In the ninth year of Tian Li’s reign, several carriages were traveling slowly along the Yunyang official road.
The curtain of one of the carriages was slightly opened, revealing a pair of eyes that were glowing with excitement.
“Miss, are we almost there?”
Wen Ninghan, who was resting with her eyes closed in the carriage, heard what Zhixin said, and she opened her eyes and glanced through the gap in the window curtains, and said with a smile: “What misunderstanding do you have about your young lady? How can you tell whether we are almost there from such a seemingly indistinguishable scenery?”
The maid’s eyes were still sparkling, and she looked at Wen Ninghan with an expression of admiration and complete trust, “But Miss, you don’t even need to look at the scenery outside to know whether we are almost there!”
“Why?”
“Miss, just count with your fingers and you will know! You don’t even need to look outside!” At this point, Zhi Xin smiled and said softly, “And the scenery outside is really the same… It has been like this all the way here, I am tired of it.”
From Jiangnan to the capital, it took several days to take a boat, and then another three days to disembarked in Tongkou and take a carriage. The usually lively little maid was very tired.
But Wen Ninghan didn’t want to rush. She calculated the distance every day. As long as she found a suitable place to stay after walking for half a day, she would never continue to torment herself.
There is nothing we can do. In this world, no matter how much money we make, no matter how well we pack our carriages, no matter how well we furnish our compartments, the condition of the roads is simply intolerable, and it is disrespectful to one’s body to drive a little bit longer.
Why would she let herself suffer when she has the ability to do so?
Born into an era where there is no internet, no cell phone, no ice coke, and even no flush toilet, Wen Ninghan can only make a living under limited conditions, so she never make things difficult for herself.
Just as Wen Ninghan was listening to the little maid Zhixin’s chattering, there was a knocking sound from the window frame on the other side, and at the same time, a crisp and clear male voice came: “Xiaojiu, the inn is just ahead, do you want to check in?”
Wen Ninghan opened the window curtains and looked at the young man who was riding a tall horse with a high-spirited look on his face, but he carefully bent over to talk to her. She smiled and said, “How far is the next place we can stay?”
The places that Wen Ninghan mentioned were not limited to inns, but also included villages and towns. However, in this era, the land was vast and sparsely populated, and sometimes it was difficult to see people after walking for a long time. Even if you were careful and hurried, there would be many times when you would need to set up camp in the wilderness.
Qin Rongxi had already known the situation along the way, so he spoke without hesitation: “It’s still a day’s journey from the capital…” At this point, Qin Rongxi laughed out loud: “Of course this is calculated based on your travel speed, Xiaojiu.”
Wen Ninghan was immediately displeased: “Seventh Brother, do you dislike me for dawdling?”
“That’s not the case. I, your seventh brother, naturally understand the reason for your arrangement.” As he said this, Qin Rongxi silently glanced at the end of the convoy, then smiled and lowered his head, looking at the little girl who was leaning on the window sill with puffed cheeks and seemed very angry. “According to the original speed, if we rest for a day at the inn ahead and set off tomorrow morning, we can reach the manor in the suburbs of Beijing tomorrow night, and it won’t be too late to make some rest before entering Beijing.”
Influenced by Wen Ninghan’s leisurely aura, Qin Rongxi didn’t think there was anything wrong with walking so leisurely. Jiangnan is so nice. Besides the fact that it sounds grand and elegant to be under the emperor’s feet, what else is so good about the capital?
Because of Wen Ninghan, Qin Rongxi has never had a good impression of the capital city. This time when Wen Ninghan came to the capital, Qin Rongxi was very worried. Fortunately, he had the highest martial arts value among his brothers, so he defeated all the brothers and got the opportunity to accompany Wen Ninghan to the capital city this time. Naturally, he had to take care of Wen Ninghan in every possible way.
But after hearing what Wen Ninghan said just now, Qin Rongxi, who had been with her for many years, could probably guess what Wen Ninghan meant: “Why, Xiaojiu wants to hurry? If we continue forward, unless we rush to a manor outside Beijing at night, we will have to sleep outdoors.”
Qin Rongxi was used to this kind of life, but he felt more sorry for Wen Ninghan.
“Since we’re already here, it doesn’t matter if we stay here for a day or two. Let’s take a good rest at the post station ahead. I, your seventh brother, will go hunt some rabbits and have a good meal tonight.”
Hearing Qin Rongxi’s words, Zhixin suddenly became excited: “Seventh Master, are we going to eat rabbit tonight?”
Qin Rongxi also smiled and said: “Yes, we are going to eat rabbit. First, a pot of rabbit mushroom soup, then a pot of double pepper dried rabbit, and honey-glazed rabbit meat…”
Not to mention Zhi Xin, who was already hungry, Wen Ninghan was also hungry after hearing what Qin Rongxi said.
“Seventh brother, if you see wild vegetables, pick some, and be careful.”
“I know.” Qin Rongxi turned his horse’s head. Since there is an inn not too far ahead, he can go and take a look around, “If there are wild taro or something, I will definitely bring it back.”
Roasted rabbit with taro, Qin Rongxi felt hungry just thinking about it.
“Xiaojiu, I’ll leave the matter of settling in the post station to you. I’ll go check around first!”
Qin Rongxi is an extremely practical person. After he finished speaking, he didn’t even exchange glances. Only the sound of hurried horse hooves was heard, and he was gone.
Zhi Xin had been with Wen Ninghan for so many years, so she naturally understood Qin Rongxi’s character, and naturally knew what kind of personality the Seventh Young Master of the Qin family had. She smiled and said to Wen Ninghan, “Seventh Young Master is really amazing! But Seventh Young Master ran so fast, was he worried that Fifth Master would nag at him?”
Wen Ninghan tapped Zhixin’s head with the scroll in her hand: “Why are you talking like that?”
Zhixin held her head and laughed.
Wen Ninghan restrained her smile and sighed: “We are about to arrive in the capital. Do you still remember what I said to you before?”
Zhi Xin’s smile faded immediately, and a sad look appeared on her face, but her eyes were firm: “I know! I will definitely abide by the rules and will never embarrass the young lady! I will also definitely protect the young lady and not let anyone bully her!”
Wen Ninghan’s stern expression suddenly changed, and she tapped the maid’s head with great joy, “With your small body, how can you protect me?”
Zhi Xin waved her arms, “I have been practicing hard!”
As they were talking, the carriage changed speed and slowly stopped at the entrance of the post station.
This post station was not far from the capital and was quite large. Except for Wen Ninghan, who was traveling at a leisurely pace, most people would regard this post station as the last stop on their way back to the capital, and would stop here to rest. That’s why it seems to be quite busy with people coming and going.
The negotiation was naturally handled by the stewards. Wen Ninghan simply took Zhixin’s hand and got off the carriage. She turned around and walked to the last carriage. She stood beside the carriage and asked softly, “Is little uncle okay?”
Before the man in the carriage spoke, he coughed a few times and then laughed, “With the way we are rushing, it’s hard for me not to be well.”
Wen Ninghan knew that her uncle Qin Kaihai must have heard what she and Qin Rongxi had said before, otherwise he wouldn’t laugh like that.
But from Qin Kaihai’s laughter, I knew he was in good spirits.
The steward had already made arrangements with the inn and came over quickly. He asked the servant to take Wen Ninghan to rest and arranged for someone to serve Qin Kaihai.
Qin Kaihai suffered a misfortune in his early years. His legs were unable to walk and he was bedridden for many years. The Qin family did not give up hope. Fortunately, they found the miracle doctor Yu Changsheng. Although it was still difficult to cure him, it gave them a glimmer of hope.
What’s even more interesting is that Yu Changsheng, a genius doctor who has never been heard of having a successor, actually looks at Wen Ninghan differently. He has lived in the Qin family for three years. Teaching Wen Ninghan medical skills is the main goal, and treating Qin Kaihai has become a secondary goal.
The Qin family was happy to see this happen. Because the genius doctor Yu Changsheng told them clearly that Qin Kaihai’s injuries could not be cured in ten days or half a month. Even if the treatment was effective in the future, it would take years of continuous recuperation. Yu Changsheng’s personality naturally made it impossible for him to stay in the Qin family for so long. It was an accident that he stayed in the Qin family for three years for Wen Ninghan. Wen Ninghan was so serious and devoted to learning, not only because she was interested in it, but also because of this skill, hoping that one day Qin Kaihai could regain his freedom.
As for Qin Kaihai, no matter how you look at it, being able to get rid of the appearance of being bedridden is already a pleasant surprise, and whether there will be more progress, there is no pressure at all.
This inn is not small, even if there are people coming and going, there is enough space, not to mention that the Qin family has already made arrangements in advance.
Wen Ninghan did not go to rest as Qin Rongxi said, but first settled Qin Kaihai, especially Qin Kaihai’s physical health. After the genius doctor master Yu Changsheng devoted himself to his wandering life again, Qin Kaihai’s subsequent treatment and physical conditioning were fully responsible for her. She had to be aware of every physical change of Qin Kaihai.
Seeing Wen Ninghan’s serious face, Qin Kaihai couldn’t help laughing: “Nine Lady’s serious look made me think that something was wrong with my body.”
Wen Ninghan was stunned for a moment, then laughed: “Little uncle is making fun of me again.”
Qin Kaihai also knew that Wen Ninghan always looked serious when she was working hard, but he still liked her more when she smiled. She looked sunny and bright, which made people feel very happy and even relieved some of their pain.
But then, Qin Kaihai couldn’t laugh anymore, because Wen Ninghan said seriously, “Little uncle is in good health, but I calculated the time and it’s time for acupuncture. I’ll ask Qingzhu to tidy up uncle, and I’ll give little uncle acupuncture after dinner.”
Seeing Qin Kaihai’s expression suddenly fade, Wen Ninghan was amused: “Little uncle is still so afraid of pain!”
Actually, it doesn’t hurt. It’s mainly because the acupuncture method of the great doctor master Yu Changsheng, when it is really used on the body, the feeling is probably that every inch of the meridians are slightly torn. It’s not a severe pain, but it is itchy and unbearable.
Wen Ninghan knew it so clearly because she had tried it herself when she was learning from Yu Changsheng. She remembered it clearly after just one experience. Qin Kaihai had been suffering from this acupuncture method for many years, so it was normal for him to have such an expression.
He couldn’t be happy.
After a set of acupuncture, Qin Kaihai fell asleep tiredly, and Wen Ninghan’s forehead was covered with sweat. After carefully instructing Qingzhu to take good care of Qin Kaihai, Wen Ninghan took Zhixin back to the room.
“Alright, you can go and rest too. You don’t have to keep watch at night.”
Zhixin had already cleaned up the room for Wen Ninghan, and she also prepared hot water as it was almost time.
“I will take a rest after I wash up, and you can come and clean up the rest tomorrow morning.”
“Then I will leave first.”
Zhixin slept in the outer room. If there was anything, Wen Ninghan could just call her. In Zhixin’s mind, her mistress was omnipotent, and she just needed to be obedient.
Wen Ninghan turned around and walked into the inner room, but was slightly stunned athe door.
The room at the inn was not large, so when a faint smell of blood appeared in her nose, Wen Ninghan’s first reaction was that there was someone in the room, not because Zhixin hadn’t cleaned up well.
The bloody smell was still fresh. After realizing it, Wen Ninghan immediately planned to withdraw without even thinking about what was going on, as it would put herself in danger.
But it was too late.
A silver light flashed towards her, and before Wen Ninghan could make any move, it had already landed in front of her.
