eurekapd Chapter 218 The Pursuit...
Chapter 218 The Pursuit...
Guided by the old man, Pei Yunjing and Niannian followed a young man from the village, silently traversing the mountains and forests along a path almost entirely covered in weeds. The path was winding and difficult, sometimes requiring them to climb steep rock faces, but their determination was not shaken by the hardships.
A few days later, they finally came to an open area, with the border line faintly visible in the distance. The young man told them that crossing this open area was the final stretch of the road to the border. He could not go any further, but would wait here to ensure their safe passage.
Pei Yunjing and Niannian thanked the young man and offered him some silver as a reward. The young man insisted on refusing, saying, "Your safe departure is the best reward for me."
They embarked on their journey once more, this time so close to freedom. Nian Nian felt a warm current flowing through her heart, a flame of hope burning within her. She held Pei Yun Jing's hand tightly, and they smiled at each other, willing to face the unknown future together.
Just as they were about to cross the border, the tranquility of the morning was suddenly shattered by the rapid sound of galloping hooves. Pei Yunjing and Niannian immediately hid in the nearby bushes, their hearts pounding. They saw a troop of palace guards rapidly approaching, clearly searching for them.
"What should we do?" Nian Nian asked nervously in a low voice.
Pei Yunjing observed calmly for a while, then pointed to a stream not far away: "Let's follow the stream; the current can cover our tracks."
They carefully avoided the guards' sight and ran downstream. Water splashed everywhere, and the icy stream was bone-chilling, but they dared not stop for a moment. Finally, under the cover of a dense forest, they escaped the guards' pursuit.
When Pei Yunjing and Niannian stepped onto solid ground once more, they found themselves standing on the other side of the border. Looking back, the land that had once been filled with intrigue and fear was now far away, and before them lay a vast world full of possibilities.
“We did it, year after year,” Pei Yunjing said excitedly, tears welling in his eyes.
Nian Nian smiled and nodded, tears streaming down her face: "Yes, we are free."
They embraced each other tightly, savoring this hard-won freedom.
Although the road ahead is long, they know that as long as they are together, nothing is impossible. They turned around and walked firmly toward a new life and new hope.
As they took their first steps into their new lives, a familiar figure emerged from the woods—it was the old imperial physician. Both Nian Nian and Pei Yun Jing were stunned; they hadn't expected to see him here again.
“Sir, what are you doing here?” Niannian asked in surprise.
The old imperial physician smiled, a hint of relief in his eyes: "I knew you would succeed, so I followed you. I've spent my whole life in the palace; it's time for me to find my own freedom."
Pei Yunjing stepped forward and said gratefully, "Old sir, you saved us and now you've given up your life in the palace to follow us. How can we ever repay you?"
The old imperial physician waved his hand: "No need to thank me. I just want to do something truly meaningful in the rest of my life. Besides, I have some medical skills that might come in handy on your journey."
Nian Nian nodded gratefully, knowing that with the old imperial physician's help, their journey would be much smoother.
The three continued their journey and soon arrived at a small town. Though small, the town was bustling with activity, and everyone's faces beamed with happiness. They decided to stop and rest there.
During their time in the small town, the old imperial physician used his medical skills to help many people and earned the respect of the townspeople. Pei Yunjing used his martial arts skills to protect the town from bandits. And Niannian won everyone's hearts with her wisdom and kindness.
One day, an elder in the town found them and said, "The three of you have done a lot for our town. We would like to ask you to stay and work together to build this home."
Pei Yunjing and Niannian exchanged a glance, both seeing the hesitation in each other's eyes. Ultimately, they decided to accept the townspeople's invitation and start a new life there.
As time went by, the town prospered thanks to their hard work. Pei Yunjing and Niannian married and had a lovely child, while the old imperial physician became the most respected elder in town. They finally found their place and lived a peaceful and happy life.
In this small town, they are no longer pawns in the palace, no longer fugitives; they are family to each other, a part of this land.
Those past hardships and escapes have become their most precious memories.
As time passed, Pei Yunjing and Niannian's child grew up, inheriting their parents' intelligence and kindness. Under the guidance of the old imperial physician, the child learned medicine; under Pei Yunjing's tutelage, practiced martial arts; and under Niannian's influence, learned how to feel and understand the world with their heart.
Life in the small town was peaceful and fulfilling, with spring's sea of flowers, summer's lush greenery, autumn's bountiful harvest, and winter's warm sunshine—the seasons changed, and life was serene and beautiful. Pei Yunjing and Niannian often took their children to the countryside for outings. They fished by the river, picked fruits in the forest, and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life.
The old imperial physician's clinic became the center of the town, not only a place for treating illnesses but also a hub for exchanging ideas and knowledge. His medical skills and respect for life inspired everyone, making the town's residents more united and harmonious.
One day, several unfamiliar travelers arrived in the small town. They looked travel-worn and as if they had endured a long journey. They stopped in front of the old royal physician's clinic, and one of the older travelers looked at the clinic's sign with a hint of excitement in his eyes.
"Is there an old imperial physician here who came from the palace?" the traveler asked.
The townspeople pointed to the old imperial physician who was sunbathing, and the traveler immediately stepped forward and knelt down in front of him: "Old sir, you may not remember me, but I will never forget your life-saving grace in the palace."
The old imperial physician helped the traveler up, and after some conversation, it turned out that the traveler had once been a palace guard who was injured in a palace coup, and the old physician had saved his life. He had come to the town to find the old physician, hoping to repay the kindness he had shown him years ago.
This story became a legend in the small town, and Pei Yunjing and Niannian felt even more deeply the wonder of fate and the greatness of the old imperial physician. They knew that wherever they went, kindness and justice would always be rewarded.