Liu Biao had not seen Lady Cai for several days.
After eating his lunch, he ordered for his tea to be served. His life recently had been hectic.
At first, Lu Bu attacked Huangzhou. Then the Jiangdong Army attacked Jiangxia, forcing Huang Zu to slowly retreat. Just when Jiangxia could no longer be defended, Zhuge Liang suddenly appeared. Zhuge Liang was young but talented. He was able to ensure that Jiangdong could not gain any benefits in Jiangxia, allowing peace in Jingzhou.
Just as soon as the East was stable, problems appeared in the West. Liu Biao’s distant relative Liu Bei attacked and occupied Fancheng. With this Liu Biao could be threatened as Jingzhou would never know peace. He would have been forced to move his capital. However, a good ally appeared in Liu Mang. He was such a good ally that he chased away the shameless Liu Bei with his own men, took back Fancheng and on top of that, returned Nanyang.
In the beginning, Nanyang belonged to Liu Biao. However, he lost it to Zhang Ji when he chased away the Deng Family. He thought of killing Zhang Ji as the man was nothing to worry about Zhang Ji died and Zhang Xiu took over. Zhang Xiu was more competent than his father which caused Liu Biao trouble in battle. Fortunately, Zhang Xiu could not govern well. That was why Liu Biao agreed to let Zhang Xiu occupy Nanyang while making him guard Jingzhou.
Nanyang’s owner changed to Liu Bei after Zhang Xiu was killed. When Liu Bei was chased away, Nanyang is naturally left without an owner. Using Xinye to exchange for Nanyang was profitable as Xinye only have three cities while Nanyang have twenty. Jingzhou can expand again. Even the nobles flattered Liu Biao more just to get a bigger share of Nanyang.
“Master. Your tea.” A servant girl poured tea for Liu Biao.
Liu Biao blew on the tea a bit and then took a sip. The fragrance of the tea made him feel at ease.
“How is the Lady’s health?” Liu Biao asked the servant girl. As this servant also worked for Lady Cai, she knew of Lady Cai’s condition.
“The Lady’s health has improved. A few days ago, she has caught a cold but the doctor Zhang Zhong had taken her pulse and prescribed medicine. She should recover soon.”
“She hasn’t recovered from her cold yet?” Liu Biao frowned but did not suspect anything. This is because he was getting old and his immune system has weakened. As a result, he would take half a month to recover from an illness.
“No. It is better to go and visit her!” Liu Biao was too old for sexual affairs but he still loved his wife. After all, she was the one that bore his child.
“Come. Let us go visit her!” Liu Biao said to the people around him. They then supported Liu Biao and escorted him to rear court. Due to rushing to Jingshan the previous time, he now needed assistance even for short walks.
***
“Miss. I’ve brought back the medicine.” Xiao Cui said to Lady Cai who was lying in bed.
“Oh.” Lady Cai replied weakly. She felt nauseous and weak the past few days.
Seeing Lady Cai like this, Xiao Cui supported her up and patted her back. “Miss. Take it easy.”
Lady Cai felt better after vomiting. “He is really making too much trouble for me.” Even though Lady Cai made this comment, she seemed happy. Even Xiao Cui was dazzled.
Xiao Cui looked at Lady Cai with envy. For a moment, she thought that if only the one who got pregnant was her, that scoundrel would come and take her away. She then dismissed that thought.
Lady Cai saw the medicine in Xiao Cui’s hands and ordered. “Xiao Cui. You must personally cook this medicine. Do not let others see it.”
“Milady. Are you certain you want to do this?” Xiao Cui was disturbed. She knew more than anyone that if a pregnant person were to take this medicine, it would lead to an abortion.
“What else can I do?” Lady Cai asked back bitterly. “Which parent do not love their child? He is my flesh and blood but our fate is already destined. I cannot keep him.” Lady Cai said this while feeling heartbroken.
Lady Cai had already passed through her teenage years but she was still a young woman in modern times. It was the age where a woman would be at their most beautiful period. However, her status made it such that she could not decide her life. She also had to repay the Cai Family.
She had dreamt of the fantasy where her shining prince would appear and promise her eternal happiness. However, such things were not possible. Similarly, the child in her stomach was destined to be unable to be with her.
“Miss. I think it is better to tell him about this.” Xiao Cui suggested.
“No!” Lady Cai immediately yelled. She did not know what she was worried of. “I can’t tell him! The only ones that can know is you, me, and Zhang Zhong! If anyone else finds out, you must make sure they can’t say it!” Lady Cai was also smart enough to know that she had to remove any potential obstacles.
“Miss. Why do you do this? It is better if two people carries this weight instead of one!” Xiao Cui felt pity. Lady Cai definitely liked her child, otherwise she would not have bought the Thirteen Taibao. However, her stomach was also getting bigger. Thankfully it was winter but very soon, she would not be able to hide her pregnancy by wearing more clothes. That was why Xiao Cui was ordered to get medicine from Zhang Zhong.
Xiao Cui felt sorry for Lady Cai. What was initially supposed to be a happy event is going to turn into a crisis because of their identities. That was only a few people were allowed to know about this. Lady Cai was even planning to get rid of Zhang Zhong to silence him afterwards.
“Milady. The Master is here.” One of Lady Cai’s servant knocked on the door and shouted.
“The Master is here? Why is he here?” Lady Cai turned pale for a moment and then quickly became indifferent again. “I understand.” She then turned back to Xiao Cui and reminded her to make the medicine personally.
“I understand.” Once Xiao Cui left, Lady Cai shook her head. She envied Xiao Cui for not needing to adhere to so many restrictions. She was determined to send Xiao Cui over to Liu Mang. Even if she could not be together with him, it would still be a comfort to her.
“Milady!” Liu Biao’s voice was heard from outside the door. Liu Biao then opened the door and entered the door.
“Master.” Lady Cai tried to get out of bed to greet Liu Biao properly but he stopped her. “Milady. There is no need for that when you are sick.”
“Is there a reason Master had visited this concubine today?” Lady Cai asked.
“I am just worried as Milady have been sick the past few days. Have you gotten better?” Liu Biao replied. He wanted to open the curtains but was stopped by Lady Cai.
“Master. This concubine’s health has improved a lot. The doctor have also already prescribed the medicine. This is a cold so it would not be good to spread the illness to you.” Lady Cai already started to feel rebellious. She started to have feelings of hate for Liu Biao so she did not want to see him.
“That’s right.” Liu Biao nodded. The common cold was infectious so Liu Biao agreed not to open the curtains and talked to Lady Cai from outside.
“Milady. Tell this husband if there is anything you need. Someone go and bring over that one thousand year old ginseng from the treasury here to help the Lady remove the cold!” Liu Biao ordered his people. The ginseng was given by Huang Zu as a tribute. Liu Biao did not even think of using it for himself but was immediately willing to use it for Lady Cai. Not much of the ginseng was needed. One root was enough.
“There is no need! Master, this is just a cold! All I need is lots of rest! Leave the thousand year old ginseng for when we really it!” Lady Cai replied. Why nourish the body when she wanted to abort her child?
“Just take the ginseng. You can use it whenever you want!” Liu Biao replied. He then continued to chat with his wife for a while until one of his guards gave him a report.
“Milord. General Huang Zu’s eldest son is requesting an audience.” Huang She was just someone who writes down orders and was generally worthless. However, he was Huang Zu’s son which made him important
“Huang She? Why is he here?” Liu Biao asked with discontent. Huang She had been too disgraceful in the past few days. He had opposed Liu Mang so many times and had been sent to prison twice. Now, Liu Biao felt his head ache when he sees Huang She.
“I don’t want to see him! Tell him to leave. Just say I am not free!” Liu Biao waved his hand. Just as the guard was about to leave to deliver Liu Biao’s reply, Lady Cai stopped him.
“Milady?”
“Master. This Huang She is General Huang Zu’s son. If he pays you a visit, you will still need to meet him or others will gossip.” Lady Cai replied. Of course, she was doing this simply because she did not want Liu Biao to stay by her side for too long. When Xiao Cui returns, she would need to eat that medicine.
“N!” Liu Biao nodded. Huang Zu was a talented general and was one of Jingzhou’s pillars of support. He had to give face to Huang Zu by helping out the man’s useless son Huang She. “Milady is right. In that case, I will go and meet him.”
“Go. Do not delay military matters.”
“What kind of military matters can that guy even have?” Liu Biao replied with disdain as he left.
***
“Brother. Do you think Liu Biao would see us?” Huang Kai asked Huang She. Although Huang Kai had visited before, he was simply accompanying others. This was the first time he came to see JIngzhou personally. It was natural to be worried.
“Refuse to see us?” Huang She froze for a moment as he never considered this fact. He only thought of how to usurp the Cai Family’s position and redeem himself from being a joke in Jingzhou.
“If we can’t see him, let us just leave.” An old man by their side said while feeling excited. He was about to meet Liu Biao. It was like a commoner meeting the Emperor. However, he also felt fear as he was about to plot against Liu Biao’s wife Lady Cai.
This old man was the greedy doctor Chen Quan. Chen Quan was also filled with regrets. As a result of being a busybody, he had Xiao Cui investigated and now got thrown into a struggle between two influential families that he could not afford to offend.
“What are you afraid of?” Huang She asked indignantly. “The Huang Family will guarantee your safety! If things go well, you are sure to gain glory and wealth!”
“Yes! Yes!” Chen Quan replied with a soft voice as he nodded. What else could he do? Both influential families could easily crush him. He could only hold on to the Huang Family in hopes he could survive.
“If we cannot see him, we will make a fuss.” Huang She gritted his teeth. He must meet Liu Biao. His trump card only works if Lady Cai is still pregnant which is why he needed to be quick.
“Who wants to make a fuss here?” A resounding voice appeared as a resentful Liu Biao appeared.
Normally, Huang She would be fly into a rage or become displeased at being admonished like this. However this time, he was happy as the person that appeared was the person he was looking for.
“Uncle!” Huang She quickly knelt before Liu Biao even arrived in front of him.
“Uncle!” Huang Kai who was behind Huang She also knelt and greeted.
“This commoner Chen Quan greets the Lord.” Chen Quan also knelt.
“Are you Huang Yu’s son?” Liu Biao ignored Chen Quan and asked Huang Kai.
“Yes. My father is Huang Yu.” Huang Kai cupped his fist.
“You have grown up.” Liu Biao nodded. Huan Yu was Huang Zu’s little brother. He also joined Liu Biao in conquering the lands last time. While Huang Zu pursued martial abilities, Huang Yu did language and culture. He was the one in charge of staying in charge with Liu Biao in the Huang Family. Unfortunately, his health had declined in recent years.
“Stand up and speak.” Liu Biao said as he looked at Huang Kai. He did not want to see Huang She at all.
“Yes!” All three people nodded and gave their thanks.
“Why have you all come here this time?” Liu Biao asked. His voice was full of resentment towards Huang She, as though admonishing Huang She for being impudent. His father Huang Zu would not be able to protect Huang She from everything.
Huang She had already learned his lesson. Before this, he would be throwing a tantrum when he was reprimanded but now he simply listened quietly and nodded at Liu Biao’s words. Liu Biao felt a little bit satisfied. It seems that this child can be taught.
“This nephew is here this time to visit our aunt.” Huang She said with a good attitude.
“Visit your aunt?” Liu Biao thought it was strange for this to happen out of nowhere.
“Yes. Your nephew heard that his aunt is sick and is worried. So he called over Chen Quan, a well-known doctor from Cirentang to take a look at aunt.” Huang She said sweetly. Liu Biao nodded admiringly at Huang She’s change, thinking that Huang She have become more sensible and now knew how to be concerned for his aunt.
“No need. Your aunt’s health has improved a lot. Your filial intentions is enough.” Liu Biao rejected. All he wanted was for Huang She to stop giving him more headaches. He did not care about anything else.
“This…” Huang She felt depressed. If Liu Biao had rejected him here, how was he supposed to use his trump card? It is not like he could straight up accuse Lady Cai for infidelity here. Chances are he would get thrown into prison again. However, if he went back quietly, his trump card would also be gone as Xiao Cui already bought medicine for abortion. He needed to catch Lady Cai red handed.
Chen Quan sighed with relief and wanted to leave. However, he was afraid of Huang She murderous expression. If Huang She’s plan failed, Chen Quan would not be able to escape. He already heard of Bian Nan’s fate. Although Bian Nan was not dead, he had lost his tongue. In his condition, he might as well be dead.
Fortunately, Chen Quan was still an intelligent person. He watched Liu Biao’s expression and actions for a while and then stepped forward. “Lord Governor. Do you always wear a jade pendant?”
“Hm?” Liu Biao became unhappy at Chen Quan. Since when was a commoner allowed to interrupt the Lord? On top of that, it was normal for a high official to like jades as it would show off their status. They would obviously wear it every day.
“Do you wear it to sleep every night?” Chen Quan added.
Now, Liu Biao was puzzled. He did wear it to sleep every night. A piece of jade was even used in making his pillow.
“It is no wonder!” Chen Quan said as he started to act out his doctor persona. It was a skill he used to get the high officials and nobles with fat purses to take out their money willingly.
“What’s wrong? Do not mumble!” Huang She was happy when he saw Chen Quan speak at that critical moment. However, he was still worried as his objective was to see Lady Cai.
Chen Quan gave Huang She a look. He originally wanted to act as an able person to slowly gain Liu Biao’s trust. This is so that he would not be suspected. However, he could only be concise thanks to his embarrassing teammate.
“Lord Governor. Was your back injured before this? On top of that, the injury reached the bones!” Chen Quan asked.
“Hm?” Liu Biao was puzzled again. It was true that he had been injured in the back a long time ago. At that time, he was almost killed. Fortunately, he managed to stay alive thanks to his guards. Not many people knew about this matter. Two of those people were Huang Zu and Huang Yu. Liu Biao did not know if Chen Quan had found out about his injuries from the Huang Family.
The truth is, Chen Quan had made a guess. This is because the skin of the area touched by jade will be glossier due to constant friction. As for Liu Biao’s injury, it was because Liu Biao fought to obtain Jingzhou. Those who fought in wars would naturally be injured. A person’s back was pretty much half his body which means a high chance of the injury actually being there. On top of that, there are a lot of bones on a person’s back so any injury would very likely affect the bones as well. “Lord Governor’s bed should also have jade. This will improve Lord Governor’s health.”
“While the jade can help with the injury, its effect is slow. It would take decades before the injury no longer affects the body!”
Chen Quan’s words were correct. The jade was given to Liu Biao by a doctor. It helped reduce the pain Liu Biao feels whenever it rains but the pain was still there.
“Does the doctor have a method?” Liu Biao could not help but ask curiously in hopes that he could remove this pain once and for all.
Chen Quan smiled to himself. Liu Biao had taken the bait.
“There is a way but wouldn’t it be inappropriate to do treatment in such a public place?” Chen Quan nodded and asked.
“Doctor. Please.” Liu Biao nodded and invited Chen Quan in.
Inside a room, Liu Biao took off his shirt and showed his back. Chen Quan took out a herbal plaster from his medicine box and spread it on Liu Biao’s back.
“Lord Governor will feel its effects after some time.” Chen Quan said.
Liu Biao nodded. He was not anxious but Huang She was anxious. Huang She wondered if Chen Quan could really treat this old injury. Huang She also knew about Liu Biao’s injury. If Chen Quan could properly cure it, they would be valued by Liu Biao. However, if Chen Quan could not cure it, they would all sin for cheating Liu Biao.
Chen Quan smiled at Huang She confidently
A short moment later, Liu Biao groaned.
“Chen Quan! You!” Huang She was afraid of being blamed for failing to cure Liu Biao wanted to hit Chen Quan but he was stopped by Liu Biao.
“Do not be rude to the doctor!” Liu Biao said and stood up. His expression showed that he felt comfortable.
“Hm?” This time, it was Huang She’s turn to be shocked.
“A miraculous doctor! If I had met you earlier, I wouldn’t need to suffer the pain in my back until now.” Liu Biao said happily. Liu Biao was able to obtain everything in Jingzhou but he could not cure his back pain. Chen Quan had given him a cure with immediate effect. Liu Biao was already feeling much better and was naturally happy.
“It is this one’s honor to be able to heal the Lord Governor.” Chen Quan replied humbly as he lowered his head towards Liu Biao. With his eyes, he signaled to Huang She as though saying. “No problem. I have skill!”
Chen Quan was not a miracle worker. Liu Biao’s old injury could only be healed with jade so he used a jade powder plaster. Its effects seemed faster because he also added mint and other refreshing ingredients.
“Doctor. Will the pain return?” Liu Biao asked. He did not want to be tormented anymore.
“Lord Governor. If it was a new injury, it would be able to remove it completely. However, for an old injury that is also bone deep like this, my medicine would need years to completely get rid of it.” Chen Quan lied. When he said years, it could mean a year or even ten. By that time, Liu Biao would probably be dead so there was no need to worry so much.
“Is that so?” Liu Biao nodded with regret. “Men! Give this doctor fifty gold!” Liu Biao ordered generously. Since his condition improved, he had to give Chen Quan benefits.
Chen Quan was speechless. If he got fifty gold from the start, wouldn’t he be earning a lot more in the future?
“Doctor. Is it too little? Men! Bring a hundred gold!”
Chen Quan took a deep breath. A hundred gold? Too little? Of course not! He would not even be able to earn that much in several years. Although he wanted the money, he had to resist his desire when he saw Huang She. “Treating Lord Governor is something I should do. This is because without the Lord Governor, Jingzhou will not flourish. The people would not be able to work in peace and happiness. Since this is the case, I cannot accept the money.” Chen Quan said righteously. Even Liu Biao could not help but nod in admiration.
“Alright. If I bestow you this gold, I will just insult you.” Liu Biao waved his hand, getting his soldiers to take away the gold.
Chen Quan felt like crying as the gold was taken away. However, he knew that Liu Biao would see him off after giving the gold. If that were to happen, Huang She would fail in his objective and then kill him later. Even if he had gold, he would not be able to use it if he was dead. Chen Quan could only console himself that by helping Huang She, he would obtain more opportunities to earn riches.
“But… Lord Governor!” Chen Quan cupped his fist.
“Doctor. Did you regret? It is okay. You can still take the gold.” Liu Biao looked at Chen Quan understandingly. Even common people move for benefits. A hundred gold was more than enough to buy an estate in Xiangyang.
“No, no!” Chen Quan gritted his teeth as he resisted the temptation of wealth for his own safety with great difficulty. He wept from heartache as he spoke. “Lord Governor. It is not the gold on my mind but Lord Governor’s wife. I have medical skills but is unable to treat her. This makes me feel uneasy.”
“It is good to have such intentions!” Liu Biao was touched. There were many who cried in front of him. Most of those people begged for forgiveness. However, Chen Quan was the first one to weep hoping to cure his wife’s illness. However, his wife is almost cured so he did not want to bother this loyal and dependable doctor. “My wife is already doing well. All she needs is a little bit more rest to recover from typhoid1.”
“How can this be?” Chen Quan said anxiously. If Chen Quan doesn’t treat this disease, he would be dead. “Lord Governor. This is a typhoid! It is a serious illness. If one is not careful, there will be huge problems!”
“What?” Liu Biao hesitated. Lady Cai had already gone to sleep. He did not want to disturb her.
“Yes, uncle! Typhoid is a serious illness! It may seem minor but there might be other diseases as well!” Huang She and Huang Kai added.
Seeing that Liu Biao was still hesitating, Huang She tried to persuade him. “Uncle. Look at Doctor Chen’s sincerity. Do you have the heart to refuse him? Allow him to see the patient. If she is sick, he can cure her. If not, he can make sure she is healthy! If he doesn’t see her and it is a serious illness, it would become too late for regrets. Does uncle want to take another wife?” Huang She’s words were extremely rude. In a normal situation, Liu Biao would have already thrown Huang She back into prison.
Liu Biao continued to hesitate but eventually remembered that Chen Quan did make his back feel comfortable.
“Alright. I will take you all to see her. Once you see her, you must leave. Do not disturb her rest!” Liu Biao nodded. There was no harm in letting Chen Quan see her as a precaution.
“Of course!” Huang She and the others were extremely happy but continued to show a worried expression on their faces.
Liu Biao then got his servant to escort them to Lady Cai’s courtyard.
Meanwhile, Huang She felt like laughing. Once they go to Lady Cai and take her pulse, she would be exposed. The Cai Family would be finished and the Huang Family will rise to the top.
With this achievement, even his father would have a whole new level of respect for him. The more Huang She thought to himself, the more excited he became.
****
During the time Xiao Cui was making the medicine, Lady Cai talked to herself in her room. It was as though she wanted to express all her thoughts towards the child in her stomach.
“My child! It is your mother’s fault that you cannot be born! This is your mother’s fault!” Lady Cai said as she gently caressed her stomach. “My child, I wish you could be born in a good family in your next life. Do not be born to an influential family.” An influential family would not need to worry about food but they were not allowed to have their own feelings.
“If only he was here.” Lady Cai said as he thought of Liu Mang. She was just a weak woman with no power to do anything. She wanted to keep the child but if she did that, she would involve her entire family.
“Child. Your mother will repay you for this in the next life.”
At this moment, the door was knocked. The servant outside then said that Liu Biao has returned to pay her a visit.
“Again?” Lady Cai frowned. “Didn’t he just leave to meet Huang Zu’s son?”
“Yes. The Master met Huang She. The doctor Huang She brought with him heard that Milady is sick and wanted to take your pulse.” The servant replied.
“What?” Lady Cai shouted.
Huang She brought a doctor? Lady Cai panicked at that thought. She could not allow anyone to find out she is pregnant. In her panic, she wondered who leaked this information to the Huang Family. Eventually she decided that nobody could have leaked this information. Xiao Cui was her childhood friend. They were like relatives so Xiao Cui would not betray her. On the other hand, Zhang Zhong will get himself into trouble if he were to leak this information. Many would go after his life to curry favor with the Cai Family. Even if he did not fear death, he would fear for the safety of his family. Lady Cai could not figure out how Huang She found out about her condition.
“Is the Master here yet?” Lady Cai asked.
“They should still be at the back garden.” The servant replied. They all needed to cross the garden to reach Lady Cai’s room. This servant returned here after Liu Biao was treated by Chen Quan.2
“The back garden?” Lady Cai panicked. That was too close to her room.
“No. I cannot do nothing.” Lady Cai did not want to resign herself to her fate. “Qiu Yu! Come in!” Lady Cai ordered.
“Does the Lady have something you need?” The servant Qiu Yu asked.
“Come to the bed!” Lady Cai instructed. Qiu Yu could only follow in confusion.
_____
