Chu Yunli’s band of elite soldiers were also on edge. Not long after they passed the winding mountain path, it collapsed behind them. Fortunately, the place where they stood was safe.
“Lord Chu, the mountain slope in the distance has collapsed…” An officer rushed over to report.
Chu Yunli glanced at the mountain above and the village below, then said, “Continue forward.”
Matters left behind would naturally be handled by people from the capital.
The most urgent task now is to deliver these relief supplies to He Province. The region is suffering, tormented, and if this continues, great chaos will erupt.
The officer was momentarily stunned, then responded with a loud “Yes!”
The sky was overcast, and the rain fell without end.
The journey was especially difficult, but they could only force themselves onward toward He Province.
The view was blurred, the rain‑soaked people unable to open their eyes.
Behind them, a wagon loaded with relief supplies veered toward the edge when its driver, in a moment of carelessness, let it stray. The wagon lost footing and was about to slip down.
“Ah!” A cry of alarm rang out.
The group hurriedly rushed to grab hold of the wagon.
Chu Yunli noticed, halted, and immediately went to help steady the wagon. His action inspired the soldiers—since their lord himself stepped forward to exert strength, how could they remain idle?
The group crowded around and pulled the wagon back.
Chu Yunli ordered coldly, “Be more careful, all of you.”
At that moment, no one dared to lose focus; every step was taken with extreme caution, fearing a slip down.
Chu Yunli cast a sweeping glance around, then prepared to return to the front of the column.
At that moment, a petite figure ran over, worriedly saying, “Brother Chu, your hand is injured—I’ll treat it for you…”
Hearing the woman’s voice, Chu Yunli’s figure stiffened for a moment.
Once he saw clearly who was running toward him, his expression returned to cold severity.
When Yuan Feng saw the woman running over, he was slightly stunned, full of disbelief: “Miss Yan? How could you be here?”
“This is the troop heading to He Province. Miss Yan, why are you in the ranks?”
Yan Ruoxi, dressed in men’s attire, lowered her face and said, “I came along with my master. The journey to He Province is fraught with danger, and I feared Brother Chu might be hurt. If a physician were nearby, things would be much easier.”
“That’s why I begged my master to let me come along.”
“How can this be allowed?” Yuan Feng was shocked. The journey to and from He Province takes at least a month—men can hardly endure it, let alone a pampered young lady of the inner chambers.
Miss Yan is the daughter of the Prime Minister’s household—how could she ever have suffered such hardship?
“Miss Yan, you absolutely must not come along. The road is long and full of hardship—please return quickly to the capital!” Yuan Feng said.
Yan Ruoxi shook her head, her face full of determination—she had already resolved to follow Brother Chu.
On the journey to and from He Province, they could spend a whole month together, giving Brother Chu the chance to witness her medical skill. No matter how much hardship, she was determined to endure it.
“No, I must go—I will lend Brother Chu my strength.”
“Miss Yan…” Yuan Feng felt a headache coming on. If something happened to her along the way, what then? The Prime Minister would tear his lord apart. Miss Yan wasn’t helping—she was adding to the burden.
Chu Yunli frowned slightly and said, “We are going to He Province to provide disaster relief, not to sightsee. Along the way, we don’t know how many dangers we’ll encounter—it is not suitable for you to come.”
Yan Ruoxi shook her head. “Brother Chu, I’m no longer that little crybaby. I’ve climbed many mountains with my master, gathering herbs and such—it’s nothing to me. You don’t need to worry.”
“Besides…” She glanced behind her. “The road back is completely blocked—I can’t return now.”
She smiled, grateful for the landslide—for now, even if Brother Chu wanted to send her back, she couldn’t return.
Chu Yunli’s face was cold as he said sternly, “Stay at the farmhouse below the mountain. In a few days, once the capital clears the roads, you can return.”
Going to He Province was no child’s play. He spared not a shred of courtesy, speaking in a cold voice.
Yan Ruoxi lowered her face, tugging at her sleeve, feeling utterly sad and disappointed.
Why doesn’t Brother Chu trust her?
Why is he so cold to her…?
It must be because of that woman—Brother Chu already has her in his heart, so he treats Yan Ruoxi coldly.
She clenched her sleeve tightly, unwilling to yield. She would make Brother Chu see that her medical skill far surpassed that woman’s—after all, she was a disciple of Master Physician Ye.
At that moment, Physician Ye walked over.
Yan Ruoxi lifted her face and immediately clutched Physician Ye’s sleeve. “Master, I want to go along. On this journey I can treat many people, and my medical skill will surely improve…”
Physician Ye knows what was in his disciple’s heart.
It was obvious that this was aimed at Lord Chu.
But since Xi’er pleaded like this, as her master he couldn’t simply ignore his disciple.
Physician Ye walked over and said to Chu Yunli, “Lord Chu, you needn’t worry about Xi’er. This old man will take good care of her. Xi’er’s medical skills are excellent—if anyone is injured, she can help treat them.”
Chu Yunli glanced at Physician Ye. The physician had once helped him greatly, so it would be improper to slight his dignity.
In the end he could only reluctantly agree, saying coolly: “If Miss Yan cannot endure the fatigue of the journey midway, she may return to the capital—there’s no need to follow all the way to He Province.”
“The journey is harsh and full of obstacles; no one will be able to look after her.”
The words had been made clear: if she was to follow to He Province, she must shed the identity of a minister’s daughter. No one would pamper her like a delicate young lady of the inner chambers.
Yan Ruoxi pressed her lips together, her heart heavy with sorrow and loss. Brother Chu’s attitude toward her was cold, as if drawing a boundary line.
Chu Yunli turned to leave.
“Wait!” Yan Ruoxi hurriedly called out, running over. “Brother Chu, your hand is injured…”
Chu Yunli lowered his head for a glance. When he had pulled the hemp rope just now, his palm was cut, blood flowing fresh. Now it streamed along his fingers and dripped onto the ground.
“Let me bandage it for you,” Yan Ruoxi said.
Chu Yunli shook his head. “This small wound doesn’t require Miss Yan’s treatment. Applying wound powder and a simple bandage will suffice.”
“Yuan Feng, go fetch the wound powder!”
“Yes.” Yuan Feng immediately went to fetch the medicine. Before departure, they had prepared plenty of remedies, including those gifted by Miss Jiang.
He thought for a moment, then took the medicine made by Miss Jiang. Her medical skill was exceptional, and the wound powder she prepared was far superior to ordinary remedies on the market, able to heal injuries swiftly.
After Yuan Feng brought the wound powder, he sprinkled it onto Chu Yunli’s palm injury, and the bleeding quickly stopped.
Yuan Feng couldn’t help but marvel: “Miss Jiang’s medicine is truly effective—it stopped the bleeding so quickly…”
Chu Yunli looked at the porcelain bottle, thinking of how Jiang Ning had made the medicine overnight, and the corner of his lips curved faintly.
Yan Ruoxi stiffened all over. Was this medicine made by Jiang Ning? Brother Chu would rather use wound powder than let her bandage him. She felt deeply wronged, and jealousy stirred in her heart.
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