Nan Shiying brought Old Poison with her to the palace this time.
Ji Jinmo seemed to have something to attend to. Nan Shiying didn't ask for details. When she mentioned Snake Shadow, Ji Jinmo expressed some grievance: "She likes me, why are you so indifferent and still want to bring her back?"
Nan Shiying couldn't figure out why she cared.
In love, whether one relies on their own beliefs to choose loyalty or to be benevolent, everything stems from the heart. If one easily changes their mind just because someone likes them, then such a person is not worth keeping. If not, why should she worry?
When one's inner self is abundant and secure, they won't care about anyone's departure.
Nan Shiying mused, and her steps suddenly slowed. Old Poison, not paying attention, almost bumped into her.
"Let's go, what are you spacing out for!" Old Poison's temper had been fiery lately. Ever since Nan Shiying brought people from Yaowang Valley into Tongji Pharmacy, his mind had been on edge, easily provoked.
Nan Shiying had just suddenly understood why Ji Jinmo felt wronged.
Because her indifference, in a sense, could also be seen as too rational. And within the realm of emotions, there's a path that is impossible to circumvent: not loving enough.
Nan Shiying pursed her lips and stopped thinking about it. Turning around, she saw Old Poison's scowling, irritable demeanor. She raised an eyebrow, "Old man, don't tell me, if I didn't know the situation, I would think 'Gou Zi' is your illegitimate son."
Old Poison choked, almost dying of anger.
Listen to this, listen to this, is this what a human says?
"You..."
"We're here!"
Nan Shiying pushed open the hidden door. Light cast from afar fell on Old Poison's face through the gap in the stone door.
Looking at Nan Shiying's back, Old Poison really wanted to kill this disobedient disciple.
Stepping out of the hidden door, they entered the prison through another passage. Ji Hong had already issued an imperial decree stating that Feng Luan could interrogate prisoners in the imperial prison at any time, and there was no need for obstruction. However, today she brought a stranger. According to regulations, the imperial guards had to stop, investigate, and report to His Majesty before allowing or denying passage according to the imperial decree.
Just as well, she also planned to have Wei Yuan fetch something from the Imperial Hospital.
While the imperial guards went to report this matter to Ji Hong, they also went to the Imperial Hospital to inform Wei Yuan to prepare what Nan Shiying needed.
Not long after, Wei Yuan and the imperial guards entered the imperial prison one after the other.
After a few days, Wei Yuan was visibly gaunt. His eyes were sunken, and dark circles bloomed beneath them. If the dark circles were a bit more pronounced, Wei Yuan could pass for a giant panda.
Nan Shiying teased, "What's wrong, did you go stealing coal at night?"
Wei Yuan's eyes suddenly widened, looking at Nan Shiying with disbelief. Nan Shiying was quite taken aback. He looked as if he had suffered immense grievance, wanting to speak but tears flowing first. With grief and sorrow, he questioned, "Don't you know why I've become like this?"
Nan Shiying: "..."
The way he said it made it sound as if she had abused him.
Seeing Nan Shiying's bewildered look, Wei Yuan was completely stunned. He pointed at Nan Shiying's nose, stuttering in his anger, "You, you..."
"You and Ji Jinmo are truly a couple..." Sensing the wrongness of the environment, Wei Yuan forcefully swallowed the words 'husband and wife' and, after a long pause, widened his eyes and shouted, "After you interrogated Yin Silan, you just abandoned her! If it weren't for me watching over her all this time, would she still be alive today?"
Nan Shiying blinked. It seemed that might be the case, but...
"Who told you to watch her? If she dies, she dies!" Nan Shiying replied indifferently. Ji Hong and Ji Jinmo might not want Yin Silan to die, but Nan Shiying didn't care whether she lived or died.
Listen to this, listen to this, is this what a human says?
Wei Yuan had never met such a shameless person... Oh, no, he had met one, Ji Jinmo! This couple were truly heartless bastards!
"But I still worked hard for you." Nan Shiying thought for a moment. She still needed to conduct some experiments on Yin Silan later. If she survived the experiments, she would likely need Wei Yuan's care. So, she patted Wei Yuan's shoulder, affirming his efforts and tentatively flattering him, "In this vast imperial city, among the many talented people in the Imperial Hospital, why does His Majesty only trust and rely on you? Isn't it because you are more outstanding and trustworthy than anyone else!"
"Since Yin Silan is an important prisoner, I cannot enter the palace frequently. Therefore, this heavy burden can only be placed on your shoulders. As the saying goes, with great ability comes great responsibility. Only you can put us all at ease and make us feel secure."
"So you won't let us all down, will you?"
Wei Yuan's mind was a bit fuzzy at the moment, filled with words like trust, reliance, belief, and expectation. As his blood boiled, a sense of mission arose within him. Under Nan Shiying's earnest gaze, Wei Yuan nodded heavily, his voice firm and powerful, "Yes, I will absolutely not let down your trust and expectations!"
Nan Shiying smiled.
Old Poison raised his hand to his forehead.
This foolish child, so easily deceived!
Wei Yuan, carrying the medicine box, walked into the cell where Yin Silan was held with Old Poison and Nan Shiying.
Nan Shiying smiled as she looked at Yin Silan, who had recovered enough to walk. She waved at her, "What a coincidence, we meet again."
Wei Yuan's mouth twitched. The way she said it made it sound like they had met by chance while strolling in the street. It was absurd!
Looking at Nan Shiying's smiling face, Yin Silan thought of the feeling of wishing she were dead that day. Her originally rosy face turned pale at a visible rate, and the fear and panic in her eyes could not be hidden no matter how hard she tried. She took several steps back until her back hit the thick, cold wall.
"Feng Luan!"
The voice filled with hatred coalesced into Feng Luan's name. The person speaking seemed to want to swallow the name and the person together, tearing and chewing.
Her current appearance was like a frightened wild dog.
All she could do was bare her teeth.
Wei Yuan instinctively glanced at Nan Shiying. How could this Yin Silan be such a character, yet turn into this state upon seeing her? What kind of torture did she inflict on her last time that made her so afraid?
However, Wei Yuan soon got his answer.
Nan Shiying squinted and smiled, showing no mercy to Yin Silan. She spoke with the gentlest and most peaceful tone, uttering the most cruel words: "Don't scream. I've come this time to ask you to help me once more. Last time, during your dissection, there were still a few minor flaws in the technique. I want to try again now, and I hope you won't refuse."
Upon hearing the word "dissection," Wei Yuan felt a chill surge from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Since Yin Silan was still alive, Nan Shiying's mention of dissection meant... vivisection!
She actually used Yin Silan as a test subject for vivisection?
And now she wanted to do it a second time.
Wei Yuan gasped, feeling that perhaps Nan Shiying was even more cold-blooded and cruel than Ji Jinmo. She... wait, doing vivisection again?
Wei Yuan's eyes widened instantly, his pupils trembling: So all those words you just said were to trick me into taking care of Yin Silan again?
Are you even human?