The old poison, unable to catch up to Nan Shiying, stood before the inn, his figure enveloped by the deep night. Only the jade pendant in his hand emitted a round, gentle glow.
He raised his hand and solemnly, carefully, placed the jade pendant back into his embrace.
Then, he sighed.
Followed by a string of curses: "Damn it, you don't want it? Then I'll make sure you get it!!"
"Clang~"
A smelly shoe was thrown out from the inn, accompanied by a furious roar: "Damn it yourself, watch out or I'll smack you with this sole!!"
The old poison: "..."
Ugh!
...
"Haa~~"
Nan Shiying yawned widely, her round eyes misting over, flushed and looking utterly exhausted from lack of sleep.
"Haa~~"
The old poison also yawned, his eyes red as he glared at Nan Shiying.
Nan Shiying glared back!
She had wandered outside for half the night. According to Xuan Yi, this old man had been lurking outside her room for half the night too. If she had returned even a moment sooner, she would have been caught red-handed.
Mu Xiaoxiao looked at Nan Shiying, then at the old poison, blinked, and asked with a confused expression, "Feng Luan, Qin Lao, where did you go last night?"
Nan Shiying, with a stern face, replied, "Night patrol."
The old poison, with a grim face, stated, "Guard duty."
Mu Xiaoxiao looked at the two and sighed, "You've worked hard."
Xuan Yi: "..."
He couldn't take it anymore, he wanted to laugh too much.
...
The Capital.
The Regent's Estate.
Upon receiving the letter sent back by Xuan Wei, Ji Jinmo peeled open the envelope and began to read.
"Master, the Princess Consort has arrived in Lin'an County and discovered..."
Xuan Wei had written down everything that had happened in the past few days. Ji Jinmo read each word, Nan Shiying's every expression and gesture vividly appearing on paper. She had taught the runaway Mu Xiaoxiao a lesson, manipulated the refugees to expose the county magistrate, helped Mu Xiaoxiao to the forefront to control the situation, apprehended Hong Yi's hidden operatives in Lin'an County and incapacitated them, and using an unrelated third party (Prince Gong's estate, Mu Xiaoxiao) to hijack the credit that originally belonged to Hong Yi. Finally, after completely taking control of Lin'an County, she began to practice medicine and dispense aid.
It was all meticulously planned.
She had done even better than he had imagined.
Ji Jinmo's lips curved upwards slightly, his thumb rubbing the edge of the letter, softening his sharp brows.
Thirteen lowered his head, peeking covertly.
...
Yuzhou, Prefecture Office.
News of the unrest in Lin'an County and the heroic intervention by Jiacheng County spread to Hong Yi in the form of letters.
As he read further, the name "Feng Luan of Quanzhou" entered his sight.
The Living Buddha?
That title was a bit exaggerated, wasn't it!
He didn't think much of it. After all, by the time Feng Luan's name had become famous throughout the capital, he had already departed for Yuzhou.
It was the Jiacheng County Princess, however, who gave him pause.
A few days prior, he had received a letter from his subordinate. The letter mentioned wanting to use the Jiacheng County Princess to expose the Lin'an County Magistrate's corruption and embezzlement, and then to reap the benefits by controlling the yamen. But in the end, how did the Jiacheng County Princess end up controlling the situation? Was there a mistake in the middle, or... Hong Yi couldn't help but be suspicious. The appearance of the Jiacheng County Princess and the direction this matter took were simply too coincidental and too deliberate.
Was Prince Gong plotting behind the scenes?
Had Prince Gong, who had always maintained a neutral position, sided with Ji Jinmo?
Hong Yi clenched the letter, his expression deep and unreadable.
...
The events in Lin'an County quickly reached the capital. The common people expressed their contempt for the corrupt Lin'an County Magistrate and praised the Jiacheng County Princess for her heroic efforts. As for Feng Luan, who had been wanted and hunted just days ago, but had now transformed into the Living Buddha, the people were filled with curiosity.
How did this person end up in Yuzhou?
Was it to evade pursuit, or was it truly out of compassion for the world?
But whatever the reason, his righteous act of practicing medicine and dispensing aid had earned everyone's admiration.
And the more Feng Luan's reputation grew, the more the embarrassing incident of Liu Ling being stripped and tied to a tree would be brought up. Liu Ling had refused to leave his estate during this period, hiding within his mansion, wishing he could devour Feng Luan alive.
...
Five days later, after treating all the disaster victims, Nan Shiying concluded the free clinic.
For the disaster victims whose illnesses were not yet cured, they only needed to collect the prepared traditional Chinese medicine from the pharmacy daily for conditioning. With their visit to Lin'an County concluded, Nan Shiying and the other two planned to travel to Yuzhou.
"I want to go too."
Upon learning that Nan Shiying and the other two were leaving, Mu Xiaoxiao clamored to follow.
Xuan Yi kept his lips sealed, his eyes darting around.
The old poison also remained silent, merely looking at Nan Shiying, letting her decide everything.
Nan Shiying glanced at Mu Xiaoxiao and asked, "If you leave, what about these disaster victims in Lin'an County? The capital has not yet sent down an imperial decree to punish the magistrate. Everything relies on the newly recruited yamen officers to detain and guard him. If you leave, and he escapes, what then? Even if he can't escape, who will control the situation in Lin'an County?"
Mu Xiaoxiao was rendered speechless by Nan Shiying's question. She pouted, her eyes drooping with disappointment, her voice thick with a nasal tone, "But I just want to go with you."
Nan Shiying paused, then turned to look at Xuan Yi.
Xuan Yi blinked: What? I don't know how to coax girls either!
Nan Shiying then looked at the old poison.
The old poison, with his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, continued to drink his tea, paying no attention.
Fine, Nan Shiying thought, since the Jiacheng County Princess's name had already reached the capital, the mission of snatching Hong Yi's credit was considered complete. It wasn't impossible for them to leave with her, but... Nan Shiying looked at Mu Xiaoxiao and couldn't help but tut.
Troublesome!
Hearing this disdainful tut, Mu Xiaoxiao suddenly lifted her head, the mist covering her eyes on the verge of forming glistening tears.
Nan Shiying immediately felt a prickle of unease on her scalp.
She cleared her throat and said to Xuan Yi, "Release that person and let him come out to manage Lin'an County."
Xuan Yi: "..."
Wait, you're compromising already?
Xuan Yi's eyes widened.
How can you have even fewer principles when dealing with her than I do with you.
No, that's not right. You're a girl, why are you being so sentimental?
It's preposterous!
Nan Shiying looked at Xuan Yi, raising an eyebrow slightly. Xuan Yi immediately retracted all his inner thoughts and nodded, "I understand, Young Master. I'll release him right away."
Mu Xiaoxiao looked at Nan Shiying and Xuan Yi with a confused expression and asked, "What man?"
Seeing that Nan Shiying didn't want to speak, Xuan Yi replied, "It's the man who gave you the sachet that day."
Mu Xiaoxiao exclaimed in surprise, "They found him?"
Xuan Yi replied, "Yes."
Mu Xiaoxiao suddenly turned and glared furiously at Nan Shiying, leaving Nan Shiying utterly bewildered.
Hey, what's wrong!
Mu Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth and asked fiercely, "You found him, why didn't you tell me? Do you know how long I've been looking for him?"
Nan Shiying blinked, "What were you looking for him for?"
Mu Xiaoxiao was furious and shouted, "Didn't you tell me to look for him?"
Nan Shiying: "..."
Too many things had happened, she had forgotten.
Mu Xiaoxiao really wanted to pick up the teacup and splash it in his face!