The atmosphere in the Divine Doctor Valley is free and casual.
Wen Qingci only found out later that the Valley of Divine Doctors originally didn't even have a name, but people outside the valley kept calling it that, so they just started calling themselves that as well.
Although Song Junran is the Valley Master, he doesn't bother to keep an eye on anyone except Wen Qingci.
During the Qingming Festival a while ago, in addition to Wen Qingci, several other people also went out of the valley to pay homage to their deceased relatives, and they only returned to the valley in the past few days.
"Second Valley Master, please try it. This is a specialty plum from Dengcheng Prefecture. It may taste a little bitter, but it will taste better after a few days. Some people outside are using it to make wine. Sigh... Speaking of which, if I had known earlier, I would have bought some back for you to taste."
The medicine servant who had just returned to the valley brought a basket of green plums to Wen Qingci's residence.
When Wen Qingci was young, he spent all his time reading and never stepped out of the Valley of Divine Doctors.
Therefore, the old valley master ordered his medicine servants who went out to bring him some new things from the outside world when they came back.
After traveling through the book, Wen Qing had not been to many places, and "Dengcheng Mansion" happened to be one of them.
After receiving the green plums and thanking them, Wen Qingci washed them with spring water while asking casually, "I wonder how the outside world is doing these days?"
The servant did not think much about it and replied with a smile: "It is no different from usual. Well... If you must say there is something big going on, just when I left there, the emperor suddenly came to Dengcheng Mansion—"
His words stopped abruptly.
The dragon boat wrapped with red silk went northwards, and the sound of the phoenix and the dragon boat echoed on both sides of the Grand Canal in Yinchuan.
Wherever he went, everyone knew that Xie Bufeng had married a wooden coffin from Songxiu Mansion and was heading towards Yongdu.
Even now everyone says that the owner of the wooden coffin is Wen Qingci.
Thinking of this, Yao Pu couldn't help but secretly glance at Wen Qingci.
So what is the relationship between the Second Valley Master and the Emperor
Does the Second Valley Master know what the Emperor does to him
Now all kinds of rumors have spread throughout the Wei Dynasty and become a topic of discussion among people every day.
Others would be upset, let alone him who sees Wen Qingci every day...
At the same time, he felt that he should not let his imagination run wild as it would be a blasphemy to the Second Valley Master.
At the same time, I couldn't help feeling curious.
But Song Junran said that these things should not be mentioned in the valley.
The cold spring water slid over the green plum and fell along the pale fingertips.
Wen Qingci drained the water from the bamboo basket and asked casually, "What happened next?"
His tone was very calm, as if he was just saying it casually.
The spring water in mid-spring still carries a chill that penetrates the bones.
Wen Qingci's left hand, which was washing green plums, felt a burst of pain.
But even the medicine servant standing opposite him could not see the slightest sign of abnormality on Wen Qingci's face.
He asked this on purpose.
Although he had told himself that this was goodbye forever, the last glimpse of Songxiu Mansion always lingered in Wen Qingci's heart and could not be shaken off.
Wen Qingci couldn't help but want to know how Xie Bufeng was doing now.
Hearing Wen Qingci's question, the medicine servant, who was already feeling anxious because of the stories circulating in the outside world, couldn't help but secretly look back.
After making sure that Song Junran was not here, he finally lowered his voice and tentatively said, "He went to a temple... to sacrifice blood to heaven and earth."
"What?"
This time, Wen Qingci finally frowned and raised his head.
A rare hint of shock was revealed in those ink-black eyes.
The green plums in the bamboo basket rolled down and fell to the ground, and Wen Qingci didn't even notice.
If he remembered correctly, wasn't Xie Bufeng not interested in the so-called ghosts and gods at all
Why would he go to a temple and even offer a blood sacrifice to heaven and earth
"Are you serious?"
"really!"
The medicine servant nodded hurriedly and tactfully told the story he had heard near Dengcheng Mansion.
—
Xie Bufeng was not on a southern tour this time, so he did not stop at any station on the way here.
But when they returned, the huge dragon boat stopped outside Dengcheng Mansion.
The emperor temporarily changed his itinerary and moved into the temporary palace in Dengcheng Mansion.
Upon receiving this news suddenly, all the officials of Dengcheng Prefecture were terrified and hurriedly made arrangements.
However, it was unexpected that when Xie Bufeng arrived at Dengcheng Mansion, he didn't even pay attention to the group of officials.
He stayed in the palace all the time.
In other words, stay in the temple on the back hill of the palace.
In mid-spring, the sycamore trees in the mountains are all green.
The sunlight was cut into small pieces and sprinkled on Xie Bufeng.
Everything is the same as before.
Upon hearing that Xie Bufeng was coming, the monks in the mountain temple wanted to accompany him, but he refused.
In the end, only dozens of officers and soldiers were left to surround the place.
The mountain temple was completely silent. The only sounds Xie Bufeng could hear were the rustling of leaves and the sound of his own footsteps.
Xie Bufeng stood under a tree wrapped in red silk and slowly closed his eyes.
It was here that Wen Qingci told himself that the legend of ghosts and gods might be false, but the desire to stay here was real...
He never believed in these unreal things in the past.
But today, Xie Bufeng carefully took out the red silk and writing brush and ink from the stone table on the side.
It had been several days since those soldiers left the ship for Songxiu Prefecture. Although Xie Bufeng had some guesses in his mind, he would be unable to sleep or eat until he received a definite answer.
Must be alive, must still be alive.
We will definitely meet again, and we will never be separated again.
Xie Bufeng couldn't help but clench the brush on the stone table.
The pen placed on the stone table for pilgrims to use at their convenience was stained with ink.
In an instant, Xie Bufeng's fingers were dirty.
But he seemed not to notice it, and wrote Wen Qingci's name on the red silk with a pen very solemnly.
Then he carefully picked it up and tied it to the highest point of the ancient tree.
This is the place on the ancient tree that is closest to the gods and Buddhas of heaven and earth.
Life is like a journey, and Xie Bufeng's journey has not been smooth, it can even be described as bumpy.
He considered himself a monster and was abandoned by God.
At the same time, he also hates ghosts and gods.
But today... Xie Bufeng stood here very solemnly, praying for the mercy of gods and Buddhas.
In the courtyard of the mountain temple, there was only Xie Bufeng.
Nine five-clawed golden dragons embroidered with dark thread were coiled on the black robe, emitting a faint glow.
The mountain breeze ruffled the slightly curly black hair, brushing across the rebellious eyebrows and tightly pursed thin lips.
The young emperor, who held all the power in the world, walked slowly towards the center of the open space.
Then, he lifted the hem of his clothes to the side, and knelt down solemnly facing the sky and earth.
This seemed to be the first time in Xie Bufeng's life that he knelt down devoutly.
The cool air from the mountains all flowed along the stone slabs to Xie Bufeng's knees.
In just a moment, he felt cold all over.
Xie Bufeng had never had the experience of praying to gods or Buddhas.
He only knew roughly that he had to burn incense and kneel down, but he had no idea how to do it specifically.
But Xie Bufeng knew that before a war in the north, there was a custom of offering human and animal blood to heaven and earth in order to pray for victory.
Without any hesitation, he pulled out the short blade hanging at his side and stabbed it towards the palm of his hand.
Xie Bufeng showed no mercy, and a scar deep enough to see the bone instantly appeared on the palm of his hand.
The fingers are connected to the heart.
The next moment, blood gushed out from the wound accompanied by severe pain.
And in an instant, Xie Bufeng's sleeves were wet.
He simply lowered his eyes and smiled, then clenched his palms in an instant, squeezed out the scarlet blood, and slowly raised his hands to throw it into the sky.
Blood was pouring down like rain.
This is like the most primitive sacrifice.
Xie Bufeng was both a priest and a sacrifice.
The blood pooled in the open space.
Some of it was blown away by the wind, splashing onto the cheeks and staining the thin lips red.
Xie Bufeng finally stood up, turned around and looked deeply at the god and Buddha who was holding a flower and smiling.
The battle in the north was a hundred victories.
Xie Bufeng thought that he would not lose this battle.
The blood seeped into the ground through the gaps between the stone slabs.
Several heavy rains failed to wash it away.
Everyone who comes here will see a patch of scarlet on the bluestone slab.
And what Xie Bufeng had done and the horrifying scene in the mountain temple were spread by word of mouth and spread in a secret way throughout Dengcheng Prefecture.
Xie Bufeng knew it, but didn't care.
*
Xie Bufeng did not live in the rear hall of the largest Dezhang Hall in the palace, but stayed in the side hall where Wen Qingci had temporarily lived.
After the southern tour, no one lived in the palace anymore.
Therefore, when Xie Bufeng arrived, he found that there was actually a medical book on the bookshelf in the room.
—This was left here accidentally by Wen Qingci.
Xie Bufeng had no interest in the art of Qihuang.
But during this year or so, he went through all the medical skills and notes that Wen Qingci left in Taishu Palace.
At first he just wanted to find traces of Wen Qingci between the lines.
After a long time, Xie Bufeng actually understood a little bit.
He discovered that most of the medical books Wen Qingci often read and the notes he left behind were related to water plague.
"Your Majesty..." Concubine Lan's voice came through the wooden door, "Can I come in?"
Concubine Lan, who was already the empress dowager, should have called herself "Ai Jia", but in front of Xie Bufeng, she always used "I".
Although Xie Bufeng had been on the throne for a long time, he was still not used to having someone around him.
He slowly put down the medical book, walked over and opened the door.
"Mother, what's the important matter that brings you here so late at night?" Xie Bufeng's tone was very calm, and no emotion could be heard from it.
It's mid-spring and it's still a little cold at night.
Concubine Lan was wearing plain clothes and a light green cape. Her hair was lightly tied up without any flowers in her hairpin. Her brows were filled with worry.
Next to her stood the awkward looking Xie Fuyin.
—Ever since being frightened by Xie Bufeng that day, Xie Fuyin has been avoiding Xie Bufeng.
But today, when she heard Lan Fei say that she was coming to bring a midnight snack to Xie Bufeng, she hesitated for a while, but finally followed her.
Concubine Lan came in with Xie Fuyin, and she gently placed the bowl of soup in her hand on the table beside her.
“… I heard that His Majesty didn’t have dinner today, so he asked someone to prepare some and bring it over.” After saying that, she secretly glanced at Xie Bufeng.
Xie Fuyin nodded gently. Although she was a little afraid of Xie Bufeng, she couldn't help but say a few words: "I just tried it, it's delicious!"
What Concubine Lan brought was the famous lotus seed porridge in this place.
The porridge is at the perfect temperature at this time, and exudes a sweet fragrance.
Xie Bufeng had no appetite and was not interested in this sweet porridge.
Just when he was about to refuse, Xie Fuyin on the side seemed to see through his intention.
The little girl has vaguely learned that her brother likes Mr. Wen.
So she couldn't help but add, "It's very similar to the magnolia porridge made by Mr. Wen. Brother, you... would you like to try it?"
The more Xie Fuyin spoke, the lower her voice became. The three words "Mr. Wen" that suddenly came out of her mouth scared Lan Fei in an instant.
"Children's words are not to be underestimated—"
Unexpectedly, before she finished speaking, Xie Bufeng paused and gently picked up the bowl of porridge.
"Ah..." The next moment, Xie Fuyin took a breath of cold air.
She couldn't help but widen her eyes.
What happened to your brother's hand
There was a long scar running across the palm of Xie Bufeng's left hand.
Although it was simply bandaged, blood was still oozing out.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong with your hand?" Concubine Lan asked.
In fact, that's why she came here today.
The news of Xie Bufeng's blood sacrifice to heaven and earth has spread privately.
Lan Fei originally thought that everyone was exaggerating, but she didn't expect... it was actually just as the rumors said.
Her eyes suddenly became extremely complicated.
"It's okay, just a minor injury." Xie Bufeng didn't care.
After a long pause, Concubine Lan said, "Let's ask someone to come and take a look."
She deliberately avoided the words "imperial physician".
Xie Bufeng shook his head and said, "I can bandage it myself."
This is how he got through the North.
It was late at night, everyone was asleep, and there was silence all around.
Logically speaking, there should be no more visitors at this point.
But unexpectedly, at this moment, Xie Bufeng heard footsteps again.
When he looked up, he saw that it was the soldier who was sent to Songxiu Prefecture that day, returning here in the middle of the night, exhausted.
In an instant, the eyes that were originally dead were filled with vitality as if lit by fire.
"No need to bow," he put down the bowl of porridge in his hand and looked at the person in front of him, "Have you found out what I said?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, everything has been investigated!"
Concubine Lan was left aside in an instant. She thought Xie Bufeng wanted to discuss government affairs with his subordinates and was about to say goodbye. Unexpectedly, before she could say anything, she heard a familiar name appear in her ears again.
"What's going on?" Xie Bufeng's words were filled with anxiety.
The soldier on the other side gritted his teeth, took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty, just before you arrived at Song Xiu Mansion, two people went to that clinic and stayed there for a few days. One of them looked very similar to Song Junran, and the other one always wore a veil and never showed up."
Song Junran is Wen Qingci's senior brother...
Upon hearing this, Concubine Lan froze in place for an instant.
Xie Bufeng clenched his fists in an instant.
Blood oozed out of the wound, completely soaking the bandage and dripping onto the ground.
Xie Bufeng's breathing was trembling and his heart was about to burst out of his chest.
"… People who have heard of him said that the man wearing the veil hat did not have easy access to his left hand, so Song Junran took good care of him."
"By the way, he should also be a local of Songxiu Prefecture and be able to understand the local dialect."
The soldiers who received the emperor's order conducted a very thorough investigation, not missing any details.
Everything happening before my eyes seemed as distant as a dream.
Xie Bufeng clenched his fists even tighter.
He tried to use the pain to prove that the scene before him was not a dream but reality.
After a long while, he finally lowered his head and smiled slowly.
Song Junran was wearing a veil covering his face, and his left hand was not very convenient to move.
Xie Bufeng didn't know who else it could be except Wen Qingci
The great joy even caused his brain to go blank for a moment.
Xie Bufeng found the last piece of the puzzle.
Wen Qingci is really not dead...
Even just passed by me.
For a moment, Xie Bufeng didn't know whether he should be happy or sad.
The soldier was still talking: "After they left Songxiu Mansion, they went straight into the forest. Since then... we can't find any trace of them."
His voice stopped abruptly.
The mountains are endless, we can't really turn them upside down, right
The clue seems to be broken again.
Thinking of this, the soldiers in charge of this matter became extremely nervous.
The room suddenly fell silent.
And it was Concubine Lan who finally broke the silence.
Her voice became a little hoarse and trembling, as if she had made a great determination: "… Is the clinic that Your Majesty asked people to look for located on Zhengmiao Street in Songxiu Prefecture, next to Bai Rongxi?"
Xie Bufeng and the soldier both looked at her.
"yes."
It really is there.
Concubine Lan slowly lowered her head and let out a long sigh as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
She turned her head and glanced at the soldier calmly.
The other party immediately understood, bowed and left quickly.
In a blink of an eye, the three of them were the only ones left in the room.
"... You've found the right place. That clinic is indeed close to the Divine Doctor Valley." She raised her eyes to look at Xie Bufeng's amber eyes and spoke almost word by word, "People from the Divine Doctor Valley will choose to stay there after leaving the valley... There should be more than ten clinics like this in Wei Dynasty."
Xie Fuyin looked at his mother and brother as if he understood something.
Concubine Lan bit her lip and said, "The incense pill that caused the deposed emperor to go crazy was obtained by me from one of the families."
The wound on Xie Bufeng's palm completely opened.
In just a moment, the blood formed a pool.
The piercing pain did not make him frown, but instead made him smile slowly.
Like a wild beast that finally found its prey.
"Song Junran's mother was once a female official beside Emperor Ai of the previous dynasty. She... grew up with the former eunuch Zhao Gonggong, and they were as close as siblings."
"… The addresses of the dozen or so medical clinics are all in the hands of Eunuch Zhao." Concubine Lan finally said this.
Before today, Concubine Lan, like everyone else, firmly believed that Wen Qingci had already passed away.
Therefore, she kept her promise and did not reveal the existence of those clinics.
But if Wen Qingci really wasn't dead... As a mother and queen mother, she would definitely not watch Xie Bufeng return empty-handed or fall into another madness.
At this moment, Concubine Lan didn't know whether her action was right or wrong. She only knew that she had no choice.
Xie Bufeng smiled and untied the bandage on his hand that had long been stained with blood. He slowly stretched out his palm and clenched it in the air.
"Someone—"
The soldiers standing in the dark knelt down outside the hall again.
Xie Bufeng's voice penetrated the silent night and fell into their ears.
"We will set off tonight and return to Yongdu," he said in a hoarse voice, "and prepare a generous gift to send to Eunuch Zhao's mansion."
Xie Bufeng raised his eyes and looked towards the high vermilion wall not far away.
There, he once secretly kissed the ends of Wen Qingci's hair.
Several years have passed, and that moment of tenderness still lingers in Xie Bufeng's heart like the moonlight.
The young emperor, dressed in black and covered in blood, suddenly laughed out loud.
Wen Qingci's name "Fairy-faced Rakshasa" spread throughout the world, which is not something that can be achieved by hiding from the world.
Xie Bufeng didn't believe that after returning to the Valley of Divine Doctors this time, he could really endure and not come out again.
Those amber eyes that were always cold were instantly filled with bone-chilling tenderness, and unspeakable desires and expectations.
(End of this chapter)