Chapter 59: The Meaning of the Story

As Mu Qinghan sat inside the carriage, she had expected Yang Yaozong to join her, but to her surprise, he remained outside with the coachman. She felt a touch of regret. This carriage belonged to her, and the interior could comfortably accommodate two people. For a Grandson’s Tutor to sit outside with the driver was hardly fitting, yet inviting him in seemed equally inappropriate. Fortunately, it was nighttime and no one would notice Yang Yaozong’s unconventional choice.

Her thoughts drifted to how Yang Yaozong had set her bones, personally removing her shoes and socks. Did he not know that a woman's feet were not to be touched so casually? Her heart fluttered wildly; the embarrassment she had managed to suppress surged back, coloring her cheeks crimson with warmth. Yang Yaozong had settled her on the left side of the carriage seat, her injured foot placed atop it. She gently stroked her swollen ankle, thinking circumstances had necessitated such liberties.

But what, she wondered, was the meaning behind the story he had told? Was he implying she was too concerned about him treating her injury, or perhaps too mindful of him carrying her? Yet he seemed genuinely unconcerned. Still, he was a man and she a woman. What a baffling tale he had told. Mu Qinghan pondered over it, tangled in her thoughts.

The Qin residence was not far from her family’s clinic; in less than a quarter of an hour, the carriage arrived at the medical hall. Yang Yaozong glanced at the sign—Spring Renewal Hall—and mused to himself, "Spring Renewal, skillful hands bring spring anew." Smiling, he drew aside the curtain, entered the carriage, and said, "Miss Mu, we’ve arrived. I’ll carry you inside."

Aside from the coachman, only the two of them remained. Mu Qinghan suppressed her embarrassment and nodded.

Yang Yaozong lifted Mu Qinghan from the carriage, and she cooperated, wrapping an arm around his neck to ease his burden.

He carried her into the clinic, where only the manager and two apprentices were present. Seeing Mu Qinghan in a man's arms, they were visibly startled.

The manager hastened from behind the counter, approaching Yang Yaozong. "Miss, what happened?"

Mu Qinghan, shy, replied, "Uncle Wu, I twisted my ankle, but it's nothing serious now."

The manager, whom she called Uncle Wu, glanced at Mu Qinghan and her foot, which she had covered with a towel. He nodded to Yang Yaozong, "Miss, please rest in the inner hall. I’ll fetch your remedy for sprains."

Embarrassed to be carried, Mu Qinghan nodded and pointed to a small door at the back of the clinic. "Please carry me to the inner hall."

Yang Yaozong nodded and carried her through the door.

Inside, they were met with a surprised, questioning gaze. The person, originally reading on a low couch, looked up.

Yang Yaozong greeted him calmly, "Master Mu."

Under Mu Chuchen’s bewildered gaze, Yang Yaozong placed Mu Qinghan beside him on the low couch.

Mu Chuchen rose slowly, unable to grasp the situation, looking from Yang Yaozong to his daughter. "What’s going on between you two?"

He still held one of Mu Qinghan’s embroidered shoes. Yang Yaozong replied to his confused look, "Miss Mu injured her foot, so I brought her home," placing the shoe before the couch.

Mu Chuchen looked at the composed Yang Yaozong, then at the bashful Mu Qinghan, who merely nodded. He reached down, removed the towel covering her foot, and frowned at the swollen ankle. "Has it been treated?"

Mu Qinghan nodded.

Mu Chuchen smiled, "Thank you, Master Yang, for bringing my daughter home."

Yang Yaozong answered with a smile, "No need for such courtesy, Master Mu. It was a small favor. Since Miss Mu is home, I’ll take my leave."

Mu Chuchen stood to see him out. Mu Qinghan called after him, "Yang Yaozong, I have something to discuss with you."

Yang Yaozong smiled at her, "Please, Miss Mu."

Mu Qinghan blushed and glanced at her father. Mu Chuchen frowned, shook his head with a smile, and said, "I’ll go fetch some medicine; I’ll prepare it and bring it to you shortly." With that, he smiled at Yang Yaozong and walked out.

Yang Yaozong remained, looking at Mu Qinghan.

Mu Qinghan spoke calmly, "Originally, I planned to depart for Yanmen Pass in a few days." Seeing Yang Yaozong’s surprise, she continued, "My medical skills would be more useful there, and I could help Qingyi as well." Yang Yaozong nodded.

"So, I’ve been searching for you these past days, hoping to ask if you have anything or any letters for Qingyi. I could deliver them. But now it seems I'll need to postpone my departure."

Yang Yaozong smiled, "Thank you, Miss Mu. I have nothing that needs to be sent to Qingyi. We correspond by letter. If you go to the border, I know you’ll look after Qingyi without my asking, but please take care of yourself as well. As a woman, even away from the battlefield, life in the army can be difficult."

Mu Qinghan was delighted to hear that Yang Yaozong and Qingyi wrote to each other. She smiled, then recalled Qin Xueyao mentioning Yang Yaozong’s visit to the Drunken Red Dust teahouse, and hesitantly asked, "Between you and that courtesan, Yin Ruxin…?" She struggled to find the words.

Yang Yaozong frowned, "I will speak to Qingyi about that matter in person."

Mu Qinghan, sensing something, furrowed her brows and stared at him. "You and Yin Ruxin, is there really… really…?" She could not finish the question.

Yang Yaozong smiled calmly, "Miss Mu, all I can say is that I will explain my relationship with Yin Ruxin directly to Qingyi."

Seeing Yang Yaozong openly acknowledge his connection to Yin Ruxin, Mu Qinghan was at a loss for words. She nodded silently. After all, this was a matter between Nangong Qingyi and Yang Yaozong. Given Yang Yaozong’s reputation and status, few women would care that he was a son-in-law by adoption.

Yang Yaozong asked, "Is there anything else, Miss Mu? If not, I’ll take my leave."

Mu Qinghan shook her head, then suddenly asked, "What did your story mean? Was it to tell me to be open-minded and not to… not to mind what happened tonight?"

Yang Yaozong paused, then smiled, "My intention was simple, nothing more than its surface meaning. That monk carried the woman across the river, not seeing her as a woman, but merely as someone in need of help. I wanted to tell you the same: I did not see you as a woman, only as a patient. That’s all. Thank you for thinking of Qingyi before your journey to Yanmen Pass. Even though there’s nothing to send, I hope you will take good care of Qingyi. Farewell, Miss Mu."

Under Mu Qinghan’s astonished gaze, Yang Yaozong left Spring Renewal Hall.

Watching his departing figure, Mu Qinghan, both shy and annoyed, let out a soft laugh, muttering, "A woman? A patient." Her smile transformed into a gentle, knowing one.