Yu Yang nodded.
“You could say we became acquainted through conflict.”
“Five years ago, Lu Huaice came to the Chang Ting Army, likely wanting to make a name for himself. After hearing rumors about the Yu Family overpowering local officials in Nanpu, and seeing the county magistrate invite me for drinks, he deliberately came to the tavern to cause trouble and put me in my place.”
At that time, her face was covered with scars left by poisonous sores, making it quite terrifying, so she always wore a mask.
Afraid the mask might fall off, she even applied a layer of artificial skin mask before daring to attend the meeting.
But after Lu Huaice arrived, he directly knocked off her mask.
That wasn’t enough – the young man used his official authority to pressure her into removing the “disguise” on her face.
What happened that night could truly be described as humiliating.
Recalling events from back then, Yu Yang said calmly: “At that time, I truly detested him. He trampled my mask. After the county magistrate found an opportunity to tell him that he had invited me for drinks because I had contained a nearly widespread toxic epidemic, he still didn’t apologize to me, only giving me a veiled hat instead. But I didn’t wear it and went directly home. Because of this incident, he always felt guilty toward me afterwards.”
Having grown up as heaven’s favored son since childhood, the young man was naturally arrogant and reckless – even when apologizing, he would do so with his head held high.
But as the humiliated party, Yu Yang utterly detested him.
Xie Chi frowned.
“Do you still detest him now?”
Yu Yang shook her head.
“After that night, I originally wanted to teach him a lesson, but after investigating and discovering he was the son of Chang Gongzhu, I accepted the gifts he sent the next day. In the following years, as we met more often and spoke more, he came to regard me as a friend. Anyway, his status was quite useful – sometimes when I had matters I wanted handled, I just needed to casually drop a couple of hints to him, and things would get done.”
“There’s nothing left to detest now – neither fondness nor dislike,” she placed her hand on the stone railing, watching the lake water occasionally form small ripples, and asked: “Shizi, is there something about Lu Huaice that you wanted to ask?”
Xie Chi said: “Li Huaice… that is, Lu Huaice and I have known each other since childhood, so I was just asking casually.”
“I see.”
Yu Yang paused, then said: “Shizi, if my Life-Extending Pill is down to the last one, I will return home and not cause you any trouble.”
Xie Chi remained silent for a moment before responding: “I remember telling you when we first met that if the divine physician cannot cure you, I can find a secluded place where you can spend your remaining days undisturbed. So, it wouldn’t be any trouble.”
Yu Yang was slightly taken aback, then smiled gently.
Early the next morning.
Yu Yang looked at the somewhat androgynous, sickly young man in the mirror, vaguely able to see the light and shadow surrounding the body.
Cheng Liu sighed beside her: “Young lady, am I just staying at home then?”
Zhi Ying said: “Your face has become famous throughout Nanpu. The young lady’s current identity is Young Master Lin Yan, and those who have always accompanied Young Master Lin are Mo Ying and Jiu Qiu. You should just stay home.”
Cheng Liu made a scoffing sound at Zhi Ying.
Yu Yang stood up and said: “Enough. Zhi Ying will continue to impersonate me at home as usual, and you will stay with Zhi Ying. I asked to have thirteen shadow guards dispatched to Fuyang County in advance – has that been taken care of?”
Cheng Liu said: “It’s all been handled. The best room at the inn in Fuyang County has been prepared too. If you don’t want to stay at the inn, you can go to the Lin residence in the county – that place has been cleaned up as well.”
Zhi Ying said, “Miss, I’ve also packed your bundle. At the beginning of the year, I made two sets of men’s clothing for you. The accessories and hair crowns have all been packed into the bundle and given to Jiu Qiu. The embroiderers are rushing to complete the Shizi’s new clothes, which will be sent to Fuyang County within seven days. Your Hundred Herb Kit has been given to Jiu Qiu. The Apothecary Secret Workshop is preparing the medicines that need replenishing, and they will be sent to you together once ready.”
Yu Yang smiled and said, “You two stewards couldn’t be more thoughtful.”
She stepped out of the room.
Cheng Liu and Zhi Ying watched her leave, their faces simultaneously falling.
Cheng Liu said, “I want to accompany the young lady on her final journey.”
Zhi Ying spat lightly. “How can you call it her final journey? I believe the young lady is blessed and protected. She might even find a divine physician better than Divine Doctor Ji out there.”
Cheng Liu quickly covered her mouth. “I misspoke.”
Zhi Ying said, “Don’t worry too much. Although Brother Mo Ying and Sister Jiu Qiu aren’t as talkative as we are, they’re shadow guards who’ve weathered hardships outside. They’re more suited to travel with the young lady than we are.”
Cheng Liu nodded. “You’re absolutely right.”
Yu Yang first went to bid farewell to her aunt.
When she arrived at Cloud Abode Courtyard, Yu Hongshen was speaking with Xie Chi.
Seeing her enter, Yu Hongshen smiled and said, “Shizi, for convenience during her travels, Yangyang will use several identities. Currently, she is Young Master Lin Yan, the young disciple of Qiyuan Hermit. Qiyuan Hermit is quite renowned in the Li Dynasty. The old master resides in seclusion on Qiyuan Mountain. If you visit Qiyuan County, you might pay him a visit.”
Xie Chi said, “The calligraphy copybook Qiyuan Hermit gifted me was used by my father as my introductory copybook for learning calligraphy. Thus, Qiyuan Hermit can be considered my teacher. If I go to Qiyuan County, I will certainly pay my respects.”
Yu Hongshen nodded. “Yes, with this connection, it won’t matter even if someone recognizes you, Shizi.”
He looked at Yu Yang and said, “Yangyang, I’ve settled it with the Shizi. He’ll use the identity of your senior brother outside, named Qi Zhao.”
Yu Yang didn’t mind. She asked, “Does the Shizi need to disguise himself?”
Yu Hongshen said, “That won’t be necessary. The Shizi is traveling by imperial decree, so he doesn’t mind revealing his identity. Using a pseudonym is merely to avoid drawing attention from county officials. Besides, aside from nobles in the capital, few know what the Shizi looks like.”
Yu Yang nodded. “Alright.”
The two prepared to leave through the secret passage in Cloud Abode Courtyard.
Standing at the entrance of the passage, Yu Yang said to Yu Hongshen, “Mo Ying has already prepared a carriage at the exit. The Shizi and I will go directly to Fuyang County.”
She paused, then said, “Uncle, you and Aunt should take care at home. I’ve grown up now. Though the mountains are high and the roads long, I can travel freely and happily. Please don’t worry about me. If I knew that I caused you both sorrow, I would be deeply troubled in my heart.”
Yu Hongshen chuckled. “Since you’re traveling with the Shizi, I naturally won’t worry too much. Enjoy your time outside. When you’ve had your fill of adventures and return, we’ll still need to arrange marriage prospects and your wedding.”
Yu Yang: “…Alright.”
Thin mist veiled the mountain path, the air damp. In the distant sky, a red glow brewed, heralding the imminent sunrise.
Having gained six months of life and now journeying toward hope for survival, Yu Yang naturally felt little sorrow at parting.
She took out a jar of sour plums and offered it to Xie Chi. When he shook his head, she ate them herself.
Her carefree demeanor even drew some admiration from Xie Chi. This young lady was truly open-minded.
Halfway along the journey, the sun was high overhead.
The two ate some dried rations.
Yu Yang asked curiously, “Shizi, when searching for those… Celestial Children, is there no specific method? Could it be that by simply wandering around, those Celestial Children would come to you on their own?”