After Su Yuxi left, Meng Qinghua and Nangong Li sat down to discuss.
"Duan Xifeng has been captured, and young Yi Hao is alone in the palace. It seems we need to contact Qianying quickly and see how we can help her." Meng Qinghua had stayed in Nanyi Kingdom for three days and had some basic understanding of the situation.
Du Chun nodded in agreement with Meng Qinghua.
"Why don't you and I go to Nanyi Kingdom and contact her through letters?" Since Gu Qianying was inside and they were outside, it seemed like the only way.
"That's not wise. Miss Su said the place they are in is quite remote, and she herself doesn't know which part of the palace it is. If we send the information to the wrong location and it's discovered by the palace guards, Gu Qianying will be in danger." Meng Qinghua objected. Nangong Li also chimed in.
"Then why don't we just enter the palace to find her? Once we find her, everything will be resolved." His idea was rather crude, and Bai Yulan repeatedly shook her head.
"That won't work. That's the imperial palace. Even the smallest country is heavily guarded. If you search around, you're bound to be exposed. Not only will you be unable to help Qianying, but you might end up getting yourselves caught." She tapped Nangong Li's head, knowing this man couldn't come up with any good ideas.
"Then Meng Qinghua, why don't the few of us disguise ourselves as merchants and go to Nanyi Kingdom? Getting settled is the most important thing. We can wait for an opportunity to see Gu Qianying." Du Chun felt they had to make the trip.
Meng Qinghua thought for a moment.
"We do need to send someone, but Nanyi Kingdom respects women and looks down on men. Even if we go, we probably won't encounter any opportunities. If we go, only women can." After some discussion, it was decided that only Meng Xiangxiang and Bai Yulan would go.
"But they don't know martial arts, and we can't follow them. If they encounter danger, won't they become lambs to the slaughter?" Du Chun couldn't agree to his wife putting herself in danger.
Bai Yulan's meager martial arts skills were naturally useless. She propped up her chin and suddenly remembered someone.
"Why don't we find a woman who knows martial arts to accompany them?" Her words enlightened Meng Qinghua.
"Yes, we can find another woman who is highly skilled in martial arts, preferably someone Gu Qianying trusts." Bai Yulan and Nangong Li exchanged glances, not understanding his meaning. Everyone he knew was here, so where could he find someone who knew martial arts and was also very familiar with Gu Qianying?
Du Chun explained from the side.
"I understand what he means. Gu Qianying has a Poisonous Medical Hall in Dongsheng Kingdom, and the owner there, Cai Xia, is her subordinate. That woman is highly skilled in martial arts and adept at using poisons, so she would be the most suitable to accompany you." Bai Yulan was surprised that Gu Qianying's businesses had already expanded to Dongsheng Kingdom.
Bai Yulan curled her lips. She truly knew very little.
The plan was thus decided, and Meng Qinghua immediately sent a letter to the Poisonous Medical Sacred Hall. Although the journey was long, Cai Xia's Qinggong was excellent, and she would likely arrive within three days. In the remaining time, they only needed to properly instruct Meng Xiangxiang and Bai Yulan. Once Cai Xia arrived, the three of them could set off. Su Yuxi needed to recuperate, and while waiting for Cai Xia, everyone accompanied her to familiarize herself with everything in Yi Jing Pavilion. She also slowly adapted to being treated equally by men.
Cai Xia arrived the next evening, and Meng Xiangxiang prepared to depart the following day.
"Wife, take good care of yourself there. Don't panic if something happens. If there's danger, remember to hide behind Cai Xia." On the day of departure, Du Chun brought their son to see them off. The others stood aside, giving the family some privacy.
"I know, you've been saying that for three days, and my ears are starting to get calloused." Meng Xiangxiang stroked her son's small head, smiling dotingly.
"I know I'm being nagging, but you don't know martial arts, and I'm not by your side. These days have been filled with worry." Meng Xiangxiang understood Du Chun's affection. She reached out and hugged her husband, patting his back to comfort him.
"Nanyi Kingdom generally respects women. As long as I don't provoke those in power, I won't be in danger. Don't worry, I'll send carrier pigeons regularly to report my safety once I get there." With her promise, Du Chun finally felt relieved and held his wife tightly.
Meng Qinghua, standing nearby, handed a bowl of medicine to Su Yuxi at the door.
"They are always so mushy. I never knew my sister's husband would dote on her so much after they got married." Seeing his sister being hugged by her husband, he felt a pang of jealousy.
Su Yuxi took the bowl of medicine, a smile involuntarily appearing on her lips. So, when men and women are equal, one truly feels love.
"By the way, Gu Qianying has a little boy with her. Who is that?" Su Yuxi had speculated about young Yi Hao's identity but was not sure of their true relationship.
"That's her son." Meng Qinghua did not hide anything, nor was there anything to hide.
"Oh? Then the man with her is her husband? They don't seem as affectionate as you and your sister." Knowing she was referring to Duan Xifeng, Meng Qinghua repeatedly shook his head.
"That's her elder brother. Gu Qianying's husband is not with her at the moment." Su Yuxi found it strange. Not with her meant he was still alive? Was he lost? Or had he abandoned them, mother and son? Then did Su Cheng still have a chance?
Seeing her deep in thought, Meng Qinghua explained, "Her husband's identity is rather special. You'll naturally understand this as you spend more time together. However, Qianying is a very good person. Almost everyone here has been saved by her. She is a kind-hearted person and a wise woman." Meng Qinghua praised Gu Qianying without reservation, and indeed, she was a friend worth having.
Su Yuxi recalled that Gu Qianying had indeed kept her promise to save her life, and these people were willing to risk danger to go to Nanyi Kingdom for her. She seemed to truly understand now that she had misunderstood Gu Qianying before, only thinking that everything she did was to oppose her, and that her being a physician was only for her own honor. Now, it seemed, she had been wrong.
Su Yuxi drank the medicine in the bowl and looked at Meng Qinghua beside her.
"I didn't understand what love or respect was before, but it's strange, even though I've only been with you for a few days, I suddenly understand everything. It seems she is extraordinary, and perhaps her friends are also extraordinary." Seeing Meng Xiangxiang preparing to leave, she quickly went forward to see her off.
"This is a jade pendant from our Su family. My mother cherishes it dearly and knows it's with me. If you encounter any difficult situations in Nanyi Kingdom, take this and go to the Su family to find my mother. She will definitely help you when she sees it." This item was very important to Su Yuxi, but she gave it to Meng Xiangxiang. The two hugged each other like sisters.