Chapter 622: [Treatment Effect] (Lower)

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Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Empress Dowager Jiang said: "Is there such a thing? Shengnan, go help look for it."

Huo Shengnan clasped her fists and received the order, saying: "Yes!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "No need to trouble yourself; perhaps the steward will be back by the time I return."

Empress Dowager Jiang said: "Speaking of which, Master Liu is also a rare talent of our Da Yong; he has matters to attend to, and we cannot simply ignore them. Shengnan, mobilize your female troops to investigate."

Huo Shengnan said: "Master Liu and my foster father are sworn brothers; this is also my responsibility."

Hu Xiaotian could only acquiesce to her saying that; after receiving the award, he bade farewell to the Empress Dowager and left Fushou Mountain together with Huo Shengnan.

As they passed the Long Bridge, a group of people walked toward them; in the middle was a portly man whom Hu Xiaotian instantly recognized as Prince Yan Xue Shengjing. Standing to Xue Shengjing's right was his steward Tie Zheng. Seeing them, Hu Xiaotian felt uneasy and hastily lowered his head; actually, since Tie Zheng had not exposed his identity yesterday, he suspected something was amiss, but Hu Xiaotian, skilled and bold, though anticipating a possible plot, decided to go along with it and seize this rare opportunity to approach the Empress Dowager.

Xue Shengjing saw Huo Shengnan and smiled, saying: "Shengnan!"

Huo Shengnan clasped her hands and said: "Good morning, Your Highness!"

Xue Shengjing's small eyes shifted, his gaze landing on Hu Xiaotian's face, and he snorted: "Isn't this the Dakang marriage envoy, Minister Hu?"

Having his identity exposed by him, Hu Xiaotian could only force himself to lift his head and chuckle: "Good morning, Your Highness! I never expected we'd meet so soon."

Huo Shengnan heard their conversation, her beautiful eyes flashing with astonishment; she had always thought Hu Xiaotian was from the Shennong Society, but she never imagined his true identity was that of the Dakang marriage envoy.

The smile on Xue Shengjing's chubby face suddenly faded; he coldly snorted: "What is a Dakang envoy doing sneaking into Cien Garden? Seize him!"

Tie Zheng led a few warriors forward, swarming up and surrounding Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian remained calm, chuckling: "Your Highness Prince Yan, what do you mean? Yesterday it was clearly Steward Tie who invited me from the Shennong Society. How could you turn against me and deny knowing me after just one night?"

Tie Zheng snapped: "I never saw you yesterday; seize this spy!"

Hu Xiaotian, hearing this, flared with anger: "Nonsense! Who are you calling a spy? I am the esteemed Dakang marriage envoy; I came to Cien Garden to treat the Empress Dowager's illness, and you spout baseless accusations, repaying kindness with enmity—what is your motive? Tie Zheng, you clearly saw me yesterday yet said nothing; if I were a spy, you would be an accomplice."

Tie Zheng snapped: "You're talking nonsense!" He stepped forward, wanting to strike Hu Xiaotian, while Huo Shengnan looked at the sudden situation, her eyes full of doubt. She coldly said: "Regardless of who he is, the fact that he cured the Empress Dowager's stubborn ailment is undeniable; the Empress Dowager treats him as an honored guest, and this is Cien Garden. Did you consult the Empress Dowager before doing this?"

Tie Zheng and his men seemed somewhat wary of Huo Shengnan; hearing her speak, they hesitated at once, and simultaneously looked toward Prince Yan Xue Shengjing.

Xue Shengjing smiled warmly: "Shengnan, is he your friend?"

Hu Xiaotian had already formed a deep impression of this Prince Yan; this guy is absolutely a smile hiding a knife, definitely not a good person.

Huo Shengnan said: "He cured the Empress Dowager's illness. The Empress Dowager still remembers your filial piety, saying that thanks to you recommending such a fine physician, her long-standing trouble has been resolved."

Xue Shengjing was somewhat surprised, his small eyes shifting: "Really? My mother's illness truly improved?"

Huo Shengnan retorted: "Don't believe me? Go see for yourself."

Xue Shengjing gave a glance, and Tie Zheng and his men hastily retreated. In a short time, Xue Shengjing again put on a beaming smile, looking at Hu Xiaotian with his small eyes gleaming: "Minister Hu, don't take offense; I'm just playing a little joke on you. In fact, how could I not know your identity? If I hadn't nodded, how could you have smoothly entered Cien Palace?" This guy changes faces faster than flipping a page.

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Is that so? Your Highness really is humorous!" But he thought inwardly, Xue Shengjing's words were probably true; he should be clear about Hu Xiaotian's entry into Cien Palace, though what scheme he's plotting remains unclear.

Xue Shengjing said: "Minister Hu truly lives up to his reputation; no wonder your lord holds you in such high regard."

From his words, Hu Xiaotian inferred that Xue Shengjing likely had investigated his identity, perhaps even confirmed that he had treated Long Yelin's illness, which is why he tacitly allowed Hu Xiaotian to enter Cien Garden; but thinking about it, this guy's gall is also big enough to use his own mother as a test subject.

Xue Shengjing said: "Shengnan, Minister Hu, why don't we go see the Empress Dowager together?" As he said this, he felt an odd itch in his crotch, reached out to scratch it; if it were usual, it would be fine, but now he did it in front of Huo Shengnan. Although Huo Shengnan is straightforward, she is still an unmarried young lady; seeing Xue Shengjing's behavior, her face flushed slightly and her gaze showed some disdain.

Hu Xiaotian was about to politely decline, but Huo Shengnan spoke first: "By the Empress Dowager's decree, we still have important matters to attend to."

Xue Shengjing nodded with a smile: "Then please, you two go ahead." He actually stepped aside to let them pass.

Huo Shengnan strode ahead through the crowd, Hu Xiaotian following behind; as they passed in front of Prince Yan, he deliberately said: "Your Highness, did Master Liu Changsheng come to your residence today?"

Xue Shengjing frowned: "No, he stood me up yesterday! Minister Hu, why do you ask that?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "It's nothing, just casual talk; I thought that since Master Liu didn't come yesterday, he would surely come today to apologize to Your Highness." He said that and walked off.

Xue Shengjing watched Hu Xiaotian's retreating back, his smile gradually fading. Tie Zheng approached him and whispered: "Your Highness, should we follow them?"

Xue Shengjing gave him a cold look: "Do you think you could match Huo Shengnan?"

Tie Zheng, embarrassed by his words, felt his face heat up and his head drooped. Xue Shengjing said: "Go see the Empress Dowager; I didn't expect this kid to truly live up to his reputation—he really does have some skill."

After crossing the Long Bridge, two young eunuchs each led a horse over. The front horse was pure black with white snow-like hair on its four hooves; this rare four-hoof snow‑treading horse is Huo Shengnan's mount. She grabbed the reins, vaulted onto the horse—her posture was heroic and spirited. Indeed, she is a heroine among women.

She looked down at Hu Xiaotian and asked: "Can you ride a horse?"

Hu Xiaotian replied: "Any horse that can be ridden is fine." He took the reddish‑brown horse from the young eunuch, mounted it, and at once one could see his extraordinary skill.

The two left Cien Garden, their pace not fast. Huo Shengnan now knew Hu Xiaotian's true identity, and her gaze toward him held a bit more wariness. She remarked offhandedly: "Really can't tell. You've hidden yourself quite deeply!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "General Huo, you misunderstand; I am not deliberately concealing my identity—I have unavoidable difficulties."

"What difficulties?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Master Liu vanished at dawn yesterday, and just then the Prince Yan's estate sent people to the Shennong Society, saying they wanted to invite Master Liu to Cien Garden to treat the Empress Dowager. Most disciples of the Shennong Society are out practicing medicine; only Liu Yucheng was holding down the fort. Since the Empress Dowager summoned him, he dared not refuse, so he had to make this trip."

Huo Shengnan said: "That's completely off the point."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "General Huo seems a bit impatient; you probably don't know me well. Actually, my medical skill is decent; back in Dakang I often relieved the Emperor's ailments. This time I came to Da Yong as an envoy, not seeking fame, but since Liu Yucheng is my friend and he's anxious over his father's disappearance, I feared something might go wrong if he came to Cien Garden, so I decided to accompany him."

Huo Shengnan said: "Is it really that simple? No other motives?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Actually, the steward of the Prince Yan's mansion recognized me yesterday; I had been to the Prince Yan's estate before, and they knew my identity. I even found it strange that, knowing who I am, they didn't expose me but still sent me to Cien Garden. I am not a Da Yong native—don't they worry I might harm the Empress Dowager?"

Huo Shengnan said: "Fortunately you don't harbor such thoughts; otherwise I would certainly see to it that you die without a burial place."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "General Huo clearly is a reasonable person."

Huo Shengnan said: "Don't try your flattery on me; your earlier remarks all pointed to the Prince Yan—what exactly is the grudge between you and him?"

Hu Xiaotian had thought Huo Shengnan was brave but reckless; now he realized she is exceptionally perceptive, having sensed the crux in just a few sentences. He laughed: "I have no grudge with the Prince Yan; we've merely met once."

As they talked, they arrived outside the Shennong Society. Hu Xiaotian dismounted; at the gate a little girl hopped out—it was Fan Ling'er. Seeing Hu Xiaotian, she exclaimed: "Young Master Hu is back! My uncle told me to wait for you here." She then saw Huo Shengnan, her big eyes sparkling with excitement, and cried: "Are you General Huo?"

Huo Shengnan smiled at the lovely little girl: "Do you know me?"

Fan Ling'er eagerly nodded: "Of course I know you! You are the heroine of our Da Yong who retook the Northern Seven Cities, single‑handedly cutting down the Black Hu General Zha'erchi amidst ten thousand troops—who doesn't know you? Who hasn't heard of you?" The little girl had always regarded Huo Shengnan as her idol; seeing her idol appear before her, her excitement was beyond words.

Hu Xiaotian knew Huo Shengnan was a female general, but he hadn't imagined her fame so great, her exploits so splendid. Huo Shengnan felt a little embarrassed, dismounted, reached out to touch Fan Ling'er's little braid, and laughed: "Little sister, what's your name?"(My novel "Medical Unification" will have more fresh content on the official WeChat platform, plus a 100% prize giveaway! Now open WeChat, click the "+" in the top right to "Add Friends", search for the public account "qdread" and follow, hurry up!)(To be continued~^~)