Chapter 68: Barely Covered It Up
Wen Yao greeted Dr. Jin and Manager Qiu with a proper salute. She didn’t recognize the middle-aged man speaking with them, so she simply smiled in greeting before immediately heading over to Wen Jun and Wen Xiuyi.
She raised her eyebrows at them in question.
Wen Jun instantly understood and mouthed a word silently: “Child.”
Wen Yao stared, wide-eyed. Her brother… was that bold?! He had just refused a matchmaking proposal, and now he was already talking about children?
Wen Jun could tell from her expression that she was overthinking it again. He raised his hand and gave her a light knock on the forehead, then added aloud, “Carriage.”
Only then did Wen Yao come to her senses. Ah—that incident. Then, these visitors must be relatives of that elegant lady and her child?
Just then, the middle-aged man finished his conversation with Manager Qiu and Dr. Jin.
“Since the young miss has arrived, Mister Wen, Young Master Wen—shall we go ahead?” the man said courteously.
Dr. Jin spoke up, “Then I’ll have to trouble you, Steward Xie. I’ll leave my apprentice in your care.”
Steward Xie quickly bowed and said, “Not at all, not at all. It’s only proper. Please rest assured, Dr. Jin. My master, madam, and the old lady all wish to personally thank Young Master Wen for saving our young master’s life. It’s a good thing.”
Only then did Dr. Jin nod and instruct Wen Jun, “I was the one who went to see the Xie family’s young master initially. If Steward Xie hadn’t come today, I wouldn’t have known that it was you who administered emergency treatment. You handled it well. If it weren’t for you and your sister, that child may not have survived. Go on. With me here, they won’t make things difficult for you.”
Dr. Jin was referring to the possibility that the Xie family’s traditionalist old matron might give them a hard time.
Wen Jun nodded. “Understood, Master. We’ll go and return soon.”
“Mhm.” Dr. Jin stepped aside to let them pass.
After greeting them politely, Steward Xie led the three members of the Wen family to his carriage.
Steward Xie sat outside. Inside the carriage, it was just the father and his two children.
“Ge, how did they find you?” Wen Yao asked curiously. After all, they had simply saved someone that day and left without leaving their names. They knew nothing about the person they saved, nor had they told the other party anything about themselves.
Wen Jun briefly explained what had happened that day.
It turned out Dr. Jin regularly treated the Xie family. That day, the Xie family’s old matron wasn’t feeling well and had come to the clinic to get medicine. The coachman accompanying them recognized Wen Jun as the person who had saved the young master and reported it when they returned. Madam Xie immediately sent Steward Xie to invite Wen Jun and Wen Yao to their home to express gratitude for saving her child.
After Steward Xie arrived, Dr. Jin sent Hong Hai to fetch Wen Xiuyi and A’Wang to bring Wen Yao from Gutan Village. And that led to the present.
“What kind of background does this Xie family have?” Wen Yao whispered, afraid the steward outside might overhear.
Wen Jun shook his head, but Wen Xiuyi had heard of the Xie family before.
“There’s only one prominent Xie family in Yunwu Town. They’re a branch of the Chen Prefecture Xie clan, a scholarly family with quite a reputation here. The head of the family, Xie Yushan, remarried a few years ago. The child your brother saved is his youngest son and the most favored in the household. I’ve heard they’re very particular about decorum and etiquette, so once we get there, be careful with your words. Watch and act accordingly,” Wen Xiuyi advised.
The siblings nodded in unison.
Not long after, the carriage came to a stop. Steward Xie called from outside, and the trio stepped down and stood before the gates of the Xie residence.
Steward Xie stepped forward and gestured politely. “This way, please.”
As the head of the family, Wen Xiuyi nodded calmly. “Thank you.”
With another smile, Steward Xie led them into the estate.
Their arrival had already been reported, and someone had run to the rear courtyard to inform the family. By the time Steward Xie led them through the large courtyard and into the main hall, the three primary members of the Xie household were already waiting, along with the child Wen Jun had saved and rows of household staff.
As the Wen family entered, all eyes turned toward them.
Steward Xie stepped forward and bowed. “Old Madam, Master, Madam, the guests have arrived.”
Qiu Rongrong immediately recognized Wen Yao and Wen Jun. Compared to that day, the siblings were now dressed in much finer fabrics. Despite the grand surroundings, neither of them showed the slightest hint of nervousness. On the contrary, Wen Yao’s bright eyes were even darting around curiously, taking in everything.
It wasn’t just Qiu Rongrong—Xie Yushan and the old matron were also closely observing the three. They had assumed the rescuers would be simple peasants and would be overwhelmed by the sight of the Xie estate. Unexpectedly, the family of three remained perfectly composed, as though everything they saw was nothing out of the ordinary.
Xie Yushan quietly dismissed any previous condescension. He stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting. “You must be Young Doctor Wen. My son owes his life to you and your sister. Forgive us for inviting you here so abruptly, but we truly wished to express our gratitude. Please forgive the imposition.”
Wen Jun returned the salute. “Master Xie is too kind. This is what any physician should do. Had it been someone else, they would’ve done the same.”
His poised and measured response improved Xie Yushan’s impression of him even further. He turned to look at Wen Xiuyi, and Wen Jun immediately introduced him. “Master Xie, this is my father.”
Xie Yushan feigned realization and greeted Wen Xiuyi in turn, then led all three to sit. He introduced his mother and wife before finally calling the child over. “Yi’er, come and thank your saviors.”
Throughout this, the old matron had remained silent. She hadn’t even spared them more than a glance when they entered.
The boy, however, was very obedient. When called, he immediately ran over to Xie Yushan’s side.
Xie Yushan introduced him. “This is my son, Xie Anyi. Yi’er, go thank Young Doctor Wen.”
Wen Yao nearly slid off her chair. She blurted out, “Xie Anyi?!”
Her sudden outburst, full name and all, drew everyone’s attention.
Wen Yao quickly pulled herself together and put on an innocent smile appropriate for a girl her age. “That’s such a beautiful name.”
Only Wen Jun and Wen Xiuyi, who knew her well, realized there was more to this. They both looked at her, and she returned a subtle ‘I’ll explain later’ glance.
Wen Xiuyi immediately stepped in to smooth things over. “An, as in ‘peaceful,’ symbolizes family harmony and health. Yi, as in soaring high, suggests rising success and great fortune. I assume Master Xie hopes for a future of peace, prosperity, and good health for his son. It truly is a fine name.”
Wen Yao silently gave her father a thumbs-up from behind. Professor Wen—worthy of the name!
This time, Xie Yushan was truly surprised. He blurted out, “Brother Wen, you’ve studied before?”
Wen Xiuyi smiled modestly and returned the greeting. “I passed the county-level exam in the sixth year of Yongxing.”
The sixth year of Yongxing… over ten years ago now. And he was still just a xiucai (county-level scholar). If it weren’t to give Wen Yao some backing, Professor Wen wouldn’t even want to mention this qualification.
