Chapter 2: 2. Chapter 2: He Went to Liangzhou

Chapter 2: He Went to Liangzhou

"Father is the Son of Heaven; why should he care about the opinions of his subjects?"

The Emperor’s gaze fell upon the Crown Prince’s head, his eyes filled with disappointment. "I see that all the books you’ve read have gone into a dog’s belly. From today on, you are to remain in the Eastern Palace to reflect. You are not to take a single step outside.

You will not come out until you truly know your mistake."

The Emperor turned to leave, and the Crown Prince chased after him.

"Father, I was the one kicked and injured by him! Why are you locking me up?"

"If you hadn't acted so excessively, would he have hurt you?" The Emperor stopped. The Crown Prince didn't, and he slammed directly into the Emperor’s back.

The Emperor didn't even sway, but the Crown Prince’s nose went instantly sour with pain.

"You are being far too biased. Even if I was in the wrong, you shouldn't only punish me."

The Emperor’s patience wore thin. "I have already punished him."

"I would rather take ten strokes of the cane, as long as you don't lock me up!"

The Emperor gritted his teeth. "He has gone to Liangzhou. Do you wish to go as well?"

The Emperor dropped these words and strode away. The gates of the Eastern Palace were locked from the outside by the guards.

The Crown Prince was left completely stunned. Liangzhou...

He had thought this incident would be like all the others—his father would scold them both, and then they would be able to play together again.

He hadn't expected it to be this serious.

Outside the palace walls.

Under the cover of a dark and windy night, someone broke down a door to snatch a person.

"What are you doing? Why are you tying me up! Ouch, my hand!"

"Bafang, you scoundrel! Who told you to—mmph... mmmph!"

Bafang stuffed the rag in Dr. Hu’s mouth a bit tighter. "My apologies, Dr. Hu. It is the Madam’s order to bring you along as well. There is no time to explain."

"Are you done yet?" Another person rushed into the small pharmacy. Seeing that Dr. Hu was already bound, he immediately hoisted the man up and carried him away.

Dr. Hu looked at the medicinal herbs on the table—ginseng! The ginseng he had just acquired!

Bafang followed his gaze, found a cloth, wrapped everything up, and took it with him.

Dr. Hu was carried onto a carriage.

A moment later, his medicine chest and a pile of herbs were tossed in after him.

Then, the horses pulling the carriage began to gallop wildly.

The sound of hooves and wheels mingled together, and occasionally one could hear the person driving the carriage constantly urging the horses to go faster.

What could be so urgent?

Was Meng Changqing dying?

Or had she been exposed?

Just as he was about to be shaken to the point of vomiting, the carriage finally stopped.

Bafang climbed into the carriage. "My apologies for the grievance, Dr. Hu. I will untie you now."

Once the ropes were undone and the rag pulled from his mouth, Dr. Hu raised his hand to strike Bafang. "Such audacity! You dare to tie me up? Today, I’ll show you a thing or two!"

"Dr. Hu!" A woman’s voice came from outside the carriage.

Dr. Hu stopped his hand in mid-air.

Bafang said respectfully, "Our Madam is waiting for you outside."

After stepping off the carriage, Dr. Hu realized they were in a desolate field.

No wonder it had been shaking for so long; they had already left the city.

"My apologies, Dr. Hu, for the fright."

Old Hu walked up to Madam Wen and bowed. "Madam, what exactly has happened?"

"Changqing has been appointed by His Majesty as the Magistrate of Beishan County. She must take up her post immediately."

"Beishan County? Where is that?"

"In Liangzhou."

Old Hu lowered his voice and said angrily, "Are you insane, or is the Emperor insane? What kind of place is Liangzhou? You dare let her go there!"

Madam Wen’s expression did not change in the slightest; she remained as calm and composed as ever. "The imperial decree has been issued. As a subject, how can one defy it?"

"Fine." Old Hu nodded and waved his hand. "Go if you must, but why bring me? My family is still in the capital; I will never go to such a place with you."

"Dr. Hu." Madam Wen stopped the man as he turned to leave. "You know too much. How could I dare leave you in the capital?"

Old Hu was silent for a moment before saying with regret, "I shouldn't have..."

He only said half of it; he knew he couldn't say the rest.

Madam Wen finished it for him. "Shouldn't have agreed to my plea thirteen years ago, or shouldn't have known my husband?"

"The General gave me a new lease on life; I have never regretted knowing the General," Old Hu said. "Protecting his family is something I am willing to do.

But I will not go to Liangzhou.

I barely escaped that hellhole; I will never go back.

Please rest assured, Madam. I know what should be said and what should not."

"Dr. Hu, you know Liangzhou is no good place. This journey is perilous. Do you have the heart to let Changqing face such danger while injured?" Madam Wen’s tactics were varied; if one path was blocked, she would simply switch to another.

Old Hu: "What heart do I have? You all had the heart to make her travel while severely wounded."

"Very well." Madam Wen appeared to compromise. "Then you may return."

Madam Wen did not linger and walked toward the carriage in front.

Old Hu hesitated several times, but eventually caught up to her. "I will check Changqing’s wounds before I leave."

Madam Wen’s face showed joy. "Thank you, Dr. Hu. To be honest, she just fainted again."

"Then why didn't you say so earlier!" Old Hu ran back to the carriage to grab his medicine chest. "You babbled at me for so long, yet you didn't mention the most important thing!"

"Her injuries won't heal in a day or two. Since you were unwilling to come, what would telling you have accomplished? It will hurt regardless; she will get used to it eventually."

Old Hu understood what she meant.

He said nothing, climbed into the carriage to take Meng Changqing’s pulse, changed her dressings, and even applied two acupuncture needles.

Looking at the child lying on the blanket, her face deathly pale, Old Hu truly didn't have the heart.

She was only thirteen.

She was General Meng’s only remaining child.

If she were to become disabled due to a lack of medicine and care, what face would he have to see General Meng in the afterlife?

As for Madam Wen, although she was the General’s first wife, she was not Changqing’s biological mother.

She didn't love Changqing with the same tenderness as a birth mother would.

Old Hu sighed. "I will go to Liangzhou with you, and I will leave once Changqing’s wounds have healed."

Madam Wen said gratefully, "Then thank you very much, Dr. Hu."

The sound of their voices woke Meng Changqing.

"Where are we?" Her voice was hoarse. She tried to peek outside, but the movement pulled at the wounds on her back. "Hiss—"

Dr. Hu pressed her down. "Don't move!"

The carriage curtain lifted, and a woman in her early thirties entered, carrying medicine.

This was Meng Changqing’s biological mother, Lady Liang. It was said that her embroidery skills were once outstanding; she had even embroidered belts for the imperial concubines.

The carriage space was limited and couldn't hold so many people.

Dr. Hu stepped out to make room, and Lady Liang thanked him repeatedly.

Dr. Hu said, "If you truly cared for her, you should have stopped the Madam. With such severe injuries, she needs rest. Even if the Emperor has a decree, surely he wouldn't forbid her from recovering before departing?

I don't think he is that heartless."

Lady Liang explained for her mistress, "Leaving overnight was Changqing’s own wish."

Dr. Hu waved his hand. "I’m done with this. You two adults can just go along with the child’s nonsense!"

Inside the carriage, Meng Changqing asked Madam Wen, "Where are we?"

Madam Wen tucked the blanket around her. "We have already left the capital. Don't worry, we will rest here for two hours before moving on."

She then asked, "Why is Dr. Hu here?"

Madam Wen: "He was worried about you and insisted on accompanying us to provide care until your wounds are healed."

(End of chapter)