Chapter Text
Yue Village was a small, rural county, surrounded by snowcapped mountain peaks, verdant green hills and clear waters. To outsiders the town seemed too small and humble, but the people in the county lived happy lives.
A young master wearing tattered robes and a guqin on his back pushed a large handcart through the town’s main gate. His travel-worn boots left tracks in the thin layer of snow. In the frosty weather, his heavy breaths puffed out in a white mist. Using all the strength from his broad shoulders and strong arms, he gave a powerful heave to move the cart across the town’s gate.
The cart jerked to a stop, rattling giant ceramic pots and countless jars. Dried medicinal herbs hanging from twill strings on the cart swung back and forth.
“We made it back in time, Uncle Ning,” The young master looked up at the gray skies and held out his hand. Tiny snowflakes melted on the bandages wrapped around his hand. He sighed in relief, “If I make back quickly maybe the herbs won’t be covered in too much snow.”
Wen Ning’s face was hidden behind the shadows of his hooded cloak, but his lifeless, black eyes twinkled in amusement, “It only just started to snow, A-Yuan. The herbs should be fine. Let me help you with the cart.”
Lan Sizhui shook his head, “Please be comfortable, Uncle Ning. Since you always pull the cart, I can at least do this alone. I’ll just carry this thing since the axel broke again. I will fix it when we get back to the Old Manor.”
“A-Yuan, you don’t have to be in a hurry. Physician Zheng will tend to the herb garden.”
Lan Sizhui’s expression somewhat changed upon hearing “Physician Zheng.” His fingers twitched and curled into the bandages wrapped around the palm of his hands.
Wen Ning observed the unreadable expression on his nephew’s face and looked down at his hands. He would have sighed if he could make a breath, “Let’s take a short rest here, A-Yuan.”
Lan Sizhui thought for a short while before nodding, “Alright.” He lifted the broken handcart off the main street and placed it in front of the teahouse of Yue Village.
“Welcome!” A cheery voice greeted them when they entered the cozy teahouse. “Please take an empty seat...”
Lan Sizhui smiled at the young woman wearing an apron, “How have you fared, Fenju?”
The waitress named Fenju blushed furiously. Her heart throbbed as she gazed into Lan Sizhui’s gray eyes, “P-Physician Lan, I’ve been well!!”
Fenju was completely enamored. Wen Ning walked in behind Lan Sizhui, but she hardly noticed him.
“H-How long will you be in Yue Village?”
“I’m afraid I won’t be here for long,” The brilliant evening sun reflected on Lan Sizhui’s handsome face, showing a high nose bridge, defined brows, and clear eyes that were like gray clouds on a snowy morning.
Lan Sizhui was remarkably handsome, possessing a tall posture and aura of composed elegance. He was like a transcendent scholar, disciplined and modest. His long raven-black hair followed his sophisticated, poised, and polished movements. Under his tattered robes was a powerful body displaying, broad shoulders, a strong waist, and sharp muscles. The difference between his appearance and his grubby clothes was appalling, yet Lan Sizhui still maintained an air of nobility.
“Fenju?” Lan Sizhui’s voice was deep and soothing, exceedingly tender.
“Huh?” Fenju mumbled, imagining that Lan Sizhui would be a good husband with his strong figure, handsome appearance, and gentle demeanor.
“Fenju, are you well? If you come by the Old Manor later, I’ll prescribe you some medicine,” Lan Sizhui looked concerned as he observed her flushed face and dazed manner.
“N-No need!” Fenju blurted, ushering them to a table. “Come in and rest for a while. We are happy that you’re back!”
“We can’t stay for long. I must get back to the Old Manor and tend to the garden. The children are also waiting for us to come back.”
“Physician Lan, you are always so kind to those children. I am sure they would be happy to see you again.”
Lan Sizhui would be not just good, but an incredible husband! She scorned the person that would capture his heart. They would be extremely lucky!
Lan Sizhui smiled, his kindhearted expression filled with benevolence and grace, “I will be happy to see them as well.”
Fenju swooned before rushing off in a flustered mess, “I-I’ll be out with your food momentarily.”
Lan Sizhui chuckled and looked at Wen Ning, “But we haven’t made our order yet. She must not be feeling well again.”
Wen Ning shook his head, and a smile enveloped his stiff face. It was entertaining to see that so many people were charmed by Lan Sizhui.
Lan Sizhui swept young maidens in his arms if they tripped and gently told them to be careful not to injure themselves. When bold women offered him a night in their bed, he would thank them for their kindness and politely reply that he had a place to sleep.
Wen Ning surmised that Lan Sizhui did not realize that he was so handsome that he attracted attention wherever they went. He wondered if he even understood what the women were implying when they offered him a “night in their bed.” He was relieved that his nephew hadn’t turned into a shameless flirt like Young Master Wei, or like his deceased relatives in the Qishan Wen Clan.
The Qishan Wen Clan was known for having good-looking descendants that were also devilishly charming. While Wen Ning was not charming like some of them, his cousins radiated with a seductive charm that captured the hearts of young maidens. Even the greasy smooth talkers were amazingly charismatic. Lan Sizhui resembled one cousin he remembered.
That long deceased cousin was handsome, regal, and majestic, but had eyes that were cold and filled with malice. He was calculating, ruthless and headstrong. He commanded the Qishan Wen armies swiftly, and decisively, and was a powerful force on the battlefield. He had a superior cultivation, and a sword technique that was sharp and coldblooded. He killed without mercy and struck down his enemies without a shred of emotion.
Wen Ning sometimes wondered if Lan Sizhui would grow up to resemble that cousin. However, Lan Sizhui was completely unaware that he possessed the magnetic charm like his relatives in the Wen Clan. He saw faint remnants of a vicious, cold gaze that resembled his cousin. However, Lan Sizhui’s warm smile melted the frost of his cold gaze like a spring sun after a long winter.
Wen Ning beamed with pride and the faint memories of the Qishan Wen Clan disappeared. Over the years, he protected and guided his nephew, and was unconditionally grateful that he could watch over him. Lan Sizhui grew from a teenaged boy into a refined young man. Wen Ning couldn’t ask for more.
Wen Ning looked at the bandages wrapped around Lan Sizhui’s hands. “How are your wounds?”
Lan Sizhui flexed his fingers. The wounds under the bandages flared with a painful inflammation. A burning sensation travelled up his arms. “They are much better than before. Don’t worry too much, Uncle Ning. They’ll be completely healed soon.”
“You pushed yourself too much again. You should rest your body, A-Yuan,” If the muscles on his face weren’t frozen stiff, Wen Ning you’ve given him a look of disapproval. However, he could not bring himself to scold him, “Physician Zheng will be disappointed.”
“I had no choice, Uncle Ning,” Lan Sizhui ignored the pain radiating up his arms. “I did what I had to do to save them and the patient needed treatment. In any event, this is great for my research.”
“A-Yuan, Hanguang-jun would be disappointed if he knew that your body was in such a state,” Wen Ning hoped that mentioning Hanguang-jun would frighten him a bit. “You have to care for your body.”
Lan Sizhui’s arms felt as if they were on fire, but he silently endured the pain, “I guess I really am the son of the Yiling Patriarch.”
As they sat in silence, Wen Ning thought that he would never have the heart to discipline or scold his nephew. He vowed to protect his nephew until his second death. Until that day, he would allow Lan Sizhui to live as he pleased.
“Liaomeng-jun¹…?”
Lan Sizhui and Wen Ning looked at the man approaching their table. There were tears in the man’s eyes and he fell to his knees. “Liaomeng-jun! I knew it was you, Liaomeng-jun.”
The title “Liaomeng-jun” had become as renowned as “Hanguang-jun.” It was one that Lan Sizhui had yet to get used to.
Lan Sizhui was a prominent cultivator of healing and medicine. With a large cart of medicines and his uncle by his side, he traveled around the world healing the sick and eradicating evil spirits. He spent years becoming an excellent healer with a talent in medicine and apothecary. He devoted his time to researching and experimenting different methods to neutralize demonic cultivation and resentful energy. The wounds on his arms were developed from implementing such methods of research.
Lan Sizhui quickly helped the man off of the floor, “Please do not bow to me, sir. Get up and we can speak—”
“You saved my wife and daughter, young master!” The man’s voice choked with sobs. “You saved my family! Back then, I had little to repay you, but you did not accept my money! How can I not at least offer this humble gesture to express my eternal gratitude?”
Lan Sizhui swept the man off his feet with the overpowering strength of his arms. The man was so engrossed in his emotions that he did not notice that he was picked up and weightlessly floated to an empty seat at the table.
“I accept your gratitude, but it is not necessary, sir.” Lan Sizhui poured a cup of hot water and offered it to the crying stranger. “Now, I think I remember you, sir. I believe your family had a home farther out in the west?”
“Yes, young master! Back then, you just came across our small village. My darling wife and little girl were deathly ill! I could not even afford to let them see a doctor! I thought they would die!” The man became overwhelmed with emotions and tears overflowed, “But you saved my family, young master! You healed them and did not ask me for a single coin. We did not even have extra food to repay you for your kindness!”
“Ah…” Lan Sizhui was flustered about what he believed was unnecessary praise. He pulled out a snow-white handkerchief and offered it to the man.
The man refused to take the handkerchief and wiped away his tears with the sleeves of his outer robes, “I cannot accept anything else from you, young master. You have given me so much already.”
Lan Sizhui pondered while tucking the handkerchief back in the lapels of his tattered robes. He ventured out west with Wen Ning a while ago because he heard there was a sickness spreading among some rural villages. He healed those that could be saved and somehow managed to stop the spread of the illness.
“I remember your wife and daughter. Her name was… A-Shu?”
The man nodded and replied, “Yes, that is my daughter!”
“How is your wife and little A-Shu?” Lan Sizhui refilled the cup of hot water.
“She is growing up just fine! My wife has also regained her strength and is doing much better now!"
“Please give them my warmest regards,” Lan Sizhui smiled, “If we travel back out west, we will visit you again. Right, Uncle Ning?”
Wen Ning nodded.
Fenju returned to their table with a pot of tea and simple snacks. She saw the man crying at the table and had seen such familiar scenes in the past.
Many people stopped by the town in hopes to see the famous Liaomeng-jun. On a normal day, the teahouse was filled with visitors that discussed the kind deeds of Liaomeng-jun. The temples in Yue Village were full of offerings. Many visitors that hoped to catch of glimpse of Liaomeng-jun when he stopped by his home at the Old Manor. He never stayed in one place for too long, if it was not necessary. This man was lucky to encounter him before he left the village.
Fenju placed the plates of snacks on the table, “I guess Physician Lan has helped you too. He is the kindest man that I have ever met.”
The man took out money. “Young master, please allow me to pay for your food! It is the least I can do!”
“That’s not necessary,” Lan Sizhui politely declined, “I thank you for your kindness but—”
“Young master, I insist! My business is doing well now, and it is certainly not a problem to pay!”
“It truly isn’t necessary, sir,” Fenju sighed. “The owner of this shop says that Liaomeng-jun can eat as much as he wants, free of charge. Although he ends up paying anyway.”
“Ah, well, young master, if there’s anything I can get you, please let me know.”
Lan Sizhui thought of the smiling faces of the children at the Old Manor. “Well, sir, if you insist, I would love to get treats and candies, but you would need to buy a lot, so that I can share with everyone.”
The man happily nodded with tears streaming down his face, “Absolutely!”
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¹療夢 (Liaomeng-jun): a beautiful, charming name that refers to Lan Sizhui’s travels, healing cultivation, kind deeds, etc. Thank you Momo for the translation!!