Ji Taoyu was already struggling to breathe, feeling as if water had clogged his airways. His body was freezing, his trembling uncontrollable.
Despite his discomfort, he knew with certainty that the Yu family’s ger had pushed him into the water on purpose. Whether it was to humiliate him in public or worse, he didn’t know, but it was best to avoid him now.
"H-He’s not my companion," Ji Taoyu gasped. "He’s the one who pushed me in."
After speaking, he clenched his fists and lowered his head, trying to push himself up. However his body felt like overhydrated dough, utterly limp.
He had never felt so helpless, so utterly humiliated by his own frailty.
Just as his distress peaked, something suddenly draped over his slumped body, a plain black cloak spilling onto the ground.
Ji Taoyu looked up at the expressionless man and, oddly, felt a little better. Tears still in his eyes, he whispered, "Th-Thank you, kind sir."
Huo Shu had originally planned to leave, but the ger’s words made him reconsider.
The cloak, which barely covered his own body, now nearly engulfed the ger whole.
Frowning, he hauled the cloaked figure up again.
"Where’s your home?"
Faced with the choice between accepting a stranger’s escort or remaining a half-drowned spectacle in the middle of the market, Ji Taoyu chose the former.
"X-Xiaoxi Street… Zhenlu Alley… the Huangji Clinic."
Without another word, Huo Shu lifted him onto his horse, asked the teahouse attendant for directions, and rode off.
Yu Xia, who had been rushing over from a side path, saw that Ji Taoyu had been rescued as expected and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
He had only wanted Ji Taoyu to make a fool of himself in public, not to actually endanger him.
But he hadn’t expected the rescuer to take Ji Taoyu away!
Yu Xia took a few steps forward, but when the man on horseback shot him a piercing glance, a cold sweat broke out on his back. His feet froze instinctively.
That man… he looked like the fierce-faced stranger he’d seen on the official road earlier. Even if he didn’t remember the face, he recognized the black horse.
Yu Xia’s heart pounded nervously. Suddenly, he wasn’t sure what to do.
____
Ji Taoyu kept his face hidden in the cloak, shielding himself from curious onlookers. Though people stared, at least they couldn’t see his face.
Dazed, he endured only a short ride before a familiar voice made him lift his head weakly, revealing his pale face from under the cloak.
"What happened?!"
From a distance, Huo Shu spotted the Huangji Clinic’s sign, with a steady stream of patients coming and going.
He slowed his horse, but its snorting still startled a few elderly and frail visitors. The sound made the old physician at the counter, who had been writing a prescription, look up.
Huang Yinsheng, annoyed at what he assumed was another troublemaker causing a ruckus on horseback, was about to scold when he saw a towering figure carrying a cloaked person into the clinic.
He hurried over and, upon recognizing the ger’s face, felt his heart leap into his throat.
"Quick, bring him inside!"
Huang Yinsheng immediately took Ji Taoyu from the man’s arms. Feeling the icy hands and soaked sleeves, he didn’t ask questions, just helped the ger into the back room.
"Huang Qi, fetch a set of dry clothes!"
The young medicine assistant, a ger himself, acknowledged the order, reassured the waiting patients, and rushed to the rear courtyard.
Huo Shu faintly heard the ger call out "Grandfather" weakly before disappearing into the room. He glanced around the clinic, typical medical furnishings.
Given how concerned the old physician was, the ger was clearly a beloved family member.
Since the family had a physician, there was no need to worry.
With that thought, Huo Shu turned to leave.
"Kind sir!"
A voice called from behind. "Wait, please!"
Huang Yinsheng hurried after him. "Thank you for saving my grandson’s life. Your clothes are soaked, why not change in the back courtyard?"
Huo Shu glanced at his damp attire. Unlike the arid northwest, Jiangnan’s humid air meant clothes took longer to dry. Riding through town like this would be inconvenient.
So he nodded, retrieved his bundle, and followed the physician to the rear courtyard.
The clinic’s front was modest, but stepping through the back door revealed a spacious courtyard.
Dozens of bamboo trays dried herbs on layered racks - at least forty or fifty in total. Further ahead were a kitchen and adjacent rooms.
This was a classic shop-residence setup, convenient for business.
Huo Shu mused that the ger’s family must be fairly well-off, though the physician had mentioned this was his maternal grandfather’s home.
Not one to pry into a stranger’s background, Huo Shu changed clothes and emerged without further questions.
A young assistant waited outside. "Sir, please rest a moment and have some tea. I’ll dry your clothes by the fire so you can take them with you."
Huo Shu agreed and handed over his wet garments.
Stepping outside, he found Huang Yinsheng already preparing tea in the courtyard. "Please, sit."
Huo Shu cupped his hands in thanks. Noticing the ger hadn’t reappeared, he asked, "How is he?"
"My grandson has always been frail, weaker than most. Hearing what happened today, had you not rescued him, it could’ve been dire. He’s taken medicine and is resting now, I apologize he can’t thank you in person."
"No matter. It was nothing."
Huang Yinsheng bowed gratefully. "May I ask your name, sir? Please stay for a meal, it’s the least I can do to repay you."
"Huo Shu. No need for formalities, I have other matters to attend to."
He added, "Do you know where Mingxun Village is?"
Huang Yinsheng raised an eyebrow. "Twenty li down the official road, then another two or three li on a side path."
Recognizing Huo Shu as an outsider - likely from the north, given his demeanor - the physician who had traveled widely in his youth, felt obliged to help.
"If you don’t mind my asking, what brings you there? My son-in-law is the village head, perhaps he can assist you."
Huo Shu’s eyes flickered. "I’m looking for someone."
"What a coincidence. If you’re not in a hurry, rest here tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll escort my grandson back to the village, and you can come along. I’ll introduce you to my son-in-law."
Huo Shu paused. Navigating unfamiliar territory alone would be difficult. His northern appearance and stern face might make villagers wary, complicating his search.
After a moment, he nodded. "Very well. I’ll trouble you, then."
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