Back in the study.

Sun Youwei’s head was still dizzy, her thoughts not yet cleared from the shock of this series of news.

How did things come to this?

In the past few months in Dongshan City, her life had undergone earth-shattering changes, and her junior brother had changed even more, as if he had become a completely different person.

Now she was somewhat afraid, afraid that her junior brother might have been possessed by some "demon", but that couldn’t be right, if it were a "demon" possession, how could he know so much about medicine?

These "demons" aren’t supposed to be helpful, yet her junior brother had been healing and saving people, he had saved many lives.

Besides, "demons" are just legends, no one has ever seen one, and her junior brother treats her so well, how could he possibly be a "demon"!

Even if her junior brother were a "demon", he’d be a good one, and what would he covet in her anyway, in terms of beauty, how could Si Miaoxue’s face and figure lose out to hers?

In terms of talent, Xia Zhu was not inferior to her either, just a little older...

"Junior brother, did you really do that thing with Qin, no, Si Miaoxue?" Sun Youwei, being versed in medicine, had long understood what "husband and wife sharing a room" meant.

"Senior sister, I’m sorry, I couldn’t hold back." In matters like this, as a man, one mustn’t blame the woman. Even if it were true, it should be said this way.

It’s not about face, it’s about dignity.

"Junior brother, my head is a bit messed up now, can you let me go back and sort things out..."

"Senior sister, shall I escort you back to rest?"

"Okay." Sun Youwei did not refuse.

...

Matters, whether said sooner or later, will have a day when they must be said. The protagonist, once drawn the bow, cannot turn back, must move forward.

Senior sister can understand and realize this.

Lin Miao temporarily set all this aside, entering his routine meditative cultivation.

The battle with Du Ziyu and the battle at Shanglin Temple had brought him great gains, the strength improvement from actual combat far surpassed that of closed-door cultivation.

Unfortunately, good sparring partners are hard to find.

Especially those who could serve as whetstones for him; he couldn’t just pull Si Miaoxue out for a fight, in the heat of battle, things might change.

This demon girl had become increasingly brazen, seizing opportunities to not let him go; the night before, she had audaciously taken advantage of him in the wooden tub for medicinal baths.

My goodness, almost shattered the wooden tub.

Need to dig up the underground training area; tomorrow, find Mr. Xie, get a broker, buy the house, and then thoroughly refurbish it.

...

Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion.

The atmosphere was indeed somewhat oppressive, with the bright sky feeling like dark clouds pressed over a village, the maidservants and servants in the mansion didn’t dare lift their heads as they walked, and even their footsteps were deliberately light.

After Mr. Xue, the young marquis, woke up and learned of his condition, he went mad, angrily smashing his living quarters into ruins.

Seeing this scene, Mrs. He had an onset of heart disease and fell ill on the spot.

Ye Shengyuan was called over, first to diagnose and medicate Mrs. He, then to palpate Mr. Xue, administer medicine, after all this tossing and turning.

It was already early evening.

"Shengyuan, how is Mr. Xue?"

"Madam, Mr. Xue is struggling to accept the blow he received, in his fury, phlegm blocks his mind. For now, we can only administer calming and tranquilizing medications; there are no better options." Ye Shengyuan sat solemnly by Mrs. He’s bed, sighing as well.

These past few days, he had been diligent for Mr. Xue’s injuries; otherwise, he wouldn’t have recovered so quickly.

It’s just a pity that the physical wounds are easy to heal, but heartache is hard to mend.

Throughout history, illnesses induced by external mental shocks could only be alleviated by medication; recovery relied on the patient’s own strength.

Or, perhaps some external stimulation was also needed...

"Shengyuan, although Mr. Xue is not my biological child, he was raised under my knee, he is my own son. If anything happens to him, my position as the Marquis Lingyang’s wife is at risk. You must cure him for me; otherwise, I will not forgive you." Despite lying on the soft bed, Mrs. He’s tone still carried a strong sense of command, almost like an order.

"Madam, what Mr. Xue needs now is quiet recuperation, to avoid further shocks. Also, I suggest it’s best to replace all his maids with men to avoid agitation." Ye Shengyuan said expressionlessly.

"Wouldn’t replacing them all with men be more stimulating?"

"This..." Ye Shengyuan was at a loss for words, for Mrs. He’s statement wasn’t without reason; being the only disabled one among normal men would indeed be more provoking.

But being surrounded by pretty young maids and lacking a man’s prowess weapon might cut deeper?

"I suggest leaving him alone in peace, without disturbing him." Ye Shengyuan could only amend his suggestion.

"It seems that’s the only way." Mrs. He sighed, "Shengyuan, how is the matter I asked you to handle progressing?"

"Madam, Lin Miao is not just a minor doctor; he is undergoing the ’Path of the Medical Sage’ trial, which has caught not only Dongshan City’s medical community’s attention but also that of the court officials. Without substantial evidence, acting against him would be tantamount to opposing the court. Should this matter disturb the Marquis..."

"We cannot let the Marquis know about Mr. Xue’s disability. Sheng Yuan, is there really no way to cure Mr. Xue’s body?" Mrs. He was no fool; once the Marquis of Li Jing learned that Mr. Xue had become a eunuch, his status as an heir would be nullified.

The Marquis of Li Jing has plenty of sons. If it weren’t for Mrs. He raising Mr. Xue as her own from a young age and treating him as a legitimate son, how would he have a chance to inherit the title?

The Marquis of Li Jing probably knows about this son’s character, which is why he didn’t keep him in Li Jing, lest he cause trouble there.

In contrast, those siblings who stayed by the Marquis’ side in Li Jing constantly surrounded him. Once Mr. Xue loses his legitimate claim to inheritance, would they give up the opportunity?

Over at Lin Miao’s side, Sun Youwei was rescued, and she’s returned. It’s hard to say whether he knows about Mr. Xue’s situation, but at least for now, there hasn’t been any news related to Mr. Xue.

This Lin Miao either doesn’t know or is very clever, pretending not to know even if he does.

This situation is advantageous.

But Mrs. He insists on provoking another conflict at this time. If Mr. Xue’s condition is exposed, the consequences will be unpredictable.

How should one persuade Mrs. He?

"Madam, I have already sent Ye Mi Yuan to probe Lin Miao. If he truly is unaware, then there’s no need to escalate the situation for now. Dealing with a mere physician should be quite easy for someone of my status as the head of the Physician Association. I have many ways to make it impossible for him to move freely in Dongshan City, perhaps even ruin his ’Path to Sainthood’ trial, leading him to a complete downfall!" Ye Shengyuan bowed and said.

"Are you confident that you can bring him to ruin?"

"Rest assured, Madam. If Shengyuan fails in this, then I shouldn’t remain in Dongshan Prefecture." Ye Shengyuan boasted.

"Alright, I trust you. If the support of Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion is needed, inform Mr. He that it is my wish," Mrs. He instructed.

"Yes, Madam."

"I’m tired. Come early tomorrow. The strength with which the servants massage my legs is never as precise as yours. I’ve gotten used to it..."

"Yes."

Ye Shengyuan stood and withdrew from Mrs. He’s boudoir.

...

"Patriarch Ye, the Madam has conveyed that the forces of Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion are at your disposal, including those of the Green Blade Sect," Mr. He, a steward at Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion, said as he followed behind Ye Shengyuan.

"Thank you, Mr. He. There’s no need for now; dealing with a mere physician doesn’t require the experts of the Green Blade Sect."

"Lin Miao, however, possesses martial arts cultivation. Even Du Ziyu is not his match..."

"This isn’t a matter that can be resolved through mere violence. Killing a physician is easy, but the problem lies in explaining to the court if they investigate." Ye Shengyuan said, "Mr. He, is a knife always necessary to kill?"

"This old servant listens to Patriarch Ye," Mr. He chuckled quietly, saying no more as he escorted Ye Shengyuan out of Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion.

When Ye Shengyuan returned home, he found that Ye Mi Yuan still hadn’t returned, which made him feel somewhat anxious.

"Patriarch, someone from the Arresting Department visited today, inquiring about Lord Mi Yuan and whether he has returned to Dongshan City..."

"This isn’t good. Quickly, prepare the carriage to go to the Arresting Department!" Upon hearing this, Ye Shengyuan was greatly alarmed and hurriedly got into the carriage heading to the Arresting Department.

...

In the inner courtyard pavilion of the Dongshan Prefecture government office.

"Mr. Dong, the Arresting Department caught a military offender on the run today." Zhuo Qingfeng appeared behind Pei Jian with a smile.

Pei Jian turned around, "A military offender on the run, that’s rare. Has there recently been any military offenders escaping from the border forces? Our office hasn’t received any notifications to assist in their capture."

"It’s not true; it must be a misunderstanding. However, there’s a story behind this misunderstanding. Let me explain..." Zhuo Qingfeng sat down cheerfully, picked up the teapot from the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it in one gulp.

"Ye Mi Yuan, are you sure it’s Ye Mi Yuan from the Ye Family, who served as an arresting officer in Lanzhou?"

"No mistake, someone from the Arresting Department recognized him, but Feng Sheng didn’t know Ye Mi Yuan and ended up beating him severely, leaving him skin and bones. He’s still locked up in the Arresting Department’s cells." Zhuo Qingfeng chuckled.

"Why was Ye Mi Yuan taken to the Arresting Department?"

"It was Lin Miao who reported to the Arresting Department. Ye Mi Yuan had injuries and went to Lin Miao for treatment, only to be reported and ended up captured by the Arresting Department!"

"Having injuries shouldn’t lead to being captured, unless there’s something suspicious about the injuries, like being related to military punishment?" Pei Jian immediately identified the key issue.

"It’s said that the injuries were caused by the Yulin Guard’s Fish Scale Whip."

"When did Ye Mi Yuan return to Dongshan?"

"It should have been before the New Year, but the Ye Family sealed off the information, so no one knew that he was back," Zhuo Qingfeng said.

"It was secretly arranged by Ye Shengyuan to bring him back. What was Ye Shengyuan up to, needing to act so secretly and call back Ye Mi Yuan, who held the position of arresting officer in the family..."

"Mr. Dong, it’s about Ye Xizhao’s death. Although he accepted the cause of Ye Xizhao’s death, he didn’t believe it was accidental. He secretly called Ye Mi Yuan back to investigate Ye Xizhao’s cause of death," Zhuo Qingfeng suddenly had an epiphany.

"Indeed, Qingfeng, your deduction is very reasonable," Pei Jian acknowledged, "Ye Shengyuan never let go of Ye Xizhao’s death, refusing to accept it as an accident. Since Ye Xizhao had a conflict with Lin Miao before his death, Ye Shengyuan suspects that Ye Xizhao’s death is related to Lin Miao. But where did all these injuries on Ye Mi Yuan come from? Even if faking injuries to test Lin Miao’s response is possible, there is no need to use a Fish Scale Whip, right? Wouldn’t ordinary whip injuries suffice?"

"Mr. Dong, are we overlooking some crucial point?"

"Where is Rui’Er? Tomorrow, instruct the second young master to visit Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion to check on Mr. Xue. They are close friends; it wouldn’t make sense not to visit a sick friend." Pei Jian instructed.

"Mr. Dong, you’re brilliant," Zhuo Qingfeng complimented.