The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 153

Chapter 153: A Powerful Return, Intimidating Everyone

After returning to the residence in Pengcheng, Xiao Jinyu began to talk about how to lure out the assassins lurking in Pengcheng and how to annihilate the enemy.

“Actually, as early as when we were in Jiankang, Ling Ye made many hidden weapons for me. Among these hidden weapons, there is one called ‘Thunder Fire Bomb,’ which is made of petroleum, equivalent to an incendiary, known as fierce fire oil.”

“After I lured the enemy out, Fenghuang ignited the fierce fire oil, causing the entire cart of hidden weapons to shoot out with ten times the force of manpower. Even if those people managed to dodge and survive, they would still be seriously injured!”

“However, this move also angered those assassins. Originally, they didn’t use their full strength, but after facing the attack of the fierce fire oil, the remaining people launched a frantic chase and attack on me and Fenghuang…”

“Later, Ling Ye appeared and helped us quickly annihilate those enemies, so…”

She lightly described a thrilling event, and Gao Changgong felt even more heartache after hearing it.

“What is this fierce fire oil? It has such power. If it is used on the battlefield in the future, wouldn’t it be…” Zhao Wu asked in surprise.

Lu Yu glared at Zhao Wu, and the latter quickly lowered his head.

Xiao Jinyu didn’t feel anything wrong, but simply explained: “There is a mountain south of the county, where spring water flows out of the rock. When ignited, it burns extremely brightly, and it is called petroleum! This is originally a military material. It was used by the Northern Wei Dynasty when they fought against the Northern Barbarians. Ling Ye just transformed it into a kind of Thunder Fire Bomb, making its power even stronger!”

“Princess Consort, can you teach us how to make this Thunder Fire Bomb? If we follow the Prince to the battlefield in the future, we will also…”

Zhao Wu excitedly interjected again.

Lu Yu glared at him once more.

Xiao Jinyu smiled and said: “Of course!”

Then she called Ling Ye.

Ling Ye handed a piece of paper recording the method of making Thunder Fire Bombs to Xiao Jinyu, and Xiao Jinyu directly handed it to Zhao Wu.

Zhao Wu was overjoyed when he saw it, and hurriedly cupped his hands and said: “Thank you, Princess Consort! I didn’t expect that the Princess Consort not only has amazing medical skills, but even this military thing…”

The other guards also showed joy when they saw this, and their eyes towards Xiao Jinyu became even more respectful. They secretly thought: The Prince has really married a treasure! The Prince himself was born as a concubine’s son with an unknown mother’s identity and was neglected since childhood. He entered officialdom later than his other brothers and only reached this point today by accumulating military merits on the battlefield.

With the help of the Princess Consort, then the future career path…

The guards couldn’t help but feel excited, but seeing that Prince of Lanling’s expression was solemn and he seemed to be still immersed in the fear of the aftermath, they all lowered their heads and dared not speak. Then, under Lu Yu’s hint, they all withdrew from the council hall.

After they left, Xiao Jinyu turned her inquiring gaze to Ling Ye and A’xiu.

A’xiu was the first to speak: “My Lady, I know you are worried that I grew up in Jiankang and will not be used to it in Northern Qi, and you don’t want me to be separated from my family. But My Lady, A’xiu’s clan members treat A’xiu as goods, they can sell me or give me away, and only my mother is powerless. After you left, I saw my mother. She told me to follow you well, so she can rest assured!”

As she spoke, A’xiu knelt down and said tearfully: “Although A’xiu has always said that she wants to repay My Lady’s life-saving grace that day, but all along, it is A’xiu who has received kindness from My Lady. A’xiu doesn’t want to be an ungrateful person, and only wishes to serve My Lady for the rest of her life.”

“Moreover, Tenth Young Lady has learned business from Lady Wei very well, and A’xiu taught her cooking skills, which Tenth Young Lady can also learn quickly. The teahouse she opened is now full of guests. Tenth Young Lady asked A’xiu to tell My Lady not to worry, they are all well in Jiankang!”

Xiao Jinyu nodded and turned her gaze to Ling Ye.

Ling Ye cupped his hands and said: “Don’t worry, My Lady, Ling Ye has found Bai Yi and Shan Zi. Bai Yi’s martial arts have improved over the years and are no less than Ling Ye’s. He will protect the Xiao Clan on behalf of My Lady. And Young Master Xiao Xian also said that he is now diligently practicing martial arts and has enough ability to protect himself. Why are you so worried, My Lady!”

Bai Yi and Shan Zi were the leaders of the Eight Steeds she trained back then, and they were indeed the best among the hundred personal troops. With them by Xiao Xian’s side, she felt relieved.

“However, My Lady, Chen Xu…the Emperor of Chen seems to have found out about your impersonation of Xie Zhen, so not long after you left Jiankang, he sent General Fan Yi of the Left Guard to chase you! We met General Fan in Jingkou. He said that he was ordered by the Emperor to bring My Lady back!”

Hearing this, Xiao Jinyu’s expression changed slightly.

Even if he knew she was Xie Zhen, there was no reason to bring her back when he personally promised to marry her to the Northern Qi envoy. What was Chen Xu planning in his mind?

“However, General Fan saw that you had already crossed the river and your whereabouts were unknown, so he gave up the pursuit!”

It must be that Fan Yi didn’t quite agree with Emperor Chen Xu’s actions, so he gave up the pursuit!

“My Lady, your actions this time were too risky. Those were the Northern Qi’s imperial assassins, people who have killed their way out of the battlefield. If…”

Ling Ye still wanted to say something, but under Xiao Jinyu’s gaze, he quickly shut his mouth. At this time, Ling Ye noticed that Gao Changgong’s face was even uglier, and the pain in his eyes was even greater.

“Ling Ye once assassinated Emperor Chen Xu of the Southern Dynasty. Staying in the Xiao family for a long time would also be detrimental to Xiao Xian. Therefore, Ling Ye agreed to Young Master Xiao Xian’s request and followed My Lady to Northern Qi!”

Hearing this, Xiao Jinyu couldn’t say anything to refuse, so she silently agreed to keep them.

A’xiu was overjoyed and knelt down to thank her: “Thank you, My Lady, for taking us in!”

“You should call her Princess Consort now, right?”

“Yes, thank you, Princess Consort!”

Xiao Jinyu asked A’xiu to stand up and asked: “How did you find our whereabouts?”

Ling Ye took out a porcelain bottle and opened it. A black-winged butterfly flew out.

“When My Lady came of age, Young Master Xiao Xian hid pollen that could attract this kind of butterfly in My Lady’s hairpin. Ling Ye used this butterfly to judge My Lady’s whereabouts!”

So that’s how it is!

It turned out that even Xiao Xian was worried about her, but didn’t want to go against her wishes, so he used this method to send Ling Ye and a group of personal troops to her side.

“Uncle Xian has really put a lot of thought into it, using such a roundabout way to have you protect me!”

“My Lady always tells us to cherish our own lives, but My Lady, have you put your own life first?”

He had already experienced it once, obeying her orders and letting her use herself as bait to lure away the enemy, but that time was a near-death experience.

If it weren’t for heaven’s mercy and this chance to start over…how could he have the day to meet My Lady again?

Xiao Jinyu fell silent at Ling Ye’s question!

Gao Changgong was even more displeased and drove Ling Ye and A’xiu out. The more he heard them talk, the more uncomfortable he felt.

Ling Ye was reluctant at first, but A’xiu pulled him out.

“Xiao Jinyu, don’t you have anything to say to me?” After a long silence, Gao Changgong asked with a hint of anger.

Seeing the anger in his eyes, with hidden grievances and sadness, Xiao Jinyu once again wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

“I know I was wrong, Changgong. I neglected your feelings. From now on, I will discuss everything with you, okay?”

A soft word dispelled the gloom in his heart. Even if he had more anger, how could he bear to lose his temper at her?

As if afraid of losing her if he let go, he hugged her tightly again and asked: “A’yu, you kept the scar on your face because you were afraid that the Emperor of Qi would make things difficult for me, right?”

Otherwise, with her medical skills, she wouldn’t be afraid of not being able to cure a thin, long blade mark.

“Yes. Is it…very ugly?”

“In my heart, you look good no matter what. I don’t care about these things. As long as you think it’s good, it’s good!”

“Xiao Jinyu!”

He suddenly called her name very seriously and said: “I agree with you entering officialdom in Northern Qi. I will recommend you to Gao Zhan!”

He said these words very heavily, as if he had struggled for a long time before making up his mind.

Xiao Jinyu looked at him in surprise.

“I know you are not just an ordinary woman who relies on her husband. I shouldn’t selfishly monopolize everything about you, especially your freedom.”

“From now on, I will support whatever you want to do, but my only request is that you cannot go into danger alone!”

“Okay!”

Xiao Jinyu’s eyes were filled with tears. She originally thought that princes and grandsons like Gao Changgong, who grew up in an environment where women regarded their husbands as heaven, could not understand her thoughts and pursuits.

But in just a few days, he had figured it out!

Entering officialdom in Northern Qi, if she could prevent that incident from happening, extend Gao Zhan’s reign, or even eliminate those treacherous officials who whispered slander in Gao Zhan’s ears, perhaps she could change Gao Changgong’s fate in this life!

Moreover, even if she couldn’t change the ruler of Qi, if she held power, she could use it as a weapon to protect the people she wanted to protect.

In addition, entering officialdom in Northern Qi under the name Xie Zhen could also revive the reputation of the Chenjun Xie Clan, and the Xie family would not disappear and be submerged in the long river of history.

✿✿✿

She also had the ability to fight against Chen Xu to the end!

Thinking about it, she suddenly felt a little emotional, and a trace of ambition arose in her heart: If the world could be unified, there would be no more wars, no helplessness of being separated from loved ones and having no control over her own life, and no more lamenting the shortness of life and the possibility of withering like a flower at any time!

“Changgong, thank you for your understanding. You are so good to me!” She buried herself in his neck again and said happily in his ear.

Gao Changgong’s heart instantly softened like spring water. He hugged her and kissed her deeply. After a while, as if afraid of hurting her, his kisses turned into gentle and lingering ones.

“A’yu, I should be thanking you, thank you for reminding me of my mother.”

That woman who only left a back view in his deepest memory and never gave him a look back!

“You know everything?”

He knew that she had drugged the sandalwood, knew that she had been trying to guide him to reconcile with his past self, knew that she was using her own emotions to heal the shadow in his heart from his childhood, and the missing piece of affection.

“Yes, I know. But Xiao Jinyu, you are my wife, not medicine. No matter what I have experienced in the past, it is not for you to compensate.”

“Having you in this life is my blessing. I should love you and protect you well!”

✿✿✿

After deciding to agree with her entering officialdom in Northern Qi, Prince of Lanling no longer avoided this matter, but took the initiative to invite Li Mi and Cui Heng to give her a detailed explanation of the various forces and the current situation in the Northern Qi court.

Lu Yu also participated.

“The population of Han Chinese and Xianbei people in Yecheng is eleven to one, but in the court of our Qi State, it is the opposite. Xianbei nobles account for eight or nine out of ten. Since Emperor Wenxuan ascended the throne, he has always wanted to balance the power between Han Chinese aristocratic families and Xianbei nobles, but these two factions have always looked down on each other and have been engaged in serious internal strife.”

Li Mi took a sip of tea and explained to Xiao Jinyu: “However, what Young Lady should be most interested in are Lu Lingxuan and He Shikai. Lu Lingxuan is also a Xianbei, from a prestigious family. Her husband was convicted, and she was confiscated as a slave. Then she transformed from a slave into the Crown Prince’s wet nurse, holding great power in the imperial harem. Now, the court officials who have been recruited by Lu Lingxuan include not only villains like Gao Anagong, Han Changluan, and her son Mu Tipo, but also Zu Ting, a treacherous official who is talented but lacks virtue.”

“Zu Ting? Who is he?”

“Speaking of Zu Ting, I have to say he is a genius. Not only is he exceptionally talented in poetry, but he is also proficient in all kinds of skills and arts. He understands music, is good at playing the pipa, and is gifted with languages, fluent in four languages. He also knows yin and yang divination, painting, and medical skills!

However, with Young Lady’s talent, I’m afraid you are no less than him!”

Hearing the words “medical skills,” Xiao Jinyu frowned.

“When Emperor Wenxuan was alive, did this person ever enter officialdom?” she asked.

Li Mi said: “Of course, he once served as Emperor Wenxuan’s exclusive imperial physician, but this person’s character is not very good. He is extremely lecherous and greedy. If it weren’t for his outstanding talent, Emperor Wenxuan would have killed him, and he wouldn’t have survived until now. However, after your mother became Emperor Wenxuan’s imperial physician, he was sent by Emperor Wenxuan to build the Three Terraces, which was equivalent to a demotion, a painless punishment!”

“Later, when Gao Zhan ascended the throne, Zu Ting wanted to be a close official to the Emperor again and went to compete for favor with He Shikai. Then he was squeezed out by He Shikai and whispered slander in Gao Zhan’s ears. He was punished and became the Governor of Wende. Later, he flattered Lu Lingxuan and her son and became one of Lu Lingxuan’s followers.”

Seeing Xiao Jinyu’s solemn expression, Li Mi felt ashamed and asked: “Young Lady, are you thinking of your mother?”

“If you think this person is suspicious, I also think we can start with him!”

Xiao Jinyu nodded.

Li Mi asked in a low voice: “Young Lady, are you really planning to enter officialdom in Northern Qi under the name Xie Zhen?”

“Yes!”

Xiao Jinyu nodded again. Cui Heng’s eyes were full of worry, and Prince of Lanling’s face showed no expression.

At this time, Lu Yu ran over and reported to Gao Changgong: “Prince, the two people captured by the Princess Consort have confessed. They were ordered by Grand Commandant Liu to assassinate the Prince! However, these two people are subordinates of Han Changluan!”

“Han Changluan is also a Xianbei and has always been against the Han Chinese aristocratic families. This person is Lu Lingxuan’s confidant!” Li Mi added.

Xiao Jinyu hummed and nodded again.

“Then let’s set off back to Yecheng!” she stood up and said.

✿✿✿

It normally takes less than ten days to travel from Pengcheng back to Yecheng, but due to occasional enemy attacks along the way, it inevitably took a little longer, but they still arrived in Yecheng, the capital of Northern Qi, on the eleventh day.

Yecheng is located at the eastern foot of the Taihang Mountains, surrounded by mountains and rivers, forming a natural moat, and it has been a strategic location since ancient times.

“There is a post station outside Yecheng. After the reform of the Han system, the postal service and transportation were integrated. Now the post station is not only responsible for the transmission of military intelligence and documents, but also for receiving officials and foreign envoys, escorting prisoners, and transporting tributes.

Imperial edicts, government orders, and wanted notices issued from Yecheng are all sent to various places from here…”

Along the way, Li Mi had been giving Xiao Jinyu a detailed account of the people, customs, and geographical location of Yecheng.

“To enter Yecheng, you need to pass this post station!”

Xiao Jinyu listened attentively to his narration while vigilantly looking around.

“Let’s go in!”

Gao Changgong said to Xiao Jinyu, and Xiao Jinyu also nodded at him.

The group of cavalry rushed into the post station in a mighty manner. Immediately, someone came to greet them upon hearing the sound and asked who they were.

Gao Changgong took out the staff held by the envoy, which symbolized his identity as an envoy. The person who came saw that his face was extraordinarily handsome and immediately reacted, kneeling down and saying: “So it is Prince of Lanling returning to our Qi State! Welcome, Prince of Lanling!”

There are also positions such as legal officer, guest house director, public carriage director, and dormitory head in the post station.

The person who came to greet them was just a public carriage director.

Prince of Lanling nodded and said: “We want to enter the city!”

“Yes!”

The person responded and immediately went to call someone to open the gate of the post station wide for them to leave!

But just as the group had passed the post station and were about to rush into the city, there was a sudden sound of horseshoes coming from the city. This group of people came aggressively and with ill intentions.

The person leading the way was actually dressed as a palace eunuch. He rode his horse to a stop ten steps away from Prince of Lanling and shouted: “Is the person coming Prince of Lanling?”

“It is I!”

“Please receive the imperial edict, Prince of Lanling!”

Gao Changgong looked puzzled and was about to dismount when Xiao Jinyu stopped him.

“Changgong, don’t kneel to this kind of person!” she whispered, then turned to the eunuch, “Just announce whatever the edict is!”

The eunuch was furious: “Prince of Lanling, seeing the imperial edict is like seeing the Emperor. How can you allow this woman to act so recklessly!”

“It’s none of your business how my wife behaves. Just announce whatever the imperial edict is! Otherwise, I will immediately enter the city to see the Emperor. When we reach the Taiji Hall, we can talk about anything face to face!”

The eunuch became a little anxious. He actually took out a bright yellow imperial edict and read aloud:

“Prince of Lanling, Gao Changgong, colluded with spies from the Zhou State with the intention of rebellion. The Emperor hereby bestows a cup of poisoned wine…”

The guards were all shocked and filled with anger.

But before the eunuch could finish his words, he felt a flash of sharp light in front of his eyes. It was a sharp arrow that directly pierced his throat!

Gao Changgong looked at Xiao Jinyu in surprise, only to see her face filled with anger, and for a moment, she was as cold as a Rakshasa!

The eunuch clutched his throat, fell off his horse, and died. The people behind him were so frightened that they hesitated to come forward. One of them shouted:

“Prince of Lanling, do you want to defy the imperial edict?”

Without saying a word, Xiao Jinyu shot another arrow. This arrow also pierced the man’s throat.

The cavalrymen were instantly horrified and looked at Xiao Jinyu.

“We have just arrived at the Yecheng post station. The Emperor should not have received the news yet. Where did you get this imperial edict?”

“What is the crime for falsely transmitting an imperial edict?”

“What if I kill you?”