Chapter 133: Borrowing the Immortal Boy to Guard the Threshold

Initially, Jia Mao and the others changed their expressions, grasping clubs and staves as they prepared to swarm the intruder. However, the man made a deep, formal bow and cried out, "Master Ye, save my life!" This caused everyone to freeze in surprise.

Ye Chang himself was stunned as well.

After a brief pause, Ye Chang came to his senses. He narrowed his eyes and looked at the man. "Assistant Magistrate Yuan, what is the meaning of this? Charging wildly through my valley on horseback... and you expect me to save your life?"

The newcomer was none other than Yuan Zai.

If it had been anyone else, Ye Chang might not have been so surprised. But Yuan Zai—especially this fine horse—instantly reminded Ye Chang of the assassins outside Chang'an.

Had those assassins not also ridden fine horses, and ones remarkably similar to the beast Yuan Zai was now mounted on?

Although the horses bore no markings and Ye Chang had not paid close attention at the time, the memory was suddenly triggered. Those assassins were highly likely connected to Yuan Zai. While Yuan Zai himself lacked the resources for such a stunt, his father-in-law, Wang Zhongsi, commanded a legion of loyal and fierce warriors.

The more Ye Chang thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed.

Yuan Zai was by no means a good person, and his frantic appearance suggested he was facing grave trouble. Furthermore, the two of them harbored deep enmity; Ye Chang was certainly not foolish enough to help an enemy.

The panic on Yuan Zai’s face was entirely genuine, nor did he have any reason to fake it. After taking a profound lesson from Ye Chang, he had finally learned to behave. Over the past half-year, he had not dared to provoke Ye Chang. Disgraced and thoroughly discredited within the county, he was practically invisible, and his administrative orders barely left his office.

Yet, he had no choice but to swallow his pride.

Hearing Ye Chang’s words, Yuan Zai cast aside all pride and simply dropped to his knees. "The situation is critical, and your guards would not let me enter, which forced me to act rudely. I beg Master Ye, for the sake of my father-in-law, to spare my wife’s life!"

Ye Chang was finally astonished. Through their several previous clashes, Yuan Zai had never once dropped the name of his powerful father-in-law, General Wang Zhongsi. Yet now, he invoked him directly, and even begged to save his wife's life?

People of the Tang dynasty referred to their wives as new brides, even if they had been married for many years. Ye Chang frowned, stepping aside to avoid Yuan Zai’s prostration. "Assistant Magistrate Yuan, what are you talking about? Your father-in-law is a regional military commissioner, and you are a county magistrate. If even the two of you cannot handle this matter, how could I possibly help?"

"My wife is experiencing a difficult labor! I heard that Master Ye has gathered renowned physicians and experienced midwives here in your valley, which is why I have come to plead. I beg Master Ye, for the sake of the Commissioner’s service to the country, to save my poor wife!" Yuan Zai bit back his humiliation and fury, crying out in desperate supplication.

He had been driven to absolute desperation to take such a step.

His wife, Wang Yunxiu, was six months pregnant. Since the previous day, she had been suffering from incessant labor pains. They had originally expected the child to be born smoothly, but until now, delivery remained elusive. Yuan Zai had hired midwives, only to be told that it was a difficult and obstructed labor.

Obstructed labor!

The mere thought of this terrifying possibility made Yuan Zai’s soul scatter in panic.

Wang Yunxiu was not only his legal wife; his current official robes relied heavily on the backing of the Wang family. If Wang Yunxiu were to die in childbirth, the Wang family would not blame the physicians or midwives; they would blame Yuan Zai for causing her death through pregnancy.

Moreover, because of the incident earlier that year, Wang Yunxiu had been holding a grudge against him, a fact well-known to the Wang family. If they chose to hold him accountable, it was a burden Yuan Zai could never bear.

At the very least, his entire political career would be utterly ruined.

At that thought, he felt a desperate urge to kowtow right there at Ye Chang’s feet.

The midwife he had brought into his home had made it crystal clear: if anyone in the world could save his wife, it was most likely Ye Chang.

Word of Ye Chang inviting renowned physicians and compiling a manual on childbirth had caused quite a stir, and even trapped within the county town, Yuan Zai had caught wind of it. Although those famous physicians had since dispersed and most of the midwives had been sent home with generous gifts, Ye Chang still retained two expert doctors and three skilled midwives at generous expense. They stayed to help refine the *Childbirth Manual* and to care for Ye Chang's infant niece, who had been born not long ago.

Yuan Zai had come here solely to beg Ye Chang to lend him the services of these doctors and midwives.

Despite his extreme panic, he had not lost his wits; his articulation remained clear. Ye Chang quickly grasped the cause and effect, and his brow furrowed deeply.

"Assistant Magistrate Yuan..."

"There is one more matter. My wife acted on her own accord—when Master Ye was ambushed outside Chang'an, it was indeed my wife who mobilized my father-in-law’s retainers to do it," Yuan Zai blurted out before Ye Chang could say more.

This confession confirmed Ye Chang’s suspicions. The assassins who had nearly taken his life outside Chang'an were indeed Wang Zhongsi’s subordinates! Yet, what could be Yuan Zai's intention in exposing this now? Was he attempting a veiled threat?

Before Ye Chang could fully process this, Yuan Zai bowed once more, presenting a strip of white silk.

Inscribed upon the silk was a full confession detailing the unauthorized deployment of retainers to assassinate Ye Chang. At the bottom was Yuan Zai’s own signature, stamped with a bright red fingerprint and his official magistrate’s seal.

Ye Chang was dumbfounded.

This was incriminating evidence delivered right to his doorstep. If he were to forward this to Li Linfu—who had long suspected Wang Zhongsi and feared collusion between him and the Crown Prince—Li Linfu would treat it like a priceless treasure!

Furthermore, deploying private armed forces within the capital of Chang'an was an absolute taboo for Emperor Li Longji. No matter how much trust he placed in Wang Zhongsi, he would surely investigate the matter to the very end.

Yuan Zai lowered his head and pleaded mournfully, "It was Yuan who was in the wrong before. I deserve whatever punishment comes to me, and I have written my confession right here. But what has the unborn child done to deserve this?"

The phrase "what has the unborn child done to deserve this?" softened Ye Chang's heart somewhat. His sister had recently given birth, and he visited the infant in Xiaoliu Village every two or three days. Watching that wrinkled little creature grow rapidly over the span of two months brought him genuine joy.

What shocked Ye Chang even more was Yuan Zai's ruthless decisiveness.

Yuan Zai had pushed things to the absolute limit he could manage, even placing himself entirely at Ye Chang's mercy. This man, previously showing only the potential of a treacherous sycophant, was now converting that potential into genuine capability. Going to such lengths was also a warning to Ye Chang: if assistance was refused, a relentless, fanatical campaign of mutual destruction would follow.

At this thought, Ye Chang reached out, took the strip of white silk in silence, and tucked it away.

Yuan Zai was ecstatic.

By accepting the item, Ye Chang was signaling that he would extend a helping hand. All his posturing and desperation had not been in waste.

Though the leverage over him—and indeed over Wang Zhongsi—now rested firmly in Ye Chang's hands, that was a distant worry. At the very least, he had made it past the immediate crisis.

Ye Chang deeply admired Yuan Zai’s ability to act with such resolute self-sacrifice, which naturally added seven points of wariness to his view of the man.

"Invite Master Ning, Master Han, Mother Sun, and Mother Lu. Have them prepare their carriages at once and send them to the county town," Ye Chang ordered.

"I beg Master Ye to accompany us as well!" Yuan Zai bowed deeply once more.

"Me?" Ye Chang was taken aback.

He was neither a physician nor a midwife. Accompanying them would serve no purpose other than adding to the chaos. What did he expect him to do?

"The midwife said that you are a direct disciple of the legendary Immortal Sun Simiao. With you there, all evil spirits will be repelled!"

Yuan Zai was truly clutching at straws in his desperation. Like a drowning man grasping at any passing reed, he insisted on dragging Ye Chang along. Not wishing to argue further, and having already decided to help, Ye Chang replied straightforwardly, "Very well, I will go. However, life, death, and fortune are in the hands of heaven. I will instruct these two physicians and midwives to do everything in their power, but the final outcome must be left to fate."

"Regardless of the outcome, I will consider it as Master Ye having saved the lives of myself, my wife, and my child," Yuan Zai said without a moment's hesitation.

Whether he truly meant those words in his heart, Ye Chang could not know. However, with the evidence of Yuan Zai's crimes in his possession, he had no fear of any tricks. Without further delay, he gathered the physicians and midwives, and they spurred their horses toward the county town at breakneck speed.

Thanks to Ye Chang, the road from Wuzepo to the county town had been thoroughly repaired, making for a smooth journey. Pushing their mounts to the absolute limit, they reached the newly built county magistrate’s residence within a single hour. The servants and maids inside were running about in a panic, and the two midwives already present were frantic. Upon catching sight of Ye Chang, their faces lit up with joy. "Thank goodness! The Young Immortal has arrived; everything will be fine now!"

Because Luo Shouyi had taken Ye Chang as a junior fellow apprentice on behalf of his master, some locals regarded Ye Chang almost like a deity. While they had previously called him "Young Master," the local physicians and midwives had simply begun calling him "Young Immortal" after he compiled the *Childbirth Manual*.

Ye Chang nodded. "What is the situation?"

"Labor pains began yesterday. The two of us knew the situation was critical and urged the magistrate to fetch the Young Immortal," one midwife said cautiously. "Yet the magistrate only went today..."

Even as they spoke, a loud cry echoed from deep within the inner chambers.

"Movement! There's movement!" A maidservant came running out in a flurry.

Wang Yunxiu had been suffering from persistent labor pains since the previous day without any progress. Both midwives had been at a loss as to what was wrong, which was why they had pressed Yuan Zai to fetch Ye Chang. Initially, Yuan Zai’s pride had gotten the better of him, but by this morning, he dared not delay any longer and had ridden personally to Wolong Valley.

As if by coincidence, after a full day of stagnation, the moment Ye Chang arrived, signs of progress finally emerged.

Naturally, Ye Chang could not enter the inner rooms. A servant brought out a folding camp bed for him, and he sat in quiet dignity outside the front doors. The midwives went in and out to check on the situation, while the physicians stationed themselves near the entrance, constantly conferring and discussing strategies. While they bustled about in a frenzy of activity, Ye Chang remained completely at leisure, whereas Yuan Zai paced back and forth like an ant on a hot pan, drenched in sweat.

Watching Yuan Zai in this state, Ye Chang felt a mix of amusement and lingering sympathy.

Regardless of past conflicts, at this very moment, Yuan Zai was simply a husband deeply worried for his wife.

As Yuan Zai paced blindly, muttering to himself, he accidentally bumped into the folding bed where Ye Chang was seated. He blinked, remembering the man's presence, and brought his hands together in a salute. "Master Ye, if you have any secret methods, please use them now!"

"Just maintain your composure. At a time like this, you cannot panic. If you lose your head, the situation inside will only become more chaotic," Ye Chang said.

Yuan Zai understood the logic in his own mind, but hearing it spoken by Ye Chang carried a strange, persuasive authority.

Perhaps he had suffered too many setbacks at Ye Chang’s hands, which ironically bred a sense of trust: Ye Chang was so calm, he must have a plan.

After an unknown length of time, the weeping and crying of Wang Yunxiu from within the room grew hoarse; clearly, after enduring for so long, she had exhausted her strength. Yuan Zai's heart filled with anxiety once more. He looked at Ye Chang, and Ye Chang frowned slightly as well.

Before long, Mother Lu, one of the midwives, hurried out. Looking at Ye Chang, she reported, "The labor has dragged on too long, and the magistrate's wife has no strength left. Furthermore, the infant's presentation is incorrect. We must use that treasured tool."

"Use it then," Ye Chang replied calmly.

The so-called treasured tool was none other than the obstetrical forceps.

After gathering these physicians and midwives, Ye Chang had proposed the concept of forceps, and together they had determined the specific shape based on the anatomy of an infant's head. Afterward, they commissioned master artisans to forge them from refined steel, maintaining them with rigorous care.

Before use, the forceps had to be boiled and then immersed in the high-proof alcohol provided by Wolong Valley—though Ye Chang did not fully understand advanced medicine, he had applied every sterilization method he could think of. As for the actual efficacy, he had not been entirely certain when he first proposed it.

A short while later, the joyful cheers of the midwives rang out from inside. "The baby is out! Out!"

Immediately following, the crisp cry of a newborn pierced the air. Overwhelmed with emotion, Yuan Zai nearly barged inside, only to be blocked by an elderly servant woman. Shortly after, Mother Lu emerged first, still holding the wooden case.

"How is everyone?" Yuan Zai asked anxiously.

"Congratulations, Magistrate, it’s a young master," the midwife smiled broadly. "Mother and child are both safe and sound. Praise the Daoist ancestors—if not for the Young Immortal, this could have been a disaster."

Ye Chang dared not take the credit. "It is the result of your skill, what does it have to do with me?"

Setting aside all previous animosity, Yuan Zai grabbed Ye Chang's hands and shook them vigorously. "Master Ye, thank you! Thank you! From this day forth, I will follow your every command without hesitation!"

Before Ye Chang could respond, Yuan Zai waved his arms and shouted, "Rewards! Give generous rewards to all the physicians and midwives who came today!"

His heart was overflowing with unadulterated joy. Releasing Ye Chang's hands, he began to dance about in sheer excitement, eager to rush inside and see Wang Yunxiu and the baby. Yet as he reached the doorway, he was intercepted and turned away by another midwife, Mother Sun. "This is no place for a man; do not disturb the new mother and the young master. The magistrate would do well to calm himself."

Grinning from ear to ear, Yuan Zai bobbed his head in eager agreement, though he immediately began pacing around the courtyard once more. Seeing his comical state, Ye Chang smiled, shook his head, and without saying goodbye, quietly walked out of the residence.

Though he had initially harbored doubts about whether extending a helping hand to his enemy was right or wrong, he now felt that his choice had been correct.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Ye Chang stepped out onto the street. No sooner had he emerged than a crowd gathered around him, bowing respectfully. "Young Immortal!"

Ye Chang paused, noticing Mother Lu among the onlookers. He immediately realized that this talkative woman had been gossiping again.

Mother Lu was the most skilled among the midwives Ye Chang had recruited, and she was literate and quick to learn. Her only flaw was her incessant chatter, which left Ye Chang somewhat speechless.

As the crowd paid their respects, it would have been impolite not to return the bow, so he cupped his hands to them all. However, their burning gazes made him feel intensely uncomfortable, and amidst the stares, he caught snippets of their hushed whispers.

"Master Ye received medicine from the Immortal Physician Sun Simiao in a dream, which is why he was able to save the magistrate's wife."

"The magistrate and Master Ye have long been at odds, yet only a true disciple of the Medicine King possesses such boundless compassion..."

These remarks made Ye Chang feel quite embarrassed. Unable to bear the attention any longer, he untethered his horse and prepared to head back.