Chapter 288: Do as She Said

Xiao Ting was pushed to this point by Gu Jiu Ling; saying anything else would be of no avail.

Gu Jiu Ling holds too many chips; Xiao Ting has no trump cards left.

Who let this shameless, tough woman be paired with that rascal Xiao Yin?

This couple walking the streets of Shang Jing makes even passing dogs keep their distance.

Xiao Ting, following Gu Jiu Ling's word, ordered the news spread at once: Gu Jiu Ling, this divine doctor, had saved Mr. Wen.

Mr. Wen had been carried to the front courtyard to rest; the rear courtyard, flooded just moments ago, was in disarray, requiring the patient be moved to the front courtyard to recuperate.

Xiao Ting, indeed a master of putting on airs, merely issuing the order set off a grand affair: taking Mr. Wen from the warm pavilion, placing him on a sedan chair, and bringing him to the front courtyard—such a simple procedure.

Yet the display was massive, like an emperor's procession, for fear that no one would notice Mr. Wen had arrived at the front courtyard.

Gu Jiu Ling followed behind Mr. Wen to the front courtyard.

She looked at the imposing procession before her and had to admit Xiao Ting was a master of putting on airs.

Soon the news spread outside; the students gathered around Nan Shan Shu Yuan burst into cheers.

Some students remained doubtful, for Mr. Wen is old, his injury severe, and he fell from a three‑story building—how could he recover instantly?

The leaders among them demanded entry to Nan Shan Shu Yuan to see how Mr. Wen's injury really was.

Not to mention Gu Jiu Ling, the Crown Prince immediately had the request rejected.

The reason was sound: Mr. Wen had just taken medicine, and Gu Jiu Ling had pulled him back from the gates of hell.

But Mr. Wen is advanced in years, so a swift recovery is difficult.

Therefore, during this period of Mr. Wen's recuperation, we wish no one to disturb him—this reason is also sufficient.

None of the students dare incur the blame of disturbing Mr. Wen, yet the situation is so strange they insist on waiting for an outcome.

Otherwise, having spent an entire night coming to Nan Shan Shu Yuan, could it be just to watch a show?

Mr. Wen is the face of all scholars under heaven; now, framed and harmed, this is a harsh slap to the face of all scholars of Southern Qi.

These students already have a score to settle; tonight, whatever the result, they will wait for an outcome, seeking only to obtain justice for Mr. Wen.

Although the Crown Prince issued word for the students surrounding Nan Shan Shu Yuan to return swiftly to Shang Jing.

After all, the spring examinations are imminent; if the students here stir up trouble again, it would ruin Southern Qi's reputation.

Under heaven, what troubles rulers most is not generals but these scholars.

A slight misstep and these monarchs become the reviled fools of all dynasties, never to redeem themselves.

Indeed they are relatively lenient toward scholars; seeing the crowds of students outside with no intention to leave, the Crown Prince is also plagued by a splitting headache.

Surely we can't just drive them all away?

This sea of black‑clad numbers amounts to not a thousand but eight hundred.

With so many people out causing trouble, if we forcibly suppress them to the end, it will likely be hard to contain.

Gu Jiu Ling accompanied Mr. Wen to the front courtyard, briefly settled him, then left the gate weary‑faced.

Gu Jiu Ling had just stepped out when she saw several anxious‑looking servants waiting there.

One of them, hair white as frost, was clearly a long‑time servant of Mr. Wen.

But this person can barely stand, leaning on a cane; at present he cannot look after Mr. Wen—he himself needs care.

Gu Jiu Ling coaxed the old man back, then the remaining people hastily assigned guards for the courtyard.

Gu Jiu Ling promptly returned to her lodgings in the guest courtyard; to outsiders she looked utterly exhausted.

Obviously, saving Mr. Wen had worn her out; she needed time to rest.

Xiao Ting also led his people out through another gate.

For a moment, the front hall had only a few guards brought from the Crown Prince's residence.

Even the maid who had followed behind Prince Rui's mansion came out with them; everyone was utterly exhausted, having reached their limit.

The students outside had walked so far, yet could not enter Nan Shan Shu Yuan to check on Mr. Wen; they squeezed together, leaned against trees, sat down, and each closed their eyes for a brief rest.

Then about an hour passed.

A young attendant hurried over carrying a food box.

The lad was Zhang Cheng, who had just come from the Crown Prince's residence, a servant sent by the Crown Prince to attend to Mr. Wen's meals and daily needs.

Zhang Cheng had previously attended the Crown Prince's side; Xiao Ting observed that he was clever and lively in his conduct.

Moreover, considering that Mr. Wen resides at Nan Shan Shu Yuan and is advanced in age, even his close aides are elderly.

Therefore, some younger attendants were assigned to stay with Mr. Wen; Zhang Cheng is one of them.

Since Zhang Cheng came from the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, he is also familiar with those guards.

At this moment those guards, having been blown by the cold wind for so long, looked stiff‑faced, hoping only for tomorrow's imperial edict to settle the matter so they could return and report duty.

Zhang Cheng stepped forward with a smile: "Gentlemen, after all this time you must be thirsty and hungry?"

"We're all busy for Mr. Wen's sake; it's been hard work."

"Earlier we feared Mr. Wen wouldn't survive this, that he wouldn't want to live—let's drink and celebrate."

One guard, hearing the word "wine," frowned slightly: "Forget the wine; just give us something to eat—we haven't touched chopsticks in several hours."

"Yes, yes, Zhang Cheng, you're at least a steward attending Mr. Wen; in this freezing weather we surely need some hot food, don't we?"

After the news spread that Mr. Wen had been saved by Gu Jiu Ling, even the tense nerves of those below eased a little.

This was already more than an hour later; the sky was still dark, the blackest moment before dawn.

These guards, having entered deep autumn, wore clothes that had not been thickened for the hurried journey.

Each stood in the night‑shaded deep mountains on duty, shivering from the cold.

At this sight of Zhang Cheng bringing meat and wine, their faces softened a little.

Zhang Cheng set out the braised meat and placed a jar of fine wine on the table.

The frozen guards, unable to think of anything else, gladly accepted the hot food and drink Zhang Cheng passed over.

There was also the wine that had just been warmed; they took it all, broke the seal on the jar, and the few brothers guarding the door all drank it down.

Zhang Cheng hurriedly accompanied them with a smile, toasting each of them, leaving no one out.

In the front courtyard, the few guards protecting Mr. Wen were drinking heavily, and they all ended up slumped against the wall corner, falling into a drunken sleep.

Under the dim octagonal palace lamp, a flicker of killing intent flashed in Zhang Cheng's eyes, and he immediately slipped silently into the door of the warm pavilion.