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As Healer Wang departed, the gathering hall settled into a quieter, more reflective mood. After unloading the wagon and storing the materials, the workers and escorts joined Master Jiang and Xiao Bai around the long wooden table, ready for their meal. The dishes had already been laid out when the second wagon arrived, prompting them to quickly complete their tasks before being able to begin dinner. Their teamwork allowed them to finish the job quickly.
While waiting for Cook Gu to finish reheating most of the meals and preparing the nourishing dish prescribed by Healer Wang, the workers cast curious glances toward the healer's room. They were eager to learn more about the stranger in their midst but knew their questions would have to wait. When Cook Gu, with Chief Jing's assistance, brought out the reheated dishes, the group settled in for dinner.
In the quiet confines of the healer's quarters, Physician Chu Feichen meticulously studied the prescription left by Healer Wang. His grandfather's teachings echoed in his mind as he identified each herb—Huang Qi for strengthening, Bai Shao for soothing, and Gan Cao for harmonizing. Though he rarely prepared these specific combinations, Chu Feichen's hands moved with practiced precision, measuring out each ingredient with care.
As he worked, Helper Jing appeared with a tray of food. "Dinner, Physician Chu," she announced softly, placing the meal beside his workspace.
Chu Feichen glanced up briefly, acknowledging her with a grateful smile. "Thank you," he murmured, his focus quickly returning to the task at hand. He carefully added the herbs to the pot of boiling water, watching intently as the mixture transformed, colors swirling and scents melding into a comforting aroma that filled the room.
Chief Helper Jing stood quietly by the patient's side for a few more moments, her demeanor calm yet attentive. She observed the young man's disheveled appearance, despite her earlier efforts to wipe away some of the grime from his face and hands. Her voice barely above a whisper, Jing Xiu gently expressed her concern. "Physician Chu, perhaps it would be more comfortable for the patient to rest if he were refreshed," she suggested, her words tinged with a quiet suggestion.
Physician Chu, deeply absorbed in his task of preparing the herbal decoction, only caught the gist of Helper Jing's comment. Absently, he nodded in agreement, his mind focused on the intricate balance of Huang Qi, Bai Shao, and Gan Cao before him. "I'll attend to it," he murmured, his voice distant but reassuring.
With a nod, Helper Jing Xiu silently left the room, understanding the physician's preoccupation. She spared a moment to glance back, her gaze briefly lingering on the patient and then on Physician Chu Feichen's earnest figure bent over the steaming pot. "Don't forget to eat your dinner," she reminded him softly, her concern evident in her tone.
Chu Feichen made a vague sound of acknowledgement, his attention still fixed on the task at hand. The room remained hushed, filled only with the rhythmic bubbling of the brewing decoction and the faint crackle of the fire, which cast flickering shadows across the walls. He didn't even notice when Chief Jing had returned to place a clean set of men's clothing—borrowed from Xiao Han's spare uniform due to their similar height—on the wooden bunk. She also neatly arranged the strange items belonging to the mysterious patient beside the clothes before quietly leaving again, careful not to disturb his concentration.
As the herbal concoction simmered, its earthy fragrance began to weave through the air, enveloping the space with a comforting sense of calm and purpose amid the still presence of the sleeping patient.
♤♤♤♤♤
Master Zhao Baiyi, Xiao Feng, and Escort Hua Meilin volunteered to fetch Wu Meifen from her nearly completed twelve-hour ancestral vigil at the ancestral home of Ling Kai.
As they approached the ancestral home, a sense of quiet reverence settled over the group. The heavy wooden door was slightly ajar, offering a glimpse of Wu Meifen kneeling silently in prayer. Xiao Feng, curious but respectful, took a quiet peek inside from the threshold. He noticed the last of the twelfth incense still burning, its thin wisp of smoke curling upwards, indicating it had only a few minutes left.
He retreated quietly to where Master Zhao and Hua Meilin were waiting by the edge of the shallow cliff overlooking the great river. "It looks like Mistress Wu will be done soon," Xiao Feng whispered. "The last incense is nearly out."
Master Zhao nodded, his expression thoughtful. The view from the cliff was breathtaking. Below, the wide and long river stretched out, its surface shimmering under the moon light of the early night. The large river dock was now empty, with only one large passengers' boat tightly moored at one of the berths reserved for larger vessels.
The dock served not just as a mooring site for boats and other vessels but also housed a small marketplace. Stalls lined the edge, usually selling freshwater fish, local goods, and souvenirs to travelers coming and going from Longcheng Province. The air, usually filled with the faint scent of dried fish and fresh produce, now held only remnants of the bustling activity.
This was the time of year when all the sellers closed their businesses due to the summer terrestrial rains, leaving the dock unusually quiet and deserted. The stillness added to the solemnity of the moment as they waited for Wu Meifen to complete her vigil.
At night, the dock took on a completely different character. The absence of the usual daytime gave the area an eerie calm. The market stalls stood empty, their canopies swaying gently in the evening breeze. Lanterns hung at intervals along the dock, their soft, flickering light casting elongated shadows that danced on the wooden planks. The water lapped quietly against the one moored large boat, creating a rhythmic, soothing sound that added to the tranquility of the night.
The air was cooler, carrying the fresh scent of the river mixed with the faint, lingering aroma of damp earth. Occasionally, the call of a night bird or the distant croak of a frog would break the silence, reminding those present of the vibrant life that thrived even in the stillness of the night. The moon hung low in the sky, its pale light reflecting off the water, creating a shimmering path that seemed to lead to the heart of the forest.
In front of the dock, the towering Mount Lóng dominated the landscape. Its slopes were covered in dense, verdant forest, with the Dragon's Edge Woodcutters' temporary cabin barely visible through the thick trees. It was no more than a dot amidst the lush greenery. At the very edge of the mountain, the main road for carriages and horses wound its way through the forest, leading to the outskirts of the villages within Longcheng Province, including their own village of Fènghuáng. This road connected the seven villages scattered across the province, each separated by a few hours or days of travel.
Fènghuáng, situated near the great river, was the second largest village in Longcheng Province. Known for its growing and bustling business ventures, it stood out for its unique customs and traditions. Unlike many other places in the kingdom, Fènghuáng accepted and respected female knowledge and employment. Women and young ladies in Fènghuáng enjoyed almost equal respect, though not entirely free from traditional constraints. This balance of progressive and traditional values created a vibrant, diverse community.
Zhao Baiyi gazed down at the river dock from the shallow cliff. He noted the closed small stalls and stores surrounding the now empty dock, imagining the potential it held. "This place could become a thriving center of commerce," he said, his voice a blend of hope and regret. "It serves as one of the three entrances to Longcheng from various provinces and even the capital via the river route. But the unpredictable summer weather, floods, and landslides have always been a risk. No one dares to expand their businesses here."
Escort Hua nodded, her eyes scanning the deserted dock. "It's a shame. There's so much potential here. Imagine what it could be like if it was safe year-round."
"Exactly," Master Zhao agreed. "Wu Zheng, Wu Meifen's father, dreamed of developing this area with the Dragon's Edge Woodcutters' trademark and business at the heart of the project. It was a vision he shared with me, Old Man Ping, and Jiang Liheng right here on this cliff five years past."
A flashback flickered through Zhao Baiyi's mind. He could see Wu Zheng standing at the edge of the cliff, his eyes filled with determination as he spoke passionately about his plans. "Imagine a bustling marketplace here, with our woodcutters' products being the main attraction. This place could thrive, become a beacon of prosperity for our Longcheng."
Xiao Feng, his expression thoughtful, asked, "What happened to that dream?"
Master Zhao's gaze grew somber. "Alas, Wu Zheng fell ill before he could realize it," he said, his voice heavy with sorrow. "He departed this world three years ago, unable to share this vision with his daughter. He entrusted Wu Chen, his younger brother, to reveal the plan only after Mistress Wu had wed Ling Kai and borne their first child."
Xiao Feng's brow furrowed. "But Senior Brother Ling Kai passed away in the river, did he not? That's a heavy burden for Mistress Wu to bear."
"That's right," Master Zhao confirmed. "Ah-Chen vowed to disclose the plan, but before he could fulfill his promise, Ling Kai met his end in this very river, leaving their son, Ling Yu-er, only four months old. Now that it's Ling Kai's first 100-hour prayer vigil, He still hasn't been able to tell Mistress Wu about this vision. We all fear she might harbor some resentment towards this place due to her husband's tragic fate."
Hua Meilin sighed, her eyes reflecting the solemnity of the story. "It's understandable. This place could hold painful memories for her. It might take a lot for her to see it in a different light."
Zhao Baiyi nodded. "Indeed. But perhaps, with time and careful effort, we can help her see the potential her father envisioned. It's a dream worth pursuing, for the sake of the community and in honor of Wu Zheng's legacy."
The river that held the potential for so much prosperity had also been the site of profound tragedy. Zhao Baiyi's gaze drifted over the serene yet treacherous waters. 'Wu Meifen deserves to know her father's dream, but how do we tell her, knowing the pain this place holds for her?'