HNYWEF -Chapter 155 Beyond Cure

Emperor Taizong’s Reign, Year Five, Second Month, Second Day.

Dragon Raising its Head.

Several horse carriages were parked in front of the Marquis’ residence.

Li Shimin got down from the first carriage, followed by Empress Zhangsun.

In the second carriage were Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong.

The third carriage was the most plain. The curtain was lifted, and an old man stepped down.

His hair and beard were completely white. His frame was thin, and he wore a slightly worn grey robe.

He stood at the entrance of the residence and looked up at the plaque. There was no expression on his face.

Cheng Yaojin leaned over and lowered his voice.

“Old Master Sun, the person is inside.”

Sun Simiao nodded.

He said nothing and stepped inside.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun followed behind, with Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong on either side.

The five of them crossed the courtyard, went around the corridor, and arrived at the main room.

Zhou Yi was standing at the doorway, waiting.

When he saw Sun Simiao, he froze for a moment, then bowed.

“Old Master Sun.”

Sun Simiao looked at him for two breaths.

“You are his son?”

Zhou Yi nodded.

Sun Simiao said nothing more.

Zhou Yi opened the door behind him, glanced inside, then stepped aside.

“Old master, please.”

Sun Simiao walked in.

The door closed softly behind him.

The room was dim.

The windows were shut. Only a faint light filtered through the paper window, falling onto the floor in a dull grey patch.

Zhou Xiong was sitting by the window, his back to the door.

He didn’t move.

Sun Simiao also did not move.

He just stood at the doorway, looking at that back.

He looked for a while.

Then he walked over.

He stopped in front of Zhou Xiong.

Zhou Xiong raised his head.

The two looked at each other.

One with white hair and beard, one with clouded eyes.

One standing, one sitting.

Neither spoke.

Outside, Li Shimin stood under the corridor, motionless. Empress Zhangsun stood beside him, also still.

Cheng Yaojin paced back and forth. After a few steps he stopped. Qin Qiong leaned against a pillar, staring at the door.

The room was utterly quiet.

So quiet that even the occasional bird call outside could be heard.

Inside the room, Zhou Xiong looked at Sun Simiao.

Sun Simiao looked back at him.

Those eyes were clouded—but something lay beneath the haze.

Those eyes were muddled—but something also lay beneath that confusion.

The two pairs of eyes locked together.

No one knew how long passed.

Perhaps a quarter of an hour, perhaps half an hour.

Suddenly, Sun Simiao spoke.

His voice was aged, but steady.

“You must be very tired now.”

Zhou Xiong’s eyes moved slightly.

Just once.

Something flickered beneath the haze.

He looked at Sun Simiao.

Held his gaze for three breaths.

Then he spoke.

The sound was forced up from his throat, hoarse but clear.

“Sun Simiao?”

Sun Simiao nodded.

“That is correct. It is this old man.”

Zhou Xiong said nothing more.

Sun Simiao also said nothing more.

They continued to look at each other.

Silence again.

Long silence.

Sun Simiao stood there, looking at Zhou Xiong. Zhou Xiong sat there, looking at Sun Simiao.

Neither moved.

Neither spoke.

Only the light through the paper window slowly shifted.

Across Zhou Xiong’s face, onto Sun Simiao, then away again.

Finally, Sun Simiao moved.

He turned around.

Walked toward the door.

After two steps, he suddenly stopped.

He did not look back.

He stood there for a breath.

Then he continued walking.

He opened the door.

And stepped out.

Li Shimin stepped forward.

“Old Master Sun, how is it?”

Sun Simiao looked at him.

He held his gaze for two breaths.

Then he spoke.

Four words.

“No remedy.”

The courtyard fell instantly silent.

Cheng Yaojin’s mouth opened, but no sound came out.

Qin Qiong stood by the pillar, unmoving.

Empress Zhangsun covered her mouth.

Li Shimin stood there, looking at Sun Simiao, his face completely without expression.

But something in his eyes shattered.

Sun Simiao said nothing more.

He just stood there, looking at Li Shimin.