Chapter 141 Secret Order

"You little rascal..."

Zhao Yinchen frowned and glared at Zhao Mei.

But Zhao Mei had never been good at reading people's expressions since she was a child, and her little face was full of great doubt.

However, her doubts immediately turned into joy the moment she saw Xiao Yuxuan.

"Sister Xiao! It's been so long since we last saw each other since you graduated from the girls' school! Did you come to visit me today?"

She moved closer to Xiao Yuxuan and began to speak familiarly.

If Xiao Yuxuan still didn't understand Zhao Yinchen's meaning, then she had lived in vain in her previous life. At this moment, she felt a little disappointed.

As the eldest son, Zhao Yinchen's attitude reflects the Zhao family's attitude to a certain extent. Although Zhao Mei is also worried about the family business, she doesn't actually manage it. Even if you persuade Zhao Mei, it won't make a difference.

However, Zhao Mei's innocent and adorable words to her did soothe her anxious heart to some extent.

"Yes, it's been a long time since I've seen you. I miss you very much. I happened to be passing by the Zhao residence on business, so I thought I'd come and see you. How are your parents at home?"

Logically speaking, when guests come to a house, it is usually the mistress of the house who receives them. Even though Xiao Yuxuan is a junior, she should not be unable to see the mistress of the house.

Xiao Yuxuan had already guessed, and after carefully asking, she saw that Zhao Yinchen and Zhao Mei looked more sorrowful.

Zhao Yinchen was alright, but Zhao Mei's eyes immediately welled up with tears. She looked at Xiao Yuxuan with hopeful eyes:

"Sister Xiao, my father has gone out on business, and my mother... she has also contracted the plague..."

"I know that Sister Xiao has been helping the people in the city all this time. I wonder if Sister Xiao has any good ideas to save my mother?"

Xiao Yuxuan held her hand, wanting to say that she was powerless to help, that she wasn't even entirely confident she could save the Princess, but the words that came out were:

"Don't worry, the imperial physicians are highly skilled and are already developing a prescription. I believe we'll have results soon. And guess who I met today? I met the Crown Prince. He went to the thatched hut where the patients are being housed and conveyed several imperial decrees..."

She spoke calmly about what had happened that day, focusing on the good things, and Zhao Mei's tears slowly stopped.

She still couldn't quite believe it: "Is what Sister Xiao said true?"

"Of course it's true. When have I ever lied to you? Once the prescription is ready, I will send someone to deliver it to you as soon as possible. Your mother is a lucky person and will be safe and sound."

"Look at you, you've lost so much weight in just a few days. Don't come crying to me if you don't grow taller."

In Zhao Mei's heart, Xiao Yuxuan had always been an extremely intelligent and reliable person. Now that she had made such a promise, her sorrow and grief had lessened, and she began to look forward to the day when the epidemic would be completely cured.

"Sister Xiao also said to me, 'You look much more haggard than before. You've been running around these days. Even an iron man would get tired.'"

The two girls comforted and understood each other, a scene that should have been extremely heartwarming, but Zhao Yincheng felt a strange unease watching it.

Miss Xiao and Mei Niang talked so much, but not a single word mentioned what they had just discussed... It seems she understood his meaning and didn't want to put Mei Niang in a difficult position, so she didn't say a word.

Even so, she still promised to send the medicine to them once the Imperial Medical Academy had prepared the prescription.

Having traveled extensively with his father since childhood, doing business all over the country, Zhao Yincheng naturally recognized that she wasn't just putting on an act.

He was genuinely happy for Mei Niang to have such a good friend.

only……

After comforting the grieving Zhao Mei, Xiao Yuxuan took her leave.

As she watched the gates of the Zhao residence close behind her, she breathed a long sigh of relief.

She didn't ask why the Zhao family was unwilling to help. Even if she had, those who were determined not to get involved would naturally have a thousand reasons and excuses to brush her off.

Moreover, even if they were forced to hand over the money in the name of the royal family, it would still create enmity. It is better to resolve enmity than to create it, which would be undesirable.

Rather than ending things on bad terms, it's better to cut your losses and find another solution.

She wondered who else she could go to, and didn't leave the Zhao residence immediately.

Zhao Yinchen glanced at his mother again, and his previously conflicted thoughts finally settled down.

"Has Miss Xiao left?"

"Well... he has gone out, but he's still standing at the gate of our mansion, looking like he's thinking about something."

As the servant spoke, he saw his young master quicken his pace and head towards the main gate.

"Foolish! The person hasn't left yet, why don't you invite them in?"

"ah?"

What does this mean? Wasn't the person just sent out?

The servant was completely bewildered and could only follow Zhao Yinchen, stammering as he was scolded.

A noise came from the gate of the Zhao residence. Bi Sui looked in the direction of the sound and saw that the gate, which had just been closed, had suddenly opened again.

"Miss, it's Young Master Zhao..."

She called out, and Xiao Yuxuan quickly came to her senses, only to realize that she had been standing at someone's door for quite some time.

"Miss Xiao—"

Zhao Yinchen was slightly relieved to see that the person had not left.

"I misunderstood. I wonder if there is any room for discussion regarding what Miss Xiao just mentioned? The incense sticks are ready. I would like to invite Miss Xiao to come to my residence for a chat."

"this……"

Xiao Yuxuan and Bi Sui exchanged a glance. This unexpected turn of events—could it be that the Zhao family had agreed?

After the two sat down again, Xiao Yuxuan explained the whole story in detail.

"Whether the Zhao family is willing to help or not, we hope that Young Master Zhao will not make this matter public for the time being. The Gu worm is still under investigation, and everything is still just our speculation."

If drinking boiled water can indeed reduce the probability of people contracting the epidemic, then this is a great achievement.

I will also inform the Eldest Princess and His Highness the Crown Prince to reconsider the Zhao family's procurement and supply arrangements for the imperial palace.

Zhao Yinchen pondered for a moment, then asked in return:

"Miss Xiao also said that the premise is that boiling water is effective. If it doesn't work, wouldn't it be a waste of time and effort?"

“Young Master Zhao is a businessman, and he must know that there is no such thing as a free lunch. The current imperial merchant is a distant relative of the Imperial Concubine, and he has only been in power for a short time. If he wants to replace him, he must have enough leverage.”

The little girl was so young, yet she spoke with such eloquence, completely unlike his own younger sister who was so innocent and straightforward. Zhao Yinchen was secretly alarmed, and he had already weighed and analyzed all the pros and cons in his mind.

"That may be true, but how confident is Miss Xiao in persuading the two princes?"

“Young Master Zhao, there’s no need to test me with your words. This is the confidence I have for coming to the Zhao residence. To be honest, even without the Zhao residence, with this item, I could still knock on the doors of many wealthy people. The only difference is that I would have to spend more time and effort to persuade them.”

She took something out of her sleeve, placed it on the table, and pushed it forward with her fingertips.

The jade plaque is translucent and pure with excellent clarity, and only the character "令" is simply and neatly engraved on it.

"A secret order from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion? Miss Xiao actually possesses such a thing?!"

Zhao Yinchen stared wide-eyed and stood up in disbelief.

“Miss Xiao is truly a hidden talent. Since you have the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion behind you, why would the Zhao family need to take action?”

Xiao Yuxuan was so shocked by his words that she didn't know how to react.

Isn't this a symbol of power and wealth? Why is it a secret order from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion?