“Now.” Sai Huatuo smiled leisurely, noticing the surprise in Zhuang Su’s eyes, knowing she was reluctant to leave, he stood up, patted her shoulder with a light laugh, and said, “Before I leave, there is something I want to give you.” He took out a sealed letter from his bosom and handed it to Zhuang Su, clearly having prepared it in advance.
Zhuang Su took it, puzzled as to what he was up to: "What is this?"
“A folk remedy.” Although Sai Huatuo smiled, there was a hint of worry in his eyes. “The person who came with you five years ago…” He glanced at Zhuang Su’s suddenly stiffened figure, paused, and continued, “That person was originally poisoned with a kind of poison that is very difficult to cure. I’m not sure if the methods here can completely cure him. It was already impossible for him to recover, but… perhaps you can do it.”
"This is... the antidote for Qingchen?" Zhuang Su's hand tightened around the book, leaving some fine creases. She was about to open it when Sai Huatuo pressed her hand down. Puzzled by his action, she asked, "What's wrong?"
"Don't open it yet, before you decide to save him." Sai Huatuo looked away, turned around, picked up the cloth bag he had been sitting on, and swayed away, his voice echoing as it faded into the distance. "But unless that person is on the verge of death, you are not allowed to use the methods in this letter on your own... Susu, this is my last request..."
His words were somewhat elusive, and Zhuang Su vaguely sensed the mystery within them, suddenly feeling the letter in her hands seem heavier. Only then did she notice that Sai Huatuo had already prepared to leave when he sent her down the mountain to make purchases. Recalling their five years together, she was surprised that he left so decisively... Zhuang Su felt a sense of emptiness in her heart. She stood there watching from afar for a while, then turned and silently went back into the house.
Having lived here for five years, she was familiar with everything. She secretly grew some crops and sold the fish that Hua Tuo caught in his spare time, gradually accumulating some savings. Actually, living alone wouldn't be difficult for her… Zhuang Su stared blankly at the scattered silver coins, but then, with a final thought, turned and walked towards the medical kit in the corner.
Her medical kit was somewhat worn, but it was kept very clean. For the past few years, she had been traveling around Yangzhou, sometimes treating the poor. People from some poor villages on the outskirts of Yangzhou couldn't afford doctors and often came to her for help. Although Hua Tuo himself didn't treat patients, he didn't stop her from practicing medicine. Gradually, she gained a reputation in the surrounding area, and many people came to her for help.
"A doctor's heart is like a parent's..." Zhuang Su smiled gently, shaking her head. She wasn't that kind-hearted; it was just that the conversation she overheard in Yangzhou had reminded her of some old acquaintances. Five years of quiet life—if anything had truly troubled her, it was probably just a few people... Since Sai Huatuo had left so easily, she might as well go out and check on them before returning. Anyway, she could make a living as a doctor now; she wouldn't starve.
Zhuang Su had made up her mind and was packing her medical kit, preparing to travel the world, when she heard the hoarse hooves outside the door. She looked up in surprise and saw a man in brocade robes riding a green horse, looking down at her.
He was backlit, and only his silhouette could be vaguely seen. Tall, slender, and dashing, he seemed to have a sharply defined face, and one could feel his clear gaze fixed intently on her.
"Is this Miss Zhuang Su?" The voice was deep and magnetic.
Zhuang Su noticed the carriage following closely behind him. Unsure of the man's intentions, a quiet smile appeared in her clear eyes as she asked, "It's me. Is there anything I can do for you, young master?" Judging from his brocade and silk robes, he was clearly a young master from a wealthy family. Unable to figure out his intentions, she could only patiently observe him closely.
Chapter Eighteen: Time Flies (Part Two)
"My surname is Mo. Would you be so kind as to accompany me, young lady?" The man dismounted and approached, gradually shielding himself from the sunlight. Zhuang Su finally saw his face clearly. At first glance, she only noticed the slightly furrowed brows between his thick eyebrows, contrasting with his deep-set eyes. Zhuang Su couldn't recall where she had seen him before and was surprised by his somewhat presumptuous request: "Do I know Young Master Mo?"
"There are a few patients at your residence, and I would like to ask you, young lady, to come and take a look." The man was humble in his manner, and although his words carried a hint of self-importance, he was not unlikeable. Zhuang Su glanced at the carriage behind him; its carved mahogany railings clearly indicated its high value. She was somewhat surprised that this man, who was clearly not the type to be unable to afford a doctor, had come to her. After a slight hesitation, she too became curious, nodded, and took her medical kit to the carriage.
"Giddy up—" The coachman flicked the reins, and the carriage rumbled away, leaving a trail of dust in its wake. Zhuang Su placed her medical kit beside her, her gaze lingering on the curtain fluttering slightly in the wind, her eyes vacant. She vaguely saw a man in brocade robes, his clothes almost blinding in the sunlight. He rode ahead, his expression seemingly anxious.
I wonder what kind of patient he is… Zhuang Su silently speculated, observing his expression. The carriage didn't enter Yangzhou city; instead, it headed far out to the outskirts. The air gradually filled with the scent of earth, mixed with the smell of grass, yet different from the scent of the mountains and forests. Layer upon layer of shadows of trees stretched deeper into the distance, and unexpectedly, a courtyard appeared.
As Zhuang Su stepped down from the carriage, she noticed that the place seemed quite old; the paint on the walls had faded, giving it a mottled appearance, but the intricately carved tiles suggested the owner's considerable status. She followed Young Master Mo inside without asking any questions. The courtyard was spacious, but now several wounded lay scattered about, adding a strange touch to the otherwise elegant ambiance.
Zhuang Su had assumed they were going to treat the wounded, but to her surprise, Young Master Mo led her directly into the depths of the courtyard without saying a word. Only then did she realize that the villa was quite large. After walking for an unknown amount of time through the winding corridors, Young Master Mo finally stopped at the door of a room, pushed it open, and went inside.
Upon seeing him enter, the people inside quickly made way. As Zhuang Su walked in, she smelled a faint aroma of tea and inhaled deeply, then noticed a person lying on the bed. Several maids were present; they must have been looking after the person. From the doorway, she couldn't see the person's face, only vaguely recognizing a woman. Zhuang Su glanced at Young Master Mo's expression and immediately understood. The reason this person was so anxious was probably because of this woman.
After staring at the bedside for a long time, Young Master Mo finally turned his gaze back and gave Zhuang Su a smile: "Miss Zhuang Su, an old friend of mine has been seriously injured. Please treat him."
Judging from the situation, Zhuang Su already knew that these people were probably not legitimate. She wasn't a renowned doctor, and this young master surnamed Mo was certainly not some poor man who couldn't afford a doctor; such a large number of wounded was not a common occurrence. Her brow furrowed slightly, and she hesitated.
Noticing her expression, Young Master Mo said, "If you are worried about the consultation fee..." He took out a stack of silver notes from his pocket and placed them on the table.
Zhuang Su glanced at it indifferently, vaguely noticing the exorbitant amount. It was a nationally recognized receipt, and she seemed to indeed need such a sum if she were to travel in a few days. But her brow furrowed even more deeply. Actually, she hadn't been hesitating about this at all; glancing up at the man, she saw a hint of mockery in his eyes.
Zhuang Su's brows suddenly relaxed. She walked over to the table, picked up the stack of silver, and casually fiddled with it in her hand. Turning to the maids waiting beside her, she went over and stuffed the silver notes into their hands, saying in a calm tone, "Find someone to take this money and buy some good tonics. Buy as many as you can. Those people outside all need them."
"Ah, this..." The maid suddenly found herself with so much money in her hand, and hesitated, stealing a glance at the expression of the person behind her.
Young Master Mo was taken aback by Zhuang Su's actions and replied, "If you need medicinal herbs, I have as many as you need; there's no need to go out and buy any more. This money is for you..."
"Then consider it a purchase from you, young master." Zhuang Su smiled faintly, lightly dusting off her sleeves as if trying to shake off the stench of money she had just picked up. Young Master Mo's gaze fell upon her, but he didn't say anything more, and the corners of his lips involuntarily pursed.
Zhuang Su brushed past Young Master Mo and walked to the bedside. She had originally intended to check on the woman, but upon seeing her, she froze. Young Master Mo, who had been intently watching her thoughtfully, noticed her sudden pause and asked, "What's wrong?"
"..." Zhuang Su's eyelashes drooped slightly. After a moment of silence, she spoke slowly, her voice devoid of joy or anger, "Young Master Mo, since you want me to save someone, could you please leave for a moment? This young lady's wound is a bit deep and needs to be treated. I don't like being watched."
Upon hearing this, Young Master Mo raised his hand and waved it away. Several maids silently withdrew at his signal. He gave Zhuang Su a deep look, and although he was somewhat worried, he also left without saying a word.
Zhuang Su gently untied the woman's minor wound, and seeing the gruesome knife scar on her chest, she felt a pang in her eyes. Opening the first-aid kit, she carefully treated the wound. The heat emanating from the wound enveloped the woman's entire body in a burning sensation. Seeing her suffer such a severe injury, Zhuang Su couldn't help but feel heartache. She furrowed her brow and gently treated the wound, unable to describe the complex emotions she felt.
Because of her meticulous care, the originally simple process now seemed exceptionally complicated. Thanks to the proper treatment of the wounds in the early stages, the originally quite serious injury had not worsened much. Zhuang Su applied the specially made wound medicine for her, and seeing that although the person was still unconscious, there was no danger to her life, she felt relieved.
After all the woman's injuries had been treated, Zhuang Su sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at her face, and remained motionless for a while.
If the events here are connected to the Yi Ye Alliance, then everything makes sense. Before her was a face vaguely familiar from her memory, yet it left her feeling somewhat dazed. Upon seeing that pale face, her heart tightened, but she couldn't tell if it was because of the person's injury or simply because of their presence.
Zhuang Su sighed somewhat, feeling that after seeing her, the events of five years ago suddenly seemed much closer. She hadn't deliberately inquired about the One Leaf Alliance, perhaps because she didn't want to. Sometimes people seem to be like that, constantly telling themselves they're carefree, thus appearing nonchalant about everything, but they're only deliberately blinding themselves. Then, at some point, a familiar fragment suddenly appears, and the memories surge forth instantly, engulfing them…
Zhuang Su let out a soft sigh. It seemed that something had really happened in the One Leaf Alliance; or perhaps—she wanted to go back and see the people she knew… But Zhuang Su felt she didn’t know how to face that person in white, and every time she thought of him, she couldn’t help but wonder what he had become, yet she told herself she shouldn’t think of him.
"Wake up soon, I have many things to ask you..." Zhuang Su's voice fell, empty and somewhat ethereal, floating aimlessly in the quiet room.
Chapter Nineteen: Undercurrents and Gentle Tides (Part 1)
Young Master Mo sent someone to inquire, and Zhuang Su told them that everything was fine, putting their minds at ease. As evening approached, a maid brought dinner to the room, placed it on the table, and then left. Zhuang Su vaguely saw a figure hovering at the door outside, pacing back and forth several times without pushing the door open to come in. After hesitating outside for a while, the figure then left.
Zhuang Su leaned against the edge of the bed, not in the mood to eat. Lost in thought, she glanced back at the woman on the bed, only to see her slowly open her eyes. Zhuang Su was startled, but saw that the woman's eyes were vaguely unfocused. After clearing her vision, she stared at her blankly for a long time, and then suddenly closed her eyes again.
Zhuang Su was speechless. After realizing what was going on, she clicked her tongue, both amused and annoyed, and said, "Xiao Qiao, you're not dreaming."
Through the blanket, Zhuang Su felt Su Qiao's body stiffen slightly, and then she saw Su Qiao open her eyes. Su Qiao's expression was somewhat dazed as she woke up, staring at her intently, her eyes slightly bright, a mixture of emotions, quite colorful.
Zhuang Su reached out and gently felt the temperature on her forehead, smiling, "It seems the fever has gone down quite a bit." As she was about to withdraw her hand, Su Qiao grabbed it. Seeing her expression, Zhuang Su didn't say anything, just smiled slightly and looked at her.
Su Qiao's hands trembled slightly, her lips quivered, and she still seemed somewhat incredulous: "Su Su?"
"Yes. It's me," Zhuang Su replied softly.
"How did you get here? Where have you been for the past five years?" Su Qiao's face was still a little pale. She should have been a cold and aloof person, but Zhuang Su, who had been missing for several years, suddenly appeared in front of her, and she couldn't help but feel excited.
"Shouldn't you ask one thing at a time?" Zhuang Su teased her when she saw her like this, and tucked the blanket around her. "But before I talk about myself, I have to ask you first, how did you and those people outside end up like this?" As she said this, her brows furrowed slightly.
Su Qiao's gaze swept over her for a moment, then he swallowed his words with some reluctance and said, "A few days ago, I received a letter from Miss Murong instructing me to lead my men to the alliance meeting in Zhangzhou, but I was unexpectedly attacked on the way."
"An attack?" Zhuang Su raised an eyebrow. "Who would attack you?"
"Who are they?" Su Qiao sneered. "Besides a great court like the Chu Kingdom, what other force would dare to attack the One Leaf Alliance? I just don't know where the court got this information from. It seems I have to tell the young lady to be careful in everything she does."
Zhuang Su noticed her expression, lowered her eyelashes slightly, and remained silent, pursing her lips. Su Qiao now exuded a coldness; indeed, years had changed her considerably. But she knew this was an inevitable consequence of joining the Silver Hall, so she said nothing more. Not wanting to get too involved in the affairs of the One Leaf Alliance, she forced a smile and asked, "Speaking of which… what's the deal with that Young Master Mo?"
Upon being asked, Su Qiao's cold expression vanished, replaced by surprise: "What 'Young Master Mo'?" She was momentarily confused, then suddenly remembered, her expression becoming somewhat strange. Zhuang Su gradually felt uncomfortable under Su Qiao's scrutinizing gaze, but then heard Su Qiao say in a strange tone, "Su Su...you mean Mo Nian?"
“Mo Nian? Mo… Nian…” Zhuang Su pondered the name for a moment, then suddenly realized, “Senior Brother?”
Su Qiao felt helpless at this slow-witted person: "You didn't know? Haven't you ever seen him?"
"I've never seen him before." Zhuang Su chuckled softly, somewhat apologetically. However—the surname "Mo" really bothered her. She couldn't help but think of another man; Yangzhou was his sphere of influence. She wondered if Su Qiao and her group were also within his purview.
“Xiao Qiao, he doesn’t seem to recognize me either. Could you please not tell him my identity?” Zhuang Su said after some deliberation, seemingly ignoring Su Qiao’s puzzled gaze. She had a pretty good idea of what was going on. Mo Nian probably felt the same way; he didn’t have much of an impression of this “junior sister” he had never met. Back in Shengxiao Valley, everyone called her “Su Su,” so this person probably never knew her full name…
Su Qiao moved her body slightly, feeling a sharp pain when her wound was aggravated, but she only frowned and asked, "Why don't you let him know?"
Zhuang Su gave her a deep look: "Some things happened five years ago, which is why I left the Yiye Alliance and stayed in Yangzhou. I was only found out about this matter after seeing you. We are sisters, so it's not right for me to stand idly by, but... I don't want others to know my whereabouts."
"What, weren't you with Shen Jian?" Su Qiao blurted out. Upon hearing this, Zhuang Su's eyes widened slightly: "How could you think I was with him? Has he not returned to Yiye Alliance at all?" Her hand tightened involuntarily, and the hem of her clothes creased in her palm.
“He’s the same as you; I haven’t seen him at the Silver Hall in five years.” Su Qiao looked at Zhuang Su’s worried expression and reassured her, “However, the wine envoy said he was just carrying out a mission and will be fine. Don’t worry.”
Someone once told her that once he left that time, he didn't know when he would return... Zhuang Su felt a void in her heart, and Su Qiao's mention of "wine envoy" made her heart sink again. A white-clad figure seemed to float before her eyes, so clear, yet so distant. She forced herself to calm down and was about to say something when she heard someone knocking on the door.
"Come in," Su Qiao said softly.
The door creaked open, and Mo Nian walked in, noticing Su Qiao's slightly flushed face. He clearly breathed a sigh of relief. Zhuang Su, guessing that he had been hesitating outside for almost several hours about whether to come in, couldn't help but look at the two of them with a teasing expression.
Knowing what she was thinking, Su Qiao secretly pinched her, then pretended not to notice and said to Mo Nian, "I'm fine now. Tell them to get ready and set off for Zhangzhou first thing tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow morning?" Mo Nian frowned. "You've just received treatment for your injuries, why are you in such a hurry?"
Su Qiao glanced at him indifferently: "The alliance meeting is just around the corner. This ambush is probably not a simple matter. We need to go back and tell the young lady as soon as possible."
There was still an "outsider" here. Mo Nian glanced at Zhuang Su, puzzled as to why Su Qiao would be so "unrestrained." At this moment, Zhuang Su, oblivious to his probing, frowned upon hearing Su Qiao's words: "With your current condition, how can you endure such a long journey?"
Su Qiao smiled slightly and blinked, as if she had been waiting for this sentence: "Then I will trouble Miss Zhuang Su to accompany me to Zhangzhou." Her voice was sweet and gentle, and although she still looked sickly, her every move exuded a refined elegance.
For a moment, Zhuang Su seemed to see the shadow of Murong Shi in her. She couldn't help but sigh silently. At this moment, Su Qiao pulled her closer and said softly in a low voice, "Aren't you worried about Shen Jian? Also, I've been keeping a question about your second senior brother to myself and haven't told anyone. If you want to know, come with me to Zhangzhou. We'll go our separate ways once we get outside the city, and I won't let you be discovered."
Chen Jian, Liu Su… Zhuang Su glanced at her helplessly, noticing a slight smile in Su Qiao's eyes, but she couldn't do anything about it. This woman always knew what to use to threaten her most effectively.
Chapter Nineteen: Undercurrents and Gentle Tides (Part Two)
Zhuang Su traveled to Zhangzhou with Su Qiao and her party. The carriage bumped along the way, and she, having not been out for a long time, felt somewhat out of sorts. Dust billowed up and clung to her clothes. Inside the carriage, she sat with Su Qiao, and by lifting the curtain, she could see Mo Nian riding ahead on horseback, his brocade robes filling the air.
Su Qiao pulled Zhuang Su's hand, just like when they were children. Zhuang Su vaguely felt that her fingertips were a little cold, and heard her say, "I don't know about what happened to Shen Jian, but I'll find out for you when we get to Zhangzhou. But I want to know what's going on with Liu Su."
"Second Senior Brother?" Ever since Su Qiao mentioned Liu Su, Zhuang Su had been somewhat bothered by it. Hearing her say that, she frowned slightly and asked, "Hasn't Second Senior Brother returned to Shengxiao Valley?"
“Back to Shengxiao Valley?” Su Qiao scoffed lightly. “I did see him once two years ago, at the Prime Minister’s residence. I was on a mission to gather information, and I caught a glimpse of him as I walked through the courtyard. At the time, I thought I might have been mistaken, but after inquiring, I learned that the Prime Minister really does have a second son named ‘Liusu’.”
Second Senior Brother is—the Prime Minister's son? Zhuang Su raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of surprise in her voice. She knew that if this identity were true, then Liu Su's many years in Shengxiao Valley must have been for something more. Her lips pursed slightly, but she asked, "Xiao Qiao, have you told anyone about this?"
Su Qiao glanced at her indifferently and said with a sneer, "I was going to say that, but I knew you definitely didn't want to, so..."
"Thank you, Xiao Qiao," Zhuang Su said sincerely, smiling slightly as she turned to look out of the car, her eyes appearing somewhat vacant. A pang of sadness lingered in her heart, a feeling of betrayal washing over her. She vividly remembered the time she and Qing Chen went to pick up Liu Su, filled with worry. Even after their misfortune, she remained concerned for his whereabouts. But if he was the Prime Minister's son, then it seemed as if everything had been a carefully orchestrated scheme.
I was just a little sad, but I didn't hate her.
"Xiao Qiao, it's hard to fake the gentleness people around you show, isn't it?" Zhuang Su suddenly asked, her voice soft. Su Qiao was stunned for a moment, but realizing the meaning behind her words, she simply pursed her lips and remained silent.
The wind still rippled gently, and Zhuang Su's gaze fell on the hem of her clothes, bobbing up and down, somewhat unfocused. After several days' journey, they arrived in Zhangzhou, just in time for the day before the alliance meeting. She got off the carriage outside the city and bid farewell to Su Qiao and the others. Su Qiao wanted her to come into the city with him, and although Zhuang Su was reluctant, she resolutely declined.
They split into two groups, and Zhuang Su watched them leave little by little before walking alone into Zhangzhou on the dusty road.
Zhangzhou wasn't as bustling as Yangzhou, but it was still lively. Zhuang Su casually glanced at a few shops before booking a room at an inn. The inn wasn't large, but it was quite popular, and because of the One Leaf Alliance, it housed all sorts of people, making it somewhat chaotic. Zhuang Su didn't like the atmosphere, so she ordered food and had the waiter bring it to her room.
After dinner, with nothing to do, she leaned against the window, casually flipping through the books she had brought, her expression listless. But though she was looking through them, her mind didn't seem to be on them. Every now and then, she would glance out the window, catching a glimpse of greenery, and occasionally let out a soft sigh.
At this time of year, being alone can feel a bit chilly, even though it's already springtime.
The thought of another person in Zhangzhou made her heart flutter slightly. She exhaled softly, forcing herself to calm down, and for some reason, she felt a pang of regret for not going with Su Qiao.
Actually, she should go see Miss Murong and the others, and also, that person… Zhuang Su thought, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she suddenly closed her eyes: “What am I thinking? Haven’t I already broken off all ties with the One Leaf Alliance? What does what happens there have to do with me?” She picked up the book and gently tapped her head, calming herself down to read quietly.
Night fell before they knew it, the oil lamp casting a dim, shimmering light, and the air outside was already chilly. Zhuang Su got up and closed the window. The wind stopped, and she could vaguely hear soft voices from next door. She shook her head helplessly, feeling that the inn's soundproofing was rather poor. Just as she was about to turn off the light, a few words reached her ears, making her pause.
Zhuang Su frowned slightly, tiptoed closer to the wall, and listened intently, holding her breath.
"Are all the troops really ready? Tomorrow is the alliance meeting, we can't afford any mishaps." The man's voice was low and hoarse.
"No need to worry." The voice was much gentler this time.
"That's good. Take your men with you tomorrow, but be careful not to alert them."