Chapter 2: Winning the Beauty’s Heart
Seeing the wild frenzy in the horse’s eyes, Ying Shuo was startled as well and instinctively leapt into the air!
He never expected to soar nearly four or five meters high with a single jump!
Unfortunately, his timing was off, and the beautiful young woman sitting on the horse collided face-first with his groin!
“Ouch!”
The two of them tumbled to the ground together, while the crazed horse galloped off into the distance, leaving chaos in its wake.
“Hiss—”
Ying Shuo clutched his groin, taking in a sharp breath, inwardly cursing whatever blind fool had just struck his most vital spot.
When he glanced over at the young woman who had fallen with him, he was momentarily stunned!
Bright, clear eyes and dazzling white teeth, a delicate and exquisite face, lively eyes brimming with unshed tears beneath perfectly trimmed bangs. Her figure was slender yet shapely; if she were a touch more mature, she would be an unrivaled beauty!
He stared for quite a while, only snapping out of it when the onlookers began to clamor. It was then he realized the young woman before him was seriously injured—her pain so intense, she couldn’t even speak.
“Young lady, how did you end up like this? Do you need to go to the clinic for a look?”
“She doesn’t seem able to walk—perhaps we should fetch a physician instead?”
“Injuries to the muscles and bones take a hundred days to heal, young miss, you must be careful.”
The elderly men and women delighted in the spectacle, offering advice for ages, yet not a single one lifted a hand to help.
Ying Shuo’s own pain quickly faded, reminding him of the medical classic he possessed.
“Could it be the Green Pouch Scripture even increases one’s resilience? Not bad at all!”
“Since I’m now a contemporary medical sage, why not examine the young lady’s injury and see how well it works?”
With that settled, Ying Shuo reached out to touch the young woman’s leg.
Even though she was in such pain she couldn’t speak, the young lady still tried to maintain her modesty, shyly withdrawing her leg.
Ying Shuo had to improvise, “My master is a reclusive physician who only treats those fated to meet him. He sent me down the mountain to offer aid to the world.”
At this, the crowd’s curiosity peaked, and the young woman hesitated.
Seeing this, Ying Shuo raised his voice, “Ladies and gentlemen, please make some room. The young miss is bashful—not like us men!”
Only when the men in the crowd stepped back did the young woman timidly extend her leg again.
Recalling the teachings of the Green Pouch Scripture, Ying Shuo summoned a gentle energy within and channeled it into his palm. He then feigned a professional air, massaging and pressing as he went.
“Hmm, it appears to be a fracture,” he declared.
“My techniques are inherited from my master—they’re highly effective.”
With that, Ying Shuo began to treat the young woman’s injury, following each step and acupoint described in the ancient text, infusing the process with his inner energy. Soon, the pain subsided rapidly.
A pleasant warmth spread through her body, and the young woman’s cheeks flushed. Even the scrapes on her leg began to heal swiftly.
Before long, Ying Shuo released her leg and helped her arrange her skirt. With confidence, he said, “All done! Try to stand up.”
The young woman, bracing herself on a nearby matron, rose cautiously.
“I’m… I’m healed! It really doesn’t hurt anymore!” Her eyes, once brimming with tears, now shone with admiration and curiosity.
“Is she really better?”
“So fast? I thought injuries like that took a hundred days to mend!”
“My, young man, you’re a miracle doctor indeed!”
Suddenly the crowd burst into applause, showering Ying Shuo—a man who had always gone unnoticed—with praise, leaving him a little red-faced.
He waved them off humbly, “You flatter me! Truly, it was nothing. Just a small gesture, nothing more!”
The young woman, cheeks still flushed, smoothed her hair and stepped forward to speak quietly.
“Thank you, sir, for your assistance.”
“However, I left home today without my family’s knowledge and didn’t bring much silver.”
Saying this, she pulled a tael of broken silver from her purse.
“This is all the money I have. As for the rest, might you come home with me, so my family can make up the difference?”
Seeing the single tael and then her sincere face, Ying Shuo’s heart melted.
Ah, I can’t take it!
“Forget it, keep your silver. It’s not easy traveling alone,” he said grandly, waving away her offer.
This act made the crowd praise him even more loudly.
The young woman looked at him with sparkling eyes.
Kind-hearted, selfless, noble… and handsome!
He’s the very hero I’ve dreamed of meeting on my journeys!
As Ying Shuo turned to leave, the young woman hurriedly stepped forward to stop him.
“Sir!”
Ying Shuo was puzzled—he was eager to get home and chew on some dried beef!
“What is it?”
The young woman introduced herself, “My name is Jiang Lanfeng, and I have another favor to ask.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to invite you to examine an old gentleman suffering from a chronic illness.”
Seeing Ying Shuo’s interest, Jiang Lanfeng explained, “The old gentleman is a highly esteemed guest of the Jiang family. He and my grandfather share a remarkable history. He injured his legs while saving my grandfather.”
“Would you be willing to take a look at him?”
When Ying Shuo remained silent, Jiang Lanfeng sweetened the offer.
“Whether or not you can cure him, my family will pay a hundred taels for your consultation!”
A hundred taels!
Ying Shuo, who’d been eager to go home for a meal, was stunned by the sum.
But he still maintained his composure. “The fee isn’t what matters. What’s important is saving lives.”
“Besides, I’m quite interested in tackling difficult cases.”
His words moved Jiang Lanfeng deeply.
If you choose a path, you should give it your full attention and commitment.
Those fickle, ambitious men should learn from this gentleman!
Jiang Lanfeng said excitedly, “That’s wonderful.”
“May I ask your name, sir?”
“Ying Shuo—Shuo of the Northern Regions.”
Ying?
Jiang Lanfeng was briefly taken aback.
“Is there a problem?” Ying Shuo asked, noticing her surprise.
“No, no problem. If you have time, why don’t we leave now?” Jiang Lanfeng suggested quietly.
Ying Shuo hesitated, “But I’m really quite hungry right now…”
Jiang Lanfeng, thinking she’d been remiss, quickly replied, “That’s no trouble. Babao Pavilion in Qingfeng County is just ahead—their cuisine is renowned.”
“I know the owner well. Why don’t we rest there first?”
Ying Shuo’s eyes lit up, “Babao Pavilion! Excellent! Their grilled fowl and fish—ah!”
“‘White birds fly before Xisai Mountain, and peach blossoms flow with plump perch!’”
“Let’s go!”
He strode off energetically, leaving Jiang Lanfeng dazed in his wake.
So free-spirited! So cultured!
Uninterested in the hundred-tael fee, yet drawn to simple fare—truly a remarkable man!
When the two arrived at Babao Pavilion, it was the height of the lunch hour. The place was packed and lively.
Remembering that his role as a dissolute scion required ostentatious spending, and that he could still earn a hundred taels for treating the sick, Ying Shuo waved his hand grandly, “Everyone, eat as you please today! Ying Shuo will cover the bill for the whole house!”
Wow!
The room erupted in excitement.
Everyone began to wonder—who was this young lord, so extravagant?
“Hmph! This young man is bold indeed, but I fear he lacks the means to back it up!”
Just as Ying Shuo was basking in the adulation, a discordant voice broke through.
Following the voice, they saw a refined young man in white, seated at a distinguished table, with two maids fanning him.
“Fan Zeng?”
Hearing the voice and recognizing the man’s elegant appearance, Jiang Lanfeng’s expression darkened.
“You know him?” Ying Shuo asked curiously.
“To tell you the truth, sir,” Jiang Lanfeng replied, “that man is notorious for his debauchery and gambling. He squanders his family’s fortune, exploiting his father’s position as secretary to extort money from officials everywhere.”
“He’s been pestering me, trying to arrange a marriage with my family. I refused, but he’s like a leech—impossible to shake off.”
“What bad luck, to run into him here.”
As Jiang Lanfeng pouted in annoyance, Fan Zeng strode over, his gaze hostile as he fixed his eyes on Ying Shuo.