Ever since Du Peilan married into a distant land, Xie Yunzhen hadn't seen her again.
Moreover, having spent years on the battlefield, the image of Du Peilan in his mind had become blurry.
That call of "Ah Zhen" evoked past memories.
Du Peilan wore plain clothes, with only a pure white Orchid Hairpin on her head, clearly dressed like a new widow.
Xie Yunzhen's expression softened a bit and he responded, "Madam Zheng, long time no see."
The Zheng family was a renowned clan in Jiangnan, producing many young talents.
The one Du Peilan married had once been a top scholar.
Unfortunately, fate envied the talented, and before the scholar could fulfill his ambitions, he fell gravely ill and regrettably passed away months ago.
Being addressed as Madam Zheng, Du Peilan's gaze darkened briefly.
She didn't want Xie Yunzhen to call her by those three words.
It seemed like a reminder that she had married someone and there was an insurmountable chasm between her and Xie Yunzhen.
Before deciding to return to the capital, Du Peilan had a dream.
She dreamed that Xie Yunzhen had been plotted against and married an orphan girl without power or influence.
She also dreamed of scenes where they traveled together.
Du Peilan believed that it was a sign from the heavens, that ultimately she would be with Xie Yunzhen.
Coincidentally, a close friend wrote her a letter saying she was Xie Yunzhen's "white moonlight."
Since she had married far away from the capital, no other woman had appeared beside Xie Yunzhen, seemingly he had set his heart on her.
Thus, she resolutely returned to the capital.
To prevent Xie Yunzhen from marrying that orphan girl and to soon find mutual understanding and a happy union with him.
Currently, Du Peilan's status was awkward, not suitable to have contact with an unrelated male.
But without seeing Xie Yunzhen, how could she achieve her wish?
To justly and reasonably get close to Xie Yunzhen and also to deepen their bond, she deliberately arranged this incident.
Unexpectedly, things went awry at the critical moment.
Fortunately, she still met Xie Yunzhen, not a complete failure.
Du Peilan covered her injured forehead with one hand, blood soaking her handkerchief.
Bearing the pain, with tears in her eyes, she said, "Ah Zhen, I didn't mean to."
At the same time, Xie Yunling's cries reached his ears, "Someone come and check again, why hasn't the doctor arrived yet!"
Xie Yunzhen frowned and said to Du Peilan, "I know you didn't mean to, since you're hurt, you should quickly go to the clinic for a check-up."
After he spoke, he turned and went towards the overturned carriage.
Du Peilan was momentarily stunned, not expecting such a calm reaction from Xie Yunzhen.
She was the person he cared for most, and now she was injured and bleeding, even if his nature was cold, he shouldn't treat her with such an attitude.
Not to mention personally taking her to the clinic, but what harm in spending a bit more time with her?
Du Peilan felt somewhat aggrieved.
Was Ah Zhen blaming her for choosing Zheng Lang back then?
Seizing the rare opportunity, Du Peilan didn't want to miss the chance to be with Xie Yunzhen.
She gave a signal to her maid, "See if anyone's hurt, hurry over and check. If it's our responsibility, we'll take it, if compensation is needed, then compensate."
"Something happened over there, help me over, I need to personally apologize to the girl in the carriage."
With those words, the maid immediately supported her and headed to the accident scene.
The accompanying nanny held some silver, calling out for people to come claim compensation from her.
Du Peilan, with a guilty face and a pale complexion, coupled with terrifying injury marks, looked utterly disheveled.
Initially, road passers were condemning the Zheng family's carriage, but seeing the lady inside was hurt and willing to pay, they no longer complained.
Instead, they cleared the path and went to demand compensation.
Seeing Xie Yunzhen, Xie Yunling seemed to finally have someone to rely on.
Crying, she said, "Brother, Sister Mingzhu is hurt, she... she can't get up."
She hurriedly made space at the carriage door to let Xie Yunzhen check on Ji Mingzhu's condition.
Following closely behind, Du Peilan paused, realizing that orphan girl was there too...
Ji Mingzhu was still conscious, but her body hurt terribly and her head throbbed.
As soon as she lifted a bit, dizziness hit her with nausea.
The back of the head is a fragile area, she dared not move casually, afraid of serious consequences.
Despite not wanting to have ties with Xie Yunzhen, the current situation left her no room for sulking.
Having survived once before, she realized there was nothing more important than life.
Thus, when Xie Yunzhen leaned in to ask about her condition, Ji Mingzhu cooperated very well.
Smelling the blood, Xie Yunzhen glanced around and saw a cut on Ji Mingzhu's hand.
Being fair-skinned, the cut was deep, both strikingly red and swollen; it was quite alarming.
"Where does it hurt?"
"Head hurts, shoulder and waist are painful."
It seemed to truly hurt, as a layer of glistening mist formed in Ji Mingzhu's eyes.
She looked pitiful, entirely different from her previous indifferent attitude toward him.
Malice sparked in Xie Yunzhen's mind once more as he pressed a handkerchief onto Ji Mingzhu's hand, tying a knot.
Then he withdrew slightly, looking down at Ji Mingzhu from above.
"Need help getting out?"
On the surface, Xie Yunzhen only appeared slightly cold, but Ji Mingzhu knew him.
Exchanging a glance, she caught the playful look in his deep eyes.
Ji Mingzhu felt the pain in her brain intensify.
He wasn't intending to help her at all.
The prior gesture was no different than teasing a small pet.
In annoyance, her face flushed faintly.
Going out wasn't her idea, now injured, and being teased.
Just because she was at someone else's mercy!
Ji Mingzhu's heart suddenly ached.
The moisture in her eyes slid from her reddened corners, hidden in her hair.
Xie Yunzhen rubbed his fingers momentarily.
Leaning back in again, intending to check her mentioned painful spots.
Ji Mingzhu didn't want him to touch her again.
"Young Master, your distinguished status should refrain from overwhelming me, besides, men and women should keep a respectful distance."
Xie Yunzhen pressed his lips together, single-handedly holding her shoulder, "Don't move."
Ji Mingzhu let out a muffled groan as he pinched a sore area.
Following the spot, Xie Yunzhen felt her bones; not broken, only a typical bruise.
Just as he was about to check her head, people outside called out in alarm.
"Madam, wake up!"
"Quick, ask for a doctor!"
At that moment, Gold arrived with the doctor, but Du Peilan's maid blocked him.
"Our lady's head is hurt and bleeding heavily; save our lady first!"
Xie Yunling and Gold disagreed.
"Sister Mingzhu's head also hit, waiting for life-saving measures. This is the doctor we called; if you need help, go request at the clinic!"
The maid stomped in urgency, "Young Master, for the sake of you being childhood sweethearts with our lady, please let the doctor attend to our lady first."
Ji Mingzhu, dizzy, the words "childhood sweethearts" poured into her ears, and suddenly her consciousness cleared.
She stared intently at Xie Yunzhen.
She didn't know what she was waiting for.
The man exited the carriage, saying, "Your condition is not as urgent as Madam Zheng, let the doctor examine her first."
Madam Zheng...
And childhood sweethearts.
Indeed, this was the girl from the Du family who married far away.
Ji Mingzhu's head hurt more, as her emotions fluctuated, her consciousness grew increasingly blurred.
No matter how many times it repeated, when that Miss Du appeared, she was always the one cast aside.
At least in this lifetime, she hoped for nothing from Xie Yunzhen.
Without hope, there wouldn't be disappointment, nor hurt.
"Sister Mingzhu!"
Xie Yunling's exclamation echoed in her ears, Ji Mingzhu wanted to respond, but drifted into darkness.
Du Peilan was taken to a shop by the roadside, and the doctor, instructed, followed suit.
Xie Yunzhen ordered Tianshui to call for another doctor.
That startled call made his heart leap.
He briskly returned, finding the person who had silently shed tears now unconscious.
Xie Yunzhen heard his heart pounding like a drum.
Unable to think, it was as though his body operated under someone else's control, lifting Ji Mingzhu.
Like a soulless shell, he tightly cradled her in his arms.
"Return to the manor!"