Ruan Zijun saw Xu Hengyan, who was sitting opposite Xie Jiang and had not even had time to change out of his official robes. He realized the two seemed to have more to discuss, so he tactfully followed his uncle into the room.
What if Young Master Xie asked him to leave later? That would be quite embarrassing.
Xu Hengyan placed the teacup on the low table and stared at Xie Jiang for a long time. "The real Poison Doctor is actually Doctor Lou?"
Xie Jiang looked at him in surprise. "Where did you figure that out? Was my act not convincing enough, or is my medical skill lacking?"
So she was indeed a fake Poison Doctor.
Xu Hengyan sighed helplessly. "You personally saved my grandmother's life, which proves your medical skills are also excellent. I just saw the behavior of Second Master Ruan earlier, and in a flash of lightning, a thought struck me..."
Xu Hengyan was not angry about this.
What they wanted was to save their grandmother's life and health.
And she had accomplished it very safely.
He did not feel angry about being deceived.
She had done too many unreliable things, yet his mood was surprisingly calm.
This was just like her.
If it were anyone else, he might have already stormed off.
"You were so confident about my grandmother's condition that you used the title of Poison Doctor. Were you afraid that without a reputation in medicine, we would turn you away?"
Xie Jiang rested her chin on the back of her hand. "If just anyone showed up claiming they could cure Madam Xu, would you readily let them treat her?"
Xu Hengyan shook his head. "No."
A doctor's reputation was truly important, so he could understand why she had done this.
Xu Hengyan dared not stare into her eyes for too long. Her eyes were like a bottomless abyss, hiding a mysterious and vast expanse that could lead to eternal damnation. Xu Hengyan slightly lowered his gaze to her nose. "You are not someone who likes to practice medicine for the benefit of the people. Why did you agree to treat my grandmother? Is it to officially enter the capital through this matter?"
Xie Jiang smiled. "Otherwise, even if I went to the capital myself, who would know who I am?"
Xu Hengyan had already found a reasonable explanation for her actions.
Xu Hengyan said, "Your medical skills are very good. If you are willing to strive for excellence in this field, you will undoubtedly achieve great things in the future."
Xie Jiang looked at him with a smile. "Oh? You think so highly of me?"
Xu Hengyan replied, "You are such a smart person. As long as you truly set your mind to something, there's nothing you can't do."
Xie Jiang smiled playfully. "Lord Xu is also very good at farming."
Xu Hengyan was amused and exasperated. "I dare not accept Young Master Xie's praise. I am still exploring and learning."
A young servant ran from the back with a large medicine chest. Soon, Ruan Lizhi's curses could be heard from the room, all of them scolding Xie Jiang for being ruthless and cruel at such a young age.
Xu Hengyan gently shook his head. "Are you planning to offend all the powerful figures in Dayu?"
Xie Jiang asked, "I just don't like to compromise. Have I done something wrong?"
Xu Hengyan said, "Second Master Ruan is not a petty person. He probably won't hold a grudge against you for today's incident, but you should also exercise some restraint in your actions."
Xie Jiang retorted, "Am I not restrained enough? I only broke one leg and one arm."
Xu Hengyan looked at her quietly, observing the unrestrained spirit in her eyes. Without realizing it himself, a feeling of longing welled up in his heart.
Xie Jiang's gaze swept over his official robes. "Lord Xu, are you not busy today?"
Xu Hengyan's eyes held a smile, a gentle tenderness like a spring breeze. "Since I'm here, I'll sit with you for a while and perhaps have a cup of tea."
"Then I'll sit with you for a while." Xie Jiang rested her hands behind her head and reclined on the cool chair.
Guang Bai quietly retreated, ensuring he wouldn't disturb Young Master Xie and the Heir Apparent, and could intercept anyone who wanted to approach.
Xu Hengyan said to Xie Jiang, "Actually, your unrestrained behavior is not entirely a bad thing."
Xie Jiang understood his implication. "Your current Majesty appears to be solely focused on cultivating immortality and disregards state affairs, but in reality, he wants to manipulate everyone in his palm. He's also a patient with advanced paranoia."
"If I were to make friends everywhere as soon as I arrived in the capital, appearing sociable and adept at handling all situations, your Majesty would likely not believe that our Xie clan sincerely wishes to submit."
Xu Hengyan nodded. It was indeed not easy for her to navigate the treacherous court of Dayu alone.
"The matter of clearing the bandits from Huanglan Mountain has been reported to the palace. The memorial you wrote to His Majesty has also been submitted. His Majesty has not revealed any details about it. Have you received any news from Heir Apparent Yi?"
Yi Yanteng was now a close confidant of the Emperor. Among all the civil and military officials, Yi Yanteng had the most audiences with His Majesty.
Xie Jiang shook her head. "No."
Yi Yanteng hadn't even written her a letter. He was probably too busy with his own affairs to pay attention to her.
Xu Hengyan said, "You don't need to be anxious. I estimate that His Majesty will summon you after the sweet potato harvest."
Xie Jiang thought the same.
She was not in a hurry.
Her goal was to turn the Duke Wei's mansion upside down and cause the brothers to turn against each other.
Whether the Emperor valued her or the Xie clan's submission was not important at all.
The Xie clan and their submission were merely a pretense from the beginning.
Mentioning Yi Yanteng, Xu Hengyan couldn't help but think of his condition. "Is Heir Apparent Yi being treated by you or Doctor Lou?"
Xie Jiang replied, "It was me at first, and then I handed him over to Yi An."
Xu Hengyan astutely asked, "Does Heir Apparent Yi know that Doctor Lou is the real Poison Doctor?"
Xie Jiang said, "He knows."
Xu Hengyan was silent for a moment. "When did he find out?"
Xie Jiang recalled. "The last time we were in trouble, when he came to the village at the foot of the mountain to pick me up."
After speaking, she noticed that Xu Hengyan seemed a little displeased.
Xie Jiang understood why he was unhappy. "He happened to ask me, so I told him. If you had asked me sooner, I would have told you too."
Xie Jiang's face clearly conveyed – the order in which the truth was revealed does not indicate the closeness of relationships!
Xu Hengyan didn't know her yet. She didn't take her impersonation of the Poison Doctor seriously. She used the title of Poison Doctor and then discarded it. Whoever found out, found out.
She never intended to continue under the guise and halo of the Poison Doctor.
Xu Hengyan sat up straight and hummed in acknowledgment.
Xie Jiang, with her usual lack of tact, pressed further. "Yan Yan, are you jealous?"
Xu Hengyan shot her a glare. "What nonsense are you talking about!"
Xie Jiang seemed to have discovered a big secret. "Yan Yan, I've realized you're very overbearing. You only allow me to be close to you and don't allow me to make friends with others."
Xu Hengyan was startled at first, thinking his thoughts had been discovered by her. Hearing her subsequent words, he realized that her jealousy was meant in this way.
Xu Hengyan immediately calmed down. "I did not."
Xie Jiang wore an expression that suggested she knew everything but would not expose it.
Xu Hengyan said, "What I mean is that when you make friends, you should consider their character."
Xie Jiang raised her hand, signaling him to stop explaining. She knew what she was doing.
Xu Hengyan: "..." Knew what she was doing!