Prime Minister

Chapter 266, Page 265: [Broad-mindedness]

The small courtyard at the east end of the Tongzhi's official residence.

A slightly slender figure slowly stepped in. She looked at the familiar environment and furnishings in the courtyard, her eyes becoming very complicated.

Xu Zhiwei was trapped in this small courtyard for nearly two months, and every moment was agonizing. It wasn't because she was worried about her own safety, but because she suddenly realized that her life over the past nineteen years had been nothing but exploitation and deception.

This experience of faith collapse made her question the meaning of life. If it weren't for Shen Qingluan's constant companionship and guidance, she might not have been able to get out of that predicament.

Her return to this familiar place today was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather because Liu Ying had asked Xue Huai to see her.

That night at the East Garden of Shen Garden, Xu Zhiwei thought it would be their last meeting and was prepared to sever all ties with the past. However, the woman had ultimately been kind to her in raising her, so she still came.

Xu Zhiwei slowly entered the room. Although she had never practiced martial arts, she could still sense that the security of this courtyard was no less stringent than when she was there.

"Zhiwei, you...you've come."

A tense and uneasy voice came from inside the room, along with a series of metallic scraping sounds.

Xu Zhiwei looked up and saw Liu Ying, dressed in plain clothes, standing awkwardly a few steps away. She seemed perfectly normal and did not appear to have been mistreated. Only the steel shackles on her ankles indicated her identity and situation.

"Ah."

Xu Zhiwei responded softly.

She had never seen Liu Ying like this before. In her memory, her aunt was always as gentle as a spring breeze, and when she was busy with important matters, she was focused and reliable. She could show a unique temperament no matter when or where. But now she was like a withered autumn leaf, and although she was only in her forties, she was full of decadent and senile air.

Liu Ying forced a smile and said cautiously, "Shall we sit down and talk?"

"it is good."

Xu Zhiwei nodded, then walked to the chair next to her.

Liu Ying looked around, dragged her shackles to sit opposite her, and then asked with concern, "How have you been lately?"

These five short words stirred something within Xu Zhiwei, but she calmly replied, "It's alright."

Liu Ying didn't mind her cold attitude. In fact, it was enough that she was willing to come today and sit down to talk to her.

After a brief silence, Liu Ying asked again, "How is Jimintang now?"

Xu Zhiwei watched her quietly. No matter how many secrets Liu Ying kept in her heart, her feelings for Jimintang should be genuine, after all, it was the culmination of her life's work.

Thinking of this, Xu Zhiwei slowly said, "Jimintang is still there. After the government's investigation over the past few months, Jimintang in various places has severed ties with the demonic sect, but it is difficult to maintain the scale it used to be. Under Lord Xue's arrangement, Jimintang in Huzhou and Jiaxing has closed down, and only four pharmacies in Hangzhou, Suzhou, Yangzhou and Jinling are currently remaining."

"That's good, as long as it's still there."

Liu Ying sighed softly and tentatively asked, "And what about you?"

“I started seeing patients at Jimintang Clinic in Yangzhou about two weeks ago.”

Xu Zhiwei brushed it off with a few words, then hesitated and asked, "What do you want to see me about?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ying fell silent, her heart filled with a painful struggle.

Now that things have come to this, there is absolutely no way for her and Xu Zhiwei to go back to the way they were before. Even though she has told Xue Huai most of the secrets she knows, this can only help her have a peaceful life in the future, and it will not have any beneficial impact on her relationship with Xu Zhiwei.

The biggest problem between them was that she used and deceived Xu Zhiwei from beginning to end. Although she was not a heartless and cold-blooded person during their more than ten years of getting along, when Hu Jiaoniang came with the ancestor's orders, she finally decided to discard Xu Zhiwei like trash.

That's why she wanted to see Xu Zhiwei again, tell her about what happened back then, let her know about her background, and thus repay the debt she owed her.

However, when Liu Ying actually met Xu Zhiwei and found that she did not show any obvious hatred towards her, she couldn't help but struggle again.

"No big deal."

Liu Ying forced a smile and said bitterly, "I've lied to you all these years, and I'm sorry. I've never sincerely apologized to you. Zhiwei, I don't expect you to forgive me. I just hope that you can be well in the future and live the life you want."

"Although you lied to me and almost led me to commit a grave mistake, thankfully Lord Xue didn't take that heart-nourishing pill. As for your later attempt to force me to commit suicide, it doesn't really matter, because you gave me this life, and returning it to you is only right. My only concern is that your development of the Jimin Hall was solely for the sake of the evil cult, which makes me wonder if all my efforts over the years have been aiding and abetting evil. However—"

Xu Zhiwei paused for a moment, then said calmly, "Since it's all in the past, let's not dwell on it anymore. I will continue to practice medicine and save lives, and you... as long as you can help Lord Xue eradicate the demon cult, he won't mistreat you."

Liu Ying felt both relieved and heartbroken, and could only nod and say, "I will."

"I'm leaving."

Xu Zhiwei stood up, her head slightly lowered, seemingly unwilling to make eye contact with Liu Ying.

Liu Ying quickly stood up and couldn't help but ask, "Zhiwei, do you still hate me?"

Xu Zhiwei thought for a moment, then shook her head and said, "I don't hate anymore."

Without hatred or affection, we become strangers as soon as we turn around.

Liu Ying knew this was Xu Zhiwei's answer. Looking at her slender back, she said with a mixture of tears and laughter, "Take care of yourself."

"You too."

After uttering those three words, Xu Zhiwei walked out. Liu Ying watched her figure disappear from sight, and couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.

Stepping out of the courtyard, Xu Zhiwei suddenly stopped and looked up at the clear sky.

Having met today, we should sever all ties with the past and have no further connection with each other.

For some reason, she felt empty inside. It wasn't sadness, but it still made her feel lost. Perhaps that's how life is; there will always be unexpected hardships, but also moments of hope and relief.

"If Miss Shen were here right now, she would definitely say you look very lonely."

A peaceful voice suddenly rang out from not far away.

Xu Zhiwei was taken aback and turned her head to look. She saw Xue Huai, dressed in casual clothes, standing under the shade of a tree, looking at her with great interest.

"This humble woman greets Lord Xue."

Xu Zhiwei composed herself and took a few steps forward to bow to Xue Huaifu.

"Dr. Xu, there's no need for such formalities."

Xue Huai smiled faintly, and then said, "I thought you would have a good cry, but it seems I underestimated you. The Divine Doctor's will is indeed more resilient than that of ordinary people."

Looking at the faint smile on his handsome face, Xu Zhiwei said respectfully and tactfully, "You flatter me, Your Excellency."

The two fell silent for a moment, then Xue Huai slowly said, "From now on, the Jimin Hall in Yangzhou will need your continued attention."

"This humble woman will certainly do her best."

Xu Zhiwei hesitated slightly, then said, "Your Excellency, I have a question that I am curious about. May I ask you to answer it?"

Xue Huai turned and gestured for her to go forward, nodding and saying, "Ask away."

Xu Zhiwei pondered for a moment and asked, "Why was the esteemed hall master so certain that Liu Ying would force me to commit suicide?"

Xue Huai paused for a moment, then turned to look at her cold and beautiful face, and said calmly, "If Liu Ying really cared about you as much as you think, she wouldn't have forced you to poison Yingyuan with a lie. Although officials aren't omnipotent, I have many elite guards around me, and they will eventually trace it back to you. Once you take that step, whether you succeed in the end or not, you won't be able to escape. Therefore, from the day you arrived in Yangzhou, you were a pawn in Liu Ying's hands, and when a pawn loses its function, it will naturally become a discarded piece."

"Your Excellency's insight is so keen that I admire you greatly."

Xu Zhiwei remained calm, seemingly having truly let go of past entanglements.

Xue Huai smiled and said, "Everyone has their own expertise. Just like how you became a divine doctor at such a young age, while I have no interest in medical books whatsoever."

Xu Zhiwei smiled and dismissed it, then said softly after a moment, "It seems that you can always see through people's hearts."

If Shen Qingluan had said those words, Xue Huai would have certainly made a few sarcastic remarks, but he knew his limits and boundaries, so he smiled and said, "It's not always true. For example, it's hard to guess what that Miss Shen is thinking."

When Shen Qingluan was mentioned, his tone naturally became warm.

Xu Zhiwei's heart stirred slightly. Xue Huai couldn't stop talking about Shen Qingluan, which made her a little envious, especially since she had just met with Liu Ying and had forgotten all the grudges and affections of the past nineteen years.

But she was only envious, and at the same time, she was also a little gratified that Shen Qingluan had found a good man. So she smiled and said, "Qingluan is a sincere girl. If it weren't for her company these days, I... Oh right, I haven't congratulated you and Qingluan on your marriage yet."

"Thank you."

Xue Huai nodded, about to ask her about the details of her meeting with Liu Ying, when a bright voice suddenly came from afar.

“Brother Huai!”

The two looked over at the same time and saw Shen Qingluan standing gracefully in a moon-white dress. Jiang Sheng and Mo Yun stood behind her, their heads down as if they dared not look at Xue Huai. This strange expression made Xue Huai both angry and amused. Was he doing something shameful?
"Qingluan."

"Sister Qingluan".

Xue Huai and Xu Zhiwei greeted Shen Qingluan, who then walked over with light steps, took Xu Zhiwei's hand, and asked her about her well-being.

A moment later, Xu Zhiwei bowed respectfully and took her leave. Xue Huai then asked Mo Yun to see her off, and Jiang Sheng also tactfully left.

Xue Huai looked at Shen Qingluan and smiled, "What brings you here today?"

Shen Qingluan walked around Xue Huai once, looked him up and down, and looked at him with a face full of approval.

Xue Huai then reached out and took her fair hand in his, asking curiously, "What's wrong?"

"Brother Huai".

Shen Qingluan looked up at him, blinked her big eyes, and exclaimed, "You've finally learned to cherish women!"

"Ok?"

Xue Huai was slightly taken aback, finally realizing that she was referring to his conversation with Xu Zhiwei earlier. He couldn't help but raise his other hand, flick his finger lightly on her forehead, and said in feigned anger, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Shen Qingluan chuckled, leaned closer, and asked in a low voice, "Brother Huai, do you think Sister Zhiwei is beautiful?"

(End of this chapter)