Chapter 370 - 368: Clinging to the Strongest Backer in the World (Part 2)

Chapter 370: Chapter 368: Clinging to the Strongest Backer in the World (Part 2)

Xu Jing fell silent immediately, never expecting that after so long, she would have such a connection with this foolish County Magistrate!

As expected of you, Sun Youcai!

Xu Jing couldn’t find words for a long time and finally said helplessly, "When Vice Minister Xiao was investigating Sun Youcai in Anping County, why didn’t you tell him about this case?"

If Sun Youcai had taken a bribe from Guangming Hall at that time and helped them cover up the case, Xiao Yi might still have been able to investigate it.

Now it is impossible.

Because Sun Youcai sheltered Peng Shi back then, leading to the tragic deaths of so many unfortunate women, he was eventually sentenced to death and has long gone to hell hand in hand with Peng Shi.

Zhou Qi spoke of this with a helpless expression, shaking his head as he said, "Miss Xu, do you think Vice Minister Xiao was so easy to approach at that time? With his status, when he came to Anping County, all parties wanted to make connections, but when they extended invitations, Vice Minister Xiao did not respond to any of them. Our Zhou Family also sent an invitation to him, but it was like a stone sinking into the sea, with no reply.

The opportunity I had to meet Vice Minister Xiao in Anping County was thanks to you, Miss Xu."

Xu Jing was startled and immediately recalled how Zheng Shouyan had gone mad and chased her, causing her to injure her foot, and how Xiao Yi had invited Zhou Qi to treat her.

Zhou Qi continued, "Moreover, Sun Youcai did not thoroughly investigate the case back then, not even conducting a proper autopsy. Even if Sun Youcai admitted that Guangming Hall bribed him to downplay the case, it couldn’t prove that the manager was killed by Lin Chengzhao.

Lin Chengzhao can simply say that he didn’t want the manager to have too much of an impact on Guangming Hall, thereby absolving himself, and he could even find a scapegoat."

"I want the Lin Family to pay for what they did to my father back then, I want them never to raise their heads again. If this incident can’t bring down the Lin Family in one strike, it might be better to remain hidden and wait for a better opportunity to attack."

Xu Jing couldn’t help but glance at him.

Zhou Qi, young as he was in charge, was always steady and self-controlled, only showing a hint of irrationality when talking about his father.

She nodded and said, "I understand, you chose to tell me about this now in the hope that I can investigate the truth about the plague that happened twenty-four years ago, am I right?"

It was a matter sealed for twenty-four years, declared concluded by Emperor Xuanheng, something ordinary people lacked both the capability and the courage to probe, but this ’ordinary person’ did not include her, now holding the thickest ’leg’ of support in the world.

Zhou Qi had indeed sought out the right individual.

Zhou Qi pursed his lips slightly and looked at Xu Jing, "Yes, if it’s found that the plague twenty-four years ago was the doing of the Lin Family, the entire Lin Family will definitely collapse with a bang, and they would not be eligible to compete for supplying medicine to the army."

"In that case, Miss Xu won’t need to exhaust yourself thinking about how to compete with the Lin Family, as a family like that doesn’t even deserve to be compared with you."

Xu Jing smiled lightly, "I will indeed send someone to investigate the truth about that plague twenty-four years ago, but I don’t like placing all my bets on one side. Strengthening my force to be ready for a battle with Guangming Hall is also necessary.

Therefore, I cannot guarantee that I will find anything."

Zhou Qi understood this logic, and he stood up, bowing deeply to Xu Jing, "No matter, as long as Miss Xu is willing to help investigate that event from twenty-four years ago, I will be very grateful."

"I leave it in your capable hands, Miss Xu."

This was the best opportunity for him to bring down the Lin Family.

Even if Miss Xu really does triumph over the Lin Family, they will only lose the opportunity to cooperate with the court, their foundation will still be there.

What he wanted was for the Lin Family to be destroyed beyond recovery, for them to also taste the Zhou Family’s past suffering.

On seeing this, Zhou Xian, who was standing beside him, also quickly rose and bowed to Xu Jing.

Xu Jing stood up helplessly, asking them not to be so formal. However, the matter she had been thinking about for years was suddenly coming to fruition, and how could Zhou Qi easily calm the agitation in his heart. Ultimately, he personally saw Xu Jing out of the Zhou Family.

After boarding the carriage, Chunyang couldn’t help but say, "I’ve never seen Mr. Zhou so excited before; had you not politely declined, he might have even knelt before you, Lady."

Xu Jing also shook her head with a smile, "He’s also had a tough time, but despite his deep hatred for the Lin Family, he agreed not to clash with Guangming Hall directly back then, making him a friend worth making."

"Indeed."

Chunyang said with a beaming smile, "Mr. Zhou may hate, but he isn’t blinded by it, and I admire that. By the way, are we heading straight home now, Lady?"

Xu Jing raised her eyebrows with a smile, "Not going home yet, let’s go to my other home."

Her other home in the Western Capital was the residence previously granted to her by the Holy Emperor.

After remarrying Xiao Yi, she moved into Xiao Yi’s home, but she left her few young disciples in that former residence and Cheng Qingqing, who had come to the Western Capital specifically to instruct her disciples, stayed there to look after the place for her.

When the gatekeeper saw Xu Jing, he was pleasantly surprised, "Miss Xu, you’re back!"

Returning to her own home, there was no need for reserve; Xu Jing nodded and walked in with a smile, "Did Mr. Cheng and Lady Cheng arrive in the Western Capital yesterday?"

Before Xu Jing returned, Cheng Qingqing had gone back to Anping County for the New Year, and Xu Jing sent a letter asking her to bring Cheng Xianbai along when she returned.

Based on the return date Cheng Qingqing mentioned in her letter, they should have arrived back by now.

The gatekeeper chuckled and said, "Yes, Mr. Cheng and Lady Cheng arrived in the Western Capital very late yesterday. I heard them say they were planning to visit the Xiao Mansion to see you today, but since you’ve returned now, there’s no need for them to make the trip."

As Xu Jing headed to the main hall, she said, "Call them over. I have something important to discuss with them."

Now that Xinglin Hall is gradually on track, it’s time to lay everything out clearly.

The Cheng Brothers and Sisters quickly arrived at the main hall, very pleased to see Xu Jing.

"Miss Xu."

"Sister Jing!"

Xu Jing smiled warmly, "Please, have a seat. I’ve come today to discuss something very important with you."

She then briefly explained her intention to compete with Guangming Hall under the name of Xinglin Hall. Cheng Qingqing’s reaction was not much better than Zhou Xian’s, being so shocked her jaw nearly dropped, "Sister Jing, you, you must be joking, right? If, if this actually succeeds, wouldn’t our Xinglin Hall just, just..."

Cheng Xianbai managed to maintain his composure, "Our medical hall will become one of the court’s collaborative partners. Soon, it’s not an exaggeration to say our Xinglin Hall would be the most prestigious medical hall in Great Chu.

"However, while cooperating with the court brings great prestige, it also entails great risk. A single misstep could lead to total ruin. Does our Xinglin Hall now... have the capability to shoulder this burden?"

Xu Jing couldn’t help but look at Cheng Xianbai with a mix of surprise and gratification.

She hadn’t had a good conversation with Cheng Xianbai in quite some time. Though he had made a special trip to attend her wedding with Xiao Yi, she hadn’t had much time to chat with him.

Seeing him now, he had clearly grown leaps and bounds, no longer the boisterous lord he was when they first met, big of mouth but not of skill.

She set down the teacup in her hand, and with a soft smile, she said, "Lord Cheng’s concerns aren’t unfounded. Speaking of which, Xinglin Hall isn’t mine. I don’t have the right to make such significant decisions for it. In the end, Xinglin Hall was created by your Cheng Family. If you don’t want Xinglin Hall to get involved with these courtly matters, you can speak to me directly. I won’t force it."