Empress, please lay down your armor, for I will save the world with a single sword!

Qiyun Temple.

The night was as dark as ink.

Jiang Qingluan sat on the edge of the bed, wearing an outer robe, listening to the wind outside the window.

The lights inside were not very bright.

A small lamp sat on the table, its flame weak, illuminating the room in a dim light.

She had been waiting for a long time.

From the first light of dusk until the deepest part of the night.

There were still patrol footsteps outside until the whole courtyard quieted down.

But there was still no movement outside the window.

There was no sign of that figure lightly vaulting in through the window.

There was no smug laugh either.

Last night, Wu Liang clearly said that he would come again tonight.

Jiang Qingluan looked up at the window.

The window was slightly ajar.

A breeze occasionally blows outside, casting swaying shadows of branches and leaves on the window paper.

At first, she told herself that Wu Liang might have been delayed by something.

After all, he's not free even in the Prince's mansion now.

The Yonghe Hall was heavily guarded, and Pei Xiao was no ordinary person.

Perhaps he's trying to find out information.

Or perhaps, he was held up by something.

However, as the night deepened, the peace in Jiang Qingluan's heart began to dissipate little by little.

Has something happened to him?

Were you discovered while sneaking around?

Were they captured by Pei Xiao's men?

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Jiang Qingluan unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes.

She frowned, trying to suppress her worry.

That bastard has such a foul mouth, and he's incredibly tough.

They shouldn't die that easily.

But another thought popped up uncontrollably.

Did he... give up?

After all, saving her would be too much trouble.

She is now trapped in the Northern Yong Prince's Mansion, with Prince Qing usurping the throne behind her, Pei Xiao forcing her into marriage in front of her, and countless open and hidden attacks outside.

Although Wu Liang spoke with absolute certainty.

He said he would definitely take her away in three days.

They said she could never be the Crown Prince's consort.

But when it really comes down to it, will he suddenly realize that it wasn't worth it?

Jiang Qingluan bit her lip.

The moment this thought crossed her mind, she felt as if something had stabbed her in the heart.

Very light~

But it hurts a lot!

But then she shook her head slightly, thinking she shouldn't think that way.

At least, Wu Liang had saved her many times.

From Guyu City to Beiyong City, he truly never abandoned her along the way.

But she knows nothing now.

She was confined to this small courtyard, like a bird in a cage.

No news from the outside world gets in.

She could only wait.

Waiting for some bastard to climb in through the window.

Wait for him to bring a little breeze from outside.

But he didn't come tonight.

Jiang Qingluan suddenly felt somewhat ridiculous...

The dignified Ninth Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty was actually feeling anxious and uncertain here because a rogue doctor hadn't shown up as promised.

She muttered a curse under her breath.

"asshole."

I don't know if I'm cursing Wu Liang or cursing myself.

The light flickered slightly.

Jiang Qingluan raised her hand and slowly pulled her outer garment tighter.

The night is still long.

But she couldn't fall asleep.

……

the other side.

Wu Liang had no idea that Jiang Qingluan was waiting for him.

He had completely immersed himself in alchemy once again.

One batch of pills to crush the impermanent.

become.

The second batch of the Impermanent Elixir.

That works too.

The aroma of medicine filled the room, but it was quickly dissipated by him opening the window cracks.

In the latter half of the night, Wu Liang sat cross-legged and regulated his breathing for a while to recover some of his internal energy, and then continued to open the furnace.

This batch of pills he refined was the Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill.

This thing shouldn't be eaten indiscriminately, but it can be a lifesaver in a critical moment.

Jiang Qingluan can use it, Hei Jiu can use it, and he himself can use it.

In short, you must have plenty on hand.

As the charcoal fire burned late into the night, Wu Liang's eyes began to sting.

But his concentration only increased.

When it comes to alchemy, you can't afford to be distracted as you get closer to the end.

If the timing is wrong, all the previous efforts will be wasted.

As dawn approached, a soft sound finally came from inside the alchemy furnace.

Wu Liang immediately opened his eyes.

Start the furnace.

A stronger medicinal fragrance than before wafted out.

The elixir lay quietly in the furnace.

The color is deep and the surface has a faint sheen.

It became.

Wu Liang let out a long breath.

This night was definitely worth it.

He carefully collected the pills one by one into a porcelain bottle, sealed it, and then tidied up the things on the table.

Two furnaces of the Impermanent Elixir were used to crush Wuchangdan.

Two furnaces of the Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Elixir.

Drunk Breeze, three bottles.

Several doses of the antidote for Drunken Breeze were also prepared.

Looking at these things, Wu Liang finally felt much more at ease.

There are healing medicines, poisons, and antidotes.

Having goods on hand means you don't have to panic.

Outside the window, the sky was already beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

After not sleeping all night, an ordinary person would probably be completely exhausted and unsteady on their feet.

He's alright.

Although my eyes were a little sore and my head was a little throbbing, most of the internal energy that had been empty in my dantian had been replenished.

This is thanks to [a certain technology/method].

When others deplete their internal energy once, it takes them thirty to fifty days to recover.

He is fine.

After refining pills all night, and only incidentally circulating the Longevity Technique a few times, he actually recovered quite a bit.

Wu Liang touched his dantian and felt quite satisfied.

This entry is really great!

If it weren't for this Thousand Miles a Day, after that old bastard Hei Jiu drained most of my internal energy last night, I wouldn't even be able to walk upright today, let alone continue healing.

Just then, footsteps were heard in the courtyard.

No need to guess, it must be Yan Hai again.

"Dr. Wu! Is Dr. Wu awake yet?"

Wu Liang rubbed his face, put on a fairly good look, and pushed open the door to go out.

Yan Hai had already arrived in the courtyard, followed by a servant carrying several packets of medicinal herbs.

The old man was dressed more neatly today than yesterday, but his face clearly showed signs of busyness.

Good morning, Steward Yan.

Wu Liang smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, "Judging from your complexion, you slept well last night?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Hai immediately burst into laughter.

"Thanks to Dr. Wu, I slept much more soundly last night. My head doesn't feel heavy anymore, and my neck feels more relaxed."

He patted his head, smiling sincerely, "Dr. Wu's skills are truly miraculous!"

"As long as it works."

Wu Liang led him into the house and sat him down, and as usual, took out his needle pouch.

Today's acupuncture treatment for Yan Hai was faster than the previous times.

Yan Hai's headache had already subsided, and with the acupuncture and medicine prescribed by Wu Liang over the past few days, he was no longer in any serious condition.

Of course, Wu Liang couldn't say, "Don't come back when you're almost better."

This is the chief steward of the Prince's mansion.

He's a good person, rich, and can even act as a pharmacy.

It is essential to maintain good relationships.

The needle is inserted, twisted, and internal energy is subtly transferred in.

Yan Hai sat there with his eyes closed, so comfortable that even his brows relaxed.

About 15 minutes later, Wu Liang put away the needles.

"alright."

"After one more acupuncture session today, the headache should be mostly subsided. Continue taking the medicine as prescribed, eat a light diet, avoid overexertion, and don't stay up late."

Yan Hai gave a bitter smile.

"It seems like I can't avoid overworking myself."

He sighed, "Tomorrow is the Crown Prince's wedding, and there are so many things to do inside and outside the palace. I'm afraid I won't even have time to sit down for the next two days, let alone have a cup of tea."

Wu Liang's heart skipped a beat.

The wedding is tomorrow.

In other words, he really doesn't have much time left.

He didn't show it on his face, but just smiled and said, "Butler Yan's health is important. No matter how much is going to happen, you still have to take care of things."

Yan Hai nodded, moved.

"Don't worry, Dr. Wu, I know what I'm doing."

Wu Liang wrote him another prescription.

This prescription was genuinely for Yan Hai's recovery; it didn't contain too many personal ingredients.

After all, you can't fleece the sheep until it's bald.

Yan Hai carefully put away the prescription, said a few more words in haste, and then got up to take his leave.

"Dr. Wu, I am truly unavailable today, so I will not trouble you any further. If you need anything, please just have Dujuan come to me."

"Take care, Butler Yan."

Wu Liang escorted him to the courtyard gate, and as he watched Yan Hai leave in a hurry, the smile on his face slowly faded.

The wedding is tomorrow.

Today, we must prepare everything that can be prepared.

……

Meanwhile, in Qiyun Courtyard, Jiang Qingluan also spent the entire night without sleep.

She sat by the window, watching the sky gradually brighten in the distance.

There was a hint of fatigue in his eyes.

There was also a sense of loss that she herself was unwilling to admit.

Wu Liang ultimately did not come.

She slowly lowered her eyes.

The sound was very soft, almost inaudible.

"fraud."

……