Edited: 11.12.2023
The two men who had their necks almost on the chopping block and the guards who surrounded Ye Zi’s side froze.
This man was so aggressive just now and was trying to fight one against ten. What was he doing now?
Acting spoiled?
And the other party was the noble and cold Prince Rui who nobody dared to look at.
Everyone was shocked and for a moment, no one rushed forward.
All eyes fell on Gu Yan.
Gu Yan closed his eyes and sighed in his heart.
He had been too lenient with Ye Zi during this period of time. This made him become more and more bold as he constantly got himself into trouble.
But at this point, there was no choice but to cooperate with him.
Gu Yan walked to Ye Zi, pulled him to his side, and asked in a warm voice: “Why are they going to beat you?”
His voice was neither too loud nor too quiet, but it was just enough for everyone around him to hear.
Ye Zi pursed his lips, shrank behind Gu Yan, and explained in an aggrieved manner with only his head poking out: “They were bullying this young man and when I tried to help, they wanted to fight with me and even found so many people to help out. With so many of them attacking me, they are clearly being mean……”
Gu Yan listened calmly and before he could say anything, the thin guard who had been kicked to the ground by Ye Zi knelt down in front of Gu Yan: “Your Majesty, it was a misunderstanding. We were acting under orders, but who knew that this young gentleman would come up and make a move against us without another word and that’s what attracted patrol.”
Gu Yan looked back at Ye Zi: “Is what he said true?”
Ye Zi blinked and didn’t answer.
Gu Yan calmly responded: “It’s a violation of the law to have a private fight with an official in an important place of the government.”
Just as the thin guard’s expression relaxed for a few moments, he suddenly heard Gu Yan’s next sentence: “However, this place is no longer within Zenkong Temple, so it doesn’t count as a violation on your part.”
“This——” The fat guard couldn’t help but speak: “Your Majesty, but he……”
Gu Yan turned around and glanced coldly at the two people: “Let’s leave this matter aside for now. Can someone explain to me, who permitted you to drive the patients out of Zenkong Temple without authorization?”
The two guards looked at each other in dismay and the thin guard answered: “Your Majesty, please listen to me explain, it’s because this old woman…..”
“I don’t need to hear this.” Gu Yan interrupted him: “You only need to tell me who told you to do this.”
It was not yet noon and Lord Ge, the county magistrate, was taking a nap in the bedroom of his residence with his concubine. Suddenly, there was a burst of chaotic footsteps outside and then someone began to knock on the door hurriedly.
Lord Ge was awakened by the commotion and impatiently cursed: “If you have something to say, just say it, why bother knocking? Which ungrateful bastard is disturbing my rest?”
The door to the room was violently pushed open and several attendants barged in.
Stunned, Lord Ge hurriedly sat up: “What are you doing?”
Behind the crowd, Gu Yan leisurely walked in: “Besides this Prince, which other ungrateful bastard dares to disturb Lord Ge’s rest?”
Gu Yan had brought quite a few people with him and they surrounded the courtyard thoroughly. Ye Zi seemed to have disappeared off to somewhere. He neither followed Gu Yan into the residence nor did he go to the courtyard. A Chu sat alone in the courtyard and not a moment later, he heard Lord Ge crying as well as the dull sounds of beatings and begging for mercy from inside the room.
A Chu felt uneasy until he suddenly heard someone call him: “What are you thinking about that is making you so lost in thought?”
A Chu turned around as Ye Zi grinned broadly and sat down beside him. A Chu opened his mouth, but he didn’t say anything.
The crying in the room grew louder and louder, A Chu couldn’t bear to hear it anymore and asked: “Nothing will happen to…..His Majesty, right?”
Ye Zi propped up his chin and said indifferently: “It’s just a lesson, what can happen?”
“But……” A Chu hesitated for a moment: “First, there was no court appearance, and second, there was no interrogation. Isn’t that not allowed?”
Ye Zi pondered for a moment: “You’re probably right.”
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A Chu wanted to say something, but Ye Zi interrupted him and laughed: “Who cares, so what if he punishes him without a court appearance? He’s only giving that dog official a good lesson so that he won’t dare to do wrong and kill more people in the future.”
A Chu did not reply again. Ye Zi turned his head and looked at his face. After a while, he tentatively said: “By the way, A Chu, I want to discuss something with you.”
A Chu said: “What is it?”
Ye Zi went straight to the point: “The Prince has now found a medicine that may be able to cure the epidemic in Yi’an. However, the doctor still needs to test the medicine on a patient first and observe the effect to see whether he could use it as a cure. I was thinking…….”
“So Mister wants my mother to test the medicine?” A Chu asked.
Ye Zi nodded: “Yes.”
A Chu was silent for a moment and hesitated: “But……trying the medicine will be risky, right?”
Ye Zi truthfully answered: “Indeed.”
A Chu’s eyes darkened and he didn’t say anything for a long time.
Ye Zi knew what he was thinking.
According to their current situation, if A Chu’s mother continued to take the medicine given by Gu Yan, her life could be extended for a few days. If the antidote was successfully developed during this period, there may be a glimmer of hope. However, if she participated in this test, there were only two paths in front of her: either she survived and the medicine was successful or she would die.
As a son, it was impossible for him to make this decision.
This was human nature and because of this, Gu Yan had been unable to make up his mind. No matter who tests the medicine, they always have to bear certain risks, unless…….
Ye Zi narrowed his eyes in thought and said to A Chu: “Wait here for a second.”
As he finished speaking, he got up to leave the courtyard.
A Chu stayed there for a while and Ye Zi quickly returned to the courtyard. But for some reason, his face looked a little pale at the moment and his complexion was much worse than before.
Ye Zi didn’t rush to speak as he shook the empty water pot on the table. He then turned his head and ordered the attendant in the courtyard to bring him a pot of water.
Ah Chu looked at him for a moment and asked in a low voice: “Mister, are you alright?”
The attendant quickly brought over some warm water. Ye Zi down two cups before color returned slightly to his face and he faintly smiled: “Nothing, what could possibly happen?”
A Chu wanted to say something more, but Ye Zi cut him off: “If I say that I have other methods here that can guarantee your mother’s life, are you willing to agree to try the medicine?”
A Chu was stunned for a moment: “Really?……”
Ye Zi turned his head and looked toward the room. The movement inside hadn’t stopped and should continue for some time. He reached into his arms and took out a few fragrant and exquisite green leaves.
Ye Zi handed the leaves to A Chu: “This is the method that can save your mother. Put this away somewhere safe. If the trial medicine fails then you will give this thing to Dr. Pei so that he can use this to save your mother.”
A Chu didn’t rush to take it as he questioned: “This thing……can it really save my mother?”
Ye Zi nodded: “If you don’t believe me, you can take this thing and ask Dr. Pei. However, you can’t tell anyone about the origin of this item.”
A Chu fell silent once again. He deliberated for a while before reaching out to take the leaves in Ye Zi’s hand: “Okay, I promise.”
Ye Zi breathed a sigh of relief and instructed again: “You must promise me not to tell anyone where this thing came from. And besides Dr. Pei, you must not let anyone see it, especially Prince Rui, do you understand?”
Ah Chu nodded and carefully stowed away the object: “I understand, I will absolutely not tell His Majesty.”
“Absolutely not tell me what?” A voice suddenly sounded behind the duo.
A Chu shivered and stood up in fear. Ye Zi was no less frightened than him and apprehensively laughed dryly: “Your Majesty, are you all done?”
“Mnn.” Gu Yan responded and added: “What were you talking about?”
Ye Zi didn’t move and blinked toward A Chu. He got up and walked to his side as he pulled on his sleeve: “I was just talking with A Chu……”
“I’m not asking you.” Gu Yan interrupted him with a stern face, “I know you have many bad ideas, so I’m asking him.”
He then turned his head to look at A Chu: “What did you just say that you would absolutely not tell me?”
A Chu fearfully lowered his head, not daring to meet Gu Yan’s eyes, as his fingers twisted his sleeves tightly: “T-This commoner was saying that he would absolutely……absolutely not tell His Majesty that Mr. Ye had convinced me to have my mother take the trial medicine.”
Gu Yan’s furrowed brows loosened. He looked at Ye Zi and turned back to A Chu: “Are you really willing to let your mother try the medicine? Do you know the risks involved in that?”
A Chu sighed in relief and nodded: “Willing. If it weren’t for Your Majesty, we might not have had any room to maneuver at all. Now that there is a possible way to cure it, this commoner is naturally willing to cooperate. Even if something goes wrong…….this commoner is willing to bear the consequences.”
Gu Yan lowered his eyes and thought for a moment before nodding: “Very well. Your mother has already been sent back to Zenkong Temple, I will arrange for someone to transfer her to Dr. Pei’s place. In the next few days, you can go there and help so that you can have peace of mind.”
A Chu hurriedly thanked: “Many thanks, Your Majesty.”
Gu Yan responded: “You can leave.”
A Chu followed Gu Yan’s attendants and left. Only then did Gu Yan look back at Ye Zi and narrow his eyes suspiciously: “Are you really not planning anything?”
“Of course not, how could you say that about me?” Seeing that he was no longer skeptical, Ye Zi frowned: “I was just discussing this matter with A Chu and I wanted him to bring it up to you himself so as to not make things difficult for you. I am wholeheartedly doing my best for you, how dare you doubt me like this?!”
Ye Zi snorted coldly and left the courtyard.
There were still quite a few attendants that Gu Yan had brought with him into the courtyard, who were still following by his side even now. Even if these attendants didn’t recognize Ye Zi’s identity, they knew Gu Yan’s attitude toward him. At this moment, when they saw him give Gu Yan a look, they all looked away and pretended not to see anything.
Gu Yan shook his head helplessly, called someone to give a few brief instructions about the trial medicine, and immediately chased after him. Ye Zi hadn’t gone far. He was sitting under a flower gallery outside the courtyard with his back to Gu Yan, as if he was sulking.
Gu Yan walked behind him and asked softly: “Are you really angry?”
Ye Zi did not turn around and replied angrily: “How dare I be angry with you, Your Majesty?”
Gu Yan wrapped his arms around him from behind and frowned slightly when held Ye Zi’s hand, “Why is your hand so cold, did you catch a cold last night? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”
As he said this, he raised his hand and probed Ye Zi’s forehead, but it wasn’t hot.
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“How could I have caught a cold? It was just a bit warm when I was walking back so I got some cold water to wash my face.” Ye Zi dodged his eyes for a moment and laughed again: “I was just joking with you, I’m not angry.”
Gu Yan looked at him thoughtfully, walked in front of Ye Zi, and lowered his head: “Really?”
“Really.” Ye Zi answered, “Right, what else do we have to do next?”
“Just leave the matter of the medicine to Pei Ge, we can’t do much to help in this matter.” Gu Yan paused and added, “However, there is one thing I do care about.”
“What?”
Gu Yan continued: “Sixth Imperial Uncle said earlier that the coil orchid is the poison of the Western Regions and that the pollen must be dissolved in water for the poison to form. And regardless of whether what he said about this flower is true or false, and whether it exists or not, I’ve always suspected that this epidemic isn’t an accident.”
Ye Zi lowered his voice: “Are you saying that someone deliberately poisoned the people of Jiangnan?”
“Yes.”
Gu Yan pulled out a rolled-up piece of vellum from his bosom and unfolded it on the stone table; it was a map. Several areas were circled on the map with vermilion ink and Ye Zi looked down at it: “These……are all areas where the epidemic is currently occurring?”
“Yes.” Gu Yan explained, “Although I have stayed in Yi’an these past few days, the epidemic outside continues to spread. The following places are where new breakouts have appeared in the past two days. But at the same time, there are two or three counties above them that had the epidemic along with Yi’an earlier on. Do you notice anything?”
Ye Zi carefully scrutinized for a moment: “It is indeed very strange.”
“How so?”
Ye Zi said: “If the cause of the epidemic is from poison in water, then it should be the counties along the banks of the river that are most severely affected by floods. But whether it is Yi’an County or the several other counties, they are located inland and are not close to the river so they are not seriously affected by the floods.”
Gu Yan smiled: “Exactly, that’s why I had my suspicions. But there’s one more thing, look here.”
He traced his fingers across several areas on the map: “These are places where the epidemic broke out almost at the same time as Yi’an. They don’t seem to have any connection. I’ve asked someone to dig around and among these counties, all the well water used comes from a mountain not far from here.”
Ye Zi was stunned: “Are you saying that someone has poisoned the well water?”
Gu Yan nodded: “I had this suspicion earlier. However, I had someone check the well water in a few places in the city, but nothing came out of it, so I had to put my doubts aside for the time being. However, when I heard Sixth Imperial Uncle say this earlier, I couldn’t help but begin to have some doubts in my heart again. Could someone have poisoned the well water and after the epidemic spread, added the cure into the water to essentially remove the poison?”
Ye Zi pondered for a moment: “That is indeed possible, but if it was really poisoned and then cured, it would be difficult for us to find evidence.”
Gu Yan said: “That’s why I think that perhaps we can go to the water source in the mountains to investigate and see if there are any traces left behind.”
“Then what are we waiting for, let’s go.” As soon as Ye Zi heard this, he immediately pulled Gu Yan up.
Gu Yan took his time and looked him up and down for a moment: “Are you really okay, why do I feel……”
Ye Zi responded: “Naturally I’m fine, do you still want to find out the truth? Come on, hurry up.”
Gu Yan wanted to say something else, but couldn’t win against his stubbornness and had no choice but to agree to leave immediately. In order to hide from others, Gu Yan secretly took Ye Zi out of the city without any attendants and the two quickly entered the mountain.
The road into the mountain wasn’t easy to traverse. The two walked along the mountain road for more than an hour but still did not reach their destination. The sun was gradually rising, but there was shade from the trees in the mountains so the temperature didn’t feel that high. But even so, Ye Zi still had a thin layer of sweat on his forehead.
Gu Yan noticed his abnormality and quickly pulled him back: “If you’re tired, just say so, what’s the point of holding it in?”
Being exposed to the sun, Ye Zi’s fair face flushed into a reddish color. He took a deep breath and shook his head: “I’m fine. Let’s get going, otherwise, we won’t be able to head back until dark.”
“There’s no rush.” Gu Yan’s eyes toured around. He picked a relatively clean area, pulled Ye Zi over to sit down, and took out a silk handkerchief to wipe his face: “It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have brought you out. You were exhausted once when you came here and we can’t have the same outcome happening a second time.”
Ye Zi pursed his lips and didn’t reply.
The energy he had used up in the beginning had long since recovered. If he hadn’t pulled out a few leaves and given it to A Chu today, he wouldn’t be feeling exhausted. However, this was something he didn’t dare to tell Gu Yan.
Pei Ge needed someone to test the medicine, but Gu Yan didn’t want to gamble with the lives of the people, and under both circumstances, this was the only method Ye Zi could think of.
No one was willing to see their loved ones at risk. If not for the fact that Ye Zi’s leaves could guarantee the safety of the person trying the medicine, he also didn’t have the heart to persuade A Chu to be a guinea pig.
Ye Zi said nothing more and rested against the tree for a while. The dense canopy of trees overhead blocked out the sun and the gentle breeze was particularly pleasant. Ye Zi looked up at the dense trees above his head and was suddenly startled: “Huh, this tree……”
Gu Yan asked: “What’s wrong?”
Ye Zi laughed: “This is a catalpa tree, do you not recognize it?”
Gu Yan hadn’t noticed what trees were around him before, but after being reminded by Ye Zi, he came back to his senses and smiled knowingly: “Indeed.”
Ye Zi stood up and walked around the catalpa tree behind him: “This tree is so big. It must have grown for many years. I have never seen such a thick catalpa tree before.”
Gu Yan asked: “You seem to be quite fated to the catalpa tree.”
“Yes. I used to have a catalpa tree planted outside my yard. That’s why my parents gave me this name[1].” Ye Zi said: “I heard that in the past, if people left their hometown for a long time, they would bring along a handful of catalpa tree flower seeds and plant them in their yard as a way of remembering their distant relatives. What’s the saying?”
Gu Yan answered: “……In front of said plant, act with reverence.”
“Right, that’s it.” Ye Zi responded and rummaged under the tree.
Gu Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly, vaguely realizing something.
“I found it.” Ye Zi turned his head and stretched out his hand toward Gu Yan, with a few flower seeds lying in his palm.
He smiled: “Look, I forgot earlier that I should have put a handful of seeds in your pocket before you left. That way no matter where you go, as long as you see it, you’ll think of me.”
Gu Yan looked down at Ye Zi’s palm and suddenly felt some dryness in his throat: “This is the……catalpa flower seed?”
Ye Zi tilted his head: “Yeah, I’m 100% sure.”
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That seed hadn’t been sown in time and had dried up a bit. But this did not prevent Gu Yan from seeing that it was exactly the same as the seeds Huaiyuan gave him when he saw him off.
Gu Yan didn’t take the seeds but pulled Ye Zi over. Since Ye Zi was hugged without warning, all the flower seeds in his palm were scattered onto the ground.
Before Ye Zi could say anything, Gu Yan spoke softly in his ear: “A Zi……”
Ye Zi was stunned for a moment and smiled: “What’s wrong?”
Gu Yan also smiled softly: “Nothing, I just suddenly remembered some things from the past.”
Gu Yan closed his eyes and the man’s voice vaguely sounded in his ears, as if coming from a very distant past.
Gu Yan had always known that Huaiyuan wasn’t that person’s real name.
When they first met, the other person had told him: “I was abandoned by my parents when I was a child, so I have no name. My master named me Huaiyuan, so you can call me that.”
But when the man took the blame for him and was taken away from the palace by the officials, he said to him: “Actually……I lied to you before. I have a name. When I come back, I will tell you.”
But even until his death, he did not know what that person’s real name was.
Only now did he realize that that person had already put his real name and sincerity into that small pouch that he handed to him.
It was just that he didn’t realize the meaning at the time and hadn’t taken it to heart.
Gu Yan didn’t speak for a long time. Ye Zi reached out and touched Gu Yan’s back, calling out softly: “Zicheng?”
“I’m fine.” Gu Yan sighed softly and let go of Ye Zi, “How was your rest? Let’s continue our journey.”
Ye Zi nodded without asking any more questions.
The two of them walked for another half an hour before finally coming to a spring deep in the mountains. There were some footprints near the spring. Gu Yan squatted down and scrutinized for a moment: “The footprints look pretty fresh. However, because it rained a little two days ago, it isn’t as clear as it should be.”
Ye Zi said: “This is a remote place so villagers wouldn’t really come to this place.”
Gu Yan nodded, “Let’s look around here and see if there are any other clues.”
“Okay.”
Ye Zi and Gu Yan separately searched for a while near the spring, but apart from the few footprints just now, there were no other clues at all.
After walking for a while, he began to feel a little exhausted again and took a rest while holding onto a tree trunk. Suddenly, there was the sound of leaves rustling beside them. Ye Zi sharply raised his head as a feathered arrow shot out from the depths of the woods.
“Zicheng, be careful!”
He wasn’t close to Gu Yan and only had time to remind him. Fortunately, Gu Yan’s reaction was extremely sensitive. After noticing something strange, he immediately turned sideways to avoid the incoming arrow.
Just as Ye Zi breathed a sigh of relief, the sound of sharp weapons piercing the air was heard again in the forest. This time it was aimed at Ye Zi. Although he was aware of it, he was too exhausted and couldn’t exert any strength. His reaction was too slow and he had no time to avoid it.
At this moment, Gu Yan suddenly pushed him aside. The two of them rolled down into the grass and successfully dodged the arrow.
Gu Yan carefully protected Ye Zi in his arms and laughed softly: “Idiot, what are you spacing out for?”
“I……”
“Go!” Before Ye Zi could finish his words, the feathered arrow behind him once again came straight towards the two of them. Gu Yan pulled Ye Zi and dodged out of the way.
The two of them were dodging left and right in the forest. Ye Zi’s face was vaguely white and his palms couldn’t help but break out in a layer of thin sweat. Gradually, he became unable to keep up with Gu Yan’s movements.
Gu Yan suddenly realized something and his footsteps paused. When he turned around, he found that the person beside him looked terrible.
He couldn’t think of much else and called out in a low voice: “Siwei.”
As soon as Gu Yan’s words fell, several dark figures appeared from the shadows, knocking down all the feathered arrows that were nearly piercing them. Afterward, only a few miserable screams could be heard in the forest, accompanied by some sort of heavy object falling to the ground before silence returned.
The several black figures saluted Gu Yan and quickly disappeared without a trace.
Siwei stepped out from the forest and landed on one knee in front of Gu Yan: “Master.”
Gu Yan glanced at Ye Zi’s face and asked: “How is it, have all the people been captured?”
Siwei paused for a moment, “When Master lured them out earlier, this subordinate had already located most of the killers hiding in the shadows. However, there may still be some that have escaped. This subordinate has already sent people to go after them.”
Gu Yan said: “Leave a few of them alive and capture them back for interrogation. Go, there’s nothing more for you to do here.”
“Yes.” Siwei answered and disappeared into the forest.
Ye Zi leaned against the tree trunk and gasped twice, he could feel his gaze turning black.
Gu Yan turned back to look at him and his brows furrowed: “What the hell did you do?”
********
The author has something to say:
Ye Zi: Oh wow, this incident happened so quickly this time.
Gu Yan: ….Hehe
─────────────────────────────────────────────────
[1] Catalpa: zǐ shù 梓树 is the same character for Ye Zi’s “Zi.
Edited: 11.12.2023
The two men who had their necks almost on the chopping block and the guards who surrounded Ye Zi’s side froze.
This man was so aggressive just now and was trying to fight one against ten. What was he doing now?
Acting spoiled?
And the other party was the noble and cold Prince Rui who nobody dared to look at.
Everyone was shocked and for a moment, no one rushed forward.
All eyes fell on Gu Yan.
Gu Yan closed his eyes and sighed in his heart.
He had been too lenient with Ye Zi during this period of time. This made him become more and more bold as he constantly got himself into trouble.
But at this point, there was no choice but to cooperate with him.
Gu Yan walked to Ye Zi, pulled him to his side, and asked in a warm voice: “Why are they going to beat you?”
His voice was neither too loud nor too quiet, but it was just enough for everyone around him to hear.
Ye Zi pursed his lips, shrank behind Gu Yan, and explained in an aggrieved manner with only his head poking out: “They were bullying this young man and when I tried to help, they wanted to fight with me and even found so many people to help out. With so many of them attacking me, they are clearly being mean……”
Gu Yan listened calmly and before he could say anything, the thin guard who had been kicked to the ground by Ye Zi knelt down in front of Gu Yan: “Your Majesty, it was a misunderstanding. We were acting under orders, but who knew that this young gentleman would come up and make a move against us without another word and that’s what attracted patrol.”
Gu Yan looked back at Ye Zi: “Is what he said true?”
Ye Zi blinked and didn’t answer.
Gu Yan calmly responded: “It’s a violation of the law to have a private fight with an official in an important place of the government.”
Just as the thin guard’s expression relaxed for a few moments, he suddenly heard Gu Yan’s next sentence: “However, this place is no longer within Zenkong Temple, so it doesn’t count as a violation on your part.”
“This——” The fat guard couldn’t help but speak: “Your Majesty, but he……”
Gu Yan turned around and glanced coldly at the two people: “Let’s leave this matter aside for now. Can someone explain to me, who permitted you to drive the patients out of Zenkong Temple without authorization?”
The two guards looked at each other in dismay and the thin guard answered: “Your Majesty, please listen to me explain, it’s because this old woman…..”
“I don’t need to hear this.” Gu Yan interrupted him: “You only need to tell me who told you to do this.”
It was not yet noon and Lord Ge, the county magistrate, was taking a nap in the bedroom of his residence with his concubine. Suddenly, there was a burst of chaotic footsteps outside and then someone began to knock on the door hurriedly.
Lord Ge was awakened by the commotion and impatiently cursed: “If you have something to say, just say it, why bother knocking? Which ungrateful bastard is disturbing my rest?”
The door to the room was violently pushed open and several attendants barged in.
Stunned, Lord Ge hurriedly sat up: “What are you doing?”
Behind the crowd, Gu Yan leisurely walked in: “Besides this Prince, which other ungrateful bastard dares to disturb Lord Ge’s rest?”
Gu Yan had brought quite a few people with him and they surrounded the courtyard thoroughly. Ye Zi seemed to have disappeared off to somewhere. He neither followed Gu Yan into the residence nor did he go to the courtyard. A Chu sat alone in the courtyard and not a moment later, he heard Lord Ge crying as well as the dull sounds of beatings and begging for mercy from inside the room.
A Chu felt uneasy until he suddenly heard someone call him: “What are you thinking about that is making you so lost in thought?”
A Chu turned around as Ye Zi grinned broadly and sat down beside him. A Chu opened his mouth, but he didn’t say anything.
The crying in the room grew louder and louder, A Chu couldn’t bear to hear it anymore and asked: “Nothing will happen to…..His Majesty, right?”
Ye Zi propped up his chin and said indifferently: “It’s just a lesson, what can happen?”
“But……” A Chu hesitated for a moment: “First, there was no court appearance, and second, there was no interrogation. Isn’t that not allowed?”
Ye Zi pondered for a moment: “You’re probably right.”
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A Chu wanted to say something, but Ye Zi interrupted him and laughed: “Who cares, so what if he punishes him without a court appearance? He’s only giving that dog official a good lesson so that he won’t dare to do wrong and kill more people in the future.”
A Chu did not reply again. Ye Zi turned his head and looked at his face. After a while, he tentatively said: “By the way, A Chu, I want to discuss something with you.”
A Chu said: “What is it?”
Ye Zi went straight to the point: “The Prince has now found a medicine that may be able to cure the epidemic in Yi’an. However, the doctor still needs to test the medicine on a patient first and observe the effect to see whether he could use it as a cure. I was thinking…….”
“So Mister wants my mother to test the medicine?” A Chu asked.
Ye Zi nodded: “Yes.”
A Chu was silent for a moment and hesitated: “But……trying the medicine will be risky, right?”
Ye Zi truthfully answered: “Indeed.”
A Chu’s eyes darkened and he didn’t say anything for a long time.
Ye Zi knew what he was thinking.
According to their current situation, if A Chu’s mother continued to take the medicine given by Gu Yan, her life could be extended for a few days. If the antidote was successfully developed during this period, there may be a glimmer of hope. However, if she participated in this test, there were only two paths in front of her: either she survived and the medicine was successful or she would die.
As a son, it was impossible for him to make this decision.
This was human nature and because of this, Gu Yan had been unable to make up his mind. No matter who tests the medicine, they always have to bear certain risks, unless…….
Ye Zi narrowed his eyes in thought and said to A Chu: “Wait here for a second.”
As he finished speaking, he got up to leave the courtyard.
A Chu stayed there for a while and Ye Zi quickly returned to the courtyard. But for some reason, his face looked a little pale at the moment and his complexion was much worse than before.
Ye Zi didn’t rush to speak as he shook the empty water pot on the table. He then turned his head and ordered the attendant in the courtyard to bring him a pot of water.
Ah Chu looked at him for a moment and asked in a low voice: “Mister, are you alright?”
The attendant quickly brought over some warm water. Ye Zi down two cups before color returned slightly to his face and he faintly smiled: “Nothing, what could possibly happen?”
A Chu wanted to say something more, but Ye Zi cut him off: “If I say that I have other methods here that can guarantee your mother’s life, are you willing to agree to try the medicine?”
A Chu was stunned for a moment: “Really?……”
Ye Zi turned his head and looked toward the room. The movement inside hadn’t stopped and should continue for some time. He reached into his arms and took out a few fragrant and exquisite green leaves.
Ye Zi handed the leaves to A Chu: “This is the method that can save your mother. Put this away somewhere safe. If the trial medicine fails then you will give this thing to Dr. Pei so that he can use this to save your mother.”
A Chu didn’t rush to take it as he questioned: “This thing……can it really save my mother?”
Ye Zi nodded: “If you don’t believe me, you can take this thing and ask Dr. Pei. However, you can’t tell anyone about the origin of this item.”
A Chu fell silent once again. He deliberated for a while before reaching out to take the leaves in Ye Zi’s hand: “Okay, I promise.”
Ye Zi breathed a sigh of relief and instructed again: “You must promise me not to tell anyone where this thing came from. And besides Dr. Pei, you must not let anyone see it, especially Prince Rui, do you understand?”
Ah Chu nodded and carefully stowed away the object: “I understand, I will absolutely not tell His Majesty.”
“Absolutely not tell me what?” A voice suddenly sounded behind the duo.
A Chu shivered and stood up in fear. Ye Zi was no less frightened than him and apprehensively laughed dryly: “Your Majesty, are you all done?”
“Mnn.” Gu Yan responded and added: “What were you talking about?”
Ye Zi didn’t move and blinked toward A Chu. He got up and walked to his side as he pulled on his sleeve: “I was just talking with A Chu……”
“I’m not asking you.” Gu Yan interrupted him with a stern face, “I know you have many bad ideas, so I’m asking him.”
He then turned his head to look at A Chu: “What did you just say that you would absolutely not tell me?”
A Chu fearfully lowered his head, not daring to meet Gu Yan’s eyes, as his fingers twisted his sleeves tightly: “T-This commoner was saying that he would absolutely……absolutely not tell His Majesty that Mr. Ye had convinced me to have my mother take the trial medicine.”
Gu Yan’s furrowed brows loosened. He looked at Ye Zi and turned back to A Chu: “Are you really willing to let your mother try the medicine? Do you know the risks involved in that?”
A Chu sighed in relief and nodded: “Willing. If it weren’t for Your Majesty, we might not have had any room to maneuver at all. Now that there is a possible way to cure it, this commoner is naturally willing to cooperate. Even if something goes wrong…….this commoner is willing to bear the consequences.”
Gu Yan lowered his eyes and thought for a moment before nodding: “Very well. Your mother has already been sent back to Zenkong Temple, I will arrange for someone to transfer her to Dr. Pei’s place. In the next few days, you can go there and help so that you can have peace of mind.”
A Chu hurriedly thanked: “Many thanks, Your Majesty.”
Gu Yan responded: “You can leave.”
A Chu followed Gu Yan’s attendants and left. Only then did Gu Yan look back at Ye Zi and narrow his eyes suspiciously: “Are you really not planning anything?”
“Of course not, how could you say that about me?” Seeing that he was no longer skeptical, Ye Zi frowned: “I was just discussing this matter with A Chu and I wanted him to bring it up to you himself so as to not make things difficult for you. I am wholeheartedly doing my best for you, how dare you doubt me like this?!”
Ye Zi snorted coldly and left the courtyard.
There were still quite a few attendants that Gu Yan had brought with him into the courtyard, who were still following by his side even now. Even if these attendants didn’t recognize Ye Zi’s identity, they knew Gu Yan’s attitude toward him. At this moment, when they saw him give Gu Yan a look, they all looked away and pretended not to see anything.
Gu Yan shook his head helplessly, called someone to give a few brief instructions about the trial medicine, and immediately chased after him. Ye Zi hadn’t gone far. He was sitting under a flower gallery outside the courtyard with his back to Gu Yan, as if he was sulking.
Gu Yan walked behind him and asked softly: “Are you really angry?”
Ye Zi did not turn around and replied angrily: “How dare I be angry with you, Your Majesty?”
Gu Yan wrapped his arms around him from behind and frowned slightly when held Ye Zi’s hand, “Why is your hand so cold, did you catch a cold last night? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”
As he said this, he raised his hand and probed Ye Zi’s forehead, but it wasn’t hot.
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“How could I have caught a cold? It was just a bit warm when I was walking back so I got some cold water to wash my face.” Ye Zi dodged his eyes for a moment and laughed again: “I was just joking with you, I’m not angry.”
Gu Yan looked at him thoughtfully, walked in front of Ye Zi, and lowered his head: “Really?”
“Really.” Ye Zi answered, “Right, what else do we have to do next?”
“Just leave the matter of the medicine to Pei Ge, we can’t do much to help in this matter.” Gu Yan paused and added, “However, there is one thing I do care about.”
“What?”
Gu Yan continued: “Sixth Imperial Uncle said earlier that the coil orchid is the poison of the Western Regions and that the pollen must be dissolved in water for the poison to form. And regardless of whether what he said about this flower is true or false, and whether it exists or not, I’ve always suspected that this epidemic isn’t an accident.”
Ye Zi lowered his voice: “Are you saying that someone deliberately poisoned the people of Jiangnan?”
“Yes.”
Gu Yan pulled out a rolled-up piece of vellum from his bosom and unfolded it on the stone table; it was a map. Several areas were circled on the map with vermilion ink and Ye Zi looked down at it: “These……are all areas where the epidemic is currently occurring?”
“Yes.” Gu Yan explained, “Although I have stayed in Yi’an these past few days, the epidemic outside continues to spread. The following places are where new breakouts have appeared in the past two days. But at the same time, there are two or three counties above them that had the epidemic along with Yi’an earlier on. Do you notice anything?”
Ye Zi carefully scrutinized for a moment: “It is indeed very strange.”
“How so?”
Ye Zi said: “If the cause of the epidemic is from poison in water, then it should be the counties along the banks of the river that are most severely affected by floods. But whether it is Yi’an County or the several other counties, they are located inland and are not close to the river so they are not seriously affected by the floods.”
Gu Yan smiled: “Exactly, that’s why I had my suspicions. But there’s one more thing, look here.”
He traced his fingers across several areas on the map: “These are places where the epidemic broke out almost at the same time as Yi’an. They don’t seem to have any connection. I’ve asked someone to dig around and among these counties, all the well water used comes from a mountain not far from here.”
Ye Zi was stunned: “Are you saying that someone has poisoned the well water?”
Gu Yan nodded: “I had this suspicion earlier. However, I had someone check the well water in a few places in the city, but nothing came out of it, so I had to put my doubts aside for the time being. However, when I heard Sixth Imperial Uncle say this earlier, I couldn’t help but begin to have some doubts in my heart again. Could someone have poisoned the well water and after the epidemic spread, added the cure into the water to essentially remove the poison?”
Ye Zi pondered for a moment: “That is indeed possible, but if it was really poisoned and then cured, it would be difficult for us to find evidence.”
Gu Yan said: “That’s why I think that perhaps we can go to the water source in the mountains to investigate and see if there are any traces left behind.”
“Then what are we waiting for, let’s go.” As soon as Ye Zi heard this, he immediately pulled Gu Yan up.
Gu Yan took his time and looked him up and down for a moment: “Are you really okay, why do I feel……”
Ye Zi responded: “Naturally I’m fine, do you still want to find out the truth? Come on, hurry up.”
Gu Yan wanted to say something else, but couldn’t win against his stubbornness and had no choice but to agree to leave immediately. In order to hide from others, Gu Yan secretly took Ye Zi out of the city without any attendants and the two quickly entered the mountain.
The road into the mountain wasn’t easy to traverse. The two walked along the mountain road for more than an hour but still did not reach their destination. The sun was gradually rising, but there was shade from the trees in the mountains so the temperature didn’t feel that high. But even so, Ye Zi still had a thin layer of sweat on his forehead.
Gu Yan noticed his abnormality and quickly pulled him back: “If you’re tired, just say so, what’s the point of holding it in?”
Being exposed to the sun, Ye Zi’s fair face flushed into a reddish color. He took a deep breath and shook his head: “I’m fine. Let’s get going, otherwise, we won’t be able to head back until dark.”
“There’s no rush.” Gu Yan’s eyes toured around. He picked a relatively clean area, pulled Ye Zi over to sit down, and took out a silk handkerchief to wipe his face: “It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have brought you out. You were exhausted once when you came here and we can’t have the same outcome happening a second time.”
Ye Zi pursed his lips and didn’t reply.
The energy he had used up in the beginning had long since recovered. If he hadn’t pulled out a few leaves and given it to A Chu today, he wouldn’t be feeling exhausted. However, this was something he didn’t dare to tell Gu Yan.
Pei Ge needed someone to test the medicine, but Gu Yan didn’t want to gamble with the lives of the people, and under both circumstances, this was the only method Ye Zi could think of.
No one was willing to see their loved ones at risk. If not for the fact that Ye Zi’s leaves could guarantee the safety of the person trying the medicine, he also didn’t have the heart to persuade A Chu to be a guinea pig.
Ye Zi said nothing more and rested against the tree for a while. The dense canopy of trees overhead blocked out the sun and the gentle breeze was particularly pleasant. Ye Zi looked up at the dense trees above his head and was suddenly startled: “Huh, this tree……”
Gu Yan asked: “What’s wrong?”
Ye Zi laughed: “This is a catalpa tree, do you not recognize it?”
Gu Yan hadn’t noticed what trees were around him before, but after being reminded by Ye Zi, he came back to his senses and smiled knowingly: “Indeed.”
Ye Zi stood up and walked around the catalpa tree behind him: “This tree is so big. It must have grown for many years. I have never seen such a thick catalpa tree before.”
Gu Yan asked: “You seem to be quite fated to the catalpa tree.”
“Yes. I used to have a catalpa tree planted outside my yard. That’s why my parents gave me this name[1].” Ye Zi said: “I heard that in the past, if people left their hometown for a long time, they would bring along a handful of catalpa tree flower seeds and plant them in their yard as a way of remembering their distant relatives. What’s the saying?”
Gu Yan answered: “……In front of said plant, act with reverence.”
“Right, that’s it.” Ye Zi responded and rummaged under the tree.
Gu Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly, vaguely realizing something.
“I found it.” Ye Zi turned his head and stretched out his hand toward Gu Yan, with a few flower seeds lying in his palm.
He smiled: “Look, I forgot earlier that I should have put a handful of seeds in your pocket before you left. That way no matter where you go, as long as you see it, you’ll think of me.”
Gu Yan looked down at Ye Zi’s palm and suddenly felt some dryness in his throat: “This is the……catalpa flower seed?”
Ye Zi tilted his head: “Yeah, I’m 100% sure.”
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That seed hadn’t been sown in time and had dried up a bit. But this did not prevent Gu Yan from seeing that it was exactly the same as the seeds Huaiyuan gave him when he saw him off.
Gu Yan didn’t take the seeds but pulled Ye Zi over. Since Ye Zi was hugged without warning, all the flower seeds in his palm were scattered onto the ground.
Before Ye Zi could say anything, Gu Yan spoke softly in his ear: “A Zi……”
Ye Zi was stunned for a moment and smiled: “What’s wrong?”
Gu Yan also smiled softly: “Nothing, I just suddenly remembered some things from the past.”
Gu Yan closed his eyes and the man’s voice vaguely sounded in his ears, as if coming from a very distant past.
Gu Yan had always known that Huaiyuan wasn’t that person’s real name.
When they first met, the other person had told him: “I was abandoned by my parents when I was a child, so I have no name. My master named me Huaiyuan, so you can call me that.”
But when the man took the blame for him and was taken away from the palace by the officials, he said to him: “Actually……I lied to you before. I have a name. When I come back, I will tell you.”
But even until his death, he did not know what that person’s real name was.
Only now did he realize that that person had already put his real name and sincerity into that small pouch that he handed to him.
It was just that he didn’t realize the meaning at the time and hadn’t taken it to heart.
Gu Yan didn’t speak for a long time. Ye Zi reached out and touched Gu Yan’s back, calling out softly: “Zicheng?”
“I’m fine.” Gu Yan sighed softly and let go of Ye Zi, “How was your rest? Let’s continue our journey.”
Ye Zi nodded without asking any more questions.
The two of them walked for another half an hour before finally coming to a spring deep in the mountains. There were some footprints near the spring. Gu Yan squatted down and scrutinized for a moment: “The footprints look pretty fresh. However, because it rained a little two days ago, it isn’t as clear as it should be.”
Ye Zi said: “This is a remote place so villagers wouldn’t really come to this place.”
Gu Yan nodded, “Let’s look around here and see if there are any other clues.”
“Okay.”
Ye Zi and Gu Yan separately searched for a while near the spring, but apart from the few footprints just now, there were no other clues at all.
After walking for a while, he began to feel a little exhausted again and took a rest while holding onto a tree trunk. Suddenly, there was the sound of leaves rustling beside them. Ye Zi sharply raised his head as a feathered arrow shot out from the depths of the woods.
“Zicheng, be careful!”
He wasn’t close to Gu Yan and only had time to remind him. Fortunately, Gu Yan’s reaction was extremely sensitive. After noticing something strange, he immediately turned sideways to avoid the incoming arrow.
Just as Ye Zi breathed a sigh of relief, the sound of sharp weapons piercing the air was heard again in the forest. This time it was aimed at Ye Zi. Although he was aware of it, he was too exhausted and couldn’t exert any strength. His reaction was too slow and he had no time to avoid it.
At this moment, Gu Yan suddenly pushed him aside. The two of them rolled down into the grass and successfully dodged the arrow.
Gu Yan carefully protected Ye Zi in his arms and laughed softly: “Idiot, what are you spacing out for?”
“I……”
“Go!” Before Ye Zi could finish his words, the feathered arrow behind him once again came straight towards the two of them. Gu Yan pulled Ye Zi and dodged out of the way.
The two of them were dodging left and right in the forest. Ye Zi’s face was vaguely white and his palms couldn’t help but break out in a layer of thin sweat. Gradually, he became unable to keep up with Gu Yan’s movements.
Gu Yan suddenly realized something and his footsteps paused. When he turned around, he found that the person beside him looked terrible.
He couldn’t think of much else and called out in a low voice: “Siwei.”
As soon as Gu Yan’s words fell, several dark figures appeared from the shadows, knocking down all the feathered arrows that were nearly piercing them. Afterward, only a few miserable screams could be heard in the forest, accompanied by some sort of heavy object falling to the ground before silence returned.
The several black figures saluted Gu Yan and quickly disappeared without a trace.
Siwei stepped out from the forest and landed on one knee in front of Gu Yan: “Master.”
Gu Yan glanced at Ye Zi’s face and asked: “How is it, have all the people been captured?”
Siwei paused for a moment, “When Master lured them out earlier, this subordinate had already located most of the killers hiding in the shadows. However, there may still be some that have escaped. This subordinate has already sent people to go after them.”
Gu Yan said: “Leave a few of them alive and capture them back for interrogation. Go, there’s nothing more for you to do here.”
“Yes.” Siwei answered and disappeared into the forest.
Ye Zi leaned against the tree trunk and gasped twice, he could feel his gaze turning black.
Gu Yan turned back to look at him and his brows furrowed: “What the hell did you do?”
********
The author has something to say:
Ye Zi: Oh wow, this incident happened so quickly this time.
Gu Yan: ….Hehe
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[1] Catalpa: zǐ shù 梓树 is the same character for Ye Zi’s “Zi.
