Shen Jianqing truly didn’t lie; that afternoon, he brought a Miao man.
The Miao man was about fifty years old, looking to be around my father’s age, but his face was full of the vicissitudes of life, crisscrossed with wrinkles. His dark skin had a yellowish tinge, the look of someone who had labored for many years. He carried a bamboo-woven basket slung over his shoulder.
Beside him, Wan Ying also followed.
She actually came too.
The Miao man set down the bamboo basket and took out tools for bone setting. I felt a faint fear in my heart as I watched, but compared to being completely crippled, what was a little physical pain?
Shen Jianqing stood outside the door, not yet having entered, and Wan Ying turned to say something to him.
Shen Jianqing’s expression was grim; he looked at Wan Ying without emotion, while she met his gaze calmly.
Although I couldn’t understand the Miao language, I could feel the disharmonious atmosphere between them.
After a long while, Shen Jianqing was the first to look away. He took two or three steps to my side and said in a soft voice, “I have some things to attend to; I’ll be back in a bit. Don’t be afraid, it won’t hurt much. I’ll bring you glutinous rice cakes and honey fruit when I return.”
My back was stiff and straight, and I nodded. Meeting Shen Jianqing’s eyes, a strange feeling suddenly arose within me. Never, since I was small, had anyone comforted me like this. My parents believed in a strong and independent upbringing; I was never allowed to cry if I fell or got hurt. If I cried from pain, my father would sternly scold me, deeming crying to be a very “unmanly” behavior.
Over time, I naturally developed the habit of not showing fear or pain. But Shen Jianqing, he actually saw my fear.
Shen Jianqing smiled and squeezed my hand, then turned back to say something to the old Miao man. The old Miao man nodded repeatedly, and only then did Shen Jianqing leave with peace of mind.
The old Miao man lowered his eyes, not looking at me, and diligently began his work.
Actually, although the process was painful, it was still within my tolerance. In a short while, the old Miao man held my foot with both hands. With a “crack!” I gritted my teeth in pain, cold sweat trickling down my forehead, but finally felt my ankle, which had been dislocated for several days, return to its normal position.
Soon, the old Miao man applied a dark green herbal paste, clamped on wooden splints, and wrapped them layer by layer with grass rope to prevent them from loosening.
“Whew—” After doing all this, he let out a long sigh and wiped away sweat.
I turned to Wan Ying and said, “Could you thank him for me?”
Wan Ying shrugged noncommittally.
I was puzzled, but then I saw the Miao man pack up his bamboo basket, and suddenly he turned and knelt before me!
Why is he kneeling towards me?!
I was both surprised and alarmed, quickly propping myself up on my right foot, wanting to help him up. But the old Miao man repeatedly shook his head, his weathered face full of entreaty, tears welling up in his cloudy eyes, and he mumbled words I couldn’t understand.
“What’s wrong with you! Get up! You…”
I pulled at him, but he wouldn’t move, still pouring out something from his mouth. I had lived for twenty-one years and had never experienced someone kneeling before me. I was so flustered I didn’t know what to do. Finally, I had no choice but to ask Wan Ying for help.
Wan Ying sighed and said, “Only you can help with this.”
I said, “First, get him to stand up. If I can help, I definitely will.”
Wan Ying stepped forward and supported him, saying something to the old Miao man. The old Miao man indeed stopped his tears and, following Wan Ying’s strength, stood up.
I finally breathed a sigh of relief; having someone kneel before me felt so awkward: “What exactly happened?”
Wan Ying stammered, “Last, night, Shen Jianqing and his men, have already, pursued and brought back, the traitor from the village. According to, the village’s rules, the traitor, should be, exiled into the Gu Insects Forest.”
What does that have to do with me?
Seeing my bewildered expression, Wan Ying explained, “The traitor, Ah Song, is Uncle Lu Qi’s son, his only son.”
No wonder he looked so sad; it turns out the traitor was his son.
Wan Ying paused, then added, “And he betrayed, because of your companions.”
The moment Wan Ying finished speaking, my heart jolted.
He did it for Qiu Lu, Wen Lingyu, and them?
I grabbed Wan Ying’s wrist. “What happened to my companions?”
Wan Ying frowned, and I belatedly realized my abruptness, awkwardly letting go of her hand. Wan Ying said, “Specifically, I don’t know. They, only brought back, Ah Song. Perhaps, they have already, left.”
Is that so? That’s wonderful!
If they leave, they’ll surely bring people back to find me!
“Earlier, Shen Jianqing said they were afflicted with some kind of Gu insects…” I was even worried.
Wan Ying lowered her eyelids, hiding the expression in her eyes. “That, I wouldn’t know.”
I asked, “Then what can I do?”
Wan Ying said, “Once you enter the Gu Insects Forest, death is certain. Unless the leader, or the next leader, agrees to release them.”
“Isn’t the leader your grandfather?”
Wan Ying shook her head. “My grandfather is old; he no longer, participates in many matters. He has given full authority, over this matter to, Shen Jianqing.”
I was stunned and asked, “Shen Jianqing is the next leader?”
“Yes.”
My doubts were finally answered. That’s why the Miao people looked at him with both reverence and apprehension, it was because his status was indeed extraordinary. I just hadn’t expected Shen Jianqing to be so young, and there were many able-bodied young men in the Miao village, so how did he become the chosen successor?
Wan Ying said, “Uncle Lu Qi is very, pitiful; he only has this one son. And Ah Song, was trying to save your companions. If not for you all, Ah Song wouldn’t have fled and betrayed. Li Yuze, you cannot refuse to help.”
I had never imagined that our arrival would bring so many complications to this peaceful Miao village. Nor had I thought it would alter the fates of so many people.
Lu Qi’s aged eyelids drooped, his eyes filled with supplication. I suddenly felt envious of Ah Song; at least his father was willing to kneel before a stranger to save his life.
And Wan Ying’s words undoubtedly put me on the spot. If I didn’t help, I would be truly heartless.
“I’m willing to help with this. But I’m not sure I can convince Shen Jianqing.” I said softly.
Wan Ying’s brows immediately relaxed, revealing her first smile since entering the room. She stated with certainty, “If even you can’t convince him, then no one can.”
Wan Ying then turned and said something to Lu Qi, likely explaining that I had agreed. As expected, as soon as she finished, Lu Qi made to kneel again, but Wan Ying and I stopped him together.
“The execution is, at noon tomorrow. You absolutely must act quickly.” Wan Ying said, her narrow eyes fixed on me, advising me earnestly.
And in Lu Qi’s hopeful gaze, it seemed as if a thousand words were contained.
I averted my gaze, nodded, and they soon left.
