novelraw Chapter 284 Extra 4: Sweet Love in a Time of War
Chapter 284 Extra 4: Sweet Love in a Time of War
I met my wife, Zhao Ningshuang, when I went south to Jiangyan City to buy medicinal herbs. Her elegant and refined demeanor immediately caught my eye.
At the time, she was afraid of being exposed and arrested by the warlords, so she hid in a small rented courtyard. I also rented a place in that courtyard; we lived in two rooms facing each other.
During the day, you could see her dressed as a student, sitting by the window, lost in thought. She would just sit there quietly, seemingly pondering something, her eyes hazy, filled with melancholy and uncertainty.
Sometimes she would change into an ill-fitting set of men's clothing, hide her hair in a hat, leave the courtyard to go to the nearby Jishengtang Medical Clinic, buy the medicine and have the shop assistant brew it for her, and then leave after drinking the medicine.
The clinic owner was my contact person with the herbal medicine seller, and I was going there too, so it just so happened that we were going the same way. Almost without thinking, I approached her and asked if she was having any difficulties and if she needed my help.
She glanced at me, shook her head, and said thank you in a soft, indifferent voice. I knew she didn't trust me, so I didn't ask any further questions.
She went to the clinic, got her medicine, and the young clerk brewed it and brought it to her. After taking the medicine and paying, she turned and left without saying goodbye to me.
"This girl doesn't seem to know how to brew medicine; we've been brewing it for her. She's naturally weak, and recently caught a cold; she probably won't make it through without medicine!"
Seeing his curiosity about the girl, the shopkeeper explained, "She's dressed like this, probably for safety. These days aren't very peaceful; this girl is quite clever!"
That same afternoon, I ran into her again. She was near the prison, giving the guards some money and snacks, seemingly asking them for some information.
She was scrutinized by the prison guards and seemed somewhat timid, perhaps because she was in poor health and ill. I saw her take a few steps back and then collapse softly to the ground.
The prison guard reached out towards her chest with ill intent; he had already realized she was a young girl and was trying to take advantage of her.
As a doctor, I couldn't just stand by and watch her die, so I quickly called out "Cousin!" and ran over to help her up!
"Wake up, cousin! You're sick, why aren't you staying home?"
She groggily opened her eyes and softly hummed, "Brother?"
"Hey! It's me, your cousin! I'll take you to the clinic right away!" I quickly turned to the prison guard and said, "Sorry to trouble you, sir! Here, have some tea."
I took out a dozen or so copper coins from my pocket and gave them to him. The man took them and waved us away.
I carried her to that clinic, took her pulse, performed acupuncture, wrote a new prescription, and brewed the medicine for her.
When she woke up and saw me, she knew I had saved her. She said "thank you" and didn't say anything more. I asked her if she could walk, and if not, I would carry her back.
"Thank you, I can go now!" She stood up, a little unsteady, but finally stood firm and slowly walked towards her rented place.
I was going the same way as her, so I walked with her. As we walked, I noticed that her face was pale and covered in cold sweat, and I knew that she couldn't hold on any longer.
"I'll carry you on my back. I've already carried you once, so you already owe me a favor. I don't mind owing you one more time."
I said jokingly, and saw a faint smile appear on her face, as beautiful as a wildflower in bloom. I picked her up; she was as light as a feather. Her slender arms rested on my chest, fair and translucent, with veins faintly visible. She was so thin!
As I walked, I introduced myself, saying I was from the north and had come here to buy medicinal herbs. I come here almost every year, and I even asked her if she was a local and why she lived alone in a rented house.
She said her name was Zhao Ningshuang, and that because her family had offended the warlord in power, their property was seized and confiscated, and her family and clansmen abandoned their home and fled.
Her parents and brother, in an effort to prevent her from being arrested, exposed their own whereabouts and were subsequently arrested themselves; it's unclear whether they are being held here.
After running away, she secretly returned and rented a room here temporarily so she could see a doctor, get medicine, and inquire about her family. Fortunately, she had money and some jewelry with her, which, if pawned, would be enough for her to live on for a while.
Today, she came to inquire about her family under the guise of a friend, which aroused suspicion among the prison guards, who began questioning her. Panicked, she became dizzy and collapsed!
The Zhao family mansion has been sealed off, leaving her homeless. Even if there were a place to stay, she wouldn't dare. How could a frail woman like her live in such a large house? Wouldn't she attract unwanted attention? With her small frame, she couldn't even beat a ten-year-old child!
Unable to get any news from her family, and with her health failing her, she is now caught in a dilemma, afraid to go out and look for work, yet also afraid to leave this place for unfamiliar places.
"I wonder how my family is doing! If I had known it would be like this, I would have preferred to go to jail with them!" she said wistfully.
Her parents and brothers have protected her too well; she's faced everything alone, and it's already quite remarkable that she's managed to live like this. I seriously doubt how much longer she can live if she continues to live off her savings in this condition.
"It's inconvenient for you to inquire about these things. How about I ask someone I know around here tomorrow?" I offered to take on the task.
"You're willing to help me? Thank you so much. I hope it won't cause you any trouble?" Zhao Ningshuang looked at me very seriously, wondering if I was just being polite.
"Just say I'm a distant relative of yours, and I'm here to see my aunt. Tell me about your family so I can ask around. They can't just stand there and get arrested!"
"Brother Tong, could you please ask how we can rescue them? I... I'll try to raise the money..."
Her parents were easy to find out about; her second brother had crippled the younger brother of a warlord's third concubine because he had been abducting a woman in the street. This caused quite a stir at the time, and many people cheered!
But now their family members are all imprisoned, and none of those who cheered dare to speak out. The warlord, wanting to amass wealth but lacking an excuse, targeted the wealthy merchants, and their family became the "chicken" killed for the sake of "scareing the monkey"!
I found a local thug with connections and asked him to contact a low-ranking prison guard. I paid him to find out information and try to meet them. The guard secretly took the money and told me about the Zhao family, but I still didn't get to see them.
Her father and two brothers were originally scheduled to be executed, but were instead drafted into the battlefield. It's said that this group was fighting a territorial dispute with another group to the south, and they were so short-handed that they conscripted all the able-bodied men from the prison to fight!
Ning Shuang's father and brothers had made enemies with the warlords, so it was impossible for them to be let go. The first batch of them were conscripted and left yesterday. They found out about it too late!
Where else can we look? We can't exactly send this delicate girl to the battlefield to find her family, can we?