Prime Minister

Chapter 218, Section 217: [Dust to Dust]

"Thank you."

After a long silence, Xu Zhiwei softly uttered two words.

Xue Huai's words did offer her some comfort, but that was all.

Although she has not been practicing medicine for long, she has saved many people over the years because of her superb medical skills and hard work. However, it was not those people who caused her to be in a state of despair, but the woman she regarded as her own mother who discarded her like trash.

Assassinating Xue Huai was the only decision Xu Zhiwei ever made that went against her conscience, simply because it was Liu Ying's tearful plea that she could not ignore.

Xue Huai could roughly understand Xu Zhiwei's state of mind. Since he couldn't directly dissuade her from committing suicide, he could only get to the point and ask, "Now, can you tell me about your aunt?"

"can."

Xu Zhiwei said softly, "My aunt's current name is Liu Ying, but her original name was Ling Ying. Actually... she was also a person with a tragic fate. The Ling family was an official family in the capital. Although Aunt Ling's father was not a high-ranking official, he still held an important position. Later, because of a major case, Aunt Ling's father was denounced by your father, and the Ling family was raided. All of Aunt Ling's relatives died in that turmoil, and only she survived."

These words explain why Liu Ying insisted that she poison Xue Huai.

Xue Huai, however, felt a sense of unease.

He had previously learned the details of the Taihe Second Year Armory Case from Ye Qing. Ling Ying's whereabouts were not clearly recorded. The question was how she, a frail woman, survived.

Ling Qing and his wife committed suicide one after another. Ling Qing's two sons died mysteriously half a month apart. Even Ling Ying's husband, Liu Cong, died a violent death soon after.

Although Xue Huai was temporarily unable to investigate the truth of the case eighteen years ago, there was one thing he was certain of—Ling Qing might have indeed embezzled, but the near extermination of the Ling family was obviously not that simple, and when the Ling family members died one after another, how could the mastermind behind the scenes let Ling Ying go?

What's even more remarkable is that Ling Ying not only lived a peaceful life, but also built the prestigious Jimintang brand in Jiangnan!
Xue Huai may be considered talented, but the fact that Jimintang has reached such a scale is by no means something that can be accomplished by individual ability; there must be a huge force behind it.

Ling Ying, a weak woman whose family was destroyed, fled to the unfamiliar Jiangnan region. How did she suddenly gain the favor of a hidden force and maintain the development of Jimintang with a large amount of money from unknown sources?
"Is there a possibility..."

Xue Huai pondered for a moment and said, "Did Liu Ying lie to you about this, just to force you to poison me?"

Xu Zhiwei understood what he meant.

The Ling family affair is true, but Liu Ying may not be Ling Ying; she is merely using this story to pressure Xu Zhiwei.

She thought about it carefully, then frowned slightly and said, "Based on my understanding of my aunt, she probably wasn't lying back then. After all, I've lived with her since I was a child and know her little habits. Even if she wasn't Ling Ying, she must have had a close connection with the Ling family, otherwise she wouldn't have been so grief-stricken."

Xue Huai nodded, then changed the subject, "What about Jimintang? Do you know any secrets behind it?"

Xu Zhiwei fell silent.

Xue Huai observed her expression and gave Shen Qingluan a wink. The latter then sat down next to Xu Zhiwei and said softly, "Sister Xu, are you worried that Jimintang will be affected?"

Xu Zhiwei responded softly.

"My sister is kind-hearted, so it's understandable that she has such concerns."

Shen Qingluan simply took her hand and said slowly, "But that day in Yingyuan, I saw you suddenly turn back just to remind Brother Xue. Actually, you know that Brother Xue is a good official who loves the people like his own children, so that's why you did that, right? If that's the case, you shouldn't worry too much. No matter what is found out in the end, Brother Xue will not make things difficult for the good people in Jimintang."

These words struck a chord with Xu Zhiwei.

The development of Jimintang accompanied Xu Zhiwei as she grew up. She learned medical skills here, met many kind-hearted elders, and gradually became determined to help the world and bring peace to the people under their influence.

After seeing the dust-returning patterns on the vermilion lacquered food box with her own eyes, Xu Zhiwei's only worry was about Jimintang.

Seeing that her attitude had softened, Xue Huai seized the opportunity and said, "I just feel that there is something wrong with the source of Jimintang's money, and I also suspect that your aunt is not simple. She would never target Jimintang indiscriminately. You can rest assured about that."

Xu Zhiwei sighed softly and said slowly, "Jimintang itself is not suspicious. I believe Lord Xue has already sent people to investigate during this period. The vast majority of doctors and managers in the hall are honest people. They, like me, only want to help the poor. As for the source of the money that you mentioned, Lord Xue, Jimintang is not a small pharmacy. The businesses involved and the donations from local gentry are numerous and varied. Ordinary people simply do not have the ability to distinguish the details."

This judgment is quite similar to the investigation by the Jing'an Division. Xue Huai nodded and said, "Let's put this matter aside for now. You said that there is nothing strange about Jimin Hall itself, so your aunt is hiding many secrets?"

"My aunt..."

Xu Zhiwei bit her lower lip and whispered, "There are indeed some things hidden, but what I know is mostly fragmented and cannot be pieced together. My aunt once told me that as long as I kill you and gain the approval of others, she will hold an altar to establish me as a saintess."

Upon hearing this, the air in the room almost froze.

Shen Qingluan stared blankly at Xu Zhiwei, never expecting to hear the words "Holy Maiden".

Turning the pages of history books, the mere appearance of these two words signifies a high likelihood of bloodshed and chaos erupting among the common people.

Xue Huai's expression grew increasingly serious. He understood the gravity of the matter better than Shen Qingluan. If the Jimintang was indeed hiding an organization similar to the White Lotus Sect he had heard of in his previous life, the harm it could cause was unimaginable.

"The Holy Maiden?" Xue Huai said in a deep voice, "Miss Xu, could you please elaborate?"

"That's all I know."

Xu Zhiwei looked up at Xue Huai and said apologetically, "My aunt usually forbids me from touching her letters or listening to her conversations with others. She told me that the title of 'Holy Maiden' is the highest honor bestowed by the Jimin Hall, and only those with extremely kind hearts can hold it, but I don't believe it. However, after so many years of getting along, my aunt can't be on guard against me all the time, so I know some things."

Xue Huai said seriously, "Go ahead."

Xu Zhiwei thought for a moment and said, "About three years ago, one night I brewed some medicine and brought it to my aunt. I saw a letter on her desk with a rather strange pattern on the wax seal. My aunt immediately put the letter away. Not long after, I caught a glimpse of a similar outline on the jade pendants worn by several wealthy gentlemen who came to Jimintang to donate money. However, they were all very subtle. Unless you deliberately look for them or recognize them, it would be difficult for an average person to notice them."

A rough judgment gradually emerged in Xue Huai's mind.

As expected, there is a dark force behind Jimintang, and Liu Ying must be a very important figure in it. Moreover, judging from the other party's style of doing things, the network hidden beneath the surface is probably very large.

Xu Zhiwei continued, “Occasionally, when my aunt is extremely tired or extremely proud, she will blurt out a few words. I remember more than a year ago, my aunt was talking to me about the current situation of Jimintang. She seemed very happy and drank a few more cups on a whim. When I helped her back to her room to rest, I heard her say a few words intermittently, something about how the old ancestor had sharp eyes and was gratified. But before or after that, I never heard her mention the old ancestor.”

Shen Qingluan frowned and asked, "Sister Xu, have you asked your aunt who the Ancestor really is?"

Xu Zhiwei shook her head and said softly, "Before today, I never doubted my aunt. At that time, I just thought it was her drunken ramblings."

Ancestor?

Xue Huaiguang knew something was complicated just from hearing this title.

He remembered that the White Lotus Sect's doctrines in his previous life included the concept of the "Eternal Mother," and the mysterious ancestor mentioned by Liu Ying was most likely a similar figure.

It now appears that the force behind Jimintang is actually an organization like the White Lotus Sect?

At this moment, Xu Zhiwei took a deep breath, looking very tired and with increasingly blank eyes. She slowly said, "I know my aunt is not simple, but she always told me that Jimintang is only for treating poor people, and she is indeed doing good deeds in her own way. So I didn't explore her secrets too much. I probably don't know much more than you do."

Xue Huai suppressed his thoughts and softened his tone, saying, "Miss Xu, can you recall any more details?"

"I'll try."

Xu Zhiwei always kept her word. She gazed into Xue Huai's eyes and said, "Lord Xue, can you grant me a favor?"

Xue Huai said, "Please speak."

"After I tell you everything I know, can I..."

Xu Zhiwei looked troubled and sighed, "Can we leave cleanly?"

Shen Qingluan couldn't hide her shock and exclaimed, "Sister Xu!"

Xu Zhiwei gave her a sad smile and insisted, "No matter what, it was my aunt who raised me to adulthood. She gave me this life. Since she wants to take it back, I don't want to live any longer."

Shen Qingluan said anxiously, "But—"

"Qingluan, don't be anxious."

Xue Huai interrupted her and looked at Xu Zhiwei, saying, "Miss Xu, do you want a clean and tidy Jimintang, so that you can fully realize your ambitions from now on?"

"What did you say?"

Instantly, intense emotions welled up in Xu Zhiwei's eyes, which had been as still as a dry well.

Xue Huai calmly said, "If you die, Jimintang will only become a bloodstained hilt in someone else's hand. Only if you live will you have the chance to personally sever those hidden threads and let the plaque of healing the sick and saving lives shine in the light of day again. Those doctors and managers who genuinely save lives, and those poor people who yearn for salvation, are worthy of your heartfelt desire to save the world and bring peace to the people, Xu Zhiwei, not Liu Ying who sees you as a tool, and certainly not those demons and monsters hiding in the shadows!"

"I……"

Xu Zhiwei clenched her hands involuntarily, asking in disbelief mixed with a hint of anticipation, "Will that day really come?"

"Human effort can overcome any obstacle; evil cannot prevail over good."

A confident smile appeared on Xue Huai's face as he slowly said, "As long as you are willing to cooperate with me in putting on a show, I am confident that I can restore a clean and honest Jimintang to you."

Xu Zhiwei's heart was churning. She stared intently at the confident young man, and finally replied softly but firmly, "I do."

……

……

(Wishing all my book lovers a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day! May you all enjoy good health and happiness with your families!)
(End of this chapter)