Chapter 290: Chapter 290: Nipping the Budding Spring Feelings in the Cradle
290 Nipping Budding Affection in the Cradle
Zhao Zhitong was genuinely worried about Ding Xiang’s safety, which made her a bit hasty in her words.
"I-I’m sorry." Ding Xiang lowered her head, her eyes welling up, and apologized softly.
Zhao Zhitong sighed, her tone softening considerably. "It’s alright, it’s alright. I didn’t mean to blame you. I was just worried you might be in danger and got a bit anxious. You see, that was really scary just now, wasn’t it?"
Ding Xiang, keeping her head down, said softly, "I... I understand now. It was my fault for being too impulsive this time. I definitely won’t do it again."
Zhao Zhitong patted her shoulder. "As long as you’re alright, that’s all that matters. Come on, let’s go home. Your cousins are very worried about you too."
With that, she nudged one of the burly men on the ground with her foot. "Let’s leave these two louts to Uncle Han."
Qiao Muchen nodded. "Young Lady Ding must have been terrified just now. Tongtong, you should accompany her back first. I’ll take care of these two."
"Okay." Zhao Zhitong made an OK gesture with her hand.
Qiao Muchen looked down at his own hand, awkwardly mimicking the gesture, then said with a smile, "Leave it to me, no problem."
With Qiao Muchen’s current martial arts skills, dealing with two insignificant thugs was more than easy. So, Zhao Zhitong wasn’t worried and headed back to the medical clinic with Ding Xiang.
When her cousins saw Ding Xiang return safely, they all breathed a sigh of relief and quickly gathered around her, asking with concern if she was alright.
Although Ding Xiang was merely lodging with the Sun Family, she was far from lazy. On the contrary, she was very diligent in helping out at the medical clinic and was always quick to see what needed doing.
She was invariably the first to rise and the last to go to bed.
Consequently, no one in the Sun Family disliked her; in fact, they all had a very good impression of this hardworking young lady.
Even their grandmother, having met her a few times, thought Ding Xiang was a fine young woman. After seeing how well she got along with Sun Daji, the thought had even crossed her mind that if the two young people were to develop mutual affection, it would make for a good match.
This was also why the Sun Family wasn’t particularly anxious about finding a match for their eldest cousin, Sun Daji, even though he was fast approaching marriageable age.
At this moment, hearing Zhao Zhitong explain how Ding Xiang had encountered dangerous men outside and had nearly been harmed, Sun Daji and the others were filled with lingering fear. They took turns comforting Ding Xiang, telling her not to be afraid.
Ding Xiang blushed and apologized, "It’s all my fault for making everyone worry about me."
Saying this, she looked up at everyone and said hesitantly, "It’s just... my brother still hasn’t returned, and I can’t keep staying at your home indefinitely. I... I think I should move out tomorrow..." Her voice trailed off, growing softer and softer.
Sun Daji immediately interjected, "Young Lady Ding, what are you saying? You have no relatives here. Where could you possibly move to?"
Sun Xiaoxue and the others also quickly chimed in to dissuade her. "Yes, yes, Sister Ding Xiang, please don’t go! Where could you possibly go all by yourself? It’s dangerous outside. Just stay here at our medical clinic; we all want you to stay."
Ding Xiang looked abashed. "But... but that would be imposing too much. I’ve already troubled you for so long. I had originally hoped that if my brother returned successful from the imperial examinations, I could then repay your great kindness for sheltering and saving me."
"But now, my brother has suddenly disappeared. I... I really can’t trouble you any further."
"Ah, you silly child, what’s all this talk about troubling us or not?"
Just then, Aunt’s voice came from the doorway. She walked in and said gently, "You just stay here with us and don’t worry about a thing."
Ding Xiang looked like a helpless little rabbit, evoking a pang of sympathy in anyone who saw her.
She was visibly touched and a little overwhelmed. "Aunt, that... that would be too much. For me to live in your house and eat your food for free..."
Aunt said, "What foolish things are you saying? When have you ever eaten or stayed here for free? You’ve helped us a great deal during your time with us."
"The clinic has been really short-staffed, and you helping out every day has been an immense help."
This was, of course, said intentionally to comfort Ding Xiang. The Sun Family had many members; how could they possibly be short-handed?
But they used this reason to ease Ding Xiang’s sense of burden.
Hearing this, Ding Xiang asked in disbelief, "R-really? Am I truly being helpful?"
"Yes, of course, you are!"
After everyone’s comforting words and efforts to persuade her to stay, Ding Xiang finally smiled and nodded, agreeing to remain.
Just then, Qiao Muchen returned after delivering the culprits.
Zhao Zhitong then asked, "Were those two ruffians handed over to Lord Han?"
Qiao Muchen nodded and said with a smile, "When have I ever let you down? I’ve already handed them over to the County Magistrate. The County Magistrate even had them thoroughly caned before throwing them into the main prison."
Hearing this outcome, everyone cheered.
After chatting for a while longer, Qiao Muchen had to return to the academy.
A few days prior, he had heard from Zhao Zhitong that Ding Chenguang hadn’t returned. He then made inquiries among the teachers and scholars at the academy, but no one knew of Ding Chenguang.
As the academy was on break today, he had come specifically to inform Zhao Zhitong of this news.
Coincidentally, before he even reached the De Ren Tang Medical Hall, he had encountered Zhao Zhitong on the road, who was out searching for Ding Xiang. That was how the two of them had ended up rescuing Ding Xiang together.
Now that the message had been delivered, he needed to hurry back to the academy.
Hearing once more that there was absolutely no trace of her brother, Ding Xiang’s expression grew somber.
The others could only offer comfort, suggesting that Ding Chenguang might have been delayed by some unforeseen matter, which was why there was no news of him.
However, in their hearts, they all suspected that Ding Chenguang had likely met with some misfortune on his way to the capital; otherwise, why would he have failed to participate in the examinations?
Ding Xiang took a deep breath, mustered her spirits, and said with forced strength, "Please don’t worry about me. I’m fine, and I won’t run off like that again. I believe my brother will definitely come back for me!"
After everyone affirmed that he would surely return, Qiao Muchen bid his farewells.
Zhao Zhitong waved her small hand to Qiao Muchen in goodbye.
Qiao Muchen felt a distinct reluctance to leave, but unlike when they were children, he didn’t cling to her hand, unable to part. He merely smiled and said a few times, "Well then, I’m off."
Zhao Zhitong, in her usual carefree and somewhat oblivious manner, completely failed to notice Qiao Muchen’s subtle feelings and simply pushed him towards the door.
"Go on, go on! If your Teacher finds out you’re running down the mountain every day, he’ll definitely punish you by caning your palms."
As he was being pushed out, Qiao Muchen gave a helpless laugh but still remembered to ask, "Should I come down the mountain to fetch you tomorrow?"
Zhao Zhitong waved her hand dismissively. "No need, no need! I’ll go up by myself tomorrow. I’m not a little child anymore; I’m ten years old, you know! It’s not like I don’t know the way up the mountain."
A few days prior, Headmaster Yuan, the dean of the academy, had sent a letter asking if Zhao Zhitong could make a trip up the mountain the next day, as there was an important person who needed medical attention.
Zhao Zhitong had agreed, which is why Qiao Muchen asked.
"Alright then, I’m leaving." Seeing Zhao Zhitong’s refusal, Qiao Muchen smiled and walked out the door.
Zhao Zhitong stood at the entrance, gave a wave of her sleeve, then turned and dashed back into the medical clinic without a hint of reluctance to see him go.
Ding Xiang glanced at Zhao Zhitong, who had already started attending to patients, bit her lip, then suddenly rushed out and called after Qiao Muchen.
Qiao Muchen, who had already walked some distance, paused in confusion. He turned to look at her. "What is it, Young Lady Ding?"
He wasn’t well acquainted with this Young Lady Ding; their only link was Zhao Zhitong. Thus, he was somewhat perplexed when Ding Xiang chased after him and called out his name.