Liúxīng received the order, his tall figure flickered, and he walked over. He carried a magnificent medicine box in one hand and tore down the imperial proclamation with the other.
The onlookers immediately sized up the person tearing down the proclamation. Seeing his fierce appearance, they all took a step back simultaneously, clearing a path. Liúxīng handed the imperial proclamation to Yún Xiào.
When the onlookers saw that it was a handsome young man tearing down the proclamation, they began to express their regret, with hushed whispers and discussions.
“Do you think this person can withstand those twenty caning strokes?”
“What a pity, it would be such a shame if he died.”
Yún Xiào turned a deaf ear, looked up at the approaching imperial guards, and saw them gripping their swords, their faces cold as they shouted, “Scram! Talking nonsense, and if you continue to blabber, we’ll arrest you and throw you in jail.”
One word was enough to scare the few people into fleeing in disarray, dashing away.
When these people turned back, they had fawning, sunny smiles on their faces, bowing respectfully as they said, “Young master, please follow us into the palace.”
“Alright.”
Yún Xiào was also straightforward, nodding in agreement.
The leading imperial guard waved his hand, and immediately someone brought over a luxurious carriage. The drivers were from the Imperial Household Department; their duty was done once they handed over the person who tore down the proclamation to the Imperial Household Department.
Yún Xiào and Liúxīng got into the carriage, and it slowly began to move. As it gradually drove away, the imperial guards shook their heads with regret.
“Another person who risks their life for money.”
“Off to their death. This person probably won’t last twenty strokes.”
“Perhaps it’s due to being forced by life, otherwise, who the hell would do this.”
“Let’s go, it’s none of our business anymore. We can finally report our duty done. The next shift belongs to someone else.”
The few people chatted and laughed as they left the city. After they were gone, someone soon posted another imperial proclamation.
The carriage sped towards the imperial palace. The two people driving were from the Imperial Household Department, and they held no great hope for the person who tore down the proclamation this time.
A mere greenhorn, what ability could he possibly have to treat the Empress Dowager? So many renowned physicians were at a loss, and even the chief imperial physician, Lord Zhāng Zhǎodé, had been caned by the Emperor.
This young man was entering the palace for the sake of the thousand taels of gold, wasn’t he? But he didn’t need to go and die. No one dared to enter the palace anymore.
Inside the carriage, Yún Xiào closed her eyes to rest, contemplating the plan ahead, completely unbothered by the worries of the drivers outside.
She was thinking that if she could cure that old hag, firstly, she could leave the palace, and secondly, the ten thousand taels of gold were no small sum, and she absolutely had to get her hands on it.
As for the position in the Imperial Academy of Medicine, she disdained it, wishing only to leave the palace as soon as possible.
Beside her, Liúxīng had the medicine box at hand, his heart filled with worry. He had never seen his master possess medical skills. Although he had drugged others and tinkered with various medicines, the Empress Dowager’s illness had baffled so many imperial physicians. Could his master possess extraordinary abilities to cure the Empress Dowager? If she couldn't, she would likely suffer the caning strokes from that dead emperor. What could be done?
In any case, he would not allow anyone to harm his master. If necessary, he would rescue his master and leave.
In the silence, only the whistling wind could be heard, along with the sounds of the bustling crowd outside the carriage and the hoofbeats.
Suddenly, a voice rang out, and Yún Xiào asked with a beaming smile.
“Liúxīng, do you think my disguise is convincing? Will anyone recognize me?”
Liúxīng observed her carefully. Thick eyebrows, bright eyes, dark skin, with a crescent moon painted between his brows, exuding a hint of playfulness in his handsome features.
With this appearance, she was truly worlds apart from her previous self. Who would have thought that a fool could transform into a renowned physician and boldly enter the palace?
Liúxīng’s gaze was sharp as he looked up and then down. Yún Xiào squinted, wanting to say, “Is this fellow going too far? Where are you looking, where?” Suddenly, she heard him speak.
“Flaw one: dark face, pale hands.”
Yún Xiào looked down. Indeed, a pair of jade-like hands did not match her face at all. But what could she do? There wasn’t enough time to prepare the medicine, so she could only use a medicinal paste to smear on her face, forgetting her hands. In the future, she must take medicine that would darken her entire body.
“I will be careful.”
Yún Xiào automatically lowered her tone, no longer dwelling on his earlier scrutiny. However, as soon as she spoke, Liúxīng spoke again.
“Flaw two: your voice is too high-pitched and sharp, like a woman’s.”
Yún Xiào subconsciously covered her mouth, then finally came to her senses. What was she so nervous about now? She said helplessly, “Alright, I’ll pay attention to these two points. Anything else?”
Finally, Liúxīng scrutinized her from head to toe, confirmed there were no other issues, and nodded, “Then it’s fine. No one will recognize you.”
Yún Xiào, however, was thinking that in the future, when she went out in public, she should take medicine to darken her entire body and also medicine to deepen her voice. That way, there would be no problem. Everything would be settled.
“Good, I’ve noted it.”
Outside the palace gate, the carriage from the Imperial Household Department stopped. Yún Xiào and Liúxīng heard voices outside, seemingly people from the palace and the Imperial Household Department exchanging something. Then, someone came forward, lifted the brocade curtain, and respectfully said, “Please alight from the carriage.”
It turned out to be four eunuchs, followed by four guards. The group stood outside the carriage, their heads raised as they surveyed the carriage.
Sunlight streamed down, and a slender figure emerged from the carriage, radiant like the sun, with a spring breeze-like smile on her face. Her sparkling eyes emitted shimmering light, and her slightly dark skin looked healthy and handsome. But was his age too young?
A thought simultaneously crossed the minds of those outside the carriage: such a frail appearance, how could he withstand those twenty caning strokes?
But who dared to say anything? They stood respectfully at the palace gate. Yún Xiào alighted from the carriage, and Liúxīng followed closely behind.
The moment Liúxīng appeared, the eunuchs and guards at the palace gate felt a sense of unease.
This person, no matter how you looked at him, resembled a bandit, utterly terrifying, completely the opposite of his master. His master was all sunshine, exuding warmth within three feet, while he was like being on thin ice within three feet.
“Lead the way.”
Yún Xiào waved her hand, lowering her voice. It sounded a third part deep and seven parts clear, not causing any suspicion.
“Please follow us into the palace.”
The four little eunuchs bowed simultaneously and then led the way, heading into the palace.
Inside the palace gate, there was a luxurious imperial carriage with flowing light veils and a top inlaid with cat’s eyes, which was very beautiful.
Yún Xiào and Liúxīng got into the imperial carriage, which then traveled towards Changxin Palace. The four little eunuchs and four guards who had guided them in followed closely behind the carriage, heading straight for Changxin Palace.