Down to Business (IX)

The next day

The court lady Su Rong was seen going inside the Tearoom as per usual in the morning to wake up the Empress.

These days, the Empress has mostly kept herself inside her temporary room and hardly came out from it. Meanwhile, a team of construction workers along with the Royal Architect was already working on fixing the burnt parts of Kunning Palace.

From their estimation, it seemed the entire Kunning Palace would need to be rebuilt from the roots.

When the court lady Su came out from the Tearoom, the Royal Architect was standing ready.

Su Rong walked down the stairs with the clean water bowl and greeted the Royal Architect, "Is there something that you need help with Royal Architect?"

The middle aged man nodded in concern before speaking, "Court lady Su, is there a possible way that this Architect can have a meeting with the Empress?"

Su Rong was not mean to the other but instead placed a difficult face on, "It would be hard Royal Architect because the Empress is still sleeping due to the medicines. If you would like to talk to her, you can either pass the message over to me or write a report to her." Su Rong declined the Royal Architect's request politely, but she did not forget to give an option for the other.

Seeing the humbleness coming from the court lady of the Empress, the Royal Architect had another view of Kunning Palace. Feeling content, he then spoke, "Then, this Architect would have to bother court lady Su of relaying this message to the Empress regarding the reconstruction of Kunning Palace."

"Alright." Su Rong nodded.

"The reconstruction of Kunning Palace would take at least a year for us to restore it to it's former prestige, please notify the Empress of this message and if Niang Niang has anything to say to this Architect, I would have to ask court lady Su to pass it on to this official." The Architect spoke nicely back to the young court lady and explained truthfully.

Su Rong nodded, "It's a shame, but I will tell this to Niang Niang. I am sure she will have no problem with that, but we will find our own way out. Thank you for informing Niang Niang and please keep up your good work."

"You too, court lady Su." The Royal Architect nodded to the court lady before cupping his hands towards the Empress' temporary chamber, "May Niang Niang also recover fast! This Architect will make my way now and also report this to the Empress Dowager."

"Please." Su Rong gestured for the Royal Architect to head his way. It was also good if the Empress Dowager had knowledge of this matter and she did not stop the Royal Architect from going.

Moreover, no one knows who could have been responsible for the fire. It just...she hoped it was not due to that Gui Fei, because if it was, that lady should be prepared.

Su Rong sighed. Those good wishes of the Royal Architect would not even reach the mistress of this place either.

The Empress was already gone and so was Su Juo, tut tut.

…

Royal Physician Centre

Physician Jin was making his way into his office like normal. However, upon arriving into his own study room, something that was normally in his study room was lying on top of his table.

...A note?

He went over and opened the note to see who could have sent him it.

'Meet you at the medicine house this evening.'

Gongzi (young master)

The Physician stared at the paper in his hand silently before burning it up in his candle.

Slowly, he leaned backwards and sat down in deep thoughts.

...Should he go? If he did, he wondered what would be the consequences…

These questions were left for the Royal Physician to think over until the evening arrives...

…

On the other side of the Kingdom, Jing Ke street

A young master in dark purple robes was walking down the streets of Jing Ke streets leisurely. His freckles made him look cuter than any other noble young masters from before.

Jing Ke street in the day time looked no different than a normal marketplace. It was so much different from the Jing Ke street she had come upon yesterday.

In the night time, Jing Ke street was like an abandoned place, but today it looked very much normal.

However, from time to time, there would be people exchanging somethings secretly in the dark corners.

Hui Lan who was disguised as a young master again was rather standing out among the rest of the people in Jing Ke road. She had her own special aura which seemed to have caught many eyes' attention.

Nevertheless, the young master seemed to not care about such things and was more focused on every little detail going on around him.

However, from afar, loud voices of shouting were heard which were coming towards their way and fast.

"Ah, there he goes again." One of the bookshop owners placed down his book and came to shut his door and window. A few other shop owners were hurriedly packing up their stuff and closing their stores.

Hui Lan raised one of her eyebrows.

...What was going to happen…again?

However, there was no need for any replies for the next moment Hui Lan could see what was coming towards her way.

A young grubby looking boy was running ahead of a few bulky men behind him. It was as if it was a running scene from a movie.

Hui Lan tilted her head.

...But why was he running?

"Move!" The little boy shouted as there were two people standing in front of his way.

...Ah, and he has an attitude as well. This boy...he looked like he was around 8 or 9; such a young age.

Hui Lan nodded as she thought of the little boy who was running in front of her, however, she did not even move away for him.

"I said move!" The boy shouted while waving his hands all over the place.

Seeing that the group of people who were running in front of them was getting closer and Hui Lan jie showed no signs of moving away, Su Rong quickly pulled his master away from them.

Nevertheless, Hui Lan did not take her eyes away from the little boy who was rather confident and would be counted as rude for his age. He was also quite fast with those short legs.

Soon, the young boy finally ran to where Hui Lan was and as he drew closer, both Hui Lan and the young boy met each other's eyes before he zoomed past her.

Meanwhile, the bulky men from behind the young boy were all running without panting and causing the dust from the road to float around everywhere. One of them even called, "Young master Mo!"

Nevertheless, the young boy did not respond to them and kept running forward. It was his chance to explore the world and he wasn't going to lose it that easily! The young boy thought to himself determinately.

Hui Lan watched amusedly. So, this young boy was also a young master...hm, interesting…

However, those eyes were very beautiful to belong to a boy, but who was she to get herself involved in other people's business. At least, these men were not bullying the young boy and were trying to get their young master back home, there was no need to get herself intervened in someone else' household.

Just as Hui Lan was about to take her eyes off the young boy, there was a man riding on a horse that was heading towards this boy's direction. The boy had turned around when the horse appeared onto the road, and he did not see it. On the other hand, the man on the horse quickly pulled the reins on his horse, but due to the people running towards the horse, the animal grew frightened.

Seeing such a scene happening in front of her eyes, she quickly instructed Su Juo, "Get all those men out of the way, I'm going to help the boy." Soon after, Hui Lan's figure was no longer standing on the same spot.

With the moves that she had been practising, her speed was hardly visible as she made her way around the group of men and headed towards the young boy.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion for the young boy for as he turned around, a giant animal was already in front of him. The horse had raised its front legs in surprise and its legs were about to fall onto the small figure of the young boy when...someone in dark purple robes appeared beside the young boy and quickly pulled him out of danger.

Then behind them, all the bulky men were all pushed to the sides by someone's feet while the horse dashed forward along the road. Even the horse rider had gripped onto his horse for his life and could only apologise while he was still on the horse, "Sorry young master Mo! I'll come back for the compensation. Tell master Mo…" and his voice was too far away to make out his words.

That particular someone was none other than Su Jou who had stood on top of them and pushed them aside according to his instructions. Soon after, his figure descended from the sky and landed right behind his young master who was trying to calm the young boy down.

"Are you alright?" Hui Lan asked the young boy who was half lying down while his back was supported by Hui Lan's hand.

With a small shaky voice, the young boy spoke, "I'm a..alright."

Hui Lan could see that the young boy's face grew paler and paler. She quickly pressed her two fingers gently with her other hand onto the young boy's pulse and listened to it attentively.

Meanwhile, the small little master was too shocked to be refused by the other person and sat down meekly.

Hui Lan quickly furrowed her brows. This boy…?

...He seemed to have suffered from some strange disease ah. His pulse was beating inconsistently and his veins were beginning to grow a dark purple colour.

...No good, he would need medical attention quickly. It was as if he was poisoned...but what kind of poison?

Hui Lan bit her lips as she had no medicine on hand with her. Meanwhile, the little boy's eyes were slowly starting to doze off. Hm, maybe with some Dragon's Blood it might be alright. However, she would have to check and test this boy's blood first.

On the other hand, those bulky men that had been running behind their young master quickly steadied themselves up and then surrounded those two individuals that had their young master in their hands.

Su Jou quickly stood on guard as these men surrounded them in a circle.

One of them took a step forward and spoke, "Give our young master back or…"

But his voice was already cut off by the young master in purple robes, "Where does this boy live? He needs medical care fast!" It was none other than Hui Lan who spoke in a hurry.

However, the person who had taken a step forward was still persistent in words and spoke, "Give our-"

But his words were cut off again, "Get me to his parents or he will die." This time there was so much intensity in Hui Lan's voice and air that the other person's heart could not help but shrink.

He didn't know why but those eyes were as if it could freeze him into stones and he would never be able to move again. He turned to look at his young master and could see his young master's pale face and in the end, gestured to the rest of them to make way.

Hui Lan gestured Su Jou to come and lift the young boy in her arms, "Help me carry him for me."

Su Jou heeded Hui Lan's words fast and gently picked up the small fragile body. Meanwhile, Hui Lan got up with Su Jou while her eyes were still on the young boy.

However, this young boy's followers were not making a move and seemed to be suspicious of her.

...Was it a time for that when this boy or to be more exact, this girl was on the verge of death!?

"What are you all waiting for!? I'm a doctor and if your young master doesn't get treated fast, then don't blame me for warning." Hui Lan quickly put everything out so that she could help this boy.

...Yes, she was a professor in her past life, but little did anyone know that she had graduated from a famous medical school within just 3 years. However, instead of pursuing it, she became a historian professor which was what she had grown up with; old things.

...Moreover, her mother was a genius doctor, so it was in her bones.

Hearing those words from Hui Lan, those followers could only nod and led Hui Lan and Su Jou to where their headquarters were.

Soon, it was the young boy's followers, the young master Mo along with two unfamiliar figures.

Everyone made way for the entourage that was heading along the road. In one of the corners, there was a wooden store that was lavishly polished. No signs were put up and it was just simply covered up with no windows.

More bulky men stood in front of the door and after these men exchanged a quick conversation with each other, the door was opened and both Hui Lan and Su Jou followed one of them inside of this mysterious place.

They were all walking down a dark staircase which had fire torches lit up along the side. After rounds and rounds of corridors, there was a big golden gate in front of them.

Hui Lan's brow was raised up.

...Gold?

As the door was heavy it took some time for the door to be opened. Hui Lan turned to look at the boy, no she should say girl, who had fainted and was sleeping soundly.

This 'young master Mo' seemed to look better from a moment ago.

Once the door was opened, they all headed inside and the grand view of the inner room was revealed before their eyes.

It was like a whole other building or world beyond this Gold door.

Hui Lan looked around and could see many different people walking around doing their own tasks.

These men quickly led them to another huge door and inside looked like a throne room or some sort of gathering room.

In a wide chair, a middle aged looking man with a charismatic moustache was sitting with his head leaning on his hand with worry all over his face. On the other hand, a middle aged lady who was dressed elegantly was walking back and forth as worry was engulfing her.

Seeing that these two individuals were this worried, they must be this little girl's parents. However, the news of their daughter had already got to them...this fast?

Nevertheless, as both saw Hui Lan and a small figure lying in Su Jou's arms, the middle aged lady cried, "Mo-er!" She and along with the middle aged man headed towards their child.

While the middle aged lady went straight to her daughter, the middle aged man stopped in front of the young master in dark purple robes.

"Thank you for saving Mo-er, we can handle this from now." The person in front of Hui Lan spoke indifferently despite thanking Hui Lan.

On the other hand, the middle aged lady asked Su Jou to pass her daughter over to her, "Let me see my child."

However, Su Jou did not move and seeing such actions from Su Jou, the couple both furrowed their brows.

It was only until Hui Lan spoke, "Pass her to her mother." Immediately after Hui Lan's words, the little girl was passed over to her mother's arms gently. The middle aged lady slowly brought her daughter towards where the middle aged man was.

As Hui Lan saw the little girl's pale face as she brought over to stand on the other side, Hui Lan's heart could not help but ache. In the end, she spoke, "Your daughter's poison is serious, let me see if I can do anything."

Immediately, the middle aged man's eyes turn cold. Without Su Jou or Hui Lan prepared, a sword was already on Hui Lan's neck.

"Who are you!?"

...Aiya, Hui Lan, what kind of trouble did you get yourself into?