After Rebirth, I Married my Archenemy - Chapter 14

Lu Huating left the line without saying a word.

Jian Su was anxious.

“We finally waited in line for half a day, and now he’s not going to wait…”

Seeing that Lu Huating had only moved to the end of Fang Xie’s table, Jian Su sighed in relief and said, 

“This kid hasn’t even fully grown yet. How can he treat His Highness Prince Yan? That old man from earlier looked more reliable.”

“Little Jian, which table do you think prescribes faster and which one has a longer line?” Lu Huating interrupted with a half-smile.

“Of course, that little one is faster…” Jian Su fell silent.

The young doctor was quick to see patients, and there were still many people in line, indicating that more people sought him out daily compared to the older doctors. Most likely, this young doctor had exceptional medical skills and a good reputation among the neighbors.

Lu Huating’s mind worked faster than others, and the people from Prince Yan had already acknowledged his capabilities.

Behind the table, Fang Xie glanced toward the grass mat, looking as if he had been doused with cold water. As he prepared the medicine and wrote the prescription, his expression was one of deep disappointment.

Lu Huating observed him, a cold smile flickering in his eyes.

This young doctor knew Qun Qing well and was not just a casual acquaintance.

Realizing this, Lu Huating lowered his head to smooth out his easily wrinkled sleeve. He had initially thought there were only two subordinates under the skirt…

He didn’t expect there to be others outside the palace.

Fang Xie looked up every so often, but his disappointment grew. He pulled out several packets of medicine from a drawer, handed them to a young attendant who was preparing the medicine, gave a few instructions, and then stopped looking up.

Against the tide of people, the young attendant carried the medicine packets out the door.

“Where’s Kuang Su?” Lu Huating suddenly asked.

“Isn’t he getting pastries for His Highness? He’s been gone for quite a while; he must be quite slow,” Jian Su remarked, noticing that the young attendant had chased after someone and understood Lu Huating’s meaning. 

“If you’d like, I can follow him and pursue the one wearing the crown…”

Before he finished, Lu Huating interrupted him: 

“Stay by my side. We might be called up soon.”

As he spoke, the patient in front of them had already left, and Lu Huating sat down in front of Fang Xie.

They were surrounded by strangers.

In this unfamiliar and chaotic environment, it was an excellent opportunity for an assassination. Recently, there had been many assassination attempts against the Yan Wang Fu, and Jian Su understood and followed closely.

“Where do you feel unwell?” Fang Xie asked.

Lu Huating paused for a moment before responding, 

“I’m asking for someone else.”

“What are the symptoms?”

Lu Huating stared at Fang Xie: 

“Initially fine, with symptoms gradually developing. After ten days, there’s soreness in both knees and intermittent leg pain; after a year, fatigue sets in with persistent headaches. If one is attacked by anger, they may convulse, drool, and be in life-threatening danger. What kind of illness does this sound like?”

Jian Su was confused. Weren’t they supposed to be here to get a prescription for His Highness Prince Yan’s face? What was this long list about?

Fang Xie maintained his usual unhappy expression: 

“Just based on your description, I can’t make a judgment. Unless the patient comes in person for me to feel their pulse.”

Immediately, Jian Su’s eyes widened as he watched Lu Huating roll up his sleeve and present his wrist to Fang Xie.

Fang Xie didn’t say much, just placed his hand on Lu Huating’s wrist, and after a moment, frowned: 

“The pulse is weak, irregular, appearing and disappearing, like… poisoning.”

“What kind of poison?” Lu Huating pressed.

“I don’t know,” Fang Xie replied bluntly, 

“I’m not skilled enough to treat severe cases. If you want a diagnosis, go find someone else.”

“Have you heard of ‘Xiang Si Yin’?” Lu Huating asked, seemingly not surprised by this answer, smiling as he continued, 

“It seems like a type of curse.”

“A curse is a curse, poison is poison, and illness is illness,” Fang Xie said bluntly. 

“I’m a doctor; I don’t understand detoxification. As for curses, those are bugs raised by Miao doctors. You should first distinguish between these three before coming to test me.”

“This person enjoys chatting with others, and somehow it strayed off topic. Please don’t mind me,” Lu Huating laughed, secretly stopping Jian Su and apologizing to Fang Xie, before finally requesting a prescription for His Highness Prince Yan.

Fang Xie lowered his head to write the prescription. A withered summer flower rolled in from outside the window, landing on Lu Huating’s robe.

Lu Huating lowered his gaze, examining the flower.

He fell into a slight daze, remembering the days leading up to his death in his previous life, which coincided with the season of wilting flowers.

His final days were very difficult. His body deteriorated like a candle flickering in the wind, with fewer moments of clarity, leaving many things undone, including allowing Meng Guan Lou to escape from prison.

Li Huan hastened the ascension to the throne, bringing the formal robes and crown to his bedside, but it was still too late.

During the enthronement ceremony, he couldn’t stand for even a stick of incense before fainting, and soon, the paper money for Lu Xiang’s funeral filled the joyous palace.

The chaos of his plans unraveled because, at the age of twenty-six, he had poisoned a female spy, allowing her to administer the poison.

After that, he became increasingly swift and ruthless in killing; the victims begged for mercy and cried, but it no longer interested him. In those chaotic times, he often dreamed of that day.

The summer heat was oppressive, and amidst the dull sounds of cicadas, the green shadows knelt, so thin that they seemed they could disperse with a breath. Yet they silently pounced, transforming into a dark sword that pierced his heart, quiet yet chilling.

Closing his eyes, he could recall that spine-tingling sensation.

It had only been ten months since Qun Qing’s death.

The escaped prisoner was not caught, and the mountain of political affairs in the new dynasty remained unaddressed, yet he had already reached the end of his life.

Lu Huating did not fear death; he had always controlled the manner of his passing. He never imagined he would exit life in such a way.

That sense of urgency and complete loss of control was truly terrible.

When he expelled the last bit of bl00d, he ordered tightly, gripping the edge of the bed to have Qun Qing’s coffin exhumed. He intended to be buried alongside her, sealing the coffin with copper nails, calling upon others to chant and perform rites. He wanted her to be sealed within the coffin with him, so she wouldn’t be lost in the underworld seeking vengeance.

Who would have thought he would encounter such a miraculous event and return three years back in time?

The sunlight of the first year of Sheng Lin gently caressed Lu Huating’s profile through the window. If it weren’t for the flower trembling at his fingertips, his expression would almost seem like he was cherishing it.

Years of hard work and perseverance crumbled in a single night. To replay a life that seemed hopeless, Lu Huating had initially felt dispirited. It wasn’t until he caught sight of those eyes beneath the crown that he felt as if he had been splashed with water, thoroughly awakening him.

He wouldn’t mind killing her again.

However, he had just tested that the “Xiang Si Yin” was not given to her by the young doctor; it seemed only Qun Qing knew the source of the poison.

She had too many secrets, like a tightly tangled thread. If he cut it, he might never find the source again.

Lu Huating loosened his grip, and the flower fell. Seeing his pale face, Fang Xie added, 

“My lord, your poisoning has persisted for many years, likely over ten, and may be difficult to cure. If you have a headache, I know that wearing the yellow fragrant grass from the Western Regions can alleviate the symptoms.”

“Thank you.” Lu Huating replied, even sounding a bit obedient.

Fang Xie wrote the prescription a bit faster. This person was handsome and appeared polite, yet there was a rebellious spark hidden in his eyes. He could sense that probing sharpness.

“This is two packets of white frost ointment, both traditional formulas, which can be applied to the affected area to fade the scars on your face. As for the birthmark in your friend’s eye, it’s different from ordinary skin scars; my master, Li Lang Zhong, might have a solution. He’s traveling, but I’ll write to him and ask. Come back in a month,” Fang Xie said.

Jian Su took the medicine packets, growing increasingly respectful of Fang Xie’s medical skills.

As Lu Huating stood to leave, he casually pointed to Fang Xie’s sleeve and said, 

“Young doctor, your clothing has the scent of sandalwood. Have you been a disciple of the Buddhist sect?”

Fang Xie suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing with a hint of vigilance before softening, as if it were just an illusion: 

“This infirmary used to be a temple. I’ve been here for a long time, and got familiar with the abbot. I help him run errands, recite sutras, and strike the bell.”

“What a coincidence,” Lu Huating said with a smile, “I do the same.”

The same in what sense… a Buddhist disciple?

Fang Xie glanced at his sleeve, noticing a string of small leaf sandalwood prayer beads hanging from the pale wrist bound by a red cord.

With the four bottles of castor oil in hand, Qun Qing walked out of the eastern hall with her bamboo basket, breathing a slight sigh of relief. Now, she could prove she was still working on the mission, which might temporarily pacify Lin Yujia.

Earlier, she had taken the opportunity to ask the physician about the effects of ingesting castor oil, to which he replied, 

“It can be used as a laxative.”

“And what if someone drinks an entire bucket?” she asked.

The physician gave her a look as if she were a fool. 

“That would be fatal.” Realizing the absurdity of her question, Qun Qing quickly took her leave.

Castor oil is thick and sticky; getting someone to ingest it in large quantities would be quite difficult. Besides, it doesn’t necessarily have to be ingested—applied on the skin, it could cause rashes…

She still had no idea what kind of “grand plan” Lin Yujia was scheming, and without any leads for the moment, she decided to set it aside.

Considering the time, Lu Huating should be gone by now.

Qun Qing initially planned to head back and find Fang Xie. However, she keenly noticed a golden-roofed palanquin parked by the roadside, with several tall guards leaning in attentively, listening to instructions from the person inside.

These men wore black tunics in various styles, but all had the same round emblem embroidered on their belts, suggesting they belonged to a noble lord’s personal guards.

Sometimes officials or crown princes conducted operations within the city, apprehending spies spreading information for Southern Chu. Having witnessed these authorities inspecting documents before, Qun Qing didn’t dare linger, instead turning toward Ling Xin Ji, fearing that the person helping buy her pastries had encountered some trouble from waiting too long.

Sure enough, what she feared came true.

She heard quarreling from the side of the road and saw the raggedly dressed boy she had entrusted, struggling with a man in black. Upon spotting her, the boy shouted, 

“Ma’am, it’s you! I finally bought the pastries for you, but now someone’s trying to take them! Hurry!”

Qun Qing approached, swiftly snatching the pastries away. The young man, however, reacted immediately, clawing them back in the blink of an eye.

Qun Qing grabbed his wrist firmly, refusing to let him go. 

“What’s happening here? Trying to steal in broad daylight?”

The boy said, “You don’t know, ma’am! He’s trying to bully me into giving them to him! He’s also got the pastries you asked those other two ladies to buy.”

Qun Qing glanced around and noticed the two women were indeed gone. She also saw the man holding two boxes of pastries marked with “Ling Xin Ji” and felt a moment of emptiness in her mind.

She had anticipated the possibility of mishaps, but ending up with none of the three boxes? What kind of luck was that?

With this thought, Qun Qing’s nails dug sharply into the man’s bracer. First, she wrenched the box from his right hand and tossed it into her bamboo basket. Then, gripping his collar, she pulled him close and stared directly into his eyes. 

“Sir, are you not afraid I’ll call for help? These two boxes are rightfully mine—please return them.”

“I didn’t steal them! I bought them, too!” The young man flushed, backing away, his left hand still clutching the lotus cakes like a stubborn child. 

“I used… a gold ingot!”

Ignoring his protests, Qun Qing reached out for the pastries. The young man twisted aside, elbowing her in the collarbone. She stumbled back a few steps, and seeing him about to leave, she grabbed his clothes and called out, her voice loud and high-pitched, 

“Help! Somebody help! How can you bully women and children like this?”

Many onlookers turned their heads. The young man flushed even deeper, roughly shook her off, then hesitated. He touched his waist and turned back, a chill in his voice. 

“Give me back my fish token!”

The brass fish token had fallen into Qun Qing’s hand. She glanced at it, noting the seal reading ‘Prince Yan’s Left Martial Guard General,’ and then clenched it in her fist.

A personal guard of Li Huan.

“Give me back the pastries first,” she said calmly.

The young man, face dark, leaned in. Qun Qing grabbed the paper box, but he held onto her hand. She refused to loosen her grip, feeling her wrist bones about to be crushed.

Suddenly, a voice called out behind her, not too loud yet crystal clear: 

“What’s going on? Let her go.”

The young man released her immediately. Hearing that familiar, mellifluous voice, Qun Qing’s heart sank. She turned slightly and, sure enough, saw the figure in white approaching.

Her call for help had summoned Lu Huating. Qun Qing stood still, cold sweat dampening her palms.

Lu Huating approached slowly, his features growing more distinct through the white veil. He looked younger than the first time she met him in her previous life. His eyes were dark and bright, full of sincerity. He casually kicked at the man’s boot. 

“His head’s messed up; just ignore him, Miss.”

The man looked aggrieved but obediently endured the kick.

Qun Qing said, “If his head’s messed up, why’d you let him shop alone? Are you the messed-up master?”

The young woman’s words aimed directly at the official. The man stared at Lu Huating in astonishment. After a moment’s pause, Lu Huating actually stepped back and gave her a deep bow. 

“I didn’t think it through, and my lack of discipline has caused you trouble. I apologize.”

The wind lifted the veil, and the clinking of the knife and fish token at his waist sounded like tinkling jade. The veil somewhat concealed her face, giving her a sense of security. Qun Qing waited. Since he apologized, shouldn’t he make sure she got the pastries back?

Lu Huating followed her gaze, looking toward the pastries in the young man’s arms. 

“But…”

Of course, there was a “but”!

“However, he has paid in gold ingots, and as for the transaction between you and the person you commissioned, he is morally in the wrong; but in terms of reason, the items in his hands are now his property.” Lu Huating shifted his tone, looking at her with a smile, 

“We are also working on behalf of His Highness PrinceYan, and since we have a task, we cannot give it up easily. How about I reimburse you the silver for what you spent?”

Lu Huating’s actions were unpredictable, and Qun Qing dared not linger on the matter: 

“That’s fine. Please return my three gold beads and ten taels of silver.”

She included the money she spent on the sugar figurines for the child as well.

Lu Huating began to search his body, but as Qun Qing’s mounting anger simmered, he produced three gold beads, yet couldn’t find any more coins. He glanced at Jian Su, who innocently relayed, 

“I didn’t bring enough money…”

“…Then it’s settled.” Qun Qing took a deep breath and extended the bamboo basket toward him.

The basket was tightly covered with a lining, concealing its contents, much like this veiled lady filled with caution.

Only her hands were visible, delicate and pale as if they hadn’t seen sunlight in a long time; she seemed reluctant to extend them at all. Jian Su couldn’t help but glance at Lu Huating.

In the gentle breeze, Lu Huating looked at her hands holding the basket, his expression unchanged: 

“I don’t like to owe others. Where do you serve in the palace? I will send someone this afternoon.”

Qun Qing was startled for a moment; Lu Huating suddenly grabbed her basket to prevent her from pulling away. The strength wasn’t great, yet it felt as if a heavy weight was pulling her down, almost making her lose her balance.

Lu Huating’s dark, affectionate eyes seemed to pierce through the veil, looking into her eyes: 

“The only ones walking around Chang’an in veils are noble ladies or palace maids; if the fish charm in our possession is not from the palace, no one else can easily remove it. If you wish to hide, you must not leave too many loose ends; otherwise, we will surely meet again.”

Having said that, he relaxed his grip and gently placed the gold beads in the basket.

Jian Su was thoroughly perplexed. He knew the long history wanted to capture this veiled lady and had specifically stood on the other side to encircle her. Who would have thought that Lu Huating would step back instead?

Qun Qing tossed the gold beads in her hand and turned to leave without uttering a word, leaving a feeling akin to having punched the air.

Jian Su exclaimed, 

“Wait! You haven’t said which palace you serve!”

At that moment, a commotion arose not far away. In her peripheral vision, Qun Qing caught sight of several figures. That guard, Jian Su, although not the brightest, was quick on his feet. The two boxes of pastries in his hand fell to the ground with a clatter as he moved instantly to shield Lu Huating.

Lu Huating found himself surrounded by a dozen or so black-clad guards wielding clubs. These guards were tall and menacing, their waistbands adorned with shiny circular emblems.

The common people quickly scattered along the official road.

With the sudden turn of events, Lu Huating had no choice but to retreat a few steps.

Through the gaps between two guards, he saw Qun Qing remove her veil, effortlessly wrapping up the two boxes of pastries on the ground and pulling the child along, slipping into the crowd like a fish back into water, vanishing without a trace.

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