Chapter 049: He Yu’s Delight

The night watch had reached its midpoint when Ling'er returned to Orchid Pavilion. She was about to retire to her chamber for rest, but was stopped by Master Wu Xiao.

"Ling'er!"

"Master, you haven't slept yet?"

Wu Xiao shook his blue fan, feeling invigorated. "Lately, Orchid Pavilion has reaped many benefits. I am so pleased that sleep eludes me! I believe you are aware of this, as am I!"

"Oh? What good fortune is it? Is it merely that we have learned most of the affairs in Northern Hua, and that alone makes you so delighted?"

"Hahaha!" Wu Xiao handed Ling'er a butterfly book, smiling silently as he watched her.

Ling'er finished reading and her expression turned deeply alarmed. "Master, you..."

Wu Xiao's laughter deepened, wrinkles gathering at the corners of his eyes. "Why? Is this not as it should be?"

"Master, how could you use your disciple like this?" Ling'er grew angry, her face stern. "The information I gathered for you was never kept for myself. This time, you have broken our promise—what are you intending?"

"Ling'er, do not be upset. Your master has his reasons." Wu Xiao sat upright, smiling at Ling'er. "I sold the information, gained a great profit, and even strengthened the ties between Ping Liang and Northern Hua. Although Empress Xue wants Liu Li and Liu Qing to suffer, they have always been in dire straits. This, too, is a test for them!"

"But master, do you know how much effort I've put in?" Ling'er was displeased, for her goals differed from Wu Xiao’s; she cared nothing for profit or honor. "I just sent them to the West Sea Prefecture, and just as our goal was about to be achieved, now I must watch them suffer and bleed..."

"They will not. From what I know of Empress Xue, she will do everything to forge an alliance with the West Sea Prefecture. There is bound to be an intriguing drama in the martial world!"

Ling'er was bewildered and asked unhappily, "Why must it be so? What show does master wish to see? Have you not always abstained from meddling in such affairs? If I succeed this time, I will earn the trust of those from Tianshan, precisely fulfilling your purpose—why complicate matters?"

"Your master sees further than you. Remember this: though I desire news of Tianshan and to find what I seek, I will not act recklessly. Only when chaos reigns in the land will those from Tianshan emerge more frequently, and only then will Ping Liang maintain close ties with Northern Hua. This benefits both you and me—it is the perfect strategy!"

Ling'er was left speechless, for Wu Xiao’s words were true; thus, both could more swiftly fulfill their wishes. Moreover, Linger’s current goal was not only to ensure Ping Liang’s safety, but also to see more disciples of Tianshan—coinciding perfectly with Wu Xiao’s purpose.

Yet now, her master had revealed the whereabouts of Liu Li and his companions to Empress Xue’s people—what was to be done? Was the effort spent acquiring the lingzhi herb wasted? If the Tianshan people learned of this, would they not regard her with suspicion?

Ling’er was not happy, for her heart favored Tianshan above all—there, after all, was the person she longed to see.

Master Wu Xiao had always harbored a wish, one Ling’er could not unravel. She could only watch as he gradually disrupted the world’s balance, stirring all calm—only thus would things proceed properly and orderly.

In truth, there were many things Ling’er did not know: the mysterious visitor to Orchid Pavilion not long ago, Wu Xiao’s background and true intentions, and why he had taken her as his last disciple.

The first rays of dawn filtered through the bed curtains, the light shifting from darkness to clarity. The sound of cockcrow echoed thrice, marking the hour when the martial women of West Sea Prefecture should rise. Yet at this moment, He Yu was awakened by someone’s call.

"Sister He Yu, wake up!"

Still half-asleep, He Yu felt the weight of fatigue.

"Who is it?"

"It’s me!"

"Hmm? Qiu Di, what brings you here?"

He Yu glanced at the sky, then at Qiu Di, who stood three paces away. She asked, both surprised and doubtful, "So early—why are you not asleep? Did the martial women rise too early and disturb you?"

"No, it's something concerning you!"

"Concerning me? What is it?"

Qiu Di looked around, hurried forward, and whispered, "The emperor has arrived!"

"What?" He Yu sat up abruptly, flinging aside the curtain, anxiously and excitedly staring at Qiu Di. "You say the emperor has come?"

"Yes, a carriage has been parked outside for a long while. A disciple reported it, so I went down the mountain with Sister Gui Ye to have a look—this was confirmed by a general. Sister Gui Ye knows that general; they seem to have sparred before, so..."

"So, the news is true, the emperor has really come?!"

Before Qiu Di could answer, He Yu had already leapt from bed, casting aside all fatigue and welcoming the dawn with joy.

"Sister, you must dress well! It seems the emperor is waiting for you to save someone, so you’d best go down soon!" Qiu Di watched He Yu’s exuberant excitement, a smile flickering in her eyes.

He Yu nodded, unable to contain her joy. "Alright!"

"Qiu Di will head back now!"

He Yu had intended to dress carefully, but worried the emperor would wait too long or affairs might be delayed, so she only made a brief effort before hurrying out.

At this hour, West Sea Prefecture was silent, the sky not yet fully bright. The martial women, led by the steward Gui Ye, had gone to train in the forest; some were on duty, while the rest slumbered, so few witnessed He Yu’s radiant figure.

Descending the stone steps, He Yu immediately spotted the carriage outside the gate, shrouded in morning mist, lonely and desolate.

As He Yu approached, movement stirred within the carriage. Soon after, a man jumped down. He wore the armor of a Northern Hua general and carried a short sword. This was Feng Xing.

He Yu’s gaze was gentle, her smile faint as she asked softly, "Are you General Feng Xing?"

"I am."

"I am He Yu, the physician."

No sooner had she spoken than the carriage curtain was lifted, and Liu Li stepped down.

Liu Li looked at He Yu, and she looked back at him. Their gazes met, emotions differing yet both silent.

"Your humble subject pays respects—"

"No need," Liu Li replied. "We have come to trouble you, to ask you to save someone. Might I ask if you could examine him?"

He Yu smiled warmly and nodded, following Liu Li into the carriage.

Inside the spacious carriage lay a man who resembled Liu Li somewhat. He Yu needed no lengthy examination, for she had long paid attention to the affairs of Northern Hua.

"This gentleman is deeply poisoned, but someone has imparted true energy, and with the protection of the celestial herb, he is stable for now."

"Can he be cured? I brought the lingzhi herb!"

"He can. With my sect’s acupuncture technique to clear the meridians, internal and external use of the celestial herb, and three days’ immersion in West Sea Prefecture’s medicinal pool, he will recover!"

"Is it truly so simple? Why, then, are the symptoms so unusual?"

"Your Majesty, you have obtained the lingzhi herb and can thus resolve this strange poison. The other methods are straightforward, but must complement the celestial herb—none can be omitted. Also, my sect’s acupuncture and medicinal pool are no ordinary means; they are essential for curing such rare poison!"

"Indeed, I am lacking in medical knowledge. I hope you will help, and cure him!"

He Yu smiled, glanced at Liu Li, and whispered, "Of course I will help you!"

"What? You said—"

"Oh, your humble subject spoke too much!" He Yu thought for a moment and offered an excuse. "I know Your Majesty obtained the lingzhi herb with the guidance of a master, and this illness is recorded in the ancient medical texts of West Sea Prefecture. So, when Your Majesty asked me to examine him, I knew exactly how to cure him and will do my utmost."

"So it is! She truly is well-intentioned—though I wonder who has tasked her with this." Liu Li fell into thought, recalling their encounter on Kunlun Mountain.

He Yu stole glances at Liu Li from time to time, then lowered her head with gentle obedience. She had awaited such a scene for a long time.

"Your Majesty is benevolent and wise. Countless people in the land wish to serve you—why trouble yourself over who is assisting?"

Liu Li nodded. "Very well! Please cure this gentleman for me."

"Of course! I will report to the main hall, and Your Majesty may enter West Sea Prefecture. Please wait a moment."