lava

Chapter 50

Nie Chengyan remained silent, simply watching them. Steward Chen and the others, however, understood the implication and hurriedly recounted Han Xiao's every move since his return, along with the arrangements and results of their investigation. After listening, Nie Chengyan glanced at the letter Han Le had left, which Steward Chen had handed him, then silently crumpled it into tiny pieces, scattering them across the floor like snowflakes.

Nie Chengyan didn't say a word, but started eating breakfast. He stuffed food into his mouth expressionlessly, seemingly unaware of what he was chewing, yet still moving his mouth vigorously, making Huo Qiyang and the others feel nauseous just watching.

After finishing his breakfast, Nie Chengyan sat blankly for a while before finally speaking: "Lele has become quite capable; you won't find them by searching like this. Knowing Xiaoxiao's personality, she won't wander around aimlessly. To please her, Lele will definitely look for a place where she can study medicine. It's summer now, and there's a market for rare medicines in Huicheng. Xiaoxiao has always said she wanted to go see it. Send people to set up points along the way, but don't chase after them. As long as no one is chasing them, they will appear on their own. Qiyang, arrange for people to find some seriously ill people and post out notices seeking medical help. Xiaoxiao is kind-hearted and will accept the notices."

Everyone received the order and left to carry out their duties. Nie Chengyan locked himself away again, staring blankly at the empty room devoid of Han Xiao's presence. That day, apart from Huo Qiyang coming in twice to report on matters, Nie Chengyan did not see anyone else. He stayed alone quietly, expressionless, lost in thought. This worried everyone. Fortunately, he ate when served, and went to bed late at night, but he seemed to have been drained of all his energy, devoid of joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness.

More than a month later, according to Nie Chengyan's arrangements and plans, Han Xiao and her brother were finally found. In a town near Huicheng, Han Xiao indeed took the initiative to go straight to the residence of a seriously ill patient and offered to treat him. On her first day, Nie Chengyan received news that he was in Huicheng, but he ordered that she not be disturbed. He said, "Xiaoxiao is most serious about treating patients. If we disturb her, she will be angry." So his men kept a close watch from a distance, not daring to reveal their whereabouts.

Han Xiao spent half a month treating this patient. The patient was very generous, paying a large sum of money for the consultation. They also had many precious medicines at home, some of which Han Xiao had only read about in books. She secretly rejoiced that her trip had been so successful; she had not only saved someone but also learned a great deal. When she left, the family was extremely grateful and even gave her all the medicines, saying that they would only be effective if kept with her. Han Xiao accepted the medicines without hesitation, but returned the consultation fee. She knew the medicines were valuable, and she felt bad about taking more money.

Han Xiao sat in the carriage, clutching the medicine box. For some reason, she thought of Nie Chengyan. During her time away, she had been studying and treating patients relentlessly, keeping herself busy and preventing herself from overthinking. Now, as her mind went blank, Nie Chengyan popped into her head again. She remembered the medicine in the box. The first time she saw it in a medical book, she couldn't understand it and went to ask him. He had said then that the medicine was extremely rare, even in Baiqiao City, and that he would definitely show it to her when he found it. Now she had seen the medicine, but he was no longer by her side.

She stroked the patterns on the wooden box, wondering how he was doing now. Had he returned to Baiqiao City? Did he know she was no longer there? If he knew she had run away, was he throwing a tantrum and yelling at her again?

Han Xiao turned to look at Han Le, who was driving the carriage. If it weren't for his companionship and support, she thought she might not have had the courage and determination to leave. She had grown up, and now she was even timid. She even wondered if, if something like what happened when she was twelve were to happen again, she would still be able to be as reckless and courageous as she was back then. She felt that Nie Chengyan's words were particularly true; he had said that he was no longer the person he used to be, so his choices would be different.

It was this sentence that ultimately made Han Xiao decide to leave. Nie Chengyan's drunken rant had sobered her up, and she suddenly realized that this was how things were in the world. The Nie Chengyan who had fallen in love with her back then was lonely and helpless; she was his support and backing, which is why he fell in love. But years had passed. Although his legs could no longer heal, he had returned to being the powerful Lord Nie, ruling over everything. Cloud Mist Mountain and Hundred Bridges City were his; from Xiao Kingdom to Xia Kingdom, from east to west, he had regained his power and influence. And her? She was no longer the fearless, cheerful, and innocent girl she once was. She was calculating, stubborn, suspicious, and self-righteous. So, wouldn't he be annoyed? Especially when all the good qualities of her former love were brought back to her, her flaws would be magnified to the point of shame.

After her anger subsided, she calmly reflected on the situation. She realized that his drunken outbursts weren't entirely without reason. If time could change him, it could certainly change her too. She believed he had truly loved her, but she had no confidence that he could love her forever. Someone like him, with that temperament, or perhaps a gentle, docile young lady, would be a better match.

He hurt her heart, and she would inevitably hurt him in return. If she didn't leave, what would be the final outcome for the two of them? She thought that she would never get used to calling him Ayan, just as Xie Jingyun could never be squeezed out of his heart.

Old ginger is spicier, so the divine physician had long seen through them. He saw through their true nature and knew this would be their fate. Han Xiao reached up and rubbed her eyes, wiping away her tears. She couldn't cry anymore; if Lele saw her, she would be angry with Nie Chengyan again.

She was rubbing her eyes when she suddenly heard Han Le shout, "Sis, sit tight!"

Han Xiao was startled, feeling the carriage beneath him speed up. Han Le shouted and cracked the whip to speed things up. Han Xiao looked out the window and saw Ye Zhu and He Ziming riding horses behind them.

Han Xiao's heart pounded. He was looking for her. But she didn't want to go back. She couldn't be with him anymore. He wasn't hers. She couldn't afford to have him. She just wanted to study medicine diligently and treat people well.

The carriage was fast, and He Ziming and the others were fast too. Han Le drove the carriage while looking around and shouted, "Sister, don't panic. I made arrangements when I entered the city. We will retreat by water. The city lord has difficulty walking and won't chase after us. Brother He and the others are soft-hearted and won't force us. Don't be afraid, I'm here. If you don't want to go back, I will die rather than let anyone take you away."

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw a carriage blocking the road ahead. He pulled on the reins, and the horse neighed loudly, turned its head, and narrowly missed the carriage. Han Xiao, caught off guard, fell into the carriage with a cry of "Ah!" The weft cloth behind the carriage fluttered up, and she looked up to see Nie Chengyan sticking his head out of the carriage.

He arrived, and he had become so thin.

Nie Chengyan naturally saw Han Xiao as well, and he shouted loudly to Han Le, "Lele, slow down, don't let her fall!" But Han Le's carriage disappeared quickly ahead, and it was unclear whether he heard him or not. In fact, Han Xiao heard him; Nie Chengyan's words successfully brought tears to her eyes. He Ziming and Ye Zhu also heard him, and they dared not push too hard, slowing down slightly, allowing Han Le to break through and rush far away.

Han Le drove straight to the riverbank, where a boat was waiting for them. Han Le jumped out of the car, carried two large suitcases onto the boat, and turned to look at Han Xiao: "Sister?" Han Xiao said firmly: "I'm not going back." Han Le nodded, jumped onto the boat first, and then turned back to help her.

"Miss Han, Lele." Han Xiao hadn't even boarded the boat when she heard He Ziming's shout. She turned around and saw Nie Chengyan, chair and all, tumbling dangerously off the sloping deck behind the carriage. He scrambled to steady himself and turned toward her.

For a moment, their eyes met.

That one glance felt like a thousand needles piercing Nie Chengyan's heart. He knew he couldn't bring her home this time.

Author's Note: The obstacles are numerous; Stone still has a long way to go to win the heart of his beloved.

Longing hurts

Nie Chengyan understood Han Xiao all too well, not only because of his keen eye for people, but also because of a tacit understanding between them that he couldn't quite articulate. Just like when he was lying immobile on the bed, he knew from only a few encounters that Han Xiao was trustworthy and would protect him. Just like before he had witnessed Han Xiao's talent, he sensed her thirst for medical knowledge and knew she would become a good doctor. And countless times in the darkness, when they were alone in a room, even though he couldn't see her or hear her heartbeat, he could still feel her warm affection surrounding him.

In her clear eyes, there had been stubbornness, panic, joy, and shyness... He had seen countless emotions in her eyes, but never one like this.

Nie Chengyan stared intently at Han Xiao, watching her avert her gaze, turn around, and pull Han Le's hand as they jumped onto the boat. Nie Chengyan couldn't describe the pain in his heart—a dense, boundless, piercing agony, sharp and clear. He saw the fear and retreat in Han Xiao's eyes, her disappointment and compromise. In that moment, he knew he had lost her.

His Xiaoxiao was no longer the strong girl who never gave up her fighting spirit even when she hesitated. He hurt her and destroyed all her courage to protect him.

There were many obstacles between them: the torment of his past love, the test of his family ties, and the vast distance between their different worlds. But none of these were problems, because they still had a fearless courage between them. Now, he accidentally set a fire, burning that courage away...

Nie Chengyan watched Han Xiao board the ship, and saw her finally turn back to look at him one last time. He felt his limbs go cold and numb, and he couldn't move at all. In fact, he could have ordered them to be brought back. Without relying on those guards, his whip alone could have subdued the brother and sister. But he didn't dare, not even for a moment. He didn't even dare to have such a thought.

He watched helplessly as the boat swayed away, carrying her slowly out of his sight, until it became a tiny black dot and disappeared at the end of the river.

Nie Chengyan stared intently, but no matter how wide he opened his eyes or how hard he tried, the boat had vanished. He stood there, frozen, his ears ringing, his mind blank.

He didn't know that his desperate expression terrified Han Xiao, who hid in the cabin and cried uncontrollably while holding Han Le. He also didn't know that his beloved girl was secretly watching him from the ship, wiping away her tears, until she could see nothing anymore.

He knew nothing more. All he knew was that he had prepared countless words to say, but now he couldn't utter a single one. Those words were forced down his throat, pressing against his chest, making it hard to breathe, making his stomach feel like it was about to explode. He couldn't hold back any longer and leaned on the armrest of the chair, dry heaving, feeling as if he was about to vomit up his internal organs.

Nie Chengyan returned to Baiqiao City. He was sick, but Baiqiao City had plenty of doctors and medicine. Nie Chengyan took a lot of medicine and had a lot of acupuncture. He didn't feel bitter or painful, but he felt that he would never get better. He was terminally ill. Only Xiaoxiao could cure him, but unfortunately, Xiaoxiao didn't want him anymore.

But he didn't die after all. He was alive, but he didn't know what to do every day. He watched the sun rise and set every day. He dared not drink tea or alcohol. He ate and slept on time every day, but he became very thin.

Later, he ordered someone to make a belt from Xiaoxiao's purple bell, which he wore every day, and he felt that he seemed to feel better. He placed Xiaoxiao's pillow next to his own and found that he slept much better. When eating, he would set an extra bowl and chopsticks next to him, and he would put the dishes he didn't like into that bowl. He felt that the food tasted better, and he imagined that he still had the right to be capricious and spoiled, and that a lovely girl would eat the food he didn't like for him. However, after each meal, the food in the bowl next to him was still there. His girl didn't eat it for him, so he would take it and chew and swallow all the food without tasting it.

As the days passed, Nie Chengyan gradually regained his strength and began to busy himself. He allocated a sum of money to set up a school in Baiqiao City, teaching medical skills for free. Doctors from various clinics in the city were required to dedicate one day each month to teaching at the school. Initially, most of those who came to the school were family members of patients seeking medical treatment. They hoped to learn more medical principles and skills to better care for their sick family members and prevent them from falling ill again. However, later, many people came seeking the school's expertise, and its influence gradually grew. Various clinics began to select students from the school to formally accept as apprentices.

On the hundredth day after the school was founded, Nie Chengyan officially named it "Hanxiao Hall".

The rules of Cloud Mist Mountain remained unchanged, retaining the harsh and mysterious style of the Cloud Mist Elder. The scouts relentlessly pursued the old man's whereabouts, but aside from knowing that a white-haired old man with exceptional medical skills frequently appeared in the west, they found no further trace of him. Nie Chengyan ordered the scouts to withdraw. He understood that if this man didn't want to go home, finding him would be useless. The west was where his parents disappeared; perhaps the old man was making amends in his own way. As his only remaining relative, all he could do for him, besides preserving Cloud Mist Mountain as it was, was probably nothing more.

Nie Chengyan alternated between staying in Baiqiao City and Yunwu Mountain, since Han Xiao's presence was felt in both places, it didn't matter to him. He still missed her every single day; time hadn't helped him forget, but rather, the longer the days went by, the more vivid those memories became. Her bed was still in the corner of his room, and he could still smell her scent when he closed his eyes. Often, when he woke up suddenly, he would subconsciously call out, "Xiao Xiao..." After calling out, he would suddenly remember that he was alone now.

He learned to take care of himself. He could use the toilet, wash himself, dress himself, comb his hair, stretch his muscles, and massage his legs. At first, he couldn't comb his hair properly no matter what he tried. He always ended up with a bun-like hairstyle on his head. Looking at the strange, flat, round hair on his head, he remembered Han Xiao saying with an innocent expression, "Although it's not as dashing as before, it's still quite neat." He forced a smile, but couldn't manage it. His eyes hurt so much he couldn't open them, but no tears came.

Sometimes, after dismissing Huo Qiyang, he would push a chair into the grove and stay there, watching the moon and feeling the breeze. Xiaoxiao loved this grove the most. Back then, she would always coax him to come and stroll around, but he didn't want to go out and be seen by others, so he never wanted to come. Now that he's here, she's gone.

He thought of her in the courtyard of the pharmacy. Back then, she was fearless and naive: "Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs, but he had never studied or seen those herbs before. Where did he get the courage? Han Xiao got the courage from the same source." So much time had passed, but why did he still remember her expression, demeanor, and tone so clearly?

He still remembered the day they came out of the courtyard. Han Xiao was pushing him along this road. It was the first time he had ever sat in a wheeled chair like that. The stares from others made him awkward and angry, so Han Xiao pushed him along the road at breakneck speed, saying as she ran, "Master, don't panic. I've practiced pushing this chair, there's no way you'll fall." Now, Nie Chengyan was pushing the chair forward himself, thinking: Xiao Xiao, I've practiced this myself now, I can push the chair fast and steadily. He seemed to hear Han Xiao reply: Yes, Master, that's wonderful.

Nie Chengyan walked towards Yanzhu, then turned right. He turned his chair wheels and went right. There was a slope after the turn. Nie Chengyan stopped. He looked at the lush green grass on the slope, and suddenly his vision blurred. He shouted loudly, "Han Xiao..."

“Yes, Master, I am here.” Her crisp, clear voice rang in his ears.

"You've practiced turning, going uphill, and flat ground, but what about going downhill?" Nie Chengyan pushed the chair forward with all his might, and the chair slid down the slope and rushed forward. He let go of the chair wheel and closed his eyes. He heard Han Xiao running and panting, saying loudly, "Master, you need to sit tight and hold on to the handles."

Nie Chengyan felt his heart suddenly clench, and he heard the whistling wind in his ears. He rushed downhill, and the chair crashed into something. Suddenly, the world spun around him, and he fell heavily to the ground.

It took him a long time to open his eyes. The sky was blue, and the fresh scent of soil and grass filled his nostrils. He was in pain all over from the fall, but he felt even more pain in his heart.

"Master!" Someone rushed over, calling to him, but it wasn't her. Nie Chengyan didn't move. He stared blankly at the sky, then suddenly asked, "Qiyang, where is she?"

"Judging by the days, we should be arriving in the capital soon." It was Huo Qiyang who came. Since Nie Chengyan didn't move, he didn't dare to help him up and just let him lie on the ground.

Nie Chengyan remained silent for a long time before asking, "Do you think she's still angry with me?"

"Uh..." This is a difficult question.

Nie Chengyan answered himself: "She has the softest heart. So much time has passed, her anger should have subsided."

"Oh..." Huo Qiyang didn't know how to react. Was the problem between his master and Miss Han just a matter of anger?

Nie Chengyan suddenly sat up: "Ziming and the others didn't lose anyone again, did they?"

"No, they've been following us the whole time. Just a couple of days ago, Chief Chi sent back a message saying Miss Han is fine," Huo Qiyang replied, pushing a chair closer. He thought to himself that his master always read and reread the messages he received, and this was clearly a rhetorical question.

Nie Chengyan ignored his tone and climbed onto the chair himself, then asked, "Qiyang, do you think she has fallen for someone else?"

"Master, the letter that came back said that Miss Han has been studying medicine and treating patients, and only Lele is by her side. It did not mention anyone else."

“Yes, that’s what the letter said.” Nie Chengyan perked up a bit. Huo Qiyang pursed his lips, muttering to himself: He knows the answer already.

"Qiyang, do you think she might miss me too?"

"Master, the letter didn't mention this." He wouldn't dare answer such a question carelessly, even if he were beaten to death.

"Qiyang..." Nie Chengyan called again, and Huo Qiyang's heart jumped into his throat. He wondered what strange question his master was going to ask this time, but Nie Chengyan said, "Pack your bags, I'm going to find her."

On the 508th day after their separation, just before the longing was about to destroy him, Nie Chengyan finally decided to go and find his beloved girl.

Author's Note: Oh, the journey to win back my wife has begun!

Unexpected reunion

For Han Xiao, these past five hundred-plus days had been a countdown. She often had the same dream: Nie Chengyan, in a wheelchair, stood guard by the riverbank watching her. He was very thin, his eyes filled with sadness and despair. Han Xiao felt a pang of heartache. She called out to him, "Master..." but he seemed not to hear her. She then said to him, "Go back, I'm leaving." He still didn't move, just sat there blankly.

Sometimes Han Xiao would wake up in the middle of the night for no reason, and Nie Chengyan's expression would keep appearing in her mind. So she would silently say in her heart, "Master, you should go back. I'm leaving." She would say it several times in a row, and in the end she couldn't figure out whether she was saying it to him or to herself.

For over five hundred days, Han Xiao was very busy, busy continuing her medical studies, busy treating patients, and busy trying to forget him. Initially, things didn't go smoothly. As a young woman, let alone treating patients, even trying to exchange medical experiences would be met with disdain. Occasionally, she would be given a chance to try her skills on impoverished families desperately needing help. For these patients, Han Xiao didn't receive payment and even had to pay for the medicine herself, so initially, making a living with her medical skills was truly difficult.

Fortunately, Han Le was quick-witted. When he left Baiqiao City with Han Xiao, he brought a large sum of silver. It was the money he had painstakingly saved up in Baiqiao City over a long period of time, and there was also a sum that Shi Er had left for Han Xiao, which Han Xiao had entrusted to her younger brother for safekeeping. Han Le said that one should always be prepared, just like when he was sick, if Han Xiao hadn't secretly hidden their parents' silver, the two of them probably wouldn't have survived.

With Han Le's support and care, Han Xiao, spoiled under Nie Chengyan's wing, couldn't shake her extravagant habits. She was unsure how much to charge for consultations, often refusing to charge those who were poor, and keeping her medicine at cost, unwilling to overcharge. Han Le quickly realized this couldn't continue. He wasn't Nie Chengyan; he didn't have the wealth of a city to indulge his sister's kindness. So he made an agreement with Han Xiao: she could only read books and treat patients; she couldn't interfere with consultation fees, medicine money, or other livelihood matters. Han Xiao knew her problem, but she couldn't resist helping those in need. However, she also understood that money was crucial for survival, so she agreed to Han Le's terms.

However, wealthy patients sought out renowned doctors, and a young girl like Han Xiao, a wandering healer with no fixed abode, found it difficult to gain trust. After all, this wasn't Baiqiao City; no one recognized Miss Han. Even though Han Le was shrewd and eloquent, he couldn't earn much money. Moreover, at that time, he had to constantly be on guard against Nie Chengyan's pursuit, so the siblings lived a very frugal life. Until they accidentally received a request for medical help, a big business came knocking on their door. The family was seriously ill, had money, and had all the necessary medicine. Han Le was puzzled, wondering how such a good thing could happen. Later, when Nie Chengyan caught up with them, he realized it was a specially arranged outcome.

After parting ways with Nie Chengyan by the river that day, Han Xiao cried bitterly. She was anxious, nervous, and afraid for a while, fearing that Nie Chengyan would come after her again. She didn't know how to face him and truly lacked the courage to fight against reality. Han Le had no choice but to be more vigilant, but the siblings soon discovered that Nie Chengyan wasn't pressing them any further.

This incident made Han Le feel somewhat favorably disposed towards Nie Chengyan. After all, compared to his sister, the two siblings were the weaker party, and it wouldn't have been difficult for Nie Chengyan to make them live in constant fear. Yet, he stepped aside. Han Le had seen his expression at the time; if he were heartless towards his sister, he probably wouldn't have acted that way. But even though he was heartbroken, he still stepped back, leaving them ample space. Although Han Le could occasionally catch glimpses of Ye Zhu and He Ziming, they always kept a distance and didn't approach to disturb them.

Not long after, Han Le discovered that Nie Chengyan was still involved in their lives. Wherever the siblings went, people would come to them seeking medical help. The illnesses were not common, quite challenging for doctors, and the fees were generous, with the medicine provided by the patients themselves. This kind of life couldn't be better for Han Le, relieving her of the pressure of worrying about making a living. The siblings traveled alone and never encountered any major trouble. Han Le knew that all of this was being arranged secretly.

Han Xiao didn't know at first; she always thought they were lucky. While busy with her own life, she didn't bother to think about anything else. When Nie Chengyan really left and didn't contact her, she was actually sad, but also somewhat comforted, because it made her feel that leaving was the right thing to do. Even the most painful things in this world can be endured given enough time. She felt she could, and she thought Nie Chengyan could too.

One day, however, she received a bundle from the innkeeper at her inn. The innkeeper repeatedly confirmed that she was indeed Miss Han Xiao from Baiqiao City before handing her a purple bundle. A small bell hung on the bundle, and the purple color seemed familiar. For a moment, Han Xiao felt a tightness in her chest. She dared not accept it, but the innkeeper was extremely respectful. In the end, Han Xiao, too afraid to open it, handed it to Han Le.

Han Le untied the bundle for her. Inside were two blank booklets, written on fine white paper with thick cloth backings, neatly arranged and beautiful, along with several charcoal pencils. The sharpened charcoal sticks were tucked into thin bamboo tubes—small, easy to use, and wouldn't get your hands dirty. Han Xiao burst into tears at the sight of these two items. Han Le then opened the other items for her; there were two packets of local specialty snacks that she and her brother liked, and a medical book that Han Xiao had been searching for a long time.

All the items together weren't actually worth much money, but they were things they couldn't buy with money. Han Xiao dared not use them, fearing that Nie Chengyan would come looking for her in a few days, and if she used his things, she would feel like she had lost her standing. But Nie Chengyan never appeared. Instead, every now and then, they would receive a bundle at their lodgings, containing food and necessities, but he never left them any money directly.

Han Xiao still had dreams at night. In her dream, she said to Nie Chengyan, "Master, I'm leaving." Nie Chengyan didn't speak, he just looked at her. Han Xiao woke up to find herself covered in tears.

As time went on, Han Xiao found herself starting to look forward to receiving those packages, but she also reprimanded herself. She felt she was caring too much about them, so she ate her snacks and began writing her medical notes in a small notebook. She pretended not to see Ye Zhu and He Ziming, who had followed them all the way. She secretly fed the red-headed dog that sometimes flew to her window, but never put letters in the letterbox on its leg. She slowly felt her mood lighten. As long as she stopped having that sad dream, she thought she would get better and better. Later, her dream really changed, and Nie Chengyan stroked her head and said, "Xiao Xiao, be brave."

Han Xiao thought that this was God telling her that Nie Chengyan, like her, would find a new life.

Unlike his sister, Han Le was more open-minded. After their parting on the shore, he noticed Ye Zhu and He Ziming following them, but they simply followed without making any moves, so he accepted it. Occasionally, he would even secretly have drinks and heart-to-heart talks with them, without Han Xiao's knowledge.

Han Le inquired about Nie Chengyan's intentions, but He Ziming and the others had no idea. They simply reported the siblings' actions and situation back as instructed, and then delivered the items Nie Chengyan wanted to send. That was all.

He Ziming also asked, "What exactly does Miss Han want?" Han Le didn't know either. He only knew that his sister didn't want to be with Nie Chengyan anymore. He originally thought that Nie Chengyan had betrayed his sister, making her give up on him. But now it seemed that wasn't the case. In any case, although the two of them didn't see each other, even they, as outsiders, could see that they were deeply in love with each other.

He Ziming said, "Since you are close to Miss Han, why don't you try to persuade them? If they reconcile, wouldn't everyone be better off?"

Han Le replied, "I won't try to persuade her. She's my only sister, and I'll support whatever she wants to do. If she likes someone, even if the other person is a woodcutter, I'll agree. If she doesn't like someone, even if the other person is the emperor, I can't help her."

So the group gave up, while the follower continued to pursue, and the wanderer continued to roam around. But the one who had been waiting in the distance couldn't sit still any longer.

On the 529th day of their separation, Han Xiao and Han Le arrived in the capital. It was the seventh day of the fifth lunar month, which happened to be Han Xiao's twentieth birthday. Six years ago today, she carried Han Le to Baiqiao City. She never imagined that time would fly by and that she and Han Le would both grow up. Back then, she never thought that one day she would be able to come to the bustling capital to learn medical skills.

Indeed, she had come here because she had heard of the great disaster this year, and the Emperor had prayed and made offerings, scheduling the first and fifteenth days of May for imperial physicians to provide medical services to the people at Baifu Temple. Many people suffering from difficult-to-treat illnesses flocked here seeking treatment. Han Xiao had long heard of the imperial physicians' excellent medical skills, and she hoped to have the opportunity to observe them diagnose and treat patients, and learn something from them. However, because she had been delayed elsewhere, she had already missed the consultation day on the first day and would have to wait until the fifteenth.

Another reason for coming to the capital was that the Long family was located there. She had not seen Feng Ning since they parted ways in Xia Kingdom. She had not dared to visit her before, fearing that Nie Chengyan would find her. Later, she finally confirmed that Nie Chengyan had no intention of forcing her to take her back, so she was able to travel around freely. This time, she also thought that she could see Feng Ning on the way to the capital.