Chapter Twenty-Two: People Can Be Saved

*Cough, cough, cough.* Li Xubai was awakened by the choking smoke. He coughed heavily, his limbs still sluggish, and struggled to open his eyes to look around.

All he could see was billowing, unrelenting smoke, yet strangely, there were no signs of fire damage nearby.

He steadied his mind. It seemed the fire had started elsewhere; here, it was just filled with smoke.

Fortunately, in his past life, he had undergone systematic fire safety training and knew that as long as he protected himself from the smoke, he wouldn’t be in serious danger.

He tried moving his limbs, then crawled low to the ground, avoiding the thickest smoke, inching forward.

After only a few steps, he saw a fallen Buddha shrine. The usually kind-faced Buddha statue was blackened by smoke.

Worse still, under the statue was a trapped leg.

The exposed edge of the garment was intricately embroidered.

Li Xubai hurriedly crawled over to the person.

The person was unconscious, face down toward the door, leg pinned beneath the shrine, unable to move.

They must have been frightened during the fire and, while trying to escape, were struck by the collapsing statue.

“Hey, hey, wake up, wake up!” Li Xubai parted the person’s hair, revealing a face no longer young but well-maintained.

This was a woman of significant status.

Li Xubai didn’t have time to ponder further.

No matter the status, one must first live.

He cautiously called out several more times, but the woman showed no signs of waking.

However, her breathing was steady, and there was no blood beneath her.

She was merely unconscious from smoke inhalation.

By now, Li Xubai had regained some mobility and tested lifting the shrine.

Fortunately, it was hollow and not heavy.

Summoning all his strength, he lifted the shrine enough to create a gap, then hooked it with his foot and propped it up, just enough to free the woman’s leg.

He pulled her leg out.

The woman groaned and slowly opened her eyes.

“Don’t speak, the smoke is too thick. If you talk, you might pass out again,” Li Xubai urged, taking off his jacket, soaking it in a nearby lotus-filled basin, then covering her face with the wet cloth. He asked, “Can you walk?”

The woman, clearly terrified and in severe pain from her injured leg, trembled as she replied, “My leg hurts... I can’t walk.”

Li Xubai glanced around.

The smoke was so thick he couldn’t even make out where the door was.

He asked, “Where’s the door?”

She pointed in a direction.

Li Xubai thought for a moment, tore a strip of cloth from his sleeve to cover his nose and mouth, then said, “You must keep your mouth and nose covered and don’t speak. I’ll carry you out.”

The woman, either too scared or touched, silently lay on his back without a word.

Li Xubai bent low, trying to keep his body close to the ground, and painfully made his way toward the door.

This posture was exhausting, especially with someone on his back.

He had to pause to catch his breath every few steps.

“This is strange. Such a big fire, yet it’s so quiet outside. Not a single firefighter?” Li Xubai muttered.

Though silent, the woman on his back stiffened slightly.

The closer they got to the door, the thicker the black smoke became.

This confirmed Li Xubai’s initial suspicion: the fire had started outside.

He struggled to the door and pushed.

His heart sank.

Who was so heartless to lock the door from outside, sealing them in?

Was fate determined to have Li Xubai die here again?

“Damn it!” he swore, setting the woman down and kicking the door furiously.

But the door was locked tight, unmoving.

“Is there a window?” he asked the woman.

She shook her head, her clothes soaked.

Li Xubai said, “If the door’s locked, the window’s probably nailed shut too.” He looked at her and asked, “Who did you offend that they want you dead?”

Her eyes flickered, and she suddenly chuckled softly, “Young man, how do you know they’re after me?”

Li Xubai said, “Isn’t it obvious? The door’s locked, the fire started outside, we’re both trapped. I’m just a carriage driver; who would I offend? Surely, I’m just a scapegoat. They’re targeting you.”

She smiled, “Ah, clever little one, being so smart at your age isn’t always a blessing.”

“...” Li Xubai narrowed his eyes, “Hey, madam, I saved your life, and you wish me an early death? That’s a bit unfair, isn’t it?”

The woman remained calm, unafraid, “We haven’t even gotten out yet. You can’t say you saved me.”

Li Xubai was speechless.

Hearing that, he gathered his strength and resumed kicking the door.

At that moment, noises finally came from outside.

The clamor of footsteps, shouting, and splashing water followed one after another.

“The door! Why is it locked? Quickly, find the key!”

“No key. This little shrine has long been abandoned!”

“Break the lock! Hurry, break it!”

Loud, unpleasant banging noises rang out.

With a clatter, the lock fell to the ground.

The door to their escape was yanked open with force.

The thick smoke suddenly surged out, rushing wildly.

A shaft of bright daylight spilled inside.

Li Xubai squinted.

Instinctively, he lifted the woman back onto his shoulders and moved toward the exit.

Emerging from the abyss of darkness into boundless light, he still felt a little disoriented.

Before him was a hazy white glow.

His mind was stirred by the fresh air, calming his senses.

Countless people surged forward—some supporting him, others helping the woman down.

They called her “Empress Dowager.”

Empress Dowager!

Li Xubai suddenly snapped awake.

He had just saved an Empress Dowager!

What had he called her earlier? “Old lady”!

Could he take that back now?

Hopefully, it wouldn’t affect his reward.

His mind was a jumble, as if a puppet on strings, manipulated without control.

After changing into clean clothes and having the imperial physician check his pulse, when he saw the meticulously groomed, dignified woman sitting upright again, he was still dazed.

“Don’t you recognize me, young man?” The Empress Dowager had just endured a great calamity, teetering on the edge of life and death, yet her commanding presence and vitality remained formidable.

Li Xubai didn’t even know how to bow properly; he could only smile awkwardly.

Goodness, she was far more intimidating than the young emperor earlier.

No wonder she had been last season’s palace intrigue champion.

“Your Majesty, I—I misspoke earlier. Please, I hope Your Majesty won’t hold it against me,” Li Xubai stammered. He wasn’t well-versed in classical literature; he hadn’t watched many period dramas, so he found it difficult to speak formally to these ancient figures.

The Empress Dowager smiled deeply, “Nonsense, young man, you’re clever. Small mistakes happen, and I don’t take them to heart.”

Li Xubai kept smiling foolishly.

This time, it wasn’t pretending to be ignorant or playing dumb.

He was genuinely intimidated.

Sensing his discomfort but not letting him off easily, the Empress Dowager asked calmly, “Though you saved me, young man, the law requires I question you.”

Li Xubai’s heart pounded wildly. “Your Majesty, whatever you wish to ask, please, go ahead.”