Chapter 31: Disguising Herself and Entering the City

  Liu Ziqiu was proofreading the manuscript while secretly glancing at Gao Xiuer. Taking advantage of her distraction, he suddenly pulled out a page from the copy and slipped it into his sleeve. Gao Xiuer was focused on her needlework and didn't notice his action at all.

  On that piece of paper, in addition to recording the toxicity of wheat, some evidence was listed, and there was a line at the end of a certain prescription on the previous page. Liu Ziqiu carefully read it, and that line mainly talked about the efficacy, and removing it did not have much impact.

  After a while, Liu Ziqiu was still uneasy and also pulled out the page from Sun Simiao's manuscript. The two medical books together had more than 60 volumes, and with one less page, who could notice it?

  ……

  Three days later, Gao Xiuer finally completed the task, making a set of autumn and winter clothes for herself and Liu Ziqiu, and also helping Sun Simiao make a winter coat. Liu Ziqiu's manuscript was also proofread, and surprisingly, not a single error was found.

  Sun Simiao had no children, and he truly regarded Gao Xiuer as his own granddaughter. After putting on the winter clothes made by Gao Xiuer for him, the old man's mood was exceptionally good. He picked up two manuscripts of medical books and said: "This winter, there may be an epidemic in the north, and I must go out to take a look. Here, I'll leave it to you."

  Gao Xiuer looked up at the sky and advised, "Grandfather, it's likely snowing in the north already, the weather is cold and frozen, let's wait a few more days before going."

  "The old man had been weak and afraid of the cold since childhood, if it were in the past, he really wouldn't dare to go north. This time, with the warm winter clothes made by his clever granddaughter, he was no longer afraid." Sun Simiao smiled and patted the new clothes on his body, suddenly becoming determined, saying "I can wait, but patients cannot wait, this time I must go. After I leave, you need to take your medicine on schedule until the half-month period is over. These two medical books, during your leisure time, copy another set to bring with you. The manuscript and copy can be hidden in the stone box under the bed, when I come back, I will take a look."

  Liu Ziqiu hastily said: "Mr. Sun, such a precious medical book, how dare we carry it with us? Let's hide it in the stone box together."

  Sun Simiao shook his head and said, "The medical books are organized for people to read. What's wrong with giving them to you? If there is a chance in the future, I still want to publish them and benefit the common people of the world. Unfortunately..."

  At this time, although there was already copperplate printing, carving books was still a very luxurious thing. Two medical books with more than 60 volumes were difficult to afford even for Sun Simiao who spent his whole life's wealth on them.

  Liu Ziqiu knew that Sun Simiao wanted to publish these two medical books, not for fame or profit, but solely for the benefit of all living things. He couldn't help but feel a deep respect and bowed his hands, saying: "If Liu can make a name for himself in the future, he will definitely help Mr. Sun fulfill this wish!"

  Sun Simiao burst out laughing and said: "Little guy, just take good care of my granddaughter. The old man is leaving!"

  Liu Ziqiu watched him walk swiftly, not looking like a weak person at all. But listening to his words, it seemed that he didn't believe Liu Ziqiu would achieve greatness, and his attitude was completely different from Yuan Tiangang's. In fact, it was also strange, in the eyes of most people, Liu Ziqiu was just a martial artist. But Sun Simiao's attitude further solidified Liu Ziqiu's judgment, he knew nothing about that note.

  But then Gao Xiuer asked: "Lang Jun, are you really going back to Luoyang City?"

  Liu Ziqiu nodded and said, "Of course we have to go, we must let big brother feel at ease."

  "Alright, I'll go with you!"

  "No way, your face is too attractive..."

  Gao Xiuer smiled and said: "Lang Jun, wait for me here for a moment."

  The fragrance of incense wafted through the air as Gao Xiu'er walked out of the house, but she had already changed into men's clothing and transformed into a pale and weak young man with a sallow complexion.

  Liu Ziqiu looked at him with a hint of familiarity and hesitated: "You..."

  Gao Xiuer coldly snorted: "That day you were only concerned with looking at the Western beauty, where..."

  "It was you who came drunk that day!" Liu Ziqiu suddenly realized, pulled Gao Xiuer over, raised his hand and slapped her buttocks, pretending to be angry, "Since I knew you were looking for me, but didn't dare to show your face, you really deserve to be beaten!"

  ……

  It was almost noon, and the east gate of Luoyang City Wall was still bustling with people coming and going. Three or five soldiers were leaning against the city gate, holding long guns in their arms, looking listless and not like the guards in the capital at all. In fact, it's no wonder, the city wall only has a circle of short walls, some places are even less than one person high, and there are many gaps, the four city gates are almost useless, and the soldiers standing guard here are just going through the motions.

  Liu Ziqiu and Gao Xiuer disguised themselves as a father-son pair, walking slowly. After Gao Xiuer's skillful makeover, Liu Ziqiu looked like he was in his forties, with a hunched back that perfectly concealed his tall stature. Disguise reconnaissance was a compulsory subject in their daily training, and Liu Ziqiu played the role of this "father" to perfection.

  They originally lived in the west of Luoyang, and for safety reasons, they made a big circle and turned to the east gate. Seeing the guardian's slackness, both people let out a sigh of relief and looked at the wall above the city gate tunnel together.

  Both of them had good eyesight, and although they were far apart, the three notices posted on the wall could be seen clearly. Two of them were wanted posters with pictures of Shi Shunfu and his wife, while the third was an imperial decree from Yang Guang ordering the execution of Prince Yang Xiu of Shu.

  Yang Xiu, the King of Shu, was the fourth son of Yang Jian and younger brother of Yang Guang. He had a violent temper and once dissected a dead prisoner to extract his gallbladder for fun. Yang Xiu had been dissatisfied with Yang Guang's ascension to the throne. Later, Yang Guang repeatedly spread rumors about him, which led to Yang Xiu being deposed, with Yang Su playing a significant role in this matter. After Yang Guang took the throne, he ordered that Yang Xiu be strictly guarded, effectively putting him under house arrest. The official announcement stated that Yang Xiu had intended to assassinate the emperor and was subsequently sentenced to death.

  Liu Ziqiu vaguely remembered that in the original history, Yang Xiu should have been put to death by Yuwen Huaji, but unexpectedly now he was beheaded by Yang Guang's order. Was it all a change brought about by his own crossing? Liu Ziqiu didn't know that this matter also had an enormous connection with him.

  That day he hugged Gao Xiuer and jumped off the cliff, coincidentally a fire broke out in the palace, Yang Guang was worried about his own safety and did not immediately send troops to search below the cliff.

  It wasn't until the next evening that the troops finally found their way to the bottom of the valley, but by then Liu Ziqiu and Gao Xiuer had already been rescued by Sun Simiao. All that was left on the ground were some torn clothes, a large patch of bloodstains, and some drag marks.

  The leader of the group was Yuwen Jing, who was used to being pampered and indulged. He had already become breathless and exhausted by the time he reached the bottom of the valley, and was unwilling to continue searching. So he reported back to Yang Guang that both the assassin and the beauty had fallen to their deaths, and their corpses had been devoured by wild beasts, leaving no remains.

  However, Yang Guang's assassination was a big deal, and he also lost his beloved beauty. It couldn't just end like this. At this time, the left guard general Yuwen Shu came forward and said: "The deposed king Yang Xiu is imprisoned in the palace, often harboring resentment, and the assassin must be his accomplice!"

  Yang Guang was extremely suspicious and had long had the intention of getting rid of Yang Xiu, but he was distressed that he had no excuse, so he framed Yang Xiu for this assassination attempt.

  As for Shi Shun and his wife, who were wanted by the authorities, Liu Ziqiu had never heard of them and didn't care about it. However, he didn't know that Gao Xiuer was already filled with guilt, and what she had worried about from the beginning finally happened after all.

  Several soldiers guarding the gate faced the crowd coming and going, not even bothering to lift their eyelids. Liu Ziqiu and Gao Xiuer entered Luoyang City without any obstruction.

  On East Gate Street, the original location of Yizui's residence had already been rebuilt into a three-story high-rise building. The building was luxurious and majestic, with the words "Hongxiu Zhao" written in three golden characters on the signboard. Outside the door, several beautiful women were posing and flirting. It had become a brothel, but it was unknown who opened it. However, this place was worth its weight in gold, and such a large area would always attract someone's attention, which wasn't unusual at all.

  Liu Ziqiu had never been to a brothel before, and couldn't help but take a few more curious glances, imagining what kind of scenery was inside. But he soon felt a sharp pain in his waist, as Gao Xiuer had pinched him hard, scolding: "What are you looking at? Hurry up and let's go!"

  Li Jing's home was in Yongkangli, which merged with Yizui Lai to form three streets, and it wasn't too far from the East Gate. At first, choosing to take a big detour into the city, aside from avoiding inspections, also took this aspect into consideration.

  When they reached the entrance of the alley, Gao Xiuer suddenly hesitated and said: "After we meet them, what should you and I call each other?"

  Liu Ziqiu smiled and said: "Big brother and sister-in-law are not outsiders, I'll tell you the truth."

  Gao Xiuer's cheeks couldn't help but feel a little hot, but she had changed her expression, and was pale and waxen, so others couldn't tell. She lowered her head, wanting to walk forward, but was pulled back by Liu Ziqiu, who pointed to the front.

  From the other end of the alley, a few sly-looking guys emerged at some point, with one in the middle leaning on a crutch and dragging a broken leg. Gao Xiuer's anger flared up as soon as she saw them, and she almost couldn't hold back from rushing out, but was pulled back by Liu Ziqiu, who whispered: "Let's see what they're going to do."

  It turned out that the lame man was none other than Xu Tingfu, who was extremely favored by Yang Guang. On that day in the Qieyin Temple, it was Xu Tingfu who suggested to Yang Guang the use of the "as-you-wish" carriage, which nearly led to Gao Xiu'er being publicly humiliated by Yang Guang. Meeting an enemy face-to-face, her eyes grew red with rage; how could she not be angry?

  Liu Ziqiu advised Gao Xiuer to stay, with his ear stuck to the corner of the wall, and only heard Xu Tingfu ask: "Cui San, are you sure that it's this household?"

  Another person flattered and said, "Don't worry, Brother Xu. There's nothing in Luoyang that I, Cui San, can't find out about. Although the Drunken Immortal burned down, there were many people present that day, and they all saw clearly the big man who wanted to harm you."

  Liu Ziqiu only then realized that Xu Tingfu was still holding onto him and wouldn't let go, but he didn't know why he had tracked him down to this place. When he was at Li Jing's house, every time he went out it was already late at night, and he never met with anyone, so how did his trail get leaked?

  At the moment when Zheng was at a loss for what to do, he heard the man say again: "I have spent a lot of effort on Brother Xu's case. But that guy is a stranger, and since that night, no one has seen him in Luoyang City."

  Xu Tingfu sneered: "So you're saying you haven't found him? Hmph, and yet you still dare to summon me here!"

  That man chuckled and said, "Don't get angry, Brother Xu. Although we didn't find him, we did identify the people who drank with him at the same table! As long as we follow the clues, how can he escape even if he hides in heaven?"