Chapter Six: A Lesson Learned

Song Qingcheng gave her instructions, turning a deaf ear to the frantic cries of the elderly couple. With lives at stake, she had no time to slowly prove herself to them.

After a few deft maneuvers, a large piece of rice cake was dislodged from the child's throat. The child slowly regained consciousness, reaching out toward his parents with a sob, "Father... Mother..."

Seeing their child revived, the elderly couple abandoned their anger. Shoving aside the subordinates holding them, they pulled the child into their arms, weeping, "Oh, Cao'er, as long as you're safe, my life's treasure!"

By then, a physician had arrived to assist in checking the child's condition. Song Qingcheng did not linger; she pulled Shen Runzhi away. Behind them, their subordinates dragged along the man who had been mouthing off, intent on teaching him a lesson.

Shen Runzhi looked back. "You aren't waiting for the couple's gratitude?"

Song Qingcheng shook her head lightly. "Cousin, you jest. They likely despise me; why would they ever thank me?"

She had acted only to save a life, nothing more. As long as the boy was safe, the rest—the tears and the gratitude—was of no consequence.

As they wandered further into a secluded corner, Song Qingcheng finally realized their path. "Cousin, where are we going?"

Shen Runzhi turned his head, his ice-cold eyes glinting with a hint of a smile. "To exact revenge for you."

Their subordinates brought the man forward. The man with the mole beneath his nose was kicked to the ground, kneeling before Song Qingcheng. She turned to face him, not stepping aside.

"So it’s you," she said, circling him. "The one who claimed women should only concern themselves with husbands and children and were incapable of learning medicine. No matter, those with narrow horizons are always like this. One simply needs to provide proof."

The man with the mole begged for mercy. "I was wrong, Miss. I was blind and failed to recognize true greatness. Seeing your medical skill just now has made me realize how shallow my own knowledge was." He was a man who knew how to bend when necessary.

Song Qingcheng took a step back, her gaze fixed on his legs. "What use is mere talk? Let me treat you myself, so you can truly appreciate the depth of my skill."

She gestured, and the subordinates broke his leg. The man let out a shrill, agonizing scream, but they were in a secluded spot, far from any passersby.

Though a healer, Song Qingcheng was no soft-hearted woman. For someone who constantly belittled women, reasoning was useless; he needed to suffer the pain to learn his lesson.

Once the leg was broken, the man clutched it, howling in pain. Song Qingcheng opened her medical kit and applied the most stinging medication she had to his leg, wrapping it up like a bundle.

Shen Runzhi leaned against the wall, eyes lowered, watching the focused and absorbed Song Qingcheng. A look of admiration crossed his face; in the years she had been away, she had truly grown.

After finishing, Song Qingcheng patted the injury. "Well? How is this woman's medical skill? I haven't ruined your leg, have I?"

The man with the mole nodded frantically, gritting his teeth against the pain. "Excellent! You are a divine doctor reborn. No one can compare to you. My leg doesn't even hurt anymore!"

Song Qingcheng smiled with satisfaction. "Good, as long as it doesn't hurt. I’ll give you a piece of advice: do not remove this dressing for three days, or the leg will never heal properly. Here is the prescription; brew three doses a day for the next three days." She wore an expression of guileless innocence, though it was all a trap.

She had already set the bone properly; the heavy wooden splints were merely to ensure he remembered the experience. As for the medicine, it was nothing but the most bitter, tonic herbs—intended to wash out his foul mouth.

"Yes... thank you, Divine Doctor. May I leave now?" the man asked weakly.

Song Qingcheng picked up her kit and rose. "Get out."

The man limped away. Song Qingcheng tidied her kit and handed it to Taohong. She met Shen Runzhi’s profound gaze, then quickly looked away, flustered. "Cousin, let’s head back."

"If Yaoyao is tired, then let us return." Shen Runzhi stepped aside, offering her the rabbit lantern. Song Qingcheng took it and walked past him.

As a strand of her hair brushed his fingertips, Shen Runzhi’s eyes darkened for a moment. He walked behind her, hands clasped behind his back.

As they wove through the bustling crowd, Shen Runzhi’s eyes remained fixed on her. Unable to bear the intensity of his gaze, Song Qingcheng slowed her pace to walk beside him.

"Cousin, did you send word to Wang Meng and the others that we were leaving early?" she asked, suddenly remembering.

"I have already sent someone."

"Qingcheng! So you haven't left yet. I was worried you wouldn't get to see what I prepared." The Crown Prince suddenly appeared, walking toward her with a gentle smile.

Wang Meng followed behind, clutching her peach-blossom lantern, looking dejected as she watched the interaction between the Crown Prince and Song Qingcheng.

"I see," Song Qingcheng said, finding it hard to refuse. "Since you went to such trouble, we certainly shouldn't miss it. Cousin, Miss Wang, let's go."

"Yes, of course," Wang Meng said, rallying her spirits.

Shen Runzhi nodded with a smile, while the Crown Prince remained composed, gesturing toward their destination. "After you, ladies."

They reached a high terrace. Looking down, Song Qingcheng saw the lit lanterns, which presented a unique and beautiful view from the heights.

The Crown Prince stood beside her and pointed. "Look, Qingcheng."

A moment later, numerous sky lanterns drifted into the air. As they rose higher, faint characters became visible on them, though they were too far to read clearly.

The Crown Prince whispered, "When I heard you had returned to the capital, I had these prepared. You always loved releasing sky lanterns; they are filled with blessings for you."

Song Qingcheng looked at him in surprise. How could he know she loved sky lanterns? But her love for them was not for herself; it was to honor her parents.

Sky lanterns could soar high, reaching closer to the heavens than anything else. Whenever she had words in her heart, she would write them down and send them into the sky.

"How did you know I liked releasing them?" In her memories, she had never spent time with him; any connection in her previous life had been a mere accident.

"I was fortunate enough to meet you at a certain moment, and that one glance..." The Crown Prince drifted into his memories.

Behind them, Shen Runzhi’s eyes shifted as he watched Song Qingcheng. He flicked his hand, and a sky lantern drifted toward them, its candle flickering as if about to set the thin paper ablaze.

The sudden mishap interrupted the Prince. Shen Runzhi stepped forward, hooked his arm around Song Qingcheng’s waist, and pulled her back, away from the Prince and into his own space.

He looked at her with satisfaction. "These lanterns are hard to control, Yaoyao. You should be careful."

"Thank you, Cousin."

The Crown Prince waved his sleeves to brush off the falling ash. The wayward lantern had landed on him, but fortunately, the fire had gone out, preventing a disaster.

Shen Runzhi tilted his head, feigning indifference. "A pity about the lantern, to be burned like that."

His tone was innocent, showing no hint that he was the mastermind behind the incident.

The Crown Prince could barely suppress his anger, shaking the ash from his clothes. "It is no pity. I have prepared another one; we can simply use that."

A fresh lantern was brought forward. The Crown Prince adjusted his composure, returning to his gentle demeanor, and smiled at Song Qingcheng. "Come, Qingcheng. I heard that if two people write their wishes together and release the lantern, their wishes will come true."

Song Qingcheng felt a surge of pressure. She had no feelings for the Crown Prince and wanted to avoid any misunderstanding, so she prepared to refuse him directly.