Chang Yuncheng's heart pounded violently. He slowly reached out and drew out the letter.

It was a simple piece of paper with only one large sentence written on it. Chang Yuncheng, you coward.

Why did you run? Was it too hard to say goodbye to me?

Just wait. I’m coming to find you.

You will offer me that farewell face-to-face this time, and you won't run away. Chang Yuncheng read it over and over, as if he didn't recognize the characters.

“What, what does this mean?” he murmured. Hyōe, standing nearby, grew even more curious and couldn't help but crane his neck to look.

Chang Yuncheng snatched the letter away suddenly, guarding it as if a treasure had been spied upon. Hyōe sighed and stood properly at attention.

Only then did Chang Yuncheng look at the letter again. His mind was a chaotic mess, but he forced himself to calm down, needing to figure out what this was all about.

Qi Yueniang wanted to find him... She had come to the Capital...

Fan Yilin said she came with the Second Madam, Madam Chen... Madam Chen was in poor health...

Qi Yueniang possessed superb medical skills... So she was accompanying and escorting her to the Capital...

And then she vanished... They said she had left...

But there was no news of Qi Yueniang returning to Yongqing Prefecture... Then she...

Chang Yuncheng stared at the letter in disbelief. “Are you leaving?” “Of course.” “For a long time?” “I don’t know.

At least half a year, I suppose.” “I’m coming too!” “What nonsense are you talking of? What would you do there?” “I certainly have to go.

Long-distance separation is a marriage killer!” “I don't care. I’m going, one way or another.

Even if I can't stay permanently, I must have visitation rights.” Chang Yuncheng felt a ringing in his ears and his throat grew tight and dry. She meant what she said...

She meant what she said! Chang Yuncheng strode sharply toward the exit.

“Pack our things! We’re returning to Mobei!

Quickly!” he shouted loudly. The guards scattered throughout the courtyard froze.

They had just arrived in the Capital, how could they be leaving before even unpacking their ceremonial attire? Chang Yuncheng shouted once more, and everyone realized the Young Lord was not joking.

Then, obeying the command, they began to pack without asking any questions. A commotion erupted outside the gate, and several figures rushed in.

The man leading them was a eunuch, whose face broke into a broad smile upon seeing Chang Yuncheng’s fair, plump face. “Oh, my Young Lord, we finally found you!

We were just told you were heading out and immediately sent people searching everywhere,” he said cheerfully. Chang Yuncheng quickly halted his steps, bowed, and saluted him.

“Eunuch Wang,” he replied. “Quickly, quickly, everyone is assembled, just waiting for you.

Let’s go to the palace,” Eunuch Wang chirped, reaching out to take his hand. Chang Yuncheng was momentarily stunned.

“This, Eunuch Wang, I don’t need to go, do I?” he asked. Eunuch Wang clicked his tongue.

“What words are those!” He laughed and patted Chang Yuncheng’s hand. Chang Yuncheng subtly withdrew his hand.

“His Majesty is waiting for you,” Eunuch Wang chuckled, pulling Chang Yuncheng along without waiting for a response. Chang Yuncheng felt helpless.

“Allow me a moment to change my clothes,” he said. That was reasonable.

Eunuch Wang nodded with a smile. “Young Lord, please hurry.

We all know His Majesty’s temperament,” he cautioned. Chang Yuncheng swiftly changed in the room.

“Young Lord, are we still leaving?” a guard inquired. Chang Yuncheng frowned and remained silent.

Who knew what might happen after meeting His Majesty... “Send a message via carrier pigeon.

Ask Xiao Qu where they are now?” he suddenly remembered and said. The guard frowned.

“Young Lord, Xiao Qu’s carrier pigeons have stopped communicating,” he reminded him. It was impossible to reach them.

Chang Yuncheng clenched his fists. So far away, this woman, a delicate figure traveling with only two maids...

She was truly too daring! That infuriating woman had always been frighteningly bold!

Chang Yuncheng couldn't help but grit his teeth, imagining what might happen on that journey... He quickly shook his head, casting off the unwelcome thought.

“Send word to those people over there. Tell them Yue-niang has gone and that they must rush to meet and escort her,” he commanded.

Yue-niang? The guards were unfamiliar with the Young Madam’s private name.

The guard hesitated for a moment, but Chang Yuncheng’s expression suggested a likely answer. “Yes, has the Young Madam gone to Mobei?” he tested, inquiring.

Young Madam... She wasn't really the Young Madam anymore...

But Chang Yuncheng had no desire to deny it. He merely grunted and said no more.

Eunuch Wang was urging from outside again. Chang Yuncheng let Hyōe secure his sash.

“We must be fast!” he instructed. The guard responded affirmatively and watched as Chang Yuncheng strode out.

“Someone!” the guard called out, also walking out. Two Hyōe responded with bowed heads.

“Relay this to the head official in Mobei: the Young Madam is heading to Mobei; you must meet and ensure her complete safety,” the guard announced loudly. Young Madam?

The Hyōe exchanged glances, acknowledged the order, and hurried off to send the message. Zhou Maochun, dejected, came to find the Emperor again.

The eunuch at the door stopped him with a smile. “His Majesty is currently discussing military affairs with the Ministry of War,” he said.

“How long have they been discussing military defense and strategy? Isn’t it finished yet?” Zhou Maochun muttered under his breath, glaring.

“I have urgent official business.” What urgent business could you have? You’re just looking for an old woman.

You haven’t been this anxious even after not seeing her for decades. Now you’re halfway in the grave, and suddenly you’re in a rush—rushing won't make you bear children.

The eunuch inwardly mocked him mercilessly but maintained his constant smile, saying nothing. Zhou Maochun had no choice.

He knew this Emperor, though sometimes unreliable, possessed sharp attention; to put it bluntly, he had a prickly temperament hidden behind a childish face. One moment he’d be smiling, and the next, he might have this attendant beaten senseless.

The door opened, and seven or eight people—civil and military officials—emerged. Zhou Maochun hastily urged the eunuch to announce him.

One of those leaving was also in a hurry and bumped heavily into the eunuch. “Ouch!” The eunuch, unable to withstand the impact of such a large, rough man, staggered, dizzy.

Chang Yuncheng quickly reached out to steady him. “Eunuch!” he apologized quickly.

Seeing it was Chang Yuncheng, the eunuch smiled and said it was fine. “I say, Young Lord, what’s the rush?” he joked.

“You’re always rushing out like this every time.” “To finish the task early...” Chang Yuncheng said, his feet never stopping their hurried pace. He bowed repeatedly, “I’ll send some medicinal liniment to the eunuch later...

I must go now...” Only then did Zhou Maochun clearly see it was him, immediately reaching out to grab him. “Why are you here?” he exclaimed.

“You’ve arrived at the perfect time. I was just about to ask you about...” His words were cut short as the eunuch urgently interrupted.

“Sir, lower your voice. Don’t cause a commotion here,” the eunuch chided, stamping his foot.

Before the eunuch had finished speaking, Chang Yuncheng had already pulled free of Zhou Maochun. “Lord Zhou, I have pressing matters.

We can discuss this another time. I must be going!” he stated.

As the words left his mouth, he was already several steps away. If it hadn't been forbidden to run wildly in the Palace, his pace wouldn't have been much slower than a sprint, and he quickly disappeared from view.

Zhou Maochun stamped his foot, unable to catch up, nor daring to shout loudly, forced to watch as the young man vanished. “The Young Lord is truly diligent in serving His Majesty,” the eunuch remarked, watching Chang Yuncheng’s retreating back.

“Indeed, indeed. For the past few days, he hasn’t eaten, drunk, or slept,” others murmured, also sighing in shared admiration before they too walked away at a measured pace.

Meanwhile, Zhou Maochun temporarily ignored Chang Yuncheng and urged the eunuch to hurry inside. The eunuch had no choice but to enter.

Zhou Maochun waited anxiously by the door, growing more agitated as the eunuch did not reappear. In the distance, a small sedan chair approached.

Two eunuchs standing by the corner of the wall quickly moved to receive it. Few people were permitted to ride in sedan chairs within the Palace, even if this one looked somewhat worn.

Zhou Maochun couldn't help but look twice. Inside the hall, the Emperor, who was watching the eunuch tidy the desk, heard Zhou Maochun’s strange cry from outside.

He rubbed his temples. “It seems that single pavilion of books isn't enough to keep this old fellow contained...” he muttered to himself.

“It’s probably good that Madam Qi has left. Perhaps I should just tell him some random location and send him off to search there?” Cai Zhong smiled.

The Emperor was serious; he increasingly felt this plan was good. “What do you think of Lingnan?” he asked, sitting up straight.

“Oh, my Your Majesty,” Cai Zhong quickly laughed. “Physician Zhou is over seventy years old.

His constitution simply won't endure the journey to Lingnan.” Physician Zhou’s health wasn't their primary concern; rather, it was the Emperor’s health upon which their fortunes, status, and wealth depended. If they let Physician Zhou run off and something happened...

what then? Zhou Maochun’s shouting outside did not diminish despite the eunuch’s attempts to intervene.

“You... weren’t you supposed to be dead?” The Emperor frowned.

“Who is he cursing now?” he asked, waving a hand. “Go, call him in.

His clamor is unbearable.” Cai Zhong acknowledged the order and was about to send a junior eunuch when one entered from outside the door. “Your Majesty, Grand Secretary Li requests an audience.” The Emperor was also surprised.

Grand Secretary Li? “Announce him,” he commanded.

Grand Secretary Li, wearing a bright crimson python robe and with a white, flowing beard, was supported trembling by two eunuchs as he entered. “Your subject kowtows...” he began as soon as he entered, preparing to kneel on the ground.

“Enough, enough,” the Emperor said. “You look like you’re about to collapse.

Stop kneeling. You’ll have plenty of chances to kneel when you’ve recovered.” Grand Secretary Li’s eyes filled with tears.

“Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your benevolence,” he said, his voice trembling. Cai Zhong, having understood the situation, quickly fetched a cushion, preparing to invite Grand Secretary Li to sit.

Before Grand Secretary Li could move toward it, he was seized again by Zhou Maochun. “Why aren't you dead?

You were supposed to be dead!” he shouted, looking at Grand Secretary Li as if seeing a ghost. No one who had just escaped the gates of death after a severe illness wished to hear the word ‘dead’ thrown at them.

Grand Secretary Li lowered his eyelids slightly. “I apologize.

I have disappointed Lord Zhou,” he replied flatly. The Emperor smiled, not pursuing the disrespect of Zhou Maochun entering without announcement, and watched them with a smile.

“This is impossible!” Zhou Maochun exclaimed, glaring. “How?

I reviewed your medical records; you were done for...” Grand Secretary Li was so angered he struggled for breath. “But I lived.

Does Lord Zhou mean that I should die now?” he questioned. Zhou Maochun glared.

“Who healed you?” he demanded suddenly. Grand Secretary Li lowered his eyelids again.

“Someone of no importance,” he said faintly. “A country doctor.” Trying to make me look foolish, are you?

Zhou Maochun didn't care; he never understood what looking foolish meant, whether directed at him or by him. “Who?

Where from?” he pressed. “The Qiangang Hall in Yongqing Prefecture...” Grand Secretary Li slowly began.

“Qi Niangzi!” This final name was spoken by two voices simultaneously. The Emperor, who had been casually observing, froze at the mention of Qi Niangzi.

Qi Niangzi? For some reason, the image of the woman who had walked out the main gate that day flashed before his eyes...

Anyone who could exit the main gate of the Li family must possess considerable status; there were only a few such families in the Capital, easily identifiable upon inquiry. But because of her distinctly mature, female attire, he would absolutely never bother to investigate.

The superior’s preference dictates the subordinate’s action—this saying applied everywhere, especially to him, who hated being led by the nose most of all. However, why would hearing 'Qi Niangzi' make him think of that woman?

Where could such a young divine physician be? The Emperor drifted off into thought, completely missing that Zhou Maochun hadn't noticed.

He let go of Grand Secretary Li. “Your Majesty, why is it that all these unrelated people have seen Qi Niangzi, but I haven’t...” This time, he truly started crying, throwing a tantrum like a child.

Qi Niangzi, where on earth are you? A fierce wind howled, whipping up a cloud of dust.

Ah Hao, turning to shield herself, inhaled a mouthful of grit. She angrily lowered her head, spitting and sputtering.

Qi Yue burst into laughter. “Look how clever I am!

You smug thing wouldn't wear one!” she laughed, pointing to the gauze covering her face, from which bright eyes peeked out above a rosy flush. Ah Hao then scrambled into the carriage to find a scarf.

Several horses galloped toward them from ahead. “Qi Niangzi, we will reach Gansu Town in three li ahead,” the man leading them called out, reining in his horse.

They had finally arrived! Qi Yue couldn’t help but lift herself up, peering ahead, her smile spreading across her masked face.

What expression would that fool have when he saw her? Home!

The overtime work is done, and my mood has instantly improved!! It’s much better to be sitting in front of my computer at home!

My writing speed, focused and without distraction, is so fast! I know the recent plot has been dull because of my own low mood.

I promise to adjust quickly and speed things up. My apologies to everyone!

(To be continued)