Chapter 127 The Shi Family Head Requests Medicine
When the head of the Shi family sought medicine from Yunxi, he was accompanied by two highly respected elders of the clan. They were also quite apprehensive, as they felt they had no bargaining chips to offer in exchange.
Only the head of the Shi family knew in his heart that this woman surnamed Zhao had always wanted him dead in order to avenge her sworn sister. However, he had just been whipped and nearly died.
Now he's caught a cold, and even if he doesn't use it for trading, it looks like he's about to die.
The three old men stood shivering in the cold wind for half an hour before Yunxi let them into the inn. With their legs already stiff from the cold, they followed the servant who led the way into the tea room.
The wafting aroma of tea in the room, and the warmth that contrasted sharply with the outside, made them feel a long-lost sense of comfort, almost bringing them to tears.
As the heads of large families, they have been high and mighty since childhood. They also receive the most resources in the entire family.
When they were first imprisoned, they harbored resentment and bitterness. But gradually, reality smoothed out their rough edges.
It was during their exile that they learned the importance of survival above all else. That's why they stand here today, risking their reputations, hoping to plead for a way out for the younger generation of their clan.
The two elders helped the still-wounded Shi family head walk shakily to the center of the room, where he lifted his robes and knelt down.
The head of the Shi family pleaded in a hoarse voice, "Could you please ask the Prince and Princess Xian to save the children of the Shi family?"
Yunxi and Gu Nanxiao were playing chess leisurely, without even glancing up at them.
Gu Nanxiao's eyes lit up with joy upon hearing the words "Princess Consort Xian".
Yunxi glanced at Gu Nanxiao's expression and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. These old guys were indeed amazing; they knew exactly how to make people feel extremely comfortable as soon as they opened their mouths.
Yunxi didn't want to beat around the bush, so she simply tossed the remaining chess pieces into the chess box and stated her terms: "You killed my sworn sister, how do you intend to repay this debt?"
The head of the Shi family knew that he would have to get through this sooner or later. He just never thought that the grudges he had made before would become his last chance to plead for the sake of his clan members.
The situation is now quite clear: if he can make this girl Zhao feel better, he might be able to get the medicine to save his people.
Then, the head of the Shi family said with a sorrowful expression, "A life for a life, a debt for a debt. Since I, Shi, have done wrong, I must naturally pay the price."
"If Princess Consort Xian could spare some medicine for my clan's younger generation, I, Shi, would atone for my sins by committing suicide tonight."
"Oh?" Yunxi asked, feigning a humble inquiring look, "How does Patriarch Shi plan to commit suicide?"
The head of the Shi family closed his eyes and said with a firm expression, "Please, Princess Consort Xian, grant me a cup of poisoned wine. I may depart now."
Upon hearing this, Yunxi let out a burst of silvery laughter. After a long while, she stopped laughing and asked:
"A cup of poison? Has Patriarch Shi still not realized his own worth? Your life isn't even worth a cup of poison!"
The Shi family head's expression twisted, as if he had used all his strength to suppress his anger at being humiliated. But the Shi family elder beside him couldn't help but lecture Yunxi:
“Killing someone is just a matter of beheading them, Miss Zhao, why are you being so aggressive? We three old folks have already begged you so humbly, why can’t you be merciful and spare the children of our clan?”
Gu Nanxiao was about to get angry upon hearing this, but Yunxi stopped him with a gesture. Then, she met the elder's gaze in silence for a moment before asking him bluntly:
"This old man's words are unreasonable. Did I make your child sick? Didn't you break the law first and then get convicted and exiled?"
If you, the people in charge, had no evil intentions, how could you have implicated your clan? Now that you have caused trouble and fallen into the mire, instead of reflecting on your own actions, you blame me, a complete stranger. What kind of logic is that?
Judging from your current state, you don't seem to need any medication at all; you look perfectly energetic. Mo Yu, fork them out.
The three old men panicked immediately upon hearing this. If they were thrown out through this door today, it was uncertain whether they would have another chance to negotiate.
But the children of the clan couldn't wait. The head of the Shi family reprimanded the eldest clan elder, immediately bowed, and kowtowed to the ground. He pleaded earnestly once more:
"Please, Princess Consort, do with my life as you see fit. As long as it can appease your resentment, I will do whatever you wish."
Although the head of the Shi family was the mastermind behind Yunxi's murder, Yunxi couldn't help but admire this former first-rank official, who was indeed more astute than others.
Since he was so sensible, Yunxi offered her terms. She parted her cherry lips and said slowly, "Since Patriarch Shi can't figure it out, then I'll give you some pointers."
You should pay for the death of my sworn sister with your life, just as you did to make it fair.
Besides, your clan is large, and the town probably doesn't have enough medicine. I'll send someone to count how many children under ten there are.
Give this amount of medicine for colds; the rest, good luck to them.
The three old men were clearly very dissatisfied with this answer. However, the second elder, always one to remain silent, kept quiet. The impulsive eldest elder, however, raised his voice and urgently objected:
"Of the six or seven hundred people in the clan, less than ten are children under the age of ten. Doesn't Miss Zhao think she's being too cruel by doing this?"
Yunxi couldn't tolerate people who took advantage of him, and he instantly slammed his fist on the table, glaring at the Grand Elder and reprimanding him:
"Given your current situation, do I need your permission to kill whomever I want?"
The reason I've asked you to stand here and speak is because I can't bear to see young children lose their lives because of your stupidity.
Instead of giving you the opportunity to be aggressive, how can an old man like you die? Do you really think there's anything interesting about it? Just because you have a few old faces, do you really think you can just open your mouths and that's worth so much money for medicine? It's utterly absurd!
After Yunxi finished reprimanding them, she waved her hand again. Moyu understood and immediately ordered his men to drag the three of them out. This time, no matter how much he pleaded, Yunxi ignored him.
The three were carried out and thrown onto the snow outside the door. As the cold wind swept over them again, it immediately cleared their minds.
The elder clan leader couldn't accept this psychological blow. Tears streaming down his face, he raised his fist and pounded the snow on the ground. He was truly unwilling to accept that he, who had once been so powerful and influential, had now fallen to such a state of being trampled on by others.
The Shi family head's expression was much calmer than that of the eldest patriarch. He had already come to terms with the facts, and if he were not facing imminent death, he would have loved to give his cousin a good scolding.
What Yunxi said earlier was all correct. They could have simply ordered him to be burned to death, and there would have been no need to give the child any medicine.
It was the elder's tactlessness that angered them and caused them to miss a golden opportunity. Now, even if they wanted to agree to the terms, they might not agree anymore.
The clan had discussed the matter of the three men coming to ask for medicine. Seeing that the patriarch and clan elders had been thrown out, the three eldest sons of the Wen family immediately stepped forward.
They helped the three elderly people up, remained silent for a moment with mixed expressions, and finally spoke about the illness of their clansmen last night.
“Father, the eldest clan elder, the second clan elder, last night one uncle, two aunts, and seven children did not make it.”
Upon hearing this, the head of the Shi family tightly closed his eyes. But as he closed them, two streams of turbid tears flowed from his eyes.
He truly regretted it now. He had been in a high position for too long and had developed the idea of challenging the imperial power. He had also bet on the wrong person and thought that the Third Prince was someone worth supporting.
They should never have underestimated Yunxi and carelessly taken her life. If they had done even one of these three things less, the Shi family wouldn't be in their current predicament.
He was truly ashamed to face his ancestors, thinking of how his clansmen had been implicated and brought to this state because of his decisions. The head of the Shi family slowly turned around and knelt down with a thud.
He decided to ask Zhao Yatou for help one more time, betting on the goodness in her heart.
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