In recent years, Gu Youyou’s health had become indistinguishable from that of a common person, so naturally, there was no problem.
She said, "Let’s go. If you can walk, then I can walk."
The two of them quickly packed their belongings and began their journey eastward.
In a world untainted by pollution, the air and the earth were clear and crisp. Jin Ziyuan moved at a brisk pace, and Gu Youyou found it somewhat difficult to keep up.
Even though she normally didn’t sweat, by dawn, she was drenched in perspiration.
Upon seeing this, Jin Ziyuan had no choice but to slow down and wait for her.
"We’ll walk a bit further. Once we get past the village ahead, we’ll reach the market where we can buy horses," he said.
Gu Youyou wiped her sweat and nodded lightly.
She thought to herself that her body was still not as strong as her own, but it was far better than that of an ordinary girl. To walk at such a speed for nearly four hours was exhausting for most people.
Biting her teeth, Gu Youyou picked up her bundle and followed Jin Ziyuan.
After a while, Jin Ziyuan stopped again, glanced at the narrowing field ridge, and said, "You rest here for a moment and wait for me."
Gu Youyou sat down on a rock at the side of the road, drank some water, and ate a few bites of steamed buns.
She had put on a brave face in front of Huo Li the day before and had gone without eating; now she was really hungry.
Looking up, she saw that Jin Ziyuan had chopped off a thick branch from a large tree by the roadside and fashioned it into the shape of a cane.
In the chilly May weather of the north which grew warmer as they traveled eastward, the bucolic roads echoed with birdsong and the fragrance of flowers, and she saw many villagers busily at work in the distance.
This scene made Gu Youyou think of Lotus Village.
That year, she too stood high on a hillside, looking down at the toiling villagers of Lotus Village.
At that time, Grandfather Gu was still alive, guiding oxen in the fields.
Jin Ziyuan brought her the finished cane, placed it in front of Gu Youyou, and said, "Walk with this. It will save you some effort."
Seeing Gu Youyou’s gaze fixed on the busy villagers, he pursed his lips and said, "Taking the countryside roads is for safety, although they are not as easy to travel as the imperial roads."
Gu Youyou cracked a smile and replied, "Thank you. I understand."
After Huo Li returned, he couldn’t worry about whom the news would disturb; he immediately summoned a multitude of Xuanzong disciples to pursue them.
At the same time, he had someone inform the Emperor that Doctor Gu had been abducted by bandits on the road.
How dare these bandits be so bold? The Emperor, Jin Moning, was shocked and immediately summoned Xiao Jinyan into the palace, ordering him to lead troops to aid Huo Li in rescuing Doctor Gu.
Meanwhile, the Lin Family was in turmoil.
The elderly Madam Lin clutched Lin Xingyi’s hand and quivered as she asked, "Didn’t they just say yesterday that she went to treat the State Preceptor? How did she get abducted by bandits so quickly?"
Lin Xingyi tried to calm his mother, saying, "Mother, don’t worry. The Emperor has already dispatched General Xiao and his men to the rescue, and Huo Li of Xuanzong is doing his best to save her. There will be no trouble."
Madam Lin was beside herself, exclaiming loudly, "What do you mean, no trouble? She’s been taken by bandits! Who are those brigands? If a young woman spends a single night in the hands of bandits, everything is ruined—her chastity is lost, and she will never be able to marry." She peered intently at Lin Xingyi and continued, "I’ve always said a girl shouldn’t show her face in public, let alone open a clinic or a clothing store. Look at what’s happened now. If she hadn’t been treating patients, none of this would have occurred."
Lin Xingyi’s expression darkened, and he angrily retorted, "You have the narrow outlook of a woman—what do you know? If she hadn’t opened a clinic in Beijing, would no one know of her medical skills? Don’t forget, her reputation was established in Lingnan long ago. She was called directly to serve the Emperor; he couldn’t refuse the Dao Family’s request, and as his subjects, we can only obey the Emperor’s orders."