Chapter 180 - 172: Meng Nan’s Hand Tendons Are Severed
Chapter 180: Chapter 172: Meng Nan’s Hand Tendons Are Severed
Seeing the two of them chatting so cheerfully, Bai Zhi was all smiles. This irritated Hu Feng, whose face darkened as he frowned and said, "Are you two done? Don’t we have business to attend to?"
Bai Zhi gave the Government Official an awkward smile. "Sorry to trouble you to lead the way again."
The Government Official chuckled. "It’s my duty. Don’t mention it. Let’s go."
The Government Official led Bai Zhi and Hu Feng into the government office, taking the same path as last time straight to Meng Nan’s courtyard.
Just like last time, the Jin guard was standing ramrod straight in the courtyard, his eyes fixed on a corner. With a grim expression, he seemed to be lost in thought.
"Jin guard, Miss Bai is here to visit Lord Meng!" the Government Official called out from the entrance without going in.
Upon hearing this, the grim-faced Jin guard’s eyes immediately lit up. He rushed to the courtyard gate and, sure enough, saw Bai Zhi and Hu Feng standing behind the Government Official.
"Miss Bai, you’re really here?" the Jin guard exclaimed, looking at Bai Zhi with a pleasantly surprised expression, as if he were seeing a long-lost relative.
Bai Zhi smiled and asked, "So surprised to see me? How is Brother Meng?"
The Jin guard’s expression darkened instantly. "Not good at all. I wanted to find you ages ago, but my lord wouldn’t allow it."
"Not good at all? Didn’t you say it was just a superficial wound?" Her gaze shot to Hu Feng.
Hu Feng shrugged. "That’s what he said himself. I didn’t lie to you."
The Jin guard quickly interjected, "Hu Feng isn’t lying. At first, my lord also thought it was just a superficial wound. But after the doctor examined him, he said... he said—"
"Said what?" Bai Zhi’s expression suddenly turned grim.
The Jin guard sighed, the rims of his eyes turning red. "He said the tendons in my lord’s hand were severed by the bite, and that it’s incurable."
Bai Zhi’s expression faltered. Even Hu Feng frowned. Meng Nan was a martial artist, and for someone who practiced martial arts, having the tendons in one’s hand severed was a devastating blow.
Without another word, Bai Zhi rushed into the courtyard and straight into the main hall. The hall was empty. To the right, a beaded curtain hanging over a small doorway that led to the back courtyard was still swaying gently.
The Jin guard said, "That’s strange. My lord was just here a moment ago."
Bai Zhi headed straight for the beaded curtain, lifted it, and entered. The back courtyard contained the living quarters for Meng Nan and the Jin guard. It was a typical courtyard-style residence with three wing-rooms to the south, east, and west. Naturally, Meng Nan occupied the south wing, which was the largest, most spacious, and received the most light.
A pair of tall boots sat outside the door to the south wing—the same brocade boots with an embroidered bamboo pattern that Meng Nan always wore.
The door was shut tight, and the half-curtain hanging on it was still swaying slightly.
The Jin guard hurried to Meng Nan’s door and called out, "My lord, Miss Bai is here to see you."
Meng Nan’s hoarse voice came from inside. "I’m tired. Tell her to go home. I’ll go see her some other day when I have time."
The Jin guard opened his mouth to speak, but he didn’t know what to say. ’My lord has been so dejected these past few days, barely even speaking. I’ve never seen him like this before.’
Bai Zhi stepped up beside the Jin guard and spoke to the closed door. "Brother Meng, open up. I brought the egg pancakes you like."
Meng Nan replied, "Please, just go home. I don’t have an appetite today. Thank you for the thought."
Bai Zhi tried again. "Brother Meng, have you forgotten? I’m a very capable doctor. I can treat injuries that other doctors can’t."
The Jin guard nodded eagerly. "Yes, exactly! My lord, just let Miss Bai take a look. Maybe she can actually heal you!"
Silence fell in the room, as if he hadn’t heard them at all.