"Enough with the act, spare me the theatrics," Lu Qingwan impatiently cut off Cheng Nanshu's seemingly effortless performance.
"If you're willing to talk properly, I'll give you a chance to speak. If you still intend to fool me like you did Su Shang, I'll have someone send you back to Nie Wuming's side immediately. You know my temper; I always keep my word."
"Divine Doctor Lin, please don't!" Cheng Nanshu, tears streaming, knelt down. "I didn't deceive Sister Su Shang, nor did I ever intend to deceive you. I cannot return to Northern Wei. You are a benevolent healer, please spare me..." She sobbed as if Lu Qingwan had done something terrible to her.
Yet, as the owner of Jici Hospital, it was perfectly natural for Lu Qingwan to want to cure a caregiver of ač. Therefore, no matter how tearfully she pleaded, looking pathetic, Lu Qingwan merely said, "Have someone notify Nie Wuming to pick you up immediately. If he doesn't collect you within three days, I'll send your woman and child back to Wu An Palace."
Li Su was so shocked she forgot to respond, while Cheng Nanshu froze completely. After a long moment, she suddenly roared, "No, you can't do that! If you dare send my child to Wu An Palace, my cousin will kill you. My child is about to become the Crown Prince of Northern Wei. If you dare put him in danger, my cousin won't let you off!"
She shrieked hysterically, but Lu Qingwan calmly watched her as if observing a clown. Cheng Nanshu belatedly realized, "You did it on purpose?"
"So what if I did?" Lu Qingwan retorted. "First Hu Yan Che, then you. Nie Wuming has planted so many people around me; don't I get to strike back? Cousin and nephew; he actually had the nerve to say that." Lu Qingwan curved her lips into a wild smile. "But he's not wrong; you can only be his cousin, and your son can only be his nephew! Otherwise, how could he exchange the position of Crown Princess for the Grand Marshal's full assistance?"
Cheng Nanshu's eyes widened in fury. "Impossible! He promised that whatever grievances our aunt suffered, he would never let me repeat them!" Having been repeatedly challenged by Lu Qingwan, Cheng Nanshu had long forgotten her innocent and gentle persona. Her current appearance was more terrifying than a man-eating flower. However, the louder she yelled, the more her lack of confidence was revealed.
Lu Qingwan coldly watched her futile attempt to appear strong, raising her hand slightly. "Come, let her see the 'Letter to My Wife' written by the Crown Prince of Northern Wei to the Grand Marshal's daughter."
Li Su silently presented the item he had obtained less than half an hour ago. The bronze 'Letter to My Wife' was both a heartfelt love letter and Nie Wuming's marriage proposal to Gao Lan Xin, the Grand Marshal of Northern Wei's daughter.
As Cheng Nanshu read it word by word, Lu Qingwan added, "You should recognize Nie Wuming's handwriting, right? This 'Letter to My Wife' was written by him, then a template was made, and finally, each character was struck by hand. Of course, the original is already with Gao Lan Xin. This one you're seeing is a copy. Compared to what he gave Gao Lan Xin, what he gave you isn't even a forgery, let alone a replica."
Cheng Nanshu remained silent, repeatedly examining the 'Letter to My Wife.' Her gaze lingered particularly long on the line, "A thousand wishes before the pillow, to leave, wait until the green mountains decay." As she looked, tears flowed uncontrollably down her face.
"What a perfect alliance of lovebirds, hahahaha..." She suddenly threw the 'Letter to My Wife' forcefully onto the ground and stomped on it desperately. After stomping several times and seeing that the bronze 'Letter to My Wife' was merely smudged, she picked it up and tried to bend it with all her might. She didn't care that her hand was cut, screaming hysterically, like a madwoman.
Lu Qingwan watched her calmly from beginning to end, her expression unchanging. Only when Cheng Nanshu had calmed down did she say coldly, "Can we begin negotiations now?"
"As expected of Prince Qin's capable wife; truly as heartless as Prince Qin," Cheng Nanshu sneered. She stopped the verbal sparring. "Why did you go to such lengths to bring this to me? What do you want me to do for you?" Cheng Nanshu never doubted the authenticity of the 'Letter to My Wife.' She considered herself to know Lu Qingwan well enough to believe she wouldn't do something without a solid plan.
Lu Qingwan favored this direct approach, but her words were still rather sharp. "Wrong. You're not helping me; you're helping yourself."
Cheng Nanshu parried, "Whether it's helping myself or you, that's not for you to decide. You state your conditions first, and I'll know what to do."
Lu Qingwan nodded. "Of course, I never force anyone." After speaking, she delivered a shocking statement. "Your brother doesn't know yet that Nie Wuming is marrying the Crown Princess. He's currently risking his life for Nie Wuming by the Emerald River. If I recall correctly, Northern Wei's control over troops and provisions rests with the Grand Marshal, doesn't it? Guess, in such a predicament, what are the chances of your brother surviving when confronting the Xuanjia Army?"
Even as an enemy, Cheng Nanshu had to admit the power of the Xuanjia Army. Hearing this, Cheng Nanshu's eyes narrowed slightly. "What exactly do you want?"
"Very simple. I want Northern Wei. Cooperate with me, and I can guarantee your and your brother's lives, and also give your son a bright future." Lu Qingwan said calmly, "You can also continue to love your cousin deeply and pretend I never said any of this. Of course, I'll still have Nie Wuming send someone to pick you up. If he doesn't care about you within three days, then I'll have no choice but to send you back to Wu An Palace. After all, you know, I don't keep idle people."
Cheng Nanshu's smile was bleak. "Do I still have a choice?"
Lu Qingwan's smile was bright. "Perhaps you do."
"Let me think about it." Cheng Nanshu knew Lu Qingwan's methods all too well. To a certain extent, she would stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Such a person would be comfortable as a subordinate, but for cooperation, Cheng Nanshu feared she might be sold out without even realizing it, perhaps even counting the money while being sold.
Lu Qingwan chuckled. "You only have one night to hesitate. After tomorrow's Chen Shi, I will make the choice for you."
Cheng Nanshu was extremely angry but helpless. Lu Qingwan's smile grew even brighter. "Li Su, escort Miss Cheng out. Inform the patients queuing outside that they can come in."
In just half an hour, the news of Divine Doctor Lin's return had spread like wildfire through every ward of Jici Hospital, and even patients outside had rushed over upon hearing the news. Once Li Su gave the order, Lu Qingwan didn't get a moment's respite, staying busy until the early hours of the next morning. When Cheng Nanshu appeared, Lu Qingwan knew her plan was already half complete.