Chapter Four, Treading the Old Melodies.

The beauties in Xu Bin's residence are all stunning, and Bai Zhuo is particularly outstanding among them. Years have passed, yet her beauty remains enchanting; it seems that only her state of mind has changed

Nanjing, Nanjing in the spring, can these rare herbs be found?

That night, you came singing, your eyes only on Zhu Zhanji, yet unaware that you had already become the emotional entanglement of another person. This painting was created by him, and from then on, in the Miaoyin Studio, under the flickering candlelight, there would be a tall, handsome, yet lonely and desolate figure gazing at this painting, sleepless and sorrowful every night. Even if years pass without a meeting, he will always follow in your footsteps, through the imperial palace, the Taoist temple, Nanjing, Beijing, tirelessly over the years. What more must he endure for you to treat him a little better? Bai Zhu finally lost her calm composure; even if years pass without a meeting, he will always follow in your footsteps, through the imperial palace, the Taoist temple, Nanjing, Beijing, tirelessly over the years. What more must he endure for you to treat him a little better? Bai Zhu finally lost her calm composure; the glimmer in her eyes revealed her emotions. Yes, her original name was Tage, but after that night, she could no longer use those two words. Bai Zhu? What a ridiculous name.

This road can lead Zhu Zhanji to the herbs that can prolong his life

Without greeting anyone, she removed her hairpin and changed into convenient male attire, took Zhu Zhanji's jade token, and quietly left the palace. Due to the recent series of earthquakes, many of the palaces within the imperial palace had suffered considerable damage, resulting in numerous breaches in the city walls. With the populace in a state of panic, the defenses were naturally lax, allowing her to easily exit the palace gates. With the jade token, she was also able to procure a remarkably strong steed from the Imperial Horse Depot.

Lord Xu stated that fresh dragon's tongue grass should be combined with seven-leaf duhuo, Sichuan ground heron grass, and blue sesame powder to be decocted into a juice. This should be used in conjunction with the red-seed fairy dew leaf as a guide, in order to cure His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's hemoptysis.

Heifeng Mountain? Ruowei's heart suddenly sank. Heifeng Mountain is located by the Yangtze River, with undulating peaks and rugged rocks, and its terrain is steep. Most importantly, it is a desolate mountain, unlike Qixia Mountain and Niushou Mountain, which are bustling with tourists and have temples with incense offerings. Heifeng Mountain is rarely visited by people and often has strange beasts appearing.

Moreover, not to mention that this prescription is so rare that it does not appear in ordinary medical texts or pharmacopoeias, how could it possibly pass the scrutiny of the Imperial Medical Institute? Furthermore, in order for Zhu Zhanji to take it smoothly, these few medicinal ingredients are extremely rare. Longchuncao and Qiye Duhuo can only be found in high-altitude mountainous areas at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The Pharmacopoeia Bureau may have some stock, but it needs to be fresh, and this is not the right season. Where can one go to search for it?

However, she did not know that at this moment, Xu Bin was not at Heifeng Mountain

But, what about now

Your Highness!" Zi Yan entered quietly, "Is the princess fast asleep?"

What are you doing? Are you going to Heifeng Mountain? Bai Zhuo held her back, her eyes flickering with doubt and an indescribable emotion.

If there is no response from Wei

However, Bai Zhu did not deliberately make Ruo Wei drink

What is it? If it is slightly more, I feel uneasy

"Ziyan. You may leave now." Although Ruowei's expression changed, she still forced herself to maintain a calm demeanor and ordered Ziyan to withdraw. Once she was alone in the room, she quickly made a decision

The original name of the singer was changed to the White Silk Maid, who was invited to the Miao Yin Studio.

If Wei Jing sat quietly for half an hour, she would vaguely remember having seen in a partially damaged ancient book that the fairy dew leaves with red seeds once appeared on the banks of the Yangtze River at the towering heights of Black Maple Mountain. On its steep cliffs, there stood a tea king tree that was thirty to forty zhang tall, which once bore such fairy dew leaves.

She then instructed Bai Zhu and the others that if Ruo Wei were to arrive, they must ensure that she stays. This tea contains a sleeping powder; just one sip will induce sleep for several hours

In the end, the sister-in-law still gifted her a hunting knife that her husband used for his daily hunts

"Sister-in-law, a family member of mine has fallen seriously ill. I ventured up the mountain late at night in search of a rare medicinal herb. The herbal texts state that this particular herb is indeed hard to come by, and it is located near the Medicine King tree on our mountain." Ruowei calmly informed.

Indeed, before sunset, there was a young man, just as handsome as you, who asked a few questions and then went up the mountain. The elder sister carefully scrutinized Ruowei, as if trying to discern something from her expression

Indeed, Xu Bin had given instructions before he left. He guessed that Ruo Wei would come looking for him, and he feared that she might follow in his footsteps to seek the medicine. How could he allow Ruo Wei to take such risks

If Wei nodded slightly, "Sister-in-law, has anyone inquired about this tree?"

On this road, one can see Xu Bin

Then, why don't I wait for my husband to come back and accompany you to take a look? Unfortunately, he has gone fishing by the river and won't be back until tomorrow morning. The sister-in-law is truly warm-hearted, but Ruowei cannot wait. After expressing her gratitude repeatedly, she set off alone up the mountain

On both sides, there are the dark shadows of trees, and not far away, one can seemingly hear the occasional cries of animals

My son, for the sake of your husband, has spent the last two days searching every mountain and waterway around Nanjing. Jiming Mountain, Niushou Mountain, Qixia Mountain. He hasn't closed his eyes for a full two days. You guessed correctly, he has now gone to Heifeng Mountain. Bai Zhuo's face always bore a warm smile, but her eyes were somewhat chilling.

At the beginning of the journey, although the mountain path was uneven and irregular, it was still relatively easy to walk. However, after a short while, seemingly before reaching halfway up the mountain, there was no longer a main road, only a narrow path trodden by generations of hunters, requiring both hands and feet to climb, which proved to be quite laborious.

Sister Bai Zhuo! If Ruo Wei's complexion is slightly flushed, then for whom should she truly be anxious about her own position? Bai Zhuo's words clearly carry a sense of reproach, but what exactly is there to blame oneself for?

If I may speak calmly: "Sister-in-law, is there a tea king tree on this mountain?"

Everything requires such contemplation

Yet she has not the slightest clue

In the tent on the vacant grounds of the Nanjing Palace, Ruo Wei quietly sat on the couch, holding her gradually sleeping daughter in her arms. Her eyes gazed through the slightly parted door curtain at the cold moonlight, with faint strands of sorrow lingering between her brows, difficult to dispel for a long time. Unconsciously, she began to recite Cao Zhi's poem "Song of Grievance".

The words of the white gauze were somewhat ethereal, as the green waist twisted her brows in contemplation. After a moment of slight reflection, she nodded and said, "You have indeed considered it thoroughly."

Should Zhu Zhanji's situation at this time be promptly reported to Beijing

As expected, Xu Bin is not at home, and neither is Yu Niang

The bright moon illuminates the tall building, and the flowing light lingers. Above, there are thoughts of homesickness, and lamentations filled with lingering sorrow

"Oh?" The sister-in-law was taken aback: "Why is everyone asking about this these past two days? I don't know about any tea king tree, but there is indeed a large tree on the mountaintop that four or five people cannot encircle. Is this what you are asking about?"

Heifeng Mountain, as its name suggests. This desolate mountain located by the river has a knife-like steepness, resembling a monstrous beast with bared fangs in the night, with chilling winds that instill fear.

If a glance were to sweep by, there would be a slight astonishment; the painting depicts her, as charming as a newly blossomed lotus in the year she came of age, holding a ceramic pot close to her chest, with relaxed knees, a twisted waist, and a tilted hip, captured in a graceful pose, gazing with a smile, her figure exuding elegance

After Ziyan returned from Xu Bin, Ruowei's heart felt as if it were being scorched in fierce flames, unbearable and painful

"Emotional entanglement." Who is entangled with whom? Xu Bin believes that he is misled by his emotions, but what about Bai Zhu? What about Yu Niang on the painted boat of the Qinhuai River? In fact, they are all the same

If Wei's expression changed repeatedly, she said, "Thank you for informing me, sister." After saying this, she turned to leave

Indeed, it has been such a long time. He has done so much for you, and you should respond in kind. Even a stone should be warmed, let alone a person with feelings. He cares for you, dotes on you, and is considerate towards you, but what about you? You are someone who has never truly placed your thoughts on him, and moreover, you belong to another man. You have no idea how much pain he feels inside. Bai Zhu took a scroll from a blue and white porcelain vase beside the writing desk and gently unfurled it on the table.

If Ruo Wei responded softly, Zi Yan would take the little princess from her hands and place her on the carved sandalwood bed not far away, adjusting the brocade quilt and lowering the gauze curtain. Only then did she carefully observe Ruo Wei's expression and gently ask: "Your Highness, since Lord Xu has provided the prescription, we can simply have the Imperial Medical Department prepare the medicine according to it. Why then do you appear so troubled?"

If Wei slightly nodded

If Wei took a deep breath, "I do not wish to express my gratitude to him; I cannot allow him to take risks for me"

A rather strange recipe

If Wei's heart was filled with melancholy and sorrow, she had no words to respond to the accusations of Bai Zhuo, only saying "Farewell" before rushing out the door

Only the maid beside him is strange, with a green waist, and that one called Bai Zhu has a long face, as if mourning a loss. Only Yu Niang seems relatively calm, but her gaze towards me is also peculiar. Zi Yan said this while shaking her head inexplicably, appearing quite puzzled

With two such men accompanying me in life, what is there to fear

"Miss Bai Zhu, where has your young master gone?" Ruo Wei spoke directly to the point, her expression anxious.

No wonder those beautiful women around him are worried, and naturally, there will be no good expression given to Ziyan

Zi Yan seemed momentarily taken aback by the question; she furrowed her brows and pondered for a while, saying, "It's nothing much, Lord Xu's expression is calm, everything is as usual, it's just..."

If Wei temporarily entrusted the horse to a family, the elder sister of that household was very kind and advised her not to go up the mountain, "What urgent matter could possibly require you to venture up the mountain in the middle of the night? It is pitch dark here. We often have wild boars roaming about, and you are alone without any bow or crossbow; it is truly too dangerous.

As expected, Xu Bin must have personally gone to find these medicinal materials for himself

You?" Bai Zhuo shook her head and smiled lightly: "You, are you finally starting to worry about him?"

Wait! Bai Zhuo raised his voice without reason: "What do you want from him? To thank him for everything he has done for you? He does not need that. Someone as proud as he is never needs anyone to say thank you to him. Especially not you; saying it would only hurt him. If you cannot give him all the love he gives you, then it is better that you do nothing at all. Go back to your palace immediately, be your consort, and never seek him out again. Even if your family perishes, that is your own affair; do not bother him."

If Wei's heart suddenly twitched, "Zi Yan, what was Xu Da doing when you left the Xu residence? Was there anything unusual?"

Bai Zhu smiled, her laughter as melodious as the song of a nightingale, "Are you anxious? Is it truly for him that you are worried? Or is it for the medicinal ingredients for your husband that you are concerned?"

Where should one go to find the fairy dew leaves with red seeds?

"Is it not?" The white silk emitted a series of chuckles, which sounded so chilling in the quiet of the night. "You have never truly taken the time to understand him. You make demands of him, all sorts of difficult requests. To him, these are neither dangers nor problems, but a form of happiness. Although you cannot be together in one place, being able to do things for you, the more difficult the task, the more valuable it becomes, and the bitterness in his heart will be replaced by a feeling called 'sweetness.' Only then will he experience rare joy. Do you truly understand?" Although you cannot be together in one place, being able to do things for you, the more difficult the task, the more valuable it becomes, and the bitterness in his heart will be replaced by a feeling called 'sweetness.' Only then will he experience rare joy. Do you truly understand?"

The path is crisscrossed by waterfalls, and occasionally, a large青石, measuring about one zhang, lies across it. This stone is as slippery as ice, making both ascending and descending a daunting task, while on the other side lies an unfathomable abyss

If Wei believes, and if she is not mistaken, this medicinal herb should be easy to find; otherwise, Zi Yan would not return empty-handed today. Xu Bin would certainly have prepared the herbs for her to take back.

With a smile at the corners of her lips, she pointed to a nearby chair and personally served a cup of hot tea, her expression serene and unhurried, neither anxious nor responsive.

One should originally feel alarmed and fearful, yet at this moment, Ruo Wei feels no fear in her heart. Although the mountain path is perilous, it is a shortcut leading to hope

At the foot of the mountain, there are still a few households, but as one ascends further, human presence becomes scarce

That is ... ...

These few medicinal herbs either grow deep in the dense forests of high mountains or by the edges of wetlands, Xu Bin, this is a perilous undertaking

Looking at her silhouette, a smile lingered on Bai Zhu's lips, yet tears silently slipped from her eyes without her noticing. Lvy waist entered from outside, glancing at the hot tea placed on the table, her expression slightly startled, "Bai Zhu, hasn't she been given this tea to drink?"

If Wei stepped forward and grasped Bai Zhuo's hand, her eyes filled with worry and urgency: "Good sister, please tell me, where has he gone? Is it Black Maple Mountain?"

If one listens closely, it becomes increasingly difficult to relax one's brow

The young master has done so much for her, even abandoning great ambitions for her sake. This time, since it is her own decision, she should bear all the consequences herself. Over the years, the young master has protected her too well.

The moon rises above the willow tips, sorrow fills the horizon.

"Sister Bai Zhuo, you can blame me, hate me." Ruo Wei turned around and walked towards the door, "I am going to find him now"

When Wei met Ziyan's gaze, she let out a slight sigh: "This medicine is likely not so easy to find"

Riding on it, in just the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, one arrives at Xu Bin's residence