Chapter 187: The Master

"Madam knows—first return carried in—doctors hopeless—Gao survived—miracle—"
Eyes down—"Many in Longye want his life—"
Tang surprised—hesitate—shake—sigh—"Great Li throne hard to hold—if so—then—" Stop—"Madam care—" Kitchen medicine—leaving—
Door—called—"Uncle Tang—previous emperor and Prince—not close—you know—"
Stumble—slow—"Forgive—madam—I served Empress Dowager before marriage—if you want truth—wait Prince himself—can't tell—" Bow—gone—
Press temple—Great Li secrets like Ming Qi—Xie's—brothers and previous emperor—he never told—depth unknown—can't act rash—wish more impulsive—might stumble truth—
Footsteps—Guyu rushed—wide eyes—lost—"Madam—madam—"
Frown—no panic—haste breeds chaos—Manor can't gap now—"What happened—"
"Little cousin!"
Stunned—Guyu behind—Luo Tan—anxious—three steps—bed unconscious—"He didn't lie—"
Stood sharp—"Why here—"
Usually lenient elder—cold face—Tan shrunk—"Long story—"
Full account—gasp—"Reckless—Ming Qi Great Li far—alone stranger's house—uncle aunt—my parents—"
Guilty small—"Knew wrong—wanted follow—" Smaller—"Didn't know Gao Longye—said traveled—happened have estate—"
Look down Tan—words fail—done—blame useless—safe so far—Gao complex but won't harm—cared well—
Fear send back—deflect—"Gao pharmacy antidote—thought bluff—see brother-in-law—real—" Look—"Bad—"
Nod—"Ning's Guiyuan ten days—after—no cure—danger—"
Alarm—"No other way—"
"Thinking—" Down—"Emperor knows—secretly gathering doctors—far water—"
Silence—hand grip—"Brother-in-law talent—won't die—long life—wait for nephew—don't worry—I stay—"
Family abroad—Gao Ji layer—Tan presence comforts—
Can't leave bedside—uncertain relapse—feed water—books—Great Li politics history—
Must learn Great Li—passive hated—
Tan stayed—sleep only—usually restless—here long—mostly daze—
Three days—no wake—Gao closed—Wenhui sent palace best old physician—pulse steady—
Hope on Gao—ten days—
Fourth day—sudden worse—
Pulse chaos—breath rapid—white—can't swallow—wound festering—danger—
Old doctor—shake—poison pinned by needles—temporary—spreading—inward—without Guiyuan—dead now—
Even ten days—Gao uncertain—
Crash—especially Shen—calm illusion gone—might never wake—
Old doctor—less than Gao—helpless—palace report—
Tang hard ask—"Inform Ji Madam—"
Hidden from Ji—no alarm—now means last rites—
"No—" Cut—"Not yet—"
Tang stunned—Tieyi surprised—Pei—"Should consider—"
Aftermath?—Pei right—future matters—rage—past Wanyu marriage—Pei same calm—"look forward—"
Cold glance—Pei stunned—heart sank—
Tan to Gao house—no disturb pharmacy—
Tan rage—"Nothing works—watch brother-in-law die—cousin haggard—new bride—if dies she won't live—"
Operas—suicide widows—calm girl—new marriage—disaster—can't bear—
Servants silent—Luo kin—fiery—Gao indulges—bear her wrath—
Famous doctor—ten days fail—red eyes—ashamed—slam door—bed weep—
Luo justice—kin—wish swap—helpless—shame—lock day—no food—less than cousin's pain—
Scared Gao staff—never brought women—indulgent Tan—future mistress—won't eat—Gao returns—pain us—
Pushed Benyue—girl Gao saved from traffickers—street smart—persuade—
Tan crying—door—pigtails red ribbon—food basket—
Fragrant—"Go—no appetite—"
"Body first—sick—cousin worse—" Benyue—
Shake—"Can't eat—"
"Fortune—disaster—later blessing—" Benyue—
Bitter—"Pretty words—if words heal—no doctors—useless—do something—"
Surprise—Tan not fool—comfort hollow—sigh—
"Hope still right—"
"Can't relax—won't listen—heart—" Chest—"can't—"
Benyue thought—stumped—story—
"Sister's brother three—fatal—Master said three days—sister met master—change fate—three days—"
Theatrical—Tan hooked—"Then—"
Clap—"Lived—healthier—"
"How—"
"Strange—Master baffled—"
"Where now—"
"Annoyed crowds—left Longye—unknown—" Map embroidered—gave Master—searched—no house—only wasteland—moved or wrong—never met—"
Pause—"Still have map—"
"Yes—everyone copied—curiosity—fortune—failed—"
"Fetch—"
"Why—" Alarm—"Not send you—years ago—dead maybe—Master couldn't—"
"No—just see—doing nothing—unbearable—try—not waste—"
Map handkerchief—embroidery—"West city Phoenix Head south—"
Benyue—"You know—" "South path—Master found cliff—no house—"
Stare map—"One day ride—"
"Don't—"
"Tell cousin—" "You stay—"
Tan unreliable—cousin sensible—won't folly—relief—
Manor—Shen frown bed—
Worse—six days left—pray Gao—other way—
Tan burst—"Compass from wedding—borrow—"
Suspicious—"Why—"
Evasive—"Play—"
No mood play—"Truth—or no compass—"
Grit—full Benyue tale—
"Find master—saved servant's brother—maybe save brother-in-law—better than nothing—"
Think—shake—"Gao went—doctor—if he failed—you—"
"Grandfather saw Qimen Dunjia—illusion—straight feels curved—lost—ghost tales—"
Frown—"Qimen—"
Nod—"Extinct now—master maybe knows—martial version—stronger trapped—"
"So house hidden—" Shake—"Martial only—servants went—still nothing—"
Deflated—"You don't believe—no savior—"
"I believe—"
Stunned—
"Compass true south—eyes fooled—craftsmen won't—"
"Exactly—army sea—Qimen—" Unbelieving—"You trust me—go—"
"Trust you—trust luck—" Can't wait—more paths—must try—"I go with you—"
"M together—"
"Master hidden—quirks—you alone—my husband—my duty—"
First time—always rational—now gamble—for Prince?
Stood—firm as planned—"Compass—" Mo Qing Congyang—"Phoenix Head—" Tieyi watch Prince—"You command—Emperor—my fault—"
Coat—door—"Carriage—"
Authority—undoubtable—