Chapter 732: Shi Jiuqing
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Mingzhu contentedly put away Yuwen Chu’s letter and noticed Meimei pacing by the window. She had Su Mei call Meimei in, “Did your master send you?”
Meimei nodded vigorously, “Yes, yes. My master sent me to pay respects to Wangfei. How is Wangfei today? Is she feeling well?”
Everyone laughed at her questions.
Since Mingzhu gave birth, Du Heng and Zheng Momo had been keeping a close eye on Jiang Zhouzi, only allowing him near Mingzhu to check her pulse and nothing more, fearing he might disturb her recovery with his unconventional ideas.
Jiang Zhouzi had been eagerly waiting for Mingzhu to recover so she could accompany him to explore the mysterious book. Though the first month was tough, he endured it, thinking she would be ready after a month. But then Rong Momo declared that Mingzhu needed a full 49-day confinement period, with no room for negotiation.
Frustrated, Jiang Zhouzi argued with Rong Momo, who looked down on him, “Are you a woman? Have you given birth? How many postpartum women have you cared for? You only check pulses, prescribe medicine, and do acupuncture, right? Well, I am a woman, I’ve given birth, and I’ve taken care of many postpartum women. When it comes to childbirth, I have the final say. If I say Wangfei needs 49 days to recover, she needs 49 days. Wangfei and His Highness have no objections; how dare you? After dragging her all this way, can’t you wait a few more days? Think about Yang Dianjun and my old friends! Are you even human?”
Jiang Zhouzi was utterly defeated and, from then on, avoided Rong Momo whenever he saw her. He felt deep remorse for causing Jing Song and others to lose their lives and for not being a woman, having never given birth or cared for postpartum women, thus feeling he had no right to speak. Despite this, he didn’t give up and constantly sent Meimei to remind Mingzhu of his existence, ensuring she wouldn’t forget about their matter.
Meimei, being clever and likable, had proven herself during difficult times with Donghui and possessed some medical skills, which allowed her to handle minor ailments. Everyone liked her and appreciated her perceptiveness, so they didn’t stop her from entertaining Mingzhu.
This was the first time Mingzhu had proactively inquired about Jiang Zhouzi, so Meimei knew that her master’s greatest wish was about to come true. She couldn’t help but feel excited and expectant: “Our master said he can wait, he’s already waited half his life and doesn’t mind these few extra days.”
Mingzhu shook her head, “The delay was because I didn’t feel completely recovered. If I went when I wasn’t at my best, it would’ve been a waste of effort. Now I feel well. Tell your master to make the arrangements; I’m ready whenever.”
“Thank you, Wangfei!” Meimei cheerfully bowed to Mingzhu and quickly ran to inform Jiang Zhouzi.
Jiang Zhouzi came immediately, so excited he could barely speak coherently, “Shi Jiuqing lives in Yandui Mountain near Huazhou. It’s a difficult place to access, truly a place where one person can hold off an army… And he often travels, but…” He suddenly slapped his forehead, “I’m rambling because I’m so happy. As soon as we arrived in Huazhou, I went to see him, and he agreed to wait for us. Let’s leave immediately!”
Zheng Momo sternly said, “Going up the mountain takes days of preparation. Do you expect our Wangfei to go with just empty hands? It’s already autumn, and it gets cold at night, you know?”
Jiang Zhouzi quickly responded, “Everything has been prepared—provisions and water are refreshed daily, and Captain Ye has arranged for people and planned the route. We’ve been ready for this moment.”
“The weather is good today, so let’s depart,” Mingzhu signaled for Zheng Momo and others not to make things difficult for him. She had come this far for this day, and delaying now wouldn’t make her seem more important.
Zheng Momo finally said, “Provisions are ready, but the Wangfei’s daily needs aren’t packed yet, and the household affairs need to be arranged. Why rush?”
Jiang Zhouzi, anxious but resigned, had to wait.
The next day, Ye Xiu led the guards to escort Mingzhu and Jiang Zhouzi into the mountains, with Du Heng staying behind to protect Millet and the estate. Although well-prepared, the mountain path was rough, and horses couldn’t be used; they rode donkeys instead. On the fourth day, Mingzhu finally saw a towering cliff.
It was indeed a sheer cliff, with nothing but a large waterfall crashing down into a deep pool below. The scenery was beautiful but deserted.
Mingzhu looked at Jiang Zhouzi and half-jokingly said, “Shi Jiuqing doesn’t live in a crystal palace under that pool, does he?”
Jiang Zhouzi shook his head and pointed to the cliff, “There’s a narrow path over there that leads to the top.” He rubbed his hands, feeling a bit guilty and nervous, “I must trouble the Wangfei to follow me up. Others cannot go.”
Mingzhu shaded her eyes and looked up, almost fainting from fright. She had traveled many paths but had never faced such a perilous one—it was deadly!
Jiang Zhouzi smiled apologetically. Shi Jiuqing, mysterious and secretive, had set strict rules to protect his book, and many had died attempting the path. Hence, Jiang Zhouzi had to involve Mingzhu.
Ye Xiu calmly said, “Wangfei, don’t worry. I’ve personally checked the path. It looks scary, but it’s safe as long as the master permits you to go up. Due to your special status, His Highness sent a letter to Shi Jiuqing, who agreed to let Donghui and me escort you.”
Mingzhu might not trust the mysterious Shi Jiuqing or Jiang Zhouzi and Ye Xiu, but she had utmost faith in Yuwen Chu. Following Ye Xiu and Donghui, she reached the narrow path.
The path was narrow and steep, but the cliffside was lined with sturdy steel spikes wrapped with strong ropes, leading all the way up. As long as she held onto the rope, there was no risk of falling.
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