CHAPTER 428: CHAPTER 428: RETURN

Indeed! The current Jiang Shaohua, with Nanyang County as her base, has influence covering all of Jingzhou, and Pingzhou has fallen into her hands. Her prestige in the Northern States is immense. In the court, she has the backing of the Grand Empress Dowager and the Emperor, as well as high-ranking officials like Vice Minister Dong and Vice Minister Yang supporting her. It’s not easy to provoke her.

Zheng Chen’s gaze was dark and uncertain, unclear about what he was contemplating.

Duke An felt inexplicably uneasy and reminded again: "Zixian, I know you admire the Commandery Princess but hold grievances in your heart because you can’t have her. However, you must not let these personal feelings influence you. Sooner or later, the Zheng Family will be handed over to you. You need to be calm and rational, do not act recklessly and impulsively, making any decisions you’d regret."

Zheng Chen replied indifferently, "Father, rest assured! I won’t do anything I’ll regret."

Because he never regretted anything.

Duke An did not catch the deep meaning behind the words, sighed in relief, and casually smiled: "Anyway, we have already gained the upper hand in the matter of the Pingzhou Governor. Prime Minister Wang lost both wife and soldiers, looking quite disgraced."

"By the way, I heard that lately, you have been getting close to the Heir of Prince Gaoliang. Don’t underestimate him. There are no genuine fools in the Jiang Family."

The foolish Second Prince was the exception.

Zheng Chen nodded in agreement.

...

As it entered the twelfth month, the weather grew colder day by day. Doctor Sun and his son and their party finally returned to Nanyang County.

When the familiar plaque of Nanyang Prince Mansion came into view, Sun Guangbai was so excited that he almost cried: "It’s been over a year since we set out, and we finally came back."

Doctor Sun also sighed: "Only after leaving did I realize how good Nanyang County is."

Sun Guangbai craned his neck to look outside, excitedly grabbing his father’s arm: "Father, the Commandery Princess herself is here to greet us."

Doctor Sun sat calmly: "We have accomplished great things, worthy of the Commandery Princess’s warm reception."

Sun Guangbai thought to himself, father, you are being too disingenuous; clearly, you are very happy inside, yet you pretend otherwise, isn’t that exhausting?

The carriage stopped, Sun Guangbai got off first, then helped Doctor Sun down. The father and son hurried forward, bowing in salutation to the Commandery Princess.

"No need for such formalities." Jiang Shaohua extended her hand with a gentle smile, her tone extremely friendly: "Doctor Sun went to Pingzhou and cured the epidemic there, accomplishing a great deed. The court has rewarded Doctor Sun with a promotion of two ranks, and Sun Junyi was also promoted by two ranks. I will also bestow a grand reward."

"What does Doctor Sun wish for? Feel free to speak."

With the demeanor of a divine healer, Doctor Sun replied calmly: "I’ve only done my duty and do not dare to accept the Commandery Princess’s excessive praise."

Sun Guangbai was more straightforward: "Commandery Princess, my father’s greatest wish is to spread his compiled medical book throughout the world."

Doctor Sun does not love gold or silver and is not very interested in promotions; what he truly desires is the name of a divine healer.

Printing the medical book is not difficult, but spreading it is. Relying on Doctor Sun alone could only result in using up family resources to print it. To ensure the medical book reaches all states of Da Liang, it would rely on the influence of the Commandery Princess.

Jiang Shaohua laughed: "Very well, I will ensure that Doctor Sun’s wish is fulfilled."

The word of the Commandery Princess is as good as gold.

Doctor Sun secretly breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly bowed to thank the Commandery Princess for her favor. The group followed the Commandery Princess into the main hall of the Prince Mansion, recounting tales of their journey.

Jiang Shaohua carefully examined Doctor Sun and softly sighed: "Doctor Sun has become much leaner."

Previously, Doctor Sun was fair and plump, but now he had become much thinner and appeared much more haggard and aged, showing how much effort he had expended over the past year.

Doctor Sun also sighed: "When I went to Pingzhou, I realized the hardships of the common people. Fortunately, I did not disgrace the mission and developed a cure for the epidemic. Thinking back now, it is somewhat frightening."

Sun Guangbai joined in: "Indeed! Father lived in the epidemic area for half a year, and I lived in constant fear every day, afraid of receiving any bad news. Only when the newly developed prescription cured several severely ill people did I finally breathe a sigh of relief."

Jiang Shaohua asked about the situation in Pingzhou.

Doctor Sun spent his days treating patients and researching prescriptions, while Sun Guangbai often interacted with Lu Cong, praising him: "To be frank, before, we had some chaos while distributing medicine and setting up porridge sheds with Commander Qin. Once Lu Sheren arrived, everything was organized, and the people trusted him."

"With him in Pingzhou, the Commandery Princess can be completely at ease."

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes glimmered with a smile: "Lu Sheren has always been astute and capable; before, he was just unfortunate in his career path. With a few years of sharpening, he has become even more composed and meticulous in his work. With him managing Pingzhou, I am indeed reassured."

Doctor Sun remained silent, but Sun Guangbai couldn’t help but speak: "The court dispatched inspectors to Pingzhou; Governor Huang had an accident, and there’s Governor Tan."

Jiang Shaohua curled her lips and said leisurely: "Governor Huang had a short life and little fortune, and Governor Tan seems to have not much either, having fallen off his horse and broken his leg just two days after leaving the Capital City. At least, it will take a year or so to recuperate. Who knows when he’ll be able to assume office in Pingzhou."

Whenever there’s one accident, there could be a second and third.

The Pingzhou Governor cannot take office, so Lu Cong will have to manage Pingzhou on behalf.

Sun Guangbai was about to say more, but Doctor Sun coughed, stopping his talkative son with a glance: "Stay in the Prince Mansion for two days, then return to the Personal Guard Camp."

Only then did Sun Guangbai shut his mouth.

...

Two days later, Sun Guangbai led Lin Huiniang and others back to the Personal Guard Camp.

The siblings’ reunion was full of excitement and joy, and there was no need for a detailed description.

Sun Zelan suddenly felt a little sad: "This time in Pingzhou, we lost quite a few trusted aides. Tao Niang and Wan Niang are also gone."

Tao Niang died on the way, Wan Niang in Pingzhou. Out of the six disciples who went, only four returned.

Mentioning this, Sun Guangbai felt a deep sorrow in his heart: "I’m sorry I couldn’t take better care of them."

Sun Zelan turned her head to one side, cried for a while, then wiped her tears: "You can’t be blamed. It was their ill fortune. Fortunately, Huiniang and Shanxing and the others all returned safely."

Sun Guangbai was silent for a moment and suddenly said softly: "Sister, I have something to tell you."

Sun Zelan, very astute, looked up at her brother: "What is it? Have you finally made up your mind to marry Shanxing?"

Sun Guangbai: "..."

It was rare for Sun Guangbai to be bashful, his handsome face flushed, rubbing his hands together uneasily for a long time.

Sun Zelan purposely teased him: "Am I right? Didn’t you once say Shanxing was too young and half your female disciple, so you shouldn’t and couldn’t have other thoughts about her? How did a trip to Pingzhou change your mind?"

Sun Guangbai scratched his head and honestly admitted: "After the trip to Pingzhou, I indeed have deep feelings."

"Don’t mock me, but I buried more dead bodies in Pingzhou than the living people I’ve encountered in my lifetime."

"In this world, life is actually more fragile than we imagine. You never know when you might just close your eyes and be gone."

"So, while one is alive, one should cherish those around you and live well."