Awakening

Qibao said: "The most important thing now is Uncle Wen's injury. There's no rush to find out what happened until he's better. I brought some medicinal pills for healing. Have Uncle Wen take one, it'll help his wounds heal and ease his pain."

Qibao took a small porcelain bottle from her robes and handed it to Madam Wen.

She quickly accepted it without any doubt, saying: "Thank you, Qibao!"

She then poured a cup of water, stuffed a pill into Chief Wen's mouth, and fed him a few sips. As his throat instinctively swallowed, Madam Wen let out a small sigh of relief.

"Your father has been unconscious since he was injured." Madam Wen said: "He hasn't eaten a thing. I was afraid he'd get weaker, so I've only been giving him a bit of water."

"Mother, don't worry about Father. I see you look a bit worn out. I'll watch over him while you get some rest." Wen Yuan said.

"Let me take care of him, Big Brother!" Wen Die said: "We've been riding horses all day, and I'm sure you're tired too. I'm not sleepy yet, so I can look after Father for now."

"Little sister." Wen Yuan replied: "I've heard you're not as strong as me. Staying up all night won't bother me. Besides, dawn is just a few hours away. And since you're a girl, it might not be the best idea to be here late at night."

"Die'er, listen to your brother." Madam Wen said: "I could tell you weren't feeling well earlier. Come see your father tomorrow morning. He'll be fine."

Wen Die hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded her agreement.

Madam Wen called over the housekeeper and arranged accommodations for Qibao and the others.

Qibao's room was right between her brother's and Jing Chen's.

Unaccustomed to sleeping in a new place, Qibao felt restless. She wandered out to a stone bench in the courtyard and sat there, lost in thought.

"What are you doing here instead of sleeping?" A voice came from behind her.

Qibao turned around and saw it was Jing Chen: "I'm not used to this place, so I came out for some fresh air. Why aren't you asleep?"

"Well, I'm just like you—can't quite get comfortable here." Jing Chen replied, joining her on the bench.

Qibao said nothing, resting her chin in her hand as she stared at the stars above.

"What are you thinking about?"

"I was just musing that someone must be living up there on the stars too." Qibao said: "I bet their lives are really different from ours down here."

Jing Chen gazed up at the sky for a moment: "Maybe you're right. It's possible that we're living on one of those stars right now. The others just look small because they're so far away."

Qibao smiled and murmured in agreement: "I wonder if there's a blue planet up there somewhere!"

They gazed at the sky in silence, with Jing Chen occasionally glancing at the dreamy girl beside him. Her long, curved eyelashes flickered as her bright, shining eyes seemed to wander in thought.

For some reason, he felt as if Qibao was made of light and could float away at any moment.

"It's getting late." Jing Chen said softly: "We should go back."

Qibao nodded: "Make sure you get some rest too."

She went inside and closed the door behind her.

Jing Chen watched Qibao go in, then stood in the yard for a moment before stepping back into his room.

Early the next morning, Wen Die got up to check on her father. As soon as she entered his room, she brightened and cried happily: "Father! You're finally awake!"

Wen Die lifted her skirt, rushed to the bedside, and crouched down. Holding her father's hand, tears of joy streamed down her face.

Magistrate Wen's lips were pale as he reached out to wipe away his daughter's tears: "It's okay, Die'er." He said weakly: "Father is fine."

Wen Yuan spoke up: "Father woke up just before dawn. I wanted to call you and Mother, but he asked me not to disturb your sleep."

"Father, even without you saying it, I couldn't sleep. Mother will be overjoyed when she hears." Wen Die said.

Hearing her daughter's sobs, Madam Wen rushed into the room. She found her husband's eyes open, gazing at her.

All her composure crumbled. Tears spilled down her cheeks like a floodgate burst.

"Husband! You're finally awake!" She hastily sat on the bed, clinging to Magistrate Wen and sobbing, careful to avoid his wounds.

Magistrate Wen gently patted his wife's back: "I'm fine now, don't cry. I'm sorry for making you worry these past days."

Madam Wen sat up, wiping her tears with a handkerchief: "As long as you're okay. But the doctor said you're still in the danger zone. Thinking you might... anytime... terrifies me. If you left us, I'd just want to follow you!"

Magistrate Wen held his wife's hand: "Even if I wasn't here one day, please don't do anything foolish. We still have Yuan'er and Die'er. They're good kids—we just have to make sure they find partners and start families. Then, I could rest easy."

"Father! What are you saying?! You and Mom will definitely live to be a hundred! If you keep talking like that, Die'er won't talk to you again!" Wen Die said.

"Fine, fine! I won't say that anymore. I still need to personally escort my precious daughter to her wedding!" Magistrate Wen replied.

Wen Die, blushing, couldn't help but giggle.

With Master Wen recovering, the tense atmosphere at the Wen Manor finally dissipated over the next few days.

Madam Wen remarked curiously: "Husband, the doctor said even if you woke up, you wouldn't be this alert or be able to talk so much!"

Magistrate Wen agreed: "Yes, my wound doesn't ache as much too."

Wen Yuan said: "It must be because of Sister Qibao's medicinal pill!"

Madam Wen immediately confirmed: "It has to be Qibao's medicine; the doctor's prescription wouldn't act this quickly!"

"Surprising that my life was saved by this little girl." Magistrate Wen sighed gratefully.

Madam Wen added: "That's right! We should thank her properly!"

Magistrate Wen nodded.

The Wen siblings were deeply grateful to Qibao.

"Father, you've just woken up. You should only have light food. I'll ask the kitchen to prepare some rice porridge for you." Said Wen Die.

"Sounds good. I must say, I'm really hungry." Replied Wen Zhifu.

"Don't just eat and sleep immediately. You've been severely injured and need time to rest and recover. Don't start thinking about work too soon." Said Madam Wen.

Magistrate Wen let out a deep sigh: "Ah! There's so much piled up at the yamen waiting for me to sort through!"

Wen Yuan stepped forward: "Father, leave it to me. Don't worry, I've grown up watching you handle your duties. I've learned a few things too."

Magistrate Wen could only nod: "Alright! If you're ever stuck, come find me. I know I can trust you."

At that moment, Qibao and her friends walked in, thrilled to see Magistrate Wen awake.

Wen Yuan approached Qibao and bowed deeply to her: "I, Wen Yuan, thank you, Qibao, for giving my father the medicine which saved his life."

Qibao responded modestly: "Big Brother Wen, we're all friends, no need for such formal gratitude."

"Indeed, Brother Wen, everyone's very glad Uncle Wen is better." Xu Wenwu added.

"Qibao, Wenwu, and Young Master Su, thank you for coming to Qingyun City to visit. I'm sorry that you were worried about me. May I know who this young master is?" Magistrate Wen asked puzzledly.

Su Chenyu said: "This is my cousin, Jing Chen, Sir Wen, please don't be polite!"

Magistrate Wen's heart was filled with shock and turmoil. If he had guessed correctly that this was Young Master Su's cousin...

He immediately stood up regardless of his injuries. Madam Wen quickly supported Magistrate Wen and said: "What's wrong with you? Your wound will bleed if you do this!"

Jing Chen said: "Master Wen, please lie down quickly. It is important to recover from your injuries."

"Yes, yes!" Magistrate Wen obediently lowered his head.