Chapter 8: The First Step to Saving a Life
Yu Lingzhao did not dally; she immediately prepared to get off the carriage and head forward with Guan Xiao to check things out. Yu Xunyang wanted to go along, but she stopped him.
"Third Brother, my current identity is a guard. It’s only natural for a guard to go investigate. You stay right here in the carriage; I have Guan Xiao accompanying me."
Yu Lingzhao wanted her contact with Shangguan Bai to be as natural as possible; otherwise, it would be bad if she triggered his defenses.
The original novel mentioned that Shangguan Bai was actually quite good-looking, and high-ranking officials had once tried to take him as a male favorite, this was one of the reasons the mother and son had been displaced and destitute.
Yu Xunyang had no choice but to instruct Guan Xiao to protect his sister well. Only then did Yu Lingzhao descend from the carriage and walk forward with Guan Xiao.
After walking a few steps, she saw a pair of mother and son who were not very old. Their clothes were old but clean; one could tell they were people who tried their best to remain respectable.
The mother leaned against the young man, her exact condition unclear. The young man's own condition didn't look great either; he was practically skin and bones.
Yu Lingzhao had known that Shangguan Bai was indeed miserable, but it was nowhere near as shocking as seeing with her own eyes that he was so thin he barely looked human.
She wanted to speak, but found her throat a bit dry.
Guan Xiao glanced at Yu Lingzhao; seeing that the County Princess had no intention of speaking yet, he remained silent as well.
He had overheard the conversation between the County Princess and the Third Young Master just now; the County Princess seemed to have some interest in this mother and son, so he would simply follow orders.
Yu Lingzhao composed herself for a moment, then stepped forward and took the initiative to ask, "Young Master, my master sent me to see if you need any help."
As expected by Yu Lingzhao, although Shangguan Bai was currently in a wretched and destitute state, he was not someone who trusted others easily.
Seeing Yu Lingzhao approach to greet them, he instinctively shielded his mother behind him, his eyes staring fixedly at Yu Lingzhao.
"Who are you?"
Shangguan Bai was too thin. Looking at him, Yu Lingzhao felt there was little difference between him and a skeleton.
With his overly frail body and defensive eyes, Yu Lingzhao wasn't sure if she was more frightening in his eyes or if he himself was more frightening.
The thought flashed by and vanished. Seeing that he was willing to engage with her, Yu Lingzhao didn't waste words and stated her identity:
"My master is from the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion. We are here this time to pray for the County Princess's blessings. If you require assistance, my master would be very happy to help."
Initially, Shangguan Bai was filled with suspicion toward this kind of unsolicited benefit, stemming from his inner loathing of high-ranking officials.
However, as for the four words "Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion", who in the Great Ye Dynasty did not know them?
This was the War God of Great Ye, the great hero who maintained the peace and prosperity of the dynasty!
A flash of light appeared in Shangguan Bai’s eyes, yet he still harbored some distrust and therefore remained silent.
Yu Lingzhao tilted her head to glance at Shangguan Qingshuang’s condition and felt it was not optimistic; she saw that Shangguan Bai was also extremely weak.
"You need not worry, Young Master. My master simply wishes to accumulate karmic blessings for the County Princess. Furthermore, your mother’s state is worrisome; it cannot be delayed."
Yu Lingzhao could understand why Shangguan Bai didn't want to go with them, so bringing up Shangguan Qingshuang should do the trick.
Seeing the struggle in Shangguan Bai’s eyes, Yu Lingzhao knew she had made the right bet again.
Striking while the iron was hot, she added, "We have some food on our carriage. For your mother’s sake, sir, please do not stand on ceremony."
Truly worried about his mother's condition, and coupled with the fact that the party claimed to be from the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion,
Shangguan Bai finally relented. "Then I shall trouble the nobles."
Shangguan Qingshuang was already weak and powerless, while Shangguan Bai was half-kneeling to support her. Yu Lingzhao and Guan Xiao stepped forward to help.
It was fine for Yu Lingzhao to support Shangguan Qingshuang, but Shangguan Bai avoided Guan Xiao.
However, Shangguan Bai was, after all, someone who had been hungry for a long time. As he stood up, he nearly fell over along with Shangguan Qingshuang.
If Guan Xiao hadn't been quick-witted enough to lend a hand, it was questionable whether the poor mother and son could have even stood up again after such a fall.
Fortunately, the carriage for this trip was very large. Yu Lingzhao led the mother and son onto the carriage, and the space did not feel crowded.
Once on the carriage, Shangguan Bai did not act affected; he first thanked the noble seated in the seat of honor.
Afterward, when Yu Lingzhao handed him water and food, he accepted them all, feeding his mother Shangguan Qingshuang first.
Shangguan Qingshuang was not completely unconscious; she had likely fainted from hunger. After eating a bit of food, she began to groan in a daze.
Shangguan Bai’s eyes turned slightly red, worried to death about his mother’s condition.
Yu Xunyang looked toward Yu Lingzhao, and Yu Lingzhao nodded.
Receiving the signal that his sister wanted to save these people, Yu Xunyang spoke to Shangguan Bai, "Do not be too worried. Huguo Temple has masters who are proficient in medicine. Once we arrive at the temple, we will ask them to check your mother's pulse."
Shangguan Bai had intended to seek medical help at Huguo Temple anyway, but tomorrow was the actual day for the free clinic.
He did not want to take advantage of the nobles: "Thank you, noble young master. This humble one is Shangguan Bai. I was indeed heading to Huguo Temple for medical help, but the free clinic is not until tomorrow. I shall not trouble you further."
Yu Xunyang was stunned, not expecting someone to be so rigid. For the sake of his sister’s wish to save them, he still spoke to him kindly, "It is no trouble. Your mother’s condition looks serious. The Buddhist gates are compassionate; saving a life naturally comes first."
Yu Lingzhao followed up, "Young Master Shangguan, there is no need to decline. My master is also doing this to accumulate merit for the County Princess. Your mother’s safety is what matters most."
Shangguan Bai lowered his eyes to look at his mother. Her body was failing; if she received treatment sooner, perhaps things would be different.
"Thank you, noble young master. Shangguan Bai will keep today's kindness engraved in his heart."
Yu Xunyang spoke no more. At this moment, his heart and eyes were filled with nothing but curiosity as to why his sister wanted to save such a mother and son.
Because there was a patient on the carriage, Yu Lingzhao had Guan Xiao drive the carriage directly to the side gate of Huguo Temple.
They stopped at the guest courtyard, where she and Feiwu helped Shangguan Qingshuang down.
Guan Xiao went to fetch a Great Master of Huguo Temple. Upon seeing the Shangguan mother and son, the Great Master chanted a Buddhist prayer and commented that the Third Young Master was truly compassionate for showing mercy to the common people.
Yu Xunyang did not engage in much small talk with the Great Master, simply asking him to check the pulse and write a prescription.
The Great Master recognized the Shangguan mother and son.
As he checked Shangguan Qingshuang’s pulse, he let out a sigh: "Almsgiver Shangguan’s old illnesses from her early years have damaged her internal organs. She should be well-nurtured and supplemented with dietary therapy to achieve longevity. If things continue like this, I fear it will shorten her lifespan."
Yu Lingzhao nodded and said bluntly, "Please write the prescription, Great Master."
The Great Master glanced at Shangguan Bai. Shangguan Bai remained silent; he knew the medicinal herbs and money his mother required, but, but he simply did not have enough.
Yu Lingzhao gave Yu Xunyang a nudge, and Yu Xunyang immediately said, "Go ahead and write the prescription, Great Master. I have come this time to pray for my younger sister's blessings. I will donate one hundred taels of incense money, and the expenses for the first ten patients of the free clinic for the next three months will be charged to the account of the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion."
"Furthermore, Young Master Shangguan originally planned to come for the free clinic tomorrow anyway, so he is naturally among the first ten. Please feel at ease while writing the prescription."
Hearing this, the Great Master pressed his palms together and said, "Amitabha, how virtuous, how virtuous."
Having finished speaking, Yu Xunyang led Yu Lingzhao and the others away first.
Shangguan Bai, meanwhile, looked toward the direction where Yu Xunyang’s group had departed in shock, his heart filled with complex emotions.
That night, Shangguan Bai supported his mother as they came to the guest courtyard where the Prince of Zhennan’s party was staying.
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