Wang Yurou stepped up to Wang Jingze and scrutinized her elder brother carefully. There was a hint of gloom on his jade - like face.
"I still remember how highly you praised her that day!"
Wang Jingze knew his younger sister's temper all too well. She was this angry just because Lu Huaijin had broken off the engagement. If he were to tell her what Lu Huaijin had said before leaving, she would surely go mad.
"Stop talking nonsense! Since childhood, you've been the apple of our parents' eyes. They've always indulged you and granted your every wish. But things are different now. We're in the capital city, not Langzhou. If you act so domineeringly and word gets out, no one will dare to marry you."
Hearing this, Wang Yurou got even angrier. "I think elder brother has been bewitched by others and has lost his wits."
Just then, the servant who had been sent to fetch the doctor came running back in a hurry and reported, "Eldest young master, the doctor is here. He's waiting outside the courtyard."
Wang Jingze responded with a grunt. He cast a sidelong glance at Wang Yurou and didn't want to argue with her anymore. He looked at the old maid beside him and ordered in a low voice, "Carry Miss Lin to my courtyard."
"No! She's the maid mother bought for me. If elder brother wants one, ask mother to buy you another."
With just a look from Wang Yurou, the old maids were so frightened that they stood still, not daring to move an inch.
"Stop being so childish! If you cause someone's death and then regret it later, it'll be too late!"
Wang Jingze helplessly rubbed his temples, looking extremely disappointed.
It was the first time Wang Yurou had seen her elder brother so angry and scolding her so sternly. It really scared her a little.
"Fine, I won't beat her anymore."
After saying that, she turned her head and ordered, "Lock her in the firewood shed. Feed her well three times a day."
"Is this okay now, elder brother?"
Without waiting for Wang Jingze to reply, Wang Yurou turned around and left with her maid.
Wang Jingze sighed helplessly and turned to look at Lin Wanyu.
Lin Wanyu was in excruciating pain all over her body. She still had a bit of consciousness. As the old maids carried her past Wang Jingze, she whispered in a hoarse voice, "Thank you, eldest young master!"
Her voice was so weak that it was barely audible.
The guilt in Wang Jingze's eyes deepened. After all, what did this matter have to do with this young girl!
At night, the wind howled everywhere. The window of the firewood shed creaked back and forth in the wind, making a continuous "tap - tap - tap" sound.
Lin Wanyu lay motionless in the pile of hay that the old maid had made for her. Her only movement was to stare fixedly at the moonlight seeping through the window cracks.
She was in so much pain. She felt like she was really going to die...
Scenes from her past in Yangzhou flashed before her eyes like a carousel. Happy, sad, painful, and blissful moments all came rushing back one by one.
It was said that people would recall their past before they died.
It seemed that this time, she couldn't escape.
Lin Wanyu endured the pain and forced a smile. Before the smile faded, she suddenly felt a tickling in her throat. The next moment, she spat out a mouthful of blood.
The dark - red blood gave off a pungent smell.
Lin Wanyu took a deep breath and silently closed her eyes, waiting for death.
Suddenly, the door of the firewood shed was pushed open. Along with the evening breeze, a man in black entered.
The man stood at the door. Lin Wanyu couldn't see his face clearly.
After a moment, the figure gradually approached. With the moonlight on one side, Lin Wanyu finally saw the person in front of her clearly.
She was just about to speak when her chest heaved and her throat felt blocked.
Wang Jingze took out some medicine from his bosom and placed it beside her. He lowered his voice and said, "Don't talk and don't move. I'll apply the medicine for you. Please forgive my rudeness."
Looking at his outfit, Lin Wanyu immediately guessed that he had come secretly.
Wang Jingze carefully lifted her hand, picked up the handkerchief he had prepared earlier, and wiped the bloodstains around the wound clean. Then he took the medicine and applied it.
A sharp pain made Lin Wanyu tremble involuntarily.
Wang Jingze looked up at her and only then noticed that her eyes were red and her face was covered in tears.
The tears mixed with the blood and spread across her pretty face. For a moment, she looked exactly like the female general in the play he loved so much.
Especially those eyes, full of stubbornness, endurance, and unwillingness.
They were the same as the female general's eyes when she was demoted.
Wang Jingze realized his rudeness and quickly let go of her hand. He stood up, bowed, and said, "I'm sorry for my rudeness. I'll leave the medicine here. Apply it yourself. I'll come back later."
After saying that, he turned around and walked out.
When he reached the door, Lin Wanyu's hoarse voice came from behind.
"Eldest young master, can this humble maid ask a favor of you?"
When he turned around, he saw Lin Wanyu struggling to sit up and kneeling in front of him.
The wind was still howling everywhere. The half - closed door was suddenly blown against the wall with a "bang".
Wang Jingze took off his cloak and put it on Lin Wanyu. He carefully helped her out of Feiyun Pavilion and escorted her all the way to the back door of the prime minister's mansion.
He had intended to secretly send a carriage to the back door to take her to the medical clinic first, but unfortunately, someone saw them.
Just a few beats of the curfew bell at the ugly hour had passed. When he helped Lin Wanyu out of Feiyun Pavilion, his father saw them.
His father ordered him to go to the study to report as soon as he had sent Lin Wanyu away.
"Miss Lin, I can only take you this far."
Wang Jingze took off the jade hairpin on his head and placed it in her hand. "I apologize on behalf of my younger sister for today's incident."
He had rushed out in a hurry and hadn't thought to bring any silver or banknotes.
Lin Wanyu lowered her head and looked at the jade hairpin in her palm. She nodded silently. Just as she was about to perform a grand salute, Wang Jingze stopped her.
"Hurry up and go. It looks like the weather is about to change."
"Thank you, eldest young master."
Lin Wanyu endured the pain all over her body and tightly clutched the jade hairpin in her hand as she left the prime minister's mansion.
Wang Jingze stood at the door. After watching the slender figure gradually disappear into the night, he let out a long sigh and turned around to walk towards the study in the front yard.
The moon was intoxicating tonight, but unfortunately, the wind was too strong. It blew the scattered clouds, slowly covering the moon.
Wang Jinsong stood under the corridor with his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky. His eyes were filled with gloom.
"Father."
Wang Jingze stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "It's so late. Why aren't you sleeping, father?"
Wang Jinsong cast a sidelong glance at him. "Aren't you awake either?"
"Son thought Miss Lin was pitiful, so..."
"Is that all?"
Wang Jinsong knew his son all too well. He was indecisive and too compassionate. This was not a good thing in the officialdom.
Wang Jingze pursed his lips and said in a low voice, "Father has been worrying about the matter of the heir apparent breaking off the engagement all day. Maybe you haven't thought carefully about the meaning of the heir apparent's last words."
Wang Jinsong frowned and thought carefully for a while. The next moment, he suddenly realized. "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and bring Miss Lin back!"