4 – The Nine Thousand Years Old Returns to the City Early (Revised)
“Woof woof woof—”
After the mixed-breed dog was rescued by Jiang Lige, Shang Guanqi didn’t say anything, so it was temporarily settled in Moon Departure Palace.
When Wuhuan stepped into Moon Departure Palace, the mixed-breed dog, still covered in dried blood, suddenly stood up and barked fiercely at him, refusing to let him enter.
Wuhuan couldn’t take another step and was locked in a standoff with the dog when Luzhu emerged from the inner hall and tossed a piece of dried meat outside. The dog immediately quieted down and crouched to the side.
“See how obedient this dog is,” Luzhu said with a double meaning.
Wuhuan felt awkward for a moment, then waved his hand, and a row of eunuchs entered carrying items.
“These are gifts from the Lord of a Thousand Years to the Emperor. The Lord of a Thousand Years also said that since Your Majesty was caught in the rain, you should rest and recuperate in Moon Departure Palace. There’s no need to attend court for the next few days.”
After delivering the message, Wuhuan turned and left.
Luzhu returned to the inner hall and presented the items to Jiang Lige.
Ginseng, lingzhi mushrooms, donkey-hide gelatin, deer antler, bear bile…
All were top-grade medicinal ingredients, of the highest quality, not even available in the Imperial Medical Academy.
“Is Nine Thousand Years doing this on purpose? Giving us raw ingredients instead of prepared medicine? Is this a reward or a punishment?” Luzhu complained.
Jiang Lige glanced over them, her eyes lighting up.
Compared to prepared medicine, she preferred these raw ingredients. She could mix and prepare them according to her own needs.
With these ingredients, her physical recovery was just around the corner.
“Put them away for now. A few days ago, I came across a medical book that I found interesting. I’ll try mixing a formula from it another day. Since I don’t have to attend court these days, I might as well make use of the time,” Jiang Lige said.
Seeing Jiang Lige lacking energy, Luzhu leaned in and whispered, “Your Majesty, today Young Marquis Wen sent a message through someone, saying he wants to see you.”
Jiang Lige was taken aback for a moment, searching through her memories before finally recalling.
Wen Zhimo, the young heir of the Marquis of Xiang, was the same age as the original host and her only friend.
The original host lost her mother at ten and moved outside the palace at eleven. Because she was out of favor, the residence assigned to her was the most dilapidated in the entire capital, right next to the Marquis of Wen’s residence.
The Wen family were originally ordinary farmers. During the reign of the founding emperor, while traveling incognito, the emperor was attacked by bandits, and Wen Zhimo’s grandfather took a knife for him.
For this act of saving the emperor, the family was granted a noble title, and the Wens moved to the capital.
The Wen family held only an empty title, and Wen Zhimo had been ostracized by the sons of noble families since childhood.
Perhaps because of this, Wen Zhimo and the original host, an out-of-favor prince, sympathized with each other and grew close.
Hearing this, Jiang Lige said with distress, “How can I see him? I can’t leave here.”
She also wanted to go out and see, but Shang Guanqi had people watching her, stricter than prison surveillance.
Luzhu said, “Young Marquis Wen said that yesterday, there was an unusual celestial phenomenon. This morning, a large hole collapsed in Green Completion Mountain on the outskirts of the capital, and a stone tablet emerged from the hole. The tablet reads, ‘A calamitous star disrupts governance, the nation will surely perish.’ It’s causing quite a stir. Nine Thousand Years is bound to leave the palace to investigate, and that will be our chance.”
Jiang Lige was surprised. This Wen Zhimo was quite capable, delivering such precise information.
“Luzhu, go keep an eye on Qingyang Hall.”
Luzhu agreed and left, returning just before noon.
“The Lord of a Thousand Years has left the palace with Wuhuan and the others.”
“Li Fu was beaten with a board and is still lying there. I told the palace maids outside that you’re taking a nap and shouldn’t be disturbed before dinner. We have two hours to leave the palace,” Luzhu reported.
Jiang Lige grew excited. “Then how do we get out?”
Luzhu was more familiar with the palace layout.She thought Luzhu would have them crawl through a dog hole or something, but instead, Luzhu directly brought her a set of palace maid attire.
“Your Majesty, we’ll go through the palace gate.”
How bold. Jiang Lige was growing fonder of this girl by the day.
With Luzhu’s assistance, Jiang Lige changed into the palace maid’s clothes, styled her hair accordingly, and followed Luzhu as they slipped toward the palace gate.
Luzhu smoothly produced a token. “His Majesty left some old belongings at the Sixth Prince’s Mansion and ordered us to retrieve them.”
The sweltering heat was unbearable, and the guards hurriedly inspected them before letting them pass.
Jiang Lige’s heart soared like a freed bird, instantly elated.
To avoid arousing suspicion, the two hurried along with their heads down. Jiang Lige remained silent, her eyes constantly scanning their surroundings.
The street scenes here were far more vivid than those in period dramas she had watched. Immersed in the moment, the same sense of disorientation she felt upon first crossing over resurfaced.
“Master, we’re here.”
Luzhu pushed open the door, and as Jiang Lige stepped inside, only one word came to mind—dilapidated.
Chaotic bricks and overgrown weeds suggested the place had been uninhabited for years. The original owner had only moved into the palace a month ago, a testament to how bleak her life here must have been.
Yet Jiang Lige had to admit that it was precisely this neglected desolation that allowed the original owner to survive until the age of eighteen.
“Though it’s not as grand as the Moon Departure Palace, I find this place the most comfortable. What do you think, Master?” Luzhu said.
In the past, to protect her master’s secrets and save on expenses, the vast Sixth Prince’s Mansion housed only Jiang Lige and her.
But at least they were free here.
“I think this place is the best too,” Jiang Lige affirmed.
As they reached the backyard, a head popped up over the wall.
“I knew you’d come as soon as I heard the noise.”
Wen Zhimo spoke, but upon seeing Jiang Lige’s attire, he froze.
Luzhu was the first to react and explained, “Nine Thousand Years’ people are watching closely. Master had no choice but to endure this humiliation.”
Wen Zhimo cast a sympathetic glance at Jiang Lige. “You poor fellow. I thought you’d turned things around, but it seems you’ve only fallen further. Now you even have to dress as a woman to go out… though… you do look quite pretty like this…”
Jiang Lige, fearing exposure, merely smiled.
“Come quickly. There’s someone else here.”
Wen Zhimo lowered a ladder. Luzhu helped Jiang Lige up first, and as she climbed over the wall, she saw a man standing on the other side.
The man wore a blue robe, his features as bright as the moon and his posture as straight as bamboo. He exuded an elegant, scholarly aura that was unforgettable at first glance.
“I am Xie Shu, at Your Majesty’s service.”
Xie Shu seemed to have overheard the earlier conversation from the corner of the wall. He showed no surprise at Jiang Lige’s female attire and respectfully knelt on the ground.
For some reason, Jiang Lige felt a sudden surge of emotion.
This was the most respectful kneeling she had received since her so-called ascension to the throne.
Whether in court or the palace, those who knelt were paying homage to Shang Guanqi, but this man was bowing to her with genuine reverence.
“Young Master Xie, please rise. I am unworthy of such respect.” Jiang Lige stepped forward to help him up.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Xie Shu stood.
Wen Zhimo said, “Let’s skip the formalities. Time is short, so let’s get straight to business.”
Both Jiang Lige and Luzhu looked puzzled.
Wen Zhimo could hardly contain his excitement. “Now that eunuchs hold power and disrupt the rightful order, we are determined to serve Your Majesty and eliminate this scourge.”Luzhu was delighted, but Jiang Lige was somewhat astonished.
Xie Shu took two pieces of paper from his sleeve: “Your Majesty, please take a look. This is a petition of ten thousand signatures—scholars across the land are willing to serve Your Majesty. The other is my humble opinion on current affairs. I am willing to share Your Majesty’s burdens.”
Just as Jiang Lige was accepting the papers, a servant from Wen Zhimo’s side hurried over and called out, “Young Master, Nine Thousand Years has returned to the city ahead of schedule and is galloping this way on horseback.”