Even though the strong wind whistled past his ears and the horse's hooves pounded the ground angrily, Shen Yi was still able to hear that something was wrong in the car. He urged the horse to catch up with Gu Yun, freed one hand to cover his chest, imitated the action of vomiting, and winked at him - what should we do if that person vomits?

Gu Yun smiled not too obviously, and said clearly - you deserve it, take care of it yourself.

Gu Yun went south to discuss the mourning period for Fu Zhicheng, the commander-in-chief of the Southern Xinjiang Army. General Fu's mother had just passed away, so he wrote a letter to the court, claiming that he wanted to resign and return home to mourn for his mother.

"Dingyou" is actually a bland excuse. You can leave or not leave, and there is always an excuse to make up for it. However, the provincial governors have never done so.

If the commander goes home for a few years and a war breaks out, who will be responsible?

What's more, the whole Daliang knows that General Fu was born a bandit leader. He was beaten into submission by the old marquis and then entered the officialdom. Even now, he sometimes can't control himself when meeting the emperor, and he will occasionally utter a few swear words. He is not so polite at all.

General Fu was obviously dissatisfied with the order to beat the drum, and that year there was a flood in the south, and the situation in southern Xinjiang was extremely chaotic, so he simply gave up his job at this critical juncture.

Sitting in the accompanying car was Lord Sun Jiao, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, a staunch supporter of the drum-beating order. Originally, the emperor sent him as an imperial envoy to southern Xinjiang to "comfort" the meritorious officials. Unexpectedly, Lord Sun chickened out at the critical moment of battle, submitted a memorial with tears in his voice, claiming that he was ready to never return and to sacrifice his life for his country.

The emperor had no choice but to send a golden order to the northwest, throwing the burden and the mess to Gu Yun.

Gu Yun had been busy cleaning up the Emperor's mess for the entire year, and he was extremely angry. He couldn't reason with the Emperor, so he had no choice but to make things worse for the shameless Lord Sun.

This time, he happened to be passing through Shuzhong, so Gu Yun asked someone to write a letter to Chen Qingxu and asked her to meet him here. In recent years, he felt that the effect of the medicine given to him by Mr. Chen was decreasing. He could still tolerate taking a dose every four or five days before, but now he had to take the medicine every other day.

While riding his horse on the official road, Gu Yun saw a young man walking his horse on the side of the road from a distance. He didn't pay attention to him at first, but when they passed by each other, he accidentally glanced at the man and met his gaze.

With just a quick glance, Gu Yun's horse leaped more than ten feet away, and before he could react, he instinctively reached out and grabbed the reins.

The horse neighed loudly, jumped up high with its front hooves, and then landed on the ground, turning half a circle on the spot. Gu Yun stopped and stared at the young man who looked familiar but he didn't dare to recognize him for the moment.

"It's not that coincidental," Gu Yun thought hesitantly, "Did I recognize the wrong person?"

Shen Yi caught up: "What... Ouch!"

The young soldiers of the Black Iron Camp who were following Chang Geng finally came to their senses, quickly dismounted, and shouted excitedly, "Marshal!"

Gu Yun's horse seemed startled, raised its front hooves slightly, snorted, and pawed the ground.

At this moment, even if Chang Geng was thrown into a pile of tranquilizers, it would probably not be able to stop his heart from beating wildly. He sat on the horse for a moment, almost numb, his mind was blank, and a flower suddenly appeared in his mouth, which was usually eloquent, blocking all his words.

He could only follow his instinct and give a somewhat stiff smile as if nothing had happened.

Gu Yun called out softly: "Chang Geng?"

The two words exploded in Chang Geng's ears like a bell. He forced himself to calm down, and rubbed his nose awkwardly because he couldn't calm down. "I happened to be passing through Shuzhong, and I heard Miss Chen say that my godfather would be here in the next two days, so I wanted to stay for a few days. I didn't expect it to be such a coincidence that I could meet you while I was out for a walk."

The young soldiers on the side were stunned and thought: "Does riding a horse also require bathing and changing clothes, and at a fixed time and place?"

He looked at Chang Geng's plain-looking mixed-hair horse in awe, wondering if it was a magical horse hidden beneath the mixed hair.

The car door banged open, and Lord Sun ignored the touching scene of the long-awaited reunion of father and son, staggered down and vomited.

With this interruption, Chang Geng's breath finally returned to his chest briefly. He turned his head and glanced at the chicken-like Minister of War, and said in a gentle and polite manner, "Why, did I say something disgusting?"

Gu Yun laughed.

Although he had known Chang Geng's whereabouts sporadically over the past few years, he had never expected that he would become like this, as if he had been reborn. Gu Yun forgot the unpleasant parting the last time they met, and also forgot the long-lasting grudges, the cold war, and his perseverance in finding someone to keep an eye on Chang Geng's whereabouts, which was annoying.

He was surprised that he could stop and recognize Chang Geng, because he was so different - his every move, every frown and smile, everything was different.

Time once again shrunk in front of him. Gu Yun counted with his fingers. Indeed, it had been more than four years.

Shen Yi came over and smiled: "Oh my god, your Highness actually remembered me in the blink of an eye?"

Chang Geng: "Hello, General Shen."

Shen Yi sighed, "If it were me, I wouldn't be able to recognize you. It must be your adoptive father. He misses you so much that he has a mental illness. When he sees someone who looks like you, he can't help but take a few more glances..."

Gu Yun couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted him: "Why do you talk so much nonsense?"

Shen Yi looked at this, then looked at that, and smiled, then he rode forward, bent down, lifted Lord Sun onto the carriage, and waved his hand in front of him: "Lord Sun, are you okay? Just hold on for a while, we'll be at the inn soon."

Sun Jiao was leaning against the car, gasping for breath, and was about to kick his legs.

Soon, Lord Sun found that Chang Geng was his savior. Ever since he met Chang Geng on the road, the animals of the Black Iron Camp changed from running wildly to strolling in slow steps, as leisurely as if they were taking a walk for food. Even the sound of the horses' hooves became gentler.

Led by Chang Geng, the group arrived at the inn in the town. The inn didn't have that many rooms, and if they were all booked, at least two people would have to share a room. Gu Yun said, "I'm going to my son's place. There's one room left. Give it to Minister Sun."

Sun Jiao instinctively said politely: "No, no, how dare I wrong the Marshal..."

Shen Yi patted his shoulder from behind and said to Sun Jiao in a low voice, "Sir, let's stop while we are ahead. He is in a good mood after meeting the Fourth Prince, or do you prefer to see his face that says 'I will kill you soon'?"

Sun Jiao: “…”

Chang Geng's palms were sweaty all the way, and the reins almost slipped out several times. This state was a bit like being drunk. He knew he should stay sober, but he couldn't help but indulge in it. Before seeing Gu Yun, he was hesitant between "staying" and "running", but when he saw Gu Yun, he had no idea at all.

Gu Yun finally remembered that he was going to settle accounts later. He entered the guest room, closed the door, and said to Chang Geng with a gloomy face, "You are becoming more and more unreasonable. The old housekeeper said that you haven't been back to the Marquis' Mansion for four years. The last time you went to the palace to report on your work, even the emperor asked me about it. What do you want me to say?"

In the past, Chang Geng would get nervous whenever Gu Yun's expression was not right. He would either be so nervous that he wanted to admit his mistake or be so nervous that he wanted to talk back. After not seeing each other for many years, he found that all the restraint and panic in his heart were gone. Whether Gu Yun was smiling or angry, he wished he could engrave it in his eyes.

Four years ago, he endured the pain in his heart and pretended to be calm and said to Gu Yun: "The Marquis' Mansion can't hold me."

Four years later, he looked at Gu Yun and carefully revealed just the right amount of emotion: "If my foster father isn't here, what's the point of me going back alone?"

Gu Yun: “…”

He could not hold back more than three words of anger to begin with, and after being stifled by Chang Geng's words, he could no longer maintain his stern expression, and his heart of stone softened as soft as cotton.

Gu Yun turned to the small guest room and saw a few books on medicine thrown on the table. He flipped them open and looked at them casually, then asked, "Why did you think of reading this?"

Chang Geng: "I learned some medical skills from Miss Chen."

Gu Yun's heart moved, and he thought: "Could it be that the people from Linyuan Pavilion said something to him?"

Then he sneered inwardly. On the one hand, he felt that he was being a little too sentimental. On the other hand, the people in Linyuan Pavilion were not the talkative type...

Chang Geng: "I wanted to learn medical skills so that I could take care of my adoptive father in the future, but unfortunately, my talent is limited and I only know the basics."

Gu Yun: “…”

"How can this kid be so sweet?" he thought helplessly. "It's really annoying."

After guarding the ancient Silk Road for many years, Gu Yun's sharp edge gradually faded, as if a magic weapon was sheathed. The two of them did not mention the last unpleasant parting, and calmly talked about what they had seen and heard over the years.

As Chang Geng was talking, he realized that there was no sound beside him, so he mustered up the courage to turn his head to look - the bed in the inn was too narrow, and half of Gu Yun's body was hanging outside the bed, with only a corner of the quilt casually draped over it, and his feet almost touching the end of the bed. He put one hand behind his head, and in this posture of closing his eyes to rest for a while, he had actually fallen asleep.

Chang Geng stopped talking suddenly, staring at Gu Yun's profile in the darkness for a long time. He raised his hand, then retracted it, repeatedly, his fingers struggling in the air for an unknown amount of time before he held his slightly trembling breath, gently hooked Gu Yun's waist, patted it like a dust brush, and whispered, "Godfather, come in a little, I'm going to fall."

Gu Yun was startled awake by him, but he quickly realized where he was. He groaned, followed his hand and turned sideways without opening his eyes, and whispered vaguely, "You fell asleep while talking. This is premature aging."

Chang Geng pulled the quilt over him and took off his crown: "I put some tranquilizing powder next to your pillow. You were in a hurry to travel. Go to sleep."

This time Gu Yun didn't say anything, he was really asleep. There was only a large space between the bed and the couch. When he whispered, it gave people the illusion of rubbing their ears together. Chang Geng almost lowered his head to kiss his temple - as if this was the most natural way.

But he soon realized his own rebellious behavior and quickly lay back down properly.

The tranquilizing powder seemed to be useful, as Gu Yun slept soundly after being relaxed. However, this effect was only effective on select people, and it was of no use to Chang Geng. With Gu Yun lying next to him, he always felt that he was dreaming when he closed his eyes, and he could not help but open his eyes to confirm it. After several times, his sleepiness disappeared, and Chang Geng simply stopped sleeping and stared at Gu Yun quietly.

Watched it all night.

The next morning, Chen Qingxu arrived and first gave Chang Geng an example lesson on the dying Lord Sun. Then, he left Lord Sun to Chang Geng to play with... no, to take care of him - and went to see Gu Yun himself.

Chang Geng only looked up at her back as she walked up the stairs, without showing any sign of strangeness, as if he was not at all curious.

Shen Yi was looking through Chang Geng's medical books in Gu Yun's room. Chen Qingxu didn't ask about the symptoms, but checked herself first. After a moment, she said, "Is the Marquis' eyesight weakening now?"

Gu Yun: "I was supposed to take the medicine last night, but I wanted to ask Miss Chen to take a look, so I didn't drink it."

Chen Qingxu pondered for a moment: "When my grandfather prescribed the medicine for the Marquis, he must have told the Marquis that this medicine is not an antidote and I'm afraid it won't last long."

Gu Yun did not show any surprise on his face, he just asked: "How much time do I have left?"

Chen Qingxu looked solemn: "If the Marquis restrains his medication from now on, perhaps he can delay it for a few more years."

"Moderation may not work," Gu Yun said, "In your opinion, how about increasing the dosage or changing to a new medicine?"

Before Chen Qingxu could answer, Shen Yi said in a deep voice: "The medicine is still toxic. You have used it frequently enough. If you change to a new medicine, it will only be more potent. Isn't that drinking poison to quench thirst?"

"That's the truth." Chen Qingxu said, "The Chen family is unworthy of being called the Chen family of miracle doctors. We have been helpless against the Marshal's spies all these years. We are ashamed."

Gu Yun smiled and said, "Miss Chen, what are you talking about? I am the one who has caused you so much trouble."

Chen Qingxu shook his head: "We always feel that the barbarians around us are ignorant and uncivilized, and we have been trapped in the Central Plains for too long. Lord, please give me a few years. I plan to set out and travel outside in the next few days. Maybe I can come up with some solutions by accident."

Gu Yun was surprised to hear this. He made an appointment with Chen Qingxu in Shuzhong. In addition to wanting the Chen family to confirm his situation, he also wanted to find an excuse to stay for two days so that some people would not be unaware of his arrival. He did not expect a young girl like Chen Qingxu to be able to solve a problem that even her grandfather could not solve. He hurriedly said, "Miss Chen, please don't be like this. It doesn't matter whether I can hear or not. The Northern Barbarians have been enemies with us for generations. If you take risks because of my little thing, how can I face the Chen family in the future?"

Chen Qingxu didn't answer, but took the small package she carried with her and took out a handwritten booklet from it: "This is a set of acupuncture techniques I figured out myself. It's useless, but it may relieve the headache caused by the medicine. His Highness studied acupuncture with me for a while, so he can understand it."

Seeing Gu Yun frown, Chen Qingxu added: "It's not me who said that. Your Highness guessed it yourself."

Gu Yun's expression changed several times, and finally he sighed, feeling a slight headache.

Chen Qingxu finished his explanation in a few words, then found a pen and paper and wrote down two prescriptions for recuperation: "Something is better than nothing, then I will take my leave, Lord Marquis, take care."

"Wait a minute," Gu Yun stopped her, "Please consider Miss Chen's release from confinement."

Chen Qingxu looked back at him, and a faint smile appeared on her cold face, like a blooming iron tree.

"It's not all because of the Marquis's illness - it's just that some things have to be done by someone. I can say without shame that although my position is low and my power is weak, I have the same thoughts as the Marquis. I was born in the Chen family and entered the Taoism and faced the abyss. How dare I rely on the protection of my ancestors and survive in the afterlife?" She said, "My Lord, we will meet again."

After saying that, he went downstairs without waiting for Gu Yun to stop him.

Chang Geng had been wandering around the world for a long time and was very considerate. He hurried forward and said, "Miss Chen, I'll give you a ride."

Chen Qingxu waved her hand and looked at his face. Even though he was young and strong, and not sleeping for a night wouldn't cause any harm, there were still some clues on his face.

Chen Qingxu: "Why, the tranquilizing powder doesn't work?"

Chang Geng smiled bitterly: "It's my own problem."

Chen Qingxu thought for a moment and said, "I always ask you to calm down, but I don't know what's wrong with you. Maybe it's easy to talk without feeling any pain - it's impossible for people to be free of emotions. If you really can't control yourself, you might as well let nature take its course."

Chang Geng was stunned, and couldn't help but pursed his lips, thinking: "How can this be left to nature?"

Chen Qingxu didn't care about killing or burying the person. She just said "let it be" and left. Chang Geng was distraught for the whole day.

Gu Yun stayed in the inn for two days. Sun Jiao wanted to leave quickly, but he didn't dare to hurry him up when he thought of the car ride that almost made his intestines tumble. Unexpectedly, after setting off, Gu Yun changed his previous behavior of rushing to get reborn. With the Fourth Prince sticking to him all day, he walked like a spring outing, and sometimes mixed with the caravans returning from the north to make a living.

The people in southern Xinjiang are fierce and violent, and bandits are rampant. Minister Sun's attempt to appease the provincial governor was fake. He wanted to borrow the prestige of Marquis Anding to find evidence that Fu Zhicheng, a court official, was colluding with bandits, and use the southern Xinjiang army as a breakthrough to implement the drum-beating order. However, since Gu Yun entered Shu, various things have delayed his schedule. The area south of Shu is Fu Zhicheng's territory, and the local tyrant may have known their whereabouts for a long time. Why catch them off guard?

Lord Sun didn't vomit, but he was so anxious that big blood bubbles appeared at the corners of his mouth.

Shen Yi whispered to Gu Yun, "You can offend gentlemen but not villains. That's enough. Be careful that grandson returns to Beijing to do bad things to you."

Gu Yun smiled.

When Shen Yi saw his nonchalant smile, he couldn't help but want to start a long speech, but Gu Yun said in a barely audible voice: "Gentlemen and villains are not a problem."

Shen Yi said unhappily: "The problem is that he made trouble."

Gu Yun didn't argue with him and lowered his voice a little: "That person is the problem... The Ministry of War and I are at odds with each other, don't you understand?"

Shen Yi was silent for a long time, sighed, and said nothing.

Since when... did the arrogant Marshal Gu start to be so cunning?

Gu Yun: "I don't want to listen to your nagging, I'm going to look for my son."

After saying that, he rode his horse forward and ignored Shen Yi.

Shen Yi: “…”

He felt that these two were simply too corny.

The green mountains on both sides of the south do not appear to be withered in autumn and winter, but are still lush and green. In the middle is a winding path that spirals up the mountain, and you can't see the beginning or the end from anywhere.

Gu Yun held the whip in his hand and casually introduced Chang Geng, "When we, the soldiers, see this kind of terrain, we always get nervous. If others have an ambush, we will be beaten up if we get in here. Even in Daliang, this kind of place is prone to bandits who occupy the mountains and become kings..."

Before he finished saying the word "Ma", a sharp horn sounded among the green mountains.

Shen Yi collapsed and said, "Marshal, are you a crow?"