People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 13, The Showdown: Madam Mingzhu Invites You to Visit (Please Read On!)

"Imperial Physician Xu, you don't want the King to know what just happened, do you?"

Xu Qing suddenly looked up at Hu Meiren behind the curtain.

Wait, why does this sound so familiar? According to the plot, aren't these the kinds of things men say? This is completely contrary to the natural order!

After speaking, Hu Meiren blushed even more. Only after she spoke did she realize how much speculation her words would evoke.

Seeing Xu Qing's shocked and confused expression outside the curtain, Hu Meiren grabbed the bedding beside her, wanting to hide inside.

He clearly wanted to use what had just happened to force Xu Qing to tell the truth, so how did things turn out like this after he said it?

Hu Meiren gasped inwardly; in all her years, this was the first time she had ever lost her composure like this.

Looking at Hu Meiren, who was lying on the bed like a ripe apple, Xu Qing thought it over and over again and decided to tell her what was going on.

Now that Hu Meiren has guessed that he knows the truth about the Fire Rain Manor tragedy, even if he denies it outright, she will try every means to get him to talk.

By not informing him proactively, he not only avoided future troubles but also further strengthened the relationship between the two, adding a layer of security to his presence within the Han royal palace.

“My beauty, I know you want to ask about the tragedy at Fire Rain Manor. You must have already guessed that I know the truth about that tragedy,” Xu Qing said.

Hearing Xu Qing's words from behind the curtain, Hu Meiren was initially overjoyed, but upon hearing the second half of his sentence, her excitement vanished instantly. She gripped the blankets tightly, her voice hoarse as she asked...
"Why?"

"This matter should not be told to you by your subject, but by your sister herself."

Hu Meiren stared blankly at Xu Qing, unable to believe her ears. Her previously calm heart suddenly began to pound rapidly.

Overwhelmed with excitement, his body trembled slightly, and he began to stutter.

"Do you know where my sister is? She's still alive, isn't she?"

“Yes.” Xu Qing said halfway through her sentence, then, seeing that no one else was around, she stepped back into the curtain and whispered.

"However, this matter is of great importance. I can tell you where your sister is, but you must not reveal it to anyone else."

Looking at Xu Qing, who was now only separated from her by a curtain, Hu Meiren disregarded the previous romance and embarrassment. She lifted the curtain with both hands, leaned forward, and looked at Xu Qing with excitement.

"I promise you, tell me quickly," Hu Meiren said excitedly.

“Your sister is currently in Xinzheng City. She is now the wife of Liu Yi, the Left Sima. I cannot say more than necessary. You should ask her for the truth about what happened back then,” Xu Qing said.

Xu Qing was unwilling to reveal the truth of what happened back then to Hu Meiren because he was worried that Hu Meiren would be too eager for revenge and rashly take action against Liu Yi.

The mastermind and perpetrators of the Fire Rain Manor massacre were Liu Yi and the Three Wolves with Broken Hair, but Ji Wuye was also behind it all. Furthermore, a survivor of the Three Wolves with Broken Hair, now the Vulture, the Hundred Birds Assassin, is also watching from the shadows.

If anything were to happen to Liu Yi, it would inevitably arouse suspicion from the two of them.

Xu Qing dared not gamble on whether they would find out about him; he was unwilling to take the risk, even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance.

As for Madam Hu, Xu Qing knew that Madam Hu was unaware of the truth. If Madam Hu asked about the truth of the Fire Rain Manor massacre, she would surely be at a loss. Madam Hu assumed that since Madam Hu did not want her to get involved in this matter, she would definitely come back to ask her.

At that time, he would have a reason to deceive Hu Meiren and temporarily suppress the matter.

As for believing that after telling Hu Meiren the truth, she wouldn't be in a hurry to take revenge, Xu Qing said he only trusts himself.

Only when Han Fei returns to his country, or has enough strength to escape from Korea, will he tell Hu Meiren to take revenge.

Hu Meiren was unaware of Xu Qing's thoughts and stared at him in shock. She never expected that her sister, whom she had been searching for for many years, was actually in Xinzheng City.

"Are you telling the truth?" Hu Meiren asked nervously.

“That’s right.” Xu Qing nodded seriously.

"How do you know these things? You probably weren't even born when those events happened, so how could you possibly know the truth and my sister's whereabouts?" Hu Meiren asked suspiciously.

Hu Meiren didn't distrust Xu Qing; rather, she had finally found her sister's whereabouts and didn't want it to end in vain.

"When the tragedy at Fire Rain Manor occurred, I was indeed not yet born. But nothing stays hidden forever; no matter how secretive something is, it will eventually leave some clues. As for your sister's whereabouts, it's because of my father," Xu Qing said.

“When my father was alive, he once took the pulse of Liu Yi, the Left Sima. During that time, he met Lady Hu and only noticed that she looked like you and that she liked watching plays. He remembered this and later unintentionally told me about it.”

"Afterwards, I learned about the Fire Rain Manor from the veterans who attacked Baiyue back then, which is why I made this decision."

Hu Meiren's expression shifted between light and dark as she listened to Xu Qing's words.

She knew Xu Qing's words were full of holes, but she couldn't find any real problems. After hesitating, she decided to believe Xu Qing.

“Alright, I believe you. I will find a way to bring my sister into the palace later so we can recognize each other,” said Consort Hu. “No!” Xu Qing quickly stopped her.
“My lady, you are in the inner palace, and countless people are watching you. If you rashly invite the wife of a high-ranking official who has no relation to you into the inner palace, you will surely be targeted by those with ulterior motives, which may bring danger to you and Madam Hu.”

Hu Meiren was stunned, then suddenly realized that she had been so caught up in the news about her sister that she had forgotten all of this.

There was a pair of eyes in the harem that were always watching him.

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Hu Meiren looked at Xu Qing pitifully, her beautiful eyes slightly red, as if she could cry at any moment.

Xu Qing turned his head slightly, avoiding looking at Hu Meiren, lest his Dao heart be shattered.

“Both the beauty and Lady Hu enjoy watching plays. You can use the excuse of celebrating your recovery to have the King host a performance. Then you can invite the families of the officials to join in the fun. Lady Hu will surely attend, and you will be able to recognize her privately,” Xu Qing said in a low voice.

"Great idea!" Hu Meiren immediately dropped her pitiful look and her face was full of surprise.

Sure enough, the more beautiful a woman is, the more likely she is to deceive. Her sudden change of expression almost caught him off guard. Xu Qing thought to himself.

Hu Meiren's face was filled with excitement as she thought about Xu Qing's idea.

Xu Qing was about to offer some advice when he saw Hu Meiren's expression, but he stopped himself from saying it because he thought of something else.

Be careful when you gaze into the abyss. Be aware that the abyss won't suddenly slap you in the face; if it doesn't, then you can continue gazing into it.

Xu Qing didn't dare to be too presumptuous, looking elsewhere, but occasionally glancing at the abyss out of the corner of his eye.

Hu Meiren also noticed Xu Qing's gaze and looked down at her chest.

Because she was resting her hands on the bed, the neckline of her loose nightgown was slightly open, revealing a deep abyss.

"Still looking!" Hu Meiren exclaimed sweetly.

Xu Qing bowed with an unchanged expression.
"Please remember my words, my beauty: what is destined to happen will happen eventually; if you force it before the time is right, it will backfire."

"I understand." Hu Meiren looked at Xu Qing's serious and handsome face and said with a hint of helplessness in her tone.

"Ruotao will be back soon, you can leave now."

"promise."

Xu Qing bowed and stepped out from behind the curtain, letting out a soft sigh. This matter was finally over; it had indeed caused a minor commotion!
Hu Meiren frowned slightly as she watched Xu Qing's retreating figure.

He was cautious in his every move, yet exuded a confident air of having everything under control. A mysterious, young, and handsome imperial physician—that was her assessment of Xu Qing.

"Everything about her is fine, except for those restless eyes," Hu Meiren hummed, looking at her chest.

Before long, Ruotao carried a plate into the boudoir and presented it to Xu Qing.

"Physician Xu, this is a gift from the beauty to you."

Ruotao lifted the red cloth, revealing the contents of the plate: forty gold coins.

Using this to test cadres? Which cadre can't withstand the test? Xu Qing smiled as he put away the forty gold coins, then turned and bowed to Hu Meiren.

"Thank you for your kind gift, my beauty."

"The beauty's pulse is stable; she only needs to rest well. This is a newly written prescription; you can use this prescription to get the medicine and brew it for the beauty."

"Thank you for your trouble, Physician Xu," said the beauty Hu from behind the curtain. "Ruo Tao, please see the guest out."

"promise."

"I am resigning."

Xu Qing handed the bamboo slip with the prescription written on it to Ruo Tao, and then walked out of the palace.

Holding the heavy gold in his hands, Xu Qing's eyes were filled with joy. Just as Xu Qing was about to return to the Imperial Hospital, a voice sounded behind him.

"Physician Xu, please take care."

Xu Qing turned around and saw a palace maid walking towards her.

"May I ask who you are?" Xu Qing asked, puzzled.

"This servant is Madam Mingzhu's personal maid. Madam is unwell and requests that you examine her pulse," the maid said, bowing to Xu Qing.

Everyone should read it closely and not let it die out. Reading it closely is very important for new books.

Thank you all so much for your support! I'm extremely grateful!
Chapter 12 is under review, please wait a moment.
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(End of this chapter)