Chapter 221

Chapter 221

Late at night, a carriage suddenly rattled down the quiet road, startling a stray cat foraging by the roadside, which scrambled up a wall.

Inside the carriage, Chen Jing's eyes were bloodshot; he had just received the news and couldn't hold back his tears. Qing Huai, accompanying him, softly comforted him, "Don't worry, Father. Perhaps the teacher will be fine..."

They soon arrived at the yamen. The group quickly dismounted and hurried into the backyard, fearing that any delay might mean missing Old Liang's final moments.

The yamen's backyard was brightly lit. Liang Shuo's wife and their four children waited outside the room, while only the physician and Liang Shuo were inside.

Wang Ying stepped forward and inquired, "Sister-in-law, how is the teacher?"

Mrs. Liang replied with a sorrowful expression, "The doctor is still treating him. There's no news yet."

Everyone waited outside anxiously. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the door finally opened, and all hearts leaped into their throats.

Chen Jing rushed forward to ask, "How is he?"

Liang Shuo replied wearily, "The physician administered acupuncture. He's stabilized for now."

Only then did everyone's hearts settle back into place.

"However... it's unlikely he'll recover. The physician advised us to prepare... prepare for the worst..."

Upon hearing this, several of the grandchildren began sobbing. Wang Ying couldn't hold back his tears either, wiping the corners of his eyes with his sleeve.

The physician emerged with his medical kit. "I am but a humble practitioner with limited skills. I can only prescribe some mild tonics to sustain him."

Chen Qingyan asked, "Is there hope if we take him to the prefectural city or the capital?"

"That, I cannot say. But surely physicians there are a hundred times more skilled than I."

Liang Shuo cupped his hands in gratitude. "Thank you for coming so late. As for the prefectural city, let's forget it. Father is too old to endure such a journey."

The journey from Changting County to Jizhou Prefecture would take thirteen or fourteen days, and to the capital, more than half a month. In the old man's current condition, he wouldn't survive the trip.

The physician left with a servant.

As it was late and freezing outside, Liang Shuo urged everyone to return to their rooms to rest. He prepared two separate rooms for them, so they wouldn't have to travel back and forth.

"Uncle Chen, Father would like to speak with you."

Chen Jing paused mid-step, then nodded, understanding that his old friend wished to discuss his final arrangements.

Inside the room, the lamplight flickered. Chen Jing dismissed the two attending servants and sat down on a nearby chair. Seeing his frail friend lying on the bed, he was overwhelmed with grief and began to weep.

Liang Boqing struggled to open his eyes. Seeing Chen Jing’s tears, he said weakly, "Zheng He, you're here..."

"Ah..."

"Don't sigh... Life and death are fated... *cough*... I called you here to remind you of a few things. Protect Qing Yan and Wang Ying... The secrets they carry... If the Emperor finds out, it would mean their deaths..."

Chen Jing quickly stepped forward to support him. "Don't rush. Speak slowly."

Liang Boqing shared his suspicions with Chen Jing. "I once read a story in a travelogue about a farmer who stumbled upon a hidden paradise—a place without autumn or winter, only spring and summer. Anything planted there would grow, and fresh vegetables could be harvested even in winter..."

"Unfortunately, the secret was discovered. The farmer was tortured, even cut open, but they never found the entrance to that paradise..."

Chen Jing, quick on the uptake, had never considered such a possibility before. But upon reflection, he understood the implications.

"I see. I will help them keep it hidden."

"Also, my poetry manuscripts... If you have time, please organize them for me. There's nothing else to entrust to you..." His son was honest and dependable, his grandchildren kind and pure-hearted. As for the Liang family estate, it had always been managed by his younger brother, who sent the annual dividends without fail. There was nothing else to worry about.

As the two spoke, the door suddenly rattled with a knock, "Teacher, Fourth Uncle, may we come in?"

Chen Qingyan and Wang Ying had quietly approached. They had already decided that Wang Ying would transport the teacher to the capital.

Chen Jing stood and opened the door. "It's so late. Why aren't you two resting?"

Chen Qingyan said, "There's something important we need to discuss with you and Fourth Uncle."

Chen Jing had already guessed what it was. "Come in." He closed the door behind them and bolted it to prevent anyone from intruding.

Upon entering, the two couldn't hold back their tears at the sight of their teacher lying frail on the bed.

"Why the tears... I'm not dead yet, and you're already mourning."

Wang Ying wiped his tears and said, choked up, "Don't talk about death. You still have to see Yuanbao become the top scholar."

"Hahaha... *cough*..." The old man laughed weakly. "I'm afraid I won't live to see that day..."

"You will! Teacher, come with us to the capital. I can take you there right now!"

Chen Jing’s pupils contracted in disbelief. "What did you say?"

Chen Qingyan quickly explained, "We intended to take this secret to our graves, but now, with lives at stake, we can't hide it any longer. Wang Ying and I have access to an experimental field. It allows us to transport people to places we've been before. However, this ability can only be used three times. I used one charge on my way back to avoid a shady inn. Now, we only have two left."

Despite his vast experience, Liang Boqing was stunned by his disciple’s revelation.

Chen Jing also exclaimed, "Is this true?!"

"If Fourth Uncle doesn't believe me, come with me and see for yourself." Chen Qingyan took his arm, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished.

Liang Boqing struggled to prop himself up. "Where... where did they go?"

Wang Ying hurried to support him. "Don't be alarmed, Teacher. They've entered the experimental field. Let me take you in too."

For Old Liang’s convenience, Wang Ying moved his entire bed into the experimental field. When the bright sunlight fell on his face, Liang Boqing was so overwhelmed he forgot to breathe.

"Is this... the hidden paradise you have?"

Wang Ying nodded. "It's just this small plot of land. We can grow grains, fruits, and vegetables here, but that's all. Both of you have eaten produce from here—the winter vegetables we sold were harvested from this field."

"And your knowledge of farming?"

Wang Ying hesitated. "Part of it was taught to me by an old man in my dreams; the rest, I figured out on my own." He didn't dare mention the real truth.

Old Liang didn't doubt him. With such a miraculous place, the presence of an immortal teacher wasn't surprising—perhaps it was even Shennong!

"Teacher, have you decided? Come with us to the capital. We'll take you to see the imperial physicians."

No one wants to die, and Liang Boqing was no exception.

Before, he had no choice and didn't want to be a burden. But now, with such an opportunity, how could he pass it up?

"But there are only two charges left. Wasting one on a dying old man like me—what if I can't be cured? Wouldn't that be a waste?"

Chen Qingyan and Wang Ying spoke in unison, "It's not a waste!"

How could it be a waste!

Without Old Liang, Chen Qingyan might still be living a frustrated and unfulfilled life in Qingshui Town, unable to clear his name. Wang Ying’s talents would have remained undiscovered, and the two agricultural books would never have been printed.

Beyond these practical considerations, there were years of deep emotional bonds. Qing Yan lost his father early, and Wang Ying never knew paternal love growing up. Over the years, Old Liang had treated them like a father to them. No opportunity, no matter how precious, could compare to the safety and health of family!

A renewed hope for life rekindled in Liang Boqing’s eyes. "In that case, I'll go back with you!"

In a flash, they returned to the bedroom. Chen Jing stumbled backward, unsteady on his feet, nearly falling from the disorientation.

Chen Qingyan quickly steadied him. "Please sit, Fourth Uncle."

Now that the decision was made, they had to discuss who would go back with them.

Taking everyone was impossible—suddenly appearing in an unfamiliar place with so many people would surely cause a commotion.

Moreover, Chen Qingyan couldn't teleport back himself. His identity was too conspicuous, especially given the attention on the Liangzhou affair. If he appeared silently in the capital, it might expose their secret.

Chen Jing couldn't go to the capital to report for duty either, as entry requires paperwork that couldn't be forged. As for Qing Huai, his wife, and Fourth Aunt, Wang Ying had no intention of revealing the matter to them.

Fourth Uncle expressed concern, "Can A Ying manage alone?"

Chen Qingyan replied, "Chen Ju and Chen Zhandong will also go back. They've already experienced teleportation with me once and know the secret of the experimental field. Bringing anyone else might lead to complications."

Wang Ying nodded. "As for the rest, Master, you may need to explain things to your family yourself. Otherwise, we can't take you away privately."

Liang Boqing said, "Call Liang Shuo in. I'd like to speak with him alone."

The three left the bedroom. Chen Jing had a servant summon Liang Shuo, his son. Father and son spoke privately for about half an hour before Liang Shuo emerged with red-rimmed eyes.

"Wherever you take my Father, please take good care of him. If anything happens… I hope you'll send word, Uncle. I'll bring him home!"

"Of course."

Chen Zhandong and Chen Ju, upon receiving the message, brought a carriage. Meanwhile, servants inside were packing Old Liang’s belongings—his books, writing tools, and poetry manuscripts—into trunks.

Perhaps fueled by a will to live, the old man seemed much more spirited and was even able to sit up and direct the packing.

By the beginning of the Yin hour (3–5 a.m.), the carriage was ready. The interior was lined with a layer of straw and two thick cotton mattresses to ensure the old man’s comfort.

Liang Shuo personally carried his father into the carriage. Seeing his frail father lying there, he broke down, weeping like a child at the thought that this might be their final farewell.

"Shuo’er, come here."

"Wahh… Father…"

Liang Boqing patted his arm gently. "You're a grandfather now—still crying like this? Don't let your grandson see you and laugh."

Liang Shuo cried even harder.

"This path is one I've chosen for myself. It fulfills my wish to travel the world. Even if I die on the journey, I'll have no regrets. You must not blame anyone else."

"I understand, Father."

"Alright, it's time for me to go. Take good care of the family. If my illness can be cured, we'll reunite someday."

"Yes…"

Wang Ying boarded the carriage with Yuanbao. Only five of them would return to the capital. Chen Qingyan would stay behind and return the next day with Fourth Uncle and the others.

Before departure, Chen Jing wrote several letters for Wang Ying. Upon reaching the capital, he could take these directly to the Imperial Medical Bureau to seek help for treatment.

With everything arranged, Chen Ju led the carriage out through the back gate of the government office.

Dawn was just breaking, and the streets were still empty. After a short while, they turned into a secluded alley—and suddenly, the carriage vanished!

At the same moment, the sound of a horse’s neigh echoed unexpectedly in the Chen family courtyard in the capital.