mtl008 Chapter 424 Choi Ji-ho's Heartache
Chapter 424 Choi Ji-ho's Heartache
Choi Ji-ho sat on the footboard outside the carriage, letting the cold rain lash his body, yet he felt no chill at all.
He could clearly hear the subtle sounds coming from inside the carriage, the doctor's soft sighs, and the occasional suppressed groans from Shi Wanxia.
Every sound felt like a needle piercing his heart, making him wish he could take all her pain upon himself.
He reached out and gently pressed his hand against the carriage wall, as if this would bring him closer to her and give her a bit of strength.
Rainwater slid down his cheeks, indistinguishable from rain or something else, leaving only a cool sensation.
Shen Yanzhou sat in another carriage, lifting the curtain to look thoughtfully at the figure standing guard outside the carriage in the rain.
He had known Choi Ji-ho for many years and had never seen him care so much about anyone before.
Shi Wanxia... What magic does this seemingly delicate woman possess that makes the usually aloof Third Young Master Cui so concerned?
The rain was still falling, the night was getting darker, and the scenery on both sides of the road was rushing past.
The carriage sped through the darkness, carrying worries, concerns, and a growing, unwavering affection that had quietly blossomed amidst the storms of life, heading towards the unknown future.
Everyone was praying in their hearts, hoping to reach the town quickly and that Shi Wanxia would be safe and sound.
Choi Ji-ho leaned against the carriage wall, his gaze fixed firmly ahead, with only one thought in his mind: Wanwan, wait for me, we'll be there soon.
Choi Ji-ho's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, and his gaze unconsciously drifted towards the carriage, his eyes almost overflowing with longing.
But he shook his head in the end, quickly walked to the footboard on the outside of the carriage and sat down, leaning against the carriage wall, but did not step into the carriage.
Seeing this, Shen Yanzhou understood.
This Cui Zhihao truly values Shi Wanxia's reputation more than anything else.
Even though he was worried to the point of madness, he was unwilling to enter the women's carriage in broad daylight and under the watchful eyes of everyone, lest he tarnish her reputation.
This restraint and respect are more precious than any sweet words.
"Set off immediately!"
Shen Yanzhou no longer hesitated and gave the order in a deep voice.
"Hurry and ride straight to the nearest town post station. We'll find medicine and a doctor there!"
"Yes!" the drivers replied in unison, quickly whipping the cart to speed up.
The wheels turned, rolling over the muddy road with a rumbling sound.
The carriage slowly drove away through the rain, heading towards the distant lights.
As dusk settled, the dusty official road finally came into view, revealing a drab post station.
The cart wheels rolled over the last stretch of uneven dirt road, making a dull thud, before slowly coming to a stop in the open space in front of the post station.
Cui Yu'an was the first to jump off the carriage shaft, neatly straightened his clothes which had been ruffled by the wind, and then turned around to direct the guards to unload the carriage and move the luggage.
"Move the young lady's trunk to the east wing first, be careful, it contains fragile items."
He raised his voice to give the order, his gaze sweeping over the people who were getting off another carriage, finally settling on Cui Jiu.
"Have those rooms in the backyard been tidied up? The grain and medicinal herbs need to be carefully counted and stored away. We need to check the numbers tonight."
"Don't worry, young master, I've already spoken to the postmaster."
Cui Jiu patted the money pouch at his waist, his face showing a hint of competence.
"I've already had my servants unload everything into the backyard. I'll go take inventory now. As for Miss Wang..."
"I'm fine here."
Wang Jinqian spoke softly. She had just been helped out of the carriage by her maid. Although her lake-blue dress was a little dusty, it still couldn't hide the gentle and graceful demeanor of a lady from a noble family.
She nodded slightly and said to Cui Yu'an and Cui Jiu, "Thank you for your trouble in making these arrangements. My maid and I will rest in the room for a while, so please don't worry about us."
Cui Yu'an nodded in agreement, gave the guards a few more instructions, and then walked with Cui Jiu to the backyard.
As dusk deepened, several large boxes were already piled up in the open space in the backyard, and the post station's servants were holding oil lamps to help provide light.
The dim light cast flickering shadows on the boxes, and the hushed conversations as they counted the boxes added a touch of life to this desolate post station.
However, the atmosphere in the guest rooms in the front yard was far less peaceful than in the back yard.
Choi Jiho carefully held the person in his arms, his steps so light as if afraid of disturbing something.
The girl lay quietly in his arms, her long eyelashes still covered with fine dust. Her usually sharp eyes were now tightly closed, and her pale face looked even more fragile in the dim light.
When she was helped down from the carriage, she almost fell over. Cui Zhihao almost instinctively reached out and pulled her into his arms. When he touched her burning skin and slightly trembling body, his heart tightened for no reason.
He carried her through the corridor, avoiding the people passing by, and went straight into the west wing that had been prepared in advance.
Pushing open the door, a faint musty smell mixed with the scent of old wood wafted out. The postmaster had already lit the candlesticks on the table, and the flickering candlelight illuminated the room in an alternating pattern.
Cui Zhihao gently placed Miss Shi on the bed, his movements as tender as if he were handling a rare treasure.
Only then, by the flickering candlelight, did he truly see her face, and his heart sank.
The once elegant light blue dress she wore was now tattered and torn, with long cuts on the hem and cuffs from tree branches, revealing faint purplish bruises on her exposed skin.
Even more shocking was the dark red bloodstains mixed with the dust on their clothes; some of the blood had dried and turned black, while some still seemed to be warm.
His exposed arms and neck were covered with fine scratches and bloodstains, clearly indicating that he had experienced a considerable bump and bruise.
Choi Ji-ho's brows furrowed instantly, and his knuckles clenched unconsciously.
He recalled the rugged mountain road during the day, which was extremely bumpy. At the time, he only heard her groan once, but now it seemed that she had endured it all the way to the post station.
He reached out, wanting to brush the dust off her cheeks, but stopped abruptly just as his fingertips were about to touch her skin.
Looking at the small but clear bloodstain on her cheekbone, his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.
He had never seen her in such a disheveled state before.
In the past, she always stood tall with clear eyes, as if nothing could defeat her. But now, her vulnerability, stripped of all defenses, was like a needle, gently pricking his heart.
"You need to change into clean clothes."
Choi Ji-ho muttered to himself, his gaze falling on her tattered clothes before he awkwardly looked away.
He turned to call a maid for help, but as soon as he reached the door, he heard soft footsteps and hushed voices outside.
He stopped and reached out to open the door.
Standing outside the door was Wang Jinqian, with a personal maid carrying a bundle beside her.
Upon seeing Cui Zhihao suddenly open the door, Wang Jinqian was clearly taken aback for a moment, but quickly regained her composure and curtsied slightly: "Third Young Master Cui."
"Why is Miss Wang here?" Cui Zhihao asked, somewhat surprised.
"Lord Shi's injuries are quite serious. I thought I might be able to help, so I brought my maid to take a look."
Wang Jinqian raised her head, her gaze gentle and open. "I am Wang Jinqian, daughter of the Langya Wang Clan. I have come to inquire about Lord Shi's injuries. If you do not mind, I will have a maid help Lord Shi change into some clean clothes."
Only then did Cui Zhihao notice the bundle in the maid's hand, which must have contained Wang Jinqian's own clothes.