Yang patted the back of her daughter Qiao Heyuan's hand lovingly. "This time, it's all thanks to Doctor Hong. We must thank him very much."
Qiao Heyuan winked playfully, "Mother is right. Doctor Hong is a skilled doctor. My daughter's recovery this time is all thanks to his miraculous healing skills."
Hong Zhengxuan felt a little embarrassed by the praise from the mother and daughter. He scratched his head and said modestly, "I was just doing my duty as a doctor. Miss Qiao's recovery is due to her own good fortune."
Yang admired Hong Zhengxuan's humility and medical skills even more. She secretly planned that after her daughter fully recovered, she would find an opportunity to thank him properly and also test his attitude to see if he was interested in her daughter.
After taking the pulse, Hong Zhengxuan gave Qiao Heyuan some more advice, asking her to rest and not to overwork herself.
Qiao Heyuan agreed to all of them and felt warm in her heart for Hong Zhengxuan's concern.
After seeing Hong Zhengxuan off, Madam Yang returned to the courtyard and saw her daughter staring intently at the hawthorn cake on the table. Something in her heart moved her, and she softly asked, "Yuan'er, you're not young anymore. It's time to consider your own life. Doctor Hong is young and promising, and his medical skills are so advanced. Judging from his concern for you, he is obviously a thoughtful and considerate person. If you are interested, mother can find an opportunity to test his opinion."
Qiao Heyuan was stunned for a moment, then she understood what her mother meant. A slight blush crept onto her face. "Mother, Doctor Hong is a highly skilled doctor, and he is also humble and polite. He is a rare good man."
Upon hearing this, Yang was secretly happy. It seemed that her daughter had a good impression of Hong Zhengxuan.
However, this matter still needs long-term consideration. Although Doctor Hong has good character, Qiao Heyuan's marriage ultimately needs the consent of her father-in-law Qiao Sanhe and her husband Qiao Mingyuan.
"Okay, take your time to think about it. As long as your grandfather agrees, everything will be possible."
Qiao Heyuan raised her head and looked at her mother's loving face. A warm feeling welled up in her heart. She nodded vigorously and a bright smile appeared on her face. "Thank you, mother."
…
In the meeting hall of the Imperial City's Imperial Household Department, Eunuch Chen Jin sat at the top seat.
The two eunuchs standing respectfully below reported to Chen Jin in detail the situation of the disaster victims in the south of the city that they had investigated in recent days.
"Your Excellency Eunuch Chen, these disaster victims all came to the capital from Anzhou Road. We sent people to the Anzhou prefect the day before yesterday to question this matter. However, when our people arrived, they found that the Anzhou prefect had committed suicide and his family members disappeared without a trace." One of the eunuchs said in a serious tone.
Another eunuch added, "Furthermore, one of the two dead bodies found by Jingzhao Yin in the ruined temple south of the city was found to be carrying a poison called Bairi Mian. Upon investigation, it was found that this poison is exactly the same as the illness suffered by the victims."
Chen Jin listened to the two eunuchs' report without showing much surprise on his face.
He nodded slightly, indicating that he had understood the situation. This was basically consistent with what Yan Boxi had described in the secret letter he had given him before, with not much difference.
After a moment's contemplation, Chen Jin glanced at the two eunuchs and spoke slowly, "You must closely monitor the situation of the disaster victims in the south of the city and ensure their basic needs are met. At the same time, send additional personnel to track down the whereabouts of the Anzhou prefect's family. Report to me immediately if you have any information."
The two eunuchs responded in unison: "Yes, Eunuch Chen." They knew that this mission was of great importance and was related to the stability of the capital and the reputation of the royal family.
Chen Jin waved his hand, signaling them to leave. He continued to sit alone in the conference hall, the words in Yan Boxi's secret letter constantly echoing in his mind.
As the night deepened, the lights in the Imperial City's Imperial Household Department were lit one by one. The dim candlelight illuminated Chen Jin's pensive face, and his figure swayed gently in front of the window, as if blending with the night.
He walked into the attic where confidential documents were stored and came to a dusty bookcase. He gently opened a hidden compartment and took out an antique wooden box.
This wooden box carries decades of secrets of the eunuch Li Fang, who holds the seal of the Imperial Household Department, and contains countless important documents.
Chen Jin carefully opened the wooden box, his eyes lingering over the documents. He pulled out a yellowed blueprint depicting the Xingyuan Army's tiger talisman. However, the blueprint had been half-burned by the flames, leaving only a blurred outline.
Yan Boxi's secret report told him that Linjiang King Li Longjing was secretly manufacturing the Xingyuan Army Tiger Tally, but the imitation product could never reach perfection. He hoped to use this clue to track down the location of all the private mines of Linjiang King.
Chen Jin once gave Yan Boxi the tiger talisman drawings archived in the Imperial Household Department, but those were only drafts with obvious flaws and were of no substantial help in the investigation.
Although this half-remaining drawing contains important information, it is severely damaged and is difficult to use.
He stared at the incomplete drawing under the dim light, feeling helpless.
Chen Jin was also confused as to why there was only half a tiger talisman drawing stored here.
According to eunuch Li Fang, he obtained this drawing from an anonymous secret letter, but the origin of the secret letter has become a mystery.
Carefully, Chen Jin returned the wooden box to its original place and properly kept the half of the precious drawing.
He then returned to the council chamber, sat down, and wrote a letter. After the letter was finished, he carefully sealed the envelope with a lead ink to ensure its safety.
"Someone come here!" Chen Jin called out.
Outside the meeting hall, a eunuch came in and stood respectfully in front of Chen Jin.
Chen Jin handed the letter to him and solemnly instructed: "Please personally deliver this letter to the old lady of Xingyuan Marquis Mansion and make sure it is delivered safely."
…
At this time, in the Xingyuan Marquis's residence, Xue Jiyan had just returned from the Ministry of Revenue and hurried into the Xiangyun Hall. He saw his second brother Xue Zhongfu chatting with his mother Hong Yingrong. A hint of nervousness passed across his face, as if he was about to say something but hesitated.
Hong Yingrong noticed his strangeness and said gently, "Ji Yan, just say whatever you want to say. There is no need for you brothers to be cautious with each other."
Xue Jiyan took a deep breath, and then said firmly: “Mother, I am sure that the person Mother Han met is Yan Boxi.”
After hearing this, Hong Yingrong nodded thoughtfully, but Xue Zhongfu was confused and bewildered by his brother's sudden assertion.
"Didn't Yan Boxi already..." Xue Zhongfu was about to ask a question when he was interrupted by Hong Yingrong.
"Zhongfu, I will explain the details to you later. Ji Yan, please continue." Hong Yingrong gestured.
Xue Jiyan nodded and continued, "Wang Xiuyuan, a member of the Hanlin Academy, was also a Jinshi this year. His hometown is also in Ganzhou. I repeatedly asked him today, and he finally told me a piece of information privately. He said that when he was escorting the Western Rong envoys out of the city, he saw someone who looked very similar to Yan Boxi."
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