Chapter 748: 745: Urgent_1

Chapter 748: Chapter 745: Urgent_1

Six years ago, Xiliang attacked the border of Jin Kingdom. General Zhou Buhui of the Bai family’s army led the troops under the order of Bai Qingyan’s grandfather to provide reinforcements. Bai Qingyan’s father, Bai Qishan, intended to train Xiao Ruohai and sent him along. Xiao Ruohai’s master, Shen Bozhong, worried about his apprentice’s first time in battle, requested to accompany them.

Later, Xiao Ruohai recklessly advanced in several skirmishes, seeking to earn merits, causing General Zhou Buhui to be hit by a poisoned arrow from Xiliang. On the night before the great battle, Shen Bozhong left the camp in secret to find an antidote for General Zhou Buhui and never returned. Everyone believed he went to the Xiliang camp to fetch the antidote and was killed.

In that battle, if Bai Qingyan’s father, Bai Qishan, had not arrived the next day with reinforcements of the Bai family army to take command, the outcome of the battle would have been uncertain.

Xiao Ruohai nearly lost his life under the enemy’s blade. To save Xiao Ruohai, Bai Qishan also took a sword blow from the enemy general on his shoulder.

Xiao Ruohai felt guilty about this matter to this day. He always believed that if he had not been reckless back then, General Zhou Buhui would not have been hit by the poisoned arrow, his master would not have gone looking for the antidote, the troops would not have panicked when the commander fell, nor would Bai Qishan have taken the blow to save him.

Bai Qingyan, coming back to her senses, stared at Li Mingrui. She knew Shen Qingzhu was eager to see her master, so she said, “Bring the old man here. I won’t take his life. I’m just very interested in his martial arts.”

“I’m afraid the Princess of Zhen might be disappointed.” Li Mingrui tightly covered his wound. “The old man, injured while saving my mother and me, has lost his memory and can’t answer the Princess’ questions.”

So, he did lose his memory…

Bai Qingyan heard Shen Qingzhu say that Shen Bozhong seemed not to recognize her before. She suspected that Shen Bozhong had lost his memory and did not expect it was due to saving Li Mingrui.

“I must see this person. Minister Li, the more you hesitate, the more I want to see him. Tomorrow I will depart for Shuoyang, but before that, I must see him,” Bai Qingyan said, then called out, “Someone come, send Minister Li back to the Left Prime Minister’s Residence.”

Li Mingrui kneeled and bowed urgently, “Princess of Zhen! To be honest, I don’t know where the old man is now. If we really can’t find him, wouldn’t it be impossible for me to fulfill the Princess’ demand?”

Li Mingrui’s voice trembled in pain as he pressed his wound. “Since the Princess of Zhen assured me she wouldn’t take the old man’s life, I wouldn’t dare joke with my entire family’s lives. I will do my best, but as for the result…”

“The grand Left Prime Minister’s Residence, if you can’t even manage this, isn’t it too incompetent? Minister Li, do you really find it fit to say such things?” Bai Qingyan lifted her eyes and signaled the guards to take Li Mingrui away.

Li Mingrui wanted to argue further with Bai Qingyan, but the wound was so painful he couldn’t break free from the guard holding him and could only let the guards of the Princess of Zhen’s residence take him away.

Once Li Mingrui left, Shen Qingzhu couldn’t hold back, “Miss, my master, as Li Mingrui said, lost his memory because he was injured while saving him?”

Bai Qingyan nodded, “Li Mingrui didn’t seem to be lying. Plus, I saw Li Mingrui was greatly protective of your master and unwilling to bring him here. It should be as he said! Li Mingrui is Du Zhiwei’s apprentice; the two share the same traits – possessing no great virtue but observing minor principles.”

Shen Qingzhu, in her worry, was utterly confused, “Do you think Li Mingrui will deliver my master?”

“Don’t worry. Li Mingrui values your master greatly, but he won’t risk his entire family’s lives. Plus, I have promised not to harm your master. He will deliver him before I leave tomorrow,” Bai Qingyan finished, then turned to Shen Qingzhu, “But you can’t take him away. If you’re worried about your master, stay in Dadu City…and take care of him.”

Shen Qingzhu looked at Bai Qingyan in surprise, calmed down for a moment, and then shook her head, saying, “I must stay by Miss’ side. Since Li Mingrui injured himself for my master, if he isn’t pretending, it’s acceptable to leave my master with Li Mingrui for now and bring him back later.”

“Li Mingrui is close to your master. Forcing your master to stay by us may not ensure his willingness,” Bai Qingyan pondered, “However, I suggest you stay in the city. Your master claimed to seek an antidote for General Zhou Buhui, but why did he appear in Jinjian City? Only your master might know the details.”

Shen Qingzhu frowned, finally nodded, “I will follow Miss’ instructions.”

Bai Qingyan never doubted Shen Bozhong’s loyalty nor believed Shen Bozhong would say he went to find an antidote for Zhou Buhui but ran away.

When her father Bai Qishan rushed to the battlefield, General Zhou Buhui was already dead. Her father didn’t get to meet him one last time.

·

Bai Qingyan was leaving for Shuoyang the next day, giving Li Mingrui not much time, and Li Mingrui’s injury was severe.

He was escorted back to Li Mansion by the guards of the Princess of Zhen’s residence, pale and in pain, struggling even to breathe, nearly fainting several times.

Li Mao received the message, sweating in shock, took the house physician, and greeted them at the door. Seeing his son with a dagger in his abdomen and bloodstained clothes made his scalp tingle. Despite hating Bai Qingyan to death, he had to thank the guards who sent Li Mingrui back with a deep bow: “Thank you for bringing back my son, please come in for some tea.”

The lead guard cupped his hands to Li Mao, “Prime Minister, we are just following orders. We shall take our leave.”

Li Mao quickly ordered the steward to bring silver. The guards of the Princess of Zhen’s residence declined and left.

“Hurry! Carry the young master inside!” Li Mao’s voice choked.

Supported onto a palanquin, Li Mingrui grabbed the steward’s collar, “Go to Du Residence in Jiuchuan Alley and find the old man. Take a physician, if he is hurt, treat his wounds first. Then, send him to the Princess of Zhen’s residence. The Princess promised not to harm him. Ensure his safety.”

This statement was less for the steward than for Li Mao. He feared Li Mao might send the old man’s head to placate the Princess of Zhen.

The steward’s eyes reddened as he nodded repeatedly, “Don’t worry, young master, I will handle it. But your injury is urgent.”

Sweating and breathing heavily, Li Mingrui held the steward’s collar firmly and looked up at Li Mao, seeking his assurance.

Li Mao clenched his fists, “Don’t worry. I will send a physician to see the old man. For now, let’s treat your wound first.”