A life of two souls traveling through time

As the New Year is approaching, the wooden city far away on the border is becoming more and more lively. The downtown is crowded with people. The shouts of vendors, the laughter and scolding of young men and women, and the noise of children are all filling the street. New Year stickers such as door gods, peach charms, and couplets cover half of the street, and the candied fruits on the other side are even more varied. Arnold wandered alone among the candied fruit shops and was dazzled by the choices.

Compared to the bustling streets outside, the East City Villa was so quiet that even a sparrow flying by was noisy. Since the prince liked quietness while recuperating, the servants did not dare to make too much noise even when cleaning.

"The invitations to the officials in the city have been delivered. These four are sent to Sanxiu Pharmacy. Mr. Sanxiu has to be invited in person." In the inner room, Yan Zong said as he placed the four invitations on the desk.

"Your Highness, do you really want to invite Mr. Sanxiu as well?" Mr. Fan picked up the four invitations in front of him and asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, sir. Sanxiu Pharmacy is Sanxiu Pharmacy, and the rebellion of Feng State is the rebellion of Feng State. I also believe that Mr. Sanxiu was deceived and used by Hui Feng, but if Sanxiu Pharmacy wants to clear its suspicion, it must work with me to reveal the truth in front of all the officials in Mucheng." Yan Zong said to Mr. Fan with cold eyes.

"Well, it's better to let Mr. Sanxiu see the true face of his disciple with his own eyes than for us to explain it afterwards." Prince Zong's words gave Mr. Fan a reassurance. It would be best not to implicate Sanxiu Pharmacy.

Yan Zong said nothing more, but just looked thoughtfully at a bracelet with aster flowers on the table. Seeing this, Mr. Fan frowned again, lowered his eyes, turned around and quietly retreated.

"Where is Arnold?" Mr. Fan came to the entrance of the corridor in the courtyard and asked the servant beside him.

"Sir, Master Arnold has gone out to stroll around the city." The servant replied respectfully.

After hearing this, Mr. Fan smiled helplessly. When will he be able to control his playful nature?

"Food and drink normally?"

"I have been unable to eat or sleep these past few days."

"When do you have trouble falling asleep? Or the whole night?"

"I have to stay up until the fourth watch before I can fall asleep, and the water is not flowing smoothly, so I can't defecate."

"Stick out your tongue and let's see."

Every household is preparing for the festive season of the Spring Festival, but Sanxiu Pharmacy is still busy serving the endless stream of patients. There are especially many patients before the New Year, and the corridor of the clinic is crowded with patients. Sanxiu and his apprentice Huifeng sit together to see patients, with Xiuming assisting by their side. Si Yao's acupuncture has been recognized by the owner of the clinic, Sanxiu, so he can also take charge of the acupuncture and moxibustion on his own. The medicine hall and the decoction room behind the clinic are also very busy.

"Mr. Fan, there are too many people in the pharmacy today. I'm afraid Mr. Sanxiu and Mr. Xiuming can't get away for the time being. Should we continue to wait?" Outside the pharmacy, a servant ran out of the pharmacy, came to a carriage, bowed and asked.

"Go back first and come back later." Mr. Fan lifted the curtain and took a look at Sanxiu Pharmacy which was shrouded in the smell of medicine and smoke, then smiled at the servant who was still waiting in front of the carriage.

"Yes." The servant responded and turned away with the horse.

At this time, in the Mucheng County government office, all the officials were gathered around the County Magistrate Situ Ting with worried faces. They all felt uneasy since they received the invitation from Prince Zong. After all, Prince Zong had been stationed in Mucheng for many years and had never taken these local officials seriously. This year, he invited them to celebrate the New Year together. How could they not be nervous?

"Sir, why would this prince think of hosting us on New Year's Eve?"

"Yes, the prince never approached us before, could it be..."

"Ahem, my lords, please be careful with your words!" Without waiting for the words to finish, Situ Ting coughed twice, reminded in a low voice, and continued with a nonchalant smile: "My lords are probably worrying too much. We, insignificant officials, are not worthy of the prince's worries. It's just that the prince is recuperating in the city and it just so happens that it's the end of the year and he wants to have some fun with us. Everyone just relax and go to the banquet. Accompanying the prince to have fun is better than anything else." Although he said this, he was not sure in his heart.

Hearing the county magistrate say this, the officials felt relieved.

After the afternoon, the number of patients at Sanxiu Pharmacy gradually decreased. Sanxiu, who was tired after a day's work, went back to the backyard to rest with the help of his medicine boy. But before he could have a sip of hot tea, another medicine boy came to report that Mr. Fan had come to visit. Although Sanxiu was cursing and showing dissatisfaction, he still asked the medicine boy to invite the man into the backyard.

"Old chess friend, I just arrived and haven't played chess with you yet. Why are you so angry when you see me?" Sanxiu angrily placed a cup of hot tea in front of Mr. Fan. Mr. Fan was so scared that he quickly smiled and said something.

"Let's go, let's go. I'm an old man who's tired after a day's work. How can I have the energy to play chess with you?" When Sanxiu heard about the chess game, he waved his hand and was about to send Mr. Fan out.

"Don't be anxious, don't be anxious. I'm not here to play chess today." Mr. Fan continued with a smile.

"Aren't you here to play chess? Did that kid from Zong send you here?" Sanxiu then sat down quietly, slowly finished the tea in his hand, and asked curiously.

Mr. Fan smiled and nodded, then placed four invitations in front of Sanxiu.

"Tsk tsk, it's rare, it's rare that this guy thinks so highly of my Sanxiu Pharmacy." Sanxiu picked up an invitation, took a look at it, and immediately became sarcastic.

"Mr. Sanxiu, what are you talking about? You are Ying'er's mentor and His Highness's savior. In His Highness's heart, Sanxiu Pharmacy is irreplaceable." Mr. Fan's mouth twitched slightly, and he smiled helplessly.

"Is this banquet just for the people from Sanxiu Pharmacy, or are there other people too?" Mr. Fan's words made Sanxiu a little happier, but he still refused to give in.

"In addition to Sanxiu Pharmacy, there are also several adults in Mucheng..."

"You are holding a banquet for officials, why do you invite common people like us?" Without waiting for Mr. Fan to finish his words, Sanxiu threw the invitation in his hand onto the table and said with a sullen face.

"Don't be angry, Mr. Sanxiu. This New Year's Eve banquet is only for celebrating the new year and not for discussing government affairs. You also know that His Highness is in the city to recuperate. It just so happens that it is the end of the year, so let's have some fun in the city. You are an important elder in His Highness' heart, so this New Year's Eve banquet is naturally indispensable to you. Moreover, His Highness also wants to use this New Year's Eve banquet to thank Mr. Huifeng and Miss Siyao for saving his life on the night of the assassination."

"What's there to thank him for? Sanxiu Pharmacy exists to save the dying and the wounded. Saving him is saving him, and saving others is also saving him. What's the difference? I, Sanxiu Pharmacy, appreciate his kindness, but whether to go or not is another matter." Sanxiu still had an unyielding expression.

"Well, it's getting late. Since the invitation has been delivered, I have to go back and report." Mr. Fan didn't intend to persuade him anymore. He smiled and stood up to leave, but after a few steps he turned back and suddenly said seriously: "Mr. Sanxiu, you don't know that His Highness will return to Beijing to get married after the New Year. He will marry the princess of Guyun Country."

Mr. Fan left after he finished speaking. Sanxiu was stunned for a long while before she suddenly smiled with tears in her eyes:

"Ying'er, your children are going to start their own families, and soon, you will become a grandmother too!"