At dusk, the city of Sōng Lǐng (松岭) looked like a ghost town. Most houses had their doors bolted, and no one walked the narrow alleys. The rhythm of Hēiláng (黑狼)'s horse echoed against the packed earth, lingering in the heavy silence.
He reined in his horse before a small house with mud-plastered walls. In one swift motion, he jumped from the saddle while clutching Hàn Yuè (汉月) tightly to his chest. His heavy boots hit the ground with a muffled thud. He hooked his arm under her knees and lifted her slight frame; she felt lighter than usual in his arms. With a forceful kick, he pushed open the wooden courtyard door and shouted:
"Physician! Is anyone here?"
There was no answer. He laid Hàn Yuè on a simple wooden bench near the wall, propping her head up so she could breathe more easily. He whispered to her:
"We're here, darling… just hold on a little longer."
He then strode toward the room at the end of the courtyard and pulled back the fabric curtain. Inside, the dim glow of an oil lamp lit the space. Two men sat on the ground by a low table, with a Xiàngqí (象棋) [Chinese Chess] board between them. The middle-aged man moved a Soldier (兵) piece forward—a short, firm move.
"I've blocked your path, Jùn (俊)," he muttered.
The younger man, Jùn, didn't look up. He moved his Horse (馬) piece —one square straight, then one diagonally—opening a new path on the right flank. The middle-aged man paused, then moved his Elephant (相) piece within his own territory to strengthen his defence.
"Too early for pressure," he said.
Jùn said nothing, his finger resting on the edge of the board. The game was just getting serious when they noticed the stranger. Hēiláng stepped forward.
"Which of you is the physician?"
Jùn looked up, his eyes landing on Hēiláng's blood-stained clothes.
"I am. What happened?"
"I have a patient. She is in poor condition. You must see her now.", Hēiláng said.
The young physician hesitated, glanced back at the Xiàngqí board, and said:
"It is not the time for examinations. Come back tomorrow morning."
Hēiláng's brow furrowed. "But you are doing nothing right now!"
The physician turned to him sharply.
"You cannot just show up whenever you please and expect service. This is my time for rest. Don't worry, your patient won't die."
Rage flared in Hēiláng's chest. He stepped forward, grabbed the edge of the table, and slammed it against the wall, scattering all the pieces. The sound of splintering wood filled the room. Both men jumped. The physician stood up angrily:
"Hey! What the hell are you doing?"
Without a word, Hēiláng landed a heavy punch on the man's face, knocking him to the floor. He immediately drew his sword and pressed the cold blade against the physician's throat. A deadly silence fell. Feeling the tremor of the blade against his skin, the young man gasped:
"O-okay… no need for the sword. Where… where is your patient?"
Hēiláng pulled back the blade. "Outside."
The physician pressed his hand against the swelling bruise under his eye and gestured to the middle-aged man.
"Go, bring a mat and spread it here."
Hēiláng returned to the courtyard, lifted the lifeless Hàn Yuè, and brought her inside. He laid her carefully on the mat. The physician knelt beside her, took her pulse, and checked her eyelids. Hēiláng sat down beside her, his face filled with worry, watching the girl's irregular breathing.
The middle-aged man, the physician's assistant, noticed the tear in Hēiláng's sleeve and the wound on his arm.
"Your arm is badly wounded and needs cleaning," he said. "Let me dress it."
Without taking his eyes off Hàn Yuè, Hēiláng replied: "Fine. Do it here."
As the assistant cleaned the blood with water and cloth, the physician asked:
"What have you done to her? Her body is far too weak."
Hēiláng remained silent, his stern gaze making it clear he would not answer.
"Her illness is not fatal," the physician continued:
"But her body is severely dehydrated." He reached out and placed his finger on her parched lips. "Do you see this dryness? It means…"
Hēiláng suddenly punched the physician in the chest, sent him stumbling back, and roared:
"Do not touch her lips!"
Clutching his chest in pain, the physician yelled back, "I am a doctor! How do you expect me to treat her if I can't examine her?" Hēiláng closed his eyes and took a deep breath, fighting to control his temper. "Fine... just finish the treatment."
The assistant tied the final knot on Hēiláng's bandage. "It's done. Try not to move your arm much for now."
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the courtyard. Hēiláng's gaze shifted toward the door. He stepped out of the room, leaving it slightly ajar.
Mùyě (牧野) rushed in, panting, and rendered a formal bow. "Your Highness!"
"Are the orders carried out?", Hēiláng asked.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Hēiláng stole one more look at Hàn Yuè's delicate frame through the gap in the door. He turned to him:
"Very well. I must go somewhere. You stay here and guard the Lady." Mùyě nodded respectfully as Hēiláng left the house.
Hours passed. Hàn Yuè gradually opened her eyes. The room was dimly lit by the oil lamp. The physician entered and said:
"So, you're finally awake."
In a weak, trembling voice, Hàn Yuè asked:
"The man... who brought me here... where is he?"
The physician replied grumpily:
"He left hours ago and hasn't returned."
He pointed to the bruise under his eye. "Look at what your savage husband has done to my face! He better have many coins to pay for your treatment and this trouble. Do you even have money?"
Just then, Hēiláng's voice rang out from the courtyard: "Mùyè, take these from me."
Hàn Yuè tried to sit up and peek through the door. "He is here," the physician muttered. "He's finally back."
Hēiláng entered the room carrying a lacquered wooden box wrapped in linen. As soon as his eyes met Hàn Yuè's, a smile broke across his face. He sat beside her. The physician interrupted:
"She is still very weak and must rest."
Without looking at him, Hēiláng said:
"I have bought meat and grains. Make her a nourishing meal and bring it here."
The physician frowned. "What do you mean?!, I'm not a cook! Your wife is doing better; it is time for you to leave here."
Hēiláng turned to him. He untied a heavy pouch of coins from his waist and tossed it at the physician's feet. "We are staying here tonight."
The physician stared at the coins, but before he could speak, Hēiláng tossed a second pouch.
"If you say one more word, I will put another mark under your other eye. Do you understand?", he said it in a threatening tone.
The physician quickly snatched the pouches and smiled.
"Okay. You may stay, but only for tonight." He then scurried out of the room.
Hēiláng turned back to Hàn Yuè, gazed at her for a moment, and gently stroked her face with the back of his hand. "Are you alright?" She nodded.
"I have many questions," Hēiláng said, "but now is not the time. When you are strong enough to stand, you must tell me why you risked your life to come here."
With tears welling in her eyes, Hàn Yuè gently took his hand.
"Hēiláng… I was so worried about you. I'm just glad you're alive. Sorry for everything."
He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Don't think about that now. Just focus on getting better."
Then he turned and opened the lacquered box and carefully lifted out a simple, pink Hànfú (漢服), neatly folded.
"Your clothes were all torn and covered in dust. I thought you might need this… Do you like it?"
Hàn Yuè took the robe and held it gently in her hands, casting a grateful look at him and smiling.
"It's beautiful… Thank you, Hēiláng. I really appreciate it."