Just as Fang Zheng and his group were preparing to return to the yamen, a silvery voice suddenly rang out from behind.

“Lord Fang, please wait…”

It was the woman who had been unconscious in the medical hall. She was now leaning weakly against the doorframe, looking in his direction. It seemed she had been there for a while.

“This humble girl is Bai Yi. Many thanks for saving my life, Lord Fang…”

“Xiao Tao, go help her.” Fang Zheng’s mind was in turmoil right now. He was in no mood and just wanted to get back to the yamen to make arrangements for his people.

If he entered the capital, he probably wouldn’t be able to return for a while.

This time, the rewards were so heavy it made him even more uneasy. Being granted a noble title was already an immense honor.

Now he was also appointed as Junior Grand Tutor in the Imperial Clan Court. Something felt off about this whole matter.

Xiao Tao walked over to Bai Yi’s side and supported her. “Miss, if you have any business, find my young master later. Now’s not the time.”

Bai Yi’s body obviously hadn’t fully recovered. She lightly coughed a couple times and gracefully bowed, saying, “This humble girl’s family all perished in the floods… I have nowhere to go now. Bai Yi is willing to follow by my lord’s side to repay your lifesaving grace.”

Fang Zheng glanced at Bai Yi. Now that she was awake, her features were even more lively, her already peerless beauty gaining an extra hint of spirit.

“Bai Yi…? How do you know it was I who saved you?”

Not only did the edict make Fang Zheng feel something was off, this woman was also suspicious.

Although she was extremely beautiful, Young Master Fang had seen his share of women in his past life. He could control himself.

He was especially wary of things that delivered themselves to his doorstep.

This woman had extraordinary bearing and looks. Right off the bat she wanted to be his servant… Haha, in your dreams!

“Bai Yi woke a few times. The doctor told this humble girl that Lord Fang saved me.”

Bai Yi knelt on the ground weakly, her breathing still a bit uneven.

“Mm, get up to speak. Where are you from and what does your family do?”

“In reply to my lord… this humble girl is from Jianjiang Prefecture. My family is in the porcelain business. Earlier, all my family passed away in the floods… leaving only this humble girl. Fortunately, I was saved by my lord’s grace.”

With that, Bai Yi started sobbing, looking pitifully touching.

Her crying was mournful and her emotions sincere. Xiao Tao felt some sympathy. Her own parents had also passed early. If not for meeting Fang Zheng, who knows what tragic fate would have awaited her.

Thinking this, she hurried over to console Bai Yi.

Fang Zheng observed carefully and found it didn’t seem to be an act. He had seen many orphans in Taoyuan County. Their behavior was generally like this…

But hearing her mention porcelain, Fang Zheng instantly got a headache. If not for that porcelain merchant Li Long, his peaceful life wouldn’t have been disrupted!

So he said impatiently, “Oh, I see. The floods in Jianjiang are resolved now. Once you recover, go home by yourself.”

“Xiao Tao, remember to arrange some travel money for her when we leave.”

“Let’s go! We’re returning to the yamen!”

With that, he turned and left, leaving Bai Yi standing there blankly…

Watching Fang Zheng’s receding figure, Bai Yi touched her pretty face, somewhat doubting her existence.

In the sixteen years since her birth, she had never been brushed off by someone like this. Not even when her clan was destroyed did a single man treat her so indifferently.

Was he not interested in women? Was she ugly?

Just as she was contemplating this, Fang Zheng actually walked back from afar!

Seeing Fang Zheng, a hint of joy flashed across Bai Yi’s face.

Sure enough, he was just pretending! Men were all the same under the Heavens, just playing hard to get.

Seeing Fang Zheng approach, Bai Yi composed her expression, restoring her melancholic look.

“Lord Fang…”

“Oh, forgot to tell you, when you return to Jianjiang and get your family affairs in order, remember to mail back the travel money and medical fees.”

“Miss, although this official empathizes with your loss of family, surely your family’s assets aren’t all gone. I hope you can understand. Xiao Tao, let’s go!”

With that, Fang Zheng turned and left again.

“…………………”

Bai Yi’s face suddenly flushed red. Staring at Fang Zheng’s departing back, her eyes were as wide as copper bells…

Cough cough cough…! Suddenly, Bai Yi covered her mouth and coughed violently, a thread of blood flowing from between her fingers.

In an instant, Bai Yi was engulfed by a sense of immense humiliation.

In all her life… she had never been so insulted! A mere county magistrate… actually humiliated her to this degree!

But thinking of how he was granted a noble title at such a young age, and would enter the Imperial Clan Court in the future…

Bai Yi clenched her fists in shame and anger. Biting her lip as she looked at Fang Zheng’s back, she gritted her teeth and staggered after him.

Up ahead, Xiao Tao and the others were walking along the road.

Fang Zheng was still cursing nonstop. “Damn sedan chair bearers, they ran too! When that guy goes to the yamen to get his silver, only give him half! Understand?”

“Oh.” Zhang Biao glanced back. “Young Master, that woman is following.”

“Hm?” Fang Zheng looked back and saw that Bai Yi had actually followed.

She was panting after each step, looking to be in great difficulty.

“Tsk… She still chases even like this? Could it be she’s latched onto me? Run! Hurry back!”

With that, the three started running.

Bai Yi chased behind. Seeing Fang Zheng look back, she immediately put on a smile and was about to raise a hand to call out, but saw Fang Zheng turn his head away and run far off!

Bai Yi stood frozen in place. Her heart felt like a spice box had been overturned inside – sour, bitter, spicy, only lacking sweet. This was an unprecedented, brand new experience in her life.

Pft! She spat out a mouthful of blood. In the setting sun, Bai Yi collapsed limply on the empty street, looking especially desolate…

…

Yamen Courtyard

Fang Zheng looked at Bai Yi lying on the stretcher at his feet with a gloomy expression. She was still unconscious, her chest stained with specks of blood. It seemed her condition had worsened.

“Zhang Biao! Are you a pig! This woman clearly latched onto me! Yet you brought her back!”

Zhang Biao muttered, “Young Master, she seemed to want to talk to you earlier. I thought bringing her back would be just right…”

Fang Zheng was also out of patience after encountering such a clingy woman. He said helplessly, “Alright, alright, what’s the point of talking now that it’s like this. Hurry and send her to the medical hall. Once she recovers, send her away immediately!”

Just as Zhang Biao was about to take Bai Yi away, the previously unconscious Bai Yi suddenly reached out and grabbed Fang Zheng’s pant leg. She started weeping pitifully in her coma, “Father… Mother… Bai Yi misses you so much…”

Xiao Tao’s expression showed pity. She pleaded with Fang Zheng, “Young Master, why not let her stay… Look, she has no parents. It’s quite sad. Where will she go in the future? Our Taoyuan County isn’t short this one mouth to feed.”

Seeing her clutching his pant leg, Fang Zheng directly squatted down to examine Bai Yi closely.

Bai Yi was still sleep talking nonstop. The content was truly heart-wrenching for any who saw or heard.

Fang Zheng stroked his chin, pondering in his heart. This woman… something indescribably felt off about her. Even her sleep talking was so damn logical?

“Xiao Tao, pinch her a couple times!”