Chapter 68 Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Unlike others, Shen Weige was not overly afraid of the young emperor. Upon hearing the praise, she simply smiled and politely replied, "Your Majesty is too kind."

"I just heard from Doctor Shen that he came here to look for someone?"

Shen Weige lowered her head and nodded gently, her voice soft and slow: "Back when I was in the Northern Rong with Uhenali, we had a child."

Upon hearing this, even Long Langyue glanced at her a few more times.

A smile appeared on Shen Weige's somewhat tired face, as if she had thought of something wonderful, revealing a happy expression.

Seventeen was also somewhat surprised. Was she... thinking of her child? He didn't know why, but he instinctively felt that Shen Weige was thinking of her child. Perhaps... only in this way could this weary woman show such an expression.

"She was a very cute girl, but she didn't look much like me; she looked more like her father, a typical... Northern Rong person. But she was very well-behaved and obedient..."

Her tone was filled with nostalgia as she slowly recounted the past.

After being abandoned by her husband from the Northern Rong, she was able to make a living in the Northern Rong. After all, although she was skilled in using Gu, Gu poison and medicine are inseparable, and her medical skills were also quite good.

But her good fortune didn't last long. The Northern Rong and the Great Jing became enemies, and wherever she went, she was criticized and insulted. No matter what, she was a person from the Great Jing. How could she tolerate such humiliation?

She happened to hear that there was a town where people who had been driven out of the Northern Rong tribes had intermarried with the Great Jing tribes, so she took her daughter there.

Before they even reached that place, they were ambushed on the way. She still doesn't understand why the Northern Rong army wanted to kill them, but she didn't have time to think about it. She hurriedly handed her daughter to a group of couples traveling with her, and gave them all the Northern Rong money she had saved, begging them to take her daughter away.

Turning her head, Shen Weige faced the Northern Rong army directly, but since there were no outsiders present, she was no longer afraid.

At worst, I'll just die.

She pulled out a poison she had treasured for many years, and haphazardly knocked down the group of people before hastily fleeing.

She got lost after escaping, but she could only grit her teeth and keep going. The thought in her heart sustained her, or perhaps it was the Great Scenery protecting travelers in the dark. She actually walked back to the Great Scenery.

After returning to Dajing, things became much easier. He earned some travel expenses by treating patients and returned to Lingnan, weary from his journey.

Shen Weige still remembers her parents' pale, aged faces and gray hair.

Clearly...clearly I haven't been gone for more than a few years...

Filled with remorse, she obediently served by her side for several years, but unable to bear the longing for her daughter any longer, she talked with her parents all night and returned to the North.

Because of the falling out, she couldn't go directly to Bei Rong, so she could only try to gather information indirectly, but to no avail.

Over time, she got to know some of the northern soldiers and was moved by their bravery and sincerity. So she voluntarily stayed, inquiring about her daughter's whereabouts while also saving lives.

I don't know why, but he inexplicably gained the reputation of being a miracle doctor.

"But I haven't heard from my daughter at all. I don't even know if she's still alive."

As she spoke, Shen Weige's tone became somewhat sorrowful. Seventeen didn't know how to comfort her, so she could only silently pour her a cup of tea.

Long Langyue pondered for a moment and then said, "Do you know Shiqi Town in the North?"

Seventeen was taken aback. Why was he suddenly being asked about his hometown?

After a moment's thought, Shen Weige nodded: "I know. It is said that Shiqi is not far from here, and the area is close to the heartland. It is inhabited by Northern Rong people who were not accepted by the Northern Rong after intermarrying with the Great Jing."

"Yes, as far as I know, the Northern Rong seem to have such a place, but I'm not sure exactly where it is."

Although he didn't explain it clearly, it gave Shen Weige hope.

She sighed softly, "I serve the Northern Army not only for the sake of the Great Jing, but also to find my daughter."

"It's just human nature. No matter what, Doctor Shen's kindness to the Northern Army is undeniable. Even if he has some harmless little thoughts, what's wrong with that?"

Long Langyue's words warmed Shen Weige's heart. This young emperor was indeed very sensible; no wonder the Princess Consort of Lingnan praised him so highly...

"Then this humble subject thanks Your Majesty."

"There's no need for such formalities in the future."

Shen Weige understood that these words were not just polite words, but rather one of the "rewards" for her saving lives in the North.

After Doctor Shen left, Seventeen pondered for a moment and asked, "Does Your Majesty believe that Doctor Shen's daughter is still alive?"

"It's probably alive."

Long Langyue was slowly writing and drawing something, and Seventeen asked curiously, "How did Your Majesty know?"

"She still has things to tell us about her daughter, I guess... it might be related to witchcraft."

"Huh?" Seventeen was bewildered. How did this get involved with Gu poison again?

"My fourth sister once wrote to me saying that this Doctor Shen's specialty is neither medicine nor poison, but Gu."

Gu is a very mysterious thing. Legend has it that deep in Lingnan, there is a group of sorcerers who are good at refining, making, and using Gu.

The effects of Gu are varied: they can harm people, heal people, or even be the love Gu that people talk about.

But what are the specific facts? Nobody knows.

"Although she seemed unaware of her daughter's fate just now, it seems she knows her daughter is still alive, but just can't find any trace of her. I guess she might have used some kind of Gu worm to know whether her daughter is alive or dead."

Shen Weige's deliberate avoidance of the fact that she possesses the ability to use Gu poison may also be due to careful consideration.

The use of Gu worms can be benevolent if done well, but disastrous if done poorly.

Although she thought the young emperor was a decent person, she didn't dare to completely trust him.

Long Langyue guessed her little scheme, but didn't care much.

"So that's how it is..."

Seventeen yawned; it's easy to feel sleepy on a hot summer afternoon.

He hadn't eaten breakfast yet, and now his stomach was growling loudly with hunger.

Why didn't you eat anything this morning?

Seventeen, sitting to the side, laughed and said, "I was originally planning to go eat, but Doctor Shen distracted me and I forgot. Then I came here to listen to Your Majesty's stories, and I forgot even more."

"So it was my fault after all."

Long Langyue finished writing the last stroke and said seriously, "It's almost lunchtime. Have Yuanfu bring some over separately."

"No need. If we eat separately from the soldiers, it might have a bad influence."

At this moment, Seventeen's mind was quick. Although His Majesty was His Majesty, what if the soldiers felt discriminated against if he ate alone? His Majesty couldn't afford to have a bad reputation.

Long Langyue paused, then lowered her eyes and chuckled softly, "Seventeen, come and see this painting."

What painting? Seventeen leaned forward to take a look, but was stunned.

He thought His Majesty had been drawing defense plans all morning, but instead, he was drawing himself!

The painting depicts him as he fought with his deputy yesterday, looking heroic and spirited.

Seventeen had never known she could look like this, and couldn't help but feel a little moved.

What's this called? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder? That saying is true, isn't it?

"Why is Your Majesty painting me?"

"Doesn't Seventeen know this very well in his heart?"

Long Langyue wasn't in a hurry, so he leisurely fished out Seventeen. But ever since Seventeen confirmed that Mingyue was His Majesty, he seemed to have become much bolder.

Upon hearing this, he merely glared at the esteemed Emperor, turned and ran away, not forgetting to leave behind the words, "Your Majesty, please come and have dinner with us!"

The Northern Army was mostly rough and tough, but Xie Qingyan, like a little chick, huddled among a group of tall and strong soldiers, yet he was quite at ease.

Seventeen seized the opportunity and plopped down next to him. Xie Qingyan glanced at him and placed the braised pork he had just picked up into the bowl in front of Seventeen.

"Why are you giving this to me? You should be the one eating more."

Sitting on the other side of Xie Qingyan, Doctor Shen Weige coughed lightly. Xie Qingyan shuddered slightly and said with an embarrassed smile, "I specially picked this for you. I'm still recuperating and can't eat such greasy food."

Seventeen's suspicious gaze lingered on Xie Qingyan, while a soldier beside him laughed loudly, "Little Brother Xie! Why are you so afraid of Doctor Shen?"

He had barely finished speaking when another soldier nudged him and whispered, "That eunuch just said that! You've forgotten again!"

"Oh, Dr. Shen, Dr. Shen, hehehe."

Shen Weige was a little stunned. After a moment, she lowered her eyes, curled the corners of her mouth, and said in a low voice, "It's okay. It's fine to eat some greasy food occasionally, just not too much."

Xie Qingyan was overjoyed. He had been eating like a rabbit these past few days... no, even rabbits don't eat as lightly as he does!

"You don't know, I always feel that Dr. Shen is very fierce. No, no, it's not fierce, it's just that I have a feeling that I dare not disobey her."

Xie Qingyan's personality was much more lively than it had been in Fenglin Town, and her eyes were bright and sparkling, making her look quite well.

Seventeen, seeing Xie Qingyan whispering to her like a thief, considerately didn't tell her that Doctor Shen had also heard her.

But when Long Langyue arrived, the soldiers immediately fell silent.

Seventeen realized that he had really gone to unnecessary lengths, because as long as His Majesty was there, the soldiers would not be able to eat freely.

Long Langyue was just showing his face. He knew this better than Seventeen, so he didn't say much and instructed Yuanfu to serve some dishes separately before returning to the main tent.

After he left, the other people started to get lively again.

Seventeen was eating absentmindedly, and he didn't hear what Xie Qingyan was rambling on about beside him.

I never thought Xie Qingyan was such a chatterbox.

*

After finishing his meal, Seventeen slipped away to the main tent, only to hear what sounded like a conversation inside. Not wanting to disturb them, he turned around and wandered around on his own.

The Northern Army camp was very large, and their main camp was located in Snowfall Town. There were also some branch camps stationed at other border posts, which meant that the northern edge of the Great Jing was well protected.

Seventeen asked a few soldiers and found his way to the horse farm. As soon as he entered, he saw His Majesty's black horse leisurely grazing.

Hearing the noise, Black Horse raised its head and looked at Seventeen.

Seventeen stepped forward, gently stroked the horse's head, and murmured, "What's your name?"

After asking, I found myself laughing at myself. How could a horse possibly answer me?

"Is it the Seventeenth Guard?"

A soldier led a horse over, and Seventeen turned to look at him, asking curiously, "Do you know me?"

"Hey, you and Vice General Wu fought so fiercely yesterday, it's all over the camp! Anyone who can go toe-to-toe with Vice General Wu is really something."

The soldier patted the horse's head gently to soothe it, then continued, "Your Majesty's horse is named Shuofeng, as in 'spinning and confusing,' and 'windy.'"

"North wind?"

"Yes, His Majesty, I forget which month of which year it was, but it happened to be the first day of the month. He obtained the character '朔' (shuò), and then, seeing that this horse gallops as fast as the wind, he added the character '风' (fēng, meaning wind) to it, because it runs very fast!"

Seventeen looked at the person whose eyes lit up when talking about horses and laughed, "You know so much about horses, that's amazing."

"Haha, since I retired, my only hobby has been taking care of these horses. They are not just animals, but also our partners and our family."

A hint of nostalgia flickered in the soldier's eyes, and Seventeen then noticed that the soldier's hands were covered in scars, and there was even a noticeable scar on his neck.

When this person walked over, he seemed to be limping, which may be why he left the battlefield.