Chapter 632 Zhao Xiuyuan's Request
From every perspective, even if Xiao Yuanshan wanted Zhao Xiuyuan dead, he would first appease him.
In a daze, as if she had thought of something, Jiang Nuanzhi looked at Zhao Xiuyuan with a strange expression: "Could it be that... Zhao Xiyue offended Li Mingyu?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiuyuan, who was pouring wine, abruptly stopped. His eyelashes trembled, and he forced a smile, saying, "Doctor Jiang, what are you saying? I just feel that one person is not enough to rely on, especially since that person is Xiao Yuanshan."
"Perhaps you are not necessarily his useless pawn."
If Jiang Nuanzhi had been somewhat uncertain when she asked the question before, judging from Zhao Xiuyuan's expression now, she seemed quite certain. In truth, it seemed that trust had never truly existed between Xiao Yuanshan and Zhao Xiuyuan.
To be precise, from the moment Zhao Xiuyuan betrayed Li Rong, it was destined that he would likely never regain trust in the future.
"Ha," Zhao Xiuyuan laughed sarcastically in a daze, his knuckles white from clenching his fists, cracking loudly. After a while, he forced himself to finish the wine in his glass, probably because he had drunk too much, his eyes were already red, as if he could no longer suppress the hatred brewing in his eyes like a dark fog: "Xiuyuan, you might as well tell the doctor frankly, I have never believed him."
He put down his wine glass and looked at his hands.
“Over the years, I have served him, and my hands are covered in blood that can never be washed clean. Yet now he abandons the Zhao family like trash.”
As he spoke, he recalled the man even the emperor could not contend with, who ultimately seemed to lose all strength, his pent-up hatred dissipating into nothingness. After a long while, a mocking smile appeared on his lips: "It's all my fault, Zhao Xiuyuan. When I chose to betray the general with my father, I should have guessed that this day would come. Now, the entire Zhao family has fallen to such a state; it's all repaid for the sins we committed back then."
However, while Xiu Yuan's death was no loss, Xi Yue was innocent. She, a woman confined to the inner quarters, shouldn't have been involved in such sordid affairs.
“Doctor Jiang, Xiu Yuan’s only wish is to protect my younger sister’s life of glory. To be honest, when Li Rong first came to the capital, I begged Xiao Yuanshan for a concubine position, which he had already agreed to. However, because of Li Mingyu’s words, my younger sister was not allowed to enter the family, and her status was reduced from concubine to maid. She is the apple of my Zhao family’s eye, how could she? How dare she!”
His voice was strained, seemingly filled with barely suppressed bitterness and resentment: "How can I entrust my little sister's future to the hands of these two people?"
The prison fell silent in a daze; not even the sound of breathing could be heard.
After a long silence, Zhao Xiuyuan spoke again, his voice hoarse.
"Dr. Jiang, Xiu Yuan doesn't ask for anything else, he only asks that you keep my little sister safe and not let her fall into such a filthy place."
As he spoke, his eyes were filled with unbearable heartache: "She is frail and cannot endure such suffering. Even exile would be enough to spare her life. I do not ask for her to be rich or powerful; I only ask that she can live a good life, and that will be enough."
Jiang Nuanzhi pondered for a while, put down the candied fruit, and looked at Zhao Xiuyuan: "Why me?"
“Because you are a doctor, I have seen you treat others. I’m afraid only you can cure my little sister’s illness.” Zhao Xiuyuan said this with difficulty, and after a long time, he said, “If you are also powerless to help, then I will accept it.”
Jiang Nuanzhi rubbed her fingers together: "Zhao Xiuyuan, Zhao Xiyue is the family member of a seriously convicted official, her status is not ordinary, protecting her won't be so easy. You're offering her a few words in exchange, isn't that too cheap?"
Upon hearing Jiang Nuanzhi's words, Zhao Xiuyuan chuckled in a daze: "Of course, as long as the doctor can protect my little sister, Xiuyuan will naturally have things that interest the doctor."
"Oh?" Jiang Nuanzhi raised an eyebrow: "Something I'm interested in?"
Zhao Xiuyuan's smile remained unchanged: "This generous gift is entirely a token of my sincerity."
As he spoke, he placed a neatly arranged piece of cloth on the table and pushed it toward Jiang Nuanzhi.
Jiang Nuanzhi looked over suspiciously. Dongzang, who was beside her, feared that he was being tricked, so he opened the cloth himself and then unfolded it for Jiang Nuanzhi to see, completely bewildered.
Jiang Nuanzhi glanced at him briefly before looking at Zhao Xiuyuan.
Zhao Xiuyuan didn't keep him in suspense, lowering his voice to say, "Find this person, and he'll give you whatever you want, Doctor. I've been by his side for many years; Doctor, trust me. This will definitely not disappoint you."
After saying that, he looked at Jiang Nuanzhi and frowned, saying, "Doctor, I'm sure you've seen Xiu Yuan's sincerity. Please, Doctor, treat my sister today. She doesn't have much medicine left and won't last more than a few days."
Jiang Nuanzhi picked up the piece of cloth and put it away, then got up.
He glanced at Zhao Xiuyuan and said, "If I'm not mistaken, Lord Zhao has also been poisoned. Perhaps I can save you."
Zhao Xiuyuan's lips curled into a sarcastic smile: "With such a crippled body, there's no need for Doctor Jiang to trouble herself."
After saying that, he stood up and bowed deeply to Jiang Nuanzhi: "Doctor Jiang, my little sister is young. If I, as her older brother, do not protect her, then no one will."
Seeing Jiang Nuanzhi about to leave, Zhao Xiuyuan's gaze was fixed on her. He couldn't help but take two steps forward, calling out, "Doctor Jiang!"
"I will go and examine your little sister. But, if I find out you're playing me..."
"No, Xiu Yuan is willing to swear on the lives of the entire Zhao family."
Jiang Nuanzhi: "."
Your entire Zhao family was already doomed, wasn't it?
However, Jiang Nuanzhi didn't say these words, but simply nodded: "Then, let's go see Zhao Xiyue."
"Physician Jiang, please wait!"
When Zhao Xiuyuan called her back again, Jiang Nuanzhi asked with a puzzled expression, "Does Lord Zhao have something else to say?"
Zhao Xiuyuan stared at Jiang Nuanzhi for a while with a strange look in his eyes before saying, "Doctor, come closer. This matter can only be heard by you."
Jiang Nuanzhi frowned, and Dongzang beside her already looked displeased.
Jiang Nuanzhi looked at Zhao Xiuyuan's strange and odd expression, but became somewhat curious about what he was saying.
He drew the poisoned needle from his sleeve and moved closer, causing Dongzang and the jailer to step back. They were curious to see what kind of trouble he was up to.
However, Zhao Xiuyuan moved a little closer and actually only whispered one sentence in Jiang Nuanzhi's ear.
Then, he quickly and politely stepped back a few paces. In the dim light, his face even appeared somewhat handsome. He gestured to Jiang Nuanzhi, indicating that she could leave.
Jiang Nuanzhi had completely lost her previous composure. Now, she was still standing there, her face drained of color in an instant.
Complex emotions swirled in her clear eyes, and finally, her gaze fell on Zhao Xiuyuan: "If you lie to me, I will kill you, and your sister too."
Zhao Xiuyuan's eyes were smiling: "If what Xiuyuan said is false, then may I be struck by lightning and suffer eternal damnation."
Jiang Nuanzhi took a deep breath, finally squinted at Zhao Xiuyuan in the prison, and turned to leave.
Zhao Xiuyuan stared at that slender figure and the last glimmer of light until it disappeared completely.
The prison returned to its pitch-black state. After a long while, he poured himself another glass of wine based on his memory and drank it all in one gulp.
In the darkness, a near-maniacal smile crept across his lips.
"Jiang Nuanzhi, oh Jiang Nuanzhi, you mustn't disappoint me!"
(End of this chapter)
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