Chapter 28: Encounter

What are they after, is it only the lives of these hundred people?

It's just to make all the hidden refugees in the city fearful, scared, and unwilling to resist them! And for that, they can cruelly slaughter so many innocent lives?

How brutal! Unkind! Is this what the imperial officials are? The ruler of a city?

They're just a bunch of selfish beasts wearing human skin!

Old Huang was angry, yet his heart was also sorrowful and powerless. In such chaotic times, how many people are like Xue Gui? They treat humans as grass, and how much innocent blood has stained their hands?

Pathetic!

Detestable!

But what can he do? In this ruthless world, he can't even safeguard his own family's lives!

Suddenly, that pure and otherworldly face flashed in his mind.

He sat up abruptly, a thought sprouting in his heart…

……

At that moment, a knock came from outside.

Accompanied by the clanging of a bronze bell and the sound of horse hooves, it startled everyone inside.

"Someone's knocking?"

"Grandfather, I'll go take a look."

"Wait, I'll come with you."

The events of the day cast a shadow over his mind, fearing that Xue Gui's men might come knocking.

Holding a torch, he entered the courtyard and cautiously asked outside, "Who is it?"

"Is this Dr. Huang's residence? We come from a distant town; my young master is injured. After inquiring in the city, we heard Dr. Huang's medical skill is superb, so we came to request an audience, hoping Dr. Huang can treat my young master."

A man's voice came from outside; the two exchanged glances, and Huang Yuanchang whispered, "They don't seem to be Xue Gui's men."

Indeed, if they were Xue Gui's men, they'd have broken in already; they wouldn't be speaking so calmly here.

"Grandfather, I'll open the door."

"Be careful."

Old Huang reminded him, and Huang Yuanchang stepped forward, opening the door with a creak. The harsh, grating sound of wooden boards scraping the floor echoed clearly in the silent night, revealing a very tall figure standing outside.

He wore a felt hat and a black hunting outfit, which at first glance looked rather frightening.

Huang Yuanchang couldn't help but swallow, suddenly regretting having opened the door so quickly.

Because the man cradled a sword in his arms, he slowly lifted his hat brim, revealing a pair of sharp eyes.

He involuntarily stepped back two steps, nervously asking, "Who... who are you... how did you find this place?"

Old Huang suddenly recalled, "Isn't this the person we saw on the carriage in the alley during the day?"

He grabbed his grandson, "You are the ones from the day...?"

"It's inconvenient to visit during daylight, so we come only at night; please forgive us."

Old Huang gave him a deep look; the man exuded an unusual murderous aura, clearly not an ordinary civilian! And the sword in his hand…

When we saw him by day, his imposing aura was already evident, and he didn't look like a Xiangcheng native. Appearing here at this hour, it inevitably raises suspicion.

"My young master is in the carriage; if you have any reservations, we can refrain from entering."

As he spoke, he spread his palm, and three pieces of broken silver appeared in his hand.

"This is ten taels of silver, consider it as consultation fee; after the matter, there will be additional reward."

He produced ten taels of silver in one go—what a generous hand.

The two exchanged a glance, still hesitating.

At that moment, footsteps came from behind; Shen Qingquan heard the sound, and, draped in a long robe, entered the courtyard.

"Miss Shen."

"What happened?"

She walked slowly, holding an oil lamp; its dim light fell on her face, highlighting her gentle brows and eyes.

Yet her jet-black eyes shone with crisp sharpness.

"This person visited at night, wanting us to treat their young master."

Shen Qingquan frowned, then cast her gaze toward the doorway. Upon seeing, her heart leapt suddenly.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, with a hint of inquiry.

The man also saw her; she was the woman he had seen during the day.

He stood as steady as Mount Tai, expressionless, allowing her to assess him.

"Old Huang, since they come seeking fame, let's show them."

Just as the man thought he would be refused, Shen Qingquan spoke calmly.

Even if we refuse, this person likely won't leave easily.

At this moment, it's better not to clash with anyone, especially this man, who exudes no benevolent aura.

"Only... double the fee, plus twenty jin of medicinal herbs, any kind, how about that?"

Her lion-like outburst startled the grandfather and grandson. Yet, with the outsider present, they forced themselves not to show it.

The man's sharp eyes flashed, but he did not respond immediately.

Shen Qingquan was not in a hurry, lifted her chin toward him, "If you're undecided, perhaps you should ask your young master?"

Coming in the dead of night, all secretive, yet offering such generosity—it's not a trap for you or anyone else.

Moreover, if the illness were that easy to cure, the other side probably wouldn't have come to such a remote place.

At that moment, a cold wind blew in, and a bronze bell rang.

Accompanied by a light laugh, it echoed through the cold night.

That laughter was coming from inside the carriage.

Muffled, magnetic.

As if it came from the summit of a snow‑capped mountain, carrying a hint of curiosity and chill.

But that voice made Shen Qingquan freeze on the spot, as if struck by lightning!

She could hardly believe her ears!

Her eyes suddenly narrowed as she watched the heavy curtains of the carriage outside the door being gently lifted by a pair of slender hands.

Those hands were snow‑white and clean, untouched by a speck of dust.

The well‑defined hands bore no ornamentation, yet conveyed an air of nobility and untouchability.

Her heart suddenly missed a beat!

She forced herself to suppress the urge to step back, restrained herself from averting her gaze, and soon after the lifted curtain revealed a man's face.

Elegant, refined, clean, with very fair skin.

But he also bore a touch of frailty and sickness.

Dressed in scholar's attire, a jade hairpin atop his head, he seemed physically weak, lazily leaning against the carriage.

That face…

No!

It's not him!

Her heartbeat gradually steadied; when she came to herself, Shen Qingquan realized a layer of damp sweat had formed on her back!

"…Miss? Miss Shen? What's wrong with you?"

Huang Lao noticed her complexion was off, was about to step forward, but saw that she had already returned to normal.

Her eyes were pitch‑black, staring straight at the person in the carriage.

A hint of doubt flashed in Huang Lao's eyes.

"Why are you looking at me like that, miss? But… do you know me?"

The man inside the carriage uttered the first words after revealing himself.

His voice was gentle, weak, bearing an obvious sickly tone.

Shen Qingquan met his gaze; his eyes were gentle and harmless, unlike the man in her memory…

He had always been as aggressive as a hawk, gloomy and obsessive.

That man in her memory, like a demonic obsession, had followed her all her life. Even in dreams, he was an inescapable nightmare.

Even now, recalling him still sent an uncontrollable shiver from deep within her.

She took a deep breath; when she opened her eyes again, she was calm. The earlier oddity seemed merely an illusion.

"No."

She heard her own calm, unruffled voice say, "I do not know the young master."? This book first appeared on 17K Novel Network; view the official content immediately!