With a hunched back, Imperial Physician Ye entered with his head lowered. As he passed by, he casually glanced at Hua Zhu Yu. From a close distance, he indeed was very old. The wrinkles on his face were testimony to his age. Upon seeing him, Hua Zhu Yu couldn’t help but think of Rong Luo beside A Gui. He seemed to be about the same age.
Imperial Physician Ye slowly entered the room and paid his respects to Huangfu Wu Shuang, neither in an arrogant nor flattering manner. His old, husky voice rang out “This old official greets the Emperor!”
In this palace, whether it’s the eunuchs or the maidservants, everyone was extremely clever and witty. It was rare to see anyone as indifferent as him. Perhaps due to age he had seen much in life.
Huangfu Wu Shuang nodded and said, “Imperial Physician Ye quickly stand. Help Zhen look at Wan Er’s illness. Servants, bring the materials!”
Quickly, a maidservant brought a chair next to the side of the bed while another placed a brocade cloth over Wen Wan’s wrist. Imperial Physician Ye placed his hand over the cloth and began to take her pulse. After a moment, he let go of her wrist and said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, Miss Wen has nothing to fear, she merely has a cold. This old official shall prescribe some medicine. After taking it a few days, she will be alright.”
Huangfu Wu Shuang’s face cheered up. He gently said to Wen Wan, “Wan Er, remember to take the medicine well. Once you have recovered, zhen will then proceed with conferring you with a title.”
Lying on the bed, Wen Wan’s pale face revealed a beautiful flower-like smile. “Wan Er thanks Your Majesty!”
Huangfu Wu Shuang patted Wen Wan’s hand then sent for some more maidservants to come and take care of her.
translations at peachblossomgrove . com
“Your Majesty, this old official shall withdraw!” Imperial Physician Ye said slowly.
“Alright!” Huangfu Wu Shuang replied.
As Imperial Physician Ye withdrew, Hua Zhu Yu was standing in front of the door. As he passed by, he suddenly looked up and slowly said, “Are you the newly appointed Chief Eunuch, Bao gong gong?”
Hua Zhu Yu did not expect this old physician to take note of her. Smiling faintly, she replied, ” Yes, that’s me.”
“Bao gong gong’s complexion doesn’t look too well. Could it be you also got the cold from staying in the same room? Since this old official is already here, how about I take a look at your pulse as well?” Imperial Physician Ye slowly said.
Hua Zhu Yu was taken aback. She didn’t think this old frail-looking physician would have such a sharp gaze. He could tell she wasn’t feeling well from just a glance. A physician was indeed different from an average person. But there was no way she was going to let him take her pulse.
Hua Zhu Yu replied with a smile, “Thank you for your kind intentions but you must be mistaken. I’m feeling fine. Perhaps it’s because Miss Wen’s room is a little warm so I feel a little hot, that’s all. ”
“Xiao Bao Er, let Physician Ye take a look just in case. Your complexion really doesn’t look well!” Huangfu Wu Shuang let go of Wen Wan’s hand and walked over to Hua Zhu Yu.
“Your Majesty, the servant is fine! If you do not believe me, Your Majesty can take a look. This servant is sweating, look at my forehead. It’s really hot! ”Hoa Tru Vu silently employed her internal energy to form beads of sweat on her head.
Huangfu Wu Shuang walked in front of Hoa Zhu Yu, lifted his hand to brush aside her bangs and placed it on her forehead, probing her temperature.
Hua Zhu Yu instinctively wanted to push him away but she tried to restrain her urge. Feeling the warm contact from his palm, she heard him laughingly said “Indeed you are sweating. Here I thought Xiao Bao Er was really sick and needed to take medicine. If that’s the case then Xiao Bao Er you can wait outside.”
“Yes! ”Hua Zhu Yu replied.
Imperial Physician Ye was looking at Hua Zhu Yu. Although he looked indifferent, Hua Zhu Yu felt this strange feeling as though he saw through her. Taking a deep breath she looked back at the physician but he had dropped his gaze and was facing Huangfu Wu Shuang, “Your Majesty, if Bao gong gong does not need to be diagnosed, then this old official shall withdraw!”
With that said, Imperial Physician Ye left with his back hunched.
Seeing him leave, Hua Zhu Yu breathed a sigh of relief. That was a close call. If she couldn’t sweat, she feared that Huangfu Wu Shuang would’ve forced Physician Ye to take her pulse.
This Imperial Physician Ye was truly highly skilled in medicine. In the future, it was better to steer clear of him.
***
The night was pitch black save for a few stars dotting the sky. The only thing that could be heard was the sound of dripping water. In the middle of the night, Hua Zhu Yu threw off those that were following her track and climbed over the wall, into a quiet house on Anhe Lane.
Ping was not here. Kang had yet to return from the western regions.There was no one in the room. Hua Zhu Yu lit a candle and stood waiting beside the window. Since receiving the letter from Kang sent from Xi Jiang, she could confirm that her father was still alive, but she didn’t know where he was hiding nor what he intended to do. There were some things she couldn’t figure out, but even so, there were things she still had to do.
When Tai pushed open the door, he saw Hua Zhu Yu standing quietly by the window. The dim candlelight was only enough to illuminate half of her face, gentle yet resilient.
“You came back!” Hearing the sound of the door opening, Hua Zhu Yu asked casually.
“Um!” Tai answered softly, taking off the fleece overcoat and putting it in the closet.
“Tai, do you remember? One time we fought with Western Liang and was ambushed by them. I was wounded in the thigh and our horses had died. That time you saved me, carried me from the battlefield. Because of that, you suffered very serious wounds. ”Hua Zhu Yu recounted in somewhat of a melancholic voice. Among the four bodyguards, Tai had the weakest physique. His specialty was in hidden weapons. But at that time, he carried her more than twenty miles.
Hua Zhu Yu’s voice made Tai pause slightly. he knew the General wouldn’t mention this out of the blue. Moreover, she had never spoken to them in such a sad tone before.
“ Of course this subordinate remembers! I still remember one time this subordinate was taken prisoner by the enemy. General had led the Orphan Army and risked your life to rescue this subordinate.” Tai recounted the battle in a few short sentences. But the dangers and perils of that day he will never forget. Since then, he has made a vow to devote his life to the General. For the rest of his life, he will be General’s subordinate.
“ Thai, we all grew up together, practiced martial arts and went to battle together. How many life and death encounters have we been through together? I can’t count, but if I can’t even trust my brothers who have gone through life and death with me, then who else can I trust in the future? ”She felt both physically and mentally drained at the moment.
“General ……” Tai’s eyes flashed with pain.
“I know you all were rescued by the Marquis. You vowed loyalty to him and there’s nothing I can say.But you know what he wants to do, right? ” Hua Zhu Yu coldly asked. “Thai, are you still willing to follow the same path as me?”
She suddenly turned and asked in a lowered voice.
The bright candlelight illuminated her stature, graceful as the moonlight. She coldly smiled at him, endlessly arrogant and solitary. It seemed that in this vast heaven and earth, she was alone. If he had to choose, he vowed to choose the person in front of him, to live and die for her.
Tai slowly knelt down: “This subordinate is willing. On that day, we all thought that the General was dead. The Marquis is this subordinate’s life savior. We thought that if we can’t be loyal to the General then we should try our best to be loyal to the Marquis. Tai has done many things for the Marquis. Now Tai wants to follow only General.”
Hua Zhu Yu took a deep breath and walked in front of Tai. Placing one hand on his shoulder, she used the other to pull him up. “Alright, Tai! Hurry and stand up! ”
She slowly walked towards the table, sat down and asked, “Tai, since you’ve chosen to follow me, I shall give you my trust.”
“Tai will absolutely never betray General,” Tai vowed in a low voice.
“So can you tell me where the Marquis is? In the end, what is he trying to do? “Asked Hua Zhu Yu with narrowed eyes.
Placed in an awkward position, Tai knelt down again, “Where he is or what he wants to do, this subordinate does not know. But General, though I will follow you from now on, I can’t betray the Marquis. There are things that I cannot say. May General forgive me!”
Hua Zhu Yu smiled. She had guessed that Tai would say that. After all, her father had been his savior. “Stand up, I don’t blame you.”
General, An’s side …… ”Tai suddenly asked.
“He’s still in the palace. He has important tasks. If I seek him out, that will only bring him harm. Therefore, you mustn’t let anyone else know the fact that the Marquis is still alive.” Hua Zhu Yu slowly said.
Tai eyes reddened and he quietly said, “I know.”
“This time you went north. The soldiers you led must not belong to Dong Zhao’s Wang Yi. They must be the Marquis’ personal troops right?” asked Hua Zhu Yu.
Tai nodded, saying: “It is true that I went to Dong Zhao to borrow troops but I wasn’t able to. The troops that headed to the northern border this time indeed belonged to the Marquis. I only said the troops belonged to Dong Zhao so that General would not be suspicious of the Marquis.”
“What about Wang Yu’s army? Does he have intentions to leading them back to the capital?” Hua Zhu Yu asked.
“After the news of Ji Feng Li’s execution, that night, Wang Yu led his troops down south but was stopped by us. However, there were movements at the northern border thus Wang Yu returned. If it wasn’t for Northern Kingdom, perhaps that battle would not have ended yet, ” Tai said.
“There’s movements at the northern border?” Hua Zhu Yu asked, astonished.
“That’s what I’ve heard from my informants!” Tai replied in a low voice.
Hua Zhu Yu stood and slowly paced around the room. Inside she was feeling somewhat restless.
“Is something wrong General?” Tai asked with a frown. “Your complexion does not look too good. Let me take a look at you.”
With a hunched back, Imperial Physician Ye entered with his head lowered. As he passed by, he casually glanced at Hua Zhu Yu. From a close distance, he indeed was very old. The wrinkles on his face were testimony to his age. Upon seeing him, Hua Zhu Yu couldn’t help but think of Rong Luo beside A Gui. He seemed to be about the same age.
Imperial Physician Ye slowly entered the room and paid his respects to Huangfu Wu Shuang, neither in an arrogant nor flattering manner. His old, husky voice rang out “This old official greets the Emperor!”
In this palace, whether it’s the eunuchs or the maidservants, everyone was extremely clever and witty. It was rare to see anyone as indifferent as him. Perhaps due to age he had seen much in life.
Huangfu Wu Shuang nodded and said, “Imperial Physician Ye quickly stand. Help Zhen look at Wan Er’s illness. Servants, bring the materials!”
Quickly, a maidservant brought a chair next to the side of the bed while another placed a brocade cloth over Wen Wan’s wrist. Imperial Physician Ye placed his hand over the cloth and began to take her pulse. After a moment, he let go of her wrist and said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, Miss Wen has nothing to fear, she merely has a cold. This old official shall prescribe some medicine. After taking it a few days, she will be alright.”
Huangfu Wu Shuang’s face cheered up. He gently said to Wen Wan, “Wan Er, remember to take the medicine well. Once you have recovered, zhen will then proceed with conferring you with a title.”
Lying on the bed, Wen Wan’s pale face revealed a beautiful flower-like smile. “Wan Er thanks Your Majesty!”
Huangfu Wu Shuang patted Wen Wan’s hand then sent for some more maidservants to come and take care of her.
translations at peachblossomgrove . com
“Your Majesty, this old official shall withdraw!” Imperial Physician Ye said slowly.
“Alright!” Huangfu Wu Shuang replied.
As Imperial Physician Ye withdrew, Hua Zhu Yu was standing in front of the door. As he passed by, he suddenly looked up and slowly said, “Are you the newly appointed Chief Eunuch, Bao gong gong?”
Hua Zhu Yu did not expect this old physician to take note of her. Smiling faintly, she replied, ” Yes, that’s me.”
“Bao gong gong’s complexion doesn’t look too well. Could it be you also got the cold from staying in the same room? Since this old official is already here, how about I take a look at your pulse as well?” Imperial Physician Ye slowly said.
Hua Zhu Yu was taken aback. She didn’t think this old frail-looking physician would have such a sharp gaze. He could tell she wasn’t feeling well from just a glance. A physician was indeed different from an average person. But there was no way she was going to let him take her pulse.
Hua Zhu Yu replied with a smile, “Thank you for your kind intentions but you must be mistaken. I’m feeling fine. Perhaps it’s because Miss Wen’s room is a little warm so I feel a little hot, that’s all. ”
“Xiao Bao Er, let Physician Ye take a look just in case. Your complexion really doesn’t look well!” Huangfu Wu Shuang let go of Wen Wan’s hand and walked over to Hua Zhu Yu.
“Your Majesty, the servant is fine! If you do not believe me, Your Majesty can take a look. This servant is sweating, look at my forehead. It’s really hot! ”Hoa Tru Vu silently employed her internal energy to form beads of sweat on her head.
Huangfu Wu Shuang walked in front of Hoa Zhu Yu, lifted his hand to brush aside her bangs and placed it on her forehead, probing her temperature.
Hua Zhu Yu instinctively wanted to push him away but she tried to restrain her urge. Feeling the warm contact from his palm, she heard him laughingly said “Indeed you are sweating. Here I thought Xiao Bao Er was really sick and needed to take medicine. If that’s the case then Xiao Bao Er you can wait outside.”
“Yes! ”Hua Zhu Yu replied.
Imperial Physician Ye was looking at Hua Zhu Yu. Although he looked indifferent, Hua Zhu Yu felt this strange feeling as though he saw through her. Taking a deep breath she looked back at the physician but he had dropped his gaze and was facing Huangfu Wu Shuang, “Your Majesty, if Bao gong gong does not need to be diagnosed, then this old official shall withdraw!”
With that said, Imperial Physician Ye left with his back hunched.
Seeing him leave, Hua Zhu Yu breathed a sigh of relief. That was a close call. If she couldn’t sweat, she feared that Huangfu Wu Shuang would’ve forced Physician Ye to take her pulse.
This Imperial Physician Ye was truly highly skilled in medicine. In the future, it was better to steer clear of him.
***
The night was pitch black save for a few stars dotting the sky. The only thing that could be heard was the sound of dripping water. In the middle of the night, Hua Zhu Yu threw off those that were following her track and climbed over the wall, into a quiet house on Anhe Lane.
Ping was not here. Kang had yet to return from the western regions.There was no one in the room. Hua Zhu Yu lit a candle and stood waiting beside the window. Since receiving the letter from Kang sent from Xi Jiang, she could confirm that her father was still alive, but she didn’t know where he was hiding nor what he intended to do. There were some things she couldn’t figure out, but even so, there were things she still had to do.
When Tai pushed open the door, he saw Hua Zhu Yu standing quietly by the window. The dim candlelight was only enough to illuminate half of her face, gentle yet resilient.
“You came back!” Hearing the sound of the door opening, Hua Zhu Yu asked casually.
“Um!” Tai answered softly, taking off the fleece overcoat and putting it in the closet.
“Tai, do you remember? One time we fought with Western Liang and was ambushed by them. I was wounded in the thigh and our horses had died. That time you saved me, carried me from the battlefield. Because of that, you suffered very serious wounds. ”Hua Zhu Yu recounted in somewhat of a melancholic voice. Among the four bodyguards, Tai had the weakest physique. His specialty was in hidden weapons. But at that time, he carried her more than twenty miles.
Hua Zhu Yu’s voice made Tai pause slightly. he knew the General wouldn’t mention this out of the blue. Moreover, she had never spoken to them in such a sad tone before.
“ Of course this subordinate remembers! I still remember one time this subordinate was taken prisoner by the enemy. General had led the Orphan Army and risked your life to rescue this subordinate.” Tai recounted the battle in a few short sentences. But the dangers and perils of that day he will never forget. Since then, he has made a vow to devote his life to the General. For the rest of his life, he will be General’s subordinate.
“ Thai, we all grew up together, practiced martial arts and went to battle together. How many life and death encounters have we been through together? I can’t count, but if I can’t even trust my brothers who have gone through life and death with me, then who else can I trust in the future? ”She felt both physically and mentally drained at the moment.
“General ……” Tai’s eyes flashed with pain.
“I know you all were rescued by the Marquis. You vowed loyalty to him and there’s nothing I can say.But you know what he wants to do, right? ” Hua Zhu Yu coldly asked. “Thai, are you still willing to follow the same path as me?”
She suddenly turned and asked in a lowered voice.
The bright candlelight illuminated her stature, graceful as the moonlight. She coldly smiled at him, endlessly arrogant and solitary. It seemed that in this vast heaven and earth, she was alone. If he had to choose, he vowed to choose the person in front of him, to live and die for her.
Tai slowly knelt down: “This subordinate is willing. On that day, we all thought that the General was dead. The Marquis is this subordinate’s life savior. We thought that if we can’t be loyal to the General then we should try our best to be loyal to the Marquis. Tai has done many things for the Marquis. Now Tai wants to follow only General.”
Hua Zhu Yu took a deep breath and walked in front of Tai. Placing one hand on his shoulder, she used the other to pull him up. “Alright, Tai! Hurry and stand up! ”
She slowly walked towards the table, sat down and asked, “Tai, since you’ve chosen to follow me, I shall give you my trust.”
“Tai will absolutely never betray General,” Tai vowed in a low voice.
“So can you tell me where the Marquis is? In the end, what is he trying to do? “Asked Hua Zhu Yu with narrowed eyes.
Placed in an awkward position, Tai knelt down again, “Where he is or what he wants to do, this subordinate does not know. But General, though I will follow you from now on, I can’t betray the Marquis. There are things that I cannot say. May General forgive me!”
Hua Zhu Yu smiled. She had guessed that Tai would say that. After all, her father had been his savior. “Stand up, I don’t blame you.”
General, An’s side …… ”Tai suddenly asked.
“He’s still in the palace. He has important tasks. If I seek him out, that will only bring him harm. Therefore, you mustn’t let anyone else know the fact that the Marquis is still alive.” Hua Zhu Yu slowly said.
Tai eyes reddened and he quietly said, “I know.”
“This time you went north. The soldiers you led must not belong to Dong Zhao’s Wang Yi. They must be the Marquis’ personal troops right?” asked Hua Zhu Yu.
Tai nodded, saying: “It is true that I went to Dong Zhao to borrow troops but I wasn’t able to. The troops that headed to the northern border this time indeed belonged to the Marquis. I only said the troops belonged to Dong Zhao so that General would not be suspicious of the Marquis.”
“What about Wang Yu’s army? Does he have intentions to leading them back to the capital?” Hua Zhu Yu asked.
“After the news of Ji Feng Li’s execution, that night, Wang Yu led his troops down south but was stopped by us. However, there were movements at the northern border thus Wang Yu returned. If it wasn’t for Northern Kingdom, perhaps that battle would not have ended yet, ” Tai said.
“There’s movements at the northern border?” Hua Zhu Yu asked, astonished.
“That’s what I’ve heard from my informants!” Tai replied in a low voice.
Hua Zhu Yu stood and slowly paced around the room. Inside she was feeling somewhat restless.
“Is something wrong General?” Tai asked with a frown. “Your complexion does not look too good. Let me take a look at you.”
