Knowing the Warmth of Southern Tea (GL) - Chapter 34

Chapter 34

The following morning, a light, continuous rain fell. This was only the beginning; it was clear that a torrential downpour would follow shortly. In truth, the people of Qingzhou still clung to a glimmer of hope—even if it was the Master’s prophecy, there was always the chance he was wrong.

After all, no one wanted to believe that a flood would destroy their homes and erode the very land they depended on for survival.

When Wen Cha arrived, Rongrong and Nan Nuan had already been waiting in the room for a long time. Wen Cha had been agonizing over whether to remove the Gu; if it were gone, would Nan Nuan send her away from Qingzhou? But was Nan Nuan truly willing to remain entangled with her solely because of this poison?

Wen Cha didn’t want it to be like that. My kindness to you isn’t because of…

She walked in, her chin held high, and declared, “I agree to remove the Gu, but that doesn’t mean I’m leaving. Don’t try to persuade me.” To her surprise, both women simply nodded. The persuasion Wen Cha had anticipated never came. Their immediate acceptance made her feel as if she were in a dream and hadn’t yet woken up.

Rongrong, following her principle of “rather destroy ten temples than break one marriage,” had no intention of stopping them. Furthermore, she knew Nan Nuan would protect Wen Cha’s safety regardless of what happened, so she wasn’t worried at all.

As for Nan Nuan’s thoughts? As the Buddha says: It cannot be told.

“Lie down side by side,” Rongrong instructed, lighting incense in the room. Wen Cha and Nan Nuan lay down together. Although Rongrong didn’t know exactly what Nan Nuan was planning, she played along. After all, Nan Nuan was far cleverer than Wen Cha.

Rongrong had lit sleeping incense. When they woke up, she would simply tell them the Gu was gone.

The past few days of travel and toil had truly exhausted Nan Nuan; she fell asleep almost instantly. As for Wen Cha, she smelled the fragrance, struggled with her thoughts for a moment, and eventually drifted off as well.

Seeing them asleep, Rongrong extinguished the incense and stepped outside, where she found An San waiting.

“Your master is resting. Unless it’s an emergency, come back this afternoon,” Rongrong said. As she turned to leave, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her back and lost consciousness. Her last thought was: Are they sending me away?

Gu Zhuang, you bastard…

“San San, be gentler. She’s pregnant.” An Shi looked at An San with disapproval, thinking he had been too rough. An San ignored her, picked up Rongrong, and headed for the back door where a carriage was already waiting. Once Rongrong was settled inside, An Shi took the reins to drive her away.

“Safe travels,” An San said to An Shi.

“You take care as well.” An Shi glanced at him, praying that the heavens would show mercy and stop the rain.

She drove the carriage away. An Shi, too, wanted to stay and face the flood with the others. But this mission was more important. If the levees failed to hold the water… hope must remain.

Nan Nuan understood that disaster and disease brought fear and despair, but as long as there was a shred of hope, people could follow it to rebuild their homes. In her original plan, this was exactly Rongrong’s role. Having solved three plagues, she was a legend among the people. Such a person brought hope.

Gu Zhuang sat on the roof, watching the carriage disappear into the distance. Only then did he climb down. He didn’t know if this was right or wrong. It wasn’t the first time he had left Rongrong behind to handle matters; he remembered how furious she had been last time…

I hope Rong’er won’t be angry. Only when you are safe can I truly focus.

…

The previous night:

“Mr. Zhuang, are you there?” Nan Nuan had found Gu Zhuang while Rongrong was napping. Gu Zhuang sat by the window; Rongrong was asleep on the bed.

“What is it?” Zhuang asked in a low voice. Nan Nuan didn’t enter, afraid the sound of the door would wake Rongrong. She walked to the window for a secret discussion.

“In a few days, the floods will likely arrive. I ask that you and Madam leave ahead of time,” Nan Nuan said. Zhuang did not answer immediately.

Nan Nuan continued, “I know you both are people of great integrity, but Madam is pregnant. This is not the time to be stubborn. Please take her away. If she is still worried after the flood passes, she can return.”

Rongrong’s value wasn’t just in treating the sick before the disaster, but in being the hope that remained after it.

“How is the water defense project?” Gu Zhuang hit the nail on the head. He wasn’t being arrogant, but he had spent so much time at the levees, participated in every blueprint revision, and supervised the entire construction. When the water came, he was the one person who could not be absent.

Even Nan Nuan admired his talent. It was a waste for him to be a Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. If this man were the Waterway Governor-General, there might not be a flood for centuries.

“It is… as it is.” Nan Nuan knew that letting Gu Zhuang leave now was like pulling a tiger’s teeth. Having him there was like sending charcoal in a snowstorm.

But this matter had nothing to do with Rongrong, and Gu Zhuang and Rongrong had already done enough. Did she really have to ask them to stake their lives on this? Even with Gu Zhuang’s profound strength, if anything went wrong, how could Nan Nuan ever repay Rongrong?

“Rongrong leaves. I stay,” Gu Zhuang said laconically.

“Your integrity is great, sir, but how will Madam agree to that?” Nan Nuan felt that even if they tried to leave together, Rongrong might refuse. If they tried to make her go alone, the plan would likely collapse.

“I hear An Shi is skilled in medicine. With her there, I am at ease.” Zhuang had even thought of the companion for Rongrong’s journey. He was determined. In truth, he had planned to send her away for a long time. Gu Zhuang was not one to leave things half-finished; since he had involved himself in this, he would see it through to the end.

Nan Nuan couldn’t help but admire him. Some people use schemes to achieve their ends, while others use such integrity that you willingly offer your life for their cause. She wondered how many commoners would petition for Gu Zhuang to stay and govern after this was over.

“I understand.” Nan Nuan knew he would force Rongrong to leave, meaning her own plans had to be adjusted. Actually, this was for the best.

“Go then.” Gu Zhuang made his decision. Because of this, Nan Nuan immediately told Rongrong she would remove the Love Gu the next day and had her inform Wen Cha. Thus, today’s events unfolded.

Gu Zhuang knew Rongrong would be angry, but if the levees broke, he feared the worst. Right now, there could not be a single lapse in care for Rongrong’s health.

The people of Qingzhou mostly felt the same as Gu Zhuang. Many young men had sent their parents, wives, and children out of the city. On the roads, one could hear constant goodbyes and weeping.

Can’t bear to leave my son, my husband, my father…

They consoled one another. Regardless of success, as long as they lived, they would meet again. Some took their belongings and fled in the night, but most chose to stay and defend their home, fighting against the flood and against the heavens.

You guard my dreams so the night leaves no trace.

Those who stayed knew the potential consequences, but they preferred to live or die with their homeland.

God bless Qingzhou.

Meanwhile, Wen Wu had arrived in Qingzhou, marveling at the unity of the people. No wonder floods couldn’t break Qingzhou; she suspected that for decades to come, floods would no longer plague this land.

Calculating Rongrong’s position, she spurred her horse forward.