"Yes."
Pei Zhaolin replied readily, his eyes burning with intensity. "I had doubts in my heart and wanted to get them verified immediately, so I specially invited Doctor Wu to come with me.
"I happened to hear that the young lady has been haunted by nightmares recently and hasn't gotten better for many days. So I also wanted the young lady to meet Doctor Wu."
Cui Jintang had only been feigning illness, planning to fob them off with a few words and send them away.
Hearing this, she stepped aside. "Then I'll trouble Doctor Wu."
After putting down his medicine chest, Doctor Wu took out a clean white handkerchief and placed it on Cui Jintang's wrist.
Pinching his graying beard, he carefully felt her pulse. Only then did the slight frown on his brow smooth out.
"Miss Cui has been over - worried, which has led to stagnation of liver qi and frequent dreams at night. She needs to regulate her qi, think less, move more, and adjust her daily routine."
In the past, Zhu San always carried a medicine pot around and scolded Cui Jintang angrily for her irregular rest times.
But obviously, Cui Jintang didn't listen.
She murmured in agreement a few times and seriously listened to all of Doctor Wu's instructions.
To put it bluntly, it meant that Cui Jintang had to live like a saint, free from cares and desires.
That was too difficult; it was impossible.
Cui Jintang reluctantly accepted Doctor Wu's prescription.
"Thank you, Doctor."
Then, turning around, she secretly stuffed the prescription under the dressing table when no one was looking.
After giving all his instructions, Doctor Wu packed up his things and stood up. "I still need to prepare some suitable ointments for the journey. My lords and Miss Cui, I'll take my leave."
Pei Zhaolin politely saw him off.
When he turned back, Cui Jintang's face suddenly appeared in front of him.
His heart skipped a beat. "Miss Cui?"
Cui Jintang smiled at him. "The doctor has finished examining me. Does Lord Pei still have something to say?"
Pei Zhaolin lowered his eyes. For a moment, he was dazed by her smile.
He almost openly asked, "I'm about to set off for the border. How does Miss Cui plan to arrange herself next?"
Was he implying that he wanted her to wait for him?
Cui Jintang turned around and pretended to close the door. "I'm very tired now and haven't thought about how to arrange things yet. We'll talk about it later."
In a hurry, Pei Zhaolin directly reached out to stop the door. He said, "If Miss Cui is willing, she can accompany me on the journey to the border..."
"The border is bitterly cold. I can't endure such hardships."
Unable to close the door, Cui Jintang frowned and directly told him to leave. "Lord Pei has a long journey ahead. You should hurry up and make your preparations."
Pei Zhaolin, who had been vaguely anxious, suddenly felt as if he was bathed in the spring breeze because of her words.
The corner of his lips curled up slightly. "Thank you for your concern, Miss."
Cui Jintang: "?" Who was concerned about him?
"Bang!"
Cui Jintang slammed the door shut.
She quickly walked to the dressing table and opened a box.
This was the human - skin mask of Jiang Wu made by Zhu Er for her.
She had never used such a thing before, so Cui Jintang needed to get used to it in advance.
—
It was already getting late. While calming the restless foal, Secretary Huang turned back and urged, "My lord, it's time for us to set off! If we're any later, we won't be able to make it to the official posthouses along the way!"
Hearing this, Young Master Xie, who had been clinging to Pei Zhaolin like a sycophant, looked embarrassed. He clasped his fists and bowed. "Then this humble one wishes my lord a smooth journey!"
Pei Zhaolin responded indifferently, but his eyes kept looking behind him.
This made Zhu Er, who felt his gaze from time to time, shiver.
Zhu Er quickly stepped forward, bowed, and explained, "The young lady didn't sleep well last night. She specifically told me to come here today to see Lord Pei off and wish him a smooth and safe journey."
Pei Zhaolin's eyes turned cold.
Among the people present, only Yan Liangwen was extremely cheerful.
He waved his fan at Pei Zhaolin and gloated a bit. "Take care! No need for me to see you off!"
Before leaving, Pei Zhaolin's eyes looked far in the direction of the courtyard where Cui Jintang lived.
Suppressing the disappointment in his heart, he tightened the reins. "Giddy - up!"
In a corner where no one noticed, Cui Jintang, who had already put on the human - skin mask, hid among the servants of the Xie family.
She watched as Pei Zhaolin's back gradually faded into the distance until it became an invisible black dot.
Cui Jintang sighed.
This scene reminded her of the last time she saw Pei Zhaolin off when he went to suppress the rebels.
She had watched him leave with full concern, and then when he came back, she had been filled with grievances.
Zhu Er entered the Xie Mansion with the crowd.
Although Pei Zhaolin was gone, there was still Yan Liangwen. Young Master Xie found an opportunity to flatter and said that he wanted to show the hospitality of the host.
After finding someone to pretend to be the sickly "Cui Jintang", taking advantage of the quiet noon when there were few people, Cui Jintang carried the urn and got into the carriage.
This time, she endured the nausea of carsickness and kept urging Zhu Er to hurry up.
Going north all the way, the guards in each city became more and more strict.
This was very different from when Cui Jintang left many years ago.
Finally, they arrived in Qinghe without any major incidents, but the guards directly stopped them.
"No one without proper documents is allowed to enter the city!"
Cui Jintang was dressed in a dirty and dusty way, looking travel - worn.
Hearing this, she shouted with a crying voice. "Sir, please be kind! My husband and I came from Boling to look for our relatives. We've traveled a long way and finally made it here..."
Zhu Er quickly followed, constantly tugging at the guard's hand and bowing his head. "Please be kind! We can write a letter right now and ask our relatives to come and pick us up!"
"We're definitely not fleeing refugees!"
Seeing that the two of them were so thin and pale, the guard thought for a moment and felt a bit of pity. "What's your relative's name? And where does he live?"
Cui Jintang's face lit up. She said happily, "He lives near the Third Ditch in the west of the city, in the Cui Family Academy. He's a sweeper at the entrance of the Cui Family Academy. His name is Cui Rong."
Unexpectedly, the guard's expression changed immediately. He directly pushed Cui Jintang away. "Get out of here! No one is allowed to enter the city without documents! Even if the Son of Heaven comes today, the rule remains the same!"
Cui Jintang fell to the ground on purpose and scanned the surroundings with her peripheral vision.
The pushing and shoving just now had already attracted many on - looking civilians.
With so many people watching, the guard surely wouldn't hold out for long.
Cui Jintang dug her fingers into the brick crevices until her knuckles turned white. Her expression seemed extremely desperate.
She opened her mouth, full of grief and despair. "My husband and I have traveled thousands of miles to look for our relatives. Along the way, we've endured so many cold words and looks of disdain. Now, when we've finally reached our home, we're blocked by our own people and not allowed to enter! Everyone, please judge. How can there be such a thing in this world—"
As soon as Cui Jintang started speaking, Zhu Er immediately followed.
He directly knelt on the ground and knocked his head heavily at the guard. "Please be magnanimous, sir..."
Suddenly, there came the thunderous sound of hooves from behind!
The on - looking civilians who had been pointing and talking scattered in an instant.
Cui Jintang frowned and cursed under her breath.