In times of chaos and famine, I traded one pound of rice for two royal flushes.

"I remember now!" Wei Qing suddenly slapped the armrest of his wheelchair. "Sixteen years ago, when my father was still in court, he had a huge disagreement with the Empress's family, the Wang family, who were the Emperor's maternal uncles at the time, regarding the selection of an heir!"

"My father was protecting the third prince, who was not favored at the time. The Wang family, however, supported the current emperor, who was then the crown prince!"

"Later, the third prince died unexpectedly, and the crown prince ascended the throne smoothly. My father was also ostracized as a result and was eventually sent to the northern frontier."

The past is like smoke, yet today it fits perfectly with the current predicament.

"If that's the case, then the Empress's motives make sense," Qin Shaolang analyzed. "She was worried that after the Emperor recovered, he would settle old scores and even threaten her son's position as the current Crown Prince. So, she wanted to strike first."

"Wei Zhongxian, on the other hand, was happy to see this happen. He wished the emperor would stay ill so that he could continue to control the emperor and command the other lords."

"So, now it's a three-way power struggle," Wei Qing concluded. "An empress who wants the emperor dead, Wei Zhongxian who wants the emperor half-dead, and the emperor himself... whose intentions are unpredictable, and whose allegiance is unknown."

Qin Shaolang is at the center of this three-way game, the most crucial piece.

"Sir, this...this water is too deep!" The monkey, listening from the side, was terrified. "We'd better run! The capital is too dangerous!"

"It's too late to run now." Qin Shaolang shook his head. "We're already deeply involved. Any wrong step will lead to utter ruin."

Just when everyone was at a loss, Butcher Zhang suddenly walked in from outside.

"Dr. Qin, an old man has come outside. He says he's from your hometown and insists on seeing you."

"Fellow townsman?" Qin Shaolang was taken aback.

Just as he was wondering, an old doctor dressed in gray cloth, with white hair and beard, who looked like a wise and venerable man, walked in leaning on a cane.

"Hehe, I've heard that Doctor Qin's medical skills are superb, and he is a role model for us. I've practiced medicine for half my life, and I've come today to learn a thing or two from him." The old doctor's first words were full of polite,江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) phrases.

Qin Shaolang gestured for Monkey and the others to step back, then personally poured a cup of tea for the old doctor.

"You flatter me, sir. May I ask your name?"

The old doctor didn't answer. Instead, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and then casually placed the handkerchief on the table.

Qin Shaolang's gaze fell on the handkerchief.

A pattern was printed in vermilion on the corner of the handkerchief.

A galloping horse, with half of the character "驿" (post station) beneath its hooves.

The marks are exactly the same as those on the coarse cloth that was used to wrap the medicinal herbs!

The person who is like a "wild bird"!

Qin Shaolang felt a chill run down his spine, but his face remained expressionless.

The old doctor took a sip of tea, lowered his voice, and said quickly, "I am Liu Zheng, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. To make a long story short, we have been watching you for a long time. The traitor Wei and the wicked empress have wreaked havoc on the government, arousing the wrath of both gods and men. We old officials are weak and powerless, and we need you, Physician Qin, to be a sharp dagger driven into the heart of the enemy!"

As he spoke, he slid a tiny roll of paper from his sleeve and stuffed it into Qin Shaolang's hand.

"This is a list of all the loyal and virtuous officials in the court, as well as the spies that the traitor Wei has planted throughout the land. You must..."

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Suddenly, a loud banging came from outside the courtyard gate!

"By order of Eunuch Wei, thoroughly investigate the villa and apprehend the remaining assassins! Those inside, open the door at once!"

They are the Blood-Clad Guards!

Imperial Censor Liu's face turned pale instantly.

"How...how did they get here?"

"It's too late!" Qin Shaolang made a quick decision, pulling open a floor tile under the desk to reveal a cellar entrance that was only wide enough for one person to pass through.

"Quick! Get inside!"

In his panic, Imperial Censor Liu rushed inside.

Qin Shaolang quickly covered the floor tiles and then laid the carpet on top.

After doing all this, he took a deep breath, turned around, and opened the door.

At the entrance, a dozen or so Blood-Clad Guards stood menacingly, each wielding a steel knife.

The leader was a burly man with a menacing face.

"Dr. Qin, we are ordered to search, please do us a favor," the leader said with a forced smile.

"Gentlemen, what brings you here so late at night?" Qin Shaolang blocked the doorway, his expression calm. "I am currently treating a patient and cannot disturb you."

"A patient?" The leader sneered, sniffing the air. "Why do I smell a stranger? Dr. Qin, are you hiding someone you shouldn't be hiding in this room?"

A fierce glint flashed in his eyes.

"Men, search the place!"

"Let's see who dares!"

Just as several Blood-Clad Guards drew their swords, preparing to force their way into the study, Qin Shaolang's voice suddenly turned cold.

He remained blocking the doorway, his figure motionless, but an invisible pressure caused the blood-clad guards to abruptly stop in their tracks.

"This is a separate residence personally arranged by Eunuch Wei, and I am the imperial physician appointed by the Emperor." Qin Shaolang's gaze swept over everyone like a knife. "You dare to trespass into my study without Eunuch Wei's authorization? Are you plotting a rebellion?"

The leader was taken aback by his words, and then became furious.

"Don't try to intimidate us with your connections to the eunuch and the Emperor! We're ordered to track down the assassin's accomplices. Better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free! We're going to search this house thoroughly today!"

"If you dare to obstruct us again, don't blame us for our ruthless swords!"

As he spoke, he shoved aside his subordinate and, brandishing his knife, approached Qin Shaolang.

The atmosphere in the courtyard instantly became tense.

Both the monkey and Butcher Zhang grabbed their weapons, ready to fight to the death.

Su Jin was so frightened that she covered Su Tang's eyes tightly.

Just at this critical moment, a cold voice came from outside the courtyard gate.

"stop!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Xue Yi, dressed in a black outfit, walking in with his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Behind him followed an even more elite squad of Blood-Clad Guards.

"Xue... Guard Xue?" The leader's arrogance immediately diminished upon seeing Xue Yi.

"Who gave you the audacity to draw your knife here?" Xue Yi's eyes were as cold as ice in the twelfth lunar month.

"Guard Xue, we are acting on the orders of the eunuch to track down a wanted criminal..." the leader tried to argue.

"My godfather's orders are for you to protect Doctor Qin's safety and ensure he can focus on treating the Emperor." Xue Yi's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. "You're here with knives, making a scene, disturbing Doctor Qin, and jeopardizing the Emperor's health. Who among you can bear this responsibility?"

The leader was speechless, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

Finding the assassin is a meritorious deed, but delaying the emperor's treatment is a capital offense.

"roll."

Xue squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth.

The leader, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, scrambled away with his men and fled.

A crisis was thus averted.

Qin Shaolang looked at Xue Yi, his heart filled with doubt.

This person appeared at a crucial moment once again and helped him out of a predicament.

What exactly does he want to do?