much smoke and dust, causing him to choke. He'll be fine after some rest."
Yu Cheng only then noticed that they were in a different place. Looking at the unfamiliar surroundings, he guessed he had been rescued and sighed. "I don't know who set the fire, it's too wicked. Won't this chill the hearts of our benefactors?"
"No! I must make the village chief investigate thoroughly! This matter is not over!"
He was indignant and stood up, ready to return to the village to settle the score, but Xia Yunting stopped him.
"Uncle Yu, forget it. Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding."
"But the house is gone! Where will you live then?"
"Accommodations have been arranged. Uncle Yu, you don't need to worry. Rest and recover, and don't make a fuss when you get back. Leave the investigation to the village chief!"
Yu Cheng was originally furious, but seeing Xia Yunting's indifferent demeanor, he couldn't insist further.
"Then... will you still return to the village in the future?"
He seemed to realize something, and a hint of reluctance appeared in his eyes.
Xia Yunting said, "Uncle Yu, we will come back to visit you when we have time."
This was a tactful but clear answer.
Yu Cheng paused for a moment, then nodded.
"Alas."
By noon, Rong Zhi wanted to ask Yu Cheng to stay for lunch, but he said he had work at home and left in a hurry, likely feeling uncomfortable with so many people around.
Rong Zhi, worried he would go back to confront the village chief, asked Chen Xing to follow him. Only Xia Yunting stayed behind.
Rong Zhi took the opportunity while no one else was around to ask Xia Yunting, "Are you planning to return to the imperial city?"