Chapter Nineteen: Rescuing Little Pu

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Wan Qiyue was searching frantically for Xiao Pu like a headless fly when suddenly a flash of white light appeared, and the parchment reappeared before her eyes.

[Side Quest Two: Rescue Pulada.]
[Quest Tracking: Pulada is being attacked in the East Courtyard. Hurry and save him.]

(East Courtyard)

The side gate of the East Courtyard was a passage frequently used by servants. A burly man gripped a long, thick whip in his hand. Every time he swung it, the person beneath the lash trembled. Almost collapsing, yet remained silent.

His clothes were soaked through with cold sweat. The whip behind him lashed his back fiercely, as if an invisible scythe was cutting through his body. Passersby did not utter a single word to plead for him.

The burly man was exhausted from beating him, but Steward Wang refused to spare Pulada.

“You’d better behave and not have any other thoughts,” he warned.

“You think that once you’re with Wan Qiyue, you can escape punishment and all will be well? Let me tell you, you’re dreaming!”

Steward Wang pinched Pulada’s chin and glared viciously at him:

“From now on, report to me daily about everything happening at Red Maple Pavilion, no detail left out, or I can’t guarantee how long your mother will live.”

“Don’t (cough, cough)... hurt... my mother!” Pulada stammered, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Steward Wang looked on with satisfaction at the kneeling, battered Pulada, nearly at death’s door.

Yet, seemingly still unsatisfied, he picked up the whip to continue the beating.

“You better work properly, or don’t expect anyone to save your mother!”

He rolled up his sleeves and swung the whip down hard. Pulada closed his eyes resignedly.

“Stop!”

“Whoosh!”

A folding fan suddenly flew from the voice’s owner, slicing the thick whip in two with its sharp blade.

The anticipated pain did not fall upon Pulada.

The folding fan flipped back into the owner’s hand, who calmly fanned with an imposing aura.

Dressed in blue with a silver hairpin, it was Wan Qiyue.

Steward Wang glanced at the broken whip, then at Wan Qiyue’s fan, puzzled how it had been cut.

“Steward Wang! How dare you lay a hand on someone in my house!” Wan Qiyue blocked Pulada, her anger flaring as she confronted Wang Genyuan.

The usually timid Second Miss suddenly erupted in anger, startling Wang Genyuan.

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“Uh... uh, he made a mistake, so naturally I have the right to punish him,” Wang Genyuan said defiantly, chin raised, unconcerned.

“Oh, so you mean anyone who makes a mistake deserves a beating?” Wan Qiyue flexed her wrists.

Wang Genyuan’s eyes darted nervously as he loudly declared, “Yes!”

“Fine.”

The next moment, all the lashes that should have fallen on Pulada landed squarely on Wang Genyuan.

“Aiyo!” he screamed.

Clutching his sore backside like a monkey, he jumped about, utterly embarrassed. Passing servants couldn’t help but cover their mouths to laugh.

Losing face, Steward Wang was unwilling: “Wan Qiyue, what do you mean by this?!”

“Disobedient brat, you will address me as Second Miss!” Kuku swung the whip again, making Wang Genyuan howl in pain.

“Second Miss! Second Miss, please have mercy!” Wang Genyuan dodged desperately, fearing more lashes.

Wan Qiyue pointed the broken whip at him: “Tell me, do you understand your mistake? Will you dare to disrespect me again or harm anyone in my house?”

“I was wrong, I was wrong! Please stop, Second Miss! Aiyo, aiyo!” Wang Genyuan knelt, begging for mercy.

“Steward Wang is getting his comeuppance!” the servants whispered among themselves, making Wang Genyuan wish he could disappear into the ground.

Wan Qiyue threw the whip down hard and declared loudly:

“Hmph, listen well! Pulada is now part of my courtyard. No matter what mistakes he makes, only I have the right to punish him. No one else is allowed to interfere!”

She spoke not only to Steward Wang but to everyone present.

Pulada looked at Wan Qiyue standing before him, defending him, a strange feeling stirring within. Except for his mother, no one had ever protected him like this.

Wan Qiyue helped Pulada to his feet, and together, limping, they returned to Red Maple Pavilion.

...

Upon returning, two maidservants greeted them, and Wan Qiyue instructed them to fetch medicine.

Back in Pulada’s room on the west side, she helped him onto the couch and brought over the medicine.

“Take off your clothes!” she commanded.

Pulada’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Take them off! How else am I supposed to apply the medicine?” Wan Qiyue prodded him again. Blushing from neck to face, he clutched his collar, nervously refusing.

“I... I can do it myself...” he shifted aside.

“But your wounds are on your back. How can you reach them yourself?”

“Don’t be shy, I’ve seen plenty.”

She picked up the medicine.

“Ah?”

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“Cough, cough, I mean I often help others apply medicine,” Wan Qiyue explained.

“If you don’t take it off, do you want me to help you?”

“...”

The pain from the wounds on his back was fierce.

Seeing Wan Qiyue’s determined expression, he obediently removed his shirt, blushing.

The sight startled her—there wasn’t a single spot of unblemished skin on his back, covered with whip marks. Old wounds still unhealed, new ones following close behind.

Why was the general’s mansion so fond of whipping people?

Wan Qiyue picked up a cotton swab and gently applied the medicine to the wounds.

“Eee~” The cuts were deep and long; even he, who could endure much pain, involuntarily cried out.

“Shh, it won’t hurt anymore now~” Wan Qiyue blew softly on the wounds as she applied the ointment.

Pulada felt much better, as if by magic. He quietly gazed at Wan Qiyue, sensing a warmth long absent.

“All done. Let it dry a while before you put your clothes back on.” After covering the wounds with gauze, she placed the medicine on the nearby table.

“I’ll come back tomorrow to change the dressings. Don’t worry, Steward Wang won’t hit you anymore, and no one else will dare bully you. I’ll protect you from now on!”

She smiled at Pulada like the warm sun in winter, melting the coldness in his heart.

“Miss...” She turned to leave but was stopped by Pulada.

“Miss, aren’t you curious why I let him beat and scold me without fighting back?”

Pulada asked curiously; after all, it was a natural question.

“I am curious, but if you don’t want to say, I won’t press you.”

Wan Qiyue brought the freshly brewed medicine and blew on a spoonful before offering it to him.

“Miss, why are you treating me this way? I...” He furrowed his brow.

Wan Qiyue smiled again and said, “I told you, since you’ve come to my courtyard, you belong to me. I will do my best to protect you. Drink this medicine! Get well soon—I’ll take you out for a walk.”

Her words slowly unlocked something deep within Pulada’s heart. Wan Qiyue’s care brought tears to his eyes, stirring the softest part of his soul.

He began to waver, hearing a voice whispering: Trust her! Tell her!

Pulada truly wanted to tell her the truth—that he was threatened by Steward Wang and forced to spy on her. Yet having witnessed so much coldness and treachery in the world, reason ultimately conquered emotion, and he remained silent.

[Side Quest Two Completed: Rescue Pulada.]