Every Lifetime I Fall {COMPLETED but undergoing revisions}

Chapter 15: Second Life - A Mistake of the Past

Just who-- who does he think he is! Am I some miserable little thing that marriage could right the wrong he did? Ha! I'm not that desperate.

I had so many thoughts occupied my mind as I lied awake at night. My innocence had been taken away! By that loser Kong Shuguang! I gave him a good kick that day and left him on the mountain. It was bold of him to not come and beg for forgiveness in the past week, but it wasn't like I wanted to see him anyhow...

"Mingxian, you're here," Master said as I walked into his study. I felt another presence. Smelling fear exuding from its aura, I could tell who it was.

Hmph, Kong Shuguang.

"Mingxian..." Shuguang called my name. I didn't respond.

"Mingxian, are you not going to greet Lord Kong?" My Master nagged at my behavior. He couldn't stand it if I was rude to guests.

Sighing loudly, I said, "Greetings, Lord Kong."

"Sit down, we have something to tell you," Master said. I felt around for the chair to the left of me, the furthest one away from Shuguang.

As I sat down, Master said, "I heard about what happened when you two were at Tie Qing Mountain."

Oh my GOD, Kong Shuguang you dork! Why did you tell my master?! So embarrassing!

"Master! I--" I tried to defend myself, but Master interrupted me.

"You were lucky to have been saved by Lord Kong."

Saved? You mean defiled?!

"I heard... he's asked to marry you, but you refused."

I'm not here... I'm really not here... It's a dream. Right, I'm just dreaming.

"Since that is your wish, I will not force you," Master continued, "But Lord Kong wanted to make it up to you."

"How so?" I asked.

"He's found a way to give you sight. He will conduct your treatments at Invigorating Essence Sect. Stay there with him a couple of months to see if your eyes will get better."

"Master, but how could I just leave?"

"Do you really want to stay a blind physician's assistant long after I'm gone? Lord Kong is willing to spare his time and energy to help you gain your eye sight, and you don't want to? Mingxian, as a doctor, you should understand that your health is an incredible value to your credibility."

I inhaled and exhaled deeply to keep myself from arguing.

"Xiao Wei will be around to help me. You don't need to worry about me here. Think of yourself."

Meaning you don't need me anymore.

"Fine. If you want me to go, I'll go."

Master was pushing me away for my own good, but I still felt bitter about it. Plus, Kong Shuguang was annoying me to death, and I had to go live with him. He was still very polite and tried to placate me, however I wanted to punish him for awhile.

In the early morning, Shuguang came to pick me up in his carriage. His sassy servant and the driver sat out in the front overlooking the height of the horses. I heard the neighing of the horses and their loud stomping on the ground. Xiao Wei and Master waited with me outside the gates.

I heard the carriage open, and Shuguang's voice said, "Mingxian, take my hand."

I hesitated, still not wanting to be close to him. Instead of taking his hand, I handed over my luggage.

"Xiao Wei, help me up," I ordered.

"Uh, okay." Xiao Wei came around to my side and helped me into the carriage. Kong Shuguang and my Master exchanged a few words before my Master called out, "Be good, Mingxian."

Pretending not to hear him, I didn't answer. The driver yelled for the horses to move, and soon the carriage went into motion. Although I was upset at Master, I hoped one day I could come back with my eye sight repaired and pay my respects to him.

The way to Invigorating Essence was long and bumpy. It was my first time riding a carriage. I held firmly onto the seat but would sometimes feel myself almost leaping out. Kong Shuguang kept quiet the whole time, not saying a word. I'd figured he was sleeping.

We traveled for a few days on the road, making just a of couple stops to rest. I'd forgotten to grab my bamboo stick when I left the village. Walking into an inn, I held onto Kong Shuguang's sleeve.

"Hello, Sir! Would you like a room for you and your wife tonight?"

Immediately letting go of Shuguang's sleeve, I said to the innkeeper, "Two rooms! And we're not married."

"Ah, I see. I see," the innkeeper said.

Soon we reached the gates to the Invigorating Essence Sect, the healing group for all those in the pugilist world. From what I've heard, the steps to the sect were as long as ten miles. You would think that being almost like an emergency hospital, the sect would be much more convenient for the ill or injured. Just goes to show you that even the most skilled of medicinal abilities were only available to the privileged. 

"Mingxian, it's quite a walk up to the entrance, would you like some assistance?"

Assistance? From who? You? The young lord who couldn't make it up a small hill?

"If you can walk up these stairs, I think I should be fine."

"Sounds good. To the left of you, the stairs start."

Should be a piece of cake.

"Thank you," I said in a modest tone. Feeling my way to the stairs, I slowly placed out my foot onto the first step. Stepping up, I placed my other foot on the next one. Moving one step at a time, I kept on climbing.

The sassy servant walked passed me snickering, "Tch, way too slow."

Why you!

While the servant had made his way up the stairs, Kong Shuguang trailed behind me as if to monitor my every step.

"Kong Shuguang, you don't have to wait for me. Go on ahead," I told him.

"I can't do that."

Tsk. Afraid I was going to fall on my face?