Pei Lin carried a basin of steaming water, mixing it carefully with cooler water before setting it on a low stool beside the bed.
"Third Great Aunt, thank you for your trouble," he said politely, carefully adjusting the basin on the stool then quietly left the room.
Third Great Aunt, small and gentle, smiled warmly at Ruan Ye, "Child, let me help you wash and change. You must be exhausted."
With that, she dipped a soft cloth in the warm water, carefully avoiding the jagged marks on Ruan Yue's face. Slowly she cleaned her neck, arms, and the rest of her body, moving deliberately around bruises and the whip scars on her back. Once done, she patted Ruan Yue dry with a soft linen towel and handed her a set of old clothes.
"These belonged to my eldest daughter before she got married," the old woman explained kindly. "Two sets should be enough for now, i hope you don't mind, little one."
Ruan Yue's voice was soft yet cold. "It's fine." In her current condition she could not afford any luxury of choice.
After dressing Ruan Yue, the third Great
Aunt carried the basin outside to empty it and returned with another fresh set of warm water.
"Let's wash your hair and then we'll style it," she said.
She guided Raun Yue's head over the basin and carefully washed her hair with soap nuts, rinsing thoroughly and patting it dry with a gentle touch. Finally, having braided Ruan Yue's long hair neatly, she stepped back with a satisfied smile.
"There, now you are all clean and tidy," she said with a smile as she stood up, rubbing her own shoulder.
"Thank you, Third Great Aunt," Ruan Yue said sincerely. God Knew how much she needed that bath.
Third Great Aunt waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, dont mention it. Pei Lin asked me to help, and this old woman was just sitting idle anyway. It's good to have something to do. No need for thanks."
Ruan Yue watched as the old woman carried the basin to the door. After the sound of water being poured out, she heard Third Great Aunt talking with Pei Lin.
"Ming'an, I've tidied up that girl. Oh my, those injuries... it hurts just to look at them..."
"Thank you for your help, Third Great Aunt. I'll ask Master He to come and check her wounds later."
"Well, I don't mean to pry, but do you really intend to heal her and make her your wife?"
Ruan Yue's eyes flickered at that question.
"That's not my intention. I just felt sorry for her and wanted to help."
"I thought as much. I've known you since you were a child, and I know you have a kind heart. But let me warn you, this girl doesn't seem ordinary. She might be some fallen noblewoman. You've already shown enough kindness by spending three taels of silver to buy and care for her. There's no need to empty your savings for a stranger. You still need to save money for your own marriage, and perhaps for the imperial examinations in the capital. These all require money!"
Pei Lin remained silent, and Ruan Yue heard Third Great Aunt continue, "How about this: once her wounds have healed, why don't you send her to the community hall in town? The whole village already knows you bought a woman, and if she stays too long, there will be gossip. How will matchmakers find you a wife then..."
As the footsteps faded away, Ruan Yue couldn't hear Pei Lin's response. But she knew Third Great Aunt's words made sense, indeed she was a burden now.
Ruan Yue closed her eyes, feeling weary. Was this karma for all the killing she had done in her previous life? Was she reborn as a helpless invalid as punishment?
Soon, Pei Lin returned. Seeing Ruan Yue in fresh clothes with her hair neatly styled, he felt good seeing her in good spirits and smiled at her.
"What's a Community hall?" Ruan Yue asked, looking directly into his eyes.
Pei Lin's eyes flickered with surprise, realizing she had overheard the conversation.
"A community hall is a large courtyard built by the county government in the far end corner of the town," he explained earnestly. "It's meant to care for elderly people without children who can't look after themselves, seriously ill people without relatives, and abandoned infants. They have staff to cook, do laundry, and even arrange burials for those who pass away."
Ruan Yue understood, it was similar to a modern shelter for vulnerable groups. But even in her time, with advanced technology and information networks, there had been reports of abuse in such places, from staff beating residents to leaders embezzling charitable funds. She had even killed the director of a shelter who was secretly involved in organ trafficking. In this era of limited communication, who knew what dark secrets such a charity house might hide?
Ruan Yue wasn't about to take the risk, especiallyin her condition with her little knowledge of the world she was in. She couldn't go to the charity house not when she was too weak now, that anyone with working limbs could easily end her life. This Pei Lin was kind-hearted, and staying with him would ensure her survival. As long as she was alive, there was hope for change.
"Are you going to send me to the charity house?" Ruan Yue asked again. If Pei Lin said yes, she would have to think of a way to appear pitiful enough to stay.
Fortunately, Pei Lin shook his head and said, "Miss should, just focus on recovering. I'll go prepare some food now, and this afternoon I'll fetch a doctor to examine you."
Ruan Yue felt a wave of relief wash over her. She found herself liking her savior more and more, and even the bitter vegetable porridge he fed her didn't taste so bad anymore.
As Third Great Aunt left Pei Lin's house and walked towards her own home, she turned a corner and saw Mei Yan standing under a tree, fidgeting with the hem of her clothes.
"Oh, it's Yanyan. What brings you here? You weren't waiting for this old woman, were you?" Third Great Aunt asked with a smile.
Having lived in Qinghe Village her entire life, she knew a thing or two about the villagers. This Mei Yan had taken a liking to Pei Lin, and she was probably here to inquire about the situation.
"Third Great Aunt!" Mei Yan called out sweetly, her round face lighting up with a charming smile.
"Hey now, don't shout so loud! This old woman's ears work just fine!" Third Great Aunt teased, then asked, "I suppose you want to ask about Lin, don't you?"
"Oh, Third Great Aunt!" the young girl exclaimed, blushing slightly.
Third Great Aunt couldn't help but laugh at the girl's shyness. "Haha, I won't tease you anymore. Go ahead and ask what you want to know."
He Yiyi moved closer, linking her arm with the old woman's to support her as they walked towards home. In a low voice, she asked, "Third Great Aunt, is it true that Brother Lin bought a woman and brought her home?"
"Yes, it's true."
"And... is it true that the woman has lost the use of her limbs and her face is disfigured?"
"Yes, she can't move at all in bed. And her face, oh dear!" Third Great Aunt sighed heavily as she thought of Ruan Yue's face.
"But why did he buy her then?"
"Don't you know Lin ? He's always been so kind-hearted. Seeing that woman in such a pitiful state, his heart softened and he brought her home. He's even spending money to find a doctor for her. He says he'll let her leave once she's healed. Who knows what he's thinking."
Mei Yan laughed happily, "Brother Lin is just that kind of person who is always doing good deeds with a warm heart."
But then her brows furrowed, and she asked worriedly, "Third Great Aunt, they're a single man and woman living together day and night. Do you think they might develop feelings for each other over time?"
"I don't think so," Third Great Aunt recalled Ruan Yue's cold, emotionless eyes and said to Mei Yan, "That girl is as cold as ice, and her face is disfigured. You're the flower of our Qinghe Village. Pei Lin isn't a fool; you can rest easy."
Mei Yan lowered her head shyly, secretly smiling. Then another thought occurred to her: "But my mother..."
Third Great Aunt didn't let her finish, "Ah, your mother looks down on Lin now because he's an orphan and comes from a poor family. But I can see that Lin is a child blessed with good fortune. He'll definitely pass the imperial examination to become a scholar, then an official. By then, you'll be a perfect match. How could your mother object?"
As they talked, the two arrived at Third Great Aunt's doorstep. Her words had put Mei Yan's mind at ease. She bid a cheerful farewell to Third Great Aunt and headed home.