The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 93

Chapter 93: Tracking

Lady Wei was roughly dressed in a guard’s uniform by Lu Yu and “protected” by two guards as she left through the back door of the embassy. This trip was hurried both coming and going; arriving grandly through the main gate and leaving dejectedly through the back.

She was only invited to drink tea for an hour and asked a few questions?

Lady Wei was full of anger with nowhere to vent it. Then she thought of Gao Changgong’s words and couldn’t help but worry and ponder.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jinyu changed into the same clothes as her and walked out of the embassy with Fenghuang, who was dressed as a servant.

As the two walked along the north bank of the Qianhe River, where willows were planted everywhere, they already felt someone following them.

They happened to run into Li Mi and Cui Heng, who were enjoying the scenery by the Qianhe River.

The third day of the third lunar month, the Spring Purification Festival, was not only the day when Minister Xu held the Pure Conversation Gathering, but also the day for young scholars and noble ladies to go on spring outings. Therefore, along the way, they could see young men and women enjoying lanterns, guessing riddles, and playing games together. The bustling streets, illuminated by the first lights of dusk, were lively and crowded with people and carriages, creating a warm and pleasant atmosphere!

“Third Young Master, you’re a bit strange today. Could it be that you’ve met that Young Master Xie Zhen before? Why do your eyes look at him the same way you look at that young lady?”

Li Mi, carrying a flower lantern and his arms full of scented pouches, nagged in Cui Heng’s ear.

“Stop talking!” Cui Heng snapped.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop. But that Young Master Xie Zhen is truly quick-witted and exceptionally eloquent. And the arguments he made today are particularly beneficial to national policy, don’t you think?

It would be fortunate to have the chance to befriend him. How about we go visit Prince of Lanling tomorrow?”

“But after today’s incident, I’m afraid Prince of Lanling will be even more cautious in his actions.”

“You mean the incident with Master Hui Wei at the temple? It’s not just a simple assassination attempt?”

“I’ve seen the records regarding the assassination of Prince of Lanling’s father, Emperor Wenxiang, by Lan Jing and his assassins. The records are too brief, but it’s just a past event that’s no longer mentioned. Hui Wei has already fled to the south, so why would he risk assassinating Prince of Lanling again?”

“Didn’t they say Prince of Lanling has already discovered his identity? Could it be that someone else is behind Hui Wei?” Li Mi also expressed suspicion.

Cui Heng nodded and suddenly stopped walking, no longer speaking. He stared straight ahead.

Seeing his dazed expression, Li Mi couldn’t help but follow his gaze. He saw Xiao Jinyu, already disguised as Lady Wei, walking over with a servant. About ten steps behind them, two men were pretending to look down and fiddle with masks at a peddler’s stall.

Li Mi seemed to have thought of something. With a flash of inspiration, he stepped forward and teased:

“Ah! Lady Wei is also out for a spring outing today? It’s been a few days since we last met, and you look even more charming and elegant!”

Seeing Li Mi say this, Xiao Jinyu understood his intention and responded with a smile,

“Yes, Young Master Li flatters me. I wonder if Young Master Li has found a lady you admire? Do you need me to introduce you?”

“Well, there is one, but I’m afraid you wouldn’t agree, Lady Wei!”

Li Mi laughed awkwardly, and Xiao Jinyu laughed along with him.

After chatting for a while, Xiao Jinyu continued walking forward. When the two men who were following caught up, they bumped right into Li Mi.

“Sorry, sorry! I received so many scented pouches today. The ladies’ affection is too much. I was so happy that I got a little carried away. Please forgive me, you two gentlemen!”

When the two men looked up, they saw the crowded street. Where could they find the figures of “Lady Wei” and the servant?

“Are you blind?”

After cursing angrily, the two men hurriedly ran around the street, searching separately.

After the two men had gone far away, Li Mi looked at Cui Heng and asked, “Those two just now… Could it be…”

Cui Heng was stunned and didn’t answer, but his expression already made Li Mi understand.

✿✿✿

When Lady Wei returned to Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower, she happened to run into Xiao Jinyu and Fenghuang coming out of the building.

“Eh, young lady, when did you come to my Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower again?” she asked curiously.

“I’ve been here for a while. But please keep it a secret for me, Lady Wei. If anyone asks, just say that I spent most of the day discussing business with you.”

“What’s in it for me?” Lady Wei asked.

✿✿✿

Xiao Jinyu smiled slightly.

“The benefit is that I will make your Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower famous throughout both Northern Zhou and Northern Qi. I think that’s something you’d be most happy to see happen, Lady Wei!”

This was indeed a very tempting deal, but it was also unrealistic. Why would that be possible?

“Young lady, you love to boast. In these times when war could break out at any moment, I’m content with just being able to support my family with this Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower. How can I expect flowers to bloom everywhere?”

“But when have you ever heard me boast, Lady Wei?” Xiao Jinyu retorted.

Lady Wei thought for a moment. It seemed that this young lady was indeed someone who could walk the talk, and she was exceptionally intelligent and extraordinary. Could she really have a way?

After pondering for a while with both belief and doubt, she finally nodded with a grin.

“Alright, I, Wei Qi, will befriend you, young lady, from now on. With a divine physician friend like you, I don’t think I’ll lose out in the future.”

“Alright! Then it’s settled! It’s getting late today. I’ll come find you again in a few days to make a pact!”

As if making a vow, Xiao Jinyu finished speaking and left with Fenghuang.

The two quickly returned to the “Xiao Residence” on West Stream Alley.

Seeing them return, Xiao Xian immediately came out to greet them. In fact, he had been waiting in the courtyard for a long time. Ever since they returned from Mount Fahua, he had been waiting for her news.

He knew that she had entered the embassy with Prince of Lanling under the identity of Xie Zhen, but it seemed she hadn’t come out since then.

Now he saw her back in her usual appearance, resembling her mother.

How did she do it?

“Let’s talk inside!”

Seeing the worry and concern on Xiao Xian’s face, Xiao Jinyu said with a smile.

“No rush. You haven’t had dinner yet, have you?”

With that said, Xiao Xian asked the maids Shi Yan and Shi Zhu to set the table and pulled Xiao Jinyu to the table.

He didn’t ask why she had become famous under the identity of Xie Zhen, nor did he ask what she had done today. Xiao Xian’s first concern was whether she had eaten.

This made Xiao Jinyu feel even warmer inside and trust Xiao Xian even more as a family member.

After dinner, it was already close to the hour of Hai （9-11 pm）.

Xiao Jinyu asked the servants in the courtyard to rest and invited only Xiao Xian to the study to discuss matters.

In the quiet night, cicadas chirped. Xiao Jinyu remained silent, and Xiao Xian still didn’t seem to want to ask anything.

“Sorry for making you worry again today, Uncle Xian.” Xiao Jinyu finally spoke first. “You must have many questions in your mind, right?”

“If you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t ask. A’yu, no matter what happens, I will always believe in you, the you now!”

So it wasn’t that he hadn’t doubted her identity, but that he unconditionally believed in what she did!

Or perhaps, he didn’t want to accept a cruel truth…

“But A’yu, since you’ve become famous under the name of Xie Zhen, and Prince of Lanling has already declared you as his advisor, how will you enter the Southern Chen court in the future?”

Xiao Xian was just worried.

After a pause, he asked again, “Did you meet Prince of Lanling in Northern Qi before?”