Chapter Seven: Deciding on Embroidered Villas

  Before leaving, Xu Mingjin instructed the servants, including Mrs. Xu, to keep last night's events secret and not mention them to anyone. Chun Xing and the others nodded in agreement, but only Mrs. Xu asked hesitantly, "Not even Madam?" Xu Mingjin solemnly nodded, saying, "Yes, I want to hide it from Mother too. She's already ill like that; how can I bear to let her worry about me?" Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xu smiled and said, "Miss is right, old slave was thinking wrongly." Xu Mingjin didn't respond further because at the moment, she was worried that Princess Ping Xi would send someone to search the horse carriage outside the temple today. That person had indeed said they would hide in her horse carriage when leaving the temple. Although she didn't know why Princess Ping Xi was searching for the injured person, Xu Mingjin was curious about the person's identity but wisely didn't ask. She feared that curiosity could be fatal. Fortunately, Princess Ping Xi didn't send anyone to search the horse carriage; perhaps she didn't want to do something so obvious? Xu Mingjin thought to herself.

  Until the carriage safely left the White Cloud Temple, Xu Mingjin's heart, which had been lifted high with excitement, finally returned to his stomach as they walked on the mountain road that wound its way down from the top of the clouds.

  Take a look at the person hiding in the sedan chair, closing his eyes and cultivating his spirit. Xu Mingjin thought to himself: The emperor is not anxious, but the eunuch is anxious. I'm nervous here, but look at him, he's so calm and composed. Tsk tsk, this mental quality is really strong. Xu Mingjin pouted her mouth, she didn't want to admit that her own mental quality was poor, but she couldn't help thinking that maybe she should also strengthen her training a bit. If she can't be as calm as Mount Tai being pressed down on her head, at least she shouldn't be surprised by things. Being scared like this over such a small matter is really losing face for a transmigrating girl like herself.

  Xu Mingjin was internally conflicted, one moment thinking this and the next thinking that. She didn't notice the person in the corner using their piercing gaze to seemingly scrutinize her.

  The horse carriage was about to arrive at Liu Cheng after walking for a dozen miles when the man suddenly said in a low voice, "Tell the horse carriage to stop, I'll get off now! We'll meet again someday." As soon as he finished speaking, a loud noise came from outside the horse carriage. The horse carriage was forced to stop. Then, Zhang Shuozi, the coachman, said in a tense voice, "Miss, we're surrounded by over a dozen mountain bandits!"

  Xu Ming's heart sank.

  She didn't have time to think about what the man said, Xu Mingjin was thinking nervously: Is this an ordinary mountain bandit? Or is it a member of Princess Pingxi's household disguised as a mountain bandit? Or is it someone sent by the Empress Dowager from the capital? Xu Mingjin sadly discovered that in any case, she would not be able to end well today.

  The mountain bandits outside had already started shouting and laughing, with profanities flowing from their mouths. Mrs. Xu couldn't help but want to lift the curtain and go out, but was blocked by a pair of hands. She lowered her head and saw that it was the arm of a man wearing a household servant's uniform standing in front of her. She realized that this was the person she had rescued yesterday. A hint of joy flashed through Mrs. Xu's flustered eyes. She stopped her body from going out, looking at him with hope-filled eyes.

  That man took out a small wooden seal from his chest and handed it to Mrs. Xu, saying in a low voice: "Take this out and show them!" Mrs. Xu hastily accepted it and looked at Xu Mingjin with joy, her eyes asking for confirmation. Xu Mingjin nodded, this person seemed to have some background. Maybe they could avoid the impending disaster.

  Madam Xu got a hint from Xu Mingjin and was about to lift the curtain and leave. But the situation suddenly changed!

  Originally, Xiao Dongzi reported out her father's title as the Minister. It was clear that the girl in the carriage was the beloved daughter of the Minister's family. Who would have thought that those people, upon hearing this, not only didn't get scared but became even more arrogant? One of the leaders, a sinister and ugly man, sneered and said: "Beloved daughter? Minister Xu is far away in the capital, if she were really his beloved daughter, she should be embroidering flowers in the Minister's mansion in the capital. How could she be in this poor and remote small town? The one sitting in this carriage must be the illegitimate daughter of Minister Xu!" He continued to shout loudly: "An illegitimate daughter, Minister Xu probably has already forgotten about her and won't care! But, no matter what, the daughter of Minister Xu is a thousand-gold miss, maybe she's even beautiful. Brothers, we're in luck today!" Just as things were getting out of hand, a beggar suddenly rushed out from the side of the road, wearing tattered clothes, and started fighting those people while shouting angrily: "Don't you dare bully my niece!"

  He obviously didn't know martial arts, and being tall and thin, he was knocked to the ground in just a few moves. His body was covered with bruises, but he still struggled to get up. The anxiety in his eyes was so obvious.

  That leader, with a look of impatience, kicked him far away with one foot and said disdainfully: "Who did I think it was? It turned out to be the defeated family son Fan Yicheng! Where haven't you died yet? Get out of the way, don't block my path!"

  Xu Mingjin asked with her eyes, and Madam Xu nodded without hesitation. With resentment, she said to Xu Mingjin: "If it weren't for this person ruining the Fan family, how would Madame be just a small concubine now?" Madam Xu continued with hatred and pain: "Miss, don't bother with him! Let him be beaten to death by those people!"

  Xu Mingjin ordered Xu Niang to take the seal and hurry out, saying: "Niang, after all, he is my uncle." Xu Niang's face didn't look good, but she saw Xu Mingjin's determined expression, so she could only sigh and lift the curtain to leave.

  Madam Xǔ took out that seal and those laughing and scolding people immediately fell silent.

  After a long time, the leader's face turned gloomy and he ordered: "Withdraw!" More than ten people quickly disappeared like a gust of wind.

  Xu Mingjin ignored Madam Xu's attempts to stop her, lifted the curtain and jumped out of the carriage, rushing to Fan Yicheng who was lying on the ground, unable to move after being beaten.

  "Uncle?" Xu Mingjin called out.

  Fan Yicheng didn't look at her, struggled to get up from the ground, walked around her and limped away.

  Xu Mingjin didn't chase after him, but instead gazed at his disappearing figure with a thoughtful expression. She had some understanding of this person's temperament now. Although he had fallen to such a state, he didn't want others to sympathize with him. This person's self-esteem was very high. Xu Mingjin thought that even though he had fallen so low, he hadn't sought his mother's help, not wanting to implicate them. Now, he had risked his life to rescue her; this person seemed still somewhat worthy of consideration. Xu Mingjin had a plan forming in her mind.

  Back on the carriage, Xu Mingjin gratefully said to the man: "Thank you for your help. I saved your life, now you've helped me. We're even." He then handed over the man's jade pendant to him.

  That person, however, did not reach out to take it. He just said lightly: "You saved my life twice. Last night's fever was relieved by you, otherwise I would have died from the infected wound. So, I still owe you a life." He pushed the jade pendant back and said: "Keep it for now, maybe you'll need it someday."

  Xu Mingjin had no choice but to put the jade pendant away again.

  That person calmly watched her put away the jade pendant and only then said: "Now there shouldn't be anyone bothering you, I'll leave, take care."

  Xu Mingjin saw him off as he left.

  The horse carriage started moving towards Liu City again.

  Back home after noon. Xu Mingjin ordered Chun Xing to fetch some medicine, and told Zhang Shuozi to deliver it to Fan Yicheng.

  Xu Mingjin returned and saw Mrs. Fan pulling Mingxuan in the courtyard to welcome her, she was overjoyed and rushed into Mrs. Fan's arms, saying: "Mother, are you better?" Mrs. Fan stroked her face and said softly: "This child, where is Mother sick?" Xu Mingjin looked at Mrs. Fan who was smiling and didn't think that she also had such a lovely side.

  "Sister!" Ming Xuan pulled her hand and asked, "Sister, is White Cloud Temple fun?" Xu Ming Jin recalled the thrilling night at White Cloud Temple, it was really hard to describe. She looked at Ming Xuan who was expecting an answer and said, "It's not fun at all! There are only nuns there, banging on wooden fish drums that can drive people crazy! The incense there gave me a headache!"

  Ming Xuan was disappointed and his eyes widened. He was about to comfort Xu Mingjin a few words, when he heard Mrs. Fan say lightly: "Stop bothering your sister with questions, she hasn't had breakfast yet, okay, go in quickly!"

  Madam Fan held Xu Mingjin's hand with her left hand and Xu Mingxuan's hand with her right hand, and they returned to the Pear Blossom Garden where Madam Fan lived.

  "Mother, your illness, the doctor said it's almost cured?" Xu Mingjin asked worriedly, she was still uneasy.

  "Jin'er, don't worry about it!" Lady Fan laughed heartily: "I've seen the doctor and I'm completely fine now." Upon hearing this, Xu Mingjin stopped asking questions. Although she still had doubts in her mind; Lady Fan's illness came on suddenly, and she recovered just as suddenly. It was said that illnesses come like a mountain landslide, but go away like pulling out silk threads. However, Xu Mingjin couldn't shake off the feeling that this wasn't a good thing. Looking at Lady Fan like this, Xu Mingjin had to suppress her suspicions and put on a cheerful face to chat with Lady Fan about their trip to White Cloud Temple.

  Because she had already instructed the people like Mrs. Xi to avoid talking about it that night, they all chose some trivial matters to chat and laugh about. After a while, dinner was ready, and several people got up to go to the living room for dinner, no longer discussing the matter of White Cloud Temple.

  During the meal, several people chatted and laughed together, enjoying themselves immensely. After dinner, Xu Mingjin remembered an encounter with Fan Yicheng on his way back and told Madame Fan about it.

  Mrs. Fan's expression was complex, Xu Mingjin saw her changing expressions, one moment gnashing her teeth, the next moment heartbroken and inexplicable, finally revealing a hint of emotion. Xu Mingjin understood that the last hint of emotion on her face must be due to Fan Yichen's failed attempt to sacrifice himself for her. Xu Mingjin looked at her expression and tentatively said: "Mother, Uncle is so pitiful. He was beaten by those people and his injuries are very severe."

  Mrs. Fan's changing expression finally turned into unbearable pain.

  Xu Mingjin looked at Mrs. Fan with expectation.

  Madam Fan said after a long while, "You go to the treasury and take one hundred taels of silver to have someone deliver it to him!"

  Xu Mingjin thought to herself: At that time, she had gotten out of the car specifically to give him money, but he refused to accept it. She wondered if he would accept the money her mother sent over. His pride wouldn't allow him to accept it.

  Xu Mingjin had already anticipated the outcome. She knew her mother could only do so much, after all, what was most important to her mother was her relationship with Mingxuan. However, she felt a pang of regret for this person. She wanted to do more for him within her capabilities.

  This idea of hers would definitely not be agreed upon by her mother. Xu Mingjin thought to herself: It seems like if I want to help him, it can only be done secretly. Alas, she had also learned how to be hypocritical.

  Xu Mingjin smiled wryly at herself. She stopped Permitted Auntie who was about to leave on a mission: "Wait!" Lady Fan asked: "Is there something wrong?"

  Xu Mingjin said, "Mother doesn't know." She recounted how she had chased after him to give him money, but he hadn't even waited for her to speak before turning and leaving. Then she said, "Mother, he won't accept it." Madame Fan heard this and said, "Isn't he injured? Let's send him some of the best medicine!" Xu Mingjin replied, "It's already been sent over." When Madame Fan heard this, her expression improved slightly, but then she thought of something and sighed, saying, "Forget it!" In an instant, Xu Mingjin felt that Madame Fan's body was like it had been struck, and she stood there rubbing her forehead, swaying slightly. Xu Mingjin asked worriedly, "Mother, are you okay?"

  "Jin'er, you've had a hard journey. Go back and rest well."

  Xu Mingjin was very worried about Fan Furen's body. She couldn't help but regret telling Fan Furen about Fan Daimin's affair. She had only told Fan Furen out of gratitude and admiration for Fan Daimin, not expecting it to stir up her emotions and cause her so much heartache. Fan Furen had just recovered from an illness, although the cause was still unknown, but she quickly got better. Xu Mingjin knew that her spirit was no longer as strong as before. She was still grieving over past events, which was very detrimental to her health. Xu Mingjin hesitated, and Fan Furen had already entered the inner chamber with Xiao Yutou's arm around hers. She could only pull Mingxuan along and leave Lihua Garden together.

  Back to the quiet garden. Manzi and Hongluo were both delighted to see Xu Mingjin, but seeing her listless expression, they didn't dare to get too close. Manzi was fine, but Hongluo shot a glance at Chunxiao and Qiuyun with envy. Xu Mingjin sent them away and left only Chunxiao to attend to her. Chunxiao told her that the medicine had been received. The person she referred to was of course Fan Weichen. Xu Mingjin let out a sigh of relief, she was still worried that he wouldn't accept it! He accepted the medicine, so in the future if she wanted to see him, she wouldn't be rejected.

  "You go out for a while and ask your childhood friend, he originally said it would be done yesterday. Yesterday we went to Baiyun An, didn't have time to pick it up. You go again today. Also, when you come back, bring two sets of men's clothes." Xu Mingjin relaxed, and she started teasing Chun Xiang again. "Yes, miss," Chun Xiang replied this time with a straightforward tone, without blushing. Xu Mingjin was surprised. She didn't know that Chun Xiang had made up her mind not to be influenced by her words anymore. Looking at Chun Xiang like this, Xu Mingjin changed her attitude towards her again. She liked Chun Xiang's kind of loyal and not curious person. The sentence she murmured in a daze that night at Baiyun An, she insisted on doing it without hesitation. When she was woken up by Chun Xiang, she felt moved. Xu Mingjin didn't notice Chun Xiang's face suddenly turning red when she turned around, and her hesitant expression. She was already planning something.

  After Chun Xing left, she called in Qiu Yun to attend to her calligraphy practice. Nowadays, practicing calligraphy has become an indispensable part of her daily routine. Seeing the increasingly well-written characters, she felt genuinely delighted from the bottom of her heart.

  After practicing calligraphy for two quarters of an hour, Autumn Cloud came back carrying a strange wooden board and holding a package in her hand, attracting many people's attention.

  Xu Mingjin hastily put down his pen and looked at Chun Xiang with surprise and delight as she placed the object on the table. He walked up to touch it, his eyes shining with a nostalgic glint. Indeed, what Chun Xiang had brought back was an easel, something he deeply missed. He still got used to painting on it.

  She propped up the painting board, secured a good piece of xuan paper on it. She pondered for a moment and decided to paint "Along the River During Qingming Festival". However, as soon as she thought about it, she stopped. The painting was too long, and she couldn't guarantee that she could remember all of it. Moreover, she suddenly thought that Nanny Xu had returned, and with Autumn Cloud's embroidery skills being proficient, if she found two more embroiderers, they could finish the embroidery in less than half a year. Thinking of this, she let Chun Xiang put away the painting board for now. Then, excitedly, she ran out of the study room, shouting: "Nanny!" Nanny Xu was just taking out her unfinished embroidery that she had not completed before returning to her hometown, and upon hearing Xu Ming Jin's shout, she hastily put down what she was holding and rushed over, saying: "Miss, what's wrong?"

  "Ah, Nanny, what are you busy with?" Xu Mingjin asked excitedly.

  Nanny Xu said, "I'm embroidering flowers." As she spoke, she led Xu Mingjin to look at her embroidery pattern.

  Xu Mingjin hastily said, "Nanny, don't embroider anymore, come with me."

  As they walked, Xu Mingjin said, "Nanny, I need six meters of fabric." Nanny Xu felt very surprised and didn't know what she wanted the fabric for, so she asked, "Miss, what kind of fabric do you need?"

  Xu Mingjin replied, "The same kind used for embroidery. Also, Nanny Xu, do you know of any colorfast dyes that can be washed with water?"

  Nanny Xu thought for a moment and said, "There is indeed a dye that dissolves in water."

  "That's great!" Xu Mingjin said: "Mother, I want to open an embroidery shop!"