Tang Dynasty Puppet Doctor

Chapter 2 Returning Home
In April of the second year of Tianshou, the peonies in Luoyang City were in full bloom.

At dawn, the thick fog covering the capital had not yet dissipated, but the cries of "selling buns" could be heard on the streets of Luoyang's southern city.

An unremarkable carriage with green brocade embroidered on it was slowly driving from the east gate of Dingding Gate towards this mysterious and prosperous divine capital.

Suddenly, the curtain of the carriage was lifted by a bare hand, and a bright and pretty face appeared from inside.

"Ah Huan, is that a steamed bun? It smells so good. I haven't had a meat bun in a long time. You haven't had one either, right?"

The speaker was a girl of about fourteen or fifteen years old. When she saw the steaming hot meat buns coming out of the oven at the street corner stall, her eyes lit up even brighter.

The boy at the end of the line couldn't help but laugh and said, "What kind of country boy is this? He has never even seen a steamed bun before?"

"What's wrong with never having seen steamed buns? The wild vegetables I've eaten in the mountains are more delicious than these meat buns!"

The girl said this resentfully, and hurriedly pulled down the curtain. She said to another girl of the same age next to her, "Ah Huan, when we get back to the Su family, you can eat as many meat buns as you want. I'll also come here to line up and buy some for you!"

"Su family?"

"Yes, the Su family is the girl's family. Ah Huan's grandfather, Duke Xing, was once a majestic and famous general who pacified the four directions for the late emperor. I heard from the Taoist priest that he once led 100,000 Tang troops to destroy Baekje and captured the king of Baekje alive. Later, he pacified Goguryeo and conquered the Turks, making many military achievements. It's a pity that he died of illness on the border. Otherwise, the old Duke would definitely remember to bring Ah Huan home!"

"Not necessarily. It's because I'm sick that they're afraid of me and don't dare let me go home!"

"You're talking nonsense, girl! Even the Taoist priest said that Ah Huan isn't sick, he's just been cursed by a bad person. The Taoist priest cast a spell on Ah Huan, and as long as he stays in that mountain until he's fifteen, the curse will naturally be broken!"

"Ah Huan, look at you. You are so handsome and beautiful. Wearing this men's clothing, you look more handsome than those young men. How can you look sick?"

As Ah Shu spoke, she actually took out a bronze mirror.

Murong Huan saw an exceptionally elegant and beautiful face in the bronze mirror. This face was different from the soft beauty of those gentle young ladies. Instead, it revealed a kind of awe-inspiring and charming heroic spirit in its smart appearance. Both the facial features and the outline were like sculptures, very three-dimensional and profound.

At this time, Murong Huan was dressed in a white robe, men's clothing. If you didn't look carefully, you really couldn't tell that she was a woman.

In fact, it’s not that she doesn’t know what she looks like, but she often has a strange feeling of being unfamiliar with herself.

Eight years of isolated life in Taoyuan Village made her unfamiliar with the world.

"Ah Huan, the empress now rules the world. I heard a year ago, auspicious signs descended from the sky. Many red birds appeared, and the white clouds in the sky were dyed crimson. A high-ranking monk said he had read in a scripture that a celestial being transformed into a woman and descended to the mortal world, destined to rule the world. Later, a white stone appeared in the Luo River, with the words 'The Holy Mother has come to earth, and the empire will prosper forever.'"

"So, all the officials, monks, Taoists, and even the young emperor believed that the throne should be passed to the current emperor. They also suggested that the empress change the country's name from Tang to Zhou. So now it is the Great Zhou Dynasty."

Ah Shu was talking non-stop, but was interrupted by Murong Huan's cold voice:

"Ah Shu, stop talking!"

"Girl, what's wrong with you?"

At this moment, she saw Murong Huan covering his chest with his hands, and a fierce light appeared in his eyes again.

In the past, once she saw this kind of look, Ah Shu would hide away from him, but this time, she didn't hide, but nervously reminded him:

"Ah Huan, you can't change again! You said that as long as Ah Shu reminds you, you will definitely wake up!"

Murong Huan closed his eyes, then slowly opened them and murmured, "Empress?"

As she said this, her right hand involuntarily stroked a puppet she had carved herself.

The puppet was lifelike and resembled a woman, but Ah Shu couldn't recognize who the girl had carved it from. It wasn't herself, nor was it anyone else she knew.

"Yes! Queen, the world is now ruled by Her Majesty the Queen, and this Luoyang City is the Divine Capital personally designated by Her Majesty the Queen."

"I've told Ah Huan all this before, and the Taoist priest has also told Ah Huan this."

The Taoist priest was Ah Huan's master. After Ah Huan's father and mother passed away, the Taoist priest came to Taoyuan Village and said in a mysterious way that he was guided by God to save the girl. When in Taoyuan Village, the Taoist priest also taught the girl a lot of things. Among them, in order to entertain the girl, he also made some puppets himself and often performed some puppet shows.

Ah Shu knew that the stories told in those puppet shows were the stories happening in the outside world.

Over time, the girl was able to make beautiful puppets and perform puppet shows for herself.

"I know."

Murong Huan said this, his expression finally calming down. Ah Shu, who had just recovered from her shock, dared to approach him and asked, "Ah Huan, are you okay? You scared me to death just now. I thought you..."

"Don't worry, I can control my emotions and won't let her appear again!"

Ah Shu nodded, clenched her fist and said confidently: "Ah Shu believes in the girl!"

Murong Huan stared at Ah Shu in a daze. For eight years, she had lived a lonely life. Besides her master, she had only Ah Shu for company. Even her master's whereabouts were uncertain, often leaving for long journeys, and each time he would not return for a long time. Everyone was afraid of her, but Ah Shu was the only one who seemed to be so heartless that she always followed her around, cooked for her, and made her happy.

"Ashu, aren't you afraid of me?" she suddenly asked.

Ah Shu shook her head vigorously: "Of course I'm not afraid. My life was given by your mother and father, and Ah Huan treated me very well. Even when he was sick, he never hurt Ah Shu. So, how could Ah Shu be afraid of you?"

is it?

Murong Huan seemed a little confused, but did not ask any further questions.

At this moment, a group of cavalrymen flew past on the street, and the sound of their horses' hooves instantly broke the silence of Luoyang City in the early morning, causing the already small crowds of people on the street to flee in fear.

Sitting on the leading horse was a "man" wearing a long robe with narrow sleeves and black gauze, and his hair was tied up on top of his head. Although he was dressed as a man, he had a slender figure, fair skin, and a pair of charming eyes. It was obvious that he was a young woman in disguise.

"Ah Huan, look, it turns out women can be officials too. That girl is so impressive!"

Ah Shu couldn't help but point at the figure of the woman who had already sped away and exclaimed.

Unexpectedly, I was mocked and scolded by a boy on the street:

"Silly girl, are you trying to save your life? That's Wuling Yue, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Inner Guards, also known as Sheyue Jun. If she shows up, nothing good will happen!"

"Deputy Governor of the Internal Guard? What kind of official is that? Is he very powerful?"

Ah Shu asked, but the boy sneered and ran away without answering.

At this moment, Murong Huan actually replied, "The Inner Guard is the eyes and ears of the Holy Emperor. They are specifically responsible for spying on the private affairs of the ministers in the court on behalf of the Holy Emperor, punishing corrupt officials and those who intend to rebel, and at critical moments, they can also eliminate those who disagree with their political views."

Ah Shu was stunned when she suddenly heard Murong Huan's answer.

"Ahuan, how did you know?" she asked happily.

Murong Huan did not answer, and a hint of doubt arose in his heart: Yes, why would I know?
These masters never told her.

"I don't know either."

Ah Shu didn't find it strange to hear her answer, but instead found a reason: "Ah Huan must have been enlightened by an immortal, so his spiritual wisdom has been greatly awakened. Ah Huan, you are amazing."

Is that so amazing?
Murong Huan smiled and stopped talking. However, she could indeed foresee some strange things, such as now...

There are a total of 103 wards in Luoyang City, including 29 in the north of Luoyang and 74 in the south of Luoyang. Roads are built between the wards, which are interconnected with the streets that run through the major city gates, and there are watchtowers standing in them.

There is a Wuhou on the upper floor, overlooking everything happening on the streets of Luoyang.

Under the empress's rule, the rule of law is strict and people's livelihood is stable.

The Su family lives in Luonan Lifang District.

After traveling all the way, the carriage finally arrived at the Luonan Lifang area. A cool breeze blew, and the scenery in front of us changed from a bustling street to a quiet and elegant one.

It is spring now. Although the peach blossoms have withered, the wild flowers on the roadside are like stars. When the wind blows, they look like butterflies fluttering in the air.

A river meanders like a jade belt, dividing the houses and fields on both sides of the river. From afar, you can see children playing and women washing clothes.

"Ah Huan, look, that's the Su family! That's our home!"

Ah Shu pointed to a large house in the distance with dark tiles and elegant houses connected together, and said happily.

"After eight years, we can finally go home."

Family?
A bitter smile appeared on the corner of Murong Huan's lips. Just as Ah Shu was about to knock on the door of the Su family, she suddenly shouted, "Wait, Ah Shu, it's not a good time to go home today!"

"Is it not appropriate to go home? But girl, it's getting late. If we don't go back to the Su family, where else can we go? We have also spent all the money that the Taoist priest left behind."

Ah Shu was a little depressed. There were farmlands and gardens in Taoyuan Village. When she was hungry, she could dig vegetables and red beans from the fields to eat. There were also some enthusiastic old ladies in the village who occasionally gave her some meat that the owner of the house had brought back from hunting. She also raised chickens and occasionally cooked a bowl of egg custard or fried eggs for the girl. But when she came out, the chickens had been slaughtered by her, which was considered a birthday party for the girl.

But now they have no money!
Just when Ah Shu was regretting not making more pancakes to bring out, she heard Murong Huan say, "Let's go to Sigongfang!"

"Huh? What are you going to Sigongfang for?"

"Rescue!"

(End of this chapter)