After the soldiers had passed, Qingsheng finally drove the carriage onto the official road.
After traveling a while, Qingsheng pulled the horse to a stop again.
"What’s wrong?"
Zhao Minghua lifted the curtain, noticing two soldiers supporting each other with a limp, making their way down the road.
Seeing the carriage, they did not make way but approached directly.
"Brother, could you give us a lift in your carriage? We need to get to the next town to find a healer for our injuries."
The two soldiers wore expressions full of pleading.
"It’s not convenient."
What a joke, his family’s future young mistress was in the carriage, how could he let two strangers onboard?
Qingsheng refused them outright.
He felt a bit lucky; if a larger party had been here and those men requested to get on, he wouldn’t have been able to refuse, or else he would be signing his death warrant.
But now, with only two men and his young master possessing extraordinary skills, there was nothing to fear.
On the contrary, protecting the future young mistress was more important.
"Brother, we’re people from Shu City, not bad guys. I beg you, let us meet your master. My brother twisted his foot, and I have sores on my leg; neither of us can walk anymore..."
The soldier knew that to obtain someone’s help, one must first honestly show their cards, so the other party wouldn’t overthink it.
Also, King Yan may be easy to see, but his ghosts are hard to deal with; one must request help from the principal.
"You..."
Qingsheng was about to say something but was stopped by Chun Nuan.
"Stop," Chun Nuan said, "I can ride the horse."
"Nuannuan..."
Zhao Minghua was clearly opposed; it was the twelfth lunar month, chilly winds like knives would cut at her face while riding.
"Don’t you want to know what’s going on? This is your chance."
"It doesn’t mean you have to ride the horse while they sit in the carriage." Zhao Minghua opened the curtain and came out: "Do you know how to ride? I have female company in the vehicle; it’s inconvenient to let you up, but if you can ride, you can have the horse."
"Thank you, sir. Nevertheless, my foot is twisted..."
"Is it just twisted?" Chun Nuan already heard the reason clearly: "Let me have a look."
"Nuannuan..."
For him, looking at a guy’s foot was one thing; going for a lady or a girl was acceptable, but a young man? Zhao Minghua, being narrow-minded, had opinions, and he disagreed.
"I’m firstly a healer. A healer sees only patients, not gender differences."
Chun Nuan was resigned; some people claim they wouldn’t change after marriage, and it’s just a matter of looking at a foot, what was he so nervous about?
Zhao Minghua was immediately chastened by a glare from Chun Nuan.
Chun Nuan got off the carriage and spoke to the young man, "Which foot is twisted? Sit down and take off your shoe, let me see."
"Miss, you..."
The soldier was shocked; a young, beautiful girl offering to look at his foot, it seemed almost like hearing a joke.
"I’m a healer. I’ll evaluate if your foot is serious, if not, I can treat you."
"Ah?"
"Ah, what? Hurry up, don’t waste time." Zhao Minghua was clearly dissatisfied but grudgingly didn’t manage to win against Chun Nuan: "You’re lucky meeting us."
"Yes, yes, you truly are good people!"
Soldier A sat down, removed the right shoe, slightly embarrassed, saying "We’ve marched far, my foot is sweaty, it smells; Miss, you..."
"It’s fine." As a healer, one doesn’t mind a bit of odor; there have been wounds festered with maggots witnessed: "You’ve marched far; where are you coming from and heading to?"
"We’re coming from Han State, heading to Shu County."
"Why such a long way to Shu County?"
"For war, orders to defend Shu County."
"War?" Chun Nuan held his ankle: "Real?"
"Absolutely real." No sooner had the soldier spoken than he let out a scream: "Ah!"
"Alright, try walking."
"This..."
The other soldier stood and walked a few steps.
"It’s healed, bro, my foot is healed, really?"
Delight was beyond measure.
"Indeed healed, Miss, you’re truly amazing."
"Indeed, if you only knew our girl..." Qingsheng started saying something only to be silenced by a glare from his young master.
"You mentioned earlier about the war in Shu County, who is fighting whom?"
"Perhaps you haven’t heard yet, the Third Prince is fighting with the Duke of Shu County, the Third Prince harbors ambitions, a traitor..."
Chun Nuan and Zhao Minghua exchanged glances; it seemed the Third Prince’s influence was truly considerable.