novelraw Page 475
Page 475
"What did Ning'er say just now?"
At this moment, Ning Zhongze walked in and asked.
Yue Buqun said, "Ning'er needs to go down the mountain now."
Why are you coming down the mountain at this time?
Ning Zhongze asked in surprise.
“One of his friends fell ill and ordinary doctors couldn’t cure him, so he wanted to go and get him treated.”
Yue Buqun did not tell Ning Zhongze the truth; the fewer people who knew about the connection between Jiang Ning and Zhu Houzhao, the better.
Ning Zhongze was somewhat surprised to hear this, but in the end she didn't say anything.
Jiang Ning then went back to his room to retrieve the Zhenwu Sword, and then went to the main hall to speak to the Imperial Guards who were waiting for him.
"You can go."
The Imperial Guard nodded hurriedly and said, "Hero Jiang, horses have been prepared at the foot of the mountain, and there are post stations along the way for transfers."
"Ah."
Jiang Ning nodded and walked down the mountain with the Imperial Guard.
When did you leave the capital?
Jiang Ning asked on the way.
The imperial guard quickly replied, "I set off three days ago."
Ok?
This answer surprised Jiang Ning, who glanced at the Imperial Guard and asked, "You traveled from the capital to Mount Hua in just three days?"
The distance from the capital to Mount Hua is nearly two thousand miles. The fact that this Imperial Guard could reach Mount Hua in just three days by fast horse made Jiang Ning take a second look.
Even for a江湖人 (jianghu person, a person who travels in the martial arts world), riding a horse for nearly 700 li in a day is extremely dangerous. Even if the imperial court's 800-li urgent courier service can cover 800 li in a day, it still requires constantly changing horses and riders along the way. This Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) can ride nearly 2,000 li in three days, which is quite a talent. No wonder Zhu Houzhao (Emperor Zhu Houzhao) sent this person to invite him.
The Imperial Guard said solemnly, "His Majesty is seriously ill, and I dare not linger for even a moment. If I delay the journey and cause any delays, I will be guilty even if I die ten thousand times."
Jiang Ning noticed bloodstains seeping through the inside of his clothes. The Imperial Guard was walking very unnaturally, his face was pale, and his forehead was covered in cold sweat. Clearly, the three days of riding had put a lot of pressure on him. He asked, "Can you hold on until we return to the capital?"
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Guard gritted his teeth.
"can!"
Seeing this, Jiang Ning said no more. After descending the mountain, there were indeed two horses and several postmen waiting for him.
"Commander Luo, the horses are ready for you."
A courier saw the Imperial Guard and immediately stepped forward with a fawning smile.
"Ah."
The Imperial Guards, who had previously addressed Jiang Ning as a petty person, were indifferent when facing these post station workers, but showed respect when they turned to look at Jiang Ning.
"Master Jiang, we can set off now."
At the same time, in the imperial palace in Beijing.
"Your Majesty, we have already sent someone to Mount Hua to invite Master Jiang. Master Jiang will be here soon. Your Majesty must hold on!"
Chapter 646: Zhu Houzhao Revisited
……
late at night.
Luoyang Post Station.
The courier on night duty was awakened by a loud shout from outside.
"Where are the staff of the post station? Come out at once!"
The courier hurriedly ran out of the house and saw two figures on horseback outside the post station. One of them looked at him and said, "Are you a courier?"
Before the courier could speak, the man threw a sign at him.
"I am Luo Ding, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I am ordered to return to the capital. I need to change horses in Luoyang. Please quickly exchange two of my best horses for two of them. I must depart immediately."
The courier hurriedly took the token, then looked up at the people on the horse and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Please wait at the inn, gentlemen. I will go and take care of it immediately."
Luo Ding immediately dismounted, and Jiang Ning also dismounted. The courier led the two exhausted horses into the post station, welcoming the two men inside.
"Wait a minute."
The courier turned around, and Luo Ding said, "Prepare a clean set of clothes for me; I need to change."
At this moment, Luo Ding's inner thighs were soaked with blood and turned dark red, but the courier did not see it because of the darkness of night. He still said, "Please wait a moment, sir."
Upon entering the post station, the postman went to prepare horses and clothing, while Luo Ding and Jiang Ning waited in the main hall.
"Master Jiang, please wait a moment. We can continue our journey once the horses have been changed."
Luo Ding said to Jiang Ning.
"Ah."
Jiang Ning nodded.
A short while later, the courier came over with the clothes.
"My lord, your clothes have been prepared."
"Ah."
Luo Ding took the clothes, waved to the courier to continue preparing the horse, and then went upstairs to his room to change.
Jiang Ning took a sip of the tea at the post station; it tasted somewhat bitter.
Lin Pingzhi is also in Luoyang now, but Jiang Ning did not go to see Lin Pingzhi. He was only passing through Luoyang this time and would be leaving for the capital soon, so he did not want to waste any more time.
Not long after, Luo Ding changed his clothes and came downstairs. However, Jiang Ning noticed that he was walking with a limp, clearly indicating that he had injured his inner thigh.
At this moment, the courier had prepared the horses and entered the room, saying, "Sir, the horses have been changed for you and are just outside."
"Ah."
Luo Ding nodded and stood up, but the next second he lost his balance, startling the postman who rushed forward to support him. The postman was shocked to see blood seeping through Luo Ding's trousers and said, "Sir, are you injured? Why don't you stay at the post station and rest until you get some medicine before continuing your journey?"
"I bear a heavy responsibility and cannot delay for even a moment. I must return to Beijing as soon as possible."
Luo Ding gritted his teeth, pushed past the postmaster, and walked toward Jiangning.
Bright red blood seeped from the inside of his thighs, and the clothes he had just changed were now soaked in blood again.
Due to prolonged horseback riding, the flesh on the inside of his thighs rubbed and bled continuously. Furthermore, Luo Ding had not rested, causing his wounds to bleed constantly. At this moment, every step he took was excruciatingly painful, and cold sweat poured down his forehead. It seemed as if he had exhausted all his strength just to reach Jiang Ning.
"Master Jiang, we can set off now."
Jiang Ning sipped the tea offered by the post station staff, glanced at Luo Ding's inner thigh, and asked, "Can you still hold on? If not, you can rest in Luoyang first, and I can go to the capital by myself."
"can!"
Luo Ding gritted his teeth.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning did not try to persuade him further and immediately stood up.
Seeing this, Luo Ding was about to walk outside to prepare to ride his horse, but a hand was placed on his shoulder. Luo Ding turned around and asked in surprise.
"Master Jiang, what are you doing?"
Jiang Ning didn't speak, but simply circulated his internal energy.
Before Luo Ding could understand what was going on, he felt a stream of energy enter his body through Jiang Ning's hand. Although Luo Ding had not developed internal energy, he knew that this was what people in the martial arts world called internal force.
Luo Ding was even more surprised. Just as he was about to speak, he felt the energy flowing through his body, which relieved his soreness and the sharp pain in his inner thigh.
"This……"
Luo Ding was extremely surprised.
Jiangning backed down.
“If you can’t keep going like this, you’ll die if you go back to Beijing. I’ve treated your body a bit, now’s the time to go.”
Jiang Ning turned and left.
Upon hearing this, Luo Ding quickly replied, "Thank you, Master Jiang."
Jiang Ning waved his hand without saying anything.
Upon arriving outside, the post station had already changed horses, and two fine steeds were waiting at the door.
Jiang Ning mounted his horse, and Luo Ding, who was following behind, also mounted. However, the large movement caused the pain that had been relieved to return, making the tough man frown for a moment. Even so, it was much better than before.
Seeing Jiang Ning looking in his direction, Luo Ding immediately said, "Hero Jiang, I'm fine, you can go now."
Jiang Ning nodded, and without saying another word, rode his horse toward the capital.
……
Two days later.
Beijing.
It took Jiang Ning only two days to reach the capital after departing from Luoyang, a speed many times faster than his previous travels.
However, Jiang Ning's previous trip was a leisurely journey, while this trip was a special one, so the two are not the same.
Upon finally seeing the capital, Luo Ding's tense expression relaxed.
"Master Jiang, I will take you to the palace now."
Luo Ding dismounted and addressed Jiang Ning.
Upon entering the city, Luo Ding led Jiang Ning towards the palace. When they finally arrived at the palace gate, they were stopped by the guards. Luo Ding showed his Embroidered Uniform Guard token, and the leading soldier went into the palace. After a while, a figure came running out.
This man was overjoyed to see Jiang Ning.
"Master Jiang, you've finally arrived."
This person was none other than Liu Jin.
Jiang Ning vaguely remembered him and asked directly, "How is the situation now?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin was about to speak, but seeing the soldiers around him, he said, "Hero Jiang, let's talk as we walk."
After saying that, Liu Jin looked at Luo Ding and nodded, saying, "You're very good. I'll remember you. From now on, you..."
Before he could finish speaking, Luo Ding collapsed to the ground, startling Liu Jin.
"Master Jiang, he...he..."
Jiang Ning squatted down and looked at Luo Ding, saying, "He has been overworked and exhausted from traveling these past few days, and needs to rest."
Luo Ding's body had long since given out, and he was only hanging on by a thread. Now that the mission was complete, Luo Ding immediately fainted.
Liu Jin nodded in agreement.
Upon hearing Jiang Ning's words, Liu Jin couldn't help but say, "He is a loyal man."
After quickly arranging for someone to carry Luo Ding away for treatment, Liu Jin hurriedly took Jiang Ning into the palace.
"His Majesty's illness has worsened these past few days. He was still conscious before, but now he's falling into a coma more and more often. Thankfully, Hero Jiang, you've finally arrived. If it had been a few more days, I was truly afraid..."
As Liu Jin spoke, she couldn't help but wipe away her tears.
He was genuinely afraid that Zhu Houzhao would die of illness.
Jiang Ning frowned upon hearing this and asked, "How exactly did he get sick?"
Liu Jin shook his head and said, "His Majesty was perfectly fine before, but suddenly he fell ill. We didn't know anything about it, and even the imperial physicians couldn't find the cause."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning frowned and fell silent.
Liu Jin led Jiang Ning to Zhu Houzhao's palace. The palace was heavily guarded, with layers of people on both sides. If Liu Jin hadn't been there, Jiang Ning wouldn't have been able to get in.
Having received Liu Jin's signal, the guards ignored Jiang Ning's presence and allowed him to enter with a sword.
Upon entering the inner room, Jiang Ning finally saw Zhu Houzhao lying on the bed.
There were other people in the room at this time, all of whom appeared to be senior eunuchs, but Jiang Ning did not recognize them.