âIf odd, change; if even, remain the sameâŚIf odd, change; if even, remain the sameâŚâ Xiao Chen silently repeated the so-called Xixia secret code. For a while, he absolutely didnât know what to make of it. âItâs been a while since you saw the report.â Xiao Teng said, âLetâs hear your ideas.â
The Prime Minister thought deeply. ââOddâ and âevenâ are opposites. If âOddâ change, but if âEvenâ do not changeâŚI think this may be alluding to the time when the Xixia army marches. On odd-numbered days, they go; on even-numbered days, they stop .â
The Minister of War carefully thought about it. âThe word âchangeâ is particularly debatable. I thing this may pertain to a change in the formation. The Xixia might use a changeable formation to attack our army.â
The crown princeâs herald muttered to himself, âThe theory of odd and even is often used in mathematics. Perhaps this sentence is alluding to a certain mathematical law.â
The Assistant Minister of Revenue couldnât agree. He said doubtfully, âWhat does mathematical laws have to do with marching and fighting?â
âŚ
They discussed for a long time. Every theory they came up with had some aspect of it that was a little far-fetched and in the end, no one could fully convince the others. Xiao Cheng calmly watched the ministers arguing, and when they grew were quiet, he said unhurriedly, âHave you finished?â
The Prime Minister respectfully asked, âMay I ask the Crown Prince for his opinion.â
Xiao Cheng slowly blew the steam from his tea cup and said, âDo you actually believe Gu Fuzhouâs claim that this is a coded message from the Xixia?â
Everyone looked at each other in dismay. Lying about the military situation was tantamount to deceiving the emperor, which was a serious crime. Given General Guâs personal conduct, how could he do such a thing?
The Ministry of War asked, sounding him out, âWhat does Your Highness mean?â
Xiao Cheng put down the tea cup. âIn the past three months, Gu Fuzhouâs temperament has changed greatly. His behavior and character has become questionable. A while ago, he was clamoring to return to the capital and today, he came up with an inexplicable Xixia coded message.â Xiao Cheng His eyes narrowed slightly, âI wonder if this coded message has something to do with his reason for returning to the capital.â
The crown princeâs herald said, âNow that His Highness mentioned it, this official also feels that there is something inappropriate with General Guâs request. If this message, âIf odd, change; if even, remain the sameâ really does conceal the Xixiaâs secret military plans, how could we possibly âpublicizeâ it? Even in the capital, the very stronghold of the Emperor, there will inevitably be spies from hostile countries. General Gu requesting us to do this, is he not afraid of beating the grass and startling the snake.?â
âGeneral Gu is a warrior, after all. He is eager for victory. It is not surprising for him to commit some oversight.â The Prime Minister said, âHis Highness, the battle in the northwest is at a stalemate. I would rather believe in the validity of the coded message than not. This secret message still needs to be solved.â
Xiao Chengâs lips hooked up in a sneer. âNaturally, it shall be decoded. After all, Gu also really wants to know just what medicine Gu Fuzhou is selling in his gourd. But, we wonât be going about it in the way that he wishes.â Xiao Cheng thought for a while and said, ââPublicizingâ it is out of the question. Go and find the scholars of the Imperial Academy and have them solve it in the side hall of Qinzheng Palace. They shall remain there until they crack it. No one unrelated to this matter should know of this coded message, do you all understand?â
The scholars of the Imperial Academy were all exceptionally rare talents. If they couldnât figure it out, how could ordinary people possibly do it? The Minister of War praised his decision, âHis Highness is wise.â
The next day, the Imperial Academy, located by the west gate of the palace compound, was deserted. Not a single scholar was to be seen. And except for they themselves, no one knew what they were up to. In the Imperial Hospital, standing opposite the Imperial Academy, it was business as usual.
Most of the people who came to the Imperial Hospital to request for the services of an imperial physician were the maids and eunuchs of the various palaces. Just by looking at their clothes and bearing, you could already tell the status of their master in the palace. For example, a palace maid who came today, her clothes were not particularly resplendent but she had a naturally poised bearing and a classy temperament. The eunuchs of the Imperial Hospital were also particularly friendly to her. It turned out that this person was Lu Yao, a maid from Fengyi Palace.
As soon as Lu Yao crossed the doorway of the Imperial Hospital, Chu Zhengde stood up. âFor Lu Yao nuniang to come here, is Her Majesty feeling ââill? Let me clear these away and Iâll head to Fengyi Palace immediately.â
âThere is no need to trouble yourself, Imperial Physician Chu.â Among the many imperial physicians on duty, Lu Yao instantly caught sight of the most eye-catching one, âThe Empress specially requested for Imperial Physician Lin to check her pulse for her.â
Chu Zhengdeâs head whipped around to look at Lin Qingyu. His beard shaking with anger, he said, âHim? A seventh-grade medical officer who has just joined the Imperial Hospital? How could he possibly be qualified to look after the Empressâ health?!â
Lin Qingyu cast a glance at Chu Zhengde and hoisted his medicine box on his back.
Mindless idiot. The Empress definitely wasnât looking for him to examine her pulse. If he guessed correctly, it should be for Lu Wancheng.
Lu Yao said indifferently: âI do not know. Imperial Physician Lin, please follow me to Fengyi Palace.â
Chu Zhengde stared at Lin Qingyuâs retreating back, his beard almost smoking from anger. âImpudent junior!â
Lin Qingyu arrived at Fengyi Palace and paid his respects to the Empress. He knelt on the ground and was about to open the medicine box when he heard the Empress say, âThere is no need to bother. I wasnât looking for you today for that â You may rise.â
Lin Qingyu stood up and the Empress looked him up and down. She said, gratified, âYou look good in this official uniform.â
Lin Qingyu lowered his eyes and said, âThe Empress bestows undue praise.â
âHow are you doing in the Imperial Hospital?â
âEverything is satisfactory. Thank you for your concern.â
âI have seen Wanchengâs will and testament.â The Empress looked upset. âEverything he wrote was about you. He earnestly begged me to return your freedom. How could I, as his aunt, refuse? Of course, you have proven yourself quite capable as well. Otherwise, you wouldnât have been able to join the Imperial Hospital.â
Lin Qingyu didnât have much interest in talking with the Empress. So, he merely stood and said nothing. The Empress sighed and said, âWancheng, looking down in Heaven, must feel very gratified to see how you are now. Forget it, itâs been more than three months since Wancheng has left.â
Lin Qingyuâs eyelashes trembled slightly. âYes. In three more days, it will be a hundred days.â
âLife flies so fast.â The Empress said sadly, âI have ordered someone to light an Ever-burning candle for Wancheng in Changsheng Temple. If you have time, go to the temple and light some incense for him.â
Lin Qingyu saluted and said, âThis official shall do as Her Majesty suggests.â
Two days later, Lin Qingyu took Huan Tong to Changsheng Temple, taking advantage of his day off.
It was April and the world was full of fragrance. The peach blossoms of the mountain temple were beginning to bloom. With the passing of March, the long winter was finally over. This time last year was also the time when that person was most alive.
Wanchengâs memorial tablet was enshrined in Changsheng Templeâs side hall. Lin Qingyu lit three sticks of incense, borrowing fire from the ever-burning candle. He bowed three times, offering his prayers and placed the incense sticks in front of the tablet.
âImperial Physician Lin.â
Lin Qingyu turned around and wasnât at all surprised to see a visitor. âImperial Guard Shen.â
Shen Huaishi was still wearing that black outfit, a sword at his waist. When he wasnât beside Xiao Cheng or in the palace, he could certainly be regarded as having an imposing and impressive appearance. âImperial Physician Lin seems to have expected my arrival.â
âI only guessed that you would come to me. However, I didnât know that you would come to Changsheng Temple to find me today.â Lin Qingyu said calmly, âIt seems that Imperial Guard Shen has been shadowing me.â
âItâŚit isnât my wish.â Shen Huaishi whispered, âBut itâs inconvenient to talk in the palace. I can only look for opportunities outsideâIâm sorry.â He walked to the ever-burning candle and looked at Lu Wanchengâs tablet. He said, âImperial Physician Lin, was it difficult to overcome the pain of bereavement?â
âItâs alright. You just need to find something for yourself.â
Shen Huaishi gave a distressed and said, âIf everyone were as open-minded as Imperial Physician Lin, there wouldnât be so many pining lovers in the world.â
Lin Qingyu didnât have the patience to âlament over the passing of spring and coming of autumnâ with Shen Huaishi. âYou came to me because of the mark on my medicine box?â
Shen Huaishi nodded. âThat is the secret code that only the people in the Shen Familyâs Heavenly Prison Sect know of. But now, I am the only one left of the Heavenly Prison SectâŚâ Shen Huaishiâs Adamâs apple bobbed up and down. âHow does Imperial Physician Lin know about it? â
Since this was all planned by Jiang, there was no need for him to hide it. âI donât know. This medicine box was given to me by my deceased husband.â
âYoung Master Hou? How did heâŚâ Shen Huaishi frowned and pondered for a moment, âImperial Physician Lin, where is that medicine box now?â
âI pretty much carry it with me everywhere. Itâs in the carriage right now.â
Lin Qingyu asked Huan Tong to fetch the medicine box. Shen Huaishi stroked that peculiar mark with his fingers and asked, âImperial Physician Lin, can I take it apart and have a look?â
Lin Qingyu hesitated for a moment, and said, âDo as you please.â
Shen Huaishi carefully took out everything from the medicine box. After a few flashes from his sword, countless cracks appeared on the surface of the mahogany medicine box and it burst open with a âbangâ.
Among the countless wooden chips, something emerald green was revealed. Shen Huaishiâs breathing turned shaky and he picked up the emerald green object â it was a jade plaque with the words âHeavenly Prisonâ engraved on one side.
âHow could this beâŚâ Shen Huaishi murmured in a low voice, âWhen someone from the Heavenly Prison Sect dies, their jade plaques are destroyed as well⌠Is there someone still alive?â
Lin Qingyu said, âThere is a line of small characters on the back of the jade plaque.â Looking at the nicks of the small characters, it must have been engraved recently.
Shen Huaishi turned it over and read it aloud, âXuzhou, SuichengâŚâ
Lin Qingyu seemed lost in thought. âXuzhou?â
Jiang wanted to lead Shen Huaishi to Xuzhou to find the owner of this jade plaque?
Lin Qingyu asked, âAre you going?â
Shen Huaishi didnât hesitate. âOf course!â
Lin Qingyu whispered, âYou are a shadow guard with impressive martial arts abilities. But your mind is as innocent as a childâs. You trust my deceased husband so much?â He was the type to be led by nose by others. It was understandable how he can be so smitten and dead set on Xiao Cheng. Jiang probably knew this and that was why he could do something like this.
Shen Huaishiâs chest rose and fell violently. His eyes were slightly red. âAs long as there is a glimmer of hope, I will, definitelyâŚâ
âWhen are you going to go?â Lin Qingyu said, âWill the Crown Prince let you go?â
Shen Huaishiâs eyes revealed a sense of loss but it was quickly replaced by determination. âI will find a way.â
Heavenly Prison Sect⌠He had never heard of it before. Seeing the Shen Huaishiâs preoccupied appearance, now was not a good time to get to the bottom of the matter.
âIf you think of a way, let me know.â Lin Qingyu said, âI also wish to go to Xuzhou to see what my deceased husband was thinking.â
Shen Huaishi held the jade plaque tightly and said a hoarse, âAlright.â
By the time Lin Qingyu walked out of Changsheng Temple, it was almost dusk. The setting sun colored the sky in tongues of flame. Soon, once it burns out, this day will be over. He was about to get into the carriage when a little monk stopped him. âPatron Lin.â
Lin Qingyu remembered this little monk. The last time he came to Changsheng Temple with Jiang, it was this monk who invited the Jiang to see Xu Junyuan.
Xu JunyuanâŚ
Lin Qingyuâs heart moved and he asked, âIs the national teacher looking for me?â
âThe national teacher is still in retreat and he can not see anyone.â The little monk said, âBut before he entered his retreat, he ordered me to hand something over to Patron Lin.â After saying so, the little monk took out a silk brocade bag from his bosom, âPatron Lin, please. â
Lin Qingyu took the bag and opened it. Inside was a note with ten characters written on it â the Eight Characters of oneâs birth and a name.
âThis isâŚâŚâ
Looking at the familiar handwriting, Lin Qingyuâs eyes were a little dry from the wind. He had even just been laughing at Shen Huaishiâs loss of control over his emotions just now. Now, it was his hands that were shaking.
On the ninety-ninth day after that person left, he finally knew his name.
He didnât expect that constantly sleep deprived salted fish to be named like this.