"Yes!"
Qin Yun smiled, "Seeing you're still honest, I'll treat your illness. It will improve in just a month, and then you only need careful recuperation at home!"
The man excitedly asked, "Are you telling the truth, Lord Qin?"
"My word is my bond! We are talking face to face! I presume you've never even met the person you were looking for, have you?"
The man lowered his head in shame. "I was too desperate for money. When someone approached me, I rashly agreed!"
"What's your name?"
"My name is Niu San!"
Qin Yun stood up and paced back and forth in the woodshed. "Do the neighbors know about your illness?"
"Yes, everyone in the village knows!"
"And how many people know that you have only half a month left to live?"
Niu San thought for a moment and said softly, "Only my wife and my good friend know about it. No other villagers are aware!"
"I was afraid that after my death, his mother and son would be bullied, so I thought of coming out to work. Then, they could take the money and find a new place to live, without having to endure the villagers' taunts!"
Niu San lowered his head, saying guiltily, "Since ancient times, women's doors have been filled with gossip. I don't want my death to bring slander to my wife!"
Qin Yun nodded in agreement. "You do know how to care for others, but your actions are indeed foolish to the extreme!"
"Can you tell me what that powder is now?"
Niu San shook his head. "I don't know. I was just following orders!"
"Alright! I'll let you go back tonight. You can continue to be a spy, but every move you make will be monitored by my people! I want you to unmask the other spy!"
"Only you can successfully connect with her!"
Speaking of connection, Qin Yun narrowed his eyes and asked, "How does she pass messages to you? If you have information to convey, how do you contact her?"
Niu San lowered his head and honestly replied, "If I have something to report, I just need to cough three times at noon in front of the privy, and then touch my head with my left hand!"
Qin Yun stroked his chin in thought. He didn't expect these two spies to have a secret code!
It seemed that the woman was the top spy. As long as they captured her, they would know who was behind it all!
She was very curious as to which official in the capital city disliked her so much that they started targeting her!
Actually, she suspected Li Fengsheng was behind this, but that man wouldn't be so stupid!
He would have just given her the task, and then immediately hired someone to attack her!
In that case!
All suspicion would point to him, which would be a huge disadvantage for him!
"If that woman wants to convey a message to you, what signal will she give?"
"The woman gave no signal at all! She always finds me actively!"
This female spy was quite clever!
"Tomorrow, you must listen carefully. I want you to recognize her voice!"
"Yes, as long as Lord Qin can cure me, I'm willing to be your ox or horse!"
The reason Niu San trusted Qin Yun's medical skills so much was that Qin Yun had accurately predicted his imminent death, which made him believe her!
That very night!
After Qin Yun and Niu San reached an agreement, Niu San was sent to the outskirts unharmed!
Everything returned to normal!
It was as if nothing had changed that night!
After Niu San was sent out of the Zhuangyuan Mansion!
Qingshan came to Qin Yun's side. "Master, your strategy is brilliant, turning the enemy of your enemy into your own person!"
Qin Yun turned her head and smiled at Qingshan. "Niu San simply wants to live. I've given him hope of survival, so he'll naturally work for me!"
"I can cure his illness and promised him ten thousand taels after the mission is accomplished. If he doesn't agree to such favorable terms, he's truly foolish!"
Qingshan chuckled. "Master is indeed Master. I admire you!"
Qin Yun smiled. "This is just an unexpected gain. I didn't expect... to turn Niu San into our person tonight!"
Tonight, Hong Furou completed her mission, and tomorrow, the female spy would be easily apprehended!
"You go to Qingshui Town, Furong Town, and Suyun Town in advance. Those refugees outside the city all came from these three small towns. You will depart tomorrow to investigate!"
"Yes, Master."
Qin Yun looked at Qingshan and said, "Come with me to the study!"
In the study!
Qin Yun opened a drawer and took out over ten small medicine packets. "These powders are made from the two medicinal herbs you brought back last time. I've had them ground into powder and mixed with ten other herbs. Take them and drink them brewed in water every three days!"
"Master, I have no way to repay you. I am willing to be your ox or horse for the rest of my life! My life was given by you!" Qingshan knelt down and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect.
"Alright, why are you being so emotional? I promised you before that I would definitely detoxify you. You just need to finish these medicines, and the poison will be completely gone!"
"Thank you, Master!"
"Get up! You'll have to work hard for me these days!"
Qingshan lowered his head and said sincerely, "I'm not working hard. It is my honor to serve Master."
Qin Yun walked to the window and looked at the sky. "It's almost dawn. I need to go to the outskirts. You should also set off as soon as possible!"
"Master, I take my leave!"
Qin Yun nodded!
Then Qingshan left.
As dawn broke, Qin Yun took Xiaoju to the outskirts!
By the time they reached the outskirts, it was already bright daylight!
Seeing the refugees emerging from their tents, Qin Yun turned her head and glanced at Hong Furou, who was in disguise.
Hong Furou stood by the stove, cooking porridge with a group of maids and matrons. She nodded slightly at Qin Yun.
Seeing this, Qin Yun knew that Hong Furou had accomplished the task!
"My lord, didn't you say you wouldn't come for a few days? Why do you have time to visit today?"
"We are all very happy to see you, my lord!"
A group of elderly matrons came up to Qin Yun, all very excited.
"I had nothing to do today, so I thought I'd come and see. It seems breakfast is ready. Everyone line up to receive your porridge!"
"Thank you, my lord! You are a living Bodhisattva!"
"My lord, you are our provider!"
A group of matrons cheered happily and then lined up to receive their porridge!
Watching everyone queue up in an orderly fashion, Qin Yun said to Xiaoju, "I will be taking the pulse of everyone. After drinking the porridge, everyone is to line up at my tent."
"Yes, young master!"
After giving the instructions, Qin Yun went to her tent and tidied up a bit!
Finally, the tent only contained a long wooden table and two straw stools!
At this moment, Hong Furou also arranged for Niu San to be brought to Qin Yun's tent!
Niu San only needed to identify the woman's voice!
A moment later!
Xiaoju, along with a group of maids, called the refugees to line up in front of Qin Yun's tent for pulse-taking!
When everyone heard that Qin Yun could also diagnose illnesses!
They all stepped forward to queue up!
During the pulse-taking!
Qin Yun was also sincerely examining everyone!
The first person to enter the tent was a white-haired old woman!
Qin Yun naturally asked, "What's your name, and which small town are you from?"
The old woman smiled. "Everyone calls me Granny Mei. I came from Furong Town."
Upon hearing this!
Hong Furou, who was behind the tent, glanced at Niu San!
Niu San shook his head.