Chapter 206: Mei Furen (Part 1)
When Shen Miao and Luo Tan reached the front of the thatched house, Hui Xiang and Ba Jiao was standing under a Locust tree surveying while Cong Yang and Mo Qing sat under the tree, hugging their swords with their brows tightly sewn together.
Hui Xiang suddenly said, “Arrived.” Ba Jiao quickly rush over and saw that Luo Tan and Shen Miao was following behind the strange Taoist priest, heading over here. Luo Tan was still alright but Shen Miao stumbled on the stop and her entire body was stained with dirt, her hair was somewhat messy and there was some odour.
Hui Xiang and Ba Jiao looked at one another and their hearts were aligned. Ba Jiao asked, “Furen, this is…”
Luo Tan wanted to speak but her sleeves were tugged by Shen Miao. When she looked over, Shen Miao shook her head slightly and she swallowed the words that were at her mouth.
Shen Miao, “Let’s go.”
However Chi Yan Taoist Priest said, “Since you are rushing for time, there is no need to use that road that you come on. One will point a nearer route.” He brought the few of them around and suddenly there was a field and there was a visible crisscross path.
From Ben Yue words, the path that pair of siblings walked was a path on a field and at this moment, it was consistent. It seemed that that pair of siblings did not take the route that Shen Miao and the rest took when they came over but instead this route.
Chi Yan said, “You all can follow this road all the way and the exit will be there.” He then looked at Shen Miao and smiled, “Furen will have a predestined fate like what this poor priest said.”
Shen Miao looked at him calmly, “Does Taoist Priest want to say that the predestined fate is appearing soon?”
“The predestined fate lives according to destiny. Heavens’ designs must not be divulged.” The Taoist Priest mysteriously smiled, “But after not long, this poor priest will meet Furen again. At that time, one hope that Furen would be like yesterday night, pick the worms cleanly off from Hong Xiu Cao. At that time, there would be a chance of reconciliation.”
These words was neither negative or positive and unclear. Others were in a head of water upon hearing it and Shen Miao too did not understand it clearly. It was only that there were too many things that one could not stay on. If nothing goes wrong, with the time from leaving here and staying here a night, today was the sixth day. That Gui Yuan Pill could at the most withstand for ten days, moreover the old Imperial Physician said that Xie Jing Xing’s poison had started to spread and there would be danger around the seventh day. There was really no time left to stay on.
After saying farewells to Chi Yan, Shen Miao and the rest took that small path in the field. This small path was indeed like what Chi Yan Taoist Priest said, much easier to walk on than the route that they took through the forest the day before.
When they were boarding the horse carriage, Hui Xiang could not help but said, “Furen, what did that Taoist Priest made you do? What happened yesterday night?” She saw Shen Miao’s sorry appearance and did not believe that nothing happened at all.
Shen Miao said, “Nothing much happened. Returning back is more important.” She then took the lead and went up the horse carriage. Seeing that Shen Miao was not willing to talk more about it, Hui Xiang and the rest suddenly became suspicious but was helpless towards it. In addition that Xie Jing Xing’s injury could not delayed, they quickly rush back.
In the horse carriage, Luo Tan asked Shen Miao, “Youngest Biao Sister, why do you not want to speak about it?” From Luo Tan’s view, Shen Miao had took on such a great suffering for Xie Jing Xing and it was very moving in any case. Even ordinary husband and wife would not be able to reach such a step. A Young Lady knelt down to be a farmer and did it for an entire night. This was something that not everyone could do. Shen Miao had suffered but did not tell others but kept it hidden. What good was this?
“These things are done not to tell and show off.” Shen Miao said, “Moreover if these are spread out, it would instead affect the reputation of the residence of Prince Rui. This issue ends here, you should not tell others.”
Luo Tan asked, “Prince Rui also cannot know?”
Shen Miao nodded her head.
Luo Tan said, “I understand.” She then said to Shen Miao, “Go and rest first. It would only be tomorrow when one reaches Long Ye. You have stayed up all night last night and have not rested at all so one looks extremely tired. Even if I want to hide it for you, your appearance cannot be hidden.”
Shen Miao nodded her head and leaned against the horse carriage and closed her eyes. After working for the entire night, she was really sleepy and tired. There was no need for additional support as she was on the edge of sleeping and she fell asleep immediately when her eyes closed, without caring of the bumps the carriage endured during the journey.
This night sleep was very short and it seemed that one did not sleep for long when SHen Miao was shaken awake. She opened her eyes and saw Ba Jiao looking at her, “Furen, Luo Young Lady, have arrived at the residence.”
Luo Tan also woke up and the two of them jumped off the carriage. It was already the morning of the next day and the sun was already high up. Shen Miao patted her heart and when she saw that the main doors of the residence of Prince Rui were unmanned, her heart tightened.
The Prince Residence had always been on high alert and those guarding were transferred from Mo Yun Army and would be very strict normally. Now there wasn’t anyone at all. Could it be… Something had happened?
Luo Tan also saw it that some bad feelings appeared in her heart but she fear of causing a heartache to Shen Miao so she dared not speak a single word. It was Mo Qing who said, “Furen, go in and take a look first.”
Cong Yang and the rest were all Xie Jing Xing’s subordinates and naturally they were also worried. When they entered the Prince Residence, they saw that it was empty inside, their hearts became even more suspicious and more restless. Shen Miao’s steps became anxious and she bumped onto another person. That person jumped in shock and upon looking back, saw Shen Miao and was startled, “Furen, you have returned.”
That person was Tang Shu.
Tang Shu’s clothes seemed to be shabby and not the usual sharp and proper. Shen Miao asked hurriedly, “What happened? Why is there no one in the residence?”
“Furen, why are you back now? One do not know how the news of Master’s life was hanging by a thread was spread out and these days there were a number of people who were inquiring in the dark and out in the open. The residence was working on concealing it and the people in court are coming around again. It is indeed a mess. Ji Furen had sent people a few time to ask for your whereabouts and at the Emperor’s side…”
Luo Tan said, “Youngest Biao Sister was busy searching for that Superior One for MeiFu. Speaking of which, we have already gotten…”
“That’s right.” Tang Shu smack his head, “One have forgotten to tell you a good news. Master is awake.”
Shen Miao and Luo Tan was stunned at the same time and Shen Miao asked, “Awake?”
“Yes.” Tang Shu said, “Furen does not know about it. The night when Furen left, Master’s injuries suddenly split open and the poison could not be contained at all. The Imperial Physicians from the Palace all said that those Gui Yuan Pills could not save Master’s life. Even when Gentleman Gao came over, he too had no other ways and said that he would not be able to live pass 2 days. It seemed that Master was not in a good condition.” Tang Shu spoke with calligraphic flourish with many twists that everyone’s heart started falling. Luo tan was an anxious person and could not help but asked, “And then?”
“And then the news of Master being unable to make it was spread out. One did not know why but it had spread onto the streets. Ji Furen was anxious and seeing that the entire Long Ye knew about it, she simply posted a message outside to invite doctors to treat Master’s illness. Whoever could treat him would be rewarded in gold. It was fortunate that someone saw the message and gave Master a herb that Gentleman Gao made into a pill for Master. Master’s wounds then slowly got better and early this morning, he even woke up once. Gentleman Gao and the Imperial Physician took a look and saw that Master’s wounds are recovering and the poison was resolved.”
Tang Shu said everything in one breathe and after pausing, he sighed, “Everyone said that Master’s life should not end like this. Two years ago, everyone also said that Master could not make it but Master hold it out. Now it is the same, it is Heavens that is gracious and it is the Late Empress that blesses Master from Heavens.”
When Shen Miao heard that Xie Jing Xing’s poison was gone, this time she really felt relieved. Ba Jiao and the rest also patted their chest and their hanging hearts finally settled down.
Luo Tan looked at Shen Miao and thought in her heart that Shen Miao had gained that herb from that harsh Taoist Priest with great difficulty but now that herb would not be of use. Who let that passing person extend their hand to help. But after thinking about it, that person after all cured Xie Jing Xing and now she did not feel that the person was wrong. It was just that she secretly felt that it was unworthy for Shen Miao and that Shen Miao had done so much for nothing.
Tang Shu also said, “When Master just woke up, he asked about Furen and asked where did Furen went. Furen did not allow this old servant to talk about this matter and these days Furen did not return so this old servant fear that things would happen and also feared that Master’s mind would think unnecessary things and thus worsen the injuries. So one had hidden the matter.”
Shen Miao said, “You did well.” She did not want to let others that she went to search for Chi Yan. First one feared that it would be exploited by others and second, if one was too upset about something then the matter would become this person’s weakness. If one day one want to deal with Shen Miao, then they would only need to take action on Xie Jing Xing. Shen Miao did not want to expose her weakness so early.
Moreover, she was not sure how would Xie Jing Xing react to her strange behaviour. She could only wait for some days after Xie Jing Xing’s injuries was much better before explaining everything to him.
“I will go and take a look at him first.” Shen Miao said.
“Furen.” Tang Shu stopped her and said, “Master just taken the medicated that Gentleman Gao made and is currently resting. It is instead not good for Furen to go over.”
Shen Miao sighed deeply and then looked at Tang Shu, “Why is there no one watching the residence doors? It also seems that there is no one around. What is going on?”
Tang Shu smiled ashamed, “There is just too much things that happened today that this old servant forget to inform Furen about it. Even though the matter of Master being saved was known to all of Long Ye, one also know that Master had taken a trip through life and death and at the end is safe. However Ji Furen and Young Master Ji were worried so they had been staying in the residence for these days. This old servant had heading Furen’s whereabout from them and only said that Furen went to search for doctors. In the end those people save Master’s life and is considered Master’s benefactors, so this old servant placed them in the residence. When Master woke up today, Ji Furen and them also went to take a look. That benefactor is currently in the main hall and Ji Furen, Young Master Ji and the rest are all in the main hall, saying they want to reward and thank the other party. However the benefactors were not people who are greedy for money or power as they did not want the gold reward.”
“Then what do they want?” Luo Tan asked, “Wasn’t it in the notice? If it is not for the sake of the reward then why the need to respond to the notice?”
Tang Shu looked at Luo Tan and smiled, “This old servant’s heart is also puzzled. Ji Furen asked the benefactor but the benefactor said that since they passed by that day and coincidently saw that notice, they thought about the herb that their ancestors had passed down that can detoxify hundreds of poisons. Thinking that since this herb could save a life, they did not think much and came over to our residence.”
Luo Tan shrugged her shoulders, “That is need of noble character and unquestionable integrity. I would not do it to such a level. The things that one’s ancestors passed down have to be valued greatly. To save a stranger that one have never seen… One would need to be bold.”
Tang Shu also smiled, “That is true.” Afterwards he looked at Shen Miao, “Ji Furen is also suffering a headache due to this matter and this servant could not make a decision. However since Furen has returned, then may Furen take a look what should be bestowed to them.”
“Since one is a benefactor, then I should take a look first.” Shen Miao’s eyes hung, “Are they at the main hall now?”
“Exactly so.” Tang Shu said, “This old servant was going to head over. It is good that Furen also go over together.”
Shen Miao nodded her head and Luo Tan quickly followed.
Along the way, Tang Shu suddenly seemed to have thought about something and said, “Speaking of which that two benefactors seemed to have just arrived in Long Ye and is not familiar with Long Ye at all. They said that they were here to search for their relatives and Ji Furen thought of helping them raise money and our Prince residence can also make a contribution. It would also be good if a notice can be hung out.”
“Two benefactors?” Shen Miao asked, “How come there are two?”