Chapter 22: Night Visit

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Duke Weiguo’s expression became somewhat strange: “Miss Xiao Er?”

 

“Yes.” The madam thought he was asking and a dignified smile appeared on her lips. “I personally visited the Marquis’s mansion, and she is indeed a gentle and virtuous young lady.”

 

Gentle and virtuous Miss Xiao Er? Gu Feichi suppressed a smile, recalling her indifference to the sword around her neck in the scripture repository at the West Forest Temple and the beating she gave to Eunuch Gao in the alley just now.

 

Gu Feichi touched the purse hanging at his waist, clearly feeling the pearl earrings inside.

 

Duke Weiguo glanced at his son, casually coughed as if nothing had happened, and said, “Xi Wen, I’m fine now, don’t bother with these matters.”

 

“Marrying a girl under the pretext of good fortune is not a good reputation.”

 

The Madam fell silent.

 

Duke Weiguo, knowing his wife’s stubbornness, planned to persuade her privately later. He then said to Gu Feichi, “Ah Chi, your mother cares too much. Your marriage doesn’t need to be rushed; take your time.”

 

The madam said calmly, “What about the palace?”

 

This time, Duke Weiguo had no answer.

 

The palace had long been involved in his son’s marriage.

 

As the atmosphere grew heavy, after a while, Duke Weiguo spoke in a deep voice, “As long as I’m here, the emperor won’t bypass me. He’ll have to consult me…”

 

This statement was meant for both Duke Weiguo’s wife and Gu Feichi.

 

As long as he was around, he was the pillar of Duke Weiguo’s mansion.

 

“Ah Chi, you’ve just returned from Qingzhou, you’ve been on the road for a long time, and you’re tired. Go back and rest.”

 

“Father, mother, then I’ll take my leave.” Gu Feichi immediately stood up, bowed, and saluted again, feeling her mother’s profound gaze on his mask.

 

He left the main courtyard and returned to his own residence.

 

The servant had already prepared the bath and hot water. Hurriedly bathing and changing, Gu Feichi put on a plain black robe. He left the courtyard through the back door, surrounded by the mist of water vapor.

 

Outside, it was dusk, with the setting sun casting a golden glow over the entire capital.

 

Gu Feichi silently left the Duke’s mansion alone and quietly entered the Marquis of Wu’an’s residence. Following the previous route, he arrived at the Moonrise Pavilion.

 

For him, evading the guards of the Marquis’s residence was effortless.

 

Easily crossing the final blue brick wall, he reached the backyard of the Moonrise Courtyard. From a distance, he saw Xiao Yanfei sitting in the study, diligently writing with a brush.

 

Gu Feichi, hands behind his back, walked towards her, carefully observing this seemingly gentle girl.

 

She lowered her face slightly, still wearing the lilac-colored jacket from before. The slightly upturned corners of her cat-like eyes on her snow-white face were particularly eye-catching.

 

Her black hair was tied into a double bun, and one of the pearl earrings on her earlobe was conspicuously missing.

 

Gu Feichi had investigated Xiao Yanfei; she was the Marquis of Wu’an’s concubine-born daughter, an ordinary girl confined to the inner boudoir.

 

At the age of twelve, Xiao Yanfei had been sent to a manor in Jizhou for over two years.

 

Upon discovering this information, Gu Feichi understood how she recognized him. Two years ago, he had gone to the Jizhou area to suppress bandits, and the scar on his right wrist was a memento from that time.

 

Approaching the window, he saw her finishing a line of writing before lightly tapping the window frame.

 

Hearing the sound, Xiao Yanfei looked up, locking eyes with Gu Feichi outside.

 

Her immediate reaction was: How did he come here?!

 

She had already delivered the medication for the next three days to the Duke’s manor.

 

“Prince Gu,” Xiao Yanfei greeted with a courteous smile, putting down the wolf hair brush in her hand.

 

Gu Feichi raised an eyebrow, took out the delicate pink pearl earring from his purse, and casually tossed it to Xiao Yanfei.

 

“Continue.”

 

The petite and exquisite earring traced a beautiful curve in mid-air, landing steadily in Xiao Yanfei’s palm.

 

This earring looked very familiar.

 

Xiao Yanfei: “…”

 

She quickly raised her hand to touch her left and right earlobes.

 

Sure enough, it was hers.

 

It must have fallen on Dafan Street, only to be picked up by Gu Feichi.

 

Moreover, it was almost certain that Gu Feichi had discovered Gao An, who was tied up in the sack in the alley.

 

Xiao Yanfei’s long, fluttering eyelashes trembled slightly. Her eyes shifted for a moment, feeling a bit guilty.

 

However, this guilt was only fleeting. She quickly adjusted her mindset and became confidently righteous.

 

Anyway, she knew his secret, and he knew hers – all balanced!

 

She smiled and sincerely thanked, “Thank you, Young Master Gu, for your great help.”

 

“Young Master has truly been a great help.”

 

Although this earring seemed ordinary, if it had fallen into Eunuch Gao’s hands, he might have connected it to her.

 

Fortunately, Gu Feichi found it.

 

Thinking of this, she felt a sense of relief, her smile radiant.

 

Outside the window, Gu Feichi leisurely leaned on the window frame, observing her expressions from surprise to guilt, then to regaining composure and finally to a serene state.

 

The girl’s thoughts were written plainly on her face, crystal clear and vivid.

 

Gu Feichi gazed at her, his smile soft like moonlight, and said, “Miss saved my father’s life. I should have come to express my gratitude long ago.”

 

Father is the most important relative to him in this world.

 

“Young Master is too polite.” Xiao Yanfei held the pearl earring, her smile sincere, “Would the Young Master like to come in and have a seat?”

 

“Then I’ll be troubling you.” Gu Feichi gracefully supported the windowsill with one hand, agilely leaped in through the open window. His dark robes billowed like an eagle in flight.

 

A series of movements flowed smoothly and beautifully.

 

Gu Feichi took a seat in the circular chair by the writing desk.

 

As the breeze from the window blew, it lifted his tied black hair, even causing the piece of paper on the desk to flutter lightly away…

 

Xiao Yanfei hurriedly leaned down to retrieve the paper, but her movements couldn’t match Gu Feichi’s.

 

With a casual pinch, Gu Feichi’s two fingers already held the airborne sheet of paper.

 

Upon closer inspection, the paper bore the words: “In ancient times, the Emperor, born divine and eloquent even in weakness, obedient and righteous in youth, growing to be diligent and discerning…”

 

This was the first chapter of the “Emperor’s Internal Classic – Basic Questions.”

 

Interestingly, the font started off soft and unsteady, as if a child just learning to write, gradually becoming more skillful with strokes and character, as if the writer was unlocking a talent step by step.

 

He had never seen someone progress so rapidly on a single sheet of paper.

 

“Thank you, Young Master!” Xiao Yanfei quickly moved to snatch the paper from Gu Feichi’s hand.

 

In her haste, her hand accidentally brushed against his hair. His hair felt cool and slightly damp.

 

It dawned on Xiao Yanfei that they were standing too close. She could smell a faint, refreshing fragrance emanating from him, like snow falling on green bamboo.

 

Gu Feichi silently smiled, allowing her to take back the paper. His slender eyebrows formed a shallow arc for a moment, then quickly returned to an icy demeanor.

 

Xiao Yanfei placed the paper on another corner of the desk, fearing it might be blown away again. She then took a small piece of jade, a sleeping fox-shaped paperweight, to secure the sheet of paper.

 

Regarding this paperweight, Gu Feichi was very familiar, and a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes.

 

When Xiao Yanfei turned her face back, she had already returned to her usual self and casually asked, “Young Master Gu, is your friend feeling better?”

 

She was inquiring about Xie Wuduan’s injuries.

 

Gu Feichi nodded, “He’s fine now.”

 

After the fever subsided, Xie Wuduan had taken medicine for three or four consecutive days, and the wound was no longer red and swollen, nor did it secrete any fluids. The military doctor said Xie Wuduan had recovered well; the most challenging part was already over, and he just needed to rest and recuperate.

 

The efficacy of that particular medicine amazed the military doctor, who wished to thoroughly study it. Unfortunately, the quantity was too limited, only enough for Xie Wuduan to use.

 

“That’s good,” Xiao Yanfei looked into Gu Feichi’s eyes, smiled openly, and said, “Young Master Gu, there should be quite a few soldiers in the army who suffer from persistent high fevers after injuries, right?”

 

Whenever there was an injury, there was a certain chance of wound infection.

 

Sometimes, even with severe injuries like evisceration, recovery was possible. However, in other cases, a simple scratch or graze, if infected, could claim a person’s life.

 

Throughout history, this has always been the case.

 

It was only with the advent of penicillin that the mortality rate of wounded soldiers significantly decreased.

 

Although traditional Chinese medicine had its merits, there was no specific remedy for wound infections, often relying on fate.

 

Gu Feichi’s previously calm eyes now revealed a ripple, and he nodded slightly, “Those with severe wounds beyond treatment are not uncommon.”

 

Having spent years in the military, he had witnessed countless battles and seen numerous injured soldiers succumb to persistent high fevers, eventually meeting their end in shrouds.

 

“I have medicine.” Xiao Yanfei smiled faintly, the confidence evident in her demeanor adding radiance to her charming appearance.

 

This was a plan Xiao Yanfei had devised early on. If she wanted to live a good life in this world, she couldn’t rely on the Marquis’s residence. With a Grand Madam who doesn’t regard a concubine-born girl as a person and a birth mother scheming who knows what, her days here were like walking on eggshells.

 

She can only rely on herself.

 

In ancient times, especially in the military, amoxicillin was indeed a treasure. Of course, she also had penicillin, but it required injection, making it somewhat troublesome. Amoxicillin, on the other hand, could be taken orally, making it more acceptable to people in ancient times.

 

Xiao Yanfei poured tea with a smile, offering a plate of snacks to Gu Feichi. “The prince has seen with his own eyes whether my medicine has any effect.”

 

“Would the Young Master like to try something different?”

 

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Translated By: Allthingsfluff