Chapter Four: The Turmoil of the Martial World – The Secret of the Prescription
“Ah?” Zhao Fugui thought he had misheard and asked, “Young Master, didn’t you say you were tired of this? How come you still—”
He was confused.
Just a moment ago, the Young Master said he was bored of this, then he turned around and wanted to find a woman.
Wasn’t that a contradiction?
“What else do you know besides chasing women!” Zhao Ang knocked him lightly on the forehead and said, “Young Master, I’m going to the pleasure quarters to listen to music. Stop nagging and hurry up!”
“Er, I understand, I’ll prepare right away…”
A moment later, a lavish sedan chair left the manor, heading straight for the pleasure quarters.
Meanwhile,
Deputy General Wang Xin knocked on the door of the old lord’s study.
“Come in.”
Wang Xin entered and reported, “My lord, Fuwang was found in the moat. He was silenced last night.”
“Hmph!”
Upon hearing this, the old lord slammed down his cup heavily, his gaze turning sharp. “Since they don’t play by the rules, don’t blame me for being ruthless. If they want to play, then I’ll play along.”
“They probably think I’m just a reckless fighter who charges headlong into battle without understanding schemes. Heh heh…”
Hearing the old lord’s laughter, Wang Xin couldn’t help but shiver.
He recalled the last time the old lord used a strategy, it caused the enemy to lose over a hundred thousand troops.
“Report! My lord, the Young Master has gone out.”
“Assign someone to follow him. Do you know where that brat is headed?”
“The Young Master sent someone to fetch medicine, then… he went to the pleasure quarters to listen to music.”
The old lord’s face twitched in anger. “Some habits die hard! I’ve repeatedly told him not to go to such places. Wang Xin, take men and go get him…”
He suddenly paused, waving his hand. “Forget it. The boy hasn’t recovered yet; even if he were to fall ill, he wouldn’t cause much trouble. He’s probably really just going to listen to music. Let him be.”
“…”
Wang Xin smiled faintly but said nothing.
As deputy general, he naturally understood the old lord’s thoughts.
“My lord, someone outside requests an audience!”
Another guard reported.
“Who is it?”
“He calls himself the Hermit of the Eastern Mountain and claims to be an old friend of yours…”
The old lord frowned but couldn’t recall who this ‘Hermit of the Eastern Mountain’ was, so he said,
“Bring him in.”
The guard responded and withdrew. Soon after, an elderly man in his sixties, thin and carrying a slanting gray cloth bundle on his back, was brought inside.
“Are you… Mr. Mo?”
“Heh heh, the Southern Prince still remembers me?”
“What Southern Prince? If not for your help back then, my old self, Zhao, would have lost his life long ago. Just call me Old Zhao.”
The old lord recognized the man and was greatly pleased, showing much courtesy.
He then turned to Wang Xin and said, “This is Mo Xingzi of the Guigu Sect. The late emperor invited him out several times, but he always refused. He’s truly a recluse of the highest order.”
“Greetings, Mr. Mo.”
Wang Xin quickly cupped his hands respectfully.
“You flatter me, Southern Prince. You are blessed with good fortune and protected by the heavens. I merely acted in accordance with the moment, never seeking credit.”
Mo Xingzi smiled warmly, then fixed his gaze on the old lord’s face and frowned.
“My lord, if I may be blunt, you don’t look well. Rumor has it that you suffered a sudden relapse of an old illness on the battlefield. Is this true?”
“It is.”
The old lord smiled calmly. “I am sixty-nine this year. I’ve lived enough, but the only thing I cannot let go of is the only heir of the Zhao family.”
“Hmm…”
Mo Xingzi fell silent, then reached out to grasp the old lord’s wrist, placing two fingers on his pulse.
After a moment, his expression darkened subtly. He sighed and released his hold.
“How long do I have?”
The old lord asked directly.
“Half a year,” Mo Xingzi replied after a moment’s thought. “Even if I were to extend your life, it would be hard to exceed two years. Your body has suffered too great damage.”
As he spoke, he sat down and picked up a pen to write a prescription.
“What’s this?”
Suddenly, Mo Xingzi noticed a prescription on the table and picked it up for a glance, then was greatly astonished.
“Excuse my jest. The medicine my unworthy grandson brought is probably for vitality and kidney tonics.”
The old lord explained somewhat embarrassedly.
It was humiliating to be embarrassed before an old friend after many years; even the old lord’s face flushed.
“This is not a tonic for vitality.”
Mo Xingzi grabbed the prescription, his expression unusually excited, his beard trembling. “This prescription is exquisite beyond compare. Even I could not produce such a formula!”
“…Mr. Mo, perhaps you might look more carefully?”
The old lord shook his head. “My grandson knows nothing of medicine; he couldn’t have concocted such an exquisite prescription. You must be mistaken.”
“Impossible!”
Mo Xingzi said confidently, “This formula is miraculous for your illness. It simultaneously expels cold evil, warms the bones, and nourishes the internal organs. Truly a rare and excellent prescription!”
“Miraculous for me?”
The old lord grew more incredulous, shaking his head repeatedly. “Impossible. That brat never studies and knows nothing of medicine. He doesn’t understand illness.”
“Heh heh, I’m not mistaken.”
Mo Xingzi smiled faintly, then picked up another prescription. “This one also targets your symptoms and is extremely clever—a rare coincidence. My lord, your grandson…”
“Mr. Mo!”
The old lord suddenly interrupted, “Send in the finest wine and dishes. I want to have a good drink with Mr. Mo.”
Mo Xingzi, showing tact, put down the prescriptions without comment.
…
At the same time,
Inside the sedan chair,
“The manor leaks in all directions. Nothing done here remains hidden. The pleasure quarters are far more secure.”
Inside the swaying carriage, Zhao Ang pondered silently.
This trip to the pleasure quarters was obviously not just about listening to music.
He lifted the curtain and asked Fugui outside, “They say a strong, sturdy woman has arrived at the White Jade Tower, one who can lift a cauldron with one hand. Is it true?”
“It’s true, Young Master. That woman is tall and strong. She lifted the head of the White Jade Tower’s security with one hand. It was terrifying.”
Fugui answered with conviction.
“Then… Young Master, you’re not going there because of her, are you?”
Zhao Ang nodded with satisfaction.
A moment later, the White Jade Tower arrived. Fugui carefully helped him down.
“Here comes that lustful ghost again!”
“Hardly escaped death and dares to show up again?”
“Is he tired of living?”