Yao Ying was in deep discussion with Lin Jian and they finally came up with a sound plan, but they had to make a few preparations first. When they realized that the two kingdoms tried to frame their kingdom, they decided to use another kingdom"s ident.i.ty when saving Han Xiang --- but of course, bit by bit.
When they were given this task, the organization already said that they had their full permission to make a plan and do as they saw fit. They didn"t need to tell them about everything as long as they got the job done and they could borrow their people as they saw fit. The trust they got was because of w.a.n.g Luo Hai and General Lin.
When Yao Ying had finished talking about the matter, Yao Ling already woke up and finished bathing. When she went out of the room to find something to eat downstairs, Yao Ling met Yao Ying and Lin Jian who came out from Lin Jian"s room --- which located next to the couple"s room. After seeing Yao Ling, Lin Jian remembered another thing and decided to remind Yao Ling for a bit.
"Yao Ling... I know that you are busy with Qing Hui"s matter, but I remember that you got a direct order from the matriarch, right?" He cleverly said the matriarch"s name.
Yao Ling was taken aback but she remembered about the medicine that the matriarch had entrusted to her. "Oh yes! I almost forgot!" She clapped her hands when saying that. She looked at Lin Jian gratefully and said, "Thank you for reminding me!"
Lin Jian only grinned and said, "You are welcome!" After that, he left the couple all alone, trying not to make the couple feel suspicious of him. He laughed inwardly and thought to himself, "I don"t know whether you will thank me later or not... after knowing the medicine effect."
Oh well... he just needed to remember to prepare his ears when the time came!
In their room, Yao Ying told Yao Ling their new plan and she murmured her agreement, thinking that it was indeed a good idea. She didn"t really help them with the plan because she was busy with other matters. Yao Ling would continue treating Qing Hui while Yao Ying and Lin Jian did the preparation. Not only that, but Yao Ling also needed to stay with Xiao Fang and didn"t let her know about their plan.
Xiao Fang knew that she had nothing to do because Han Xiang hadn"t arrived yet, so she would follow Yao Ling everywhere --- even when she was treating Qing Hui. She looked diligently while Yao Ling was concentrating on Qing Hui"s treatment, she admired Yao Ling"s cleverness and talent. She started to realize that except for the four arts --- she didn"t have any other talents.
Yao Ling kept wondering why Xiao Fang always covered her face and she decided to ask the reason out of curiosity, "Xiao Fang, why don"t you take down your veil once in a while? Don"t you feel uncomfortable if you keep wearing it? The weather is quite hot at the moment."
Xiao Fang laughed and answered, "I already get used to it. My father always told me to wear my veil everywhere to prevent men from leering over me." After saying that, she realized that she would appear to be conceited if she said that and she looked down shyly. She already got used to her father and brother said that so it became a habit.
Yao Ling patted her hands. "Why do you look so guilty? If you are beautiful, then you are beautiful! I"m not going to say that you are arrogant." Yao Ling knew that Xiao Fang was just being honest and she didn"t think much about it. It wasn"t like she was being her friend because of her face, she liked her personalities.
Xiao Fang asked Yao Ling, "Yao Ling, have you heard from Yao Ying when will Han Xiang arrive in this city?" She had heard that it was supposed to be two or three days but how come they didn"t see any signs of their appearance?
Yao Ling shook her head. "I think there has been a slight delay. Yao Ying already sent someone to inquire about this matter. The man is probably going out to their route and trying to find out what happened to them."
Xiao Fang felt relieved when she knew that they even helped her to this extent. "Thank you! Meeting all of you is the best thing that has ever happened to me in this journey. All of you are also kind enough to help! Don"t worry! I will repay you!" Xiao Fang made a promise to Yao Ling.
Yao Ling smiled. "No need... no need..." She didn"t dare to say that she helped her because they actually had the same goal --- to save Han Xiang and she felt that they didn"t deserve to receive her grat.i.tude. Truth to be told, Yao Ling felt a bit guilty. However, she tried to appease herself by thinking that it was fine as long as she didn"t try to harm this innocent girl.
"Once there is news about Han Xiang, I will let you know," Yao Ling said.
Xiao Fang nodded gratefully.
There was no news for the next two days. During those times, Yao Ling continued to give a treatment for Qing Hui. The man was still unconscious but under Yao Ling and Hei Yue"s meticulous care, his condition was improving. Yao Ling estimated that she only needed two days extensive care and she could wake him up.
At that time, she would try to see his condition when he was already sober. If he was better and had a sane mind, she would allow him to stay conscious while receiving their care. If not, she had no choice but to make him unconscious once again.
Yao Ling didn"t forget to give Yao Ying the matriarch"s medicine at night. When she asked Xiao Yu, there were only two packs of medicine left. After hearing that, she felt relieved. If she admitted it, it was quite a ha.s.sle to prepare the medicine every night. After all, she didn"t see any effects toward Yao Ying.
When their scout came back, they received the news that Han Xiang"s entourage had been attacked by bandits and had a major loss. Fortunately, the woman was fine. However, the bridal dowries that had been prepared by the Han Emperor"s had been robbed. It seemed like the bandits only cared about the treasures and didn"t dare to touch the beauty.
They were quite surprised with this news, after all, how could bandits dare to attack a royal entourage in a broad daylight? But this matter indeed had happened! Fortunately, it happened on the Han Kingdom"s border, so this didn"t affect the Shu Kingdom the slightest. They bet the Han Emperor would be jumping up and down in anger! This matter would certainly make him lose face! He knew that he would become the laughing stock of the other two kingdoms.
The Han Kingdom couldn"t even protect his own princess" bridal dowry... It meant that the bandits didn"t put the royal in their eyes. Because of this matter, he already sent a decree and wanted Han Xiang to stay put at Lin Zhou, waiting there. The Han Emperor had to lower his head and asked for the Shu Emperor"s permission despite his embarra.s.sment.
They could only stay at Lin Zhou because it was the only city on the border between the Han and Shu Kingdom. There were only deserts at the Han Kingdom territory and the wedding entourage wouldn"t survive the heat. The last city of the Han Kingdom was too far to reach from their position and there were a lot of casualties on their part.
The Han Emperor would prepare the new bridal dowry and sent it to Lin Zhou. After the bridal dowry had arrived at Lin Zhou, Han Xiang would continue her journey once again.
Xiao Fang was dumbfounded when she heard about the news from the trio. "What?! How could bandits dare to defy the royal? If it"s only a small entourage, it makes sense. However, this is a big one! They did a suicide mission!"