Rushing Back Overnight

"Brother Chenyu, be careful." Cui Cancan added her own farewell.

Su Chenyu glanced at Cui Cancan and realized she hadn't bothered him much lately. Isn't it rude not to respond when someone shows concern? He gave a soft nod.

Several horses rushed out from the Xu residence, heading towards Qingyun City.

They galloped non-stop, from day into night. This was torture for Wen Die, a well-bred lady who always rode in a carriage. She'd never really learned to ride a horse, and her awkward position left her muscles aching terribly. But she gritted her teeth and endured.

"Are you holding up okay, little sister?" Wen Yuan asked, concerned.

"I'm fine, Big Brother." Wen Die replied.

Even when they stopped to eat, they managed it from atop their horses.

Finally, in the dead of night, they reached the gates of Qingyun City.

The gates were closed, with a few guards keeping watch on the wall. By the flickering light of their torches, they spotted the riders below.

"Who are you? If you want to enter the city, come back tomorrow morning." a soldier shouted.

"It's me, Wen Yuan! Brothers above, please open the gates!" Wen Yuan shouted.

"Is that the Eldest Young Master? I'll open them right away." The guard hurried down the wall, torch in hand.

The gate opened halfway, and a soldier with a torch peered at them. Recognizing the eldest young master, he relaxed and swung the gate wide.

"Friend, do you know how my father is?" Wen Yuan asked.

"The young master, Master Wen is still unconscious. But we've called for a doctor. I'm not sure what's going on now." The soldier replied.

Wen Yuan nodded, spurred his horse on, and the group quickly followed.

They arrived at the Wen Manor and dismounted.

"Little sister, let me help you down." Wen Yuan reached for Wen Die's arm as she slid from her horse.

"Ouch..." She winced as her foot touched the ground.

Her hips ached from sitting for too long, jostled by the rough ride.

Wen Yuan steadied his sister with both arms, feeling sorry for her: "Hang in there, little sister. We're home."

Xu Wenwu frowned, feeling a pang in his heart. Without thinking, he stepped forward and lifted Wen Die into his arms.

Wen Die gasped, blushing crimson, but didn't fuss—she was too worried about her father.

Even Xu Wenwu was taken aback by his own actions. But since he had her in his arms, it'd be awkward to just let go...

Qibao, Jing Chen, and Su Chenyu exchanged glances.

Wen Yuan didn't waste any more time and immediately stepped forward to knock on the gate.

The housekeeper opened the door. Seeing it was Wen Yuan standing outside, his originally worried face lit up with joy: "Young Master, you're back!"

Then he noticed Xu Wenwu holding Wen Die, and his expression changed to one of shock: "What happened to the young lady?"

Wen Yuan replied: "She's fine. They're my friends. The most important thing right now is how my father is doing."

The housekeeper slapped his forehead: "Young Master, I'll take you to see your father right away."

He led them to a room and gently knocked on the door.

A maid from Madam Wen's bedroom opened the door.

The housekeeper said: "Is the Madam asleep? The Young Master and little miss are back."

The maid replied: "The Madam is getting ready for bed. I'll go tell her."

It wouldn't be appropriate to let a man into a woman's bedroom with another man outside.

Moments later, the door opened again. Seeing her son had returned, Madam Wen exclaimed with surprise: "Yuan'er, you're back!"

Seeing his mother's pale face and red eyes, Wen Yuan hugged her in comfort.

Xu Wenwu put down Wen Die.

Madam Wen, concerned, rushed up to her daughter: "Die'er, what happened to you?" Her husband was already in danger, and she couldn't risk anything happening to her daughter.

Wen Die clutched her mother's hand, anxiety etched across her face: "Mother, it's me—I'm alright. Just from riding in that horse all day my legs are sore, but it should pass soon. How's father?"

Madam Wen's expression grew somber at the question: "The doctor says your father is unconscious because of severe blood loss. He started to wake up earlier today, but quickly slipped back into darkness."

Wen Yuan spoke up: "Mother, let us go see Father."

The madam nodded and looked at Jing Chen and Ye Feng, her expression slightly puzzled.

Wen Yuan explained: "Mother, these are my new friends who also live with us at the Xu residence. This is Master Jing, and this is his personal guard, Ye Feng."

Madam Wen nodded in understanding: "Thank you so much for rushing here in the middle of the night. It's a long journey, you've both worked hard. Please, come inside and make yourselves comfortable. Housekeeper! Please arrange for some tea and light refreshments to be brought in."

As the group entered the room, they found Provincial Governor Wen lying pale-faced on the bed, still unconscious. A circle of white bandages wrapped around his chest, blood seeping through the gauze in places.

Wen Die, ignoring the throbbing pain in her legs, stepped forward and took her father's hand. Her eyes welling with tears, she pleaded: "Father, Die'er and Big Brother have come back to see you. You've gotta get better!" As she spoke, her tears began to fall, splashing onto her father's hand.

Wen Yuan was deeply troubled: "Mother." He said, face grim: "How did Father end up in this state? Who was responsible?"

Madam Wen answered: "Two days ago, your father returned from the governor's office. While walking on the road, he encountered someone who anxiously reported bandits outside the city had robbed passing civilians, even killing some. Hearing this, your father didn't hesitate for a moment. He rushed back to the governor's office, gathered more than a dozen constables, and set out to rescue people. But after passing through the city gates and searching for quite a while, they couldn't find anyone in trouble. Your father couldn't shake his concerns and decided to continue searching. Suddenly, a sharp arrow flew through the air. Without any chance to react, it struck him in the chest. The constables carried him back, and the doctor said that just a little closer and the arrow would have pierced his heart. If not for that... Your father might not have made it."

As Madam Wen finished, memories of her husband lying unconscious with an arrow in his chest, his clothes stained red by blood, filled her with dread.

Wen Yuan clenched his fists tightly: "Was anyone able to see what the attacker looked like?"

"I don't know." Madam Wen said: "The attacker's face was covered, with only their eyes showing. After your father fell, everyone panicked. The constables didn't even chase the attacker—they rushed your father home and called for a doctor."

Su Chenyu exclaimed: "This is personal vengeance! Who would be so bold as to try and kill a government official?"

For a moment, all that could be heard was the sound of breathing. Then silence fell as everyone pondered the question.

"Aunt Wen, did you offend anyone recently?" Xu Wenwu asked.

Madam Wen frowned: "Offended... My husband and I haven't wronged anyone." Then, as if remembering something, she added: "About half a month ago, Feng Zheng, the youngest son of Xuyang Town's governor, came to propose a marriage alliance. He came twice, but we turned him down both times. Later, he left, and I thought the matter was settled. Could it be that my husband's injury was the work of the Feng family?"

Wen Yuan's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked. Through gritted teeth, he said: "It must be him! Back on Jinhua Island, Feng Zheng already had his eye on my sister. When you and Father rejected him, he was humiliated and furious. He must have sent someone to attack our home."

Madam Wen replied: "We don't have any proof yet. Even if we confronted them, they wouldn't admit to it."