Prime Minister

Chapter 196, Section 195: [Invitation]

Dr. Xu?
Yun'er's voice instantly shattered the sweet atmosphere in the warm pavilion.

Xue Huai was slightly surprised. He didn't know that Shen Qingluan had become so close to the goddess doctor of Jimintang. After all, Shuyuxuan was a very private place, basically Shen Qingluan's villa, and ordinary people couldn't find it at all.

He certainly couldn't have sent someone to follow and monitor Shen Qingluan, and at this moment he was a little puzzled as to how they had become friends.

Shen Qingluan smiled apologetically and explained, "Brother Huai, I didn't know you would be coming today, so I invited Sister Xu to sit here and have some tea in advance. I... forgot the time."

"I see."

Xue Huai noticed Shen Qingluan's way of addressing Xu Zhiwei and asked with increasing curiosity, "How come you two are so close?"

"Brother Huai, may I tell you the details later?"

Shen Qingluan's expression was slightly ingratiating; it would be impolite to keep Xu Zhiwei waiting too long.

Xue Huai couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Of course."

The two then went together to the flower hall.

A moment later, Xu Zhiwei, dressed in an elegant white dress with a matching cloak trimmed with silver fox fur, entered the flower hall, led by Yun'er.

She still wore that plain veil, revealing only a pair of eyes as calm as a deep pool. Her figure was upright, exuding a lofty and aloof air, like a bamboo grove atop a mountain peak.

Shen Qingluan was slightly taken aback. During this time, in addition to managing the various industries of Guangtai, she had been in more and more contact with Xu Zhiwei. Now they were like sisters in private. Logically speaking, Xu Zhiwei would not wear a veil in front of her.

At this moment, she noticed the look that Yun'er was secretly giving her, and she felt both annoyed and amused.

Xu Zhiwei's appearance was extremely cold and beautiful, which Xue Huai had never seen before. Yun'er obviously thought of this, so she reminded Xu Zhiwei that there were other people present.

"This girl..."

Shen Qingluan silently recited to herself, though she didn't actually know what her emotions were at that moment.

At first, she approached Xu Zhiwei with a testing mindset, stemming from the strangeness she sensed when she first stepped into Jimintang. However, as the number of interactions increased, she gradually came to perceive Xu Zhiwei's pure and innocent heart, and that subtle and hidden sense of wariness slowly disappeared.

At this moment, Xu Zhiwei also saw Xue Huai standing next to Shen Qingluan. She paused slightly and then said, "Lord Xue, Sister Qingluan."

Her voice was clear and pleasant, but it did not reveal any obvious emotions. Only when her eyes met Xue Huai's did Xue Huai catch a slight scrutiny, but it quickly returned to normal.

The three of them had met at Jimintang before, and given the obvious close relationship between Xu Zhiwei and Shen Qingluan, she naturally already knew Xue Huai's identity, so she didn't deliberately avoid him at this moment.

"Sister Xu, please have a seat."

Shen Qingluan knew the atmosphere was a bit strange, so she quickly tried to ease the tension by saying, "I was discussing some trivial matters with Brother Xue just now, and I forgot about the time I had agreed to meet with my sister. Please forgive me."

"You flatter me, little sister."

Xu Zhiwei calmly said, "I did not know that Lord Xue would be coming today. I apologize for disturbing your conversation."

Xue Huai could naturally sense the other party's aloofness, and smiled faintly, saying, "It's alright, Doctor Xu, please have a seat."

The three of them took their seats as host and guest, and the maids served fragrant tea. The atmosphere in the flower hall became slightly quiet for a moment.

Shen Qingluan picked up her teacup, a bright smile appearing on her face, and said gently, "Sister Xu, the prescription you gave me that time was very beneficial. After taking it, I felt more at ease and even had more patience for those complicated account books."

"They are just mild and gentle substances. As long as they are comfortable for you to use, that's fine. The honey pills you gave me are also very effective, even better than what I usually take."

Xu Zhiwei's voice came through the veil, still calm and composed, and continued, "I've come here today for two reasons. First, to see how you've been lately, and second... I've heard that the new policies of the prefectural government are being implemented smoothly, and the people's livelihood in Yangzhou is improving. The patients recently admitted to Jimintang are mostly suffering from overwork and colds, with fewer cases of heart and spleen weakness caused by lack of livelihood and worry. The benefits of the new policies to the people are evident."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingluan was immediately taken aback.

She received instruction from Shen Bingwen from a young age, and was naturally intelligent enough to be perceptive as long as she wasn't alone with Xue Huai.

As soon as Xu Zhiwei said these words, Shen Qingluan sensed the probing intent in them. The question was, why was she probing Xue Huai?
Moreover, given Xue Huai's shrewdness and insight, Xu Zhiwei's shallow probing could not possibly escape his notice.

"Dr. Xu is a compassionate doctor who never forgets the suffering of his patients, which is truly admirable."

At this moment, Xue Huai took over the conversation, speaking calmly and composedly: "The new policies implemented by the government this time were jointly formulated by Prefect Tan and myself, with the aim of ensuring the livelihood of the people. The changes in the causes of illnesses observed at Jimin Hall are exactly what we wish for. The divine physician sees many people every day while practicing at Jimin Hall. I wonder if you have heard of any other new illnesses caused by the new policies?"

He emphasized the last two words slightly.

In fact, when he first stepped into Jimintang, he had already become suspicious of Xu Zhiwei. One reason was that the timing of her appearance was too coincidental. On the eve of Xu Guanlan and others being executed, a highly skilled doctor suddenly came to Yangzhou, which would definitely attract Xue Huai's attention.

Secondly, although Xu Zhiwei was wearing a veil, Xue Huai could tell that this woman was definitely extraordinary. She seemed aloof, yet she took the initiative to diagnose his illness, which seemed to be a cover-up.

Xue Huai and Tan Mingguang had discussed Jimintang, and Xue Huai had also asked Ye Qing, the head of the Jing'an Division, to investigate Jimintang's background. The reply he received surprised him greatly. The Jimintang in Yangzhou was not large, mainly because it had only appeared two years ago. Most other major towns in Jiangnan had Jimintang, especially the one in Hangzhou, which had a history of nearly fifteen years and was revered by the local people as a savior. Xu Zhiwei had been practicing medicine in Hangzhou for the first half of the year.

At this point, Xue Huai's suspicions had reached a certain level.

However, Xu Zhiwei's words just now puzzled him. If this woman really had ulterior motives, how could she have acted so carelessly and bluntly?

"No new illness has been detected yet."

Xu Zhiwei's voice remained calm as ever, seemingly unaware of the inappropriateness of his earlier words. He then changed the subject, saying, "However, every reform has its gains and losses. For example, the simplification of the canal system and the elimination of checkpoints have made things more convenient for many merchants and travelers, but some who relied on the old system for their livelihood have suddenly lost their support. Such feelings of loss and resentment accumulate in their hearts and are also a source of illness. I wonder if Lord Xue has any good solutions for this?"

Shen Qingluan was taken aback. Xu Zhiwei's words were clearly questioning. However, even if you have superb medical skills, you are still just a doctor. How can you treat the officials of Yangzhou with such a scrutinizing attitude?

She had to speak up to smooth things over, saying, "Brother Xue, Sister Xu is only trying to help the poor and is not familiar with the rules of officialdom. Please don't take offense."

"Today, I will not consider official rank when I am with you."

Xue Huai smiled and shook his head, indicating that Shen Qingluan need not worry. Then he looked at Xu Zhiwei and said, "What the divine physician is concerned about is indeed a chronic problem that must be faced in the implementation of the new policies. To resolve this problem, Prefect Tan has petitioned the court to allocate special subsidies to the prefectural government for the yamen runners and inspectors who were dismissed due to the salt and grain transport reform. At the same time, they will be organized to participate in short-term projects such as city defense improvement and waterway dredging to help them overcome the difficulties. For other affected merchants and common people, there are also tax reductions and more flexible customs clearance policies to support them."

At this moment, he felt that Xu Zhiwei probably had no ulterior motives, because this goddess doctor's compassion seemed genuine, and at the same time, she also had a hint of aloofness. Such a person would find it difficult to conceal her own purpose in a complex situation.

When Shen Qingluan interrupted, Xu Zhiwei realized her rashness. After listening to Xue Huai's detailed and straightforward explanation, she lowered her head slightly and said, "I misspoke for a moment, please forgive me, sir."

She did have some questions she wanted to ask Xue Huai in person, but she was not stupid or ignorant. First, she was not qualified to do so, and second, it would put Shen Qingluan in a difficult position. Therefore, she was willing to apologize to Xue Huai.

Xue Huai didn't mind and smiled, "It's just a casual chat, Doctor, you can relax a bit. Speaking of Jimintang, I also have something I'm curious about. You've been providing free medical consultations and medicines for many years, benefiting countless poor and sick patients, which is truly a great deed. However, the costs involved are enormous. I wonder if Jimintang's daily expenses for medicines come from donations from people all over the country, or from other generous merchants?"

Although he felt that Xu Zhiwei's background was probably not a big problem, there was still one thing he didn't understand, and this question precisely hit the core issue.

Whether in Xue Huai's previous life or in the thousands of years of this world, there is an unavoidable question for folk organizations of a certain scale like Jimintang: doing good deeds is certainly a good thing, but where does the capital come from?

This is not as simple as giving out a few bowls of rice porridge. Training a large number of doctors, renting pharmacies in various places, and using a large amount of medicinal materials—how can the meager consultation fees from poor people be sustained?
By giving selflessly without expecting anything in return, is Jimintang truly benevolent or simply trying to win over the hearts of the people? And what forces are supporting their operations behind the scenes?
"The adults care deeply about the common people, even the trivial matters of the Jimin Hall are of such concern to them."

Xu Zhiwei felt a chill suddenly rise from the bottom of her heart. The young man opposite her had a warm smile, but she felt as if her heart had been pierced. She tried to explain, "Jimintang has been able to survive until now thanks to two things: first, its own cultivation of medicinal herbs and training of staff; and second, the help from kind-hearted gentry and merchants from all over the country. As a doctor, I only ask about the symptoms and the source of funds. This is all I know. Please forgive me, Lord Xue."

Shen Qingluan listened from the side with slight unease, but she did not rashly interrupt their conversation. In any case, she would trust Xue Huai's judgment more.

Only after Xue Huai stopped talking with a smile, ceasing the witty banter, did Shen Qingluan smile and take over the conversation with Xu Zhiwei.

The atmosphere in the flower hall gradually eased.

About half an incense stick later, Xu Zhiwei got up to take her leave, and Xue Huai and Shen Qingluan personally saw her off.

As they were about to part, Xue Huai suddenly spoke up: "Dr. Xu, the government will be holding a lantern festival in early January, and will also be hosting a banquet for local philanthropists who help the needy, including Jimintang. Although you have only been in Yangzhou for a short time, your medical skills and benevolence have already spread far and wide. Would you be willing to attend the banquet in person?"

Xu Zhiwei didn't think much of it and lowered her head slightly, saying, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, sir. How could I, a humble woman, not come?"

Xue Huai said leisurely, "Then I, Xue, will be waiting for your arrival."

Xu Zhiwei said no more, bowed and took his leave.

Watching her figure recede into the distance, Shen Qingluan hesitated and said, "Brother Huai, I..."

She hesitated, realizing that Xue Huai had clearly been trying to trick Xu Zhiwei into revealing information, which made her realize that Jimintang was probably not as simple as she thought.

Xue Huai smiled slightly and looked at her gently, asking, "Did you take the medicine prescribed by Xu Zhiwei?"

Shen Qingluan said somewhat shyly, "No, my father said that we should be careful in everything we do. I didn't know Sister Xu's background before, so I naturally didn't dare to use medicine indiscriminately."

"cunning."

Xue Huai raised his hand and gently tapped her forehead with his finger. This wasn't the first time he had done this, but Shen Qingluan suddenly felt a hint of doting affection in his eyes and couldn't help but smile sweetly at Xue Huai.

"Don't eat it again."

Xue Huai added another instruction.

"Know it."

Shen Qingluan obediently agreed, then asked softly, "Brother Huai, is there really something wrong with Sister Xu?"

"We can't tell yet."

Xue Huai looked up ahead, his eyes swirling with emotion: "All I know is... the lantern festival will be very lively."

(End of this chapter)