Chapter 53 Have a Heart!

Page 1/3

Jiang Luan finally settled down obediently.
There was no conversation throughout the night, and the next day’s journey was just as dull.
Once again, Jiang Luan tried to organize a card game on the carriage.
However, Qi Shaoyang had learned his lesson and absolutely refused to become the sucker on Jiang Luan’s carriage.
Having only three players was frustrating. Jiang Luan thought it over and approached Qi Shaokang, who eagerly accepted the invitation.
But after just one morning, Qi Shaokang was utterly defeated and fled in disgrace, declining any further games.
This made Jiang Luan’s card game notorious within the caravan.
Unable to find any more players, Jiang Luan scratched his head for a long time before finally approaching Qi Yuheng.
“Grandfather, greetings,” Jiang Luan politely greeted.
Qi Yuheng was elderly and, weary from the long journey, was no longer inclined to engage in conversation.
He lifted his eyelids lazily and said faintly, “What do you want, boy?”
Jiang Luan was straightforward: “In case you find the carriage boring, why not come play cards in mine?”
Qi Yuheng was silent.
Jiang Luan reconsidered and carefully rephrased, “Or should we come to your carriage to play cards?”
“Nonsense!” Qi Yuheng exploded in anger, standing up to strike Jiang Luan with his cane.
Jiang Luan nimbly dodged and chuckled as he stepped down from the carriage.
Since he couldn’t gather enough players, there was no need to continue the game.
Thus, in the idle afternoon, Jiang Luan sat on the carriage reading. Finding the ride too bumpy, he leaned sideways on Qi Shaolin’s shoulder, crossing his legs. Qi Shaolin sat by the window, arms folded and eyes closed, resting.
Jiang Luan picked out some amusing little stories from a pile of ancient books. Surprisingly, the tales of enfeoffment, ministerial appointments, and the bonds between ruler and subject were quite touching.
As Jiang Luan read on, he gradually drifted off to sleep.
...
“Who goes there!”
A harsh voice shouted outside the carriage.
The caravan came to an abrupt halt; the coachman pulled the reins, and the horses reared and neighed fiercely.
Jiang Luan, deep in dreams of noble titles and high offices, was caught off guard and tumbled off Qi Shaolin’s shoulder, but Qi Shaolin caught his forehead with one hand.
“What’s going on? Assassins?” Jiang Luan murmured, still lost in his dream.
Qi Shaolin steadied Jiang Luan, stood up, pulled back the curtain, and opened the door.
Outside lay a youth who had collapsed onto the ground.
He was dressed in patched clothes, dirt-smudged, kneeling and trembling as he pleaded, “Please, kind sirs, save me and my great-grandfather’s lives!”
“What’s the matter?” Qi Yuheng, helped out of his carriage, asked as he saw the kneeling youth.
Since his carriage led the caravan, he was the first to see the pleading boy and was momentarily surprised.
Suddenly, several burly men burst from the woods, dragging an elderly man with silver hair.
“Where’s that boy?”
“There!”
The group charged forward menacingly.
The youth, terrified, leapt up and slipped into the caravan, just behind Qi Yuheng.
Because the boy appeared fragile, no one was on guard against him.
But these obvious bandits were another matter entirely.

Page 2/3

The menacing men tried to push into the caravan to seize the youth.
Qi family bodyguards, not to be trifled with, immediately surrounded them.
Qi Shaokang leapt into action, using light-footed skills to jump forward.
“Don’t be reckless!”
Qi Shaokang shouted, kicking away a thug attempting to grab from behind Qi Yuheng.
“Please, sir, save me!” the youth clung pitifully to Qi Yuheng’s robe, hiding behind him.
Seeing the boy’s delicate and lovely appearance, only slightly older than Qi Shaoyang, Qi Yuheng felt compassion and ordered, “Help this child.”
Obeying orders, the Qi family guards engaged in combat with the thugs.
Seeing the fight turning unfavorable, the men abandoned the old man and fled into the woods.
“Great-grandfather!”
The youth rushed out from the caravan, untied the ropes binding the old man, and wept while holding him.
The incident was sudden but concluded swiftly.
The bandits appeared and vanished as abruptly as they came, leaving only the old man and youth behind.
Jiang Luan had just stepped out of the carriage and recognized the mournful cry of “Great-grandfather” — the voice was very familiar.
The old man looked very aged, with silver hair and a face full of wrinkles, yet his eyes shone brightly.
He patted the youth in his arms, gesturing for him to step aside, then knelt with the Qi family to express gratitude. “I am deeply grateful to you, kind benefactors, for your righteous rescue.”
His voice was hoarse and weathered, causing Jiang Luan to pause, suddenly recalling someone.
Yet the kneeling old man’s bent frame and weathered features were quite unlike Qiu Jietu’s.
Jiang Luan then looked at the youth beside him — lifting a delicate face, he winked secretly at Jiang Luan.
Jiang Luan: “...”
Good heavens, though the appearance had changed, it was none other than Ruibao.
Qi Yuheng, seeing the aged man, sympathized deeply and immediately helped him to his feet. “No need for thanks. Did you two encounter bandits on the road?”
The “youth,” supporting his “great-grandfather,” softly explained, “We fled southward, intending to seek refuge with relatives in the capital. Unexpectedly, we were ambushed by robbers. Your timely rescue is truly appreciated.”
The “youth” bowed to everyone present, smiling briefly, then stopped when a man with a bandaged head stared intently at him.
Troubled, the “youth” thought, “I visited the Qi residence before — could I have been recognized?”
Qi Yuheng noticed Qi Shaoyang staring at the youth and cleared his throat in displeasure. “Shaoyang.”
Qi Shaoyang’s cheeks flushed slightly, though hidden beneath the bandage, and he withdrew his gaze.
“Do you still have enough money for your journey?” Qi Yuheng asked.
The Qi family was wealthy and often engaged in charity, spending money freely.
Qi Yuheng immediately ordered someone to fetch silver. The “old man” politely declined, saying, “No need, you are too kind. Having saved our lives, we cannot accept money.”
The “youth” supported this, “Sir, please reconsider. We have been working as traveling physicians and are not short of funds.”
“You are a doctor?” Qi Yuheng asked in surprise.
The “old man” smiled and nodded. “I heard your cough sounds heavy. Do you experience chest pain or poor appetite?”
Qi Yuheng’s eyes lit up. “Exactly.”
“Also, do you suffer from dizziness upon waking or neck discomfort?” the old man inquired.
Qi Yuheng nodded. “These are long-standing ailments. I’ve consulted many physicians, but none has cured me.”
“If you trust me, I can try,” the “old man” said with a smile.
Seeing the noble demeanor of the old man and youth, and their mysterious appearance from the woods like the fox spirits from legends, Qi Yuheng welcomed them aboard respectfully. “Then please, I entrust you.”

Page 3/3

While the “old man” treated Qi Yuheng inside the carriage, the others kept watch outside.
Qi Shaoyang was puzzled, sneaking glances at the “youth” from time to time.
The “youth,” growing slightly impatient with the staring, circled the carriage and approached Jiang Luan.
Jiang Luan sat on the carriage edge, legs dangling, idly observing the surroundings, waiting for the “youth” to come explain. Qi Shaolin leaned against the carriage, seemingly unsurprised by the appearance of the “old man” and “youth.”
“Young master, may I have a word?” the “youth” requested of Jiang Luan.
Jiang Luan, who had been expecting this, jumped down and slipped into the woods with the “youth” for a private chat.
From a distance, Qi Shaoyang watched with a troubled expression.
Jiang Luan put his arm around the “youth’s” neck and whispered, “Ruibao! What are you up to? Did you change your appearance?”
Though the face had changed, the voice was unmistakable.
During their days at Greenwater Isle, Jiang Luan had become very familiar with him, instantly recognizing him.
“It’s just a disguise,” Ruibao whispered back. “With the Capital’s strict gatekeeping during the Tian Shou Festival, entry requires an official invitation. My master and I had no choice but to borrow your blessing to enter.”
“You’re going to the capital too?” Jiang Luan frowned. “For what purpose?”
“To save my master’s mother,” Ruibao answered matter-of-factly.
Jiang Luan snorted. “I’ve already thought of a plan. You don’t expect to storm in and snatch someone, do you? Just tell me what you’re really after.”
Surprisingly, Jiang Luan was not easily fooled. Ruibao replied, “I heard there are many delights and amusements in the capital during the festival. I begged my master to take me to see them.”
That excuse sounded like something Ruibao would do. Seeing this spoiled disciple, Qiu Jietu must be doting on him. Jiang Luan reluctantly accepted the explanation.
Now it was Ruibao’s turn to ask, “Who is that bandaged fellow in your family?”
“You’ve met him,” Jiang Luan said. “The one who caused trouble at a restaurant that day. Lin-ge’s half-brother, Qi Shaoyang.”
Ruibao vaguely recalled that unfortunate soul who, after being scalded with boiling water, refused timely treatment.
He nervously asked, “Why does he keep staring at me? Could he have recognized me? Damn, I should have disguised my voice too.”
“I don’t think so,” Jiang Luan smiled mysteriously.
Qi Shaoyang must be around fourteen, an age that, though bothersome when in groups in modern times, was suitable for courting in ancient times.
“What do you mean?” Ruibao asked, unsettled by Jiang Luan’s smile.
“I mean,” Jiang Luan said slowly, “that boy wants you to become part of our family.”
Ruibao: “??”
As they spoke, someone coughed twice.
Jiang Luan and Ruibao immediately fell silent and looked up — it was Qi Shaoyang.
Qi Shaoyang held out a water skin to Ruibao. “Young master, would you like some water?”
“No, no, you’re too kind,” Ruibao waved his hands repeatedly.
Qi Shaoyang wasn’t discouraged. “Then come have some dry food with me?”
Ruibao forced a dry laugh. “I’m not hungry.”
“Oh.”
Qi Shaoyang lingered for a moment, then had no choice but to walk away with the water skin.
After Qi Shaoyang left, Ruibao whispered to Jiang Luan in confusion, “What did you mean earlier, about becoming family?”
Jiang Luan was about to answer when Qi Shaoyang returned, this time addressing Jiang Luan with a humility not seen in days. “Little sister-in-law, why not invite this young master to play cards in your carriage?”