Chapter 162: Repaying Kindness
Editor: Atlas Studios
Pang Kongqing glared at him. “When did I say that I went to the mountains to pick herbs?” Pang Kongqing was extraordinarily resentful. Why didn’t his family look for him when he had gone to the Mu residence to attend to a patient and had not returned all night?
The shopkeeper said in surprise, “Shunzi came over yesterday to inform us. He said that after you finished treating the Mu family, on the way back, you heard someone mention some plants in the mountains and suspected that they were precious medicinal herbs, so you went into the mountains. Coincidentally, you bumped into Shunzi and asked him to come back to inform us. Yesterday night, Madam even blamed you for not bringing along more people.”
The boss had done this many times, so although Madam and he complained, they were never worried. Knowing the boss was more timid and afraid of death than anyone else, he would definitely not go to dangerous places. Why did something not sound quite right?
Pang Kongqing’s face darkened. “Go and find out what happened to Shunzi.” He waved his hand and left. Halfway there, he stopped and said, “Since he said that I went up the mountain to pick herbs, just leave it at that. In the future, if anyone should ask, just tell them that.”
The shopkeeper’s expression also turned serious as he nodded in agreement. Looking at the carriage at the side, he asked, “Boss, I’ll get someone to send this carriage to the Thousand Mile Carriage Dealer.”
Pang Kongqing almost fell. He turned around and glared at him. “You’re saying that this horse belongs to the Thousand Mile Carriage Dealer? It doesn’t belong to our family?”
Startled, the shopkeeper was even more puzzled. He pointed at the horse carriage and a mark on the horse’s butt and said, “Boss, this horse and carriage are both from the Thousand Mile Carriage Dealer. The mark is still here.” After saying that, he continued with a bitter expression, “Boss, don’t think about raising horses anymore. It’s better to raise a donkey as a means of transportation. Our family bought horses twice. Every time, they were expropriated just as they became fat and strong. If this continues, no matter how big our family business is, it will be reduced to nothing.”
Because the Pang Family had two medicinal shops and had accumulated wealth for more than 100 years, they were considered rich. However, the previous patriarchs of the Pang Family had always been upright and could be considered kind-hearted. Therefore, although the Pang Family had made a fortune earlier than a few Minister Counselors, their family wealth was far inferior.
In Pang Kongqing’s generation, because Pang Kongqing’s hobbies were a little strange, he spent his family’s wealth at a relatively faster rate.
Fortunately, the Pang family was diligent and thrifty. They had always had income and a solid foundation, so he didn’t manage to waste away the entire family fortune. However, for the sake of the next generation, the shopkeeper felt that he had to keep a close eye on the owner no matter what.
Oblivious to what the shopkeeper was thinking, Pang Kongqing only felt angry. He had thought that this horse and carriage belonged to those bandits. Since they had sent him back in a carriage, this thing naturally belonged to him.
On account of that rather handsome horse, he had reluctantly forgiven them for being domineering and unreasonable. But now, Pang Kongqing decided to never forgive them.
Pang Kongqing, on the other hand, did not know that someone had taken note of his reaction. That person turned around and reported it to Qi Xiuyuan.
Since Qi Haoran was out of danger, Qi Xiuyuan was in a relaxed mood. At that moment, he chuckled and said to Fan Zijin, “This Physician Pang is quite interesting. Since he likes horses, we’ll find a horse to gift to him later. In the future, when we go down to recruit horses, we’ll tell Song Zhi not to conscript horses from the Pang family in the future. Just use the reason that the Pang family has a good reputation in Mingshui County and has always been charitable. Consider it a reward to them from the Imperial Court.”
“Cousin, you’ve already helped him a lot by helping him find the traitor in the Pang family. Why bother to buy him a horse? If there are too many traces, I’m afraid…”
Qi Xiuyuan shook his head and educated him. “Zijin, you can’t be completely stuck in such mundane matters in life. If you’re restrained because of fear, you’ll lose yourself. Although he came under our coercion, he did his best for Haoran last night. Half of the reason why Haoran was able to escape danger was because of him. We have to remember this favor in our hearts.”
Although he knew that repaying kindness would increase the chances of this matter being leaked, Qi Xiuyuan was meticulous but never overcautious. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have become a general at such a young age.
Mu Yangling was twisting a handkerchief to wipe Qi Haoran’s body. Fan Zijin mulled over what his cousin had just said as he walked in. Looking up, he saw that Mu Yangling had removed all clothes from Haoran save for a pair of underpants. He jumped up in fright and ran up to cover Haoran with a blanket, before shouting at Mu Yangling, “What are you doing?”
Mu Yangling glared at him. “I’m wiping his body. Can’t you see that he’s covered in sweat? The military doctor said that his sweat has to be dried with a towel. Otherwise, he’ll get sick again if it seeps back into his skin.”
Fan Zijin blushed. “But you can’t wipe him yourself. You’re a girl. Aren’t you shy?”
Rolling her eyes, Mu Yangling said, “I’m only 10 years old, and Qi Haoran is only 13 years old. Your thoughts are really dirty. Since you don’t want me to wipe him, come here and take over.”
Mu Yangling stuffed the towel into Fan Zijin’s arms, got up, patted her butt, and was about to leave. Halfway there, she turned around and said, “By the way, when I was cooling him down repeatedly last night, I saw his bare body, too. Why didn’t you stop me at that time?”
Fan Zijin pointed at Mu Yangling with trembling fingers, so angry that he could not speak.
Mu Yangling snorted smugly and opened the door to go out. The moment she stepped outside, she was greeted with Qi Xiuyuan’s smiling face.
The smile on Mu Yangling’s face froze slightly. She raised her hand and greeted, “General, you’re here to see Qi Haoran.”
Qi Xiuyuan nodded with a smile. Stepping aside, he said, “You’ve been busy for a day and a night. Go rest and reassure your family.”
Mu Yangling nodded and walked to the main room as steadily as possible. After entering the room and closing the door, she couldn’t help but stick out her tongue. It didn’t seem right to say that she had seen him naked in front of his older brother.
Qi Xiuyuan entered the house and took the towel from Fan Zijin’s arms. He carefully wiped the sweat off Haoran’s body.
The anger on Fan Zijin’s face had already disappeared. He said, “Cousin, let’s send Haoran back to the camp or the General’s Residence. Otherwise, how can he recuperate here?”
Qi Xiuyuan’s movements were gentle. Upon hearing this, he said, “Let’s wait for another two days. When his wound scabs over, I’ll come over and bring him home. I’ll get a deputy general to take over the 5th Division for the time being. I haven’t cleaned up the traces yet, nor have I made any arrangements. He can’t go back for now.” Seeing the displeasure on Fan Zijin’s face, he said, “The military camp is different from Pang Kongqing. Pang Kongqing doesn’t have any interaction with us, so no one will think of investigating us through him. However, there are many spies in the military camp and our residence, from the Imperial Court, the government office, and even other generals. As long as they get some clues, they might be able to find out about that matter, so we have to be careful.”
Fan Zijin nodded.
“So, stay here for the next two days and think of a way to come here more often. I’ll get someone to protect the Mu residence, so you don’t have to worry.” Qi Xiuyuan continued after a pause, “Also, I’ve already gotten someone to prepare Haoran’s substitute. In the next two days, I’ll let the substitute stay in the military camp and let people think that Haoran has returned. When I come to pick Haoran up in two days, you and the substitute will leave the military camp. So, not only do you have to come here, but you also have to ensure that the identity of the substitute won’t be discovered.”
After thinking for a while, Fan Zijin had an idea and nodded in agreement.
Qi Xiuyuan nodded slightly. Although this cousin was not as magnanimous as his younger brother, his intelligence was not something ordinary people could compare to.