"Our Wang family proposing to the Liu family is a sign of our generosity, yet you refuse? I'll state it plainly: whether you agree or not, she *will* marry." Prince Wang Feng and his steward arrived at the Liu family with a large dowry. As soon as they entered, he declared his intention to marry the Liu family's young lady.
Liu's father didn't know them at all and, judging by their demeanor, they didn't seem to come from a family with strong moral principles. He quickly refused.
"My daughter is still young, and we wish to keep her with us for a few more years. A melon that is forcibly twisted is not sweet, you understand?" Having practiced medicine in the outside world for many years, Liu's father had a good eye for people and knew these individuals were not to be trifled with. He spoke very politely, but the other party's attitude was exceptionally strong. Understanding his meaning, they directly uttered these harsh words, threw the dowry into the courtyard, and left with their retinue in a flourish.
Liu's father watched the group's retreating figures with great distress. Turning, he saw his daughter standing there silently weeping. He forced a smile, "You heard everything? Go back quickly. You just recovered from your cold; you can't be out in the wind. If the sky falls, your father will hold it up for you."
Wu Caiwei smiled and nodded, closing the door. She didn't want to cry, but the original owner's tears had already fallen when she arrived, which fit the scene perfectly, so she didn't wipe them away.
Lying on the bed, she quickly absorbed the original owner's memories to prepare for what was to come. She could tell that although Liu's father said he would handle it, he sounded hollow, clearly lacking confidence.
A quarter of an hour later, she opened her eyes. No wonder the original owner was filled with such resentment. Saving just one person had cost her entire family their lives. Anyone in her place would curse heaven for its injustice.
The original owner's name was Liu Xiangjun, a young woman born and raised in Qinghe Town. Her father ran a pharmacy in town and was a renowned physician in the surrounding villages. It was said her mother's ancestors were also physicians. She had an elder brother named Liu Xiangjun. The family lived a harmonious life, occasionally envisioning the kind of husband she might marry in the future, but never imagining disaster was so close.
This matter dated back to a year ago. The Liu family had been physicians for generations, and she had been exposed to medicine since childhood, understanding some medical skills. For their safety, her father had also taught them some simple grappling techniques. While not enough to contend with trained martial artists, they were sufficient to handle one or two strong men.
Having grown up in the area, she often went into the mountains alone to gather herbs. One day, she entered the mountains as usual. The outskirts had been thoroughly explored over the years, yielding no precious medicinal ingredients. To venture deeper, she recalled her father's constant warnings about monstrous beasts in the deep mountains and the many hunters who had gone in and never returned. She felt a pang of fear.
However, since she had come this far, she didn't want to return empty-handed. Reassuring herself, she decided to go in just a little further, gather herbs, and then retreat.
After walking for a while, she was delighted to find the ground covered in treasures and began gathering them frantically. As she walked, she unconsciously ventured a bit deeper. When she came to her senses, she smacked her head in annoyance and hurried to turn back.
As she walked, she suddenly heard screams from below the mountain. Startled, she quickly found a place to hide.
Soon, she saw a man in plain blue cloth running frantically into the mountains, pursued by two burly men with fierce faces and knives in their hands.
Although the original owner was terrified, having followed her father in treating many patients and seen much blood, she did not panic. This was the first time she had witnessed someone being chased with knives in broad daylight. She was kind, but she also valued her own life. She hid more discreetly, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.
As the man in blue ran, his eyes fixed ahead, he failed to notice his footing and stepped into a trap, twisting his leg. He struggled with all his might but couldn't run anymore.
"You're quite fast, aren't you? Keep running." The two men, panting, approached him with malicious intent.
"Please, spare me! I will repay your kindness in the future." The man stumbled backward, pleading.
"It's just that you got in someone's way. We're only doing this for silver."
The two exchanged a glance. In the man's terrified gaze, they raised their swords and plunged them into his heart.
When the attackers raised their swords, Liu Xiangjun closed her eyes. Hearing the screams beside her, her heart ached uncontrollably.
After a while, hearing no further sounds, she slowly opened her eyes. In the forest, besides the man lying on the ground, there was only the sound of the wind. After waiting a bit longer and confirming the group had left, she walked forward to check on the man.
She had expected him to be dead after so long. To her surprise, he was still breathing. Wu Caiwei quickly lifted his clothes to check his chest and discovered a small iron plate protecting his chest. The attacker's sword had been slightly deflected when it struck the plate.
"You're lucky you ran into me, or you'd be dead in this wilderness," Liu Xiangjun said with a relieved smile.
Those who practice medicine have a heart that seeks to save lives and heal the wounded. Knowing he could be saved, her worried heart settled.
After gathering nearby herbs and stopping his bleeding, a problem arose. How could she, a weak woman, move a grown man? Moreover, the bloodstains on his chest were too conspicuous. She didn't know if those two men had left. If she brazenly carried him down the mountain, wouldn't it be a clear signal to everyone that he wasn't dead?
She had no choice but to exert all her strength to drag him to a small wooden hut at the foot of the mountain. Her father had told her about the hut. He often went into the mountains to gather herbs and would occasionally stay there overnight during harsh weather or emergencies.
The conditions in the small hut were very basic: a simple wooden bed covered with straw, and a threadbare quilt.
Wu Caiwei helped him onto the bed, covering him with straw and then the worn quilt to keep him warm at night.
While there was still light, she quickly gathered the necessary herbs and brewed them using a broken pot in the hut. She managed to force him to drink the medicine and left, feeling uneasy.
Although her conscience bothered her, Wu Caiwei knew it would be dark soon, and staying in the mountains was very dangerous. Her father only stayed there when absolutely necessary. If she, a young woman, didn't return for a night, even though her father and she had helped many people in town for years, gossip was inevitable.
"What happened to you, child? Your clothes are so wet." Liu's mother looked at her with a worried expression. As a young woman in the prime of her life, she feared something might happen to her if she went out alone and always objected to her going into the mountains by herself. But Liu Xiangjun never listened.
"Oh, this? Sigh, I forgot to bring water today. I was thirsty, so I went to the river to scoop some up. I was a bit careless and got soaked. I'll be more careful next time." Liu Xiangjun smiled nonchalantly, took the herbs to the backyard, and quickly went inside to change.