Maestro de la ambigüedad

Capítulo 28

"Then it's settled." Fearing something might change, he quickly finalized the agreement: "You don't need to worry about anyone or anything else. Just continue as before. You stay by my side, and I'll protect you. Once all this mess is over, we'll..."

“My lord,” she interrupted, “let’s just stay the same as before. We can discuss the rest later, okay?” Everything had happened so fast. Although she was excited and happy, it felt unreal. He had made a vow, and she had made a vow too. If they were really together, what if something bad happened? Was his attraction to her just a passing fancy, a result of a sudden impulse, or genuine affection? He had suffered so much hardship and setbacks these past few years, and he had no one else by his side. Was he just lonely, and had taken her kindness for granted?

He looked at her, thought for a moment, and as if knowing her concerns, replied with an "okay." She had just breathed a sigh of relief when his lips pressed down on hers. She subconsciously shrank back, only to be glared at by him: "Won't you let me try kissing you?"

Han Xiao froze for a moment before being kissed. His lips and tongue were hot, and this time it was a seductive, lingering kiss. Han Xiao was dizzy from the kiss, and her will was quickly swayed by him. His attitude, sometimes domineering and sometimes gentle, also made her feel a little dizzy.

She said that as long as things remain the same as before, which should mean the same thing to him, right? He must understand, right? She wasn't sure; she felt that matters of the heart between men and women were somewhat unfathomable to her.

Whether she realized it or not, Nie Chengyan was proactive and domineering. When the two were alone in private, he would change his previous restrained and polite style and completely revert to his true nature. Coupled with the intimacy in his body language and attitude, he was even more willful and shameless than when they first met.

Fortunately, when outsiders were present, he was considerate of Han Xiao's awkwardness and embarrassment, only showing his affection in his attitude, without making any overly intimate physical gestures. This made Han Xiao secretly grateful for his thoughtfulness. Especially in front of Elder Yunwu, he seemed to want to prove that it wasn't a matter of personal grudges, and he was particularly respectful of Han Xiao's reactions. As for Elder Yunwu, for some reason, apart from observing them coldly, he didn't say anything too extreme. Instead, he acted like a serious and strict teacher, earnestly instructing Han Xiao in medical skills.

The old man from the clouds also produced an antidote formula, claiming it was the antidote for Green Snow, and instructed Han Xiao to study it carefully. The densely written, complex steps of the antidote process amazed Han Xiao, but Nie Chengyan immediately recognized that the formula was not in the old man's handwriting. He quickly discovered that someone had delivered a letter to the old man from the foot of the mountain a few days ago. This further convinced him that the theft of Green Snow to replace the poison was a provocation. This formula must have been written by the person who stole Green Snow; he took Green Snow, deciphered the antidote, and then told him, leaving Green Frost behind, presumably wanting the old man from the clouds to try and decipher it as well, but he hadn't expected things to go wrong.

The actions of the old man in the clouds confirmed Nie Chengyan's speculation. Contrary to his usual behavior, he actively participated in the research on the detoxification of Green Frost, teaching and researching at the same time, and seriously pondering the solution to Green Frost with Han Xiao.

Persistence pays off. On this day, the detoxification research made new progress, and the new treatment performed on Linzhi by Elder Yunwu and Han Xiao together showed significant results.

Han Xiao was overjoyed with this progress. She carefully organized the formula in the room, intending to include it in her antidote book. At this moment, an unexpected visitor arrived—Yan Shan.

Under He Ziming's supervision, Yan Shan met with Han Xiao. Without saying a word, he knelt down and kowtowed to Han Xiao.

"I was momentarily bewitched and committed an evil deed that is intolerable to heaven and earth. Fortunately, Miss Han is unharmed and has saved my life. I am ashamed before Miss Han and can only kneel down to beg for forgiveness."

Han Xiao was dumbfounded, never expecting Yan Shan to kneel down so suddenly. She waved her hand, signaling He Ziming to help him up, and was about to say, "Since you know you're wrong, don't harm others in the future." But before she could finish speaking, Yan Shan said, "Miss Han is busy, so I won't bother you any longer. Farewell." After saying that, he turned and left.

Han Xiao didn't understand what he meant. He Ziming told her that Yan Shan's body had fully recovered, and the Cloud Mist Elder had expelled him from the sect, ordering him to descend the mountain the next day. Because Yan Shan's medical skills were learned from Cloud Mist Mountain, being expelled from the sect meant he could no longer make a living as a doctor. For Yan Shan, it seemed he would have nothing left from now on.

Han Xiao felt a bit emotional about this, but she didn't expect that something even more unexpected would happen later.

That night, Yan Shan sneaked into Xi's hospital, broke into Lin Zhi's ward, and stabbed the defenseless Lin Zhi eight times until she died. He then committed suicide beside her. By the time they were discovered, both had been dead for some time. Yan Shan left a letter in the room with only one sentence: "She and I are finally together."

Han Xiao was truly shocked by Yan Shan's resolute actions. She never expected that the usually well-mannered and knowledgeable doctor would do something so cruel for the sake of love.

Nie Chengyan said, "If it were for you, I could do the same. It's just that Yan Shan is too foolish. It's not worth it for a woman like Lin Zhi." He pulled her into his arms and changed the subject: "Tomorrow I will bring Lele up the mountain. Let me make this clear: our relationship is not ordinary now. You have to treat me better than Lele. If I find out that you are biased towards Lele, you'd better watch out."

Han Xiao stared at him speechlessly. Ever since their relationship became "unusual," his temper had become increasingly worse. Han Xiao buried her face in his chest and sighed. Actually, matters of the heart were quite troublesome.

Author's Note: Finally updated! I've been pondering their confession and reaction, and I'm completely baffled. Is this how they'd react? I'm off to die of confusion. Any suggestions are welcome!

Hanle Rehabilitation

The next day, Han Xiao went to Xi's clinic before dawn. Although Lin Zhi had passed away, the old man Yunwu had not slackened his research on the detoxification these past two days. Instead, he instructed Han Xiao to arrive before dawn that day.

Upon arriving, she was surprised to find a room where herbs were being burned to perfume clothes, and an incense burner and candle holder were set up in front of the door. The old man in the clouds was praying with incense. When he saw Han Xiao arrive, he handed her three sticks of incense. Han Xiao, not understanding why, followed suit and prayed. Then she put on the herbal-perfumed robe and followed the old man into the room.

The room's layout and furnishings suggested an emergency procedure. Two layers of curtains surrounded the center of the room. Han Xiao entered and first saw the old man's scalpels laid out to one side. Then, turning to look at the person on the bed, he realized it was the deceased Lin Zhi. She was naked, her body already cleaned, and the incisions were clearly visible. Han Xiao understood what was happening; this divine physician was likely going to dissect her to examine her internal organs.

Han Xiao gritted her teeth, suppressing her emotions. The old man in the clouds coldly observed her expression and said, "You will be the one to perform the autopsy. Begin."

Han Xiao agreed, opened his medical kit, took out his knife case, selected a knife, prepared everything, took a deep breath, and stood next to Lin Zhi's body with the knife in hand.

Several medical servants were attending to him, their legs trembling. The person in front of them was Lin Zhi, whom they all knew very well. Her voice and smile were still vivid in their minds. But now they had to cut her open. Although this would be beneficial for medical studies, desecrating a corpse after death, was the divine doctor not afraid of divine retribution?

Han Xiao glanced at the old man in the clouds. He was expressionless, just waiting for her to make her move. The expressions and commotion of the medical servants beside her were quite loud. Han Xiao turned her head slightly, then took a breath and tried to calm herself down. She held the knife firmly in her right hand and cut open Lin Zhi's chest.

The old man in the clouds stepped forward and looked from the other side. Han Xiao made a larger incision and, following the instructions in the medical book, opened it to expose the internal organs. Behind her, there was the sound of a medical servant retching. Han Xiao understood perfectly; she imagined the servant's face must look terrible. Although she had seen countless pictures of the distribution of internal organs in medical books, she had never seen them in real life. This was the first time she had seen the entire chest and abdomen of a person so clearly and completely.

Another sound came from behind, this time from a servant. The old man in the clouds didn't even look up, and said coldly, "Get out, you useless thing. You don't need to follow me anymore. Go to the pharmacy and receive your punishment." This was how he demoted the servant who was following him to do manual labor in the pharmacy.

Han Xiao didn't have time to show sympathy to these medical servants. Her attention was drawn to the condition of Lin Zhi's internal organs. It turned out that after they had been treating Lin Zhi, this was the state of her internal organs.

"Here..." The old man in the clouds opened Lin Zhi's heart, liver, and other organs. Apart from the knife wound, there were some abnormal colors and conditions. He pointed them out to Han Xiao one by one. Han Xiao tried hard to remember them and, under the old man's guidance, learned about all the organs. He was even asked to cut them open and examine them carefully.

Han Xiao studied diligently, her mind highly focused. After finishing everything, she washed her hands, changed her robe, and walked out of the house. She found that it was already close to noon. Under the bright sun, she felt her legs go weak and she could no longer stand, so she sat down on the steps by the house.

She had just used her own hands and her own knife to dissect a person, turning inside out their internal organs. Han Xiao slowly came to her senses, feeling a chill run through her body and her stomach churning. She buried her head in her knees, curling up into a ball.

A large hand stroked her head. She looked up and saw Nie Chengyan's concerned face. Han Xiao's eyes immediately reddened, and she whispered, "Master."

"Are you tired? I've come to pick you up." He had received the news that she had been performing an autopsy that morning, and he knew she must be in pain.

"I...I can't get up." Han Xiao blushed.

"Then sit a while longer, the sun is nice today." He seemed genuinely in the mood to keep her company while she basked in the sun, and Han Xiao felt a warmth in her heart, nodding in agreement.

The old man in the clouds came out at this moment, looked at the two of them without any expression, and only said to Han Xiao, "Tomorrow, at the same time, in the same room." Han Xiao's heart tightened. Did they have to perform an autopsy again? She pursed her lips, glanced at Nie Chengyan, and then nodded to the old man in the clouds.

The old man in the clouds frowned at Nie Chengyan, then turned and left, muttering to himself, "It's just dissecting a corpse, what's the big deal? Like he's about to become a father..."

Nie Chengyan glared at his back, holding back his temper. He turned back and glared at Han Xiao, who shrank back, saying, "It wasn't me who said that." He was gentle for only a moment before putting on a fierce face again.

Nie Chengyan said irritably, "Have you rested enough? Lele will be back soon. Why don't you go back and take a shower and change your clothes? You stink! How are you going to see him?"

Han Xiao quickly stood up and followed him toward Yanzhu.

After walking for a short distance, he became dissatisfied again: "Why are you so far away from me? Am I poisonous?"

Han Xiaoxiao retorted in a small voice, "You're the one who said it smells bad. I was just worried about the stench bothering you."

"Aren't you afraid of upsetting me?"

Han Xiao glanced at Huo Qiyang, who was pushing the chair, and quickly said, "Then let me push you, Master." That should be close enough now. Huo Qiyang stopped and prepared to give up his seat. But Lord Nie was still not satisfied: "What are you pushing for? Weren't your legs weak just now? Now you have the strength again? Just walk on your own."

Huo Qiyang glanced at Han Xiao, tilted his head at her, and gestured towards Nie Chengyan. Han Xiao understood, walked to the front, and leaned against the chair to continue walking smoothly.

As she walked, her hand touched the armrest of the chair, and suddenly a large hand grabbed it. Han Xiao blushed, thinking that Huo Qiyang was behind her and it would be bad if he saw her. So she quietly tried to pull her hand back, but as soon as she tried, Nie Chengyan also tried, and simply pressed her palm onto the armrest and held it.

Han Xiao blushed and stole a glance at him, only to see him staring straight ahead, as if nothing had happened, yet his fingers were gently stroking her fingertips. Han Xiao bit her lip and quietly looked back at Huo Qiyang; he, too, was looking straight ahead, focused on pushing the chair. It seemed as if she was the only one whose mind was wandering.

Before Han Xiao could even look away from Huo Qiyang, she felt a sharp pain in her hand as Nie Chengyan pinched her hard. Han Xiao pouted, feeling resentful, and bent her fist to push his palm with the back of her hand. He held her hand tightly, rubbing his palm against the back of her hand, and a smile curved his lips.

Han Xiao recalled the vows they had made, and felt a mix of bitterness and sweetness in her heart. Could they really be together?

Back at Yanzhu, after bathing and changing, Han Xiao followed Nie Chengyan to the courtyard to wait for Han Le. She was puzzled; why was Han Le's arrival on the mountain such a big deal, requiring such a solemn welcome? She could understand her concern for her younger brother, but why was her master getting involved?

When the carriage stopped, Han Le, with a big smile on her face, jumped down and landed steadily on the ground, shouting at her, "Sister!" Han Xiao understood somewhat, but she couldn't believe it. She blinked, then blinked again. Han Le laughed loudly, opened her arms, and shouted, "Sister, stand firm! Charge!" Then, like a little calf, she charged forward. Han Xiao stood there dumbfounded, her eyes filled with tears, her throat tight with worry. How could this be? How could this be?

Nie Chengyan shouted, "Lele, don't bump into me, be careful not to fall." But Han Le had already rushed over. Nie Chengyan reacted quickly and stretched out his arm to protect Han Xiao, who was standing next to the chair. Han Le lunged without thinking and with too much force. Nie Chengyan, who was sitting, couldn't support him with his arm outstretched. In order to prevent them from falling, he simply pulled his arm back and hugged the two of them.

"Sister, sister, I'm all better! I'm completely better!" Han Le kept calling out, unable to utter a single laugh, only able to shed tears. She dreamed of Han Le getting better soon, fantasizing that one day he would run towards her like before, but when that day actually came, she couldn't believe it was real.

Those days when she was filled with fear and anxiety, but had to smile and tell her younger brother, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, your sister is here," those days when her legs were so tired they felt like they were about to break, but she still had to pretend to be relaxed and tell her younger brother on her back, "Just hang in there a little longer, we'll be in the next city soon, and we'll find a good doctor there," those days when doctors shook their heads at her and said, "Don't strain yourself anymore, don't torment this child anymore, let him have his last days in peace," those years when her heart was filled with tears but she still told herself, "The next doctor can cure him," those mountains she climbed, roads she walked, people she knelt before, and heads she kowtowed to, suddenly all seemed ethereal and unreal.

"Lele, Lele..." Han Xiao hugged her younger brother tightly, unable to hold back her sobs any longer. "Sister knew you would get better, I just knew you would get better. I didn't believe anything they said, I just knew you would get better..."

Nie Chengyan held the siblings in his arms, watching them laugh and cry intermittently, tears streaming down their faces. Suddenly, a wave of unbearable sorrow washed over him. He had never had the chance to hold his loved ones like this, to cry and laugh so freely. He had lived for over 20 years, once considering himself young and successful, someone who could command the winds and rains. But now, looking back, he realized he had never even had a hug like this. It turned out that the difference between pride and pitifulness wasn't that great.

He had crippled his leg, lost his will, and even considered giving up on life, but thankfully she came. She burst into his world, so full of life, and loudly told him, "Yes, Master, this servant is here." Thank goodness for her, thank goodness he still had her.

Nie Chengyan hugged the two siblings tightly, his eyes welling up with tears. He was no longer alone; he now had family.

As the group huddled together, deeply moved, Han Le spoke up. He wiped away his tears and exclaimed in surprise, "Wow, this chair is incredibly sturdy! Which shop made it? It can support the three of us without collapsing!"

This brat! Nie Chengyan really wanted to throw him out, but unfortunately, he was infatuated with that girl's older sister. He cleared his throat: "Since you know it's going to collapse, then hurry up and get down there."

"But it's quite comfortable like this," the furry child said, displeased.

Nie Chengyan glared at him: "I'm not feeling well." He could hold Xiaoxiao for as long as he wanted, but not with him in between.

Han Le, spoiled and emboldened, had just demonstrated the effects of her recovery and was feeling quite pleased with herself. She lingered, unwilling to leave, saying, "Hold me a little longer, it's been so long since I've been held like that by Daddy." Daddy again? Nie Chengyan was about to snap when he heard Han Le continue, "This is so nice, it really feels like we're family."

"A family?" Nie Chengyan's hand, which was about to grab his collar, stopped. Han Xiao was amused by the conversation between the two and laughed heartily; she was truly, truly overjoyed. Seeing her happiness, Nie Chengyan sighed and hugged the two of them tightly: "Just for a little while, just for a little while."

Confession of love

This hug, which had only lasted a short while, now started making his stomach rumble. Nie Chengyan couldn't take it anymore, so he picked Han Le up and tossed him aside. Huo Qiyang, who had been hiding somewhere, suddenly jumped out, caught Han Le, and put him on the ground. Han Le jumped up and down with his arms outstretched, saying, "Great hero, that was so much fun! Let's do it again!"

Han Xiao stood up, wiping away her tears. She looked around, relieved to find no one nearby; she had truly lost her composure. She couldn't help but pull Han Le closer, looking him over carefully to make sure he was truly well. Tears welled up again.

Seeing her clingy behavior, Nie Chengyan felt annoyed. He turned his chair and went into the house, saying, "Dinner's ready."

Han Xiao first led Han Le to kowtow to their parents' memorial tablets. She then learned that Han Le's trip down the mountain this time was actually due to Nie Chengyan secretly taking him to see a doctor. After inquiring about the diagnostic methods and treatments, she suddenly understood seven or eight parts of the situation. She was both angry and delighted. She was angry at the doctor's cruelty, delighted that Han Le's illness had greatly improved, and filled with gratitude towards Nie Chengyan.

She brought Han Le back to the dining table, but before she could do anything, Nie Chengyan said, "If you dare to kneel before me with Lele, just try it." Han Xiao was taken aback, realizing that he saw right through her, even guessing her intentions. Since he said so, she abandoned the idea, simply curtsied, and said, "Thank you for your great kindness, Master."

Nie Chengyan stared at her for a moment, then simply said, "Let's eat."

Han Le was already hungry. He had been a young master in the Nie family mansion in Baiqiao City for quite some time. Because of Nie Chengyan's instructions, Steward Chen and others took great care of Han Le, providing him with good food and drink every day, and he also had to study. He was a child and was somewhat spoiled. When he saw that there was no meat on the table, he called out, "Lord City Lord, why is there no meat?"

Nie Chengyan had instructed that all the meat dishes be replaced with plain porridge and side dishes because Han Xiao had performed a dissection that day, and the table was full of vegetarian food. He didn't want to tell the child this, so he said, "If you want meat, go and eat with Qi Yang and the others next door."

Han Le pouted, reluctant to part with her sister. After thinking for a while, she smiled at Han and said, "Sister, I'll eat the first half of the meal with you, and then I'll go eat the second half with the hero."

Before Han Xiao could reply, Nie Chengyan glared at him and said, "What rules? You're so impulsive. Sit down properly. If you're going to eat here, eat until you're full. No running around."

Han Le was startled by the scolding and quickly sat up straight, obediently following orders. He picked up his bowl and started eating. Han Xiao, seeing her younger brother smiling, put a piece of food on his plate. Nie Chengyan cleared his throat, and Han Xiao quickly put some food on his plate as well. Only then was Nie Chengyan satisfied.

Han Le kept fidgeting during his meal, constantly looking towards the door. Seeing this, Nie Chengyan said again, "What did I tell you? Why did I leave you down the mountain? Didn't Steward Chen discipline you properly?"

Han Le pouted, thinking that Uncle Steward wasn't as fierce as the City Lord, but he didn't dare say it. He could only look to his sister for help. Nie Chengyan then said, "Don't look at your sister. You're a little adult now. You're better. You need to know the rules and learn the skills. In the future, you'll have to be independent and do something. Before, your legs were weak and you relied on others to take care of you. Now you're completely healed. You can't be like before. You need to use your cleverness in the right way. Didn't you agree?"

"Yes, Lord City Lord," Han Le said with a hint of resentment.

Han Xiao looked at Nie Chengyan, somewhat puzzled. Nie Chengyan said, "Once Lele learns some management skills, I will assign him some tasks. He can't rely entirely on you; he'll have to make some achievements on his own in the future."

Han Xiao finally realized what was happening, and she was quite excited. Holding the bowl, tears almost fell into it. Seeing this, Han Le jumped off the chair, went over and hugged her to wipe them away: "Sister, Lele is all better now. Lele will take care of you from now on."

Han Xiao nodded repeatedly, enjoying the meal more happily than ever before.

After the meal, Han Le went back to his room for a short rest, while Han Xiao recorded and organized the knowledge she had learned from dissecting corpses that morning. Nie Chengyan reviewed his business ledgers and files. As Han Xiao was writing, she looked up and secretly glanced at Nie Chengyan, only to find that he was also looking at her. Their eyes met, and she blushed, quickly lowering her head and pretending to be busy continuing to write.

"Come here." Nie Chengyan was much more generous than her. What could she do if she was caught peeping? She simply told her to come over and look to her heart's content.

Han Xiao dawdled and hesitated for a long time before finally moving over.

"Am I pretty?" When her mistress asked this question, the little maid lowered her head, blushed, and remained silent.

He grinned mischievously, pulled her into his arms, kissed her lips, and asked, "Isn't it pretty?"

Han Xiao bit her lip and mustered her courage to say, "Then Master has also looked at me."