Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 379: Slow Down

Inside the room, Tang Wanzhuang was, of course, not looking for a duck, but catching it.

“Tell me, what did you mean when you told me not to flatter myself?”[1]

“Eh? But you acted like you understood what I meant just now. It turns out that you only looked like you understood, but you didn’t really get what I meant at all... Ouch~ I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you... It means universal values, unparalleled faithfulness... Ouch! Why are you still hitting me?”

“Don’t you even dare think for a second that just because I don’t know exactly what it means, I can’t tell that it’s derogatory! What happened to you being honest?”

“Fuck...”

“You’re even swearing!”

“Ouch~”

Zhao Changhe felt that after this kiss, he had plunged into an endless cycle of domestic violence. She was clearly just using any excuse she could get back at him, not really caring about the term or his explanations, but simply wanting revenge for the kiss.

The worst part was that he truly did not get to enjoy the experience of the kiss at all.

Moreover, what was the use of the bleeding on his shoulder stopping if he was now bleeding internally?

But then again, when someone like Tang Wanzhuang let go of her calm and composed demeanor and started wrestling with you on the bed...

Does that not mean that something has already changed?

“I’ve already treated your wound. How much longer do you plan to lie on the bed?” Tang Wanzhuang knocked on the bed frame. She then shouted, “Get up, or I’ll pull on your ears.”

Zhao Changhe glanced at her and said, “Hey.”

“What?”

“Who do you think you are to pull my ears?”

“I...” Tang Wanzhuang stiffened her neck and said, “Your movement art incorporates the Water Treading Art, does it not?”

“Yes, it does.”

“And that saber art of yours incorporates my Spring Water Sword Intent, does it not?”

“Yes, it does.”

“And I even taught you the sutra you practice! With all that said, can I not be considered your master? Can a master not pull on their disciple’s ears?”

Who was it that said that they did not want to overstep and become the imperial tutor again...

Zhao Changhe felt that this aunt was quite soft everywhere now, but her mouth was still quite hard.

After all, he really had not gotten to experience the kiss, so he did not really know just how soft it truly was.

“To be fair... I’ve learned many things from many people while wandering the jianghu. Many people have taught me.” Zhao Changhe turned over, resting his hands on his head lazily. “Of course, if I were to name one person in this world who could be considered my master, it would definitely be...”

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Tang Wanzhuang blinked her eyes.

“...Sun Hengchuan, Instructor Sun.”

“?”

Tang Wanzhuang’s eyebrows shot up, but she could not argue.

Instructor Sun was simply too upright. How could she forcefully claim she was his master compared to Instructor Sun?

The two of them suddenly fell silent.

In fact, they understood each other perfectly.

Tang Wanzhuang had merely insisted on positioning herself as his “master” to counter his previous teasing remark about being a bandit.

I’ve taught you so many things; even if I’m not your master, I should at least be considered your half-master! Despite that, you actually have the nerve to tell me to clean myself up for you?!

This rascal has become quite unyielding. Even if he used to think of me as his half-master, he isn’t acknowledging me anymore.

Actually, if that title were truly established, it may only serve to excite him more. Consequently, that would only aggravate Tang Wanzhuang even further.

Tang Wanzhuang felt an indescribable mix of shame and annoyance.

This rascal is clearly intending to pursue me now. What should I do?

I used to like him and wanted to support him, but it was on the premise that he didn’t covet me like the others. Now that he’s changed his tune, what am I supposed to do? Am I supposed to just personally nurture a man who wants to claim me?

What’s even more infuriating is that he kissed me! I can’t even be angry about it because he was just trying to save me. Not only that, but I even have to avoid the topic and act as if nothing had happened!

The most infuriating part was that deep down, she was not really that angry. If the person that had appeared in the illusion represented her own hopes, what did that imply?

The absolute worst part of it all for her was that the treatment was unlikely to be a one-and-done type of thing. It was likely that she would need further treatment from him.

What am I supposed to do then?

“Wanzhuang,” Zhao Changhe suddenly shouted.

Tang Wanzhuang’s heart skipped a beat, but she forced a stern face. “Who gave you the permission to call me that?”

“...” Zhao Changhe thought to himself, I call others this way all the time, it’s just a habit... Actually, it’s quite strange. I had trouble calling Hongling by her name, but do I feel no such awkwardness when calling Wanzhuang by her name?

He did not dwell on that thought further and simply said, “I can’t fully cure you right now... My abilities are still lacking, but I’m certain that this is the right direction.”

Tang Wanzhuang pursed her lips and gave a slight nod.

“It’s not just about my cultivation level, but also my master of the Rejuvenation Art and my understanding of the essence of nature. I can easily increase my cultivation, and I don’t think I’m too far off from meeting the requirements in that regard. However, my mastery of the Rejuvenation Art is still too shallow. While I can treat minor injuries, your situation requires a much higher mastery to be treated...”

Tang Wanzhuang said, “If I’m not mistaken, the Rejuvenation Art you mentioned should be of an extremely high level, likely even belonging to the category of fundamental laws. If heaven is divided into the four idols, then this represents one of them. Even in the previous era, I doubt that there were many who were qualified to fully comprehend it.”

Zhao Changhe laughed. “I’m not saying this to make it sound difficult. On the contrary, what I was trying to say was that it might be hard for me to improve in other areas in the short term, but the Rejuvenation Art is currently my weakest link, and it might be possible for me to improve my master of it pretty quickly.”

Tang Wanzhuang asked curiously, “How do you plan to do that?”

“I need to study medicine, from the very basics.”

Tang Wanzhuang’s eyes widened.

Martial arts and medicine were closely related.

Martial artists who unlocked the Profound Mysteries had a profound understanding of the human body, especially their own, far beyond that of an ordinary person. Learning medicine would be relatively easy, and they might even be able to teach doctors or physicians a thing or two.

However, studying medicine involves learning about herbs as well. Medical theory and pharmacology are related but different fields, after all. Memorizing medicinal materials and their properties alone required heaps of effort, not to mention understanding how to combine them effectively. Achieving the level where one could concoct medicine without relying on prescriptions could take a lifetime of study.

Zhao Changhe was a guy who did not have much patience for learning to play the guqin or calligraphy. He had only even learned them since he needed something to pacify his bloodthirsty nature, as well as calm his mind. Even now, who knows how many times he’s practiced? Yet now, without anyone suggesting it, he was proactively saying that he wanted to study medicine.

What use did studying medicine have for him? While it might significantly improve his mastery of the Rejuvenation Art, but given that he currently only had a basic grasp of it, he probably did not care much about how much it could be improved.

There was only one reason as to why he would even bother—he wanted to save her.

Zhao Changhe added, “Xiangyang is a major city with renowned doctors. Now that we are in control of Xiangyang, it should not be difficult to find a famous doctor or physician to teach me. At dawn, I’ll start on this... and you...”

He paused, his expression somewhat peculiar, “Am I now your attending physician?”

Tang Wanzhuang’s lips twitched. “What are you trying to say?”

“Well, shouldn’t you listen to your doctor’s orders?”

Tang Wanzhuang felt like he was about to tell her to clean herself up. She suppressed the urge to pinch his waist and took a deep breath, “Alright, doctor, please give me your instructions.”

This time, Zhao Changhe did not joke around. “From now on, you are not to concern yourself with any of Xiangyang’s affairs, or any of Jiangnan’s affairs for that matter. You are not to worry about Maitreya’s escape, or any follow-up actions... None of those are your business at the moment.”

Tang Wanzhuang said helplessly, “Then what should I do?”

“I will study medicine, and you can stroll around. This is a famous city with a long history dating back to the previous era. Since you’re here, how can you not take a look at the clear waters of the Han River or listen to the songs of Longzhong? To the south, the Chen River meanders around Chenshan, and to the west, there’s Bashan where the autumn rains fill the pools.[2] First Seat Tang, since you love nature, why not slow down and enjoy it?”

Slow down...

Tang Wanzhuang’s gaze softened, and after a moment, she said, “With so many things going on, how can I find peace?”

Zhao Changhe said as if it were a matter of course, “Because I’m here.”

“You said you want to study medicine, but you also don’t want me to handle any affairs. Can you manage all that?”

“I’ll find the time.”

“Why are you pushing yourself so hard?”

“If I can’t make sure you live, then I won’t have the heart to continue cultivating.”

Tang Wanzhuang was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled, “You say you’re my attending physician, but have you considered that I’m your attending physician as well?”

Zhao Changhe: “?”

“The wound from the spear is easy to treat, but the weakness caused by the vicious blood qi is difficult to overcome. Right now, you’re in no better state than I am, yet you seem to have overlooked that.” Tang Wanzhuang gently stretched out her hand and touched his forehead. “Sleep now. Tomorrow I’ll listen to you... but for now, you listen to me.”

Her fingertips rippled with energy, and a wave of drowsiness overcame Zhao Changhe. His eyelids grew heavy, and he soon fell into a deep sleep.

Tang Wanzhuang sat beside him, watching him for a long time before slowly getting up and leaving the secret room.

As she opened the door of the secret room, her eyes were filled with daylight, and she instinctively shielded her eyes from the dazzling sun.

Da Zhou and Li Sian had both been standing in the courtyard, pacing around anxiously. They had numerous issues in Xiangyang to report to the bureau chief. They had been wondering why she had not come out of the secret room yet, wondering if her injury was actually that severe.

Moreover, there was a man inside with her, and it was now well past dawn.

The door to the secret room finally opened, and the two were delighted and hurried to greet her. “Bureau chief, you’re finally out! The sun is already—”

Their words got caught in their throats, and the two undercover agents looked at the bureau chief’s slightly disheveled appearance with her slightly rosy cheeks, which contrasted with her usual pale complexion, making her look fresh and beautiful.

All three of them, including Tang Wanzhuang herself, almost simultaneously thought of a line of poetry... because she knew what they were thinking:

The sun had now risen high, the spring night ever so short; from then on, the ruler held no morning court.[3]

Tang Wanzhuang suppressed her expression and, after a moment, said, “I won’t be handling the affairs of Xiangyang.”

The two were shocked, “Bureau chief, what...”

“Wait for Zhao Changhe to come out; he’ll be in charge of everything.”

“?”

It’s over. She’s favoring her inner circle and entrusting him with all major affairs...

“Oh, right, there’s something I need you to do first.”

At least she still knows how to give us orders... They both breathed a sigh of relief and quickly cupped their hand. “Bureau chief, please give us your orders.”

Tang Wanzhuang said, “You go find the best doctor in Xiangyang...”

Li Sian patted his chest and said, “Bureau chief, you wish to be cured? Leave it to us! We’ll find him right away!”

“No, it’s for Zhao Changhe... Once you’ve found the best or most famous doctor here, bring them to Zhao Changhe.”

“?”

Tang Wanzhuang yawned, turned, and left, muttering to himself, “Why hasn’t Baoqin come yet... I want to see Wushan...”

The undercover agents looked at each other in fear.

This is what a bewitched ruler looks like. She’s even planning to sightsee Wushan now. Wouldn’t it be more fitting for her to make it rain on Wushan?

1. So when Zhao Changhe told her not to flatter herself, he used the word “普信,” which is an derogatory internet slang that refers to having self-confidence despite being ordinary. ☜

2. This is a line from Written on a Rainy Night (夜雨寄北) by Tang dynasty poet Li Shanyin (李商隐). ☜

3. This is an excerpt from the “Song of Eternal Sorrow” (长恨歌) by Bai Juyi (白居易), another Tang dynasty poet and official. ☜