Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

The long procession hurried along the official road. As the road undulated, the carriages bounced violently. Fortunately, they could find a bed at the post stations; otherwise, they would have to camp in the wilderness. Now, more than ten days had passed, and the young noblemen, who had initially complained bitterly, were now completely silent, utterly dejected and powerless.

Gu Ruoxiao has been rarely seen these days, after all, he is at the front of the group, while Ye Xingchen is at the end.

That day, as the soldiers were distributing rice cakes and steamed buns as rations, Zhu Ling came over, her eyes sparkling. "Miss, I just heard that if we set off after breakfast, we can reach Linchuan County in less than a day."

"Okay, we're almost there." Ye Xingchen patted Nan Rao. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."

Nan Rao nodded.

Ye Xingchen looked up and saw Gu Ruoxiao standing on the hillside not far away, with the major general from the city gate standing beside her, talking to her.

A mountain breeze ruffled Gu Ruoxiao's robes as he stood facing the wind, his garments fluttering. "Truly worthy of being the most virtuous gentleman in the capital," Ye Xingchen remarked.

Zhu Ling comforted Nan Rao beside her. "With the Prince here, nothing will happen. Don't be afraid, Sister Nan Rao."

The major general went down, and a man and a woman came up. They were talking to Gu Ruoxiao, and they seemed to know each other very well.

Nan Rao followed Ye Xingchen's gaze but did not speak.

Seeing that neither of them spoke, Zhu Ling looked up and asked, "Are you looking at them?"

"You know?" Nan Rao asked in surprise.

"They are the two most outstanding members of a family of physicians. With them here, the epidemic in Linchuan can definitely be cured. The man is named Luo Yan, one of the four young masters of the capital. He comes from a poor family, but fortunately he was appreciated and promoted by Imperial Physician Shangguan, and now he is a leader. The woman is named Shangguan Wan'er, the eldest daughter of the Shangguan family."

So it was them! Ye Xingchen's heart skipped a beat.

In her previous life, when the Eighth Prince ascended the throne, Luo Yan had already taken control of the Medical Bureau, but Shangguan Wan'er had not been involved. Because Ye Xingchen poisoned the Eighth Prince, in order to eliminate dissidents, she conspired with Gu Chengjie to drive Luo Yan out of the Medical Bureau, and then heard that he had died tragically outside the western suburbs.

Alas, it was Ye Xingchen's evil deeds that led to one wrong step after another.

On the hillside, a mountain breeze blew in, making people feel a little chilly.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Luo Yan and Shangguan Wan'er bowed to Gu Ruoxiao in unison.

Gu Ruoxiao nodded.

"Your Highness, this is the treatment strategy devised by our Medical Bureau. There are some aspects that require your guidance," Luo Yan said.

The three then began to discuss the unfolded map.

After breakfast, the group continued their journey. Halfway there, they suddenly heard a loud explosion, followed by a violent earthquake.

A commotion broke out inside the carriage. Gu Ruoxiao quickly sent people to calm the crowd and maintain order.

"Miss, is this earth dragon angry? Are we going to die?" Zhu Ling nervously grabbed Ye Xingchen, while Nan Rao sat upright with a serious expression.

Ye Xingchen patted them to comfort them, while listening to the sounds outside the carriage.

“I used to come to this mountain often when I was a child, but I had never heard of earth dragons before. The sea is right next to this mountain, and I used to go fishing with my younger siblings when I was a child,” Nan Rao recalled.

"You said you've never heard of earth dragons here before?" Ye Xingchen asked.

“Yes, I’ve never heard of it. But later, I heard that the mountain was bought by a rich man, and they forbade us from coming here anymore,” Nan Rao replied.

It was too chaotic outside, so the three decided to get off the carriage.

"Report! Your Highness, a landslide has blocked the road ahead," a sentry reported.

"Your Highness, I've gone to check, and it seems the road is no longer passable for the entire force." Chiwu returned shortly after.

"We'll split into two groups. First, send the Medical Bureau and a small number of support personnel over. Chiwu, you lead the team, and the rest of you will come with me to clear the roadblocks," Gu Ruoxiao decided immediately.

"Your Highness, let Wan'er take the medical bureau to provide first aid. I'll stay behind just in case," Luo Yan reported.

Gu Ruoxiao nodded. Then everyone got busy.

Ye Xingchen and his group returned to the carriage to wait for further instructions.

"Miss Ye, His Highness requests that you travel to Linchuan alone first." Ye Xingchen looked up and saw Chiwu standing outside the carriage.

"Am I alone?" Ye Xingchen asked.

“Yes, please come with me,” Chiwu replied.

Ye Xingchen turned to look at Nan Rao, "Nan Rao, you go with the people from the Medical Bureau first."

"Miss," Nan Rao said urgently.

“Listen to me, I know you’re anxious and eager to see your family, so go ahead. I’m here with the Prince, nothing will happen. We have three days. After three days, whether you’ve found your family or not, come to Linchuan County to report that you’re safe!” Ye Xingchen squeezed Nan Rao’s hand. “Trust me.”

Nan Rao nodded.

Ye Xingchen got off the carriage and pushed Nanrao in front of Chiwu. "I would be very grateful if Lord Chiwu could help me take Nanrao to Linchuan."

Chiwu looked at Ye Xingchen, then at Nan Rao, and said, "Let's go."

Zhu Ling linked arms with Ye Xingchen, watching Nan Rao's departing figure. Ye Xingchen patted her and said, "Don't be afraid."

"Yes, I'm not afraid, Miss is here," Zhu Ling said.

"Master, Miss Ye asked me to bring her maid to Linchuan," Chiwu reported.

Gu Ruoxiao looked up and said, "Go ahead, be careful."

A small group of people left first, while the rest of the people busied themselves clearing the road.

"Zhu Ling, let's go too," Ye Xingchen said.

This mountain is truly enormous, with fallen rocks blocking a large section of the road. Gu Ruoxiao was standing amidst the rubble, occasionally helping soldiers carrying stones down, when she saw Ye Xingchen and looked over.

"Don't worry, I'm not that easy to kill. Besides, I'll definitely keep my promise to you." Ye Xingchen reassured Gu Ruoxiao, so she wouldn't have to keep staring at her.

Gu Ruoxiao turned her head and went to attend to her work.

Ye Xingchen looked around at the terrain, at the boulders and mountains, and muttered to himself, "To be honest, we're just small fry, we really can't be of much help."

She looked around and saw the steward looking at a map not far away. She hurried over and asked, "Steward, is this a map of the area?"

"Yes, it was just delivered. This mountain is too big," the steward replied.

After staring at the map for a moment, Ye Xingchen pointed to a corner at the top and asked, "Is there an exit on this side of the mountain?"

"Ah, I didn't know that. I'll send someone to look for the locals." He then hurriedly ordered his men to search.

Ye Xingchen lowered his head and pondered.

Suddenly, a loud bang caused another tremor, cracking and collapsing the rocks and kicking up dust.

The group carrying the stones quickly retreated, and Zhu Ling fearfully clung to Ye Xingchen.

The sounds of rolling stones and shouts mingled together.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, are you alright?" The steward rushed forward, crying and shouting.

"Go quickly and see if anyone is injured or killed?" Gu Ruoxiao's voice came from afar.