Prime Minister

Chapter 207, Section 206: A Moment's Bounds of Life and Death

On the table, the lid of the small jade bottle was gone, the small mouth of the bottle was open, and the inside of the bottle was empty. Xue Huai put down the white porcelain teacup in his hand, his throat bobbed slightly, and his slender fingers were still on the rim of the cup.

Xu Zhiwei's eyes began to lose focus, and Xue Huai's actions were clearly in accordance with her instructions—to take the Heart Nourishing Pill with water.

This is enough to prove Xue Huai's trust in her, yet she came to Yangzhou with ulterior motives from the very beginning and appeared before him.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment, solidifying into a breathtaking instant.

"Dr. Xu?"

Xue Huai looked up at Xu Zhiwei, who had returned, with a puzzled expression.

Shen Qingluan, who also turned back, explained on your behalf: "Brother, Sister Xu suddenly remembered that there are a few contraindications to taking the Nourishing Heart Pill, so she came back specifically to tell you."

"what?"

Before Xue Huai could speak, Jiang Sheng exclaimed in shock and anger, "If there's a taboo, why didn't you say so earlier!"

The atmosphere in the elegant room instantly became tense. Shen Qingluan looked at the small bottle on the table and hesitated before asking, "Brother, could it be that you have already..."

Xue Huai gestured for Jiang Sheng to step back, then smiled and said, "That's right, I've already taken it. Since the Nourishing Heart Pill is Doctor Xu's secret medicine, even if there are any contraindications, there will be no danger. Qingluan, you don't need to worry."

"That's true."

Shen Qingluan nodded and turned to look at Xu Zhiwei, only to find that the usually aloof and cold goddess doctor was in a daze, quite different from her usual self.

When Xu Zhiwei heard with her own ears that Xue Huai had taken the Nourishing Heart Pill, she felt a chill suddenly rise from the soles of her feet and instantly sweep over her entire body. Her blood seemed to stop flowing at that moment, and all her senses were magnified several times over. Every detail around her felt like a sharp needle piercing her mind.

"Sister Xu?"

Shen Qingluan's shouts seemed to come from a distant water surface, and they still echoed in Xu Zhiwei's ears.

She opened her mouth but no sound came out; only a very faint breath escaped her throat, hoarse and strained: "I..."

Even a naive and clueless person could notice Xu Zhiwei's strangeness at this moment, let alone Xue Huai and Shen Qingluan, who were both extremely intelligent. The latter immediately stepped forward, grabbed Xu Zhiwei's wrist, and said forcefully, "Sister Xu, what's wrong with that Nourishing Heart Pill? Say something!"

"Qingluan, you mustn't be rude."

Xue Huai's deep gaze fell on Xu Zhiwei's face. He raised his hand to his chest and slowly said, "Dr. Xu's medicine is certainly good, but I feel a bit tight in my chest right now, as if I'm being pressed down by a heavy object. Please enlighten me, Dr. Xu."

His tone was calm, but it sounded like a thunderclap to Xu Zhiwei.

The medication took effect so quickly...

A bitter smile appeared on her face.

Oh well, maybe this is fate.

Looking back on her life, she had no parents to protect her when she was young. Liu Ying cared for her a lot but could not be with her all the time, after all, she had more important responsibilities.

Growing up in a nomadic environment, Xu Zhiwei did not develop a sensitive or selfish nature. Although she appeared aloof and cold, it was only because practicing medicine required her to be focused. Her medical teacher said she was born with a kind heart, and in recent years she has tirelessly treated the poor, never failing her teacher's high expectations.

Today, however, she did something evil that went against her conscience.

Even if it was due to Liu Ying's request, she ultimately gave the Heart-Nourishing Pill to Xue Huai herself, so she can't blame anyone else.

These past few days have been agonizing for her. Now she no longer quite believes Liu Ying's initial statement. From any perspective, Xue Huai doesn't seem like a hypocritical and treacherous person, especially since he went to Dongguan Wharf today without hesitation and almost died at Liu Yi's hands.

How could such an official be a treacherous villain who is single-mindedly pursuing high office and wealth?
Therefore, Liu Ying's desire to kill Xue Huai must be due to the blood feud from back then. However, Xue Huai held a high position and was heavily guarded. In addition, he was extremely cautious and cunning. Liu Ying could not find an opportunity to strike. If she acted rashly, she would only end up like Liu Yi.

However, this was actually a good thing for Xu Zhiwei. She felt that with Xue Huai's cautious nature, even if he accepted the Heart Nourishing Pill, he would not take it easily. As long as he asked a few experienced doctors to study it carefully, they should be able to discover the strangeness of it. At that time, she would take full responsibility for the consequences.

In this way, she could repay Liu Ying's kindness in raising her by giving her the poison, and she could also avoid killing a good official who loved the people and had a promising future. This was the only thing she could do in this dilemma.

She knew this was self-deception, but she was always devoted to medicine and not good at strategy, so she couldn't think of a better way.

But as she stepped out of the elegant room, Xu Zhiwei suddenly realized that if the doctor Xue Huai had invited was a quack who couldn't even distinguish the ingredients of the Nourishing Heart Pill, then what was the point of her arrangements?

But how could she have imagined that Xue Huai would take the Heart-Nourishing Pill without hesitation or any precaution?

"That pill is poisonous."

In the almost stagnant atmosphere inside the room, Xu Zhiwei spoke with a blank expression.

Those five words were like a thunderclap. Shen Qingluan stared at Xu Zhiwei in disbelief, her face a mixture of anger and panic.

"How dare you poison me!"

Jiang Sheng's hair and beard bristled, and he instantly drew his sword, roaring, "Hand over the antidote now!"

Only Xue Huai was able to remain calm.

He slowly stood up and walked towards Xu Zhiwei.

Upon reaching her, Xu Zhiwei lowered her head and took a step back.

"Dr. Xu, why did you do this?"

Xue Huai was not angry. He looked at the woman, whose cold demeanor had vanished and whose face had turned pale, with a complicated expression. He said with a puzzled look, "I, Xue, have a clear conscience. Although I have investigated and punished many people in the past two years, I can guarantee that there is not a single wrongful case on my hands. Those corrupt officials and lawless tyrants all deserve their fate. Doctor Xu takes it upon herself to save the common people. She should be on the same path as me. Why would she do such a vicious thing?"

His voice wasn't harsh or sharp, but it was like a north wind wrapped in frost, each word striking Xu Zhiwei's heart.

Under Xue Huai's relentless gaze, she retreated again, her slender back almost touching the cold wall.

"I……"

Xu Zhiwei suddenly raised her head and said resolutely, "I admit to poisoning. This matter has nothing to do with anyone else; it was my own decision. Lord Xue, you have at most eight hours to live."

"It's ironic that after all the hardships I've endured to get to where I am today, I'll die at the hands of a doctor who's hailed as a miracle worker."

Xue Huai slightly twitched the corners of his mouth, stared into Xu Zhiwei's eyes, and said, "We have no prior grudges, and given your character and integrity, you would never work for a beast like Liu Yi. Your actions today are truly perplexing to me. Since I am already doomed to die, you should at least let me die knowing the truth, right?"

A look of despair crossed Xu Zhiwei's eyes as he shook his head slightly and said, "Lord Xue, I have already confessed my guilt."

"Confess?"

Disappointment flickered in Xue Huai's eyes as he slowly said, "Do you think a mere confession can atone for your crimes? I'm not boasting, but you've been in Yangzhou for several months and should know the changes I've brought to the lives of the people of Lianghuai. Now, because of your inexplicable poisoning, the new policies in Yangzhou will be aborted halfway, the new salt laws will lose their foundation, and those corrupt officials and powerful figures I've suppressed will surely make a comeback!"

"If I die here, not only will Yangzhou be thrown into turmoil, but the Jiangsu officialdom and even the central government will be plunged into fierce struggle. All of this is because of the poison pill you gave me today! Xu Zhiwei, tell me how you can bear this sin!"

His words struck Xu Zhiwei's slender body like a whip.

"NO, I have not……"

Xu Zhiwei retorted hoarsely, filled with deep despair: "I will take full responsibility for my actions. I will admit to the crime of poisoning, even if it means being executed by slow slicing!"

"you?"

Xue Huai sneered, his eyes growing even sharper: "Tell me, why did you poison me? Was it for personal revenge? Or do you think I, Xue Huai, am a complete villain? Let me see what earth-shattering injustice you're hiding in your heart, something worth risking your conscience for, and tell me the answer! Otherwise, you, Xu Zhiwei, will not only be a murderer, but also a sinner for all the people in the Lianghuai region who benefited from the new policies! Your name will be forever nailed to that blood-stained pillar!"

These words pierced Xu Zhiwei's heart like a sharp arrow. Her body swayed, and she could no longer support herself, her back slamming heavily against the wall with a dull thud. Her once clear and cold eyes were now bloodshot, filled with endless pain and struggle.

She raised her hand to cover her ears, letting out a soft, crushed sob: "Don't say anymore..."

"Xu Zhiwei".

Xue Huai softened his tone slightly, but the disappointment in his voice was still very obvious. He continued, "I believe you are not someone who cannot distinguish right from wrong. Your hasty return just now must have been to remind me, hoping that I could discover the strangeness of that Nourishing Heart Pill. This shows that you are not a bad person, but you had to resort to poisoning me because of some unspeakable reasons. Now, as long as you can tell me the inside story, I guarantee that I will not implicate the innocent, especially... those doctors at Jimintang."

The last sentence made Xu Zhiwei tremble.

She looked up through her tear-filled eyes at Xue Huaiqing's refined yet serious face, and said with immense difficulty, "Yes...yes..."

Seeing her in such pain, Shen Qingluan, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but sigh softly.

Two days ago, Xue Huai had talked to her about Xu Zhiwei's strangeness. At that time, he decided to test this goddess doctor when the Shadow Garden banquet was held. That's why Shen Qingluan found Xu Zhiwei before the banquet started, hoping that she had no ulterior motives.

Little did anyone know that Xu Zhiwei was truly plotting a murder, and she even took out that Heart-Nourishing Pill.

Shen Qingluan's feelings were also very complicated at this moment. Although she felt a little sorry for Xu Zhiwei, the thought that she actually wanted to poison Xue Huai made her furious. So she just stood there with a cold expression and did not say anything.

"Yes……"

Xu Zhiwei's throat bobbed, and a broken voice escaped from between her fingers, the few words seeming to drain all her life force: "It's my... aunt..."

(End of this chapter)