A Shocking Dream

Chapter 169

"But we're so weak, how can we help her? If we're put in danger again, I'm afraid..." Kankan's voice trailed off, fear flickering in her eyes. Lin Wunian turned, grasped Kankan's shoulders with both hands, his gaze blazing. "Precisely because we're so weak, justice must prevail. We should secretly contact our old friends in the city, the pharmacists who have benefited from us, and quietly deliver medicine and messages to her, leading her to a more secluded place to recuperate, or perhaps help her escape the city and away from the Marquis's minions."

Kanan hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded heavily. The two sisters' eyes met, and they reached a tacit understanding in silence. Although they knew that the road ahead was full of thorns and dangers, they were willing to take fearless steps of resistance for the justice and for the people they met by chance under the shadow of the power of the Marquis' Mansion, no matter how small, to shake it up.

"Sister, it seems like something flew by!" Kankan was grinding ink when her hand trembled, splattering it onto the table. She ignored the rest of the conversation and glanced out the window in panic, just in time to catch a glimpse of a figure in white flitting by like a ghost, then disappearing in a flash, like a streak of white silk fading into the night. She hurriedly stood up and ran to Lin Wunian's side to inform him.

Lin Wunian was concentrating on her calligraphy. Just as she finished writing, she heard these words, her expression froze. She put down her brush and looked out the window. The moonlight was half-obscured by dark clouds, and the streets were dim and hazy, with only a few lights swaying in the wind, just like her current state of mind: uneasiness and hidden turmoil. She knew the general idea in her heart, and her eyes narrowed slightly, a flash of understanding and vigilance.

"I suppose it's the 'distinguished guest' the Marquisate is seeking. It's surprising she's taking such a risk despite being injured," Lin Wunian whispered, his voice steady, but the tight grip of his clothes betrayed his inner nervousness. The woman in white had been gravely wounded when she appeared in the market before. To have been able to evade the Marquisate's pursuit so many times, she must have possessed extraordinary skill and courage. Now that she's reappeared, she's probably plotting another escape, seeking revenge. However, such actions are tantamount to treading on the edge of a tiger's den; the slightest misstep could lead to eternal damnation.

Kankan's face was tense. She leaned close to her sister and whispered, "Sister, should we... help her? There are many eyes and ears in the Marquis' Mansion. It would be very dangerous for her to show up like this." Her words were full of worry. Her eyes moved back and forth between the shadows outside the window and Lin Wunian's face, hoping that her sister would come up with a decision.

Lin Wunian paced by the window, pondering for a long moment, her gaze growing firmer. "Of course I must help. Putting aside the chivalrous principles, the Marquis's evil deeds alone—now that we know about them—we can't just stand by and watch." With that, she turned and strode quickly to her dressing box, pulling out the flute she rarely showed anyone.

The flute, clad in ebony, with a jade mouthpiece, shone softly in the dim candlelight, yet felt cool to the touch, just like the chilly night outside. Lin Wunian, flute in hand, stood at the window again, her posture erect, like a proud pine tree. She took a deep breath and slowly brought her lips to the mouthpiece. Instantly, a gentle, sobbing note pierced the window, lingering and echoing in the silent night sky.

Around the corner, a woman in white, frail and leaning against a wall, dodged the inspection from the Marquis's residence. The pain from her lacerated wounds nearly knocked her unconscious. Just as she was despairing, the ethereal sound of a flute reached her ears. Startled, she recognized it as a friendly invitation. Gritting her teeth, she summoned her remaining lightness skills and followed the sound, like a dying person clutching a lifeline. Her figure, like swaying catkins in the moonlight, stumbled toward the source of the flute.

Lin Wunian paused her flute as she spotted the woman in white approaching from the rooftop. The long, lingering notes seemed cut off by a sharp blade, their lingering echoes lingering in the night. She leaned aside, a gentle wave of her hand beckoning the woman in white to enter the house. Her figure, etched in the shadows of the window lattice, was like a still, ink painting, radiating confidence and kindness.

The woman in white froze. She was already frantic, like a frightened bird, now frozen in place, as if held captive by a spell. She had never imagined that, in this deadly, cold night filled with the throngs of the Marquis's men, everyone was in danger, someone would openly light a "shelter" for her, and precisely lead her here. She was even more surprised to find that the other person had been quietly waiting for her.

A few rays of moonlight, piercing through the gaps in the clouds, shone on the face of the woman in white, revealing her haggardness and shock. Her clothes were stained red by the wounds, and the blood had dried and darkened, bearing the cruel mark of a dangerous escape. Her eyes flickered, wariness and suspicion clashing within them. This woman before her was merely a woman, yet she had the audacity to offer a helping hand despite the pressure from the Marquis's mansion. Could she have ulterior motives? Yet, the pain and exhaustion that enveloped her were like the claws of a demon, dragging her towards this lifeline.

Seeing her hesitation, Lin Wunian opened his red lips slightly, his voice was very low, but every word was clear: "Miss, the evil deeds of the Marquis' Mansion are condemned by both humans and gods. Now that I know about it, I will never sit idly by and watch you fall into despair. Come into the house quickly, it is safer here." His tone was gentle and sincere, just like the warm spring sun, trying to dispel the haze and vigilance in the heart of the woman in white.

Perhaps it was the sincerity in her words, or perhaps it was the instinctive desire to survive in this desperate situation that prevailed. The woman in white gritted her teeth, took a deep breath, and lightly tapped the eaves. Her body rose and fell several times, like a piece of broken yet resilient flying petals, floating into the house. The moment she landed, she stumbled. Lin Wunian was quick to move forward and support her. His touch was covered with cold sweat and her clothes were clammy, which showed the hardships of the journey.

"Thank you, young lady." The woman in white panted heavily, looking up at Lin Wunian with eyes full of gratitude and inquiry. Lin Wunian smiled back, "No need to thank me. First, we need to heal our wounds. The Marquis' Mansion is full of eyes and ears, and this isn't a place to stay for long. Once you're better, we can find a way out."

After saying this, she led her to the bedside. Kanan hurriedly took out her medicine box, washed her hands, and solemnly placed her hand on the white-clad woman's wrist, carefully checking her pulse. After a moment, her brows knitted into knots. She looked at Lin Wunian with concern and said, "Sister, your pulse is disturbed. This sister's injury is not light. She has lost a lot of energy and blood, and her internal organs are also damaged. If this continues, I'm afraid it will cause a serious illness and endanger her life."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yao, the woman in white, forced a bitter smile on her pale lips: "It's okay. I'm lucky to have escaped from the pursuers of the Marquis' Mansion. I can bear some pain." Although she said it stubbornly, beads of sweat rolled down her forehead, soaking the collar of her clothes. It was obvious that she was enduring severe pain.

Lin Wunian said with a light scolding, "Young lady, don't be so stubborn. Now that you are here, just rest and recuperate. The Marquis' Mansion has done so many evil things, how can we let you die from this injury." As he spoke, he took out some precious herbs from the medicine box and told Kankan to boil them immediately.

Kanan left, leaving only Lin Wunian and Lu Yao in the room. While gently checking Lu Yao's wounds, Lin Wunian asked softly, "Miss, your escape must have been difficult. Do you have any dietary restrictions or any healing methods you've used? This would help me be more careful with the medication I use."