"I was injured because I underestimated the enemy back then. Don't worry, I've recovered well during this time. It won't be a problem to go back."
From her words, it was clear she was determined to return.
Ouyang Qinglin knew she shouldn't have such deep feelings for Su Cheng, but he was afraid of hurting her if he said too much.
After much deliberation, a thought crossed his mind.
"If this man is eliminated, Gu Qianying might not become more deeply involved, and regret it later."
His voice was very low, and Gu Qianying merely tilted her head, looking at his strange lip movements, not hearing his words.
Although such a plan would cause Gu Qianying momentary sadness, it was better to endure a short pain than a long one. When she met Nangong Mo again and recalled these events, she would surely be grateful to him.
Thus, Ouyang Qinglin outwardly agreed to Gu Qianying's return to the Su family, but his heart had already made a decision.
After resting for two more days, they bid farewell to the abbot and prepared to circle back to the capital from the west city gate, heading for the Su family.
Although the journey was longer, it was relatively safe.
Before nightfall, they reached a village not far from the city gates.
"Our current attire will surely attract attention. We need to change our clothes."
Gu Qianying looked at the patrolling guards, knowing they couldn't rashly enter the city.
Ouyang Qinglin nodded, recalling that a public notice had been posted in the city, prohibiting outsiders from entering Nanyi Kingdom during this period. Therefore, only farmers coming and going to buy things in the city and surrounding areas were seen.
With this in mind, he reminded Gu Qianying.
"Why don't we find a farm and get some ordinary clothes from the locals to disguise ourselves?"
His words reminded Gu Qianying. The attire of Nanyi Kingdom's farmers was different from elsewhere. If they wanted to blend in, the three of them indeed needed to change their appearance.
After agreeing on this, the three walked towards the village and approached a house with lights on.
"Hello, my second brother has a strange illness. I heard that the physicians in Nanyi Kingdom are the most skilled, and we want to enter the city to seek medical help. But why are outsiders not allowed into the city?"
The door was opened by a middle-aged man, and Gu Qianying stepped forward to "explain" their situation.
The strong man looked at the three outside the door, one woman and two men. One of the men indeed looked pale and weak. After a moment of cautious observation, he spoke.
"There are thieves in the city. Her Majesty the Empress has ordered that outsiders are not allowed to enter. You should leave."
He offered this kind reminder, but Gu Qianying and the others naturally wouldn't leave.
At this moment, Su Cheng coughed violently, and as he uncovered his mouth and nose, a trace of blood appeared.
The strong man glanced at his appearance and frowned. Gu Qianying quickly explained.
"Actually, I am also a physician, but my brother's condition is severe, and my skills are insufficient to treat him. If we return now, we will likely reach home, and his life will end on the way."
As she spoke, Gu Qianying shed a few tears, and with her other hand, she secretly tugged at Ouyang Qinglin's sleeve.
Seeing her like this, Ouyang Qinglin sighed and lowered his eyebrows, his face filled with sorrow.
"Little sister, second brother, it is I who am incompetent, unable to bring you into the city to find a renowned physician. If anything happens to second brother, I will atone with my life."
These words were indeed serious. The strong man loosened his grip on the door, and at that moment, an old woman shakily emerged from the house.
"Son, who is it?"
This was the strong man's mother. Seeing the old woman come out, the strong man quickly went to support her and, softening his heart, let the three enter the house.
Finally having a place to stay, Gu Qianying bowed her thanks and helped Su Cheng into the house.
The strong man then told the old woman about their origins, and only then did she speak.
"They are also unfortunate people. Your attire will surely prevent you from entering. If you wish to enter the city, tomorrow I will have Da Niu find you some farmer's clothes, and you can enter the city with him when he sells vegetables."
The old woman's words indicated her willingness to help them. Gu Qianying was overjoyed and quickly rose to thank her. At the same time, she carefully observed that the old woman's complexion was not right.
"Auntie, have you been suffering from a long illness? Although the cause cannot be identified, you have always been very weak?"
As a physician, she could immediately tell the symptoms.
The strong man suddenly remembered that the woman had said she also understood medicine, though not proficiently, she knew some. He quickly replied.
"Yes, my mother's illness is strange. Three years ago, she suddenly collapsed, and when she woke up, she was so weak."
He recounted the symptoms they had been experiencing to Gu Qianying, with a look of anticipation.
Compared to Su Cheng's poisoning, the old woman's illness was not a significant matter.
Gu Qianying reached out and felt the old woman's wrist. After taking her pulse, her expression softened slightly.
"It's nothing serious. Auntie, this is not a difficult illness to treat. It's simply due to overexertion that your vital energy has been depleted. Coupled with a sudden cold, the illness has lingered in your body, causing the condition to not improve."
The strong man didn't understand what she said, but the phrase "not difficult" made his eyes light up.
"Really? If that's the case, I implore you, young lady, to save my mother."
She had originally intended to ask for his help, but now she could reciprocate the kindness of this family, and Gu Qianying was naturally willing.
After dinner, Gu Qianying administered acupuncture to the old woman in her room to expel dampness. The old woman, finding her amiable, began to gossip.
"My son's name is Li Da Niu. Don't let his rough appearance fool you; he has a kind heart and is very responsible. I see you are of noble birth, are you married?"
Gu Qianying understood the implication of her words but was surprised by the old woman's forwardness.
She naturally wouldn't reveal her family affairs and, wanting to avoid attracting too much attention, she lied.
"We are sisters from an ordinary family. We are here to seek medical treatment, so our parents sold all their possessions to allow us to come here."
Hearing her words, the old woman's eyes lit up.
"Oh, poor child. If your brother's illness is cured, do you plan to stay?"
Her question followed closely, but a voice from outside refuted it.
"My sister is already engaged. Once my second brother's illness is cured, we will return for the wedding."
Ouyang Qinglin appeared at the doorway. He had intended to find Gu Qianying to discuss entering the city tomorrow, but he hadn't expected her to be absent from her room. Thus, he came searching and overheard this conversation.
Gu Qianying quickly turned around. Although she found his words preposterous, she was grateful he had come to her rescue.
Hearing this, the old woman seemed to lower her head in disappointment and said nothing further.
"Your illness requires medicinal herbs. We are not in a hurry to enter the city today. If it's convenient tomorrow, let my brother enter the city with Brother Da Niu. Brother Da Niu can fetch your medicine for you, and my brother can first visit a renowned physician."
Li Da Niu's words today had indeed given her a reminder. Grand Tutor Su had put the entire city on high alert, and the three of them were too conspicuous. To reach the Su family smoothly, they needed to proceed cautiously and devise a good plan.