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

Chapter 179, Ghost Soldiers Rob the Pay; Leave the Door Open Tonight
Seeing the fear in Zi Nu's eyes, Xu Qing could only embrace her to comfort her.

"We'll face whatever comes our way together. You're not alone," Xu Qing said softly, trying to comfort her.

He knew that Zi Nu was afraid of her fate, but she never told him her true identity, seemingly afraid of implicating him.

This prevented Xu Qing from addressing the other person's fears based on what they were afraid of, and she could only continue to comfort them.

Zi Nu nodded slightly, suppressing the extra thoughts in her mind. All she wanted to do now was enjoy the happiness of being with Xu Qing.

Just as the two embraced, a sudden commotion of hoofbeats and wheels came from outside the window.

Xu Qing and Zi Nu let go of each other and walked side by side to the window to observe what was happening outside.

On the street, a procession of hundreds of people was escorting something, with bulging sacks piled on a dozen or so horse-drawn carts.

Each carriage was guarded by several armored soldiers holding torches, while Han cavalry were positioned on the outer edge of the procession.

The most conspicuous group started with two richly dressed middle-aged men riding horses at the very front.

Seeing the commotion outside, Xu Qing's expression changed slightly, her eyes filled with surprise.

"Those are the King's two most beloved younger brothers, Lord Anping and Lord Longquan. What are they escorting?" Zi Nu asked curiously, looking at the procession outside.

"They were escorting military pay. Last year, when the Qin army invaded, the army resisted and suffered countless casualties. The compensation for the fallen soldiers cost a lot of money, which caused the military pay to be delayed."

"After the war ended, the king ordered the requisition of military funds, totaling 100,000 taels of gold. I thought it would take some time before the funds were sent to the border, but I didn't expect it to be sent ahead of schedule."

Xu Qing looked solemnly at the carriages carrying military pay outside. He knew that the 100,000 taels of gold requisitioned by the State of Han was actually water-soluble gold that Ji Wuye had switched.

According to the original novel, this batch of military pay should have been sent to the front line two months later, but the fact that it was sent earlier surprised Xu Qing.

After pondering for a moment, Xu Qing recalled what Chao Nu Yao had told him last year: that Ji Wu Ye might use military funds to frame and eliminate Liu Yi, and he vaguely guessed some of Ji Wu Ye's plans.

Seeing Xu Qing's solemn expression, Zi Nu asked in confusion.

Why do you look so worried? Is there perhaps something wrong with this batch of military pay?

As Zi Nu finished speaking, thunder rumbled in the gloomy sky, and a cold wind blew in.

"I'm not sure yet, but I don't think this batch of military pay could be sent to the front lines so easily," Xu Qing said in a deep voice.

"You mean someone is trying to steal the military pay and abduct these 100,000 taels of gold on the way? This is the pay for the border troops. If something goes wrong, the army could very well mutini."

A hint of nervousness flickered in Zi Nu's beautiful eyes as she reached out and grabbed Xu Qing's sleeve. Xu Qing's position in the court was growing increasingly important, and she worried that he might be implicated.

Seeing the nervous Zi Nu, Xu Qing smiled slightly, reached out and pinched her cheek, and said with a smile.
"I just have a feeling, it's not like there's bound to be a problem with this batch of military pay. Even if there is a problem with the military pay, what does it have to do with me, the Imperial Medical Academy?"

"Firstly, I'm not in charge of escorting the military pay. Secondly, even if something happens, it's not my responsibility."

Seeing the carefree smile on Xu Qing's face, Zi Nu knew she had worried for nothing and reached out to slap Xu Qing's hand away.

"It's good that it has nothing to do with you. It seems that things are about to get turbulent again in Xinzheng, which has been stable for a long time." Zi Nu said with a sigh.

“Yes, not only is it going to get windy, it’s probably going to rain too.” Xu Qing suddenly revealed a malicious smile and couldn’t help but look at Zi Nu.

Seeing the smile on Xu Qing's face, Zi Nu immediately understood what he meant.

"What do you want to do? It's about to rain, aren't you going to leave?"

Zi Nu's cheeks flushed slightly, and a hint of shyness appeared in her charming eyes. She lowered her head slightly, not daring to look at Xu Qing.

Seeing the hesitant Zi Nu, Xu Qing leaned slightly closer to her and whispered in her ear.
"I didn't bring an umbrella this time. Are you really going to let me go back in the rain? What if I catch a cold?" "Aren't you the best at treating colds? Are you afraid of catching a cold?"

Zi Nu gently pushed Xu Qing away and turned her head to the side, saying...

"Can you really bear to see me soaked to the bone?"

Xu Qing hooked his arm around Zi Nu's waist and pulled her into his embrace, his restless hands beginning to grope her up and down.

A blush gradually crept up the fair neck of the woman, her beautiful eyes darting around. She grasped Xu Qing's restless hand and whispered...

"I'll leave the door open for you tonight."

After saying that, Zi Nu pushed Xu Qing away with a shy expression and ran towards the door.

By the time Xu Qing realized what was happening, Zi Nu's figure had already disappeared, leaving only a tightly closed door.

"Leave the door open for me, please leave the door open."

Xu Qing's face lit up with a joyful smile, her eyes filled with excitement.

Meanwhile, in the backyard of Zilan Pavilion.

Nongyu carried her guqin back to her room and carefully put it away.

As she stroked the strings of the guqin, Nongyu couldn't help but recall the scene of Xu Qing and Zi Nu flirting and laughing. A complex look flashed in Nongyu's eyes.

"What's wrong with me? Do I have some inappropriate thoughts about the Imperial Physician?"

Thinking of this, Nongyu's fair face instantly turned red, and her breathing became erratic.

"Impossible, impossible. The Imperial Physician is Sister Zi Nu's person. How could I possibly have any other thoughts about the Imperial Physician? I must be overthinking it."

"I consider the Imperial Physician to be a confidant and benefactor. Tonight, I originally planned to have him help me appreciate my new composition, but Sister Zi Nu suddenly interrupted my plan, which made me feel a little uncomfortable."

Nongyu took a deep breath to calm herself down, constantly reminding herself that she only regarded Xu Qing as a confidant and benefactor, and not as someone she had romantic feelings for.

Just as Nongyu was calming herself down, there was a knock on her door, and Zinu's voice came from outside.

"Nongyu, are you asleep?"

Upon hearing Zi Nu's voice, Nong Yu was startled, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes, and her hand involuntarily shrank back.

"I...I'm already lying down, what's wrong, Sister Zi Nu?"

Nongyu had intended to say that she hadn't gone to sleep yet, but the words changed inexplicably as they reached her lips.

Zi Nu, who was standing outside the door, was about to push the door open and go in, but when she heard Nong Yu say that she had already lain down, she had no choice but to withdraw her hand.

"In that case, you should get some rest."

Zi Nu originally intended to bring Nong Yu some calming incense so that she could get a good night's sleep and avoid being woken up by any noise in the middle of the night.

Thinking of this, a hint of shyness flashed in Zi Nu's eyes, her body felt a little hot, and she nervously rubbed the calming incense in her hands.

"Okay, then I'll rest."

(End of this chapter)