Un joven errante

Capítulo 51

But this matter was kept secret, and no one knew. Outsiders only thought that we used the right medicine, which saved Shao Shao. It was necessary to do this; if those with ulterior motives knew that my blood could save lives, everyone would come to me begging to save those patients, and I would be bleeding people out every day, only to end up as a dried-up corpse. I don't think I have that kind of self-sacrificing spirit.

But Shao Shao is special. I never imagined my blood could save him. I only donated blood because I saw him growing weaker and weaker and didn't want him to die. Who knew my blood would flow into Shao Shao's body so quickly, like it had a life of its own, repairing and transforming his body. Feng Fei saved Shao Shao. Although I find it hard to believe, the most important thing is that Shao Shao is alright.

I kept telling myself, Shao Shao will be alright. Sima Shao is the future Emperor Ming of Jin. How could he die? If he died, wouldn't history be rewritten? I just believed Shao Shao would be alright. This belief sustained me as I cared for him tirelessly for a whole month, without sleep or rest.

I know it's because Shao Shao is so important to me; he's my child.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to go with you." Her tone was firm, her gaze unwavering, and her expression brooked no argument.

Sima Rui stared intently at the person kneeling on the ground: "Do you know that my trip out of the palace this time is not for leisure, but rather—"

"Your Majesty knows that His Majesty's departure from the palace this time is to show concern for the people and to investigate the situation of the epidemic." Before Sima Rui could speak, the woman with her head bowed interrupted loudly.

I looked up at him with unwavering eyes, without any fear or hesitation, and said, “Your Majesty, I will certainly not cause you any trouble and will do my best to share your burdens.”

Sima Rui instinctively refused, but the thought of that extraordinary woman with lofty aspirations aroused his curiosity. He wanted to see how she lived among the common people, what she could do, and how she could save his people. Sima Rui was very curious; ever since the Crown Prince miraculously recovered after being cared for by her, he could no longer look at her the way he had before. She was no ordinary woman.

Sima Rui ignored her question and suddenly asked, "Xie Weiying, who exactly are you?"

I was slightly taken aback. What did he mean by that? I was completely baffled and stammered, "Your Majesty."

He suddenly chuckled softly, "You know what? I've put a bounty on it, 'The one in blue robes,' have you heard of him?" He turned to me, looking at me mockingly, "Five million taels of gold. Whoever catches him will be set for life, won't they?"

On the surface, I pretended to be extremely frightened and confused, and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, I don't understand what you're saying." But in my heart, I was calculating whether to have Qingci and Xiaoqi sell me out of five million taels of gold, so that I wouldn't have to worry about anything in my next life, and I'd get a lot of bounty.

"Don't worry, we haven't found her yet," Sima Rui said, puzzled.

My head is unfortunately spinning. What is all this? Wasn't this about the palace? How did we get onto these unrelated topics? It seems the person in the dark hasn't grasped the deeper meanings here.

He suddenly stared blankly into the distance, and said softly, "Do you think I know nothing? If you don't tell me, I won't ask. I just don't want to believe it." Not "朕" (Zhen, meaning "I" or "the Emperor"), but "我" (Wo, meaning "I" or "me"). This title represents everything. If you really are him, then why did you deceive me? Sima Rui smiled bitterly. Then he turned his head away, unwilling to think further.

He dared not and did not want to think about such a hypothetical scenario.

Before I could even process what was happening, he suddenly said in a deep voice, "Your request is granted. Go back and prepare. We will depart tomorrow morning."

I stood there, stunned. What did he mean by those nonsensical things he said?

But he had already gone far away. I don't know why, but I felt that his silhouette looked somewhat lonely and filled with helplessness.

He recalled the sentence she had written in her notebook: "My greatest wish in this life is no longer to hope for wealth and glory, to wield power over the world, and to stand at the highest point and look down on the world, but to be able to travel freely with a man, the only man who belongs to me in this life, to walk among the world, to practice medicine and help the world, and to be a simple and responsible couple... He is the only one for me, and I am the only one for him. The only one in this world."

Why force her to know everything when he can't give her what he wants? Let everything sink into her dreams, let them become a fleeting illusion, sinking to the deepest part of her heart.

What Consort Huan said was that people are too obsessed with knowing everything, but in the end, they are often caught up in the situation and cannot see anything clearly. They blind themselves and cannot see through anyone or anything.

In the following days, temporary clinics were erected throughout the country, and doctors from all over the country were forcibly brought there. The cost of the medicine was paid by the imperial court, and they treated the plague-infected people free of charge. Unexpectedly, countless people flocked to the temporary clinics as soon as they were set up. There were so many patients that the clinics, erected in just a few days, were already overflowing with patients. Staffing became insufficient. In the crowded clinics, an ordinary young apprentice moved back and forth between the different wards. Every now and then, a few shouts would be heard, and the apprentice would always respond loudly and appear before the doctor as quickly as possible. Despite being constantly on the run, the young man showed no dissatisfaction or complaint. All the doctors wore masks to avoid infection.

Sima Rui remained residing at the nearby mountain villa. The emperor's safety was intertwined with the safety of the realm. Although he had personally investigated the epidemic, his position dictated that he must act as a decision-maker, not risk his life. He summoned all officials to discuss the current situation, spending several days immersed in countless decisions. When he finally had some free time, he suddenly discovered that the person who had been silently staying in the backyard was nowhere to be found. He searched frantically but couldn't locate her. When he asked the servants at the villa, no one knew the whereabouts of Consort Lian. Sima Rui also noticed that the eunuch and maid who always followed her were also missing. He had only seen her once at night, when she returned home looking travel-worn, covered in dust and grime, wearing a plain gray linen dress and a white mask, with only her bright, clear eyes visible.

Before he could even ask, she had already quickly paid her respects, hurriedly returned to the backyard, and locked herself in her room.

This situation lasted for a long time.

Sima Rui finally couldn't hold back any longer. After changing his clothes, he prepared to follow her incognito and see if any official dared to disobey his orders and put them into practice.

But I never expected to see this.

Beneath the large red notice board, a long queue had already formed, filled entirely with young farm women or maids. The line continued to grow, with people eagerly vying to join.

Sima Rui was somewhat surprised. He mingled with the crowd and went forward to take a look, and saw her sitting upright at a wooden table, engrossed in writing something on a piece of paper. Moreover, every time a woman approached, she would ask her something in a low voice, then she would write it down, and then give the selected woman a set of all-white clothes and a mask.

Sima Rui looked up and saw a large sign on the red paper that read: "Female Physician Wanted. Those interested will receive 10 taels of silver or free treatment for any infected person in their household. Those interested can do their part for the patients." Short and powerful, no wonder so many people applied. A few words encompassed all possibilities.

Sima Rui began to wonder what she should do next.

After recruiting a number of female healers, I instructed them to come to work on time the next day. Then I sent Yunying and Xiaoquanzi back first, while I went to Junjin's clinic nearby to find Qingci. I wanted to know if he had figured out the prescription. With more and more people infected, recruiting new female healers serves two purposes: firstly, to train them to care for patients and provide specialized training so they know how to care for them while minimizing their own infection—just like modern nurses, as important as doctors. Secondly, I suspect some of their family members have also been infected. Because of limited greenhouses and medicinal herbs, many cannot receive treatment, so this will give them a chance to learn how to prevent infection themselves. Or perhaps, it will provide them with some financial gain.

In the darkness, following the path he had heard about, he used his lightness skill to quickly find it. Jun Jin's clinic had an excellent reputation here; he had cured many patients. Therefore, many people were eager to seek treatment at Jun Jin's clinic. However, space was limited.

Now the imperial court has joined the rescue efforts. The most important thing right now is to find a cure, and that depends on Qingci. I've always believed he can find one; it just takes time.

When I burst into the clinic, Qingci, who had been busy all along, was clearly surprised by my appearance. Before I could ask anything, she smiled at me confidently and happily, calmly and steadily, and said, "I found it."

Volume 3, Chapter 99: Falling Off the Cliff (Part 1)

Happy times drift by, like leisurely clouds in the wind. Who is loving? Who is parting?

Golden years, lush and verdant, in that dazzling life like blooming flowers, who is waiting, and who is giving up? What do we meet and fall in love with—the person, or the love itself?

I don't want to let any of these chaotic and complicated things get into my head. The love I know is steady, silent, and powerful—a kind of emotion that flows and deepens in stillness, gradually taking root in my heart. I won't talk about it, I won't delve into it, but I understand. We're both struggling, struggling to compromise with the world, to compromise with our own convictions. It's like a bottomless whirlpool, making it hard for us to see each other clearly. Should I give up everything to stay by his side, or should he give up everything to come with me? These are questions that will tear our hearts apart. We can't force the other to make a decision, nor can we convince ourselves. Or perhaps we're hoping for a miracle, hoping for a way to achieve the best of both worlds, but that feels a bit like self-deception. But even so, I'm still willing to wait, waiting for an opportunity, waiting for the day I long for to arrive.

This may be a long process, but we can take it slow and follow its pace...

Alas, sigh after sigh, who will open my eyes for me?

"Young Master, Young Master, the Li family patriarch is failing again..."

I wiped the sweat from my forehead and said without turning my head, "Send it to Qingci, he has a way."

Yunying responded and quickly left.

"Young Master—" Xiao Quanzi's voice came out again.

"What is it now?" I asked impatiently. I was busy cleaning this patient; his condition was very serious. He had a persistent high fever every day. I simply didn't have time to deal with anything else.

Xiao Quanzi sensed my impatience and mumbled, "Young Master, there are no more herbs..."

"The herbs...aren't they provided free of charge by the palace? Go ask the person in charge for them..."

"But the imperial physicians said that the gold and silver pine needles are all gone... and the stock is all gone too."

"That won't do. That's the most important ingredient in the prescription; we can't leave it out. What about Qingci?"

Xiao Quanzi said softly, "Lord Qing also said there isn't any more. He's simply too busy right now."

After racking his brains for countless solutions, he finally put down his work and decided, "You take care of him for me for a while, I'll go find some herbs and take a walk around the neighborhood..."

Xiao Quanzi replied, "Okay."

This medicine is very hard to find. I rushed to several nearby clinics and pharmacies to inquire, but miraculously, all the pine needles were sold out. It was as if they were deliberately working against me. I heard that there was a mountain called Liangmin Mountain nearby that had these pine needles. After thinking it over, I didn't care anymore, asked for directions, and rushed straight to Liangmin Mountain. Qingci had finally managed to develop the formula, but without one of the key ingredients, it was all useless. There were so many people waiting for this medicine to save their lives; not a minute could be wasted.

The mountain path was steep, with peaks stretching endlessly as far as the eye could see. White mist swirled around the mountains, giving them a somewhat eerie appearance. Along the way, I encountered a woodcutter coming down from the mountain. The old man told me that the golden and silver pine needles could only be found on the cliff opposite the main peak, separated by a ravine. In other words, I had to go up from the back of the mountain to bypass the main peak and reach the opposite cliff to collect them.

The entire journey was quiet, with only the occasional chirping of birds and the calls of animals. This scene reminded me of Prajna Valley. It was also very peaceful there, with winding paths leading up the mountain, babbling streams, and dense shrubs covering the slopes. It seemed that very few people had ever been there.

After a lot of hardship, I finally reached the top of the mountain—Grandma's twisted dough sticks! If I hadn't run out of those herbs, and if they hadn't been life-saving, I definitely wouldn't have climbed to this remote place. Who knows what wild animals might have appeared? If a monster like the one in Prajna Valley had come, I think I probably wouldn't have been able to escape.

I felt uneasy the whole way, like something ominous was about to happen. It was like someone was following me. It was really strange.

Reaching the summit, I finally understood the magnificent grandeur of the line, "I will climb to the very top and survey all the mountains below." It truly gave me a sense of being above everyone else, as if all living beings under heaven were beneath my feet. I closed my eyes, comfortably welcoming the howling mountain wind with my arms outstretched, but before I could even fully savor the moment…

A sinister voice came from the side: "You're about to die, and you're still so relaxed. That's rare, hehe..."

I was startled and turned around, and there he was!

Volume 3, Chapter 100: Falling Off the Cliff (Part 2)

Ji Mo stared at her menacingly, his eyes filled with coldness, ruthlessness, and resentment. He couldn't help but hate her. If it weren't for him—no, if it weren't for her—he wouldn't have become a homeless dog, barely surviving in this world, and the Saluo City wouldn't have fallen into someone else's hands! He gritted his teeth in hatred!

Ever since that day of martial arts glory, he had been waiting for an opportunity to take revenge. He had been following him all the way from Jianxian Manor to Jiankang, and then, for some reason, he ended up in the imperial palace. But he made a shocking discovery: the arrogant and feared Jun Jinjin, the most feared man in the entire Jin Kingdom, actually had another identity! He was the current emperor's favorite concubine, Consort Liande.

He couldn't believe he'd lost to a woman! He couldn't defeat a woman! And with such a tragic end. He was indignant, resentful! He wanted revenge!

He had waited a long time for this opportunity, and she finally left the palace.

Taking advantage of this opportune moment, his long-planned conspiracy finally came to fruition. He bribed a young apprentice to steal all the gold and silver pine needles from the medicine storehouse, and had also bought up all the gold and silver pine needles from every pharmacy beforehand. He knew, of course, that the only place in Jiankang City that contained that medicine was the cliff edge of Liangmin Mountain. What he was looking for was someone who had no one to protect her, was all alone, and had died in this desolate wilderness, without anyone knowing.

He knew his martial arts skills weren't as good as hers, but he had anticipated this and was well-prepared. Heh heh. She was doomed this time. He would make sure she died a horrible death! To vent his hatred!

I turned around, somewhat astonished. I hadn't expected to see him here. Seeing the murderous look on his face, and then recalling the series of events, it all suddenly dawned on me. He must have been planning all this for a long time. It was truly remarkable how meticulously he had schemed to eliminate me. I had spared him that day out of pity and because he was Mai Qi's uncle, but I hadn't expected him to still be so resentful… Moreover, it seemed he had already discovered my identity. I absolutely could not leave him alive! With that thought, a cold glint appeared in my eyes.

I looked at him disdainfully and said coldly, "Since I dared to let you go that day, I'm not afraid that you'll come looking for me today. Are you sure you can kill me?"

He smiled slyly: "My martial arts skills are naturally inferior to yours, but—" he laughed wickedly, "you thought I would come unprepared."

A chill ran down my spine. I tried to catch my breath, only to find that I had absolutely no strength left in my body. I knew I was doomed. It was all my fault for being so eager to find the herbs to save the person that I hadn't noticed the traps I'd set. Stepping in step by step, I knew I wouldn't be able to get out. A bitter smile crept across my face. I'd been so clever all my life, yet so foolish this time. I'd run here like a complete idiot, like a kindergartener. There wasn't a soul in sight, not even a bird. It seemed I was doomed.

After thinking it over, I couldn't help but laugh it off. Since I already knew things were this way, why complain? I looked up and said calmly, "Are you sure you can kill me?"

Seeing my calm expression and lack of panic, he exclaimed in surprise, "No way! I'm sure I applied ten times the amount of the skin-staining 'softening powder' to those gold and silver pine needles. How could it not have worked?"

He had applied medicine to it, and I, looking at the herbs still clutched in my hand, sighed inwardly. He was quite clever, knowing that once I saw them, he would happily pick them immediately. I had truly underestimated him. Was this my fate?

He suddenly said coldly, "Trying to fool me? Hmph, today it's either you or me who dies!"

I stood still, the drug already taking effect, my forehead covered in a thick layer of sweat. I endured the pain with great difficulty. If I collapsed now, he would surely have no qualms about doing so. I couldn't fall down yet. I pinched my thigh tightly and secretly, trying to stay awake, but my body was still swaying and trembling.

What's worse is that I'm feeling waves of heat rising in my lower abdomen. My whole body is having strange reactions. It's so hot, like it's craving something... What's wrong with me?

Seeing my reaction, he lewdly chuckled, "Who would have thought that the feared and admired Young Master Jin is actually a beautiful woman? Today I'll see what it's like to see the most mysterious and famous Young Master Jin on the continent lying beneath me, moaning lewdly? Hehe—"

I tried to support myself, but waves of dizziness washed over me, blurring my vision. I gritted my teeth and said to him, "Don't come any closer! What did you do to me?" My body slowly slumped to the ground.

He chuckled, "I wonder if the famous Young Master Jin has ever heard of 'Qiyun Hehuan San'?" He really wanted to see her crying and begging him to spare her life.

Qi Yun He Huan San?! I heard Sister Dan Yi mention it; it's a famous aphrodisiac that makes those who are drugged more lewd than the most wanton and wanton women in brothels! Damn it, despicable, shameless, vile… I ran through every single curse word I could think of in my head! I was just short of cursing his ancestors for eighteen generations! Damn it!

I thought death would be a quick and painless end, but I never expected to be humiliated even before I die! The more he acts like this, the less I'll let him have his way. People are often forced into desperate situations. Is this what they mean by "putting oneself in a life-or-death situation and then finding a way out"?

I forced myself to my feet, looking at him arrogantly, and said coldly, "Don't come any closer. You don't need to lift a finger; I'll jump off. Do you think I'd beg you out of fear? Ha! In my eyes, you're just a pathetic clown; I'm disgusted even to look at you." My gaze was filled with contempt and pity. I retreated step by step, for every step he took forward, I retreated one step back. My steps were unsteady, but my resolve remained firm. When I had nowhere left to retreat, there was only a bottomless abyss below. My foot slipped, and a pebble fell in. For a long time, there was no sound; one could guess how deep it was—the bottom was nowhere to be seen.

"You—" He glared at me angrily, seemingly quite resentful. Then, he sighed, "I've never met a woman like you in my entire life. I'm convinced, but you've taken my city and forced me into this situation. I won't let you go, so don't struggle anymore. Come here. If you beg me, maybe I'll soften my heart and let you go." He tried a softer approach when his hard approach failed.

However, I am the kind of stubborn and willful person who, once I've made up my mind, won't listen to reason or force.

I stood there, facing the wind, my hair disheveled. Waves of heat washed over me as desire surged within me, and my cheeks flushed an unusual red, making my face appear even more alluring and captivating, like a vibrant, fresh, and ripe red rose in full bloom.

He really doesn't understand what I, An Jin, have gone through to get to this point, what Jin Shao represents, is indomitable spirit, unwillingness to be ordinary, persistence, striving to fulfill my dreams, and protecting those I care about... How could he understand?

I smiled calmly, my beauty as captivating as the thin, mysterious veil that enveloped the entire mountain at that moment.

He glanced at him one last time and said coldly, "What is there to fear in death? How could I submit to someone like you? Ji Mo, the entire Junjin will not let you go, nor will the Three Kings. Even if you flee to the ends of the earth and hide in the deepest mountains and forests, they will search the ground three feet deep, kill gods and Buddhas alike, and find you to tear you to pieces... This curse will haunt you for the rest of your life, and your fate will be a thousand times, a hundred times, worse than the humiliation I have suffered today!"

After I finished speaking, he roared angrily, suddenly drew his sword, and stabbed me viciously: "You bitch! You'd better pray for yourself!"

I remained fearless and coldly replied, "Ji Mo, the biggest mistake you've ever made in your life was underestimating Jun Jin! Underestimating me!"

I took a deep breath, stepped back a few paces, and prepared—

Suddenly, a panting figure appeared from behind and shouted, "Stop!"

Volume 3, Chapter 101: The Strange and Ugly Woman (Part 1)

I tilted my head and saw it was him! Why did he have to join in the fun?

Just as I was panicking, a cold sword was pressed against my neck. My heart sank. Well, now it's all over. The poison I'd been absorbing was slowly fading and being cleared by Feng Fei. I was just about to unleash my full power and make him regret it when suddenly someone appeared and roared, scaring me half to death. In that moment of carelessness, that shameless scoundrel Ji Mo succeeded.

Sima Rui stood there, looking at the woman held to the sword with some panic. If he hadn't lost her and wandered around this mountain, this wouldn't have happened. Since leaving the palace, seeing her constantly running off, he had followed her every day. He watched her care for the sick without regard for hierarchy, her kindness, her tireless efforts for the patients, and her solitary journey to this deep mountain in search of medicine. But he never imagined that someone else was following her, someone else who wanted to kill her.