"What nonsense, bullying people, and dragging Physician Lin into it just to extort them. Fortunately, Physician Lin's medical skills were superb and brought the person back. Otherwise, even if Physician Lin had a thousand mouths, he couldn't explain it!"
"Exactly! What kind of people are they!"
...
Those who had just pointed at Lu Qing Wan's nose and called her a hypocrite were now righteous individuals filled with righteous indignation.
Enjoying the satisfaction of hindsight from a moral high ground.
Lu Qing Wan found it utterly boring. Ignoring the noisy voices around her, she went straight to pay her respects to Han Guang, "Thank you, Lord Han, for upholding justice for this commoner!"
Han Guang stroked his beard with reserve, "It is my duty, Physician Lin need not be so polite."
Having said that, without giving her a moment to exchange pleasantries, he turned and left.
Lu Qing Wan was speechless. This Prefect of Jingzhao was truly as decisive as ever.
With a long sigh, she returned to the backyard and saw Su Shang reading a thick book, her head bowed. Upon seeing Lu Qing Wan return, she quickly put down the book and stood up, "Mistress."
Lu Qing Wan changed her clothes as she asked, "I told you to go out and find your own path. Why did you end up here?"
"What I'm good at, Mistress, you are even better at.
So, I thought I'd learn something new. Mistress, don't worry, I won't neglect my own matters."
Lu Qing Wan did not interfere with her decision, only saying, "Since you have already shown your face here, be mindful of concealing your identity when you meet me again.
You few are my final trump cards. Don't reveal all my cards before they even get a chance to show their edge."
Su Shang smiled calmly, "Your subordinate obeys!"
Lu Qing Wan glanced at her and went out with her medicine chest.
As soon as she entered the carriage, her face, which had been calm all day, turned stern.
"I asked you to pay attention to the crowd. Did you find anything?"
Ying Yi's voice, deliberately lowered, came through, "Princess Consort, your subordinate specifically ordered people to investigate who was exchanging glances with that Madam Zhang, and Madam Zhang's recent whereabouts.
We can confirm that the person who gave He Yuan Niang the blood-activating medicine and instigated Madam Zhang to cause trouble at Bai Xing Lin is someone from Ci En Tang.
Furthermore, a subordinate reported that when the constables from Jingzhao were investigating Madam Zhang, someone pointed them in a direction, seemingly intending to implicate Ci En Tang.
We are not yet sure who is making these moves, but your subordinate has already ordered an investigation."
Ying Er, like a monk in fog, was utterly confused.
"Ci En Tang and Bai Xing Lin have had a long-standing feud. I can understand wanting to use Madam Zhang's desire for her daughter-in-law's inheritance to extort Bai Xing Lin and ruin the Princess Consort's reputation.
But what is the meaning of that person showing the Jingzhao constables the way, dragging Ci En Tang into it?
Are they playing a game of 'mantis stalks cicada, unaware of the oriole behind' with us?"
Ying Er and Li Yang were like twins, strong in limbs but simple in mind.
But this time, he had actually reminded Lu Qing Wan, "If I remember correctly, Ci En Tang is an enterprise of the Lan family, the Minister of Revenue's family, right?
Didn't the Prince say before that he wanted to deal with the Lan family? Why is Ci En Tang still open? When did the Prince become so merciful?"
If Ci En Tang had been dealt with long ago, there wouldn't be so many troubles.
Lu Qing Wan couldn't help but resent Feng Xi Wu a little in her heart.
"Princess Consort, you may not know, but the Prince said that the Lan family has wronged the Princess Consort in more ways than one.
Dealing with them all at once would be too easy for them.
It's better to cut them with a dull knife, like Ci En Tang. Wasn't it almost forced to close down by our Prince, making it deserted?"
Ying Yi chuckled maliciously, "If it had truly closed down, the Lan family would surely have found other ways to make money.
Our Prince isn't that foolish. Not only did he not let it close, but he also recommended several major clients to Ci En Tang when it was on the verge of collapse.
He also helped with their medicinal supplies, just keeping it in a state where it couldn't make money, wanted to close down, but was too reluctant, causing them endless worry.
You should have seen it, in just two months, the manager of Ci En Tang had almost lost all his hair from worry..."
Lu Qing Wan couldn't help but chuckle, "Such a devious method, did it really come from the Prince?"
"How would your subordinate dare to lie to you?"
Ying Yi grinned, "And that's not all.
Didn't Minister Lan have close ties with Duke Xu's faction? Our Prince also helped him, extracting Minister Lan from it.
He only had to disgorge all his ill-gotten gains, and was even forced to hand over the dividends that were originally meant for Prince Chen. That really angered Prince Chen..."
Ying Yi was gloating, but Lu Qing Wan was shocked, "You mean, Minister Lan is now on Prince Chen's side?"
"Yes, Minister Lan's daughter, Noble Lady Lan, was presented to His Majesty through Prince Chen. Naturally, they are in the same camp."
"But the deaths of Lan Yu Ru and Lu Si Wan are somewhat related to Prince Chen. Minister Lan is still in the same camp as him? How audacious must his heart be!"
Lu Qing Wan expressed her incomprehension.
Ying Yi, however, was very calm, "For a person like Minister Lan, his daughters are no different from any gift he sends out to climb the ladder.
The deaths of one daughter and one granddaughter are not enough to make him break ties with Prince Chen.
If he were to break ties, it would only be if he felt Prince Chen had no hope of ascending the throne."
Changing the subject, Ying Yi said, "However, Princess Consort, you are not wrong. Most people would think as you do.
So, Minister Lan is outwardly on Prince Jing's side. Therefore, it's hard to say who today's incident was targeting.
Specifically, we will only know once the subordinates below provide more information."
Lu Qing Wan had not expected to encounter such trouble while holding clinic outside.
She had originally intended to return early to understand the specific information of the young ladies participating in the imperial selection of consorts and to familiarize herself with the selection process. However, she ended up staying at Bai Xing Lin until dark before returning to the Prince's mansion.
As soon as she arrived at Wutong Yuan, Li Jin said, "Princess Consort, Miss Chi came to see you today. Your subordinate told her that you were busy all day. She said she would come again tomorrow.
Also, Mother Qin from Consort Dowager Wen's side came, saying that Consort Dowager Wen wanted to see the Prince and asked the Prince to visit her.
And, the replies from Madam Wen, Princess Nan, and Old Madam Chi, three elderly ladies, have also arrived."
One piece of news after another bombarded her, and Lu Qing Wan felt dizzy.
"First, have someone prepare a meal. I'm going to take a bath and change my clothes. Then you can tell me about these matters."
Having said that, she had already walked into the inner hall.
Li Jin, who had been following closely behind her, stopped as if a pause button had been pressed, standing just outside the door.
Ying Yi heaved a sigh of relief, "The Princess Consort is tired from a whole day. With someone causing trouble at Bai Xing Lin again in the evening, she must be exhausted.
If it's not a major matter, let her rest for a while."
Li Jin immediately became concerned upon hearing that someone had come to cause trouble, "What happened?"
Ying Yi then recounted what had happened during the day. As they chatted and waited, they didn't expect to wait for almost an hour.