Therefore, when Ouyang Ming returned with the medicine chest, he saw Gu Jinâan standing there looking weak but forcing himself to stand tall.
Ouyang Ming thought, this scholarâs shoulder must be really painful, feeling quite guilty, he immediately dismounted and took out the ointment from the medicine chest, handing it to Gu Jinâan: "Quickly apply it, itâll hurt less in thirty minutes."
Gu Jinâan smiled, the girl was indeed concerned.
He took the ointment, and said gently: "Thank you, benefactor, for going through the trouble."
Ouyang Ming was stunned, why did the address change from girl to benefactor?
"You should just address me as girl, no need to call me benefactor."
But Gu Jinâan was somewhat troubled and said: "I donât know your surname, addressing benefactor simply as girl seems a bit disrespectful."
He then made a gesture of respect towards her: "I am Gu Jinâan, a student from Da Feng Village, Qingfu Town, Tianfu County in Heâan Prefecture. I am on my way to Linhe Prefecture to take the college examination. May I ask the girlâs noble surname?"
He didnât ask for her given name, so he wasnât being improper.
Gu Jinâanâs question was straightforward, which did not offend Ouyang Ming, who already felt some guilt towards him, and she replied: "My improper surname is Ouyang."
"So itâs Miss Ouyang." Gu Jinâan was delighted to hear this. The surname Ouyang with the accompaniment of Shadow Guards certainly indicated she was a lady from a noble family. Throughout Great Chu, such a grand presence was only associated with Mr. Ouyang Huâs family.
Knowing Ouyang Mingâs identity, Gu Jinâan was very pleased, his smile deepened, but he was restrained and quickly said: "Thank you, Miss Ouyang, Iâll go apply the medicine now."
Saying this, he turned and left, hiding behind the overturned mule cart to lift his clothes and apply the ointment to his arm.
He wasnât being squeamish as a man; he did this out of respect for Ouyang Ming, as undressing in front of someone elseâs girl would not be appropriate.
After applying the ointment, Gu Jinâan went to help Scholar Shang bandage Scholar Quâs wound.
Scholar Shang asked: "Were you hit silly? Why are you acting a bit strange?"
Previously he was afraid of getting entangled with girls, avoiding women whenever he saw them, and would rather die than talk to them without necessity. But today he seemed to actively seek conversation.
Gu Jinâan blushed a little, denying: "Master has misunderstood, I am normal."
Scholar Shang was taken aback, then looking at Gu Jinâanâs slightly red face, he thought he looked like someone experiencing first love but trying hard to restrain himself. Could it be that he has... taken a liking to this girl?
Scholar Shang laughed, feeling gratified, good fellow, finally learning to pursue a girl: "Well, if itâs as I think, then thatâs indeed normal."
Previously Scholar Shang worried that his disciple, who was too good-looking and avoided women intensely, might... But now he was relieved.
Just...
"Her status and position are probably not ordinary, you should be aware of that."
He shouldnât get too deeply involved, or else he might hurt himself later.
Gu Jinâan nodded, and said: "Yes, I understand, Master, rest assured."
Although their statuses were worlds apart, he still wanted to try hard, as she was the girl closest to his ideal wife. If he gave up without trying, he would regret it.
Even if after all his efforts he still couldnât marry her properly, he wouldnât persist, nor would he let this matter affect him for a lifetime. There were numerous things one encounters in life; he wouldnât let this one be the end of him.
Scholar Shang felt reassured after hearing this, and the two quickly helped bandage up Scholar Qu.
After Scholar Qu thanked them, he pulled Good Brother An over to check on Qu Wenliang: "Good Brother An, your family is acquainted with Doctor Wu, you know about medicine, take a look at Wenliang, he canât have anything happen to his hand."
Gu Jinâan said: "Uncle Qu rest assured, Iâve already checked Brother Wenliang, he hasnât injured his bone, itâs just that his arm was cut by a piece of wood from the broken mule cart. As long as thereâs no infection or fever, itâll be fine."
Scholar Qu trusted Gu Jinâan, and upon hearing this he felt much more at ease, and he asked Qu Wenliang how he was feeling.
Seeing that everything was fine here, Gu Jinâan went over to check on Xu Zhao Ming and Elder Xu, handing a calming pill to Elder Xu: "The bandits have been captured, donât worry, take this pill, it will help you sleep without being startled at night."
Xu Zhao Ming quickly took the pill and gave it to his grandfather.
Seeing Xu Zhao Mingâs face drained of color, unable to look at the banditsâ corpses, Gu Jinâan also gave him a pill: "Brother Zhao Ming, take one too."
"Ah, th-thank you." Xu Zhao Ming stammered, clearly shaken by the dayâs events.
Lv Bai was even more useless; seeing the bandits being hacked to death, he fainted in fright, and Yao Youqian was kneeling beside him, trying to revive him by pressing his philtrum. With difficulty, he woke him, but as soon as he turned his head and saw the Shadow Guards cleaning up the remains, with a howl, he fainted again.
Gu Jinâan said: "Brother Yao, letâs carry him to the mule cart, otherwise, he might faint again."
"Yes." Yao Youqian responded, and with Gu Jinâan carried Lv Bai onto the mule cart.
After giving Yao Youqian two calming pills, Gu Jinâan went back to help He Jinseng, who couldnât walk: "Brother Jin Sheng, donât be afraid, those bandits have been captured."
He Jinseng nodded and said: "Iâm not afraid."
But as soon as he finished speaking, he bent over and retched.
At this moment, He Jinseng finally understood his grandfatherâs efforts to associate with Good Brother An. Traveling for the exams truly was not peaceful. Having grown up without ever seeing so many corpses, it was unbearable.
Once He Jinseng finished retching, Gu Jinâan supported him onto the mule cart, gave him a pill, and then ran to help the Ouyang familyâs Shadow Guards.
Seeing the situation, Ouyang Ming was impressed that this scholar was quite brave, as he wasnât afraid of corpses. However, Ouyang Ming couldnât stay long, as Mrs. Han, having learned the bandits were captured, came to escort her back to the carriage.
Girls had to adhere to propriety and couldnât continue staying amongst a group of men.
Gu Jinâan felt a bit disappointed, but he understood that there were strict rules for women, so he put the thought aside and continued helping with the cleanup.
More than an hour later, County Magistrate Chen from the nearby county rushed over with all the government officers. Seeing the banditsâ corpses, he sighed in relief.
Success, then the Miss from the Ouyang family must be unharmed.
County Magistrate Chen expressed his gratitude to the Ouyang family repeatedly, then said: "I am at fault for letting the bandits disturb Miss Ouyangâs carriage. May I meet Miss Ouyang to apologize personally?"
The Shadow Guard replied: "No need to meet, the Third Miss said she is just a girl from a noble family, not a court official, and dares not meet Lord County Magistrate. Just please have the officers patrol more along the roads to protect the examinees traveling for the exams."
Hearing this, County Magistrate Chen felt anxious. The Ouyang familyâs Ouyang Hong was a veteran official in the court, and Ouyang Hu was a renowned scholar throughout Great Chu. If the girl from his jurisdiction got into danger, and he didnât personally apologize to Miss Ouyang, she might complain to Ouyang Hong or Ouyang Hu, and the Ouyang family would hold him accountable.
Noticing County Magistrate Chenâs concern, the Shadow Guard said: "County Magistrate Chen can rest assured; todayâs matter will only bring you merit, not trouble."
He continued: "The Ouyang familyâs housekeeper has already reported to the Prefecture garrison, County Magistrate Chen can wait here until the soldiers arrive to escort the bandits away."
"You informed the Prefecture garrison too?" County Magistrate Chen was displeased; involving the Prefecture garrison made the matter difficult to handle.