Chapter 62 — Treating the Wounds
Jingshui Alley.
Xie Jing went with the guards to handle the matter. The person in charge was an old acquaintance, Wang Su. Wang Su had once accompanied Lord Bai Jiu’s convoy to Qinghe County, stayed there for over two years, and returned with him to the provincial capital. Because of his capable work, he had been promoted and now commanded over ten men—a small squad he could lead. This time, he was responsible for patrolling Jing Shui Alley.
At first, Wang Su thought it would be an easy job—just guarding a small residence. But as soon as trouble erupted inside, it became a headache.
He only knew that the girl inside, Liu Ruyi, had attempted suicide. He didn’t know how serious it was. On the way, he brought along a doctor in a hurry.
When they arrived at the small residence, Wang Su practically carried the doctor off the carriage and ran straight inside.
Xie Jing followed behind, surveying the courtyard. It wasn’t large: a square courtyard with people standing outside and some locked in rooms, silent.
The main house was divided into two rooms—one for Liu Ruyi, the other for He Lianchun, the girl who had fought with her.
Liu Ruyi wore a plain white silk qipao, her hair neatly combed, her face as delicate as ever—except her lips were pale, and a circle of gauze was wrapped around her neck. On the other side, He Lianchun, sporting a short schoolgirl haircut, cried and sobbed, eyes red like a rabbit’s, shouting that she wanted to leave and go find Master Cao.
He Lianchun said, “I’m not staying with her! No matter what I say, it’s useless. Today, I have to go! Master Cao promised to take me to school every day. Last time, I got first place in my exam… You lock me in here and make me stay with her. She’s always been against me, and now she tore my homework!” She choked on her sobs. “How am I supposed to go back to school? My homework’s gone… how am I going to pass the university entrance exam?”
She wore her girls’ school uniform, crying loudly and demanding that someone call Master Cao.
Liu Ruyi remained silent.
She sat up straight, letting the doctor treat her quietly. When the gauze was removed, her neck revealed severe injuries. The silver hairpin she had used was blunt, leaving no open wound, but the bruise was horrifying—red and swollen across her snowy neck, like a centipede-shaped scar.
The doctor inhaled sharply and instinctively worked gently. Liu Ruyi cooperated, whispering thanks, her voice extremely hoarse.
Xie Jing’s pupils constricted. He could see that Liu Ruyi had been completely unrestrained in her attack. If the hairpin had been sharper, the girl might not have survived.
He Lianchun continued crying. Xie Jing placed a tea bowl on the wooden table. With a loud “clink,” the room briefly fell silent.
In a calm voice, Xie Jing said, “This is not Master Cao’s residence—it’s the Bai family property. I hope both young ladies will conduct themselves appropriately. As for contacting anyone, you’ve surely met the Cao mansion’s steward before. If you wish to reach Master Cao, you can have the steward relay your message.”
He Lianchun swallowed and murmured softly, “We’ve tried…”
They had tried, but failed.
At this moment, Cao Yunzhao was under house arrest and about to be sent abroad. He had no time to manage all this. The Bai family had already made their best effort to provide these girls with a safe place.
Xie Jing looked at Wang Su and nodded slightly, signaling him to ask.
Wang Su hesitated, coughed, and then asked, “Why did you two fight?”
He Lianchun pouted. “I didn’t hit her! She tore my homework and even slapped me!”
Wang Su turned to Liu Ruyi: “Is that true?”
Liu Ruyi, pale as plum blossoms, sat quietly and said in a hoarse voice, “Yes.”
“Why?”
“She humiliated me.” Liu Ruyi pressed her lips together, refusing to elaborate.
After questioning for a long time and calling in others in the courtyard as witnesses, Wang Su finally understood.
He Lianchun’s family had fallen on hard times. Because her brother had studied with Cao Yunzhao for two years, he entrusted his sister to Cao Yunzhao while he pursued opportunities abroad. Cao Yunzhao had treated He Lianchun generously, paying for her studies and art lessons. If the Cao household had not been raided, He Lianchun would have been sent to study at Beiping Art School.
He Lianchun had some talent, especially in Western oil painting. She was innocent and carefree, focusing solely on painting.
Things had been fine at the Cao mansion. Cao Yunzhao, fond of art, painted with her. But now the mansion was raided, and all the beauties were sent here. While others only needed food and lodging, He Lianchun needed a model to pose.
Wang Su frowned. “A model?”
A boy explained, “They make you stand naked so someone can draw you.”
Wang Su’s face turned red. He stammered, “You… how can you do this? It’s… too… humiliating…”
The boy sneered, “He Lianchun is different. We were purchased by Master Cao, but she’s half-owner here.”
Others added: “During patrols, none of you went out. That’s fine. But the girl with a painting obsession didn’t just paint herself—she secretly drew Liu Ruyi while she bathed. Liu Ruyi found out, tore the paintings, then tried to kill herself with a hairpin. She’s the victim here!”
“Exactly. Liu Ruyi may be of low birth, but she only sells her skills, not her body. He Lianchun was clearly humiliating her intentionally.”
“I don’t think she meant it. She’s young, in a modern school—probably unintentional.”
“Unintentional? She only picked on Liu Ruyi! That’s picking the softest target!”
…
He Lianchun hung her head, sobbing, as Wang Su scolded her. “She’s… she’s pretty. I couldn’t help drawing her,” she mumbled.
Wang Su smiled wryly. He thought Cao Yunzhao was truly capable to have gathered this group under control.
Xie Jing spoke with the doctor, learning Liu Ruyi had no life-threatening injuries and only needed rest. He felt a little relieved.
Liu Ruyi sat pale and fragile-looking, the image of a beautiful, pitiful girl. Her beauty wasn’t artificial; it softened hearts naturally, as if she were waiting for a strong tree to lean on.
Xie Jing looked at her and thought this wisteria vine wasn’t fragile at all.
After the doctor left some ointment, Xie Jing said, “Next time you use a hairpin, don’t aim it at yourself.”
Liu Ruyi glanced at him with a calm expression.
Xie Jing said nothing more and left.
Lord Bai Jiu had been busy all day. The provincial government had recently announced new trade regulations, not yet finalized, but it seemed they would open up water and land trade.
To the north was Russia, to the east Korea—both mountainous regions. If maritime restrictions were lifted, it would greatly benefit merchants. The Northern Trade Association sent representatives to consult, and Lord Bai Jiu accompanied them. After a full day, the news was very positive, boosting the morale of the merchants.
Only when finished did Lord Bai Jiu return to the East Courtyard at night.
He called a few stewards to discuss matters, even having dinner in his study.
After finishing, he noticed some quietness and asked, “Where’s Jing’er?”
Steward Sun Fu bowed: “Little Xie went out on business.”
“Business? What business could he have?”
“Something happened in Jingshui Alley. Little Xie went with Wang Su…”
Before Sun Fu could finish, Lord Bai Jiu threw a handkerchief onto the table, displeased: “Those people are troublesome. Prepare the carriage. I’ll go see for myself.”
