Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Making Preparations

Days turned into weeks. Weeks slowly became months.

Finally, Li Yingshan couldn't handle it any longer. One morning, she was already sitting up when Qiu Ling came in.

"My Lady, didn't you need help?"

"I can still do some things myself, Qiu Ling. Qiu Ling, let me ask you something."

"What is it?"

A seriousness fell over Li Yingshan's eyes. "Are you loyal to me and me only?"

"Of course, you're my Lady! As you've said many times, we grew up together. I would never betray you."

"Then let me ask you one more thing. Would you follow me, no matter if it meant leaving everything and everyone you know behind?"

Qiu Ling gaped at her. "You are my Lady. I would follow you to King Yama's Kingdom. But why are you asking me these things?"

"Because I cannot live in this hell any longer. I need to get out of Longxin City. I need to get away. Will you help me? Will you accompany me to Luoyang?"

"Why the capital?"

"I can be forgotten there. There's so many people in Luoyang, I will just be another person."

"Qiu Ling will follow wherever you go."

Satisfied, Li Yingshan nodded. "Then help me make preparations. We cannot let my father find out about this. He'll punish us both if he does."

Qiu Ling nodded and listened to her instructions. When she had repeated them back, she left the Peace of Mind residence and slipped out of the Li family manor.

After a couple hours, Qiu Ling returned and reported, "Transportation has been arranged. I will go out now and buy you a set of clothes and a veiled hat."

Li Yingshan looked up from her Buddhist sutras. "Good. And Qiu Ling?"

"Hmm?"

Pure gratitude filled her eyes as she added, "Thank you for not giving up on me."

Qiu Ling smiled warmly. "You're the closest person I have to family, my Lady. I'd never abandon you."

After she had left, Li Yingshan sighed. She turned back to her book and continued reading.

Ever since she had become invalided, she found solace in Buddhism. Each day, she read sutras and copied scripture. It gave her something to pass the lonely days.

She also kept to Qiu Ling's strict schedule and exercised her legs as much as she could. Though the numbness hadn't diminished at all, she could still feel that the muscles in her calves and thighs were still strong.

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When Qiu Ling returned again, she had her hide the clothes and hat in a secret compartment under the bed. "We still have some more preparations to make, but I'm planning to leave at night in one week."

"But my Lady, your seventeenth birthday is in a week."

"I know. I mean to leave that night. Any social activities required of me that day will be fulfilled. When it's night, no one will come looking for me. It's improper. It's also why that's the best time to go."

Seeing she was right, Qiu Ling didn't question it any more. "What else do you need me to do?"

"Nothing else for today. We don't want anyone growing suspicious. Lay low for the next couple days also. We still have time. In a few days, go out and buy some medicines. I'll tell you exactly which ones then. You should also buy a water jug so that we can have water on us as we travel. We'll also need some feed for the horse."

"Don't worry, my Lady. I'll take care of everything."

"We'll have to pack this wheelchair as well. I can't go around Luoyang without it."

Curiosity filled Qiu Ling, and she asked, "My Lady, what do you plan to do in Luoyang?"

An untold knowledge glinted in Li Yingshan's eyes. Shrewdness and determination set between her brows. "I've already started planning things. Don't worry, we won't suffer too much. We'll at least have our freedom to go where we want when we want. I refuse to be confined to this manor any longer than I have to be. I. Will. Not. Wither and die young."

∇

A few days later, Qiu Ling set out from the Li family manor. With a list of medicines in hand, she wandered the marketplace, checking the quality of each vendor's goods. She would only buy the best for her Lady.

Going down the list, she bought seaweed to help purify the blood. Next was codonopsis to help boost energy production and balance the earth element within the body. After, she bought ginkgo biloba leaves to help balance the fire element and improve blood and oxygen flow to the brain and extremities. Next was honeysuckle to balance the metal element and help treat colds or other respiratory sickness. After that, she bought mint to help balance the wood element and flavor the medicines. Next was dong quai to help strengthen bones; maintain healthy hair, nails, and skin; and increase the immune system. She also bought some ginseng for increased energy, improving physical beauty by improving blood circulation, enhancing one's metabolism, and soothing nerves. Next was the natural sedative: valerian root to relieve tension, stress, anxiety, and pain. She also bought white willow bark for joint pain relief and pain relief in general. Lastly, she bought goji berries not only for a snack but also to improve vision and brain functionsthis info comes from Ni Maoshing's Secrets of Self-Healing (a traditional Chinese medicine book).

All of these medicinal items she could grind into pills to give to her Lady. Once she had bought them all, she looked for a good-sized water jug. Finally, she found one made from a large gourd. After purchasing it, she returned to the Li family manor.

Inside the Peace of Mind residence, she handed over the high quality herbs and food to Li Yingshan who gaped at them.

"Aiyaan exclamation of surprise, usually, Qiu Ling. You bought such good items!"

"My Lady has been good to me. Therefore, I will do my best for my Lady."

Happiness filled Li Yingshan. At least I have Qiu Ling. I don't know what I'd do without her.

"Thank you. Put these together into small bags and then into a bigger bag. Then hide them away with the water jug."

After Qiu Ling had done so, she returned to Li Yingshan's side. "Anything else, my Lady?"

"No, we just need to buy some food once we're on the road. Other than that, I think we're ready to go." Glancing at her maid, she added, "Will you miss Longxin City?"

Qiu Ling shrugged. "This is the only home I've ever known. But Longxin City has turned its back on my Lady. Since my Lady desires to leave, then Qiu Ling will follow."

"Alright. I also don't wish to leave, but there's nothing for me here any longer. I'm just going to waste away if I stay confined in the Li family manor. And Father will never let me out. Therefore, there's no other option. I must go. To survive, I need to leave Longxin City."

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