Chapter 80

“Sister-in-law, don’t be too angry. Their refusal to approve the seal doesn’t mean you did a bad job. I’ve never heard of those methods you mentioned before. They’re so novel that they definitely don’t want to take responsibility. Novelty means the unknown. They don’t know if this will work or if they will mess it up, so it’s understandable that they’re unwilling to do it.”

Feng Zhengxian, who had just been arguing with her, now tried to comfort her. "Don't worry, let's go back and discuss it with my brother. He'll definitely be able to come up with a solution."

Lin Yi sighed softly, "I know this is a new and difficult matter. But if no one is willing to take responsibility, does that mean it can't be done?" Moreover, this matter is probably not just a matter of those at the top being unwilling to take responsibility. Judging from Du Ping's performance yesterday, this matter can be accomplished. It is highly likely that someone with a higher official rank than him has intervened.

"If you ask me, we still need to find someone who can put in a good word for us. You see, it's the same with our business. The more profitable the business, the more obstacles there are. Sometimes it's not about who pays the most money and who makes the highest profits. No amount of benefits can compare to a word from above," Feng Zhengxian said.

These words woke Lin Yi up. Who cares who interferes? As long as she finds someone with more influence, that's all that matters. She knows who to turn to.

Zhan Xian has been having a tough time lately.

Thanks to Qiu Qingye, she raised a considerable sum of money at the palace banquet and moved out of the inn where she had been staying. As someone who was all alone and suspected of treason and disliked by the emperor, she should live in seclusion to avoid implicating others.

The innkeeper was worried about her moving out alone as a woman, and he couldn't persuade her otherwise. After much persuasion, he finally got Zhan Xian to leave her new address before letting her go.

The innkeeper's waiter also missed her. That day, he asked the owner for leave and packed a box full of pastries made in the kitchen to take to her.

Miss Zhan was good in every way. She was easygoing and unlike ordinary young ladies, she could handle all sorts of dirty and tiring work, from sweeping and chopping wood to cooking. However, her cooking skills were truly appalling. I remember the day she first arrived at the inn, there were many guests stopping for a meal. She wanted to help in the kitchen, but she accidentally lit the stove. The half of the wall that was blown up is still blackened to this day.

The waiter walked along the road and sighed softly. He wondered how Miss Zhan would manage to eat if she lived alone.

Although rumors circulated that Miss Zhan's family was guilty of treason, the shopkeeper said there were other hidden circumstances surrounding the events of that year. The shopkeeper knew Zhan Qihong as a loyal and patriotic hero who would never do anything detrimental to the country's stability. The waiter didn't know what had happened back then, nor did he care much; he only knew that Miss Zhan, whom he spent every day with, was an exceptionally good person. Even if her family had done something wrong, how young was she then? It certainly couldn't have been her fault.

Zhan Xian's new residence was somewhat remote, formerly a side room of a wealthy family. It was originally inhabited by the family's servants, but it was said that someone died there and it fell into disrepair. The owner thought it was a waste to leave it abandoned, so they put it up for rent or sale. After many years, they finally found someone willing to rent it. The owner was so happy that they cut the rent in half.

The side rooms are mostly small, but they are certainly enough for one person to live in. However, since someone has died there and they are in the shade, they inevitably feel eerie.

While Xiao Er was waiting for Zhan Xian to open the door for him, he felt a chill run down his spine, as if he were being watched by something.

When Zhan Xian opened the door, she was still holding a broom in her other hand. The yard was small and piled with clutter that had just been cleared out of the house, leaving almost no room to step.

He greeted her and handed the food box to Zhan Xian, then offered some kind words of persuasion, hoping she would change her mind. "Miss Zhan, this room is uninhabitable. Why don't you go back to the inn? The innkeeper is also looking forward to your return so he can help out."

"Brother, how can I be of any help? I've been staying at the inn these past few days, and it's good enough if I don't cause any trouble." Zhan Xian smiled, a light smile, but with an undeniable determination.

“I appreciate your kindness, but I can’t go back… The house has been uninhabited for years, so it lacks a sense of life. Now that I’ve moved in, it feels more lively. It’s quiet here, and I find it very pleasant. Please go back and tell the innkeeper that I’m grateful for his concern.”

Xiao Er opened his mouth, wanting to persuade her again, but knowing Zhan Xian's decisive nature, he swallowed his words and helped her tidy up the yard.

After some tidying up, the courtyard was finally presentable, and even the eerie feeling had faded considerably.

The waiter said goodbye to Zhan Xian and walked out of the courtyard gate. He saw a young lady dressed in elegant and refined clothes waiting not far away. When she saw him come out, she took a few steps forward and asked, "Zhan Xian, does Miss Zhan live here?"

The waiter looked at her suspiciously, but didn't answer directly. "Does this young lady need her help?"

Lin nodded: "I'm her friend. I heard she moved to a new house, so I came to see her."

He had never heard of Zhan Xian having any friends in Mingzhou; on the contrary, there were many people who disliked her and wanted to cause her trouble. However, Zhan Xian only told her close friends at the inn about her move, and even the address was only given to her by the innkeeper after he repeatedly assured him he would never reveal it. Could this woman really be a friend of Miss Zhan, having found her way here?

Lin Yi sensed his suspicion and said sincerely, "I really do know her. If you don't want to tell me, I can just knock on the door."

After saying that, she actually knocked on the door. Zhan Xian thought it was the waiter returning, so she opened the door quickly. When she saw who it was, Zhan Xian was surprised for a moment, but she still stepped aside to let her in.

Lin Yi waved to the waiter: "We really do know each other, so don't worry, go back!"

That's good. Miss Zhan has other friends in the city who can come and talk to her. This puts the shopkeeper at ease. The waiter then left with peace of mind.

Lin Yi entered the house and quickly surveyed the courtyard and the house. The place was fairly clean, but it was too small and a bit cold.

Lin Yi looked at her with some surprise: "You live here?"

"You live here. How did you know?" Zhan Xian asked.

Lin Yi felt a little guilty when she talked about this. She had followed Xiao Er here.

She first went to the inn where Zhan Xian was staying. Before she even entered, she overheard the innkeeper telling the owner that he was going to see Miss Zhan. Miss Zhan, of course, was Zhan Xian.

To avoid any complications, she didn't show herself, but instead followed the waiter at a distance until they arrived here.

There's no point in hiding it; I was going to find her anyway.

“That waiter is a nice guy, he cares about you a lot,” Lin Yi said.

Zhan Xian didn't stand on ceremony and asked directly, "What brings you here?"

Lin Yi coughed lightly. She had already said the same thing too many times: recruit people to join her. Before giving her business presentation, she had another thing to do.

"I sensed something was off when I saw you last time. You have an old ailment that hasn't fully healed yet, right? Would you like me to take a look?" According to the original story, Zhan Xian's old ailment was cured by Wang Chunsheng at Xinglin Garden. However, she changed the plot, causing Wang Chunsheng to enter Xinglin Medical Clinic. Now that he's returned to his hometown, it's difficult for Zhan Xian to find him again. Naturally, the task of curing the female lead's old ailment falls to her. Lin Yi asked this because she was worried that Zhan Xian might be too embarrassed to ask her. So, she would offer herself up; Zhan Xian shouldn't refuse…

"No."

...That was a refusal that was decisive and clean.

"Why?"

“Your consultation fee must be expensive; I can’t afford it,” Zhan Xian said.

"I don't need you to pay."

"I can't afford the others either."

"...Why would you think that?" Is it just because she is Qiu Qingye?

“Since I returned to the capital, every interaction between us has been orchestrated by you. Many things seem like coincidences, but they must have been intentional on your part.” Zhan Xian was not used to speaking so bluntly to people, so she pursed her lips. “Every time you contacted me, you had another purpose, although I don’t know what you really wanted.”

As expected of the female lead, her vision is just as sharp as the male lead's; it's no wonder they're a couple.

"Aren't you curious about what I'd like to offer in exchange for curing your old ailment? You should know how skilled I am; I'm confident I can cure it."

“I’m not curious.” Zhan Xian looked into her eyes and said, word by word, “I don’t need to cure it.”

“That’s not very interesting… No one wants to be sick all the time.” Lin Yi patted her shoulder, his eyes sincere. “The Zhan family’s case is still waiting for you to overturn it. This is no easy task. Of course, you have to be in your best condition to deliver a heavy blow to fate.”

Zhan Xian's heart stirred slightly. "Do you really believe there's still a chance for me to overturn the verdict?"

"Of course, it's not just a possibility, you will definitely succeed."

"……Thanks."

Perhaps it was because of the female lead's unique charm that Lin Yi enjoyed talking to her. "I just said something without saying anything, and you thanked me. If I cured you, how would you thank me?"

As Lin Yi spoke, she moved a little closer to Zhan Xian. As Zhan Xian moved closer, Zhan Xian would step back, seemingly as if she was disgusted, but Lin Yi didn't seem to care.

"I never agreed to let you heal me."

"You say no, but is that really what you think? Being afraid of light and sound isn't a pleasant feeling, is it? I won't ask you to do anything excessive. I'll cure your old ailment first, and then I'll tell you what I want you to do for me. Whether you help or not is entirely up to you, and you won't suffer any loss. How about it?"

"It's as if I've gotten the better deal. If I really didn't help you this time, I would owe you a huge favor that I would have to repay in the future," Zhan Xian said calmly, exposing her true feelings.

Lin Yi smiled slyly, "So, do you want to take advantage of this?"

Zhan Xian pondered for a moment and said, "Tell me what you want me to do first, and then I'll consider whether or not to agree."

"good!"