Perfect Match – CH 086

Chapter 86

A light autumn rain fell overnight, pattering on the eaves and in the courtyard, seeping into the house through the cracks in the stone slabs. The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the room was cool.

Deng Ruyun draped an extra garment over her grandmother’s shoulders. “It’s getting chilly today; you should wear more clothes.”

Her grandmother smiled at her, her eyes crinkling. Deng Ruyun smiled back, head bowed, and took her grandmother’s pulse.

The old ailment was difficult to cure. She had recently changed her prescription, but it had not yet shown any effect. However, after taking her grandmother’s pulse, she found it relatively stable and took her hand.

“You are feeling well today. When the sun comes out at midday, you should lie down in the courtyard and soak up some sun; just make sure you wear more clothes.”

Her grandmother smiled and nodded. “Little Ruyun, you can diagnose illnesses now.”

Deng Ruyun had long been able to diagnose illnesses, but her grandmother could not quite remember. Just then, Linglang and Dafu slipped in from behind the curtain.

“Great-Grandma, Auntie, breakfast is ready!”

Eating in the courtyard at this time of year was a delightful experience, with the crisp autumn air.

Deng Ruyun helped her grandmother, while Linglang and Dafu ran around busily. They were the first to lift the curtain, and as Deng Ruyun helped her grandmother out, they saw Aunt Juan and Xiuniang serving rice under the trees in the courtyard.

Aunt Juan waved to them, “Come and eat; it’s delicious while it’s hot.”

As she spoke, she took out a large bowl and had Xiuniang serve Changxing a full bowl. “Take this to him; let him eat first. He has a lot of work to do today.”

Xiuniang muttered to herself, “Changxing can eat as much food as the three of us, more than a cow could eat. He even specifically asked me to give him extra portions each time. But he also gave me two boxes of rouge, which seems quite nice. He’s still filial; he has not forgotten the kindness of me picking him up from the field.”

Aunt Juan laughed at this, and Deng Ruyun could not help but smile as well, adding,

“Changxing really is ‘filial.'”

She emphasized the last two syllables, and Xiuniang asked curiously, “Is he not?”

Aunt Juan repeatedly agreed with Deng Ruyun, only urging Xiuniang, “Go and take it to him quickly.”

Xiuniang scratched her head but did not ask any more questions and went to deliver it.

Deng Ruyun helped her grandmother sit down. Linglang, who had grown much taller this year, easily climbed onto the stool by herself. Dafu sat obediently at her feet, waiting. Deng Ruyun set out the bowls and chopsticks and invited Aunt Juan to sit down as well. Only then did the family begin to eat.

The gradually emerging autumn coolness had completely dispelled the heat of the past few days. The puddles of last night’s rain still lingered in the courtyard hollows, rippling in the wind.

At the table, Deng Ruyun served her grandmother a bowl of soup. Seeing Aunt Juan give Linglang a flatbread, she picked one up and ate it herself.

However, halfway through the meal, a sudden gust of wind blew in through the courtyard gate. Everyone at the table involuntarily looked towards the door.

Just then, hurried footsteps approached the door.

The door was pushed open abruptly.

Deng Ruyun looked over and stood up.

… …

The courtyard of Liumingxuan was deserted; in less than a month, weeds had sprouted from the cracks in the ground.

All her belongings were gone from the room, except for all the medical books and pharmacopoeias he had collected for her. They had all been taken from the shelves and neatly placed in a book box.

On the shelf next to the bookshelf, she had left behind the red silk flower he had brought back from his victorious return, the Tartar bracelet, and even the pearl from the crown of Prince Enhua, carefully stored in a palm-sized wooden box for him.

These were all his achievements in battle, and she had returned them to him intact.

Teng Yue suddenly remembered the little clay figure he had sculpted for her by the roadside, but he could not find it anywhere in the room.

Had it been carried away by a cat, or did she think that since it was a clay figure modeled after her, it should not be left behind, so she simply took it with her?

Teng Yue dared not linger in the suffocatingly empty room.

But those who had searched for her earlier said that Yuyun Hall had been entrusted to Inspector Sun and Shopkeeper Qin for five whole years. She had not returned to her hometown in Jinzhou at all. He had ordered a search of every pharmacy and shop in Xi’an, but there was not a trace of her.

It seemed she was no longer in Xi’an.

Not in Jinzhou, not in Xi’an—Teng Yue did not know where she had gone. He could only search in the nearby counties and towns, and even sent someone back to Ningxia to search.

It was Deputy General Tong Meng who reminded him, asking if his wife might have gone to a more distant county or town, such as Tongguan County, north of Xi’an.

Teng Yue immediately felt that his words made perfect sense. After all, Inspector Sun was the inspector of Tongguan County. She might neglect herself, but would care about her grandmother and Linglang. Therefore, she would surely find a safe place to settle down.

With this in mind, Teng Yue immediately led his men and personally rushed to Tongguan County. They left the city before dawn and arrived in Tongguan County. The streets were already bustling with people heading to the early market. Inspector Sun was not in the county today, and Teng Yue knew that even if he knew, he would only keep it a secret and would not tell him. So, he personally sent someone to inquire about the newly moved-in residents.

Tongguan County was not large. With just a few inquiries, they found a family that had recently moved in. They did not see any men in the family, only several women. The townspeople also said that although it was a family of women, they had received special attention from the Inspector’s Office.

Upon hearing this, Teng Yue immediately asked for the address and headed straight there.

A child playing at the street corner pointed him to the house.

However, the door was ajar.

A breeze whistled through the crack, causing the wooden door to creak softly.

The sound was faint, but it reached Teng Yue’s ears, making his heart race. As if he had heard a voice inside, he stepped forward and pushed open the door.

The moment the door opened, a draft rushed through, and the person inside looked towards the doorway, momentarily stunned.

“…Who are you?”

Teng Yue looked through the door and saw that the courtyard was empty except for a man who looked to be over fifty years old, sweeping fallen leaves after last night’s rain. Apart from him, there was no one else in sight.

Teng Yue paused, then asked.

“Is there not a family that just moved in here? An elderly woman and a little girl of four or five?”

The sweeper blinked at him and asked.

“The family you are talking about is surnamed Deng, right?”

Upon hearing the name “Deng,” Teng Yue nodded immediately. “Yes, where are they?”

The sweeper shook his head.

“You are too late. They moved away three days ago.”

“Moved away? Where did they go?”

The sweeper just shook his head. “I do not know. They did not leave a single word, and I am afraid no one here knows.”

Besides the withered leaves that had fallen from the autumn rain the previous night and some remaining herbs, the sweeper had swept them into a pile and placed them under the trees.

Teng Yue stepped into the courtyard, as if he could see the ones who had once stayed here temporarily.

He seemed to see Aunt Juan helping her grandmother to cool off in the evening in the courtyard, little Linglang running around with Dafu, and Xiuniang and Changxing tidying up all the trunks they had brought, but she stopped them.

He seemed to see her standing on the veranda with a medical book, saying, “Never mind, do not bring out any more things yet. This place is still within Xi’an’s jurisdiction, too close to the city. In a couple of days, we will find a place further away and move…”

Teng Yue stood in the middle of the empty courtyard, his heart clenching with pain.

She had already guessed that he would find this place quickly, so she only paused briefly before leaving again.

She went to a place farther away from him.

She truly left him according to the contract, and after leaving, she never thought of returning.

… …

In a small town outside Xi’an’s jurisdiction.

Deng Ruyun stood up and saw Shopkeeper Qin’s nephew rushing in from outside, looking flustered.

“What happened?” she asked hurriedly.

After hearing the good news of General Teng’s release from Ningxia at the teahouse by the city gate of Tongguan County, Deng Ruyun felt a refreshing autumn breeze.

Now that she had received such good news, there was no need to stay in Tongguan County any longer.

It was still too close to Xi’an, and it was under Inspector Sun’s control. After thinking it over, she realized that leaving Xi’an altogether would be safer.

However, she still had her family with her. Fortunately, Shopkeeper Qin’s old friend was the chief of a remote village, surrounded by mountains, even more secluded, with few outsiders. This friend of Shopkeeper Qin also used to run a pharmacy, so Deng Ruyun, upon hearing this, moved her entire family from Tongguan County three days ago.

Today was only the second day since they settled here.

This village was so remote, usually inaccessible, yet surprisingly, some people had contracted the seasonal plague. And this one infection spread to over twenty people in the village.

Some were strong and healthy, recovering in a few days, while others, even after seeing a physician and taking medicine, were terminally ill and on the verge of death.

The old friend of Shopkeeper Qin, Village Chief Zhao, approached Deng Ruyun with a heavy heart, saying that Shopkeeper Qin had told him that Yuyun Hall was selling a pill called Lingqiao Detoxifying Pill, which was quite effective against this disease. He wondered if they could produce some to save the lives of the townspeople.

The formula for Lingqiao Detoxifying Pill was something she had devised with a group of physicians and pharmacists in Ningxia; it was hardly a secret formula anymore. However, in order to maximize its effectiveness, the pill had initially been modified to include some expensive medicinal herbs.

She sold this medicine in Xi’an Prefecture, driving down the price again and again, making it affordable for ordinary people. But how could the people of this remote village compare to those in Xi’an Prefecture? Even if she revealed the formula, the town could not afford the expensive herbs.

Deng Ruyun could only distribute some of the pills she carried with her, made by Yuyun Hall, to the townspeople.

However, the pills were truly limited, and the number of sick people was far greater than expected.

The village head, Zhao, was deeply distressed to see so many people unable to afford the medicine.

Deng Ruyun thought for a moment and invited him over.

“I’ve recently observed many cases of this year’s epidemic. I’ve significantly adjusted the dosage of the Lingqiao Detoxifying Pill and devised several more affordable formulas, but their effectiveness remains to be verified.”

She then asked Village Chief Zhao, “If you and the neighbors trust me, please use these formulas to make medicine for everyone to try.”

She said the efficacy was uncertain, “but I can assure you it’s not harmful, it has some effect, and the price is much lower. All I need is your help.”

She indicated she could cover the cost of buying and making the medicine, “but I do not know if everyone dares to try.”

Upon hearing this, Village Chief Zhao did not hesitate and immediately agreed on behalf of all the sick people in the town.

“Do not even mention it’s free; we’d be willing to spend some money!”

He repeatedly expressed his willingness, but Deng Ruyun still personally explained the situation to the townspeople. While one or two people might still have doubts, the rest were willing to try, at least to avoid dying there.

Yesterday, Deng Ruyun took out the prescriptions, categorized the people’s conditions and illnesses, and prepared the medicines for each category. She also asked Changxing to find people to record the townspeople’s conditions twice a day.

However, the number of people was not large, and Deng Ruyun was unsure whether the daily records could differentiate the efficacy of each prescription.

This matter was settled last night, but just now, Qin Bang, the nephew of Shopkeeper Qin, rushed in.

Deng Ruyun thought a patient’s condition had worsened or that the patient had changed their mind.

But Qin Bang said neither, “A large group of people from the neighboring village came. They heard that our village has medicine and want to see you immediately!”

The neighboring village? Deng Ruyun was somewhat confused.

Aunt Juan, upon hearing that a large group of people had come to see Deng Ruyun, quickly pulled her aside.

“So many people have come with such a menacing air; this might not be a good sign. Do not go see them yet; let’s see what Village Chief Zhao has to say.”

Deng Ruyun was also a little apprehensive, but since they had come to see her, it would not be good if something went wrong if Village Chief Zhao blocked their way.

After all, they had only moved here two days ago. This remote mountain village was a place they could settle down for a year or two, so it was best to get along well with the locals.

She thought for a moment, comforted Aunt Juan, and called Changxing and Xiuniang, asking Qin Bang to take her there.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she appeared at the village entrance, the people from the neighboring village, seeing her arrive, suddenly began to bow deeply to her.

Deng Ruyun was taken aback; there were so many people, she could not possibly help them all up.

The village chief from the neighboring village stepped forward and spoke to her, “Lady, we also have dozens of patients in our town. We’ve heard that you distribute medicine and treat patients here. Not only are you offering free medicine, but we’d even pay some money if it could buy life-saving medicine!”

As he spoke, everyone looked at Deng Ruyun expectantly.

Deng Ruyun clutched her pounding heart and let out a long breath.

She had initially thought they were coming to cause trouble, and her heart was pounding with anxiety; after all, she was a stranger from out of town with a family to support. Unexpectedly, they had simply come in a hurry to ask for medicine.

Qin Bang, seeing the people coming with such force, had rushed off to inform Deng Ruyun, only to realize it was a mistake in his haste.

Deng Ruyun gave him a helpless smile. Qin Bang, feeling embarrassed by his boss’s gaze, scratched his head and ran away.

Meanwhile, Deng Ruyun was thinking that the number of patients in Village Chief Zhao’s community was limited, and now that a group of people had arrived, would that not be a perfect opportunity to fill the gaps in her prescription?

Deng Ruyun’s Yuyun Hall had earned enough in the past six months to cover the medicine for dozens of people, so she said she would not charge them.

“As long as everyone is willing to help me test the medicine.”

Her direct statement that she did not want money meant no one hesitated anymore; even the two who had hesitated with Village Chief Zhao yesterday joined in today.

Deng Ruyun did not even eat her meal before discussing with the two village chiefs how to expedite the production of the medicine for the patients.

Deng Ruyun was quite skilled in medicine making. With the two village chiefs helping her find manpower and a suitable location, she had Changxing and Xiuniang continue recording the patients’ experiences with the medicine, while she prepared to personally take Qin Bang to a nearby county to purchase sufficient medicinal herbs.

Having agreed on this plan, they set off for the county town the next day with money and a convoy to escort the herbs.

*

In Xi’an City, at the Teng Mansion.

Old Madam Lin rushed back the day after Teng Yue’s return.

However, upon arriving home, she only saw Teng Yue coming and going, mostly not at home. When he did return, he had little to say to his mother.

Teng Xiao was also helping her brother find her sister-in-law, but she had limited manpower. Besides searching, she stayed in her Chengfeng Garden and did not come out. Once, Old Madam heard her daughter’s voice just outside the wall, but when she went to investigate, the child had already gone around to the other side.

Neither of the children spoke to her, only focusing on the search. Naturally, she did not say anything more and sent people everywhere to inquire about Yunniang’s family’s whereabouts.

However, several days passed, and they still had not found them. She noticed that Teng Yue had become increasingly silent. Occasionally, when he returned home at night, he would lock himself in Liumingxuan courtyard, waiting until dawn to continue searching outside the city, his eyes downcast, saying nothing more.

However, her cousin from the Yang family came once, saying that she had also sent people to search, but without any news. She asked if the Teng family had found anyone, and upon hearing no, she sighed.

“My cousin really knows how to find people; she found such a trustworthy little devil. You ended that contract, hoping she would no longer be involved with Yu Chuan, and she really left, left far away, never to come back.”

She said, “What kind of mother raised this girl? How come I could not raise such a child? Yun’er is too soft-hearted, and Ling’er is too violent.”

She spoke of her youngest daughter, “I do not know when her hysteria will get better; it’s all retribution… I plan to send her to a temple in the mountains for a year or two to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures, to calm her restlessness, and to atone for her past sins.”

She asked Old Madam Lin, “What about after that?”

If that little devil could come back, what did she plan to do?

Old Madam Lin did not answer her immediately.

If Yunniang could come back, she would have no more worries.

As a mother, she thought she was devoted to her children, but instead, she had brought them to such a state. If her husband in heaven knew, she wondered what he would think.

Rather than staying by their side, she decided to leave far away, hoping they would get better.

*

Deng Ruyun stayed in the county town at the foot of the mountain for two days.

She needed to buy a considerable amount of various medicinal herbs. Some were in short supply in the county and had to be sourced from elsewhere, which meant waiting some time.

She was now only waiting for the last herb to be delivered to the county town at noon.

With nothing else to do, she also bought some things for her grandmother and the others in the county town.

Unexpectedly, the major event in the capital spread like wildfire from the capital outwards, even reaching this remote county town. Everyone said that the Chief Eunuch in the capital had died, which was a cause for universal celebration.

With the Chief Eunuch dead, his followers scattered like leaves in the wind. First, many high-ranking officials in the capital were arrested, and then provinces and regions began purging his remaining associates.

Even the magistrate of their small county, who was notorious for extortion and bribery, was taken away early this morning by the Provincial Surveillance Commission because of his past relationship with the Hong family.

The court and the military were in turmoil.

Deng Ruyun had just overheard someone in a roadside tavern mentioning the Chief Eunuch’s downfall; after a few words, someone else changed the subject.

“Speaking of which, that Chief Eunuch betrayed the loyal and nearly killed General Teng of Shaanxi. Now that the Chief Eunuch has fallen, should General Teng not be promoted?”

As soon as he said this, someone else said, “More than just a promotion! With General Teng’s achievements in suppressing the Rebel Prince, he deserves a marquisate or earldom!”

“Oh! So, our Shaanxi region is going to have another marquis or earl?! Good heavens, General Teng is only in his early twenties, and he’s already going to be an earl! That’s incredible! He’s bound to become a high-ranking official in the future!”

Deng Ruyun, standing on the street, was momentarily stunned by what she heard.

She listened to them mention marquises and earls, then high-ranking officials, and for a moment, she was disoriented, unsure who they were talking about.

That feeling of strangeness and distance blurred the faces of those she once knew.

But then she remembered.

She had watched General Teng rise from a lowly captain, an unknown Baihu Commander, to a border general, a guerrilla general—all the way up.

She should not have had anything to do with him in the first place, and it was only natural that his image would gradually fade from her mind.

Because from now on, without a powerful eunuch wielding absolute power, he would only become more triumphant. Becoming a marquis, a general, achieving great deeds, and leaving his mark on history would all be within his grasp!

As for her…

Deng Ruyun listened to the people in the tavern enthusiastically discussing how the court would reward and honor General Teng, and she simply walked away slowly.

As for her, she would never appear again.

However, the young general she had loved since her first stirrings of love had grown into a powerful general guarding a region. She had loved him for so many years and even, by a twist of fate, had a brief encounter with him in his long life.

But ultimately, they were not meant to be. And the sacred tree she had hastily worshipped in her youth had not arranged a marriage. Now that the contract had ended, everything was clean and simple.

She and he went their separate ways, each walking their own path in this world, and that was fine.

The market was bustling with people, and Deng Ruyun walked further and further into the crowd until her figure blended into the millions of ordinary people.

But amidst this vast crowd, she would softly bless General Teng, wishing him a brighter future and a wider path ahead!

… …

Deng Ruyun walked and walked in the crowd, originally intending to buy some osmanthus cakes for Linglang to take back to the mountains.

It was the season when Osmanthus flowers were in full bloom. Beneath the window of the inn where she was staying, an osmanthus tree was bursting with tiny, bright yellow blossoms. Its rich fragrance permeated the air, always carried by the breeze, drifting in through her window and lingering lightly.

Fresh osmanthus cakes would certainly be delicious, but inexplicably, she had forgotten to get some.

She could only take the other odds and ends she had bought from the market and return to her inn.

Qin Bang went to fetch the medicinal herbs, and she opened the door to her room.

As soon as she opened the door, the fragrance of osmanthus gently wafted to her nose.

But amidst the floral scent, another fragrance suddenly appeared beneath her nose.

Deng Ruyun, carrying her newly purchased items, paused at the doorway and looked up into the room.

The man wore a dark brown brocade robe. His face, sculpted like a stone, bore faint red marks from bloodstains, and beneath them, his cheeks were sunken.

His handsome eyes seemed trapped in an unknown black pool, a faint, eerie light flickering within.

His chapped lips trembled slightly. He stared intently at her, his voice almost silent.

Yet, he spoke to her as if it were a casual conversation, softly asking, “Yunniang is back?”