The clouds on the horizon were tinged with the glow of rosy clouds.
I closed my eyes and recalled how I first met Lou Xiyue.
It was March, a time of warbling birds and lush grass. He put away his folding fan, raised an eyebrow slightly, and smiled, "I am Lou Xiyue, greetings to Valley Master Xia."
The willows swayed gently in the breeze, and the setting sun cast its slanting rays upon the reeds. The peach blossoms have buried the departed, leaving behind only the faded memories of bygone days of poetry and wine.
[55] How Many Dreams
Three days later, I was bedridden. After examining my pulse, the imperial physicians in the palace beat their chests and sighed in despair, unanimously expressing their regret to the Emperor. They said that the national mourning was approaching and asked the Emperor to prepare himself mentally.
I am a doctor, and I am well aware of my own condition; perhaps I really do not have long to live.
My master's wolfsbane will soon be cured, and Lianji no longer needs my care. Lou Xiyue... has returned to the Central Plains. There are only a few things I care about in this world. So, this is good.
After angrily rebuking a group of quack doctors, the Emperor decisively arranged for a group of sorcerers to surround me and sing and play music.
I tilted the wine jug, filled the wine cup, and tilted my head to watch the wizard in front of me chanting incantations while shaking a copper bell.
Their faces were painted with ghostly symbols and their heads were adorned with wings, which involuntarily reminded me of a strong wind and made me miss him.
Emperors often refer to themselves as "I, the lonely one," and although I lack the talent and strategy of an emperor, I have deeply come to understand the spirit of Dugu Qiubai (a legendary figure known for his unparalleled skill in martial arts). This feeling is not pleasant, but I have no other choice.
A figure in a dark blue robe with a black collar walked in. Lianji leaned down slightly, looked closer at me, and said with a half-smile in her eyes, "Your Highness Xuanji is quite interested. The Emperor is anxious, but you have the leisure to drink and relax here."
I swirled my wine glass and laughed, "In a few days, I will ascend the throne and become emperor, so naturally we should celebrate."
As if struck on a sore spot, her eyes turned cold. She paused, then slowly said, "You really do care about Xia Jingnan the most. It's a pity that Young Master Lou's deep affection has been wasted."
My heart clenched painfully. I lowered my head and took a sip of wine, having no desire to argue with her. So I said in a low voice, "I appreciate your troubles, but who I feel sorry for has absolutely nothing to do with the Great Xue Kingdom or you, Lian Ji. The medicine you prepared earlier was indeed very potent. Right now, I need to go to the inner palace to rest and recuperate, so that I won't become rusty when handling state affairs later. Please go back."
Lianji stared at me for a long time, then stiffened. "Indeed, Xuanji fell ill shortly after being granted the title of Princess. I wonder how long she can last after ascending the throne?"
I forced a smile and said, "You're overthinking it. My medical skills may be lacking, but I'm not that weak. I'm afraid I can't fulfill your wish. The spell you cast on the Emperor is probably not as difficult to unravel as you make it out."
Seeing her expression suddenly change, I looked at her carefully and said, "Qi Xiao, you scheme against others, but in the end you will always get yourself killed."
After speaking, he put down his wine cup and headed towards the inner palace.
Lianji called out to me from behind: "Lou Xiyue liked me back then, but he mistook you for me, which is why he has stayed with you until now."
I stopped in my tracks, my chest aching terribly.
Lianji softened her tone, "Didn't he originally promise to wait for you, even if it meant becoming a princess? That's because he didn't know the truth. After I explained it to him, he realized that you weren't the person he loved back then, so he left in a hurry without saying goodbye. You don't care about him, and the person in his heart isn't you either, so that's fine."
I remained silent for a long time, then leaned on the edge of the table and said to her, "You're right, this is just right..."
Back in the inner palace, a metallic taste filled his throat, and he dry-vomited some blood. He took a dose of medicine to calm himself down.
I leaned against the desk and pondered for a long time before deciding to go and find the Emperor.
With only four days left until the coronation ceremony, if Consort Lian secretly sabotages things and I can't get the antidote, wouldn't I have lost my life in vain?
The Emperor frowned and said in a deep voice, "You want to go back to Medicine King Valley?"
I nodded sincerely and said, "Firstly, I am afflicted with a stubborn poison and would like to seek my master's help. Secondly, the poison that the Emperor was afflicted with is not incurable. There is a herb called Silan in Medicine King Valley. When combined with marble and Heart-Tasting Grass, it can force out the poison."
How do I know that you are not secretly fleeing back home?
I replied, “Your Majesty is free to send someone to keep an eye on me. As a descendant of Yue Ji, I am of Xue blood. The Li Kingdom forced Jin Lang to his death back then, and they could hardly tolerate me.”
The Emperor paused for a moment, then said coldly, "I forbid it."
I pretended to be frank and said, "To be honest, Your Majesty, the poison I have been afflicted with is quite stubborn. May I ask for your permission? If Your Majesty thinks it is inappropriate, you may ask someone to bring the antidote for wolfsbane back to the valley. After my master is cured, you can ask him to come here for a consultation."
After a pause, I sighed and forced a smile, saying, "The journey between the two countries is very long. I'm afraid by the time Master arrives, I will have already passed away."
Admittedly, the above statements contain some exaggerations. For example, the legendary Slan who could cure the Migu Fan is outside the scope of the facts.
But I really don't know how much longer I can live. I feel desperate and bitter. If Your Majesty is a wise ruler, you should know that a dying person can say anything. The most appropriate thing to do in this situation is to lock me up to avoid affecting public opinion.
I covered my mouth and coughed a few more times in a deep voice. The Emperor closed his eyes and pondered for a while, then summoned Zhuo Shang to his presence and instructed him: "Zhuo Shang, I order you to take men and escort Xuan Ji to Medicine King Valley. Return in three days. If she insists on not coming back..."
He frowned, looked at me thoughtfully, and said coldly, "Then kill her. The bloodline of Yueji must not be allowed to fall into the barbaric lands of foreign tribes."
I was placed in a carriage. Zhuo Shang led a group of people dressed as merchants and set off for the Central Plains.
I leaned against the window and watched the sunrise and sunset, the clouds rising and the rosy clouds flying.
Lou Xiyue and I rode along this ancient Tea Horse Road three times.
Horses kick up fragrant dust, travelers hurry by. Unbeknownst to them, they have ridden across countless mountains and rivers, the layered peaks seeming to reappear as if from yesterday.
Passing through Jingzhou.
I rolled up the carriage curtain and saw vendors setting up stalls next to the Ten Plum Pavilion, steaming plum blossom cakes in bamboo steamers.
Ordinary people in simple clothes carrying baskets passed by, the mist obscuring the faces of customers in front of the stalls.
"Your Highness, please have something to eat to fill your stomach." Zhuo Shang handed over an oil paper package.
I was momentarily stunned. "Lou Xiyue, I'm not hungry."
Zhuo Shangdao: "Does Your Highness miss Young Master Lou?"
I paused, lowered the carriage curtain, leaned against the carriage, listened to the bustling shouts of the city, and whispered, "Yes, I miss him very much."
Zhuo Shang gave some instructions outside the car, and only the word "investigate" could be vaguely heard.
The bright rosy clouds at dawn fall like smoke on paper.
Medicine King Valley remains exactly as it was before.
A few flowers and plants peeked out from the cracks in the rocks. The three masters sat at the stone table with their masters, bowing low, playing chess.
The master was dressed in plain clothes, his hair was tied up with an ebony hairpin, and his expression was gentle.
The wind rustled through the ten-mile-long bamboo forest.
The wind flapped its wings and rested on the eaves; Xiao Jiu huddled behind a haystack, while smoke rose from the eaves.
When the Third Duke saw me, he stopped what he was doing, stroked his beard, and called out, "Girl."
Master paused slightly, then looked up and smiled gently, "Little Xiang, you're back."
I composed myself and stepped forward, asking, "Master, are you alright?"
Upon closer inspection, I noticed that my master had lost a lot of weight.
The master raised his hand and gently rubbed his temples, saying calmly, "It's fine. Why do you look like you're about to cry?"
I grinned and said, "This time I won't make a mistake again. I've found the antidote for wolfsbane."
Zhuo Shang stood in front of the wooden house with a line of guards. He solemnly stepped forward, holding a box wrapped in brocade in his hand.
He said to me solemnly, "Your Highness, I am about to perform the consecration ceremony. May I ask Your Highness to grant me this honor?"
Seeing his serious expression, as if he was about to cry, I quickly nodded and replied, "Of course, I'll teach you however you want."
Zhuo Shang said solemnly, "Heaven above and Earth below. Please open the box, Your Highness."
I said, "..."
I unwrapped the satin, opened the brocade box, and inside was a jade-colored porcelain bottle. I handed the bottle to my master.
The master frowned slightly and asked, "Xiao Xiang, where did you get the antidote? Who are these people?"
I replied, "I've gotten a princess from the East for free. A group of people insist that I become the empress, and I can't refuse their kindness. I can only reluctantly accept the role. In the future, Master, whatever medicine you want, as long as it's available in the Eastern Medicine Pavilion, I'll send it to you for free."
The master paused for a moment, "You are a princess from the Eastern Lands?"
I said, “You could say that. If you kidnap me now, it might cause a huge uproar in the court and the palace, leading to a direct confrontation between the Li Kingdom and the Xue Kingdom, leaving a significant mark on history. In that case, my dream of becoming famous in the martial arts world will be achieved. A woman should have lofty ambitions, and I can even make my name known throughout the two countries and be awe-inspiring in all directions.”
I continued to instigate my master to kidnap me with great ambition, but Zhuo Shang solemnly interrupted me, saying, "Your Highness, the lord has only given you three days."
He turned to his master and said, "The Xuanji Palace is poisoned. The lord wishes to exchange the princess's life for the antidote of wolfsbane with Young Master Xia. We implore Young Master Xia to treat the princess."
After listening, my master placed his hand on my pulse to check it, his brows furrowed slightly, and after a long while he pondered, he said, "I will prescribe medicine for you."
He turned to leave, but suddenly froze, his lips stained with blood.
I said urgently, "Master, please take the antidote first."
The master nodded slightly and left a message: "I'm going to my room to administer the medicine. Come to my room in half an hour. I have something to tell you."
I sat down and chatted with the Third Master about family matters, asking, "Third Master, how have you been lately?"