The shopkeeper’s eyes went wide, his face filled with shock and alarm. How dare you! What have you done to me?
Nothing but a trivial skill. When I was young, I once met a traveling healer, and I learned how to treat common ailments in horses. Would you like me to try and help you?
Shen Ying’s soft and slender fingers had only tapped lightly on two points of the shopkeeper’s body. In the next moment, the man shuddered all over and stumbled backward, moving his limbs and body freely once more. I can move again!
Just a moment earlier, he had stood there frozen like a wooden statue, unable to move even a finger. Yet all Shen Ying had done was touch him twice, and he had regained the use of his body.
He turned his eyes this way and that, then waved his hand to signal his men to step back. He clasped his hands together respectfully. Madam, you truly possess extraordinary abilities. I am but a humble person who failed to recognize your great talent. Please do not hesitate to share your knowledge and wisdom with me.
Shen Ying smiled calmly. I would not dare claim to teach you anything. All I have is a simple prescription.
Understanding her meaning perfectly, the shopkeeper immediately ordered someone to bring paper, ink, inkstone, and a writing brush.
In the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, Shen Ying wrote down two sets of instructions. This is the treatment for the illness your horses are suffering from. Use one prescription in the morning and the other in the evening. Within three days, their condition will clearly improve.
Just as the shopkeeper reached out to take the paper and put it away safely, Shen Ying gently took it back into her own hands. Wait a moment. There is no such thing as a free meal in this world.
The shopkeeper paused for a moment in surprise. How much silver do you ask for in return?
You may decide the amount yourself, according to what you think is fair. But I also have one additional request. I would like to buy one horse, and I also need you to build a carriage for me, designed and made according to my specific requirements.
Their group was made up mostly of women and children, with only Wei Jinhu being a grown man. For the sake of safety and protection, the carriage naturally needed to be modified and constructed very carefully.
Upon hearing her words, the shopkeeper was delighted beyond measure, but his smile soon faded as he considered the details. He looked over the design and requirements for the modified carriage, and his entire face twisted into a frown. These specifications you have given are far too detailed and demanding.
The outer frame of the carriage needed to be forged from special materials strong enough to withstand arrows and crossbow bolts. Even more importantly, the wheels had to be made using unique techniques to absorb shocks and vibrations, while also creating as little resistance as possible when moving. On top of all this, the interior of the carriage was designed with hidden mechanisms, including concealed weapons and secret compartments. It was certainly a challenging task to complete.
Shen Ying did not rush or pressure him, but explained every change and feature she required in clear and precise detail. It can be completed within three days if you follow my instructions exactly. Are you able to do this work for me?
The shopkeeper looked deeply troubled and hesitant, but in the end, he gritted his teeth and agreed. I can see clearly that you are a person of great skill and ability. Today, I am honored to call you my friend. My family name is Zhang, so you may simply address me as Shopkeeper Zhang from now on.
That is wonderful. From this day forward, we shall be friends. I will return in three days to collect the carriage and the horse.
As they left the market and made their way back, Shen Ying walked at the front of the group, while Wei Jinhu and the others followed behind, their faces filled with admiration and respect.
Once they had returned to their lodgings, Wei Jinhu could no longer hold back his curiosity and immediately pressed her with questions. Sister Ying, you are truly incredible. I never knew you also knew the art of medicine and healing.
Shen Ying shook her head. It is nothing more than some basic and simple knowledge.
Having lived in the imperial palace for many years, she could not claim to be a master physician or healer, but she had learned enough about medicine and treatments to protect herself. If she had not gained at least some understanding of such matters, she would likely have been poisoned or harmed by others countless times over the years.
As for the prescriptions she had given the shopkeeper, they were knowledge she had come across purely by chance. Several years earlier, on the occasion of the Emperor’s birthday, the Imperial Noble Consort had gone to great lengths and spared no expense to acquire a thousand-li horse—an animal capable of traveling great distances in a single day. Unfortunately, someone had tampered with the horse’s health and caused it to fall ill, and it had taken a great deal of time and effort to finally discover the correct method and prescriptions to cure it.
As the saying goes, those who came before us plant the trees, and those who come later enjoy the shade. She had never imagined that one day she would be able to make use of those very prescriptions herself.
Shen Ying looked down at the Second Imperial Prince in her arms. He was sleeping soundly and peacefully, even blowing tiny bubbles from his mouth as he rested. A soft smile appeared on her lips. Now that the arrangements for the carriage are settled, we can turn our attention to gathering supplies and essential items for our journey.
She handed a banknote to Wei Jinhu. Every person has their own sources and ways of getting things done. I will leave this matter in your hands. Go and find suitable weapons and hidden tools that will be easy for us to use and carry.
Holding the banknote, Wei Jinhu felt a surge of energy and excitement. Very well. Just wait and you will hear good news from me soon.
Before he had even finished speaking, he turned around and strode away with great confidence and determination.
Watching his departing figure, Shen Ying covered her mouth and chuckled softly. Over the next two days, we will focus on preparing food that is highly nutritious but produces very little scent or odor.
Refugees and displaced people could be seen everywhere they went. Their carriage was already noticeable enough, even though its exterior was old and worn-looking. It would not be practical for them to stop and cook fresh meals at every moment of their journey, so the best solution was to prepare and store enough food in advance.
Early autumn was approaching, though the weather had not yet turned cold. This meant they needed to create food that could stay fresh and edible for a long time, while also ensuring that it did not give off any strong smells that might attract unwanted attention.
Inside the kitchen, Shen Ying, Chunya, and her brother stood together, all looking deep in thought.
Suddenly, Chunya’s eyes lit up with an idea. Mistress, if we want our food to be nutritious, we will need to add meat to it. What if we make cakes or patties using wild vegetables? Wild vegetables have such a strong natural flavor that they will easily cover up the smell of the meat inside.
Do you really think that will work? It is certainly worth trying.
Without hesitation or delay, Shen Ying immediately went to the homes of their neighbors and bought some fresh wild vegetables. She also purchased meat, coarse grains, and fine flour.
Chunya was an extremely hardworking and capable young girl. Without needing any help or guidance from Shen Ying, she quickly prepared and shaped the dough and ingredients to make a batch of steamed corn buns.
Looking at the hot, steaming buns in her hands, Shen Ying stared in amazement. You really are far more skilled and capable than I ever imagined.
From the outside, the buns did not look particularly attractive or appealing, but they were packed full of nutrition. The wild vegetables provided essential vitamins and dietary fiber, while the meat offered rich protein. Most importantly, although the buns contained large amounts of meat, they were wrapped in a layer of finely chopped wild vegetables, which completely masked the smell of the meat. When you took a bite, the taste was delicious and savory, and even when the meat inside was exposed, the strong flavor of the wild vegetables still concealed its scent entirely.
This is absolutely perfect. We will make exactly these wild vegetable buns. We can adjust the proportions of ingredients slightly, and try to include as much meat as possible. You can experiment with different amounts and find out exactly how much meat we can add before its smell becomes detectable to others…
I will take care of everything right away, Chunya replied with great enthusiasm and energy.
For a full hour, Chunya made more than a hundred buns one after another. Eventually, she found the perfect balance of ingredients. Even when the meat content reached more than fifty percent of the total mixture, there was still no trace of its scent that could be detected.
Shen Ying was extremely satisfied with this result. We will follow this exact proportion from now on. Do not try to save money or cut back on the amount of meat we use. Everyone will eat exactly the same food, and we will not make special arrangements or different portions for anyone. Do you understand?
She had noticed that every time Chunya added meat to the mixture, the young girl always looked pained and reluctant, as if she felt that they were wasting something precious. She had even secretly prepared two different types of buns—one with very little meat that she intended for herself and her brother, and another with plenty of meat that was meant for everyone else.
The thoughtfulness and kindness of this child was enough to make anyone feel heartbroken for her. Shen Ying had more than enough money and resources, and she was very willing to spend what was needed for their well-being.
Chunya’s eyes turned red with emotion. I will do exactly as Sister Ying says.
Night fell, and by the time they finished their work, they had made hundreds of buns. Everyone ate until their stomachs were full and round, but Wei Jinhu still had not returned.
Sensing that something was wrong, Shen Ying placed the young prince into Tudou’s arms. Stay here and watch over the house and the child. I will go out and look for him.
Chunya was still just a young girl. Although she had learned some martial arts skills, she was still too young and inexperienced to walk around the streets safely after dark.
Walking through the night, Shen Ying and Chunya moved through the busy streets and searched every place where Wei Jinhu might have gone, but they could not find any trace of him anywhere.
Just as Shen Ying was considering whether she should use money to gather information and solve the problem, the sound of people talking and discussing drifted over from a short distance away.
Have you heard the news? There is a large, simple-minded man who went and spoke up for the refugees and tried to defend their rights. Now look what has happened to him—he has been beaten almost to the point of death.