The Martial Doctor

"Conduct visits, recruit a group of people to learn about the ages, causes, and related conditions of infant mortality through visits, then compile statistics on the related situations, and find corresponding solutions. If it’s a disease, we can research this type of disease and find treatment methods. What do you think?"

"Great, the Medical Bureau has a special budget every year, which can be used for this. If we can save some children’s lives, it will be a meritorious deed indeed," said Wen Ruyu.

"Then it’s settled. I will draft some questions for the visiting staff to ask and record, to facilitate our statistics."

For Lin Miao, conducting a survey was as easy as pie.

"Mr. Lin, did you leave the city yesterday?" Wen Ruyu finally remembered he had something to ask and sought Lin Miao after lunch for a private inquiry.

"What’s the matter?"

"The day before yesterday, the Blade Catching Alliance suddenly issued a call-to-arms, a large number of Blade Catchers left the city, their destination unknown. There might be some operation, and you leaving the city yesterday made me worry about your safety, so I asked," Wen Ruyu explained.

"Do you know something, Mr. Wen?"

"Well..." Wen Ruyu hesitated and stammered.

"The Crown Prince was assassinated at Cloud-Riding Ridge; those who attempted the assassination were the Blood Evil and the Blood Evil Thieves. The court issued a wanted order offering a ten-thousand silver reward for the capture of the Blood Evil. I guess the Blade Catching Alliance’s call-to-arms the day before yesterday targets the Blood Evil, and coincidentally, you left the city yesterday, so I feared you might be in danger outside. Luckily, you’re back today," Wen Ruyu said.

"So, what are you trying to say, Mr. Wen?"

"I wanted to remind you, Mr. Lin, not to leave the city recently. Even if there’s an emergency, consider carefully," Wen Ruyu solemnly advised.

"I’m just a physician who heals and saves lives, how can I be in danger? Mr. Wen, you’re worrying too much. However, your reminder is right, and I’ll be cautious," Lin Miao chuckled. Nevertheless, he appreciated Wen Ruyu’s good intentions.

He wasn’t intentionally hiding something from Wen Ruyu, but there was no need to drag him into the turmoil.

Just like when Wen Ruyu recognized the Crown Prince and informed him of his identity, Lin Miao didn’t let him meet the Crown Prince again.

Although it might seem like fooling oneself, as long as they didn’t meet, the secret wouldn’t be revealed, and the Crown Prince wouldn’t actively seek Wen Ruyu.

They both pretended they never met, each living their own lives, which was for the best.

If the Crown Prince hadn’t revealed his identity to Lin Miao before departing, Lin Miao wouldn’t have foolishly exposed the prince’s identity.

The main thing is to keep silent.

All those royal messy matters weren’t his concern, better to spend time with his senior sister tending flowers and plants.

...

"Madam, Mr. He is in trouble..."

"What happened? Why so panicky? Get out immediately!" Mrs. He was jolted awake, angrily scolding.

Being seen entangled with Ye Shengyuan wouldn’t look good.

"Yes, Madam, but Mr. He is really in trouble." The subordinate said nervously, head down.

"Step out first, come back after I’m dressed," Mrs. He scolded. The subordinates were getting more unruly.

"Yes."

"Shengyuan, bear with it for a while, don’t get up yet."

Mrs. He hurriedly dressed, barefoot, stepping into a pair of embroidered shoes, donned a pure white fur coat, and walked out of the brocade tent.

"What happened?" Awakened from a good dream, Mrs. He showed little goodwill.

"Mr. He has been apprehended by Pei Jian."

"What? Pei Jian detained someone from the Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion, how audacious! Someone, bring my clothes, I’m heading to the government office!" Mrs. He fumed upon hearing.

"Madam, Mr. He is not held at the government office; he is at the Xue Family Manor outside the city, which Pei Jian has seized and occupied." The subordinate responded, shivering.

"Pei Jian dares to seize the property of the Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion!" Mrs. He became even angrier upon hearing this.

The subordinate stood frozen, not daring to speak.

"Xiaoyun..." At this moment, a voice sounded from behind Mrs. He. Her expression changed, and she hurried the reporting subordinate out.

"Are you seeking death? Why speak now?"

"Xiaoyun, something major has happened! If Pei Jian discovers the secret vault at the Xue Family Manor, we are all doomed!" Ye Shengyuan said with a face full of terror.

"The secret vault, is Pei Jian targeting the secret vault?" Mrs. He turned pale with fright upon hearing this. She knew about the secret vault at the Xue Family Manor, and if its contents were discovered, the Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion would face extermination.

"Why did Pei Jian suddenly go to the Xue Family Manor?"

"You’re asking me, how would I know?" Mrs. He retorted. She seldom managed affairs at the Xue Family Manor, even though she once stayed there for over half a year before returning after giving birth. The Green Blade Sect mainly handled affairs there.

Mrs. He had no authority over the business dealings between the Green Blade Sect and the Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion.

It was Ye Shengyuan who had grown quite close to the Green Blade Sect over the past year; the sect trusted him more than Mrs. He.

Otherwise, Ye Shengyuan wouldn’t have used the Green Blade Sect’s smuggling channels to help him acquire precious medicinal herbs from Beihu.

And these herbs were also stored in the secret vault at the Xue Family Manor.

The thought of Pei Jian possibly discovering the secret vault, and losing the herbs he spent a fortune on, filled him with piercing heartache.

The pain was indeed penetrating.

But how could Pei Jian dare to directly lead troops to seize the Xue Family Manor? Everything had always been peaceful.

What exactly happened? Ye Shengyuan felt overwhelmed.

He also had people at the Xue Family Manor, but now those people likely couldn’t relay any news. Since Pei Jian seized it, he wouldn’t allow anyone to alert others.

Didn’t he see how peaceful everything was in Dongshan City?

He truly underestimated this Prefect Pei; he apparently feigned cooperation and harmlessness all along.

What should be done?

If the secret vault was found, Pei Jian would surely order an immediate investigation of the Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion; the evidence there would be enough to topple the Marquis Lingyang.

But now, a whole day had passed, and the Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion remained intact. What did that mean?

Ye Shengyuan was puzzled...

He had to ascertain the situation within the Xue Family Manor. Ye Shengyuan quickly dressed, calmed Mrs. He with words, and then swiftly left the Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion; a critical moment had arrived.

...

"My lord, my mother’s eagle message!" Lin Miao was attending to patients at Yongning Hall when Lianxin surprisingly arrived with Baili Yuyao.

It was inappropriate for her to appear here, to avoid being seen, as this could cause trouble, given the proximity to Li Hen City, where many knew Baili Yuyao.

Baili Yuyao was well settled in the mansion, so her sudden arrival indicated an issue.

Lin Miao unfolded the eagle message sent by Baili Bingyun and frowned instantly upon reading it.

Baili Bingyun mentioned in the message that Scorpion recruited a group of skilled individuals, several hundred in total, suddenly left Li Hen City, heading toward Dongshan.

Lin Miao had encountered Scorpion; when he and Si Miaoxue discussed how to establish themselves in Longchuan Canyon, they even considered Scorpion’s lair.

After all, building one’s base was slower than directly seizing one. However, they fortuitously secured Yingfeng Valley, discarding the idea.

Scorpion’s lair, Black Abyss, was indeed a treasure trove. However, Scorpion, at the Peak of the Meridian Passage Realm, had several powerful subordinates and dominated the Longchuan Canyon.

Such a ’dominant’ figure not only recruited a large number of people in Li Hen City but also suddenly left, heading straight for Dongshan.

Unclear motives, how could it not arouse suspicion?

What in Dongshan City could prompt Scorpion to act this way, considering he’s also a wanted criminal by the court, listed on the court’s blacklist for ten years, with a significant bounty?

Could it be...

Lin Miao suddenly considered a possibility, his mind stirred, his eyes flickering with thought.