Lei Chen tapped on Yu Han's shoulder confusedly, "Are you okay?"
Yu Han jolted at the sudden tap, but calmed himself instantly. He couldn't let his information slip
"You're back," Yu Han nervously uttered, "Did you find anything?"
Lei Chen sighed, "I wish. I just went to two houses. Both elders claimed that they didn't need healthcare nor would the Emperor want that. It's strange if you ask me."
Yu Han was surprised Lei Chen got similar information, "Same here. Do you think this case is beyond you?"
"Let's wait for Sun Kang to get back. If he renders similar results, I'll write a report to His Majesty and request healthcare for the villagers. If a direct report is made in public, even if His Majesty is involved, he must keep his face."
Yu Han was surprised. Lei Chen not only already had a solution but also thought rationally and logically. To consider the village elders' words as the truth, he was basically doubting the Emperor's rule. It was a dangerous spot to be in.
Lei Chen noticed Yu Han's widened eyes and chuckled, "It's fine. His Majesty's eccentricities… are not unknown to anyone."
…
Yu Han's jaw dropped, "You just said that about the Emperor who literally rules over this land."
Lei Chen shrugged, "Even he calls himself crazy."
The more Yu Han got to know about the Emperor, the more speechless he got. When the veiled lady said 'paranoid Emperor', he took it lightly. Now seeing how the Emperor's subjects also had similar thoughts, Yu Han wasn't sure who was more trustworthy.
If Lei Chen was suspicious that the Emperor was related to the poor healthcare of the village, then that meant the Emperor wasn't a good and trustworthy person. What if he wanted Yu Han for unspoken purposes?
But then again, if Yu Han chose not to go to Zhongping State, he had nowhere else to go. He had no money nor any skills to earn a living. Furthermore, Liu Longwei's family was in danger. If Yu Han didn't show his face to the Emperor, that innocent family might die for nothing.
Longwei treated Yu Han warmly. He dared not let him down just because he wasn't sure whom to trust or not.
Soon, Sun Kang arrived at the same spot.
"Guess what I found!"
Both Yu Han and Lei Chen looked at him in anticipation. They weren't sure what to expect.
"His Majesty is up to something," Sun Kang sighed, "What's your plan?"
Lei Chen hummed to think before shaking his head, "We have to be direct. I'll just write a personal report and ask for healthcare on behalf of the village."
"I disagree," Sun Kang insisted.
Lei Chen frowned in confusion. Yu Han was able to digest his plan very easily. Sun Kang was his escort and had little influence over his plans, however Lei Chen considered him a friend before an escort. Although confused, he wanted to hear what Sun Kang had to say first.
"I went to multiple houses. The premise of their words was similar. The Emperor doesn't want to provide them healthcare," Sun Kang explained, "However, their reasons were different. Some people said others didn't pay enough tax. Some people insisted they were healthy and didn't need healthcare. And some people… They claimed they know too much and must be wiped out."
Lei Chen's eyes widened, but Yu Han expected this. He only met one elderly, but knew all of this just because that particular elderly wanted to share more than he should with him. Yu Han didn't know what made him special, but he had the honor of earning this information before Lei Chen and Sun Kang.
"A direct report to His Majesty might even cost you your head," Sun Kang warned Lei Chen.
Yu Han frowned, "If we are so clear that His Majesty wants to end a whole village, shouldn't we publicly confront him like Dr. Lei suggested?"
"That would be our smartest move," Lei Chen sighed, "But how can we be sure His Majesty won't slander us for treason and get us killed? I'm just a traveling doctor who is running errands for the Minister of Health. I dare not step out of my bounds."
Sun Kang nodded, "That's what I wanted you to realize."
"Then what are you going to do?" Yu Han asked. He felt betrayed all of a sudden. He thought Lei Chen would save the villagers as a doctor, but he backed away as soon as he realized they were being punished for knowing too much.
Lei Chen glanced at Yu Han, "I'll ask for your help," he confidently uttered, "I'm just a traveling doctor with no power. But you seem influential. You had His Majesty's bodyguard as an escort, and were summoned to the Capital. If I can humbly request you…" he clasped his hands and bowed slightly, "Please talk about these villagers!"
Yu Han was taken aback. He thought Lei Chen was being selfish at first, but hearing him plead and seeing him bow for some villagers he didn't even know was fascinating.
Sun Kang stepped forward, "No pressure, just mention it to your superiors backhandedly. That might be enough to get the word around."
Lei Chen looked up and nodded.
This was a tough spot to be in. They considered Yu Han special simply because he had powerful escorts. He wasn't sure how to tell them he didn't even know who he was.
"Um…"
"Please don't deny it," Lei Chen pressed his palms together, "I'll compensate you somehow!"
Yu Han gulped, "Actually-"
"Please!" both Lei Chen and Sun Kang simultaneously uttered to convince him. They weren't even ready to hear him out. Yu Han sighed and nodded.
"I can try…" Yu Han nervously uttered, "But don't expect much out of it. I'm not as special as you think."
Lei Chen and Sun Kang ignored his ambiguous words and thanked him for agreeing. Yu Han found it strange that they didn't even know who he was, didn't even bother asking, and still wanted him to help them. He had no choice, though. They were paying for his travel expenses.