The Zhao family is to be executed at Yingjie Gate in five days.
Ever since the Zhao family was imprisoned, rumors about them had been circulating widely. However, the Emperor had not issued any explicit decree, leaving people with many speculations but no conclusion.
Now, with the execution order issued, everyone finally understood.
So, it was indeed the assassination plan orchestrated by the Zhao family!
They truly had the audacity of a tiger!
"The Zhao family?"
The people of Dali looked at Hui'an, wondering if this was a scapegoat the Emperor of Lin Yuan was presenting to fool them.
Hui'an had only heard whispers before. Ultimately, events in the capital of Lin Yuan were far beyond what she, a princess of Da Li, could easily pry into. Although she had secretly established several forces in Da Li, her reach was not that long. Previously, after receiving the imperial decree for a peace marriage, she had indeed sent people to infiltrate the capital of Lin Yuan. However, her subordinates who had infiltrated the capital had achieved nothing so far.
The affairs of Lin Yuan's capital were far more complex than she had anticipated.
Upon hearing the officials' questions, she knew their intentions. She deliberated before speaking, "I am not aware of the specifics, but the head of the Zhao family, Zhao Wuyan, is the Commander of the Capital City in Lin Yuan. If he were merely a scapegoat, would it be necessary for it to be him?"
After all, Da Li had only lost an envoy, Qin, and it wasn't her, the princess, who had died. To provide an explanation to Da Li, they would present a Capital City Commander? Ji Hong must be out of his mind!
Hui'an spoke very tactfully, but no one present was foolish. They understood her meaning. Although her statement might be seen as boosting the enemy's morale and dampening their own, everyone had to admit that Lin Yuan would not use a Capital City Commander to accompany a Da Li envoy to death.
Moreover, the current decree was not to kill one person, but to confiscate their property and exterminate their entire clan.
Of course, the reason for Ji Hong's ruthlessness was not simply the death of a Da Li envoy, but the assassination attempt targeted at him.
Allowing the lives of the women to be spared was already a great act of mercy on his part.
"Your Highness, if that is the case, then we?"
Originally, they thought they would have to engage in a protracted debate with Lin Yuan to make them hand over the culprits. They never expected that Lin Yuan would have apprehended the true culprits before their arrival. Judging by the situation, it seemed they were not offering a mere scapegoat to placate them, leaving them with skills but no opportunity to use them.
Since the matter had been resolved, they would likely be able to depart for Da Li after the Zhao family's execution in five days.
This mission to Lin Yuan felt like a mere excursion; they would return after a brief visit.
"No rush!"
Yu Chengxuan, perhaps thinking of something, curved his lips slightly, "Since we are here, why not experience the charm of Lin Yuan?"
Ji Fei opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but upon seeing the smile in Yu Chengxuan's eyes, he swallowed his words.
...
The Nan Residence.
As usual, Qing Zhu administered acupuncture to Madam Nan. Under the guidance of Nan Shiying, his needle technique had advanced by leaps and bounds, and he could now perform acupuncture and treat patients independently.
"Madam Nan is recovering well. Young Master Nan can rest assured."
After the acupuncture, Qing Zhu also checked Madam Wang's pulse. Madam Wang's pulse was no longer as weak and feeble as before. Although she was still somewhat frail, there was already a spark of life in her. However, Qing Zhu also knew that this spark of life would gradually fade with time. Nevertheless, allowing her to live for another half a year was already like snatching life from the King of Hell.
Even Yama would curse in anger.
Nan Yujin was immensely grateful. Madam Wang struggled to get up, wanting to express her thanks, but Qing Zhu stopped her, "Madam, there's no need for such formality. Please rest well."
Qing Zhu glanced at Nan Yujin. After Nan Yujin helped Madam Wang lie down again, he followed Qing Zhu outside.
"Young Master Nan, after another two acupuncture sessions, Madam Nan will no longer require acupuncture. She will only need to take medication for consolidation. As for whether the subsequent prescriptions will change... perhaps I will invite my martial uncle to oversee it and help me refine the prescription. I believe my martial uncle will not refuse."
"Nan is deeply indebted to Mr. Qing Zhu for his kindness." Nan Yujin said, about to kneel.
Qing Zhu stopped Nan Yujin's movement. He saw that this young man was truly filial. Otherwise, he would not have gone to such lengths to invite his martial uncle, considering the rather poor relationship between his martial uncle and the Nan family.
"Young Master Nan, you don't need to do this."
"Alright, it's getting late, I should be going back." He still had his quota of patients for today to see. If his junior martial uncle found out, he would surely lecture him.
Upon hearing this, Nan Yujin did not delay him further but escorted him to the door.
Approaching the main gate, Qing Zhu stopped and looked back.
The maid who had just passed by the corridor seemed to carry a very faint medicinal fragrance. He felt he had smelled that scent somewhere before, but he couldn't recall where for a moment.
"Mr. Qing Zhu?"
Seeing Qing Zhu stop, Nan Yujin asked with some confusion, "Did you forget something?"
Qing Zhu turned back, shook his head at Nan Yujin, "It's nothing. Young Master Nan, please return. I shall take my leave now."
"Mr. Qing Zhu, take care!"
Previously, Nan Yujin had repeatedly offered to escort Qing Zhu with a carriage, but Qing Zhu had refused. After a long time, he stopped asking. Qing Zhu leisurely walked back to Tongji Pharmacy. As soon as he entered, Qing Tang sarcastically greeted him, "Senior martial brother is a master of laziness!"
How far was the Nan Residence from Tongji Pharmacy? Yet, he had spent two hours coming and going. Was he there to treat a patient? He was openly shirking his duties!
Could Qing Zhu admit it? Of course not. He narrowed his eyes and put on his senior martial brother's stern demeanor, "What do you know? Madam Nan's illness is extremely tricky, and my mastery of the needle technique is clearly insufficient, so..."
"Ah, yes, yes, yes. Senior martial brother is right. I have judged a gentleman with a base heart!" If it were a few days ago, he might have believed it. It wasn't until he saw Qing Zhu leisurely stroll back after婉拒 (wǎn jù - politely refuse) Nan Yujin's offer of a carriage, stopping to eat a bowl of wontons at a wonton stall, that Qing Tang truly experienced the joy of making house calls.
"Then, senior martial brother, this patient is yours!" Qing Tang pushed Qing Zhu into a chair without further ado and walked away quickly, stretching his arms vigorously and muttering, "Ya Dan's tremella and osmanthus soup should be ready by now. I'd better go eat a bowl before those brats finish it all."
Qing Zhu: "..."
Aren't you a brat yourself?
Qing Zhu felt that ever since descending the mountain, these brats had become increasingly undisciplined.
Yuan Yuan squatted at the entrance connecting the backyard and the front hall, cracking melon seeds and watching his senior martial brothers' actions of harming their fellow disciples in order to steal a moment of laziness. He shook his head regretfully.
The family is unfortunate, truly unfortunate!
The contemporary disciples of Medicine King Valley are fighting amongst themselves. Is this a distortion of human nature or a decline of morality? Welcome to the grand ethical story: The Truth of Fratricide - The Sin of Fengluan!