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

Chapter 218, Treating Bai Yifei's Illness

Xu Qing returned to Zi Lan Xuan at 7:45 PM. Upon hearing of Xu Qing's return, Zi Nu went back to the backyard.

"Why have you changed your clothes? And why do you look so disheveled? Did you encounter any danger on the way?"

Zi Nu looked at Xu Qing, who was travel-worn and whose hair was covered in dust, and her alluring, mature voice was full of worry.

Xu Qing turned to look at Zi Nu, who was leaning against the door frame. Zi Nu was still as charming and beautiful as ever.

Her pretty face was adorned with makeup of appropriate intensity, and her purple tight-fitting long dress accentuated her graceful figure perfectly. Her long, shapely legs were encased in black stockings, and her delicate feet were clad in black high-heeled boots.

Worry flickered in her narrow, purple eyes, and her gaze was full of concern as she looked at him.

"No, I searched for treasures outside the city for half a day, and I'm exhausted. Come and see the treasures I found." Xu Qing patted the sword box on the table and said to Zi Nu with a light smile.

He dared not let Zi Nu know about Yan Ling Ji's existence, otherwise Zi Nu would kick him out of the house and never let him sleep in her bed again.

Seeing Xu Qing seemingly unconcerned about his disheveled state, Zi Nu looked at the sword box with curiosity. She stepped off her high heels, her small feet, encased in stockings, lightly touching the floor as she walked towards Xu Qing.

"What treasure has you so interested in?"

"You'll know when you come and take a look."

Zi Nu walked to Xu Qing's side, patted the dust off Xu Qing's shoulders and hair, and gently fixed his loose hair back in place.

After finishing everything, Zi Nu wrapped her arms around Xu Qing's waist from behind, slightly raised her toes, pressed her ample breasts against Xu Qing's back, and rested her head on Xu Qing's shoulder.

"It will absolutely surprise you."

Xu Qing confidently opened the sword box, revealing the Cheng Ying sword wrapped in white cloth inside.

As she gazed at the ancient sword hilt, Zi Nu's pupils gradually dilated, her rosy lips parted slightly, and the two characters "Cheng Ying" on the hilt were reflected in her beautiful eyes.

"The Chengying Sword!? The legendary Chengying Sword, one of the three swords of the Shang emperors and the three swords of the Kong Zhou dynasty!?" Zi Nu exclaimed in surprise.

Since the time of Kong Zhou in the Spring and Autumn Period, the three swords Han Guang, Cheng Ying, and Xiao Lian have all been lost. Swordsmen and collectors of famous swords have tried their best to find these three swords, but all have failed.

"Yes."

Under Zi Nu's shocked gaze, Xu Qing slowly loosened the white cloth. The invisible sword could not be seen, but Zi Nu still felt a sharp sword light piercing her eyes.

Xu Qing swung the Cheng Ying sword, and a corner of the sword case broke off. A faint sword hum rang out, as if responding to the swordsman.

"It seems that this Cheng Ying sword is very compatible with you, responding to you on its own. You'd better hide the Cheng Ying sword well, or Wei Zhuang will definitely entangle you, not to mention others," Zi Nu said softly.

In Zi Nu's view, it was only natural that Xu Qing was able to gain the recognition of Cheng Ying Sword. Her little man was so outstanding and a high-ranking disciple of the Daoist Tianzong Sect, so it was only natural that Cheng Ying Sword would recognize him as its master.

However, Xu Qing is not the only swordsman in her Purple Orchid Pavilion. If Wei Zhuang finds out that Xu Qing has obtained the Cheng Ying Sword, he will definitely try to find Xu Qing to compete with.

"Are you kidding me? Would I avoid his sharp edge? That would be a waste of the Cheng Ying Sword." Xu Qing said calmly.

"Alright, alright~ But you two can have your match outside, don't tear down my Purple Orchid Pavilion."

"And where did this outfit come from? What about the original clothes?"

Zi Nu released Xu Qing, a look of suspicion flashing in her purple eyes.

Although the Cheng Ying Sword surprised Zi Nu, it was nothing special and couldn't compare to Xu Qing's inexplicably lost clothes.

Looking for a sword and losing your clothes is no different from going out to gamble and coming back to find your underwear missing.
Seeing Zi Nu clutching her clothes again, Xu Qing remained calm and began to explain.

"After I found the Cheng Ying Sword, I went to the Qianlong Hall. Otherwise, if I suddenly carried a sword box back to Xinzheng, it would definitely attract the attention of others."

"Since I've already arrived at Qianlong Hall, I thought I'd change out of my dirty clothes and have the people there wash and mend them for me."

Hearing this reasonable explanation, Zi Nu's doubts were dispelled. She glanced at the dirty Xu Qing with disdain and said...

"Oh, I see. Remember to bring your clothes back another day. I'll have someone boil some water for you to wash properly; you're filthy!"

"Hehe, I feel a bit itchy on my back, I need someone to rub it for me."

Xu Qing looked at Zi Nu with a wicked smile and put the Cheng Ying sword back into the sword box.

Zi Nu's face flushed slightly, a hint of shyness flashing in her beautiful eyes, and she softly hummed.

"Naughty~"

Zi Nu gently nudged Xu Qing, then turned and quickly walked outside, leaving Xu Qing with a stunningly beautiful back view.

If there is no refusal, then it means consent.

Watching Zi Nu's departing figure, Xu Qing's wicked smile deepened as he put away Cheng Ying and Ling Xu.

The next morning, Xu Qing walked out of Zilan Pavilion feeling refreshed.

Last night, under Zi Nu's water bath massage, all his fatigue from the whole day was swept away. The only pity was that the water bucket was not big enough, so he and Zi Nu could not move around freely.

"It seems I need to find time to have the Mo family build a hot spring pool in the backyard of Zilan Pavilion. Let's talk about that later. Bai Yifei finished his report yesterday and should be coming to see me for treatment today." Xu Qing's expression was slightly solemn. He dared not be careless in treating Bai Yifei, after all, in his current plan, Nanyang was one of his retreat routes after the fall of Han.

Therefore, he had to test Bai Yifei's attitude towards him to see if Bai truly regarded him as one of his own for mutually beneficial cooperation, rather than as a subordinate or a puppet.

"We'll only know for sure when we meet."

Xu Qing shook his head slightly, mounted the white horse, and headed home.

After returning home and changing into his official robes, Xu Qing headed towards the Imperial Hospital.

The Royal Palace of the King of Han, the Imperial Medical Academy.

Xu Qing summoned a group of physicians to give instructions for today's tasks, but before Xu Qing could speak, Chao Nu Yao's maid entered the Imperial Hospital.

"Imperial Physician, the Madam requests your presence to take her pulse," the maid called out to Xu Qing.

The physicians turned to look at the maid who had entered the courtyard, then turned to look at Xu Qing, their eyes filled with envy and admiration.

As expected of the Imperial Physician, he has won the favor of Lady Mingzhu so much. He will surely lead our Imperial Hospital to become bigger and stronger and create new glories in the future!

The group of medical officers were filled with emotion. Their respect for Xu Qing, the Imperial Physician, was genuine and heartfelt, and had nothing to do with receiving three months' salary a month or various subsidies during festivals.

"Please wait a moment while I give some instructions," Xu Qing said, nodding slightly to the maid.

Looking at the humble and polite Xu Qing, the maid suppressed the urge to complain, nodded slightly, and stood aside.

Xu Qing quickly distributed the tasks within the Imperial Medical Academy. After receiving their assignments, the physicians dispersed, while Xu Qing, carrying his medicine chest and accompanied by his maid, headed towards Mingzhu Palace.

After passing through several corridors, Xu Qing arrived at the Pearl Palace.

"The lady is inside the Hundred Fragrances Palace. The imperial physician commands you to go in yourself," the maid said, standing outside the Hundred Fragrances Palace.

Xu Qing nodded slightly and walked straight into the Hundred Fragrances Hall.

As soon as Xu Qing entered the hall, he saw Chao Nu Yao dressed in a dark blue palace gown. She stood in front of a small couch and nodded at him with a smile.

Besides the Tide Demoness, Xu Qing also keenly sensed that there were other beings inside the hall.

A blurry black figure stood in the shadowy curtains, a chilling aura creeping up his back. It was obvious that it was Blood-Clad Marquis Bai Yifei.

"Shu'er, I'm here," Xu Qing said with a slight nod.

Seeing Xu Qing calling her name, the Tide Demon turned to look at Bai Yifei, who was hidden behind the curtain, her narrow eyes filled with a hint of smugness.

"Cousin, come out. He's spotted you," the Tide Fairy said with a light laugh.

A hint of surprise flashed in Bai Yifei's cold eyes as he gave Chao Nuyao and Xu Qing a deep look.

He never expected that his cousin would tell Xu Qing her name, which was enough to show that Chao Nu Yao had completely given herself to Xu Qing, which made him have to think more highly of Xu Qing.

He had heard too many stories about Xu Qing and knew how the outside world viewed him.

Initially, he didn't care that a miracle doctor had emerged in Xinzheng, but after the Chao Nu Yao told him about her relationship with Xu Qing, he felt angry for a moment.

It wasn't because he felt Xu Qing had taken advantage of his family's wealth, but because the relationship between Xu Qing and Chao Nu Yao was beyond his control, and their interactions would affect his plans and strategies.

He hates things that are beyond his control, and that makes him angry.

However, as the situation in Xinzheng developed, and Ji Wuye became increasingly wary of him, he gradually changed his opinion of Xu Qing. With the persuasion of Chao Nu Yao, he finally chose to cooperate with Xu Qing.

However, this cooperation was only due to the circumstances. As for whether Xu Qing is qualified to be his partner, rather than a puppet he supports, that depends on Xu Qing's abilities.

So far, Xu Qing's performance has been very satisfactory to him. However, whether their cooperation will continue to be as smooth as it is now depends on whether Xu Qing can remain as valuable as he is now.

"Imperial Physician, it's been a long time."

As Bai Yifei emerged from behind the curtain, a chill gradually approached Xu Qing with each step he took.

Looking at Bai Yifei, dressed in blood and with silver hair, Xu Qing showed no panic, and smiled as he cupped his hands in greeting.
"I have long admired the Marquis in Blood Robes, and now I am finally able to meet him."

Bai Yifei sized up Xu Qing, noticing that the other party could remain so composed under his aura, and nodded slightly.

"That's right, it's the same as the rumors circulating outside."

"The Marquis is exactly as rumored."

Xu Qing met Bai Yifei's gaze and said in a calm voice.

The two stared at each other, and their auras began to clash without them even realizing it.

The succubus watched the two exchanging glances with great interest; this confrontation was exactly what she had expected.

Both Bai Yifei and Xu Qing are strong-willed people and naturally refuse to be subordinate to others.

(End of this chapter)