SC Chapter6

Rain fell like a waterfall, drenching the world. In the night, Shen Yunjie stood before a carriage with a coir raincoat draped over him and a bamboo hat hiding most of his face. Driving the carriage was Tian Nanxing, the most elusive wandering physician in the martial arts world.

“You’re quite something ah; your strike was ruthless enough. If the blade had been off by an inch, not even the great gods could have saved your Young Master’s life.” Tian Nanxing extinguished the lantern on the carriage, deepening the rain-shrouded night.

Shen Yunjie’s gaze remained fixed on the carriage compartment behind Tian Nanxing, his voice hoarse and weak: “How could Shizun be that easily fooled? Thank you for the Breath-Severing Pill.” The Breath-Severing Pill had first temporarily stopped Xie Yunyi’s vital signs; the dagger was merely a distraction.

Tian Nanxing waved a hand and said, “We’ve known each other for years, there’s no need for thanks. Don’t worry, I will help you settle him somewhere safe.” Shen Yunjie turned and bowed deeply while whispering, “Thank you.”

“You…” Tian Nanxing sighed, “When he wakes up, do you want me to explain things to him?”

“No need. To be unable to love nor hate would only increase his sorrow.” Shen Yunjie looked at the carriage behind Tian Nanxing, his gaze tender: “Let him hate me if he must.”

“As you wish.” Tian Nanxing cracked the whip and drove the carriage away. “I’m leaving. Take care of yourself. I’ll come see you in a while.”

Tian Nanxing never expected their next meeting to be like this. It was more than six months later when he returned to Jinling and received a letter via carrier pigeon from Shen Yunjie, inviting him to meet at a manor in the suburbs.

The manor wasn’t small, but there were just a few scattered servants who all looked dull, taciturn, and not very quick-witted. The servant who led him was a mute, who merely gestured for him to enter a secluded courtyard.

Shen Yunjie was waiting for him while brewing tea on one side of the courtyard. The setting sun’s light fell on Shen Yunjie; after half a year, he looked even thinner. Tian Nanxing stared at him for a while, sensing something was wrong but unable to pinpoint it.

“Come over, why are you standing there?” Shen Yunjie smiled helplessly while leaning one hand against his waist as he straightened up to pour tea for him. With that hand on his waist, Tian Nanxing finally belatedly noticed his friend’s rounded, high abdomen.

“When did you get married?” Tian Nanxing asked in shock.

Shen Yunjie lowered his eyes, his long lashes casting a small shadow. After a long pause, he whispered, “I didn’t.”

Tian Nanxing’s expression subtly changed. After a moment, he lowered his voice and asked, “Could it be… are you mad? If anyone finds out…”

“No one will know,” Shen Yunjie said flatly. “Shizun has gone to the frontier to investigate a case by imperial order. There isn’t a single person in this manor who can speak out of turn.”

Tian Nanxing was speechless. He lowered his head slightly and noticed a pair of crutches placed beside Shen Yunjie: “What happened to your leg?”

“It’s nothing, I fell myself.” Shen Yunjie pulled the thin blanket on his lap up to his waist and explained, “I needed an excuse to come to the manor for quiet recuperation. So I fell off a horse and broke my leg.”

“You… aren’t you afraid of losing the child by doing that?” Tian Nanxing frowned, unable to understand why someone would be so cruel to themselves.

“I had to take a gamble,” Shen Yunjie handed the brewed tea to Tian Nanxing: “It’s just that the child is due soon, and I can’t trust anyone else. After thinking it over, I still had to trouble you.”

“That’s fine. But you must think carefully. If you and he are going your separate ways, why invite this further entanglement?” Tian Nanxing was genuinely worried for his friend.

Though Shen Yunjie’s face was pale, his expression was calm and gentle; compared to the lifeless look in the rain that night, he seemed to have regained some spirit. He didn’t answer Tian Nanxing’s question but merely gently stroked his waist and abdomen while lowering his eyes with a smile. This child was the last bit of pity heaven had bestowed upon him.