Chapter 139: Seeking Help

Luo Tan woke once in the night.
By chance—while Shen Xin searched Ding for Shen Miao—Luo Ling watched Luo Tan and Gao Yang at the house—then a tip—suspicious activity west—thinking of Shen Miao—Luo Ling entrusted Luo Tan to Gao Yang and rushed west with men.
Only Luo Tan and Gao Yang remained in the room.
When she woke—only two maids tended her—Shen Miao's Bai Lu and Shuangjiang—delighted. "Cousin—you're awake at last."
Her body felt heavy—she lifted the quilt—white cloth bound under her inner robe. Bai Lu thought she feared scars—comforted. "Cousin—great fortune after disaster—that day the wound was grave—frightened Master and Madam—many doctors helpless—palace Physician Gao saved you. He left a formula—use as directed—scar will be light—nearly invisible."
Luo Tan rubbed her brow—memory returning. "How long was I out?"
"Reporting, Cousin—near three days."
"Three days?" She jumped—then panicked. "Little Cousin—found or not?"
The maids' faces dimmed—they shook heads.
Her heart sank. "How are Aunt and Uncle?"
"City sealed—Master and Madam search all day—no news." Shuangjiang said. "We don't know how Miss fares."
"Three days—how can there be nothing—they're not sorcerers—people don't vanish!" Luo Tan cried.
The maids looked at each other—could only bow silent.
She clenched fists—anxious. She remembered seeing the villains knock Shen Miao out and take her—then—memory stirred—Shen Miao's words in the carriage.
"Remember—if you escape—send word to Prince Rui Manor—say business to discuss—price later."
Shen Miao said—if trouble—find Prince Rui. Luo Tan did not understand their private tie—but two years in Xiaochun she knew Shen Miao did nothing idle. She stood to leave—maids startled—held her. "Cousin—what are you doing? We can go—your wound may reopen."
Standing—weakness washed over—bed too long—legs soft—the martial girl who thought herself strong was annoyed. Yet she said. "I have business—don't mind me."
Before she finished—a strange male voice outside. "Where are you going?"
She looked up—a young man in white entered—scholarly grace—handsome—set a bowl on the table—drew a fan from his belt—fanned slowly—asked again. "Where?"
Luo Tan frowned. "Who is he?"
Shuangjiang hurried. "Palace Physician Gao—he cured you—stays at Shen house for needles and dressing."
Luo Tan knit her brow. She was boyish—less feminine—yet like many girls loved pretty things. In Xiaochun she dragged Shen Miao to tip handsome opera youths—looks mattered. Normally such a white-clad man might get courtesy—but heart full of Shen Miao—even an immortal had no charm—she said. "Physician Gao—I have urgent business."
Gao Yang choked—he had been called Lord Gao, Physician Gao—never "Physician Gao" like a street clinic doctor with a chest on his back—unbearable to picky proud Gao Yang.
He looked again—the girl's skin not capital-pale delicate—healthy wheat tone—even weak she stood like a living plant—sharp. She glared—features sharper. First time he saw someone stabbed three days ago so lively today. Recalling the wound—he marveled—ordinary men might not endure—this girl held until found—will to live fierce.
Gao Yang thought himself tender to beauty—but Shen Miao's schemes he disliked—Luo Tan's rough strength he disliked too. He said. "General and Madam invited me to cure you—I cured you—yet you run about and relapse—I cannot wear failure—please do not walk."
She forced patience. "Urgent business—I will tell Aunt and Uncle myself—nothing to do with you—yes?"
"No." Gao Yang said. "As imperial physician—I answer for my patient." He stressed "physician"—hoping she'd see he was not a street doctor.
She missed the stress—instead exploded. "You're a doctor—why control me?"
"First—I am imperial physician. Second—Brother Luo Ling entrusted you to me before leaving—if urgent—I can run the errand—speak plainly."
She bit her lip—Shen Miao said Rui must never be told—only because she trusted Luo Tan—Rui was sensitive—even Shen Miao's maids must not know. She glared at Gao Yang.
"If you change mind—drink medicine first—recover faster—then do your business." Gao Yang smiled.
She had Bai Lu fetch the bowl—gulped in one breath—heroic—slammed the bowl down. "Done now?"
"I admire you." Gao Yang bowed. Bitter medicine—for her heavy wound—smell alone was foul—she drank without a face—almost praise—a iron-boned man!
"I need rest—Physician Gao please leave early. Bai Lu, Shuangjiang out too—someone in the room—I can't sleep. Too noisy."
Gao Yang smiled and left with the maids.
When all gone—she stood—ran to the window—maids sweeping the other yard—quickly took outer robe and cloak—dressed—gathered topical bottles from the table into her sleeve—stool at the window—climbed out!
Sneaking out to play—in Xiaochun she and Luo Qian had perfected it—even iron chains and Luo Liantai could not stop them—pick locks and go.
Locking her in Shen house—she did not care—first find Prince Rui. She believed Shen Miao—find Rui—save Shen Miao.
Waist wound not healed—move pulled pain—she pressed the wound—out the window—knew the yard—parted weeds at the wall—a dog hole—slid through easy.
She did it smoothly—did not see the white figure far off—staring stunned.
Gao Yang could not believe his eyes.
Even martial Luo—even bold Xiaochun—even—she was still an official's daughter—window and dog hole—who thought of it. He thought Shen Miao was Ming Qi's oddity—her cousin matched—same family indeed—he shook head—yet followed.
Luo Tan was going mad.
No Shen carriage lest alarm—outside no easy carriage—she walked. Rui Manor was not far—for one just back from death's edge—it was too long.
She did not quit.
Luo children had grit—even joking Luo Qian could hold serious moments—Grandfather Luo Su taught never give up. Dizzy, hard steps—never thought to stop midway.
Gao Yang watched from afar—fanning as if amusement—at the end the fan stopped.
The girl hooded—others could not see—he saw clear—she trembled nonstop—two steps—lean on wall—rest. No one knew her wound like he—his teasing words were also true—wound could split—agony—he could guess sweat on her brow.
Yet she never stopped—each time he thought she would quit—she went on. He grew curious—what made her crawl out despite danger.
The short road felt endless—she missed bouncing days. When "Prince Rui Manor" appeared—legs buckled—almost knelt.
She did not—hands lifted her from behind.
She turned—the white fan gentleman "Physician Gao" held her up.
"You followed me?" She shook free—angry.
"Oh." He admitted freely. "You crawled here for Prince Rui—why?"
He guessed—Rui never mentioned Luo Tan—link was Shen Miao—she came for Shen Miao's whereabouts.
Luo Tan watched him wary—frustrated and angry—pretty face—yet tracking—she hated weakness—else how miss a tail?—yet even at full health she might not catch Gao Yang.
She calculated—Shen Miao and Rui must stay secret—he was from palace—report to Wenhui—trouble—coarse nerve—but far-sighted on this.
"You know Prince Rui?" he asked.
"How could I know Prince Rui!" she denied hard. "He is gold and jade—I am only a minister's daughter—impossible!"
"Then why come?" he pressed.
She stammered. "Because—because—" eyes hit his face—inspiration—she shouted. "I heard rumors Prince Rui is a peerless beauty—I came to see his 'peerless face'!"
Bad books—idioms scrambled—"peerless face" for a man—Gao Yang burst out laughing.
"Why laugh?"
"For a glimpse—you drag your sick body all this way—just to see?" he asked.
She righteous. "You don't understand—beauty is rare—one look is precious."
He shook head. "I am also very handsome—why not look at me—come here instead?"
Luo Tan: "Physician Gao—know yourself." She said. "No more talk—I must see Prince Rui." She climbed the steps—naive to guards. "Please report—I have important business with Prince Rui."
Gao Yang followed—winked at guards—they knew him—opened gate—one said. "I'll lead you both to wait."
She looked at him. "Why are you coming?"
"I also want a glimpse. If you won't let me in—I return Shen house—General and Madam ask—"
"Wait!" she cut him—glared—"Come with me."
The guards exchanged glances—thought Gao brought a girl—now seemed the girl brought Gao?
They waited in the main hall—half an incense—masked Prince Rui appeared.
She was urgent—normally first close view she'd study him—now every moment Shen Miao might suffer—she glanced at Gao Yang drinking tea—said to Rui. "Highness—may we speak aside?"
Rui nodded slightly—she rejoiced—not as aloof as rumor.
In the side room she knelt at once. "Beg Prince Rui save my Little Cousin!" She repeated Shen Miao's words—ended. "Little Cousin trusts you—I trust you can save her. I have nothing now—but if found Shen house will reward. Beg for her life!"
She knocked her head on the floor.
Proud bone in her—but practical—Rui was Liang royalty—one kowtow no loss—sweet words if it saved Shen Miao—why mind? She kowtowed fast—did not see the man startled.
"I understand." Prince Rui said.
She felt odd—could not say why. "Highness—you agree to save my cousin?"
Slight nod.
"Thank you, Highness!" Joy—another kowtow—stood—vision black—collapsed—fainted.
Prince Rui startled—caught her—called. "Someone! Gao Yang!"
Gao Yang entered—startled—grabbed her wrist—pulse—sighed. "Too weak. Ginseng soup—when she wakes send her Shen house."
Maids carried her to bed. Outside Gao Yang and "Rui" walked out—"Rui" spat—ripped off the silver mask—"Suffocating—why make me play Third Brother!"
Not Xie Jingxing—Ji Yushu.
"Don't know when he returns—can't keep Luo Tan here till dark—Shen family would come—can't explain. Third Brother already hunting Shen Miao—you play along—send her early." Gao Yang said.
Ji waved. "Can't again. First time someone kowtowed to me—I'm not a Buddha—will it shorten my life? That girl is fierce—my heart jumped—lucky no slip—or Third Brother beats me for ruining his face."
Gao Yang said. "Fortunate she's simple."
"You mean I played poorly?" Ji angry. "They kowtowed—how poor?"
Gao Yang waved. "Too lazy to argue."
"But why call you Physician Gao?" Ji puzzled. "You left palace—street clinic now?"
Gao Yang: "……"
……
She fainted till evening wake—Gao Yang brought medicine—she gulped again—heroic—his mouth twitched.
Done—wiped mouth—looked at darkening sky. "I must return—where is Prince Rui—I thank him."
Gao Yang side-eyed. "No need—Prince Rui left—you thank him tomorrow or later."
She paused—then delight—Rui left fast—must be saving Shen Miao—acted so quick—kind man—impression rose.
Gao Yang watched her sudden joy—puzzled. "Then tidy and leave."
"Good." She happily dressed—remembered. "You come back too?"
"Naturally." Gao Yang said. "If General and Madam had not insisted—I would not. Palace has many ladies waiting." He stressed.
She looked sympathetic. "Physician Gao works too hard—better return palace—lose pay if delayed."
Gao Yang: "……"
Why did she make "physician" sound like anyone's job—no status? He gritted. "No need—I already took leave from the Imperial Medical Institute."
She clicked tongue—turned—rolled eyes hidden—contempt.
Handsome man—tracks maidens—wanted to see Prince's "beauty"—skill without ethics—shameless—sick!
Still Gao Yang followed her back—he found a carriage lest her wound worsen.
At Shen house Shen Xin had returned—relief seeing both—Shen Qiu asked. "Cousin Tan, Physician Gao—where were you?" They feared kidnapping—even suspected Gao Yang.
"Right, Tan'er—still hurt—where did you go?"
Her face stiff—Shen Miao and Rui could never be told—excuse needed—she stammered. "I… I just…"
"I took her out." Gao Yang bowed. "Miss Luo not recovered—staying indoors depressed her—bad for healing—I walked her outside—wounds heal faster."
Luo Xueyan's doubt eased—still blamed Gao Yang. "Kind—but next time tell servants. No maid with her—we thought accident."
Gao Yang embarrassed. "My oversight—apologies to Madam."
"Forget it." Luo Xueyan waved.
Luo Tan exhaled—look at Gao Yang less cold—he carried a big lie—grateful—Luo repays debts—more consultation fee—past grudges dropped.
"But where is Cousin Ling?" She craned—Shen Xin, Luo Xueyan, Shen Qiu here—only Luo Ling missing.
"You weren't together?" Shen Xin frowned.
She shook her head.
"Strange." Luo Xueyan said. "I told Ling to watch you—returned—both gone—we thought together. Only you and Physician Gao?"
She nodded.
"Cousin buying something?" Shen Qiu asked. "Even searching—should be back by dark."
Shen family met evening at house to report search—even if Luo Ling searched—should return.
"Found her?" Her heart stirred. "Cousin found Little Cousin—late return?"
Shen Qiu and Luo Xueyan lit with hope. "If only."
Then panicked voices outside. "Disaster—disaster!"
It was Luo Ling's man—covered in red. "Disaster—Young Master Ling is hurt!"