readytorunbook Chapter 295: No Night in the Mountains
Chapter 295: No Night in the Mountains
It's a thousand miles away, and the round trip will take at least five or six days.
Moreover, they would have to go deep into the mountains to search. Even if everything went well, it would probably take at least half a month to twenty days to get back to the capital.
By then, the empress dowager would probably have been buried in the imperial mausoleum!
After a long moment, Ru Yue took a small step forward, bowed respectfully, and said slowly, "Your Majesty, now that we know the whereabouts of the Forgetful Vine, we must give it a try no matter what."
After saying this, she turned slightly and cast her eyes on Doctor Shen who was standing beside her, and then continued: "My master will personally take care of the Queen Mother, I think she should be able to hold on for a while longer.
Ru Yue is willing to go to the mountains with Chu Ning'an to collect herbs. She will do her best and leave the rest to fate. I think His Majesty will have no complaints.
The Queen Mother is blessed with great fortune and great grace. Perhaps she can hold on until we return from collecting herbs!"
Ru Yue's sincere words flowed into Emperor Mingde's heart like a clear spring, touching him deeply.
Yes, even if the chance of success is only one in ten thousand, it is better than just sitting there and waiting to die!
Emperor Mingde gazed at the graceful and charming girl before him, and a trace of pity welled up in his heart. He slowed his tone and gently advised, "You are just a delicate little girl. The journey is difficult and the mountains are high and the waters are long. It is really not appropriate for you to go with him.
You should stay in the palace with your master and take good care of the Queen Mother. I will send someone else to collect herbs."
Ru Yue was extremely intelligent and could naturally hear the concern in Emperor Mingde's words. She couldn't help but develop a rare fondness for this feudal emperor who was in a high position and controlled the world.
She pursed her lips slightly, revealing a faint smile, and said softly, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but Ru Yue must go."
After saying that, she looked around and found that many eyes were all directed at her, and those eyes were full of surprise and confusion.
Facing the doubtful gazes of the crowd, Ru Yue was not afraid and said frankly, "Your Majesty, you may not know that the Wangchuan vine grows in extremely cold and yin places. It is extremely afraid of the invasion of yang energy. Even a little bit of yang energy will make its medicinal effect disappear.
Because of this, only women are qualified to pick this medicine, and after picking it, it must be carefully placed in a cold jade box that can completely isolate the yang energy for proper preservation.
Even the subsequent preparation process must be handled by women themselves."
After listening to Ru Yue's detailed explanation, everyone nodded as if they had just woken up from a dream, but at the same time they couldn't help but sigh at the preciousness and strict requirements of the Wangchuan vine.
Originally, they didn't hold much hope in the Queen Mother's detoxification, and now hearing that the journey to collect herbs was so difficult and dangerous, they felt that hope was even slimmer.
Marquis Wu'an, who was standing aside, was even more worried. He frowned and sighed to himself.
He had finally found his son who had been lost for many years, and the misunderstanding between the father and son had not yet been resolved, but now he was faced with such a difficult situation.
These two inexperienced children had to travel thousands of miles to collect herbs. The journey was full of dangers and they might encounter accidents if they were not careful.
When he thought of this, Marquis Wu'an's heart tightened. He really couldn't bear to let these two children take such a huge risk. If anything really happened to them, he was afraid that his life would not be able to bear it!
His face was solemn. He took a step forward without hesitation, bowed slightly, and respectfully saluted the emperor before him. He said in an urgent and firm tone: "Your Majesty, please understand! Those evil-minded people had the audacity to poison the Empress Dowager. Their purpose is obvious: they want to bring her to eternal damnation!
If these evil villains knew that we sent people to collect herbs, I'm afraid they would kill those people.
If any accident really happens, the Empress Dowager's life will be in extreme danger!
I, your humble servant, boldly request Your Majesty's permission to personally lead a team to escort them to collect herbs. Only in this way can we ensure that nothing goes wrong and live up to Your Majesty's trust."
After hearing these words, Emperor Mingde, who was originally immersed in worry, suddenly realized as if he had been enlightened.
Yes, now we haven't even found out who the person who poisoned us is. If we act rashly, even if we succeed in collecting the herbs we need, if we are destroyed or intercepted by the enemy halfway, wouldn't all our efforts be wasted? We might even lose the Queen Mother's precious life in vain.
Thinking of this, Emperor Mingde finally nodded and agreed to Marquis Wu'an's request.
After receiving the emperor's approval, Marquis Wu'an did not dare to delay even a bit. That afternoon he quickly gathered thirty trusted guards, brought Ru Yue and Chu Ning'an with him, and they left the prosperous and bustling capital at full speed.
Three days later at dusk, the group finally arrived in Wangchuan.
They saw the towering and endless mountains in the distance.
This mountain range is like a sleeping dragon lying across the earth, with no end in sight.
Faced with such a vast forest, everyone felt a deep sense of powerlessness in their hearts - searching for the only life-saving vine in such a vast forest is like looking for a needle in a haystack, how easy is it!
Marquis Wu'an looked seriously at the local old hunter who was hired at a high price, and explained to him in detail the purpose and plan of his visit.
However, the skinny old man, who was breathing like a bellows, shook his head repeatedly, saying that no matter how much silver he was given, he would never go into the mountains overnight.
The grandson who was standing by and supporting the old man seemed quite clever. He quickly explained, "Don't worry, sir! It's really not a good idea to go into the mountains at night. Even if we force ourselves to go in, we won't be able to get far.
My grandfather is the best hunter here. Without him leading the way, no one can guarantee that they can reach the Forgotten Valley safely!"
Seeing the resolute attitude of the grandfather and grandson, Ru Yue knew there must be some unknown taboo or risk. So she slowed down her tone and asked softly, "Old man, is there anything particularly dangerous in this mountain at night?"
Hearing Ru Yue's words, the old man, who had originally closed his eyes, was slightly shocked, as if someone had hit a vital point.
He struggled to slowly open his cloudy old eyes and nodded at Ru Yue with approval.
"Sister Noble, please don't worry. It's our custom here not to go into the mountains at night. You'll understand tomorrow!"
"Please trust my grandfather! He's an extremely experienced hunter. If even he can't lead us to the Forgotten Valley, then I'm afraid no one else can!" The slender but nimble child quickly answered for the old hunter beside him.
Faced with the resolute and unyielding attitude of the grandfather and grandson, the usually decisive and capable Marquis Wu'an was suddenly at a loss.
Thinking of the continuous running around and hard work in the past few days, he himself felt physically and mentally exhausted.
Looking at Ru Yue beside her, her originally pretty face was now covered with fatigue, but even so, she still forced herself to cheer up and hold on.
Seeing this scene, Marquis Wu'an couldn't help but feel a touch of pity in his heart, and at the same time, he felt even more favorable towards Ru Yue, this strong and beautiful woman.
Marquis Wu'an didn't hesitate and gave the order directly: "Everyone must prepare their gear and rest tonight, and prepare their supplies. We will enter the mountains early tomorrow morning!"