The blazing sun of the morning had vanished by evening, leaving the sky overcast.
Li Yanzhu felt restless within the carriage.
This weather was a perfect reflection of her father’s inscrutable, sullen expression.
Just days ago, he had praised the Marquis of Zhennan for his loyalty at a banquet, only to have his estate confiscated the next moment.
She was now somewhat afraid to see Chaochao, wondering how her friend would react if she blamed her. *Kuai Shu Ge*
Moreover, how could Madam Song’s body have disappeared…
“Xiao Guo, come in and recount the events to me in more detail.”
“Yes, Young… Young Master.”
The curtain was lifted, and a handsome youth barged in. She knelt respectfully, narrating the course of events.
The more Li Yanzhu listened, the more her heart sank, until she finally leaned weakly against her seat.
“Xiao Guo, you did well.” Her fingers dug into the wooden chair. “Take Nightingales and continue to pursue this matter. You must find out who is responsible, even if it is the Wang family. Investigate them thoroughly.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Guo bowed and retreated. Li Yanzhu leaned back in the carriage, forcing a bitter smile, her body rocking violently with the carriage’s movement.
Father, you are truly foolish.
From the time the Song family incident occurred until now, she had been pleading with her father, and her intelligence network, Nightingales, had been working tirelessly.
But the hand behind it was too deeply hidden, too entangled with weeds.
Almost all the prominent aristocratic families were involved.
Chaochao, Mumu, how can I possibly protect you!
Li Yanzhu lifted the carriage window’s curtain, revealing her tired face. Her normally bright, deer-like eyes were now dim and had lost their former sparkle.
“Xiao Cui, go and stop them. I have something to attend to.”
After speaking, she bent down and got out of the carriage, then leaped onto the horse in front, which was leading the way. She then turned and cut the rope.
“Hey, Princess! No, Young Master, what are you doing?” Xiao Cui was stunned, holding the reins.
She watched the goose-yellow figure heading into the distance, then looked down at the single remaining horse, feeling a headache coming on.
This is the princess she had doted on, so she had to endure it, no matter how much it hurt her head.
Xiao Cui simply jumped onto the horse as well, cut the reins, and galloped rapidly towards the outskirts of the city.
Meanwhile, Li Yanzhu was drawing her sword and barging into a medical clinic.
It was based on Nightingale’s report yesterday, stating that Doctor Bai, who could revive the dead and mend bone, was arriving in the capital today and would be staying at the pharmacy west of the city gate.
It was rumored that Doctor Bai possessed peerless grace, and his appearance was more beautiful than any woman’s, but he was unfortunately blind.
“Call your Mr. Bai out. This young master has some business with him.”
Li Yanzhu acted decisively. Upon entering, she cut to the chase, her sword in hand, causing quite a commotion and terrifying everyone into stillness.
The pharmacy was small, and no one’s actions could escape her notice.
“Why must Young Master be so impulsive?”
Before he appeared, his voice preceded him.
In ordinary times, she would have teased him about his pleasant voice.
But now, with Chaochao’s life or death unknown, she was in no mood for pleasantries.
“Please, Doctor, make a house call.”
“What if I refuse?”
Refuse? Did anyone dare to say no to her?
Li Yanzhu frowned and was about to reprimand him sharply when she saw a man in snow-white robes emerge from the dimly lit back hall of the pharmacy.
He possessed a broad stature yet delicate, slender shoulders. When he raised his head, a face that commanded all gazes was adorned with a faint smile.
If not for the white veil covering his eyes, she would have praised the young man’s handsome appearance.
“As rumored, Doctor. But I wonder if your medical skills are as true?” Li Yanzhu sheathed her sword and leaned casually against the nearby medicine cabinet, tossing her sword in front of Bai You’an.
Bai You’an’s smile did not fade. He turned, poured a cup of tea, and said, “Young lady, your temper is indeed a bit too fiery.”
Li Yanzhu clicked her tongue, then abruptly stood up, snatched her sword, grabbed him, and ran.
She threw him onto the horse and spurred it on, ready to leave.
“Young lady, how can you make a house call without a medicine chest?”
“So troublesome.”
Just as she was about to dismount, a young attendant carrying a medicine chest rushed out of the pharmacy.
“Your little medical assistant is quite clever.”
As Bai You’an accepted the medicine chest, Li Yanzhu flicked her horsewhip. “Doctor, my friend has been frail for many years and is now severely injured. You must bring enough medicine.”
“Enough.”
“Good. And rest assured, Doctor, I have enough silver to pay.”
Li Yanzhu shouted grandly, reassuring Bai You’an and herself.
After the two left, the terrified attendant who had propped up the medicine chest immediately got up and attended to his duties. They moved with the wind, orderly and methodical, as if nothing had happened.
They remained tight-lipped about Doctor Bai’s abduction.
Only the short figure who had carried the medicine chest lingered at the door, gazing into the distance. Finally, he sighed, “Young Master is truly a master of strategy.”
The clouds were now tinged with a faint gauze, floating in the sky like crimson.
Li Yanzhu had a slight sheen of sweat on her forehead, but she dared not relax, fearing she might not see Chaochao if she delayed any longer.
The man behind her, however, was oblivious to her plight, carrying the medicine chest and making sarcastic remarks.
“If I refuse to treat them, will you send me back, Young Lady?”
“I’ve heard you have three reasons for not treating, but no matter which applies, my friend will interest you.”
“That still doesn’t mean I will treat them.”
Bai You’an’s smile remained, but his voice was still cool and indifferent, devoid of a doctor’s compassion.
“You will treat them.”
“On what grounds?”
“If you say no, no matter where you go, I will not only take your life but also ruin your reputation for a lifetime.”
“Your capabilities are truly heaven-defying.”
“I wouldn’t dare to defy heaven, but I am more than capable of dealing with those on earth. After all, I am the Princess who kills without batting an eye.”
“A fine ‘kills without batting an eye’.”
“We are alike in that regard.” Li Yanzhu paused, breathing heavily. “We are both smart people. I only ask that you ensure their brother and sister’s lives are safe.”
Bai You’an’s voice grew colder, but the smile on his face widened. “This is a perilous task that risks lives. What do I get in return?”
“The word of the Princess.”
“Oh?”
“I am a person of my word. You can find me with my token later.”
Bai You’an raised an eyebrow, his voice trailing off. “What if I want your life?”
“As long as Chaochao and Mumu are safe, if you want it, I will give it to you.”
Li Yanzhu’s gaze was resolute.
She could already see a large group of people in handcuffs and chains. The wavering white figures, illuminated by the setting sun, cast a red glow.
But that red glow did not compare to the color of the clothes on the two people on the ground.
Her heart ached, tears welling in her eyes. She tightened her legs against the horse’s belly and galloped forward.
She was like a sword of dawn, instantly cleaving through the clouds.
The debt of the Emperor, she would repay.
“Doctor, I entrust Chaochao to you. The journey to the Northern Desert is fraught with peril, and I ask for your assistance. In the future, you may come to the Princess’s manor to redeem my promise. Even if it costs me everything, I will help you.”