After Rescuing The Sickly White Moonlight - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Seeing an Old Friend Again

The summer of the eighth year of Yongqing was marked by incessant, torrential rain.

The river embankments of Sanping City less than a hundred miles from the capital, Pingjing had collapsed. Civilians scrambled to climb the city walls, wailing as they watched the turbid yellow floodwaters. Wood and corpses bobbed up and down in the swirling vortexes.

Lin Yu clung to a half-submerged log, swept along by the current until he slammed against the city gate. His consciousness was hazy, nearing the brink of dissolution.

Memories of his past life flashed like a revolving lantern: the swaying shadows of a crystal chandelier in a villa, the mist sprayed from champagne, the tactile sensation of Zheng Qingyun’s blood-stained hand blocking a door, and finally, frozen on those resolute yet desperate eyes.

The chaotic, interlocking scenes gave him a splitting headache. His grip on the floating log gradually weakened until his hand slowly let go.

It wasn’t until rough gravel scraped his palm that the sharp sting jolted him into realizing he had been dragged onto the city wall by a white-haired old man.

All around him were survivors who had escaped death, looking down at the submerged town and the corpses occasionally surfacing. Their hearts were filled with terror, wondering when the imperial relief would arrive.

“Heavens, open your eyes! Give us a way to live!” a woman nearby cried out in despair.

Lin Yu shivered, wrapped in a tattered cloak. His vision was exceptional; with one glance, he spotted a swaddled infant floating in the water. A despair similar to that of his past and present lives enveloped him, like a venomous snake coiling around his neck.

His body was ice-cold, yet he suddenly felt a burning heat throughout his limbs.

The rain continued to fall as the yellow floodwaters meandered and flowed.

The fear of impending death spread to everyone.

Before his consciousness faded, Lin Yu caught a blurry glimpse of a familiar figure running toward him.

Finally, a faint fragrance reached his nose, carrying the slight bitterness of medicine.

He thought: Why does this person smell so strongly of medicine, just like Zheng Qingyun?

When he opened his eyes again, the sting of silver needles entering his skin brought him a bit of clarity.

In a side room filled with the scent of medicine, a child wrapped in fox fur was covering his mouth with a handkerchief, coughing lightly. His pale face was given a hint of color by the flickering light of a nearby fire.

Seeing him wake, the child spoke with a touch of pleasant surprise: “You’re awake? Guanyi, go quickly and tell Father that he’s awake!”

The attendant hurried out of the room. Lin Yu turned his head slightly and saw the person’s face clearly.

His pupils constricted. The person before him was undeniably the six-year-old Zheng Qingyun!

Was he reborn?

Lin Yu didn’t speak, appearing as though he was still regaining his senses. The silver needles were removed from his body, and the physician said to Zheng Qingyun: “Young Master, this gentleman is fine. He just needs proper rest. I shall go brew the medicine now.”

Zheng Qingyun nodded.

After the physician left, only Lin Yu and Zheng Qingyun remained in the room. Lin Yu tried to move his limbs and found he had little strength, but he still struggled to sit up.

Seeing that Lin Yu couldn’t even steady himself with his hands, Zheng Qingyun disregarded his own frail health and hurried over to help him up, tucking a cushion behind his back. Zheng Qingyun prepared to return to his chair, but Lin Yu subconsciously grabbed the other’s wrist.

Zheng Qingyun’s movement to pull away faltered. A few droplets of water landed on their joined hands, and a few more hit his sleeve, which was embroidered with cloud patterns.

These were tears.

Zheng Qingyun looked up at Lin Yu. The other was staring at him with tear-filled eyes, looking like a dog that had been abandoned.

He sat by the bed, allowing Lin Yu to hold his hand while weeping uncontrollably.

Even with blurred vision, Lin Yu didn’t dare look away. He stared at Zheng Qingyun, greedily tracing the other’s features with his eyes, confirming even the small mole beneath the eye over and over again.

I’ve finally seen you again, he thought.

This was Lin Yu’s third life.

In his first life, his greatest regret was failing to protect the person before him, letting him die to save himself.

The Zheng family had been falsely accused of plotting to assassinate the Emperor, raising private soldiers, corruption, and intent to rebel. The Emperor was furious.

The Zheng family was imprisoned under false charges. Zheng Heng was about to defend himself when he received the decree ordering him to take his own life.

Lin Yu sought refuge with the Crown Prince. To clear the Zheng family’s name, he changed his identity, entered the court, and climbed to a high position. He finally achieved his goal, only to die during Grand Empress Dowager Zhang’s final, desperate struggle.

In his reincarnation, he lived in the modern world for over twenty years. After a car accident, he returned with the memories of two lives to the eighth year of Yongqing the year of the great flood, the year they first met.

Looking at those familiar, youthful features, Lin Yu suddenly felt a surge of grievance.

Zheng Qingyun had died early, the entire Zheng family was gone, and the Crown Prince’s side was fraught with danger—one wrong move and his life would have been forfeit. Heaven knows how he had survived those ten-plus years.

In those years, he hadn’t had a single night of peaceful sleep!

Seeing that the person before him wouldn’t stop crying, Zheng Qingyun was at a loss. No matter how intelligent he was, he was currently only a six-year-old child; he couldn’t help but feel panicked in such a situation.

Moreover, Lin Yu was just crying without saying a word, but the grievance in his eyes was overflowing. Zheng Qingyun began to wonder if he had done something to hurt him to make him this upset.

Zheng Qingyun took a handkerchief from his robe, wiped away the tears, hesitated for a moment, and then pulled Lin Yu’s body toward him, letting Lin Yu’s forehead rest on his shoulder while gently patting his back.

The movements were a bit clumsy; it was obvious he didn’t do this often.

Lin Yu seemed comforted; his beast-like whimpers turned into soft sobs.

The medicinal scent on Zheng Qingyun served as a reminder that he was a patient. Lin Yu sniffled and ended the embrace reluctantly.

He still didn’t let go of the hand. Zheng Qingyun struggled uncomfortably for a moment before Lin Yu snapped out of it and released him. Both of their hands were damp with sweat.

Lin Yu swore secretly in his heart: Living this life again, he would save Zheng Qingyun and the Zheng family.

Zheng Heng stood outside the door, watching the two of them hugging, hesitating whether or not to enter.

Once they finally finished, Zheng Heng knocked a few times and walked in.

Zheng Heng’s gaze was full of affection. He tucked the corner of the quilt for Lin Yu and called Guanyi to pour some tea.

“Child, I am a close friend of your father. You should still have some impression of me; you can call me Uncle. Your parents’ bodies have been found, and I have ordered people to bury them. I am here on behalf of the Emperor to inspect the disaster relief work. I must return to the capital in three days. If you are willing, why not come back with me?” Zheng Heng said after some thought.

Lin Yu subconsciously said, “I want to go pay my respects to my parents.”

Zheng Heng was stunned; he hadn’t expected those to be the first words out of the boy’s mouth.

He agreed but insisted Lin Yu rest well and wait until tomorrow.

Guanyi brought the tea and set Zheng Qingyun’s medicine aside to cool.

Lin Yu smelled the familiar bitterness. He saw Zheng Qingyun frowning and deliberately looking away from the bowl of medicine, as if not seeing it meant he didn’t have to drink it.

He asked Zheng Heng casually, “Uncle, what medicine is Qingyun drinking?”

Zheng Heng handed a cup to Zheng Qingyun to warm his hands: “Just some tonic. Qingyun had a difficult birth, and his health hasn’t been good since. I remember back then it was your mother who helped with the delivery. Thanks to your mother and father, Qingyun survived. Later, the Emperor sent imperial physicians to check on him; they said he must be raised delicately. Fortunately, the family has money.”

The last sentence was said with a hint of a joke.

Lin Yu gripped the corner of the quilt.

He remembered that after the Crown Prince ascended the throne and liquidated the Suo Lou faction, he had gone to confront Suo Lou. Suo Lou had avoided the topic, sneering as he told him: “It’s a miracle that sickly brat lived to fifteen.”

Lin Yu had frantically searched for Zheng Qingyun’s prescriptions. There were no errors in the formulas. He then tortured Suo Lou’s confidants, but they knew nothing about it, only that Suo Lou had secretly hired a farming household in the outskirts.

Lin Yu had rushed there only to find the place deserted and overgrown with weeds; everything planted in the courtyard was gone.

He refused to believe it every bird leaves a trace so he knelt there and searched inch by inch, overturning everything. During that time, the Emperor had come to persuade him, but after seeing Lin Yu’s face, His Majesty couldn’t say a word.

Lin Yu thought at the time that his expression must have been quite terrifying.

It took him half a lifetime to discover that the tonics Zheng Qingyun drank daily after the age of five were laced with Chiying Poisonous Grass. Poor Zheng Qingyun had already been drinking it for nearly a year!

Lin Yu racked his brain for a way to stop Zheng Qingyun from drinking the poison in the future. A flash of inspiration hit him: “Uncle, why don’t I brew the medicine for Qingyun? I know a bit about medicine too, and I recognize many medicinal herbs!”

Zheng Heng was surprised: “Your father said before you were born that he would teach you medicine. Later, he wrote me a letter complaining that you refused to learn no matter what… but I suppose that was several years ago. Very well, Qingyun’s medicine will be entrusted to you from now on. Qingyun, why haven’t you thanked Brother Xiao Yu yet?”

Brother Xiao Yu…

Hearing Zheng Qingyun formally call him “Brother Xiao Yu” made Lin Yu incredibly happy.

In the past, Zheng Qingyun would never call him “Brother,” saying that although Lin Yu was slightly older, it was Zheng who had to teach him things, so Lin Yu should call him “Master.” The two had argued endlessly and eventually gave up, with one calling the other “Qingyun” and the other “Xiao Yu.”

Zheng Heng gave a few more instructions and left. Guanyi walked over to remind Zheng Qingyun it was time for his medicine.

Zheng Qingyun wrinkled his face in resistance.

Lin Yu decided to act. He lifted the quilt and, pretending to be unsteady on his feet, wobbled toward Zheng Qingyun. Zheng Qingyun thought he was going for water and hurried to set the medicine bowl on the table to help him; Guanyi rushed to take the bowl. Hands crossed from three different people.

“Clatter.”

The bowl smashed on the floor, and medicine spilled everywhere. Guanyi was shocked and asked helplessly, “Young Master, what should we do?”

Zheng Qingyun blinked: “Hurry and clean it up. I won’t drink medicine today.”

Guanyi obeyed.

Zheng Qingyun cast a light glance at Lin Yu, who was standing aside looking busy. Lin Yu gave him an embarrassed smile: “I’m sorry, I think I accidentally knocked it over.”

Zheng Qingyun shook his head: “It’s fine. It’s just missing one dose; drinking this medicine every day makes my whole face feel bitter.”

His right hand, hanging at his side, rubbed his fingers together as he carefully recalled Lin Yu’s movements.

Just now, Lin Yu seemed to have gone for the medicine bowl on purpose, yet he was careful not to crush his fingers.

Zheng Qingyun lowered his eyes and poured tea for the both of them.

Lin Yu took it, downed it in two gulps, and turned back to the bed.

Zheng Qingyun watched his retreating back, pondering deeply.

Is there something wrong with the medicine? Was he unable to say it now, so he intentionally broke the bowl?

Lin Yu and Zheng Qingyun’s rooms were right next to each other.

At night, Lin Yu tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He got up, intending to take a walk outside.

Stepping out, he noticed that candlelight was still burning in Zheng Qingyun’s room.

He walked over and knocked.

When the door opened, he saw Zheng Qingyun sitting by the bed, solving a “Nine Linked Rings” puzzle.

Hearing the sound, Zheng Qingyun looked up. Seeing it was Lin Yu, he showed off the half-solved puzzle with great interest.

“Brother Xiao Yu, can’t you sleep?” Zheng Qingyun said, his hands never stopping.

Lin Yu nodded slightly: “Maybe I slept too much during the day; I’m not very tired.”

Zheng Qingyun set down the nearly solved puzzle and rubbed his neck, saying with a bit of distress, “It really is quite mentally taxing.”

Lin Yu picked it up and asked, “Why not finish it?”

Zheng Qingyun blinked and smiled like a cunning little fox: “Father said I should go find him once I solve it, but he’s too busy lately.”

With that, he had Guanyi put the item away.

Zheng Qingyun had played enough and felt sleepy. He yawned and said, “Brother Xiao Yu, I’m going to sleep. You should rest early too.”

Lin Yu nodded.

Before Guanyi closed the door, Lin Yu looked back once. Zheng Qingyun waved at him.

He returned to his room.

His mind was filled with his first life. Someone had used his birthday as an excuse to send a poisoned Nine Linked Rings puzzle as a gift.

The eleven-year-old Zheng Qingyun had waved his hand with a smile, and the servants had tied up the person who came to deliver the gift.

That was the first time Lin Yu had seen Zheng Qingyun angry.

The person who brought the gift had five teeth knocked out and coughed up the name of the mastermind.

Bruised, swollen, and weeping he was a pitiful sight.

Zheng Qingyun looked at the slightly dazed Lin Yu, wiped the blood splatter from his hand, and said to him, “Xiao Yu, have you learned?”

Lin Yu was the best student.

And Zheng Qingyun was his best teacher.

—

The next day, Lin Yu said his health was mostly recovered. Zheng Heng confirmed this several times but still didn’t feel right letting him go alone, so he sent an attendant along.

His parents’ graves were placed in a scenic location. After paying his respects, Lin Yu swore a silent oath before the headstone: This time, it’s a fight to the death.

As he prepared to head back, he noticed a cherry tree not far away. It didn’t have many cherries, but they were large and bright red.

Lin Yu picked some to take back, planning to preserve them in sugar for Zheng Qingyun.

When he returned, Zheng Heng was not yet back. Zheng Qingyun was sitting under the veranda reading a book.

Lin Yu didn’t disturb him and followed Guanyi to the small kitchen to brew the medicine.

He looked at the dark, murky liquid in the pot and scooped some out with a spoon.

The bitterness touching his tongue overlapped with his memory. He poured the liquid out and, as expected, discovered something abnormal in the medicinal dregs.

Outside the window, the bamboo forest rustled in the wind.