Chapter 46

"Ah, there aren't many doctors like me left in this world... If it weren't for that half of a medical book, someone like you who ignores medical advice ought to be left to fend for himself..."

The physician's surname was Liu. He had never stopped thinking about the half of the medical book Meng Zhou had yet to give him. Following the book, he had treated Guan Jiasheng as a last-ditch attempt, and had actually managed to save him.

When Guan Jiasheng woke and learned that his wife had died despite treatment, he sank into despondency for a while, then announced that he wanted to go to the Capital. His wounds had only just healed, and he was in no condition to travel. Physician Liu pleaded, threatened, and coaxed, hoping to make Guan Jiasheng stay for a full year until Meng Zhou came to ransom him with the other half of the book.

But his patient refused to cooperate. He said he would send someone with a reward once he reached the Capital and insisted on leaving. Afraid he would die along the way and render all his efforts futile, Physician Liu packed his bags amid a stream of curses and went with him. He kept comforting himself: I, Liu Yixiu, was a wandering hero in my youth. With a major rebellion case right before me, could I call myself one if I didn't get involved?

After wearing himself out getting to the Capital, Liu Yixiu thought he was about to become an honored guest at the Guan Residence-only for Guan Jiasheng to say that he did not want to go home yet?!

"The Capital looks peaceful now, but the rebellion investigation has actually reached a stalemate. Every lead has gone cold. In this useless state, there's nothing I can do. I would only cause Brother Meng trouble."

Meng Zhou was now the capital prefect. Once he appeared, Meng Zhou would certainly give the post back to him. If they switched identities again and someone with ulterior motives made an issue of it, the situation would turn ugly.

"Why are you thinking so much? He doesn't strike me as someone who would cling to your position. Besides..." Liu Yixiu lowered his voice. "If you don't go back soon, he won't be able to hide his belly anymore. That's deceiving the emperor. He's probably frantic by now."

Guan Jiasheng thought the physician had a point. Meng Zhou had been fleeing the Capital in the first place, so the child's father was presumably someone powerful. Now he had returned to the tiger's den because of him. He needed to hear what Meng Zhou thought before deciding what to do next.

"Physician Liu, I have a favor to ask."

Liu Yixiu frowned, sensing that this would not be simple. The two ends of his mustache bristled skyward as he snapped, "Go on, go on."

"Set off two bursts of fireworks directly west of the guesthouse where the Feng Kingdom envoys are staying, a quarter of an hour apart."

"You're not trying to collude with the enemy, are you?"

"No. When I investigated the case in Suzhou, I questioned the people living around the garden estate. They all mentioned that someone had set off fireworks that night. The last burst was very close to my residence, and I specifically noted the time. Later, when I questioned the shops selling fireworks, I discovered that several of the buyers were merchants from the Feng Kingdom."

If they were merely ordinary merchants who did not deal in fireworks, there was really no reason to buy any during a trading journey.

It was only a guess, and their meeting at the ruined temple had been so brief that Guan Jiasheng had not mentioned it to Meng Zhou then. Only after learning that envoys from the Feng Kingdom had entered the Capital had Guan Jiasheng hurried back.

A simple test would reveal whether the delegation harbored ulterior motives.

"Find somewhere lively to set them off tonight, then watch whether anyone enters or leaves the guesthouse. Meng Zhou knows you. Once you've done this, just wait for him along his route back from court."

Thinking that he could ask Meng Zhou for the book, Liu Yixiu reluctantly agreed.

After eight days of hellish training, A Hu had finally learned a little of Meng Zhou's craft. Meng Zhou made him up to look utterly wretched and locked the family of three together.

Covered in blood, A Hu lay sprawled on the floor, murmuring, "Fallen leaves return to their roots. I won't have that chance."

His adoptive parents wept at his words. At their age, who did not want to return home and spend their remaining years in peace?

"Yes, Feng City at this time of year..."

His adoptive mother spoke very softly, almost in a sigh, but A Hu, who was closest to her, heard her clearly. Feng City-that was the Feng Kingdom's capital.

Following Meng Zhou's instructions, A Hu repeated what he heard whenever he did not know how to respond. Gritting his teeth, he squeezed out a tear. "Feng City, Feng City..."

His adoptive mother rambled on for a while, all of it incomprehensible to him.

Just then, the faintest sounds of fireworks reached the dungeon from outside. His adoptive father seemed to notice something suddenly and counted the beats as he waited. About a quarter of an hour later, the same sound came again.

"I want to go home too," his adoptive father suddenly said.

Silence fell over the cell. A Hu racked his brains but could not work out how to draw anything out of them. Just then, the interrogators arrived and hauled him away like a dead pig.

Meng Zhou was waiting outside. "How did it go?"

"All I found out was that their ancestral home is probably Feng City." A Hu wiped the chicken blood off his face.

The smell of blood made Meng Zhou retreat two steps. "You did very well. Go wash your face first."

Meng Zhou walked back to the residence. Passing the guesthouse, he frowned. Could they be spies sent by the Feng Kingdom?

He carefully tried to recall whether the Feng Kingdom had any marriage ties with the previous dynasty, and whether they could have obtained the complete plans. But he was unfamiliar with the history here and could only look into it once he returned.

"Miss Shui Bi likes Great Wei's local customs and would like to take a stroll. Please make an exception, sir."

The guesthouse was heavily guarded. Chu Huaiyin had nothing to discuss with the Feng Kingdom and only wanted to send them out of the country as soon as the time came.

"No one may leave without His Majesty's decree." The guard was upright and incorruptible, unmoved by beauty.

"His Majesty only ordered you to protect the delegation. But I'm merely a dancer, not a member of the delegation. Please make an exception." Miss Shui Bi showed no irritation, offering generous gifts and speaking pleasantly.

His Majesty had indeed never said that even a dancer needed to be watched so closely. The guard hesitated. Great Wei's streets were broad and lively, and there had even been fireworks just now. It was understandable that a young woman would want to come out and have a look.

"Well, then..."

"Public security in the Capital has been troubling lately, with petty thieves appearing frequently. I would advise Miss Shui Bi to remain in the guesthouse. If you must go out, be sure to return within two hours."

The guard said, "Greetings, Lord Guan."

Miss Shui Bi glanced at Meng Zhou and dipped her head slightly. "Thank you for the reminder, Lord Prefect."

The instant she turned away, her gaze went cold. It was this Guan Jiasheng. While she danced, she had repeatedly cast flirtatious glances at Chu Huaiyin, but whenever she followed his gaze, it had always led to Guan Jiasheng!

Could a man who did nothing but eat and drink tea the whole time be more attractive than her?

Once Miss Shui Bi was far away, Liu Yixiu popped out from behind Meng Zhou. "Someone really did want to go out."

Meng Zhou waved a hand, and the hidden guards immediately followed her. He had given Miss Shui Bi a time limit. In a hurry, she would be more likely to give herself away.

Chu Huaiyin's hidden guards were so useful, Meng Zhou marveled again.

"Where is he?"

"At an inn." Liu Yixiu leaned close to his ear. "Don't worry. No one can recognize him."

Afraid of being recognized on the road and bringing disaster upon himself, Guan Jiasheng had grown a beard and applied Physician Liu's special yellow powder. He was skeletal and had even added spots to his face, leaving no trace of his original appearance.

"Let's go."

Without another word, Meng Zhou decided to switch back that very night. When Chu Huaiyin had embraced him in the woods that morning, he had almost noticed something amiss. Luckily, Chu Huaiyin's attention had been elsewhere, and Meng Zhou had covered it up by saying he had dressed in extra layers for the early journey.

Hearing that he was cold, Chu Huaiyin had insisted on draping an outer robe over him-the glittering gold kind embroidered with dragons. He had even threatened him not to take it off, or that night he would... well.

It was easy to imagine how many stares Meng Zhou had drawn when he entered the city wearing something so conspicuous. He felt that the teahouses would soon have a new story to tell.

In this short time, Meng Zhou felt he had nearly ruined Guan Jiasheng's reputation. Now that things were out in the open, he had no idea what further liberties Chu Huaiyin might take. Better to return Guan Jiasheng's identity as soon as possible.

It was for Chu Huaiyin's sake too. Otherwise, once those officials figured things out, they would jointly petition him to select consorts, angering His Majesty again.

Whose side would he take then?

Guan Jiasheng had not expected Meng Zhou to be in such a hurry, but seeing that his belly was indeed beginning to show, he stopped insisting.

The two secretly changed clothes in the inn.

Guan Jiasheng was pale from illness and thin, but fortunately, his frame had always been a little larger than Meng Zhou's. These days, Meng Zhou had been raising his boots and padding his shoulders, favoring loose clothing to hide his belly. Nor had he gained weight; the child seemed to have absorbed all the nourishment. Once they switched back, nothing seemed amiss at first glance.

"I'll submit my resignation tomorrow," Guan Jiasheng said.

He had merely been the prefect of Suzhou. His failure to oversee his jurisdiction properly had allowed a horrific massacre to occur there, and he would willingly accept demotion and a reduced salary. How could he instead gain a promotion through Meng Zhou after falling unconscious?

"Brother Guan, you put life and death aside for the country and its people. You fully deserve to be capital prefect." Meng Zhou repeatedly assured him that His Majesty already knew everything and that he need only attend court tomorrow.

"And what about you, Brother Meng?"

"Me? His Majesty has his own arrangements." Meng Zhou evaded the question. He actually had not decided what to do yet.

He felt a little lost, caught off guard.

While the two discussed serious matters, Liu Yixiu tried several times to speak, only to hesitate.

Seeing what was making him anxious, Meng Zhou said to Liu Yixiu, "Go back with Lord Guan. There's half a medical book beneath the third brick from the left under the bed. A divine physician gave it to me, hoping I would pass it on to His Majesty for the benefit of the people. Physician Liu, would you be willing to take on that responsibility? I'll ask His Majesty to appoint you an imperial physician. After studying it thoroughly, you can share it with the world. What do you say?"

Wherever he lived, Kitten Meng's habit of hiding things under his bed never changed.

Meng Zhou thought that, for all his complaints, this physician had escorted Guan Jiasheng all the way to the Capital and was truly both brave and resourceful. He deserved to be called a healer who served the world.

"An imperial... imperial physician?" Liu Yixiu's knees went a little weak. Could he really become an imperial physician just because Meng Zhou said so?

"I guarantee it."

"Then I'll be the divine physician's successor!" Delight lit Liu Yixiu's face. He would certainly bring glory to his school.

After the two left, drowsiness swept over Meng Zhou, leaving him unable to walk another step. Guan Jiasheng had booked the room for three days. Hugging a pillow and yawning repeatedly, Meng Zhou decided he might as well sleep here. Even if the sky fell, it could wait until morning.

I used to be a tough guy who could wake up on command and film all night. Not anymore.

Before falling asleep, Meng Zhou vaguely sensed that he had forgotten something important.

Ever since leaving the damp, gloomy dungeon that day, he had felt groggy and listless. Now that he had crawled under the covers, he could not remember anything at all.

Half of Chu Huaiyin's hidden guards had followed Miss Shui Bi, while the rest followed Meng Zhou. In the pitch-dark night, Meng Zhou went in and came out, and, as expected, none of the hidden guards noticed that he had been replaced.

In the middle of the night.

Meng Zhou tossed and turned in bed, hugging his pillow. As he moved, cold air slipped beneath the bedding, chilling his clammy sweat.

The temperature in the Capital had varied wildly over the past few days, hot at noon and cold in the mornings and evenings. Meng Zhou had risen early to pay respects to Jiang Yao, caught a chill on the road, and spent too long in the dungeon. With Guan Jiasheng's return, his taut nerves had suddenly relaxed, and his body had begun to show signs of illness.

Before, he would have simply endured it, but his circumstances were different now. Fighting his drowsiness, he gritted his teeth and climbed out of bed, dressed, wrapped himself in the quilt, and went out to find a doctor. At the door, the night attendant stopped him, saying he could not take the inn's belongings away. Meng Zhou had no money on him and could only return the quilt.

In the small hours, the streets were dark and cold, with only a few lamps still lit.

Hands tucked into his sleeves, Meng Zhou trudged into the wind like an elderly man in his seventies or eighties. All the clinics were closed, so he went straight to Li Wenle's home and knocked.

"Brother Li, are you there? It's me."

"My lord?" Awakened by the knocking, Li Wenle was startled to hear Meng Zhou's voice.

"I've caught a bit of a chill." Meng Zhou's voice was muffled. "I didn't dare put it off. Sorry to trouble you, Brother Li."

"What are you saying!" Li Wenle boiled water for Meng Zhou to soak his feet and warm his hands, then prescribed medicine that would not harm his body and watched him take it.

"Get some sleep and sweat it out. You should feel much better tomorrow."

"Thank you, Brother Li."

Meng Zhou burrowed under the covers and found a pillow to hug as he slept.

It was a little habit he had developed since becoming pregnant. Outwardly, he was calm and unconcerned, but at night, he was cautious. He curled up and shielded his belly with a pillow, so things would not be too disastrous if someone suddenly lifted his covers.

Li Wenle made a bed on the floor so he could look after him at any time.

Chu Huaiyin slept no better than Meng Zhou. He kept feeling uneasy. He had never concerned himself with ghosts or spirits, but this time, he seriously wanted to visit Guang'en Temple and ask the abbot whether there was any way to make Meng Zhou stay here forever.

Was Meng Zhou so close to the abbot because the abbot knew something?

He lay awake almost until dawn. While washing up, Chu Huaiyin specifically asked a palace attendant whether Lord Guan had come to court today.

What kind of question was that? Utterly baffled, the attendant replied that Lord Guan was already waiting outside Xuanzheng Hall.

"Long live Your Majesty, long live, long, long live!"

The civil and military officials offered their three cheers, kneeling and rising in unison.

"Minister Guan," Chu Huaiyin called casually. There was nothing in particular; he merely wanted to speak to him.

"Present, Your Majesty."

Guan Jiasheng stepped forward.

Chu Huaiyin's expression changed, and he abruptly rose. "Raise your head!"

Wrong!

That wasn't Meng Zhou!

"Guan Jiasheng, stay. Court is dismissed!" Chu Huaiyin nearly overturned the imperial desk. Veins throbbed on his forehead as he watched the officials file out, his patience draining away by the second.

The very thing he had worried about all night had happened that morning!

It was the earliest the officials had ever finished morning court. Seeing that it was still early, the minister of war enthusiastically invited Right Chancellor Yan Xiang to eat and have tea with him as usual, and discuss his daughter's marriage along the way.

They've been eloping for so long. How are you not anxious at all?

Yan Xiang's brows were tightly knitted. He was in no mood to banter with the minister of war.

"Don't you think His Majesty's mood was off?" Court had ended so quickly that before he could even react, Xiao Jiu had begun ushering everyone out.

Author's note:

Chu Huaiyin: Losing his mind.

An early update means... Schrödinger's bonus update. Don't wait up.