Jiao Niang’s Medical Record Chapter 582

As the two guards finally stopped advancing, their faces filled with rage and eyes reddened as they turned and ran, Zhou Fu withdrew his hand and stood up straight.

A few young Taoist priests peeked cautiously from behind a nearby tree, and one was forcefully pushed out into the open.

“Kind sir… fighting is… not permitted within the temple…” stammered the young Taoist, his voice trembling.

“My apologies,” Zhou Fu said with a respectful bow toward them.

The young Taoists breathed a sigh of relief and shakily stepped forward, but before they could steady themselves, they saw the intimidating young man grab another man and slam him to the ground with a powerful single-shoulder throw.

The force of the impact sent dust flying and made the ground tremble.

Fighting again – they were about to fight again!

With a startled cry, the Taoists scrambled back behind the tree.

“Qin Shi’san! How could you…” Zhou Fu growled through gritted teeth, pinning Qin Hu to the ground with his arm. “How could you!”

His throat seemed raw and choked, making it hard for him to speak – he could only repeat those three words over and over.

Yet those three words were enough to steal the breath from one’s lungs. Qin Hu, who had been slammed heavily to the ground, let out a pained exhale.

“No, it wasn’t me,” he also ground out, struggling to free himself from Zhou Fu’s hold. He reached toward Cheng Jiao-niang. “Let me see – show me what it says.”

What was it?! Just what was written?! Damn it all! Damn it!

Hearing those words, Zhou Fu shoved him aside and scrambled to his feet, rushing over to Cheng Jiao-niang.

Cheng Jiao-niang remained standing where she was, the piece of paper still in her hand. Her gaze was fixed on the man who had been punched by Zhou Fu, now kneeling on the ground and unable to rise.

Zhou Fu snatched the paper from her hand.

“To the messenger, relay the following words exactly. If you omit or add even a single word, you will see Cheng Si-lang’s body carried out the gate,” he read out slowly, word by word. “What is it? The ailment of His Highness – I cannot treat it. There is no need to look. The ailment of His Highness – I cannot treat it. Please seek another healer.”

After reading it, Zhou Fu crumpled the paper into a ball. With a furious roar, he hauled the kneeling man up from the ground by his collar.

“Talk!” he bellowed.

The man grinned, though his smile was lopsided.

“Don’t worry. The lady is here enjoying the flowers in peace, safe and sound. There’s nothing that needs to be said,” he replied.

Before he could finish, Zhou Fu drove a fist into his face.

Blood sprayed from the man’s mouth. His nose twisted grotesquely, and he trembled violently from the pain.

Qin Hu stood up, pressing a hand to his shoulder as he walked over. Cheng Jiao-niang turned to face him.

Qin Hu’s steps faltered as his eyes met hers.

“Where is he?” Cheng Jiao-niang asked.

Where…

So she had finally asked it. Qin Hu closed his eyes and exhaled heavily. When he opened them again, Zhou Fu’s fist was already flying toward his face.

“I don’t know!” Qin Hu yelled, twisting aside and grabbing Zhou Fu’s arm. “I’m telling you I don’t know – do you believe me or not?”

Zhou Fu stared at him, his eyes bloodshot.

“Qin Shi’san, do you believe me?” he asked hoarsely, grabbing the front of Qin Hu’s robe. “Do you? You never come to admire lotus flowers!”

Qin Hu met his gaze, and Zhou Fu stared back, his grip on Qin Hu’s robe trembling. His face flushed, twitching uncontrollably.

“Qin Shi’san!” he rasped. “Talk!”

“If I knew – they also kidnapped Cheng Si-lang – I would never…” Qin Hu began slowly, shaking his head. His own eyes reddened, and his hand on Zhou Fu’s arm trembled as well. “Zhou Liu, you know me. If it were me, I would never…”

Also… He said “also”!

Zhou Fu looked at him, threw his head back in a choked cry, then swung a heavy fist straight at him.

Qin Hu didn’t dodge. He took the blow squarely and was sent staggering backward. He doubled over, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Zhou Fu lunged forward again, seizing him by the collar.

“Talk! Where is he?” he roared once more, his voice raw and ragged.

Where is he?

Qin Hu’s mind raced.

Gao Shi’si had asked him to invite Cheng Jiao-niang out for tea, but how could he possibly take orders from the Gao family? The only reason he would bring her out was if he wanted to invite her himself – if it was his own wish!

He would never have invited her for something as trivial as tea. He wanted to invite her to admire flowers, just as they had in April.

Had they really taken action against Duke Jin’an?

How had they done it? An assassination? Impossible. If something that big had happened, it would be a death sentence…

No, no. Now wasn’t the time to think about that.

Cheng Si–lang, Cheng Si–lang… Where was Cheng Si–lang?

“You must go and invite her out this very afternoon. Have her sit quietly and comfortably at Desheng Pavilion, drinking tea for half a day.”

Qin Hu’s head snapped up.

“Desheng Pavilion!” he exclaimed.

Zhou Fu shoved him aside and immediately broke into a run. As he passed the man who was struggling unsteadily to his feet, he threw another punch, sending the man crumpling back to the ground, motionless.

Cheng Jiao-niang lifted the hem of her skirt and began to run as well.

“Jiao-niang!” Qin Hu called out, pushing himself upright.

But the girl didn’t even pause in her steps, as though she couldn’t hear him at all, her figure gradually receding into the distance.

“Jiao-niang!” Qin Hu called again, his voice hoarse, and he took off after her.

The maid had already been crying as she hurried after them. Suddenly remembering something, she ran back and began frantically searching the ground

“Sister! Sister!” cried Ban Qin, stumbling over in tears. “I have a carriage – I have a carriage!”

The maid scooped up the crumpled paper Zhou Fu had discarded and tucked it into her robe. Then she helped Ban Qin to her feet, and the two of them staggered forward in pursuit.

Zhou Fu urged his horse into a frantic gallop, gradually leaving his attendants behind. But soon, the rhythmic clatter of hooves caught up – not just caught up, but threatened to overtake him.

Which of my men could possibly outride me?

Distracted, Zhou Fu glanced over and immediately widened his eyes in shock.

Cheng Jiao-niang raced past him on horseback.

She actually knows how to ride!

And she was riding so… How was she even riding? She was wearing a skirt!

Zhou Fu looked again and nearly tumbled from his saddle.

Side-saddle!

“You’re going to kill yourself!” Zhou Fu shouted in a mix of shock and fury, urging his horse forward in pursuit. “Stop!”

He spurred his horse again and again, but he couldn’t close the gap on Cheng Jiao-niang.

The anger in Zhou Fu’s heart faded, replaced by sheer astonishment.

My heavens, this girl doesn’t just ride in carriages – when did she ever learn to ride a horse? And not just ride, but ride like a master!

Side-saddle! Even the best scouts in the army could hardly match this kind of speed and control.

He knew she could shoot a bow – her archery was passable – but he had never imagined she could ride a horse, much less ride it this well.

What other hidden skills had she never shown?

Shaking off his racing thoughts, Zhou Fu spurred his horse into a full gallop.

On a summer evening, the heat lingered, and the streets grew lively – especially around Desheng Pavilion. Though not as bustling as in its heyday, the place still hummed with activity.

The sudden arrival of these running figures stirred up a new wave of commotion in Desheng Pavlion.

“Search!” Zhou Fu ordered.

His attendants immediately fanned out.

“What’s going on? What are you doing?” the hall attendants shouted.

One person was already striding straight toward them.

And it was a girl.

The attendants instinctively took a step back. As they were about to speak, the girl reached out and pushed them aside, clearing a path.

Zhou Fu frowned again, unable to resist rubbing his wrist.

He remembered the moment this girl had broken free from his grip…

Her hand strength was considerable.

Probably from practicing archery every day.

But he couldn’t let a girl take the lead in everything. Zhou Fu quickened his pace, shoving aside the blocking attendants as well, and moved ahead of Cheng Jiao-niang.

“Ah, isn’t this Lady Cheng?”

The Madam Mo who had hurried over upon hearing the commotion greeted her with a warm smile.

This generous young lady was someone she remembered very well.

“Where is my brother?” Cheng Jiao-niang asked.

Madam Mo smiled and immediately pointed toward the second floor.

“Of course he’s with Ah-Heng. He arrived a good while ago…” she began cheerfully, but before she could finish, Cheng Jiao-niang had already walked past her.

Madam Mo pursed her lips, feeling a bit snubbed, then turned back with a practiced smile to offer another greeting.

“…Do enjoy yourself, Miss…”

Though the words felt a little awkward even to her own ears.

Zhou Fu reached the second floor first. With a single glance, he spotted a few attendants – once from the Zhou family, now serving the Cheng household – leaning casually against the corridor pillars, chatting and laughing.

The attendants also noticed Zhou Fu approaching, their expressions shifting briefly to surprise. Then they saw Cheng Jiao-niang following behind him and quickly straightened up to step forward.

“Miss,” they greeted.

Something doesn’t seem right here? Zhou Fu thought. If Cheng Si-lang had truly been abducted, would these attendants be so relaxed and chatting? And if they had defected to the other side – that was even more impossible.

“Where is Si-lang?” Zhou Fu demanded.

“Fourth Young Master is inside, and Lady Zhu is with him,” one attendant replied promptly, gesturing toward a door.

The sound of a zither drifted from the room.

Was this all an extortion plot? That scoundrel Qin Shi’san really would pull such a trick!

Or… did he actually keep his word and release him after all?

Whatever the truth, Zhou Fu only felt his heart drop back into place, his legs so weak with relief that he swung and slapped the nearest attendant.

“Idiots!” he cursed. “Who allowed you to follow him here? Look at the timing!”

The attendant, stunned by the blow, didn’t dare argue and bowed his head in acceptance.

Visiting a brothel, calling for courtesans, listening to music!

“Scaring people half to death while he’s here enjoying himself!” Zhou Fu snapped angrily, lifting his foot to kick the door.

Cheng Jiao-niang took an involuntary step back.

With a loud crash, the door gave way under the kick, and the zither music inside abruptly stopped.

“Cheng Si-lang, you…” Zhou Fu started to roar, but the words caught in his throat.

Behind him, Cheng Jiao-niang was about to step inside when Zhou Fu abruptly turned and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

The attendants nearby, as well as those who had followed them, were taken aback.

Was the scene inside so shocking that the passionate Sixth Young Master couldn’t bear it?

But even if he couldn’t, he shouldn’t act improperly toward this girl – that could get him killed!

As the attendants stared in stunned silence, Cheng Jiao-niang had already begun to push against Zhou Fu.

“Don’t look,” Zhou Fu urged, holding her even tighter, his voice hoarse. “Listen to me, don’t go in. Jiao-niang, don’t go in. Don’t look.”

Those words struck Cheng Jiao-niang’s ears, and her body stiffened.

“Ah-Fang, don’t look! Don’t go over! Ah-Fang! Don’t go! Don’t look!”

No, no – she couldn’t bear to hear those words again. She hadn’t come all this way to hear them!

“Get out of the way!” Cheng Jiao-niang shouted. With a push of both arms, she shoved Zhou Liu-lang aside and stepped into the room.

The doorway cleared, and the attendants standing there looked inside. Their faces instantly turned ashen with horror.

“Fourth Young Master!” they cried, surging forward into the room.

There was no beautiful scene inside – only a violent, shocking red… a deep crimson red.

Blood was everywhere on the floor. Lady Zhu lay slumped over the low table. Cheng Si-lang’s servant had collapsed in the corner. And Cheng Si-lang himself…

With a sickening squelch, Chun Ling pulled a knife out of Cheng Si-lang’s chest. Her hands were soaked in blood.

“See, I made sure to stab him several times. Guaranteed dead – completely dead. No chance of coming back to life,” she said with a smile, looking straight at Cheng Jiao-niang. “I know you can bring people back from the dead. I came prepared.”

Zhou Fu and the attendants were about to lunge forward, but Cheng Jiao-niang was already moving faster.

Chun Ling thrust the knife toward her, and Cheng Jiao-niang caught the blade with her bare hand.

“Jiao-niang!” Zhou Fu shouted, dropping to his knees beside her and striking out at Chun Ling.

“Did you do this?” Cheng Jiao-niang lifted her hand to block him, her gaze fixed intently on Chun Ling.

Chun Ling tried to pull the knife back, but Cheng Jiao-niang’s grip was unyielding. Blood began to seep from between her fingers and drip to the floor.

“It was me,” Chun Ling replied, tilting her chin up with a mix of excitement and pride. “Do you know why I did it?”

Cheng Jiao-niang shook her head.

“I only wanted to ask if it was you who did it,” she said. “Why you did it doesn’t matter.”

Doesn’t matter?

How could it not matter?

All of this happened because of you!

Chun Ling threw her head back and laughed wildly, opening her mouth to speak – but then she felt a sudden chill at her neck, heard a crunching sound, and her vision spun.

Huh? Why can’t I see this girl anymore? Why am I looking at the window?

When did she turn around?

The thought flashed through her mind just as her body toppled backward.

What’s happening? Did this girl just break my neck?

That’s impossible! Impossible!

I can’t die yet! I haven’t spoken! I haven’t told this woman that everything today is because of her!

Because she drove my sister and me away! Because her heart is as vicious as a scorpion’s, leaving us no way to survive! Because of her, my sister died in the wilderness! Now, finally, she gets to taste what it’s like to watch her own kin die right before her eyes!

All because of her! All of this is because of her!

I haven’t said it yet! I haven’t said it! This woman still knows nothing! I did all of this! All of it! You’ve all been fooled!

A great revenge fulfilled, watching the enemy wail in agony – if the enemy doesn’t know that all of this is their own fault, their own karmic retribution, then wouldn’t all of this have been for nothing?!

What meaning does any of it have then?!

I can’t die! I haven’t said it yet!

This girl doesn’t even know who I am!

“I… am…”

Chun Ling made two clicking sounds, trying to force out a sentence, but her head finally fell still. Her eyes bulged wide, unmoving.