Echoes of Fate

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Physician Chu Feichen's deft hands moved with practiced precision as he lifted the covers off the unconscious stranger. The room was dimly lit by a single lantern, casting flickering shadows across the wooden walls. Despite its modesty, the healer's quarters were impeccably clean and carried a faint scent of medicinal herbs that mingled with the earthy aroma of the damp forest outside. Shelves lined with jars and bundles of dried plants contributed to the room's serene ambiance.

As Chu Feichen carefully considered removing the stranger's unfamiliar outer clothing, a soft but firm knock echoed through the room. He paused, his hands hovering above the patient's chest, and turned his head towards the door.

"Come in," he called out, his voice calm yet authoritative.

The door creaked open, and Wu Meifen stepped into the room. She was a vision of quiet elegance, her long hair cascading down her back, and her eyes sharp with curiosity and concern. She had been briefed by Master Zhao, Xiao Feng, and the others about the unexpected patient they had brought back while escorting her on the return journey from the ancestral home, where they had also encountered the healer along the way.

Physician Chu glanced up from his task, momentarily startled by the intrusion. "Mistress Wu, you're here," he said, straightening up and offering a polite nod. "I was just about to examine the patient more thoroughly."

Wu Meifen's gaze shifted from him to the figure lying on one of the wooden bunks. Her eyes widening slightly, her breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of the unconscious patient. The stranger appeared young, not much older than herself, with features hinting at a life of both hardship and resilience. Despite the dirt and fatigue lining her face, there was a certain rugged handsomeness and delicate peach that was hard to ignore.

She moved closer, her steps hesitant yet deliberate. "What's the situation?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"He's stable for now," Physician Chu replied. "We'll need to monitor him closely, but he's on the mend." He sighed, running a hand through his tied topknot. "The fever has broken, and his pulse is steady. However, I still need to confirm there are no underlying injuries."

Wu Meifen's eyes traveled over the stranger's form, noting the torn, muddied clothes and the small cuts that marred the vulnerable face. Her heart ached with a mixture of pity and an inexplicable pull towards this unknown person. She couldn't explain it, but there was something about that seemed... familiar, almost as if fate was implied.

"Master Zhao mentioned you were the one who found him at the harvesting site?" Wu Meifen asked, addressing Xiao Lin, who was peeking around the door of the room, probably already finished with his dinner. She didn't tear her gaze away as she spoke.

"Yes, Mistress Wu." Xiao Lin confirmed. "He was lying near the stream, as if he had collapsed from sheer exhaustion. Master Wu and the others thought it best to bring him here."

Wu Meifen nodded, closely observing the young patient. The short, damp hair clung to her forehead, making it look even more defenseless. The blankets rose and fell with her shallow breaths, indicating the struggle to recover from an ordeal.

As Physician Chu began to lift the covers again, Wu Meifen suddenly recalled her encounter with the boatman healer on the road. "Physician Chu," she said, her voice steady. "The healer we met on the road mentioned something important that he forgot to convey. He said the patient had been checked for any severe injuries already and emphasized the importance of keeping him warm and undisturbed to avoid any further shock to his system."

Physician Chu Feichen paused, looking up at Wu Meifen with a mixture of surprise and relief. "He did? That's good to know. I was worried about missing something crucial."

Wu Meifen nodded earnestly. "Yes, he was very specific about it. He mentioned that the patient needs rest and warmth more than anything right now. We should focus on keeping him hydrated and nourished."

Physician Chu sighed, lowering the covers and smoothing them over the unconscious patient. "That makes sense. Thank you for relaying that, Mistress Wu. It's a relief to know he's already been thoroughly checked."

The room fell into quietness. Wu Meifen's expression was indecipherable, her mind lost in deep, unspoken thoughts. The weight of this situation was more than she had anticipated, adding complexity to the already unexpected circumstance. How would she deal with this prospect?

Physician Chu didn't notice Wu Meifen's elaborate expression as he resumed his work, carefully monitoring the patient's vital signs without disturbing him further. Checking the pulse and observing his breathing, he felt a sense of relief that the patient had already been examined for injuries. When he finished his checks, he looked back up at Mistress Wu. "He's dehydrated and malnourished, but since there are no noticeable severe injuries," he explained, relief evident in his voice. "With proper care and rest, he should recover."

Wu Meifen exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Thank you, Physician Chu," she said sincerely. "Your skills are truly invaluable."

Chu Feichen smiled modestly, shaking his head. "It's my duty. But I must admit, I'm more experienced with treating injuries than illnesses. We should keep a close watch on him."

Wu Meifen nodded absently, her eyes drifting back to Ling Wei. She couldn't shake the deep connection she felt to the unconscious figure before her. 'I don't know who you are,' she thought, 'but I will do everything I can to aid you.'

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Ling Wei lay nestled in the soft embrace of thick woolen blankets on a wooden bunk bed with a straw-filled mattress in the healer's room. The room was still, save for the faint crackling of the lantern's flame and the gentle glow of the moon seeping through the cracks in the wooden shutters, casting a serene, silvery light over her peaceful form. Occasionally, the rustling of Physician Chu tending to his herbs could be heard. Her breathing was now calm, and steady, the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest a testament to her deep slumber. The air was tinged with the faint scent of medicinal herbs and incense, creating an atmosphere of calm and repose.

Unknown to the world outside, Ling Wei was not entirely at peace. Deep within her unconscious mind, a series of vivid dreams unfolded, each one more peculiar and disjointed than the last.

As she drifted deeper into her dreams, the edges of reality began to blur, giving way to a cascade of rich, seemingly random scenarios. Each scene felt like a fragment of a larger puzzle, a kaleidoscope of moments that were both strange and strangely familiar.

In a serene office, the walls were lined with scrolls and bamboo ledgers, though the details were blurry. Behind a large mahogany desk sat a young lady, elegant and composed in traditional Hanfu. Her long hair was neatly tied, and her eyes sparkled with a demeanor that commanded respect. Sharp and discerning, her gaze was accentuated by a tiny mole on the left side of the bridge of her nose. Amidst the hazy surroundings, the clarity of her features was striking..

The door burst open, and another figure rushed in, although the face was indistinct and the voice muffled. He was breathless and agitated. "There's an urgent matter that—"

"What's the situation?" the young lady interrupted, looking up from her paperwork with an authoritative yet calm voice. The man, breathless and frantic, stood before her, but before he could utter a reply, the scene abruptly shifted.

The dream altered unexpectedly. Now, it was nighttime on a brightly lit, bustling street, the cobblestones slick with rain and illuminated by the warm glow of hanging night lanterns. The same young lady appeared again, her elegant attire standing out against the vogue surroundings. She walked beside another figure, their faces obscured by shadows, approaching the entrance of a bordello. The sign above swayed gently in the night breeze, its red lanterns casting an eerie glow, marking it as one in the red-light districts.

As they stepped through the threshold, the elegant lady turned to her companion and asked, "What's the situation?" her tone was unwavering.

"I need to tell you about—" the figure began. The response was lost as the dreamscape morphed once more.

The scene dissolved, and Ling Wei was plunged into another dream. This time, she was covered in mud, her clothes drenched and clinging to her skin. She felt an arm wrap around her, pulling her into a warm, comforting embrace as rain poured down relentlessly. It was the same elegant lady, her eyes wide with panic. Her features were clear even through the grime, the tiny mole on her nose anchoring her in reality.

The lady didn't look at Ling Wei but instead turned to someone else nearby and asked, "What's the situation?" Her voice was urgent yet laced with concern.

This time, the scene lingered. The warmth of her embrace contrasted sharply with the cold mud covering Ling Wei, though she should have felt nothing since it was a dream. There was a sense of comfort and safety, even as the chaos around them swirled in a blur.

The dreamscape spiraled into confusion, the faces of those around her indistinct, their identities lost in the fog of her unconscious mind. Yet, the young, elegant lady remained a constant, her attractive image clear and unwavering.

Back in the healer's room, Ling Wei's brow furrowed slightly, her subconscious mind trying to grasp the meaning behind these visions. The tiny mole on the lady's nose, the way she asked her question with such a mix of urgency and calm, all of it left an impression on her.

As the night deepened, Ling Wei's dreams persisted, weaving through a tapestry of scenarios that ranged from serious to whimsical, yet consistently featuring the enigmatic lady at their core. Her repeated inquiry echoed like a haunting melody through each dream: "What's the situation?"

Ling Wei slumbered on, oblivious to the fact that these dream fragments held deeper significance. It was as though her subconscious was attempting to convey a message, to ready her for the unfolding events that awaited her in the waking world.

Throughout the remaining night, Wu Meifen periodically checked on Ling Wei, ensuring her sleep remained undisturbed. Unbeknownst to them, within the realm of dreams, Ling Wei was already traversing a path that would soon manifest into their reality.