Chapter 15

It’s not Yang Qing…

Zhang Meng dejectedly released the hand of the man in black.

The man’s face was a bloody mess, his features indistinguishable, only a pair of bright, clear eyes glistening with tears. When Zhang Meng let go of his hand, he hurriedly covered his face again, lowering his head, not daring to look at anyone.

Zhang Meng scanned the onlookers and raised her voice, “Stop looking, go about your business.”

Seeing that some people were reluctant to leave, Zhang Meng was about to persuade them again when Zheng Shu directly drew her sword and said coldly, “If you want to look, come back to the magistrate’s office with me and look your fill.”

The onlookers scattered in fear. Zhang Meng picked up the black-clad man’s hat and handed it to him.

The man in black quickly took the hat and put it on, standing up to leave. Zhang Meng hurriedly called out to stop him.

“Young master, those are knife wounds on your face, aren’t they? I happen to have medicine that can treat the wounds on your face.”

Although Yang Qing was just a servant, he was well-versed in medicine. His previous facial injuries were similar to those of the young master before her, and after treatment, they had healed quite well.

Zhang Meng had followed him for ten years, and although he never agreed to teach her medicine, through osmosis, she clearly remembered Yang Qing’s prescription for treating facial wounds.

She thought, since Yang Qing was unwilling to let her come into contact with medicine, there must be a reason. Perhaps his medical skills were never to be passed on to outsiders. Although she knew the prescription for treating knife wounds, she didn’t intend to give the formula to the man before her. She said, “If you trust me, young master, come here at noon tomorrow, and I’ll give you the ointment.”

The man stood still for a long time, and finally, without responding to Zhang Meng’s words, he quickly left.

Zheng Shu looked at Zhang Meng expressionlessly, as if mocking her for meddling in affairs where her help wasn’t appreciated.

Zhang Meng stared at the retreating figure of the man in black and sighed.

Now someone had followed in Yang Qing’s footsteps. Perhaps that man was also a servant who had angered his master.

The affairs of wealthy families were too complicated. Even though Zhong Huo was a capable official, even though she had introduced many beneficial policies, she still couldn’t change the age-old situation in the female-dominated country where servants couldn’t control their own lives.

It had been over a year since she had seen Yang Qing, and her desire to see him had gradually changed from urgent heartache to calmness and melancholy. She thought she could handle Yang Qing rationally now, but when she saw that man who resembled him today, her heart seemed to stop for a moment.

She really couldn’t forget Yang Qing after all.

…

“Meng, you’re already twelve…” the brown-clad man began hesitantly.

Zhang Meng, squatting on the ground scrubbing the floor, turned back with a smile, “Yes, Father.”

The man’s scarred face reddened, as if finding it difficult to speak, “Have you experienced any strange symptoms in your body?”

Zhang Meng thought for a moment, then shook her head, “No.”

The man finished embroidering a long cloth bag, biting off the thread. He put the bag into a box, which already contained several neatly arranged, exquisite cloth bags. He said to Zhang Meng, “If you experience any strange symptoms in your body, don’t be afraid. Tell me, alright?”

“Meng, you’re thirteen now, right? Have you experienced any strange conditions in your body?”

“No.”

The man put the embroidered cloth bag back in the box. Even though it was difficult to broach the subject, he still spoke, “If there’s anything wrong with your body, you must tell me.”

“You’re fourteen now, right? Your body…”

“Father, you’re skilled in medicine. Do I have some incurable disease? Why do you keep asking if my body is alright or not?” Zhang Meng asked, frightened.

The man’s face stiffened, his fair skin quickly turning red. He coughed dryly, “…Zhang Meng, I want to know, why hasn’t your menstruation started yet?”

Zhang Meng’s mouth twitched.

The man continued, “Menstruation is something that every woman experiences monthly…”

“Ahem, Father, I…”

The man took out a long cloth bag from the box and explained, “This is a menstrual pad. When you bleed there…”

“Father! No need to say more! I…”

The man interrupted her, speaking seriously, “Meng, this is normal for every woman. You don’t need to be afraid. Let me teach you how to tie the menstrual pad…”

…

Zhang Meng woke up from her dream. The sky was already dawning. She rubbed her eyes, sat up, her mind still replaying the scene from the dream.

It had been a long time since she had dreamt of Yang Qing, but this time she dreamt of such an embarrassing incident.

Come to think of it, when she started developing, Yang Qing seemed very nervous every day, constantly collecting herbs to brew soups to nourish her body.

When she was fourteen or fifteen, her chest was still flat, and he worried every day, flipping through medical books, looking for prescriptions to enhance her bust.

And now, Zhang Meng looked down at her chest. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to describe it as voluptuous.

She really should have secretly poured out that medicine back then.

Zhang Meng got up, dressed, washed up, and not long after, the kitchen bell rang. She tidied her clothes, put on her sword, and headed towards the kitchen.

…

At noon, the sun was scorching. Zheng Shu had urgent business and couldn’t accompany Zhang Meng on her patrol, and the other female constables also had their own matters to attend to.

Zhang Meng finally decided to go on patrol alone. After all, she had the best martial skills in the magistrate’s office. Even if she encountered any trouble, her fellow female constables wouldn’t be much help, at most they could go back and call for reinforcements.

And in her heart, she still believed that Xu Lu Cha wouldn’t really do anything to her. Even if he was annoyed with her, even if he wasn’t a good person, she believed that even the coldest-hearted person would have a soft spot inside.

…

“Young master!”

Seeing the man in black wearing a hat, Zhang Meng quickly called out to him.

The man’s body stiffened. After hesitating for a moment, he still walked towards her.

Zhang Meng took out a bottle of ointment from her sleeve and smiled, “I prepared this a few days ago. It’s very effective for treating knife wounds. Apply it once a day, and don’t let it touch water.”

The man accepted it, nodded, and said in a low voice, “Thank you.”

Zhang Meng noticed that he had a very pleasant voice, clear and magnetic, with a slightly cute nasal tone.

Zhang Meng waved her hand, “No need to thank me. When you run out of the ointment, you can come to the magistrate’s office to find me. My name is Zhang Meng.”

The man paused for a moment, then replied, “My name is Ying Xiao Chou.”

“Mm, good,” Zhang Meng smiled. “Then can I call you Xiao Chou?”

The man: “Mm.”

After saying this, the man turned and left.

And Zhang Meng began her patrol.

☆、