Chapter 145 Hero Saves the Beauty (Part 1)

Ever since Zhao'er went from being an orphan of unknown origin to becoming Sima Yi's son, the people in the Prime Minister's residence immediately became more polite, addressing him as "Young Master Sima."

My Tongmeng Pavilion suddenly became bustling with visitors, and the peaceful and tranquil life I had lived vanished without a trace. The specific symptoms were as follows: First, the ladies would come to visit from time to time to chat; second, officials would send me rare gifts through various channels; and third, all kinds of rumors and slanders against me disappeared overnight.

And so on.

The reason for this is not only because I am the elder sister of Sima Gongzi. According to the rumors passed down by Yan Zhi, I am gaining status because of my son. Cao Cao has praised Baozi in public more than once, indicating that he intends to make him his heir.

These past few days, I've naturally been showered with attention by the ladies. Throughout history, those who offer help in times of need are rare, but those who add to one's success are never in short supply. Therefore, everyone I meet flatters and fawns over me, praising me to the point of being almost like a celestial being, rarely seen on earth. On the other hand, I've received so many gifts from officials that my hands are sore from accepting them. However, if I manage to escape successfully, all this will definitely be enough for Baozi and me to live comfortably for the rest of our lives.

I was already fed up with it, so I had Rouge close the doors of Tongmeng Pavilion, and all visitors were turned away and all gifts were returned.

These sudden honors bestowed upon Baozi made me uneasy; I always felt that everything was just the calm before the storm.

"Mom, what are you worried about?" Baozi gently leaned against my back and whispered in my ear.

I turned to look at him, pinched his chubby, still somewhat baby-fat cheeks, and didn't say anything.

"Mom," Baozi leaned against me, her arms around my neck, pinching my cheek, "If one day, Chong'er dies..."

I suddenly pushed him away, "What nonsense are you talking about?!" I exclaimed, my voice so loud that even I was surprised.

Baozi stared blankly at me, then snuggled closer, hugging me with a grin, "Mommy, be gentle..."

In July of the thirteenth year of Jian'an, Cao Cao personally led an army of over 100,000 to the south to attack Liu Biao, intending to seize Jingzhou. Zhao'er volunteered to accompany the army on the expedition.

The weather was muggy and gloomy, yet not a single raindrop fell from the sky.

A series of hurried footsteps rushed towards Tongmeng Pavilion.

Someone knocked on the door.

Rouge got up to open the door, and standing there was a young man, Cao Zhi.

"Zijian?" I was somewhat surprised to see Yanzhi usher him into the house, as we rarely had any contact with each other.

"Madam Huan, my sister-in-law sent me to tell you to take Chong'er and leave the mansion immediately." Cao Zhi was slightly out of breath, clearly in a hurry.

"Sister-in-law? Is that Mi'er?" I was slightly startled.

Cao Zhi nodded, "My sister-in-law said, please ask Madam to protect Chong'er, Zihuan, he..."

Seeing Cao Zhi hesitate, my heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Zhen Mi had discovered Cao Pi's intention to eliminate Baozi? With such a strong call for Baozi to succeed him, how could Cao Pi let this opportunity pass? Now that Cao Cao is on a southern campaign and he is left to guard Xuchang, why not take this chance to eliminate his thorn in the side?

"Please thank Mi'er for me."

"And... don't trust anyone in the manor..." Cao Zhi gritted his teeth and gave another instruction.

"Thank you." I nodded.

Seeing Cao Zhi leave, I immediately had Rouge pack her luggage.

A rumble of thunder sounded in the sky, the air felt oppressive and suffocating, and a downpour was imminent. I went out to the schoolteacher in the manor to pick up the steamed buns.

"Rouge, if I haven't returned in an hour, take your luggage and wait for me at the South Gate." I thought for a moment before leaving and gave him these instructions.

Rouge nodded and smiled, "This Prime Minister's residence is not a place to stay for long. It's fine for the lady to take on part-time jobs, but the Spring Breeze Pavilion is definitely a better place."

I laughed too, "Okay, let's go back to Chunfeng Deyilou."

Upon exiting Tongmeng Pavilion, they encountered He Yan.

He was still wearing that same splendid robe, his black hair combed high, and the young man walked past me without looking at me, his hands tucked into his sleeves.

"Don't look back. Just exit the mansion through the west gate. There will be a carriage there that will take you directly away from Xuchang. Chong'er is waiting for you in the carriage." He Yan said softly as they passed each other.

I was slightly taken aback, then stiffened and headed towards the west gate, not daring to linger for even a moment.

I walked towards the west gate as discreetly as possible, and sure enough, there was a carriage parked outside the gate.

"Madam Huan?" the coachman asked as I came out.

I nodded.

The driver lifted the curtain, and Baozi and Zhou Buyi were both sitting inside.

"Mom?" Baozi's face was a little pale.

I hurriedly got into the carriage. "Who brought you here?"

"I don't know," Baozi shook his head.

"You don't know?" I asked, surprised.

"On our way back to Tongmeng Pavilion from the academy, my mouth and nose were covered, and I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I was here," Zhou Buyi said respectfully.

Who could it be? I frowned slightly. Then, I crouched down, stood up, took out the Swiss Army knife hidden in my sleeve, and suddenly pressed it against the driver's neck.

"Stop the car," I said in a low voice.

The coachman was slightly startled and quickly pulled on the reins to explain, "Madam Huan, I was ordered by Young Master He Yan to escort you out of Xuchang from the Prime Minister's residence."

"Then what is this?" I waved my hand in front of him, and there was a small bottle in my palm. The bottle swayed past his nose, and the coachman slumped limply on the carriage.

The small bottle contained a drug with datura flowers as the main ingredient, which I obtained from Hua Yingxiong.

Baozi and Zhou Buyi both looked at me in surprise.

I didn't have time to explain to them. I grabbed one of them with each hand, led them off the carriage, and headed straight for the South Gate.

"Madam." Rouge's carriage was waiting at the South Gate.

"Get in the carriage quickly." I pushed Baozi and Zhou Buyi onto the carriage.

"Giddy up!" With a low shout of cracking the whip, the carriage axle began to rumble and roll.

I dare not forget Cao Zhi's words. I cannot trust anyone. I cannot take any risks for the sake of steamed buns.

"Mom, where are we going?" Baozi blinked, puzzled.

"Do you remember the 'Spring Breeze Pavilion' that Mom mentioned?" I asked with a smile.

"Spring Breeze Delight Restaurant, with lots of beautiful ladies and delicious food?" Baozi excitedly said, leaning close to me.

I nodded. "Okay, let's go to Chunfeng Deyilou."

Baozi was still smiling at me.

"Madam, what has happened?" Zhou Buyi noticed something was amiss.

“Brother Zihuan wants to kill me,” Baozi replied with a smile.

I looked at Baozi in surprise. He was a smiling little Baozi, but he actually understood everything.

"Yuanzhi, if I die, can you take care of my mother for me?" Baozi suddenly turned to look at Yuanzhi.

Yuan Zhi was stunned. "Young Master?"

I was stunned. What was he saying?

“We’ve sworn brotherhood, so my mother is your mother. Therefore, if I die, you have to take care of my mother,” Baozi said with a sly grin, like a cat that had just stolen some cream.

Zhou Buyi looked at the steamed bun with a puzzled expression.

“My mother is actually a coward. She’s most afraid of being abandoned,” Baozi said, leaning close to Zhou Buyi. “So I’m worried that if I die, my mother will hate me to death… We’ve sworn brotherhood, so my mother is your mother… You have to help me stay with my mother… for a lifetime… for a very, very long time…” Baozi leaned close to Zhou Buyi, trying to get closer to him.

I was momentarily stunned, staring blankly at Baozi, not understanding what he was trying to do.

Suddenly a clap of thunder sounded overhead, and a torrential downpour swept into the carriage. I quickly got up and rolled up the window. When I looked back, Baozi was leaning against Zhou Buyi. Although he was acting coquettishly, his face was terribly pale, and his forehead was covered in sweat.

"Baozi, what's wrong?" I asked, pulling him into my arms with a look of surprise and wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. "Tell me, what's wrong?"

Baozi hugged me tightly, buried her face in my chest, and remained silent, her body trembling slightly.

"Baozi, tell me, what's wrong with you!" My hands were trembling involuntarily. I suddenly realized that something had happened without my knowledge.

"My stomach... hurts a little," Baozi mumbled.

Baozi, who usually cries out dramatically even when he pricks his finger, is now only saying "it hurts a little"?

Zhou Buyi suddenly stepped forward, examined the steamed buns closely, and exclaimed in alarm, "Madam, the young master has been poisoned!"

Poisoning?! My mind was buzzing.

Baozi buried herself in my arms without making a sound.

"Baozi, Baozi!" I helped him up, calling out repeatedly, "What did you eat? Who poisoned you? What kind of poison was it? Tell me quickly!"

Baozi leaned softly against my chest, her consciousness seemingly fading, "Brother Zihuan is going to kill me..."

"Cao Pi, what has Cao Pi done!" My voice shrilly rose. "Rouge, turn back to Xuchang! Take me to find Hua Yingxiong!"

The carriage turned around abruptly. I hugged Baozi tightly. "It's okay, it's okay. Uncle Hua's medical skills are so good, he can definitely save you."

"Mom, let's go back to Chunfeng Deyilou..." Baozi murmured softly in my arms.

"Okay, we'll go back once we're cured of the poison," I replied.

“Go back now, we can’t go to Xuchang… Brother Zihuan promised me that as long as I take that medicine, he’ll let Mom leave…”

My mind went blank for a moment, and I abruptly looked down at Baozi. "What did you say?"

"It's so bitter... the medicine is so bitter..." Baozi's consciousness became increasingly blurred. "Baozi regrets it so much... if I had listened to Mommy and been a good little Baozi... then I wouldn't have had to leave Mommy..."

I sniffed, my eyes reddening, but I forced back my tears. "It's okay, it's okay, let's go find Uncle Hua. He'll definitely save you. He promised Mom he would..."

“If I were Baozi…and not Cao Chong…if I had gone back to Chunfeng Deyilou with Mom from the beginning…Baozi would have stayed with Mom forever…” Baozi muttered, his mind incoherent, “Baozi was naughty…helping Dad tie Mom up…not letting Mom leave…”

"Stop talking, stop talking, let's go find Uncle Hua, Uncle Hua can save you... then we'll leave together, we'll go back to Chunfeng Deyilou with Sister Meiren..." I said incoherently, holding the steamed bun.

Thunder rumbled, as if the sky had been torn apart, and the torrential rain continued unabated.

"Madam, we've arrived!" The carriage stopped, and Rouge lifted the curtain, letting in a downpour. I grabbed Baozi and rushed into Hua Yingxiong's medicine hut.

"Hua Yingxiong! Hua Yingxiong!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.

"Mr. Hua has been arrested and taken to the Prime Minister's residence." A timid voice said.

I turned my head and saw a ragged little beggar wearing a straw hat at the door.

He held a letter in his hand. "Mr. Hua said that if you see a crazy woman holding a child coming to him, give her the letter."

Crazy woman? I looked down at myself, soaked to the bone and looking disheveled. Wasn't I a crazy woman?

I carried the steamed buns into the house and opened the letter.

It's the long-awaited simplified Chinese characters.

"Xiaoxiao, by the time you see this letter, I may already be dead... Alas, beauty is fleeting... The seeds sown in the past life bear fruit in the next. I once had a dream where Buddha said that my sins in my past life were too heavy, and I was punished to suffer in reincarnation. I was destined for a tribulation, hence this transmigration. If I could save three hundred lives, I could attain enlightenment. Now, I have saved Baozi's life, exactly three hundred people. I am about to attain enlightenment and become an immortal, so please don't cry. Enclosed is a pill that can cure Baozi's poison. After the cure, quickly take Baozi away. From now on, Cao Chong is dead. You must hide your identities to escape the predetermined fate of history. Finally, I want to tell you very seriously that I am also a celebrity, and my body has a great origin... I am Hua Tuo! Hahaha... Isn't that shocking? Don't you regret not getting my autograph? I am the patriarch of doctors..."

Without saying a word, I opened the brocade pouch attached to the letter and fed a pearly white pill into Baozi's mouth.

"Madam Pei?" Rouge looked at me, puzzled.

After taking the medicine, Baozi's trembling body calmed down a bit, and she fell into a deep sleep.

I picked up the steamed bun and said, "Let's go, let's leave Xuchang immediately."

"Mr. Hua, he..."

I clenched my fist slightly, picked up the steamed buns, and walked out the door. The heavy rain hadn't stopped for a moment.

Sitting inside the carriage, I lowered my eyes and remained silent.

"The thirteenth year of Jian'an was a turbulent time..."

"Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural order of things, especially in this era... You have to learn to face everything on your own. I can't be with you forever, and being sad and upset won't help."

Hua Yingxiong's voice rang so clearly in my ears.

So... he was Hua Tuo...

It turned out that he knew he too was destined to die in the thirteenth year of Jian'an...

Changing one's name and identity is probably a way to escape the fate of history. I can almost imagine the expression on his face when he travels back in time and finds himself unlucky enough to have transmigrated into the body of a famous person whose death is already certain.

He said his name was Hua Yingxiong, that he was destined to face a calamity, and that he wanted to become a monk.

If he were to become a monk, perhaps he would be alright.

But he didn't...

Why didn't he?

I dare not think about it.

"Madam!" Rouge's voice suddenly rang out.

"What's wrong?"

“Mr. Hua…” Rouge’s voice was filled with fear.

I suddenly lifted the carriage curtain, and there was a person hanging from the city gate of Xuchang.

Hua Yingxiong?

In the pouring rain, he hung with his head down from the city gate, his body covered in wounds and barely clothed...

Is he Hua Yingxiong?

Is he that vain and narcissistic Hua Yingxiong?

Is he that Hua Yingxiong who always likes to argue with me but is also cowardly and afraid of death?

There wasn't a single pedestrian on the road; he was the only one hanging alone atop the city wall, being washed away by the torrential rain...

Suddenly, in the heavy rain, he seemed to sense my gaze, and moved slightly, slowly opening his eyes to look at me.

His lips moved slowly.

In the pouring rain, I couldn't hear his voice, but I knew he was saying, "Hurry up..."