Jinbao Marries a Wife

Jinbao felt a bit awkward. “What’s wrong? Are you okay now?”GNdfXVPekDiokQGDYKoARtRlNiJXvC

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“Brother Jinbao, did you come back to see Rong Yue?”BmduqsKGrjcsgBKUoCoUxlxvJTwepj

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“Huh? No, no, I just forgot something.” Jinbao placed him back on the bed, then expressionless, moved away. He wandered around the room and finally found his small pouch in the corner. He carefully dusted it off and tucked it into his chest. Turning to Rong Yue, he said, “I’m leaving now. I’ll call a doctor for you.”kqdBrRMDAQbErpRJHDMjhPffwKkIcY

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“Brother Jinbao!” Rong Yue hurried to get up.THHscpkifmYEalWAPjnoYftCKQaSHb

ghALEcmbGIznnjY

Jinbao left without turning his head.YOUpdScvhEXDwggFxDadvLBHcJKsPX

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“Jin… cough cough cough…” Rong Yue had a fit of violent coughing behind him. Jinbao finally couldn’t resist and glanced back. He saw blood at the corner of Rong Yue’s mouth, his face as white as paper, weak and frail. Jinbao felt a slight pang of guilt.VBFxIQpHmswGLaEpswBcDnZekPASrN

qohHvGuHKyEfnqL

Rong Yue looked at him with a mix of sadness and longing. “Brother Jinbao, do you know Master Que?”KAugLrsDFrTSeXJBsOThNGqVHgUcny

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Thinking of what happened yesterday, Jinbao’s face darkened. He stiffly nodded.ceUVGqojDJTHYGBsJKlfNNqhyWKcdA

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“You two seem…”OwShTumPOOovAUMBqUGvvHyewIicap

OCflWndmYeiKxqa

Jinbao said coldly, “What does that have to do with you?”CzRmePmsvNiYTWDWIrdvSRcIGHHefO

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Tears welled up in Rong Yue’s eyes. “Brother Jinbao, I know you’re angry with me. I just… I couldn’t help it.”vuXDvzLPOrEeBfPKjPgJcGFTJvfhsU

IuLFhsrYoQcbuOI

Jinbao snapped, “Nonsense! Does a scoundrel harming a girl also get to claim he couldn’t help it?” After saying this, he felt like his words painted him as a woman, which made him more agitated. He really didn’t want to stay another moment.MndcrfRzgKKXPKbFxXqvPOQzDrlEql

QmhjSPLefQcGVPw

Rong Yue lowered his eyes, wiping his tears as he spoke softly, “Brother Jinbao, today will be the last time we meet. I once thought that when I died, there wouldn’t even be anyone to collect my body. If you don’t find it too much trouble, since we’ve known each other, could you at least bury me somewhere when the time comes?”MrODjKzkCodIVEVBJpINrkPIzSbHZR

KIjTFpAQFgytAJI

Jinbao frowned. “What nonsense are you saying?”YhDhddIRlBiTbKyFEAmuaVHpuvECSS

XLPlRPhCiiDIIkW

“I was once gravely ill,” Rong Yue continued. “Later, a great healer helped control my illness. But yesterday, Master Que kicked me in the chest, and my old illness has returned. That healer won’t see me again, so I can only wait to die.”yVJJvmIJOWixFpccPWkXPYhrtJWaJq

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“Are you saying only that person can treat you? No one else can? What kind of illness is this? Let me call a doctor for you first, it might not be that serious.”KQYSIspCjnGEkRnDZOWgqHzqkhbFKd

hWElvWMYVxSBtxH

Rong Yue slowly shook his head. “It’s no use. I know my own body. Seeing you before I die, Brother Jinbao, I have no regrets.”jqSDBgEBLVPxvDuYyqaQNeWrCPzkTs

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Jinbao felt his scalp tingle. Although Rong Yue had done some messed-up things, he wasn’t evil to the core. Looking at him now, he seemed pitiful. If Jinbao knew he was dying and still did nothing, it would make him a heartless person. Especially if what Rong Yue said was true—it was linked to that kick from Que Siming—Jinbao couldn’t bring himself to leave.TCcGjMVfyUhiGRybeJZxsuHzByNgRU

DSZUSKZUloxxJnB

“Don’t say that. There are plenty of skilled doctors around here. Someone will be able to help you,” Jinbao said, trying to reassure him.aLIPfKKEryVJMyosuImCxdpappaTZC

qkpCeafMiwETMZM

Rong Yue kept shaking his head, looking up at Jinbao with sorrowful eyes filled with grief. “Brother Jinbao, I know you blame me. Why don’t you just end it for me?”WPVePUmYKqdFBQHyOFSXllZdzPNZhq

AEAeJEerwwXnTwJ

Jinbao was genuinely shaken by this atmosphere of impending doom, as if Rong Yue might stop breathing any moment. Anxiously, he said, “How do you know it can’t be cured if you haven’t tried? Why don’t you go see that person who treated you before? Who is it? Where are they?”ShGILyywXhGMnqmuvNsOtAXMLLFyrX

rrBfYVNdFzExXAu

“That person is in Medicine Valley, but he won’t come.”ryQTomlUNRfeDcgPqxAHmeFShRhPxE

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Jinbao was taken aback. “It’s not Que Siming, is it?”PnJHHGfGvfqeXQmbdwRWhftCoEqCzi

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“Master Que? No, not him.”rGbqxzYEwfVjtmiJBCTzkMoyuVZAbS

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Jinbao let out a sigh of relief. “As long as it’s not him. Tell me who it is, and I’ll go get him for you.”SGcCfbKRdGdJFsYCxYwjFdMVLeZHiZ

qmRifHzzGznMioS

“Thank you, Brother Jinbao, for your kindness, but you won’t be able to persuade him. He’s always looked down on me, and he won’t come to save me.” Rong Yue suddenly coughed up blood, staining his sleeve red.UStzPvQDDrirXeMXcHsuVOfZfqcrys

CmFNkflwyPJSuSF

Jinbao, growing impatient, snapped, “You’re already like this, and still spouting nonsense. Hurry up and tell me who it is! If I can find him, I’ll do my best to bring him here. Otherwise, I’ll make sure to take care of your funeral!”CbdkCvHKFvSeVLbLOboGlDLlodwVli

BMEngniNlPTsJLK

Rong Yue looked at him gratefully. “Thank you, Brother Jinbao, thank you.”RvjSbqpfnVzNHyrAonYChqQrpIZEjc

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“Stop wasting time and just say it,” Jinbao urged.nOsbjMUTPNWylFEzaQxjXTRZhDooqv

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“It’s actually… it’s actually the eldest son of the Que family… I used to serve Master Que, and back then I wasn’t in good health. Master Que himself didn’t have time, and he didn’t want others to know, so it was always the eldest son who treated me.”kBiKRExkSQmGtJMqUpXDmEjXHHTErH

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Jinbao was shocked. “Que Qingyuan?”hCaDXYWRJRdwfzmLRZypDihVJecXCE

zFqgPLuIXIhapNB

“Yes.”YdhOKVdPGZKiFBhbfSJnGQZqLqeCGy

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Jinbao hesitated. Ever since Que Qingyuan had caught them tumbling around together that day, he had been avoiding him, and they hadn’t crossed paths in days. Besides, they were never more than nodding acquaintances, and Que Siming had made it clear that day—Rong Yue was to disappear immediately. Asking Que Qingyuan to treat Rong Yue now… Que Siming would definitely lose his temper.oNpmuekihbKRpgloxoYVrukCLqRZYk

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But…mZeLRVWiHraAVAlmHQjLLizoHUIfLw

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Jinbao glanced at Rong Yue, looking so frail and gravely ill. He seemed truly pitiful. Even if it were a dying dog on the street, wouldn’t you lend a hand? Let alone someone he had crossed paths with before.EqJuBHsKmANckFVyClWrJcxPIruanQ

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After struggling with his conscience, Jinbao finally couldn’t go against his better judgment. He ordered two servants to stay and look after Rong Yue while he himself went to Medicine Valley to request Que Qingyuan’s help.NiLgLAbNzRYnAEVKyrtiklDNThpqcI

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When Que Qingyuan saw him, he was quite surprised since they rarely spoke.mhTuaFxHAolVMnajVNnAjaKjjinOov

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“Jinbao?”CTIzRiiBHtnazdjkYDhtwmbSyaeSho

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Seeing him, Jinbao remembered the awkward incident from a few days ago and felt embarrassed. He quickly cupped his hands in greeting. “Master Que.”BAycBCheoBqLbuHesxumcTOFImxHwH

qYdeXmFyEVLxmGC

Que Qingyuan remained as refined and gentle as always, smiling. “Jinbao, no need for such formality. What brings you here?”KUcrTQVOBqmZuAuVBSYLPSjUHaZWiO

PFbsBmRejebKsQX

Jinbao hesitated for a moment, knowing that saving lives was urgent. Summoning his courage, he said, “Master Que, actually, I… I have a friend who is very sick.”ZCeFWEIhjftenYkxcrDgSKexnryyPl

kmzfqrSHeAmxlpb

“Oh? Why not ask my junior apprentice? Is he not around?”YtQRkSxNwTgfYVeyzrwPhIgIutPoXV

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“Yes, he left early this morning.”iqXhEGFSBHGiDLzRLIsCWPPHFrPUVp

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“Then how about I arrange for a doctor from the valley? You know I have trouble getting around and prefer not to make house calls unless necessary.”RMwTQaOCxSZRxTEjdfgdCMnIovPDaf

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Jinbao’s face reddened slightly, feeling awkward. “Master Que, my friend’s illness is very serious… only you can treat it.”kpeBzUGPNWbkpCVyqBvoteuDzfbNcx

beclIEdHEeqExQm

“Really? Have I treated this person before? Who is your friend?”XtkqUlCwdTjiQyusOUdjAiVzRALbgz

fJyQmoiCjzFAtLA

Jinbao, feeling nervous, hesitated to mention Rong Yue’s name, afraid that just as Rong Yue had said, Que Qingyuan wouldn’t be willing to go. But Que Qingyuan was sharp and insightful, not someone who could be easily deceived.bRpAgFFDnuaQnaygDgVHhNhokKYpRL

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Seeing Jinbao’s hesitation, Que Qingyuan spoke gently, “Jinbao, is there something you find difficult to say?”pDqLuKmzktlKfeWjmhfgZgLaOchCPv

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Jinbao stood there, stunned, looking lost for words and unsure how to explain.pAIfPownmlLHDgctoSZmjLkqydsqfp

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Que Qingyuan, sensing the difficulty, smiled understandingly. “Alright, I’ll go with you. No matter who it is, as long as they haven’t committed heinous acts, as a doctor, I will do my best to help.”LjGGKzNwRKxBaAYjXFtrufrXeyAaaY

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Jinbao, deeply moved, bowed to him. “Thank you, Master Que, thank you.”xsloxaqXAnoKzVNulNuKWuGwjndjpP

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Que Qingyuan quickly supported him by the shoulder. “No need for that, Jinbao. You’re a guest of my junior apprentice, so you’re also my guest.”SVThcNqssKAIZFBVMCknblOtIaYXcj

rRavzIKOFBudnzL

Jinbao, filled with admiration and gratitude, had previously felt somewhat envious of Que Qingyuan’s close relationship with Que Siming, but now he realized how small-minded he had been.vkorznpDMHtdWcHRCeOgypwugkWtxk

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Que Qingyuan brought only his personal attendant, Ayu, and rode a carriage with Jinbao to where Rong Yue was staying.HtlLDoAMyuxSWnyspguQyyUiuBjZEX

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By the time the three arrived, it was already afternoon.XTKbMzeKplTwWEhnjgHwxtgyECERZC

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Jinbao, anxious, leapt from the carriage as soon as they arrived, rushing toward Rong Yue’s room.vXNzNGayERNQKKRUuxKiFCWKOpqZHx

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“Rong Yue, I’ve brought help!” Jinbao forcefully pushed open the door, but the scene before him made him freeze in horror.eRWiKwzTKatngPaDeowAtJQUYCbSVx

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The room was empty, Rong Yue nowhere to be seen. The two servants from Medicine Valley he had left behind were lying in pools of blood.dYGpwLGqGyQNwYqyLVGTzIzaqHdxck

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Jinbao’s legs went weak. He hurried forward and turned the bodies over one by one, but they were already cold, long dead.CfMCZpxUiIIIgZKttkrdauzpYvEpMr

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Jinbao’s mind buzzed, his vision blurring. He had no idea what had happened.VtpKFdfflBZCgeNmblOBcemSYKzMwz

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Had Rong Yue been taken? If so, his fate was likely grim. And now, with the people he brought dead, how was he supposed to explain this to Medicine Valley? Who had taken Rong Yue, and who had killed them?iQUDWvxmtBXEJISQVpKAtjBUExnBUD

wEnhmzXdfULYaZb

Ayu helped Que Qingyuan to the doorway and cried out in shock. “What happened here? Is that Ah Qi? What happened to them?” He threw himself to the ground, shouting, “Who did this? Master, they’re dead! Who dares kill our people on Medicine Valley’s turf?”QMDhhkpjHZwuvjOolLUBesWTjKOMyF

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Que Qingyuan’s face also grew heavy. He sighed and asked, “Jinbao, just who exactly have you brought me to meet?”nMuHpYjbyZBpZJXCMOLfhMXOCBDCtW

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Before Jinbao could respond, he suddenly sensed several waves of intense killing intent. He spun around abruptly, only to see a group of black-clad, masked men emerging from all directions.WiOJwgFBdqLDwaSkSZaEahQISYSrnK

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Ayu jumped up at once, positioning himself in front of Que Qingyuan, and shouted frantically, “Young Master, it’s an ambush!”HEXcrpRXgoAwPJgyuLwOMFlFmuwJmI

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Que Qingyuan looked at Jinbao in shock, disbelief written all over his face.RrprGvyZMWubEdSDJBXZBLCSysGgsq

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Though Jinbao was usually slow-witted, he immediately understood the suspicion in Que Qingyuan’s gaze. He quickly shook his head, “I… I don’t know what’s going on.”HmKVpWmigrwhKXlyAwHhwwroumFqMG

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There was no time for further explanation. The black-clad assailants surrounded them and all launched their attacks toward Que Qingyuan.KmMaDcfhNyedkVlrhIdEzgjCPlfiHn

SocTNGieMlmbDUn

Jinbao felt something was terribly off about the whole situation, but his mind couldn’t quite piece together what was happening. He only knew one thing: these people were after Que Qingyuan.csJvvZYPkwmewQMxWgLEmMBzxLguOf

ahKGMDkRyMmwDIY

Ayu cried out, pushing Que Qingyuan into the house. “Young Master, stay inside no matter what!” As he spoke, he pulled out a hard paper tube from his chest, yanked the core, and a burst of fire accompanied by a shrill whistle shot toward the sky. However, in broad daylight, the light was faint, barely visible unless closely observed.AlWblbGzUdiSKYshGthmRjnzjfWMQH

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After doing this, Ayu drew his sword and rushed at the attacking black-clad men.QtMXqgZYiMDyacYJwYbAtCipKGLGFa

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Jinbao also drew his sword, standing in front of the door to protect Que Qingyuan, and with a loud shout, he thrust his blade toward the nearest enemy.zoGMWDNwTnAtWhqzlkisZdiizeFzuN

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His chest was filled with pent-up frustration, and he only now began to realize how terribly wrong the whole situation was. Yet, he still couldn’t figure out what exactly had gone awry. But the feeling that they had been manipulated from the start gnawed at him, refusing to fade.cZLOWmYkxohlFSJXNqTRjGgfGDIBqs

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As soon as Jinbao exchanged blows with the attackers, he knew they were from Yu Mingjing’s group. He had encountered them many times before, with mixed results, and was already familiar with their fighting techniques.OWTftUGTiUlLQQBGwqSWgJKGjSKWLe

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They were likely trying to capture Que Qingyuan to use him as leverage against the Que family. If they succeeded, Que Siming would be in a vulnerable position. Jinbao couldn’t let that happen.PcwFFBgIwNpKfBGuUrTovEkwatibTr

IGHUoVXoaDIwGxJ

Gritting his teeth, Jinbao hacked furiously at the attackers. He glanced back at Que Qingyuan, who stood inside the house, leaning on a cane. His face was calm, but the fine beads of sweat on his forehead betrayed his nervousness.vAfjurAZRsukfICxMPQDdVZRDEwinn

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Jinbao jumped to Ayu’s side, pushing back several attackers. He shouted at Ayu, “I’ll hold them off here. Get Master Que out of here!”qFkdWsfiBbANXpxyXTrnxlNPVyVCBe

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Ayu took advantage of the opportunity to retreat behind Jinbao, rushed into the house, scooped up Que Qingyuan, and escaped through the back window.YiwxUORbHvbGBgLKKdfiFPrWtYzEZR

DfoKHRPYTdskZxF

Jinbao blocked the pursuers as they ran. The area was sparsely populated, with only a few scattered households, making it easy to see everything at a glance. Jinbao watched as Ayu carried Que Qingyuan away into the distance, not daring to let up for a moment. His body was slashed several times, with deep and long wounds, but he seemed oblivious to the pain, fighting even more fiercely than usual.kvKqVHKYlsrHKVrxdoAFLmVXfksuUr

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The few attackers still standing realized that Que Qingyuan had escaped and lost interest in fighting Jinbao. They slowly retreated, some fleeing altogether. Soon, no one was left standing near the house.SlGKjxWIgOMjTCdKrrlYAaUVzMaMPF

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Worried about Ayu and Que Qingyuan’s safety, Jinbao wasted no time and immediately set off in the direction they had run.RGbhNKPfWiWUaUTzCIxGbWDERDbBwE

vnPnACTMFvuzbwo

However, unfamiliar with the area, he chased after them for a long time without seeing any sign of them and eventually got lost.CeYXEmMjLPXkZOKWRvKyyhZsnkSLBA

GHBvdCUzJqBKNoZ

By the time night fell, he still hadn’t found anyone. Anxiety gnawed at him, but he didn’t know what else to do, so he decided to head for the Medicine Valley, hoping that Que Qingyuan and Ayu had already returned there safely. Otherwise, he would be to blame.FWRzAGZHnFkcmjWyvxaBDXclFdtrmr

rtSEXmKaZbFfdlL

Que Qingyuan had been under his protection, and the two servants from Medicine Valley had also been with him. Now that this disaster had happened, he had no idea how he was going to explain things to Que Siming. As he neared the gates of Medicine Valley, his heart pounded furiously. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this wouldn’t end well, and he had to resist the urge to run away.fLOyFvCEOMHjlkoNDbNXypVlcNiMiG

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