“Beg you?”

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Yin Zijian pressed his knees against the horse’s belly, and the tall, magnificent steed immediately surged forward, charging into the curtain of rain.

The autumn wind swept the rain head-on, chilling and sharp, yet the robust man’s chest burned with heat.

“Where are you taking me?” Tong Youyu instinctively reached out to touch the back of his hand but quickly withdrew, sensing something was amiss.

He held the reins with both hands, encircling her waist as if embracing her; no matter how she moved, it all felt far too intimate.

Yin Zijian replied, “I have a residence in Wantai Lane. We’ll go there first.”

Having been soaked by the rain, she indeed needed to freshen up. Returning immediately would be too cold, and it was impossible to travel far in the downpour.

Tong Youyu agreed, then asked, “Did you encounter Jin Kui?”

Otherwise, how could he have found her so coincidentally and known about her seeking medical help?

Yin Zijian had indeed met Jin Kui. The young maid was quite anxious and sought his assistance.

Upon hearing that Tong Youyu had come here to queue for a doctor, he guessed what was going on.

He lowered his voice and asked, “I said I’m not ill, yet you insisted on finding a doctor for me?”

Tong Youyu hurriedly said, “Please don’t be angry.”

“Thanks to you, I’m less angry now,” Yin Zijian snorted coldly.

Tong Youyu shrank into his cloak and whispered, “I didn’t tell anyone. I admire the General’s abilities and wouldn’t presumptuously pity you… I just hoped to help a little.”

“Hmm.” Sincere, but he was far from pleased.

She added, “Being overly meddlesome is annoying. If Dr. Lu can’t solve this, I won’t bring it up again.”

“You queued all morning?” Yin Zijian asked.

“Not that long, just over an hour,” Tong Youyu shook her head.

Unseen by her, the man above wore a slightly twisted expression and said with curiosity, “How did you describe my symptoms to the doctor?”

“General, rest assured, I said Sister has a large tumor, which won’t affect your reputation. Even if Dr. Lu finds the patient’s gender doesn’t match, I didn’t appear with you, so he can’t confirm you know each other. No rumors will spread.”

Tong Youyu had thought it through carefully before seeking medical advice.

“You’re quite meticulous,” Yin Zijian remarked with a semblance of praise.

If she hadn’t cleverly altered the gender, perhaps Dr. Lu would have told her the man probably didn’t have a tumor.

Thinking of this, his brow furrowed sharply. “Doctors don’t discriminate by gender, but not everything is appropriate to tell you. You must not go again.”

Tong Youyu nodded. “I have no reason to go again. The General can go himself; that doctor is quite skilled.”

“Tong Youyu,” he suddenly called her name, lowering his head close to her ear beneath the cloak, “one day, you will regret your kindness today.”

“What?”

His deep, pleasant voice made her ear tingle. Tong Youyu was puzzled, “Why would regret be so serious?”

Yin Zijian half-smiled, “People regret their own foolishness deeply, too late to turn back.”

His words left her confused, her eyes full of bewilderment and a hint of displeasure.

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Tong Youyu yanked down the cloak covering her head and looked back at him, her soft, pale cheeks puffed in anger. “The General says I meant well, yet calls me foolish.”

Ungrateful enough, but to insult her too?

“If I say it, you must admit it.” Yin Zijian unsympathetically pressed her head back down and covered her with the cloak again.

The rain wasn’t heavy, but the cloak was hardly waterproof and was already soaked through. Fortunately, the residence was not far, and they had arrived.

This house was usually unoccupied, only a few servants stayed to clean and guard it, keeping it quite tidy.

Jin Kui had already been sent here by A Jiang. The housekeeper, Old Yao, knowing the General was bringing someone to shelter from the rain, had prepared hot water and warming ginger tea, which came in handy now.

Tong Youyu was lifted from the horse by Yin Zijian, drenched, her figure fully revealed.

He didn’t look at her but immediately wrapped her tightly in the cloak from head to toe.

Turning to Old Yao, he said, “Mind your tongue.”

Old Yao had been with the Yin family for years, holding this easy position only by the master’s favor, and knew her limits well.

“General, rest assured, no one dares gossip. This old servant will take Miss Tong inside to bathe and change.”

Yin Zijian nodded and instructed A Jiang, “Bring Second Miss here.”

A young lady changing clothes here risked scandal if any detail leaked. If Ming Yan was here, it would be much easier.

A Jiang immediately drove the carriage to fetch her.

Tong Youyu felt guilty. “It’s too much trouble for the General and Second Miss.”

But she couldn’t refuse; stepping out of his embrace made her shiver uncontrollably.

The late autumn rain was bitterly cold, and she risked catching a chill, with bitter medicines awaiting her.

Inside the residence, it was not large but quaint and refined, with a crabapple tree in the courtyard.

Jin Kui helped her bathe and change, then gave her two full bowls of spicy ginger tea to ward off the cold.

As she wrung out her hair and prepared to dress, Yin Mingyan arrived.

Hearing the noise outside, Jin Kui smiled, “The General is thoughtful, even inviting Miss Yin along.”

“Aunt treats me well; that’s why he shows respect,” Tong Youyu replied, unlike before when he looked fierce and ready to confront her.

“If you ask me, the General isn’t as frightening as the Eldest Young Master,” Jin Kui said with a puckered mouth, “This kind of pestering is a disgrace to his scholar’s reputation. If your Aunt knew, she’d be furious.”

“That’s why I won’t let Aunt know; she’s very concerned with appearances,” Tong Youyu looked back at her and warned, “I will tell Grandmother, but you must not say a word, especially about the General, to avoid misunderstandings.”

Jin Kui nodded immediately. “Don’t worry, Miss. If I didn’t know the feud between you and the General, I might have misunderstood too. No outsiders must know.”

No matter how liberal the customs, some things just don’t bear public gossip, especially for a lady’s reputation.

Tong Youyu finished preparing and stepped out; Yin Mingyan was drinking tea outside.

Her expression was meaningful as she said, “Tong, am I going to have to change how I address you?”

“What?” Tong Youyu looked up.

Yin Mingyan cleared her throat, put down her cup, and approached with a solemn bow. “I apologize for offending you before. I hope you won’t hold a grudge against your sister.”

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Tong Youyu glanced toward Yin Zijian but saw no sign of Madam Yin; she had even called her sister.

Confused by Yin Mingyan’s sudden change in attitude, she was already linking arms with her as Mingyan said, “Please forgive me. I’m fiercely protective. From now on, your matters are mine, and I’d do anything for you.”

“...That’s unnecessary.” She was completely puzzled.

Yin Zijian showed no expression. “I brought you here today, so I owe you one. But your mouth...”

“I haven’t said anything!” Yin Mingyan looked wronged.

Of course, she had hinted to their mother a little, and their mother immediately guessed.

With their mother watching, the daughter-in-law wouldn’t escape. Otherwise, her brother with the scowling face and stubborn mouth might just drive her away.

Yin Mingyan sighed, “You always say I can’t keep my mouth shut. Apparently, I stole my brother’s ability to speak while still in the womb.”

Yin Zijian raised an eyelid coldly, “I’m not mute.”

“Fine, fine. I’m just here today to be a tool.” She knew exactly what was going on.

They agreed on their story: Yin Mingyan had invited Tong Youyu out shopping, got delayed by rain, and would later escort Tong Youyu back to the Shen family and explain the change of clothes.

Tong Youyu was naturally grateful.

Old Yao knocked on the door, bringing in a plate of osmanthus cakes, smiling, “It’s rare for the young ladies to come. The autumn wind has scattered many osmanthus blossoms; they smell wonderful.”

“The scent is lovely. Grandma, your cooking is excellent!” Yin Mingyan, suddenly hungry, rushed over.

Yin Zijian turned to look down at Tong Youyu. “If you have any difficulties, you can ask me for help. The price is agreeing to one condition.”

“Ask you?” She had no desire to rely on anyone.

Yin Zijian snorted coldly, “Don’t you want to get rid of your cousin?”

How to get rid of him? His words were truly frightening.

He lowered his voice, “He knew your clothes were wet yet still got closer...”

“I’m not wet.” Tong Youyu lowered her voice, afraid Yin Mingyan would hear.

“Whether you’re wet or not, his behavior is disgraceful.” A cold gleam flashed in Yin Zijian’s eyes.

“How can that not matter? Anyway, I’m not wet.” Tong Youyu curled her hands.

She had been rained on but not thoroughly soaked, and crucially, Shen Shuzhang hadn’t seen it!

If anyone spoke nonsense, she would get angry!

Yin Zijian was about to explain that wasn’t his point, but lowering his gaze, he saw the young girl pursing her lips, glaring at him indignantly. “Don’t tell me you saw me...”

Yin Zijian was momentarily stunned. He had arrived after Shen Shuzhang. If Shen Shuzhang saw anything, then he...

Huh?!

Tong Youyu’s full chest rose and fell with her anger. Yin Zijian tensed suddenly, his voice fierce, “I saw nothing at all!”