CHAPTER 169: CHAPTER 167 PRINCE GUANGYANG

Xu Tingzhen didn’t intend to hide anything from Xie Liangchen anymore.

This little disciple of hers made her heart feel lively again, reminding her of many past events. Besides Dongli, whom she knew well, she trusted Xie Liangchen the most.

Xu Tingzhen said, "I know them. Although the Yang Family saved my life and my mother’s, I am unlike the household generals and confidants of Prince Guangyang. General Zhongwu and Prince Guangyang are different from others; you know, living in chaotic times, those people all wanted to expand their armies, wishing to gather all useful people around them.

But the Yang Family never forced anyone. Even if they had a life-saving grace for us, they still allowed us to come and go freely. After Mr. Xu passed away, I left the territory of Prince Guangyang to practice medicine. Upon returning, I was not questioned, and the Princess even summoned me to ask about medical matters.

I mentioned that now, not only are there no doctors or medicines, but many medical books passed down by ancestors have been destroyed. The Princess then thought of collecting and copying medical books, and I assisted her in searching for books on formulas and pharmacology everywhere."

Xu Tingzhen also regretted that, aside from medical matters, she never inquired about anything else from Prince Guangyang and the Princess, so when the territory was conquered later, she knew nothing.

"When the territory of Prince Guangyang was breached, I happened to be outside," Xu Tingzhen said, "By the time I heard the news, remnants of the previous dynasty had stormed into the Prince Guangyang Mansion and killed everyone inside.

Prince Guangyang and his confidants died in battle; the Princess, the Commandery Princess, and the women of the mansion set a fire. None of them came out alive; they burned themselves to death in the blaze.

That year, Prince Guangyang was just thirty-four, the Princess was thirty, and the Commandery Princess was fourteen. Those events that occurred are now nearly nineteen years past.

The Emperor ascended the throne two years later, inheriting the position and changing the era name to Yuanping."

From mentioning Prince Guangyang’s death to the Emperor’s ascension, Xie Liangchen looked at Xu Tingzhen; could it be that Mr. Xu felt there was some connection?

Seeing what Xie Liangchen was pondering, Xu Tingzhen said, "Prince Guangyang was a few years older than the current Emperor, always following the Emperor around the battlefield, being a right-hand man, making great contributions to Daqi. When the Emperor ascended as emperor, he certainly wouldn’t have treated Prince Guangyang unfairly, but it’s a pity it ended just short."

"The great contributors of Daqi and fatal disasters were fundamentally far apart, yet it happened to Prince Guangyang."

"The remnants of the previous dynasty still had some renown. Due to that battle, killing so many people, they completely lost the public’s favor. Even those who once favored Prince Guangyang all turned to support the Emperor, helping Daqi in attacking the remnants of the previous dynasty, ultimately confining them within Prince Guangyang’s territory."

Xu Tingzhen continued, "After Prince Guangyang’s passing, I never opened a pharmacy again. Instead, like a bell doctor, I went about carrying a medicine box, treating and saving lives. But no matter how many people I saved, it could never match the slaughter of a war, gradually wearing down my spirit.

I had originally told you half of this story, not knowing when to tell the other half. Seeing this child, I remembered it all."

Xie Liangchen responded, "It’s been so many years, sir; it’s time to let go." She knew Xu Tingzhen regretted not being able to help in those days, as Mr. Xu was someone who valued benevolence and retribution. She always felt she hadn’t been able to repay the life-saving grace of Prince Guangyang’s father.

Xu Tingzhen said, "At my critical moment, General Yang helped me. When trouble fell upon Prince Guangyang, I knew nothing, and there was no further opportunity to repay."

After saying this, Xu Tingzhen looked out the door and lowered her voice: "No matter what happens in the future, do not swear allegiance to the current Emperor."

Xie Liangchen looked at Xu Tingzhen.

Xu Tingzhen laughed disdainfully: "Prince Guangyang served the Emperor with utmost dedication, yet when the territory was besieged, the Emperor refused to send troops for aid. Do you know why?"

Xie Liangchen shook her head.

Xu Tingzhen said, "The former Emperor’s old wound flared up, bedridden, and the current Emperor feared losing troops and horses, thus losing the throne."

Xie Liangchen speculated this might be the reason Mr. Dongli left the Emperor; while the Emperor won the throne, he couldn’t retain those truly loyal at heart.

Xu Tingzhen continued, "From what I see, Song Xian still seems decent, at least he can do something for the people and make efforts to avoid war, hoping he is different from others. If he isn’t, at least you can feel at ease staying in the North."

What Xu Tingzhen didn’t know was that Song Xian wouldn’t just remain in the North in the future, though Xie Liangchen wouldn’t inform her of this.

Xie Liangchen said, "Regardless of how the future unfolds, at least now Mr. Xu teaches us the method of making familiar medicine, allowing Chen Family Village to fill their stomachs. In the future, when we produce finished medicine, we can help more people."

Xu Tingzhen reached out to neaten Xie Liangchen’s hair: "Ah, you, so clever and witty, always reminding me of Princess Guangyang. If the Princess were alive, she would surely like you very much."

As their conversation reached this point, a few groans emanated from the inner room.

Xu Tingzhen said, "It seems that the child has woken up."

Xie Liangchen helped Xu Tingzhen up, and they returned to the inner room, only to see the child on the kang. His fingers trembled gently, as if trying to reach for the wound on his chest and abdomen but lacked the strength.

Xie Liangchen approached and said softly, "Don’t be afraid, you have been rescued, you were scratched and bitten by wolves, and the wound has been treated with medicine."

The child’s nostrils flared rapidly, clearly very anxious. Xie Liangchen repeated the words twice, and only then did the child gradually calm down.

Xie Liangchen asked, "What is your name? Where are your family?"

The child opened his mouth, attempting to speak, but though his lips parted, only faint sounds emerged from his throat.

Xie Liangchen said, "I won’t ask now; rest well, and tell me when you’re able to speak."

Xie Liangchen fed the child half a bowl of millet porridge.

A starving person cannot eat too much at once; it must be gradual.

After drinking some porridge, the child fell back into a hazy sleep, until Chen Zigeng brought over the boiled medicine, at which Xie Liangchen woke the child again and fed him the medicine.

Old Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Gao also came to see the child.

Old Mrs. Chen commented, "Looks about the same age as Zigeng, who knows what hardships he endured along the way."

"Older than Zigeng," Xie Liangchen said, "he’s just thin. Judging by his teeth, he should be at least twelve or thirteen."

Twelve or thirteen years old, similar to the village’s older kids, yet curled up into a small bundle.

Old Mrs. Chen looked at Xu Tingzhen: "Sir, can anything be done for this child’s eyes?"

Xu Tingzhen shook her head, "Too late, it’s not curable." Her brother was like this too, getting sick and then becoming blind.

Mrs. Gao said, "It’s truly pitiful, if no family can be found, how will the government office assign his household registry? Otherwise..."

Mrs. Gao didn’t continue, and Xu Tingzhen kept her gaze on the child.

Xie Liangchen instructed Hei Dan, "Go to the government office and tell the clerk about this child’s situation, see if any refugees have lost a child."

Hei Dan responded and went to deliver the message.

Xie Liangchen said, "Everyone, don’t rush, let’s save him first and then talk after understanding things clearly."

Mrs. Gao regretted, "See me, speaking carelessly, causing trouble for Liangchen."

Xie Liangchen shook her head, "Aunt meant well."

This child’s illness wasn’t one that could be cured quickly; after arranging for everything, Xie Liangchen went to the Familiar Medicine Institute to busy herself, aiming to prepare finished medicines before the Tian Family Trading Team left Zhenzhou.

The next day, Tian Chengyou and Tian HuiZhen visited Chen Family Village.

During the New Year, Tian HuiZhen gifted Xie Liangchen a whip, and Miss Tian taught her the whip technique passed down by the Tian Family. After hearing from Hei Dan that Chen Family Village now had horses, Miss Tian took the opportunity to follow Chen Zigeng to see the horses while Tian Chengyou discussed the matter of finished medicine with Xie Liangchen.

Tian Chengyou had already prepared people and goods, but before setting out, the most important task was to consult with Xie Liangchen in Chen Family Village.

Looking at the finished medicines on the table, Tian Chengyou was deeply moved; he knew it wasn’t easy to gather the ingredients for these pills, and this was the result of Miss Xie’s hard work.

Perhaps his confidence in Miss Xie was too high, but Tian Chengyou always felt these pills would prove to be very useful.