Chapter 516: We'll Go Right Away

Xiao Ze and Xiao Ran exchanged a glance and both knelt down.

Xiao Ze said, "Father Emperor, Princess Consort Ning is upright and gentle, long renowned for her virtue, never involved in state affairs. This act cannot come from her heart; there must be something suspicious."

He paused, "Although Princess Consort Ning is guilty, please, Father Emperor, consider Tuan Tuan's many meritorious deeds and forgive the princess's fault."

Xiao Ran added, "Yes, Father Emperor! Tuan Tuan has already gone to seek a doctor; please wait for Tuan Tuan's return, and after Princess Consort Ning recovers and the cause is clarified, then punish her!"

Xiao Jieyun glanced at his two sons, his gaze settling on Xiao Yuanhang, and said calmly, "Yuanhang."

Xiao Yuanhang stayed kneeling and replied, "I am here."

"Raise your head for me."

Xiao Yuanhang slowly straightened, lifted his eyes, and met the Emperor's gaze.

Xiao Jieyun said, "The princess's act, if judged by Military law punishment, is indeed a grave crime. I have spoken before: whoever stole the Heavenly Son Sword shall be dealt with under Military law punishment, with no leniency."

Xiao Ze and Xiao Ran's faces both tightened.

Xiao Jieyun shifted his tone, "I ask you, is the princess a spy?"

Xiao Yuanhang shivered all over.

"She has been married into the Ning Prince's Mansion for many years, serving elders and raising children for you. As Lao Qi said, she is gentle and virtuous, never involved in court affairs; how could she be a Ni Ze‑sent spy?"

Xiao Jieyun paused, "Moreover, without Tuan Tuan, the Heavenly Son Sword could never have fallen into my hands; how could I forget?"

"If Princess Consort Ning were detrimental to the army, it would also be detrimental to you, to Tuan Tuan, to Ning Xun and the others; how could she act so?"

He shook his head, "Although this matter was done by Princess Consort Ning, I absolutely do not believe she is a spy; the whole case is riddled with oddities, and it must be investigated until the truth is clear."

Xiao Yuanhang's eyes grew slightly warm, and he bowed heavily, "His Majesty, your discernment is clear!"

Xiao Ze and Xiao Ran both quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiao Jieyun continued, "But the princess's act does indeed endanger the army; you are the commander and also her husband, so you bear full responsibility."

"Now that she is ill in a strange way, this matter will be set aside for the time being. Once everything is clear, we will reach a final judgment."

Xiao Yuanhang's throat rolled, "I thank Your Majesty for your great grace! I request to retire!" After speaking, he rose, turned, and prepared to leave.

The Emperor glanced at the Heavenly Son Sword on the ground, "Yuanhang, you forgot something."

Xiao Yuanhang halted, slowly turned back, "The Heavenly Son Sword was nearly lost from my hands; I ask Your Majesty to take charge personally."

Xiao Jieyun shook his head, "The Heavenly Son Sword was found by Tuan Tuan, not by me."

Xiao Yuanhang bent down, picked up the Heavenly Son Sword, and solemnly tucked it into his chest, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty; as long as the sword is here, I am here!"

Having said that, he turned and strode out.

The curtain fell, and Xiao Ze whispered, "Father Emperor is wise."

Xiao Ran also nodded, "Father Emperor, this decision wins both my heart and my mouth."

Xiao Jieyun said, "When Tuan Tuan returns, go see what you can help with and give your utmost assistance."

The two replied in unison, "Yes!"

Ma Bang Inn.

"Ugh—!" Xiao Er reined his horse to a halt, dismounted, scooped up Tuan Tuan, and hurried inside.

Daoba was sharpening his blade, looked up at them, and asked, "Why have you come? Is the food insufficient?"

Tuan Tuan hurried, "Uncle Daoba! It's not about food; we came to find Grandfather, is he here? Uncle Xie is fine too!"

Daoba set the blade down, "He's here, he's here. What's the matter? I'll take you inside."

He led the two into the back courtyard, "Boss! Elder! Little ancestor has arrived!"

Xie Guzhou and Xuan Fu Weng looked up at the words, "Tuan Tuan? Why did you come?"

Tuan Tuan shouted, "Grandfather! Uncle Xie!" and then coughed twice.

Xiao Er set Tuan Tuan down, "Is there water? We were in a hurry, and the miss has been thirsty all the way."

Xuan Fu Weng hurried, "Daoba, quickly go fetch a bowl of water for Tuan Tuan!"

"Alright! Coming right now!" Daoba rushed off.

Tuan Tuan ran to Xuan Fu Weng, climbing into his arms with hands and feet, "Grandfather! My mother is ill! Uncle Doctor cannot determine the disease; is there a good doctor?"

"I will take him back to treat my mother!"

Xie Guzhou frowned, "Princess Consort Ning is ill? What are the symptoms?"

Xiao Er replied, "The princess cannot recall what she did, and just thinking about it gives her a severe headache."

Xuan Fu Weng was startled, "What disease is this? I've never heard of it!"

Daoba returned carrying water, handed it to Tuan Tuan, "Drink quickly, why have you made the little ancestor so anxious?"

Tuan Tuan lifted the water bowl, gulped it down, then returned the empty bowl to Daoba, "Thank you, Uncle Daoba. Uncle Er is also thirsty; could you get him a bowl?"

Xiao Er smiled gently, "The miss is really kind! She even thinks of me when it comes to a bowl of water."

Daoba looked at Xiao Er and asked, "Shall I bring you a bowl of wine?"

Xiao Er nodded, "Good! Truly a good brother!"

Daoba chuckled, went out again, and brought a large bowl of wine for Xiao Er.

Tuan Tuan stared intently at Xuan Fu Weng, "Grandfather, is there any especially skilled doctor here? Anyone will do! I will take him back right away!"

Xie Guzhou thought for a moment, "Xibei is not like Jingcheng; there are no famous doctors heard of in the city."

"Huh?" Tuan Tuan's little head drooped, "But Divine Doctor Grandfather is in Jingcheng! Mother cannot wait."

Xie Guzhou asked, "Divine Doctor Grandfather?"

"Hmm," Tuan Tuan nodded, "it's Divine Doctor Mo!"

Xuan Fu Weng, surprised, said, "Little Tuan Tuan, you actually know Mo Zhanggeng? Then do you know Sacred Medicine Valley?"

Tuan Tuan replied, "Sacred Medicine Valley? I know! Didn't Xue Zhiyou go back with his parents?"

Xie Guzhou and Xuan Fu Weng looked at each other, both bewildered by Tuan Tuan's words, "Who is Xue Zhiyou?"

Xiao Er hurriedly gave a brief account of the connection between Tuan Tuan and Sacred Medicine Valley.

The two only then understood that, indeed, there were so many prior events.

Xiao Er asked, "Sacred Medicine Valley is far from here; you two mean that if we cannot invite Divine Doctor Mo, we must go to Sacred Medicine Valley to ask Xue Jin?"

"No," Xuan Fu Weng shook his head. "There is a place called Hidden Cloud Valley, and it is said that a master from Sacred Medicine Valley lives there."

"Legend says his medical skill is divine, but his temperament is eccentric; countless people have come to seek his help, yet none have been able to invite this master out."

Xiao Er asked, "Do you know why he cannot be invited out?"

Xuan Fu Weng smiled: "It is said that the master loves money; to invite him out requires at least ten thousand taels of gold."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Er felt relieved: "Loves money? Then it's easy. We'll go to the Treasure Cave of Falling Eagle Ravine and fetch him a treasure; that will be enough."

Xie Guzhou shook his head: "He doesn't want treasure, only gold and silver. That's still insufficient; besides ten thousand taels of gold, we also need to give him an item."

Tuan Tuan asked, "What kind of thing?"

"An item he does not possess, yet a medicinal herb he desires. Otherwise, regardless of the seeker's status or whether the patient is dying, he won't even glance at them."

"To date, no one has been heard of who can meet these two conditions, so none have been able to invite him out."

Xuan Fu Weng nodded: "According to what you said, Princess Consort Ning's illness is extraordinary, which is why I thought of him."

"Since Tuan Tuan and Sacred Medicine Valley still share a link, our chances improve a bit; why don't you go and try?"

"Great!" Tuan Tuan leapt out of his arms, "Second Uncle, let's go right now!"