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

Chapter 194, Meeting Wei Zhuang

Looking at Zhang Liang standing at her doorstep, Xu Qing quickly guessed his purpose after a moment's thought.

It must be because five of Zhang Kaidi's capable subordinates recently died one after another at the hands of ghost soldiers, which made Zhang Kaidi restless, so he came to ask him for help.

"It's Zifang. What brings you here at this hour?" Xu Qing replied with a smile.

Xu Qing had a good impression of Zhang Liang. Putting aside the future, just looking at Zhang Liang now, it was no exaggeration to call him gentle and refined, a young gentleman.

"I apologize for disturbing you, Imperial Physician. I have come to ask you for help."

Zhang Liang also frankly stated his purpose for coming.

“Zifang is truly frank. Let’s go inside and talk,” Xu Qing said with a smile.

"it is good."

Xu Qing stepped forward and opened the courtyard gate, and Zhang Liang followed him into the guest room.

"I returned in a hurry and didn't have time to prepare tea to entertain you. Please don't take offense, Zifang," Xu Qing said as he sat down.

"The Imperial Physician lives alone, with no maids to serve him. It is a great honor to be able to ask for a cup of hot tea at your home," Zhang Liang joked.

Xu Qing's high position and great power are no exaggeration, yet he still lives in this small courtyard, which is a widely discussed matter among the powerful officials in Xinzheng.

Some people think Xu Qing is being modest, while others think he's just putting on an act, given that the amount of bribes he received in Xinzheng was among the highest. Others believe this is a reminder to himself; starting from humble beginnings and rising to a high position without changing his principles is the mark of a true gentleman.

“I’m used to being alone, but I feel uncomfortable with more people. Zifang said he came to me for help, but is it because of the ghost soldiers robbing our supplies?” Xu Qing said with a smile.

When serious matters were mentioned, Zhang Liang's face also showed worry, and he nodded and said...
"As expected, I couldn't hide it from the Imperial Physician's eyes. I came here today for this very reason. Last night, Nangong Cuo encountered ghost soldiers and died in the same way as the previous four chief investigators."

"Today, General Ji Wuye recommended my grandfather to succeed the king in the investigation and gave him a seven-day deadline. If the case of the ghost soldiers robbing the soldiers' pay cannot be solved within seven days, he will be imprisoned and punished."

"Therefore, my grandfather specifically asked me to come and ask you for help, hoping that you can persuade the king to give us more time."

"It seems this matter is putting a lot of pressure on the Prime Minister," Xu Qing said.

Although Zhang Kaidi was relatively close to him, it was only because of the circumstances that he was forced to do so. He was still ashamed of his actions of accepting bribes and pleasing the favored concubine.

Now, however, he has taken the initiative to ask Zhang Liang for help, hoping that he can use his connections in the inner palace to buy him some time, which shows how urgent Zhang Kaidi's situation is.

Seeing Xu Qing's calm expression, Zhang Liang took out a white jade box from his pocket and placed it on the table. He knew Xu Qing's rules; he hadn't come empty-handed.

“If it weren’t for a last resort, my grandfather wouldn’t want to trouble the Imperial Physician. I also know this matter is difficult to handle, so naturally I won’t let you go to all this trouble for nothing,” Zhang Liang said, cupping his hands in greeting to Xu Qing.

Although Zhang Liang remained outwardly calm, he was inwardly somewhat awkward. He often visited others on Zhang Kaidi's behalf, but this was the first time he had ever done something like offering bribes.

Moreover, Zhang Liang's education taught him to be upright and incorruptible, so he naturally felt a sense of aversion to bribery.

“Zifang, it’s been tough on you. I’ll talk to Consort Hu about this, but I can’t guarantee His Majesty will grant us more time, since this military pay is crucial to the stability of the border troops,” Xu Qing said as he helped Zhang Liang up.

Seeing that Xu Qing had agreed, Zhang Liang's face lit up with joy, and he immediately bowed to Xu Qing again.

"Thank you for your trouble, Imperial Physician. As long as you are willing to lend a hand, whether it will be successful is up to fate."

Although Xu Qing's reputation in official circles is mixed, there is one thing that everyone agrees on: he truly does get things done when he takes money, and he does it exceptionally well.

“The grace period is only a temporary measure. If it cannot solve the problem, what is bound to happen will happen when the deadline is up. Zifang, you should tell the Prime Minister to make preparations as soon as possible,” Xu Qing said as he helped Zhang Liang up.

“I understand, I will remind my grandfather,” Zhang Liang said.

"Well, it's getting late, Zifang, you should go back soon."

"The Imperial Physician is to wait."

After seeing Zhang Liang off, Xu Qing returned to her room and opened the white jade box that Zhang Liang had given her. A chill emanated from the crack.

After the box was fully opened, a chilling aura rose, and an ice-blue five-petaled orchid appeared in Xu Qing's sight.

"What a grand gesture! To use such a precious herb as the Magnolia flower. The Zhang family truly lives up to its reputation as prime ministers of Han for five generations; their foundation is indeed extraordinary," Xu Qing remarked.

Magnolia denudata is a rare and precious medicinal herb. It is recorded in the medical books of Sichuan and Chongqing shamans that this medicinal flower only grows in extremely cold places and must be accompanied by geothermal heat, so it is extremely difficult to find.

As for its effects, when combined with other medicines, the cold magnolia flower can be made into the Seven Treasures Cold-Reducing Pill, a unique medicine of Sichuan and Chongqing witch doctors. It has a strong effect on treating internal injuries and poisoning and can be called a holy medicine for healing.

"There is also a Tian Shan snow lotus in the medicine storehouse. With the addition of other medicines, it is possible to refine the Seven Treasures Cold Retention Pill."

Xu Qing closed the white jade box to prevent the medicinal properties of the cold magnolia flower from dissipating. Then she thought of Zhang Liang's request.

"Zifang, Zifang, it's not that I'm unwilling to help Prime Minister Zhang, but I also have my own calculations," Xu Qing thought to himself.

Ji Wuye's plan is to deal with Zhang Kaidi's attack on Liu Yi and Han Yu, but Han Yu is no ordinary person either. He will definitely try to save Liu Yi and himself before Ji Wuye can deal with him.

If he were to extend Zhang Kaidi's deadline for solving the case, he would be buying time for Liu Yi and Han Yu, so he definitely wouldn't help with this. In any case, Zhang Liang would eventually turn to Han Fei for help anyway, and Zhang Kaidi ultimately escaped unscathed; it wouldn't have mattered if he hadn't been helped.

After glancing at the time, Xu Qing put away the white jade box, changed her clothes, and left home.

He hasn't been to Zilan Pavilion for two days; he needs to go find Zi Nu to rekindle their relationship.

After changing her clothes, Xu Qing left her house and strolled leisurely towards Zilan Pavilion.

Before long, Xu Qing arrived at the entrance of Zilan Pavilion, where three bright orange lanterns on the flagpole stood.

When the sons of powerful and wealthy officials who came to Zilan Pavilion for pleasure saw Xu Qing, they all greeted him warmly.

While Xu Qing was dealing with these people, Wei Zhuang on the second floor was silently watching the scene below.

“He’s as popular as ever, I want to meet him,” Wei Zhuang said, looking at Xu Qing in the crowd.

Zi Nu, who was sitting in the room, was taken aback when she heard this, but then a teasing smile appeared on her face.

"Weren't you wary of his identity before? Why do you suddenly want to meet him?" Zi Nu said.

"The benefits he brings are enough for me to take on the corresponding risks. With his help, my next plan will be more effective," Wei Zhuang said coldly.

Although Xu Qing's identity remains a mystery, Zi Nu's willingness to engage in romantic conversation with him is enough to show that they are at least not enemies, which is sufficient for her to allow him to meet Xu Qing.

“I can mention it to you, but whether he will meet with you depends on whether he is willing,” Zi Nu said, standing up.

Wei Zhuang was her friend and ally. But Xu Qing was her lover, and if Xu Qing didn't want to see Wei Zhuang, she couldn't force him to.

“He will agree.” Wei Zhuang glanced at Xu Qing in the crowd again.

Looking at Wei Zhuang's inexplicable confidence, Zi Nu shook her head slightly. She wasn't worried that Xu Qing would refuse, but she was afraid that the two would fight after meeting.

"He's not very petty. He probably still remembers you interrupting his good time," Zi Nu reminded him.

"Then you should be worried about him, not me." Wei Zhuang turned to look at Zi Nu, his expression indifferent, completely ignoring Zi Nu's reminder.

No matter what, he was a disciple of Guigu, and his strength was close to that of a Celestial Master. He even felt that it would be bullying to take action against Xu Qing, the Imperial Physician.

Zi Nu chuckled softly without speaking. She had originally intended to remind Wei Zhuang that her man was not as simple as he appeared on the surface.

From her perspective, she couldn't be sure how Xu Qing compared to Wei Zhuang, but Xu Qing definitely possessed the strength of a top-tier master, and it was likely true that he and Wei Zhuang were evenly matched within a hundred moves.

But Wei Zhuang's confidence made her give up the idea of ​​reminding him. She also wanted to see what expression Wei Zhuang would have if he really fought with Xu Qing and couldn't defeat her in a short time.

After watching Zi Nu leave, Wei Zhuang's usually calm expression softened, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

Zi Nu's gaze just now made him feel as if he had been set up. Even if Xu Qing really knew some martial arts, he felt that he couldn't be that good. After all, what kind of environment and opportunity would a royal physician have to practice martial arts?

Xu Qing broke free from the crowd and entered the Purple Orchid Pavilion, while Zi Nu came down the stairs to greet him.

When the people around saw that Zi Nu had arrived, they gave up the idea of ​​greeting Xu Qing and could only raise their wine glasses to invite her as a sign of friendliness.

Xu Qing nodded slightly to these people and then walked quickly toward Zi Nu.

Seeing Xu Qing practically running towards her, Zi Nu's eyes were full of smiles and affection, and her lips curled into a charming yet proud smile.

"With so many people watching, don't you care about your image?" Zi Nu said, putting her arm around Xu Qing's arm.

"I definitely ran here to see you." Xu Qing's words were as sweet as ever.

Zi Nu covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her face full of joy. She leaned slightly on Xu Qing's shoulder as they walked and talked.
"You are the only one with a sweet mouth~"

"Don't you know whether I have a sweet tongue or not?" Xu Qing teased.

Amidst laughter and conversation, the two arrived at the second floor. Zi Nu stopped and said softly...

"A friend of mine wants to meet you."

"Friend? Is it the person who was watching me from the second floor just now?" Xu Qing asked Zi Nu.

While dealing with those high-ranking officials, Xu Qing noticed someone watching him from the second floor, and he knew without a doubt that it was Wei Zhuang.

“It’s him. If you don’t want to, I’ll go and turn him down,” Zi Nu said, tilting her head.

"It's okay to meet your friend. I promise I won't hit him."

Wei Zhuang was, after all, a disciple of Guigu. Out of respect for Guigu, Xu Qing also wanted to see if this generation of Guigu disciples really disgraced Guigu's prestige, just like in the original novel.

"it is good."

(End of this chapter)