Volume One: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter 108: Get Lost and Move Aside

His voice carried a strange power that parted the crowd of onlookers and passersby, clearing a path right down the middle for passage.

Several palace guards heard this and immediately glared fiercely, their leader barking, "Boy, do you know who we are? Are you looking for death?"

Chen Chang’an stepped forward calmly, bowing respectfully. "Of course I know. But my second sister is just an ordinary citizen of the city. She seems to have nothing to do with the palace. Why do you want to—"

"My sister, same family! Come on, arrest him too!"

Before Chen could finish, the lead palace guard waved his hand, giving the order. The others immediately showed fierce expressions and moved to seize him. In the blink of an eye, Chen hesitated, unsure whether to respond with force or restraint. Then, catching sight of a familiar carriage slowly approaching, he made his decision boldly: "Eh… try to arrest me, if you dare!"

Clenching his fists, he took a swift step forward, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle. He decisively knocked down the two guards at the front, then swept his leg in a wide arc from left to right, sending the others flying with agonized cries.

"Damn! How dare you strike palace guards!" the leader roared, drawing his curved sword and swinging it fiercely toward Chen’s head.

Chen’s upper body remained still, his lower body shifting slightly to one side, effortlessly dodging the blow. He gathered strength in his palm and struck the guard’s chest with the back of his hand, sending him flying dozens of meters away, toppling a watermelon stand by the street.

Chen approached, casually grabbing a melon with a loud thud and smashing it overhead, red flesh and green rind splattering everywhere.

With the matter settled, he calmly walked to Su Wanqing’s side and untied her bonds. "Second sister, what exactly happened? Why did the palace guards want to arrest you?"

"I… you… he, he…" Su Wanqing stomped her foot anxiously, her words jumbled. "It wasn’t… it was Jia Wen. Jia Wen accidentally broke a ceramic jar at the Baosheng Pharmacy, damaging the medicinal herbs meant for Lady Zhang’s treatment, so…"

"I see!" Chen Chang’an suddenly understood.

The gathered townsfolk whispered among themselves. "Such audacity, beating palace guards! This is Chang’an City, aren’t they afraid of being beheaded?"

At that moment, the carriage Chen had noticed earlier arrived and stopped nearby. The driver barked, "What’s going on? Clear the way at once!"

The lead palace guard, bruised and dazed from the scuffle, recognized the carriage’s owner. He knelt down with a loud thud. "Greetings, Your Highness Princess! Someone caused a disturbance in public and even attacked us!"

He glared fiercely at Chen, grinding his teeth, intending to use the princess’s authority to condemn him.

The accompanying guards echoed with grim expressions, "Yes, Your Highness. This man shows no respect for the Da Min or the royal dignity. He must be severely punished."

From within the carriage, a noble figure drew back the curtain with a flick of her left hand, speaking impatiently, "Who is it, who is it? Just throw him to the dogs, no need for all this fuss!"

The guards pointed in unison at Chen. "Reporting to Your Highness Princess, it’s him!"

The princess’s clear eyes followed their direction, then she screamed, "Ah, Chen Chang’an, you’re not dead?"

Chen was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected the princess to have heard rumors of his death—truly… peculiar. Then he smiled cheerfully and replied, "Yes, Your Highness, all just rumors!"

He had dared to fight the palace guards only because he had recognized Princess Changning’s carriage in advance, hoping this royal little darling would stand up for him, given their encounter just half a month prior.

Sure enough, Changning’s gaze toward the palace guards grew displeased. "You say he caused a scene on the street?"

The lead guard, sensing the situation was veering off-script, hesitated but still forced out, "Y-yes, Your Highness…"

"Bastards!"

Changning kicked him to the ground. "Chen Chang’an is my friend. You’re the ones bullying the common folk, abusing your power! How dare you come outside the palace!"

No one dared respond. Their faces went ashen, mouths agape. This seemingly ordinary young man was actually the princess’s friend…

The onlookers in Chang’an City were equally shocked.

Changning didn’t wait for answers. After the scolding, she casually clapped her hands in front of Chen and said, "The palace servants all like to bully people!"

Chen chuckled, "It’s alright, thank you for your trust, Your Highness."

Suddenly, Su Wanqing knelt down without warning, bending her legs swiftly. "A humble subject greets Your Highness! Please, please save my husband!"

Tears welled in her eyes as she wailed. Her mother had been right—Chen Chang’an did have some favor with Princess Changning and might be able to help.

Changning raised an eyebrow. "Who are you?"

Chen explained, "This is my second sister, Su Wanqing. Her husband—or rather, my brother-in-law—is about to be taken by Eunuch Hai over some matter. Your Highness, please help."

"Ah… I see. What’s going on?" Hearing the name Eunuch Hai, Changning’s tone shifted subtly.

Across all of Da Min, there were two people she feared most: Princess Yongle, the emperor’s elder sister, and Empress Bai Wan. Eunuch Hai was the personal eunuch of Zhang Youzhi, the emperor’s favored male consort. Fear of the powerful was natural, but after some thought, she said with noble resolve, "Don’t worry, Chen Chang’an. You helped me before. I won’t ignore the troubles of your family."

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Chen bowed on the spot.

Su Wanqing kowtowed repeatedly. "Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you!"

About half an hour later, in front of Baosheng Pharmacy at Baoning Ward, Eunuch Hai sat at the door with a chair, delicately sipping tea and occasionally pointing at the tied-up Zhu Jiawen and Qin Fuluo beside him. He spoke coldly, "Such reckless fools, destroying the herbs meant for Lady Zhang’s treatment. Once we catch the other one, I’ll personally see you locked up in the capital’s prison."

Qin Fuluo remained silent.

Zhu Jiawen ignored him too, apologizing remorsefully to the woman beside him, "I’m sorry, mother. It’s my fault… all my fault!"

Qin sighed deeply. "Maybe the feng shui at our ancestors’ graves has gone bad lately."

At that moment, the elegant and graceful Changning approached, her noble aura unmistakable. Eunuch Hai rubbed his eyes against the glaring sunlight, then quickly rose and knelt. "Greetings, Your Highness Princess."

The pharmacy owner, Lü Zhongjin, and his assistants also knelt in unison.

Changning waved her hand lightly, "No need for formalities."

She got straight to the point. "Eunuch Hai, I heard you’ve arrested a few people. Conveniently, they’re all family of my friends. Let them go, just to save face."

Unlike other masters speaking harshly to their servants, she was playful, her expressions ever-changing, smiling warmly to ease the tension.

Eunuch Hai looked troubled. "Your Highness, they damaged the herbs for Lady Zhang’s treatment. Releasing them might not be appropriate. I cannot bear responsibility."

"No problem. I will treat Lady Zhang’s illness myself!" Before Changning could respond, Chen Chang’an and Su Wanqing approached the pharmacy.

"What did you say?"

Eunuch Hai eyed the young man suspiciously. "Lady Zhang’s illness baffles even the Imperial Hospital’s doctors. Even Master Lü requires the purple mist orchid to have a chance at curing it. Don’t spout nonsense."

Chen Chang’an looked confident. "I’m not bluffing. Release them, and I will cure Lady Zhang’s illness—with Your Highness as witness."

He knew Eunuch Hai was closely tied to Zhang Youzhi, the emperor’s favorite. Changning wouldn’t directly demand their release, so his plan was to solve the issue through medicine.

Inviting Changning was mainly to use her status to pressure Eunuch Hai into agreement.

Eunuch Hai hesitated, glancing at Changning.

Changning, surprised, stared at Chen. What was he playing at? A young man just regaining sight claiming medical skill?

She cleared her throat, reminding him, "Chen Chang’an, Imperial Hospital doctors are elites selected nationwide. Master Lü is the top medical expert in Da Min. Even they can’t cure Lady Zhang. Are you sure?"

Chen rolled his eyes at Lü Zhongjin, speaking firmly, "I’m sure. Your Highness, please be my witness. If I fail, I will bear full responsibility."

He had the Herbal Compendium; he wasn’t afraid!

Changning nodded. "Very well."

Then she told Eunuch Hai, "In that case, release them and bring Chen Chang’an into the palace to treat Lady Zhang."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Eunuch Hai said no more, ordering the guards to untie Qin Fuluo and Zhu Jiawen. Faced with a gracious request from the princess, even a servant like him couldn’t refuse.

The face of the princess—how could a servant disobey?

As soon as the ropes were removed, Qin and Zhu hurried over and blocked Chen’s path. "Oh dear, Chang’an, what nonsense! You don’t know a thing about medicine or herbs. How can you treat Lady Zhang?"

"Exactly, brother-in-law, don’t risk yourself trying to save us."

Hearing their words, Su Wanqing, concerned for her husband, tensed with a pale face. "Brother-in-law, please don’t be like this. If it doesn’t work, we’ll find another way!"

Seeing their reactions, Eunuch Hai frowned deeply.

Lü Zhongjin, the pharmacy owner, exclaimed, "Your Highness, medicine requires years of experience and practice. Chen Chang’an is too young. His family’s reaction proves it!"

"Shut up!"

Chen instantly teleported before Lü Zhongjin and slapped his face hard. Swiftly, he deftly pulled a rolled-up needle pouch from Lü’s arms and skillfully extracted three needles, holding them high.

Lü Zhongjin gasped with rage, shouting, "You brat, what do you think you’re doing?"

Chen kicked him aside like trash. "I’ll show you what I’m capable of. Don’t block my way—get out of the way!"