kingnovel Chapter 113 is just out of curiosity
Chapter 113 is just out of curiosity
After the old Taoist left, Li Xiaonuan fell into deep thought. Her father and Madam Su stood outside the door, looking at her with worried expressions. The old lady had been taking Xiaojun around the village these past few days, hoping to find the person who had implicated Li Xiaonuan and Zhao Wangchuan.
Li Xiaonuan spent the entire afternoon sullen and depressed in her room, reflecting on her conversation with the old Taoist priest that morning. After the old Taoist priest revealed that he knew where Li Xiaonuan came from, his questions kept revolving around Li Xiaonuan's modern world.
Li Xiaonuan told him about people and things that the old Taoist priest could understand and that were not difficult to comprehend. The old Taoist priest was not a particularly difficult person, and his questions were not as sharp and insightful as those of Prince Jing, but he always managed to get to the point.
For example, when the old Taoist priest asked Li Xiaonuan about her modern lifestyle, he was asking about the spiritual aspect and the constraints of the law. But when Prince Jing asked, he always focused on how people viewed the constraints of the law at that time and how they treated the rulers of that time.
Prince Jing wanted to know every detail about weapons and military management and operations. Unfortunately, Li Xiaonuan was someone who didn't like watching political news in her previous life, so she didn't know much about it. But even though Li Xiaonuan only knew a few words, Prince Jing listened with great interest and even took notes.
Since the old Taoist priest wasn't a member of the imperial court, he mostly asked questions about people's livelihoods. Of course, he was still very curious about the exchanges between different states.
In her previous life, Li Xiaonuan had worked for a multinational company for several years, so she knew a bit about that kind of thing and told the old Taoist priest in detail.
Before the old Taoist priest left, Li Xiaonuan asked him why he had asked those questions. The old Taoist priest replied, "I was just curious."
Yes, curiosity. In her past life, Li Xiaonuan was also quite curious about life in ancient times. But now, Li Xiaonuan really wants to say that she really doesn't want to live in ancient times. It's too difficult. Everyone's thoughts and behaviors are different from hers.
She had to expend a great deal of energy trying to adapt to her new life. She also had to constantly guard against anyone noticing her unusual behavior. In a feudal imperial system, the greatest fears were supernatural phenomena and witchcraft. One wrong move, and her entire clan would suffer.
After thinking for an afternoon, Li Xiaonuan came to a conclusion: she would gradually change herself, little by little. Then, she would help her family and even those around her who knew her to adapt to her lifestyle, which was somewhat incompatible with this ancient way of life.
The next morning, Li Xiaonuan took the things the old Taoist had given her and calmly went to the clinic to find Prince Jing.
Along the way, Xiaogang chattered on and on about his experiences at the clinic to Li Xiaonuan. Of course, the conversation inevitably turned to his excellent mentor, Qi Ji. From Xiaogang's recounting, Li Xiaonuan gleaned a piece of information.
Qi Ji frequented brothels, living a life of endless romance. Yet, he was also the type to flit from flower to flower without ever getting attached to anyone. But there were also shameless courtesans who, relying on their past performances of songs and music for Qi Ji, went to his clinic and asked him to redeem them from their servitude.
This reminded Li Xiaonuan of the day she lost her way after leaving the Wei residence, and that deserted street. Thinking about it now, that must have been Red Street. And that was where Qi Ji had come from. When she asked him how he ended up there, his behavior seemed quite unusual.
The herbal medicine clinic was still bustling with activity, filled with people of all ranks seeking treatment. In the front hall, the apprentices and young doctors who recognized Li Xiaonuan greeted her with smiles. Li Xiaonuan smiled back at them.
Upon entering the backyard, Xiao Gang ran off to find his master. Li Xiaonuan sat in the reception room, awaiting Prince Jing's summons. Looking at the brocade box on the table, she thought that she would have to tell Prince Jing later, no matter what, that she refused to have any further contact with the Zhao family.
The maid was very efficient. Li Xiaonuan had only drunk half of her tea when someone came to invite her to see Prince Jing. In fact, Li Xiaonuan was very puzzled; Prince Jing didn't actually need to stay at the clinic, but he was staying there anyway.
Standing outside Fuwei Courtyard, Li Xiaonuan took a few deep breaths before stepping inside with her usual composure. The old Taoist had said, "Since you're here, make the best of it." Therefore, she was simply Li Xiaonuan; in front of discerning people, she didn't need to hide her true motives.
After kneeling and bowing, Li Xiaonuan was still given a seat. Prince Jing looked at the manuscripts in the brocade box and nodded with a pleased expression. But those manuscripts alone were clearly not enough.
“Yes, that’s what the old man said. The people there, apart from having darker skin, aren’t much different from us. It’s just that their language is very difficult to understand, and communication is very challenging.” Li Xiaonuan was no longer cautious; she no longer needed to hesitate. She wanted to be herself, at least not in front of those who knew her secret.
"Hmm." Prince Jing nodded solemnly and said, "So, of all the places they've been, only the people there are kind to outsiders. I remember you just said that they were once enslaved in a certain place. I wonder where that place is on your map?"
Li Xiaonuan stood up, stepped forward, pointed to a place on the world map she had drawn, and added: "Most of the people there are vicious by nature and live in tribal groups. And those tribes that eat invaders raw, those are truly terrifying."
As Li Xiaonuan explained, she pointed to the regions on the map. Prince Jing then picked up a brush and marked them on another rubbing of the map. Nearly an hour later, the two finished their questioning and answering. Looking at Prince Jing, who was deep in thought, Li Xiaonuan finally mustered up the courage to explain her thoughts.
"Oh? I thought you didn't care what the world thought of you. What, is it really true that the old Li Xiaonuan can't be found again?" Prince Jing raised an eyebrow and asked.
Li Xiaonuan sighed helplessly and replied, "Your Highness, Xiaonuan really doesn't care about what the world thinks. But the world cares about what Xiaonuan does, and Xiaonuan's relatives and friends don't want Xiaonuan to be too self-centered. Also, Xiaonuan doesn't want to sever the pitifully small emotional bond she has with Aunt Zhao."
Prince Jing nodded and said, "I understand. I'm just curious how your charcoal-faced brother knew our purpose. Since you're unwilling to come forward, I won't force you. Alright, you can go back now. If anything happens, send someone to inform me."
Li Xiaonuan agreed and stood up, bowing slightly. Prince Jing had just said that from now on, he shouldn't be treated like a prince, but just like he used to be treated as Doctor Jing.
Just as Li Xiaonuan was about to leave, Prince Jing called her back: "When did your Aunt Zhao come to your village? What was her identity when she came? And was she always wearing a veil?"
Li Xiaonuan looked at Prince Jing with a puzzled expression and asked, "Your Highness, why did you ask about Aunt Zhao's name?"
Prince Jing looked somewhat embarrassed, but still said, "I'm just curious, so please answer."
Li Xiaonuan nodded and slowly recounted Aunt Zhao's background. Of course, she also mentioned that Aunt Zhao's face had been burned.