Chapter 573 Farewell

Although they didn't say a word, there was an unspoken understanding between them, which flowed between their eyes. Su Qinglan's already gentle eyes were now filled with a tenderness like spring water.

Seeing this, Shang Ruyi's heart sank.

She subconsciously stopped in her tracks, then slowly turned her head to look at Pei Xingyuan standing behind her.

Pei Xingyuan was clearly stunned as well, staring wide-eyed at the unfamiliar figure. After a long while, he blinked and whispered, "Who is that person?"

"...Jiang Yan".

"Jiang Yan? I don't know him. Where is he from?"

"Jiang Yu's son."

"Who is Jiang Yu?"

"that is--"

Shang Ruyi was about to explain, but before she could say anything more, she heard Pei Xingyuan chuckle and mutter, "Hey, what does this have to do with me? I'm asking this!"

After saying that, he stopped asking questions and just stared ahead quietly. The concern on his face gradually faded, leaving only the usual playful smile, like an outsider watching the bustling world inside, yet not getting a thing of it.

After a while, he suddenly asked, "By the way, where is Feng Chen?"

"Well?"

Shang Ruyi was taken aback, wondering why he suddenly changed the subject to Yuwen Ye. He had just been talking about Su Qinglan. Before she could react, she heard Pei Xingyuan complain, "In the past, when I was being scolded, it was one thing that he didn't come to help me, but today is supposed to be a day to be praised, so why isn't he here?"

Shang Ruyi couldn't help but chuckle again at his words before saying, "He has entered the palace."

"What happened at the palace?"

"I heard that Princess Qiancheng of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate sent a letter, saying that there seems to be some new developments in the Western Turkic Khaganate. The Grand Chancellor has summoned him to the palace to discuss this matter."

"I see."

Pei Xingyuan nodded, but then his brows furrowed again: "The Turks..."

Mentioning the Turks, their slightly relaxed mood involuntarily tightened again. Pei Xingyuan thought for a while and said in a deep voice, "I heard that Ashina Shali suffered a great loss at Feng Chen's hands when he was in Yanmen. If the Western Turks really make a move, I'm afraid they will come here."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi frowned.

She knew all too well that during the siege of Yanmen, Ashina Shali had almost captured all the leaders of the Daye Dynasty, from the emperor to the ministers. Fortunately, Yuwen Ye arrived in time and shot Ashina Shali in one eye with an arrow, which repelled a million-strong army, saved Chu Yang, saved her, and saved everyone else!

But this blood debt was naturally attributed to him.

Ashina Shali is a vicious and vengeful person; he will not let him off so easily.

Shang Ruyi glanced around again and said in a deep voice, "Unfortunately, the plague in the city has not been completely resolved yet, and we are facing another challenge—hopefully, the Turks do not intend to use force against us immediately."

Upon hearing this, Pei Xingyuan's expression became unusually serious.

But after a moment of silence, he smiled and said, "Don't be afraid. No matter how big the problem is, we're here for you. Even if you don't believe me, don't you still have your brother and Fengchen?"

Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "I also believe in Young Master Pei."

"You have good taste!"

Pei Xingyuan immediately praised, "I knew it. Ruyi, although you are a woman, your knowledge and abilities are no less than those of men. Otherwise, you wouldn't have chosen Fengchen as your husband."

He meant it as a joke, but his words struck a nerve with Shang Ruyi.

She was taken aback.

Just as she was lost in thought, she felt something heavy being handed to her. Shang Ruyi immediately snapped back to reality, reached out and took it without thinking, and looked down to see that it was Pei Xingyuan who had handed her the packet of medicine.

She immediately said, "This is—"

Looking up, he saw Pei Xingyuan turn to leave, and said with a smile, "I'm going to find out what's going on with the Turks, so I'll be going now."

"ah?"

Shang Ruyi was taken aback again, and subconsciously asked, "You, you're not going to see Lord Su?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Pei Xingyuan paused, turned around, and glanced ahead.

Su Qinglan, on the other side, was clearly unaware of what was happening here. She simply kept her head down and continued to treat an old man. Her gentle gaze was earnest and focused. Only when she turned her head did she look at Jiang Xing, who was brewing medicine in the stable.

Pei Xingyuan smiled faintly and immediately said, "She's alright here, so I'll go about my own business."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Shang Ruyi was still a little dazed. She just stood there holding the bundle, watching him stride away from Chang Le Fang. After he had walked a long way, he turned his back to her and waved gently.

The gesture was both elegant and seemingly tinged with a touch of melancholy.

But before I could savor it, I put it down.

Watching his figure disappear into the distance, Shang Ruyi felt a strange, indescribable feeling, as if the warmth had been blown away by the wind, leaving only a slight chill in her heart. She remained silent for a long time before slowly turning around.

As soon as she approached, Su Qinglan looked up and saw her.

She immediately stood up and came to greet her: "Young Madam."

Shang Ruyi nodded as well: "Lord Su."

The two walked to a spot and were about to say something when a medicinal fragrance wafted in on the breeze. Turning around, they saw Jiang Yan carrying a bowl of brewed medicine. Upon seeing Shang Ruyi, a strange expression appeared on his handsome face, but he still immediately stepped forward and nodded to Shang Ruyi.

Although not extremely respectful, he was still polite.

Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "These past two days have been hard on you two. I didn't expect Young Master Jiang to still be here helping out."

Jiang Yan calmly replied, "Where righteousness lies."

"..."

Shang Ruyi didn't speak immediately, but just glanced at him again.

This young man was indeed handsome, and what was even more remarkable was his calm and reserved demeanor. His speech and behavior exuded a composure that was rare among ordinary people. Moreover, when he spoke, he was concise and clear, revealing his sobriety and wisdom. Apart from his family background, he was an exceptionally talented individual.

Shang Ruyi sighed inwardly, said nothing, and only smiled.

Although Su Qinglan, who was standing to the side, did not speak, she immediately smelled the strong medicinal scent emanating from the bundle in Shang Ruyi's hands, and asked, "Young Madam, what is this—"

Just as Shang Ruyi was about to say something, she heard heavy, hurried footsteps behind her. Turning around, she saw a physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau rushing in, his face beaming with joy. "Lord Su, quick, quickly take the patients out to get their medicine! Medicines from outside are free now!"

Su Qinglan was startled: "What?"

The physician walked over, saw Shang Ruyi, and immediately stopped, smiling as he said, "So the young mistress has come here too."

Shang Ruyi nodded: "Mm."

Su Qinglan looked at them in surprise and asked, "What's going on?"

Shang Ruyi glanced down at the bundle in her hand, smiled faintly, and said, "I came in to tell you about this. The medicine that Young Master Pei sold before was something we arranged on purpose to investigate a matter, but it wasn't because he was truly blinded by greed and disregarded the lives of the people. Now that the matter has been clarified, he has returned all the money from selling the medicine to everyone. From today onwards, all the medicines distributed will be free of charge."

"real?!"

Upon hearing this, Su Qinglan was both surprised and delighted: "Does the young mistress mean that everyone here can go out and get their medicine?"

"yes."

Shang Ruyi nodded calmly, then handed the bundle in her hand to her, and said softly, "If the patients here are elderly and have difficulty walking and queuing, Lord Su can still prepare their medicine here, just like before. These medicines—will also be delivered here, just like before."

"..."

Su Qinglan was stunned when she saw the bundle.

After a long silence, she seemed to finally understand something, reached out and took it, murmuring, "So, so that's what it was..."

Jiang Yan, who was standing to the side, looked at her and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Although it was just a single sentence, the concern in her words and the undisguised closeness between the lines and in her eyes made Shang Ruyi completely understand. Su Qinglan looked up at him, remained silent for a moment, then smiled faintly and shook her head, saying, "It's nothing."

After speaking, she looked up at Shang Ruyi: "Then, what about Young Master Pei—"

Shang Ruyi said, "He went to do his own thing."

"..."

"He has a lot on his plate, so he probably won't have the chance to come back."

"……oh."

Su Qinglan nodded, her face still bearing a calm smile. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Then, please ask the young mistress to convey my gratitude to Young Master Pei on behalf of the patients here."

Shang Ruyi said, "Okay."

After saying that, Su Qinglan laughed again, but this time, her smile was deeper and more joyful than before. Turning to the patients around her, she said loudly, "Everyone, the medicine outside is now free. If you can still get up, just go out and get your medicine. But remember, don't take more than you need, and don't fall. If you're old and can't walk, that's fine too. I will stay here to brew the medicine and treat you, just like before. I will definitely cure you!"

The patients had just heard what they said, and their eyes lit up. They cheered with a mixture of joy and surprise, and some even stood up and kowtowed to the heavens, thanking God for His mercy.

Shang Ruyi glanced at them, smiled, and prepared to turn and leave.

But then, Jiang Yan suddenly said, "Yuwen, young mistress."

"Um?"

Shang Ruyi didn't know why he suddenly called her, so she stopped and turned to look at him: "Is there anything else, Young Master Jiang?"

Jiang Yan glanced at her, thought for a moment, and said softly, "I heard that a couple of days ago, Yanzuofang released several hundred cured patients, and now Changlefang is not charging a penny for medicine. Is the plague about to be eradicated?"

Shang Ruyi smiled cautiously: "If there are no unexpected circumstances, this is what everyone is hoping for."

Jiang Xingdao said, "Then, you—"

"...?"

Shang Ruyi was taken aback and looked at him: "We? We what?"