"You made good time. I thought you wouldn't arrive until tonight," Qiu Dongfang said, chewing peanuts as he pulled a rolled-up paper from his sleeve and spread it out before Jiu Yue.
Jiu Yue was also munching on a flatbread. "Fu Yu and the others prepared a fine horse for me, so I set off overnight... What's this?"
When it came to serious matters, the usual carefree demeanor between them vanished.
"Yesterday, I scouted the terrain around Yunjiang. Since you're unfamiliar with this area, take a good look." Qiu Dongfang pointed at a spot. "Yunjiang borders Qingnan, with many lakes and rivers here. Yunjiang also faces the sea... This dock is where the salt merchants often gather."
Transport by water was far more convenient.
"From what I know, a group of salt merchants will arrive in Yunjiang soon. Song Lan will likely make a move, so keep an eye out," Qiu Dongfang advised.
Jiu Yue studied the map, her gaze lingering on the border between Yunjiang and Qingnan. She looked up and asked, "His Highness mentioned that Song Shu often travels to provide free medical treatment. I heard Qingnan is suffering from floods... So, wouldn’t my chances of 'accidentally' running into him be higher there?"
Sima Qing had also exchanged letters with Qiu Dongfang, so he was aware of Jiu Yue’s plan.
He stared at the spot for a moment, then mused, "Hard to say... To some extent, Song Shu’s actions are also a way for his father to win public favor. Besides, Yunjiang isn’t exactly prosperous—there are plenty of poor folks here. Song Shu probably doesn’t have the capacity to treat Qingnan’s refugees too."
Jiu Yue rubbed her chin and shifted her focus back to Yunjiang.
"Then let’s split up and gather information," she said, narrowing her eyes. "We need to find Song Shu as soon as possible."
The southern climate differed from the north. As summer approached, the sun in the capital grew scorching, but Yunjiang’s breeze still carried a lingering chill.
The sunlight was gentle, the wind soft—this place felt as pleasant as spring.
"It’ll probably rain tomorrow... Young Doctor Song, my knees started aching this morning," an elderly man sighed as he settled onto a haystack.
Opposite him sat a dust-covered young man. Though his face was youthful, his demeanor carried a maturity beyond his years.
"Uncle Wu, didn’t I tell you last time..." Song Shu sighed but didn’t finish his sentence.
Everyone had families to feed, and Yunjiang’s main livelihood was fishing—how could they avoid working with water?
Pressing his lips together, he turned to rummage through his medicine box... only to find it nearly empty.
"Uncle Wu, I’ll gather herbs this afternoon and prepare your medicine then," he said apologetically.
Uncle Wu understood, but not everyone did.
"Isn’t this your first time treating us? How come you didn’t even bring enough medicine?" a burly man sneered. "Young Doctor Song, are you just putting on a show?"
Song Shu remained unfazed, merely lifting his gaze to reply coolly, "If you don’t trust me, you’re free to seek treatment from the town physician. I’ve never stopped anyone."
The man stiffened, his face flushing. "Who knows what ties you have with those doctors? A single dose costs two taels of silver—who can afford that?!"
Song Shu fell silent for a moment, refusing to argue. He packed his belongings, exchanged a few more words with Uncle Wu, and left.
Jiu Yue lounged on a crabapple tree nearby, lazily listening to the villagers’ murmurs.
"Zhang Yong, wasn’t that too harsh? Young Doctor Song travels all this way to treat us for free. Your words must’ve hurt him!"
"I wasn’t wrong..."
"Exactly! Everyone knows this 'young doctor' has connections with the prefect—who knows what they are? What if he’s just here to scam us?"
"Scam? Scam what? Young Doctor Song hasn’t taken a single coin from us, and his medicines always work! What’s he scamming you for?!"
"..."
The villagers dispersed, still chattering.
Jiu Yue withdrew her gaze and turned to Song Shu, who was already walking away. She couldn’t help but think he was an expert at enduring insults.
Stretching slightly, she exhaled and leaped down, following him.
...
The fishing village had both lakes and mountains—though the latter were no towering peaks, just a small, lush hill.
After the rain cleared, it was the perfect time to gather herbs.
Song Shu first returned to his shabby temporary lodging, fetched a bamboo basket and tools, then headed up the mountain alone.
Jiu Yue trailed him the entire way.
She didn’t dare get too close, carefully concealing herself to avoid detection.
Jiu Yue was at a loss. Qiu Dongfang had warned against approaching too deliberately, lest Song Shu grow suspicious and refuse to take her to the Song household... but he hadn’t offered any alternatives!
Should she fake an injury in the mountains?
Or pretend to be a refugee from Qingnan, claiming a relative had sent her to him for help?
But she had no wounds... and with her secret ability to heal, lying to a doctor was too risky.
As she pondered, a sudden scream pierced the air.
Snapping back to attention, she looked up just in time to see Song Shu tumbling down the slope, his bamboo basket covering his head.
...With skills like these, he dares to go up the mountain alone???
Jiu Yue was stunned but didn’t hesitate. She rushed forward and caught him.
Only then did she notice the bear trap clamped around his ankle, blood soaking through his black boot, staining it dark.
"Th-thank you..." Song Shu exhaled in relief, wincing as he removed the basket from his head—only to meet the innocent, delicate face of a fairy-like maiden.
He froze, suddenly flustered.
There was no doubt he looked utterly disheveled—what terrible first impressions.
Noticing his dazed expression, Jiu Yue couldn’t help but ask, "That trap isn’t poisoned, is it?"
Song Shu snapped out of it, stammering, "N-no... I’ve been caught a few times before. The villagers set these up."
Jiu Yue: "..."
Jiu Yue: "You’re... impressively resilient, huh."
The pain flared again, and Song Shu’s face paled. He sighed, then glanced pleadingly at the woman beside him. "Could I trouble you to go down the mountain and send word for me?"
In his state, walking was impossible.
If he tried crawling... he’d probably bleed out before reaching the bottom.
Jiu Yue saw her chance and seized it. "No need for that—I’ll carry you down!"
Song Shu blinked, clearly misled by her delicate appearance. "There’s no need to force yourself..."
Jiu Yue: "?"
Jiu Yue: "I never force myself."
With that, she crouched down, pried open the trap with careful strength... then stuffed Song Shu into the bamboo basket.
"This way, you won’t have to worry about propriety!" Jiu Yue admired her own quick thinking before hoisting the basket onto her back and clattering down the mountain.
Song Shu wasn’t a warrior, but he was still a grown man. The basket, meant for herbs, had a narrow base and wide mouth—perfect for a child, but a tight squeeze for him.
However, because of his injured ankle, Jiu Yue didn’t let his feet touch the bottom of the bamboo basket. Instead, he sat inside with his legs stretched out.
Song Shu: "…"
He couldn’t help but feel a little shy.
