Chapter 65 - 64: So You’re the Killer! (First Update)

Chapter 65: Chapter 64: So You’re the Killer! (First Update)

He came to Anping County to investigate this case, and now that the case is about to be solved, he should be returning soon.

Sending off a man with whom she has an awkward relationship, Xu Jing is naturally happy, but there’s no denying that during this time, this man had helped her a lot. Whether emotionally or logically, she should bid him farewell properly.

And there’s that child, Chang Xiao, who’s naturally going to follow Xiao Yi back to the Western Capital. Just seeing how attached the child is to her, Xu Jing cannot imagine how cruel it would be for that child on the day of parting.

Knowing which day they would leave, she could spend more time with Chang Xiao before then.

Although Anping County is not far from the Western Capital, a one-way trip by carriage takes a day and a night. Still, there is some distance, and the opportunities for her to meet with Chang Xiao in the future would likely not be many.

Xiao Yi was slightly taken aback, involuntarily looking at the woman in front of him.

The woman’s eyes slightly curved, and her face was as beautiful as the bright moon. Her alluring eyes held a polite smile, and beyond that, there was no other unnecessary emotion.

When he leaves, to her, it’s just a casual question.

Xiao Yi slightly pressed his lips and said, "Once the criminal is caught and the new County Magistrate assumes office in Anping County, I will leave."

It was just as she thought.

Xu Jing nodded, smiled at Xiao Yi, and said, "Then I’ll go back first and not disturb Vice Minister Xiao."

With that said, she turned and walked out, getting directly onto the carriage at the door that was to take her back.

Xiao Yi stood at the back door of the county government, watching the carriage gradually fade away and disappear, before lowering his eyes and turning back into the county government.

For Xu Jing, her work in the case had already come to an end. As the work went smoothly, she was home before the curfew time, and a certain Little Point was naturally not asleep yet.

Xu Jing finally fulfilled her promise and personally made a late-night snack for Xiao Huai’an. It was just that her culinary skills were rather average, barely enough to avoid starvation when she lived alone before. In the end, she made herself and Xiao Huai’an each a bowl of plain noodles with two half-cooked fried eggs on top.

Chunyang couldn’t stand it and quietly made a plate of cold wood ear mushroom and shredded chicken salad to add to their meal.

Xiao Huai’an was extremely satisfied, squinting happily as he ate, repeatedly saying that the noodles Mom made were delicious, the best he had ever eaten!

Chunyang looked at him with both love and amusement, deliberately teasing, "Is Little Lord telling the truth? Miss might be overjoyed."

Xiao Huai’an immediately said with genuine innocence, "Of course it’s true. Qingqing said that eating with someone you like makes even the hardest-to-eat food taste good."

He said this, glancing shyly at Xu Jing, sincerely confessing, "Because I like Mom the most, so Mom’s noodles have also become delicious."

Xu Jing: "..."

She couldn’t help but silently repeat "childish innocence" several times in her heart before forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, gently patting the little one’s head and saying, "If Chang Xiao likes it, then eat more."

Xiao Huai’an nodded vigorously, "Mm!"

Chunyang: "..."

Suddenly feeling so sorry for their Little Lord, what should I do!

Just afraid that even if Miss sold their Little Lord, he would still smile and say that as long as it’s something Mom does, he would like it all.

Although the three days of free clinic at Xinglin Hall ended fairly successfully, after all, Xinglin Hall was just in its starting phase and Xu Jing couldn’t afford to rest even for a day.

The next day, she instructed Chunyang and Chunxiang to stay home and make Atractylodes Qi Pills, and also let Xiao Huai’an stay home to watch the house. She promised to make him the best noodles in the world when she returned, and a certain Little Point happily agreed immediately.

To the side, Chunyang: "..."

Miss, don’t you feel guilty saying this?

However, Miss is quite competitive nowadays. She specially asked me how to make delicious noodles last night, seemingly determined to regain face in front of Little Lord.

After that, Xu Jing went to Xinglin Hall with Chen Hu and Wu Xiangui.

Though there was no free clinic today, many people still came for consultation, but all of them were there for Xu Jing.

However, upon hearing that Xu Jing’s consultation fee was one hundred cents, some patients from not very well-off backgrounds showed embarrassment and difficulty. They knew that doctors with some ability would not have low consultation fees, and Divine Doctor Xu charging one hundred cents was already very reasonable.

Xu Jing took this opportunity to introduce Cheng Qingqing and Cheng Xianbai to them, indicating that the two are now her apprentices. She would supervise them from the side; although she wouldn’t personally diagnose, she would guide the Cheng Brothers and Sisters.

Some patients thus hesitantly accepted the Cheng siblings’ treatment tests. Fortunately, Cheng Qingqing’s medical skills had greatly improved under her guidance during this period. Some minor ailments were no problem, and for more complex conditions, nearly perfect treatments were provided under Xu Jing’s guidance.

As for Cheng Xianbai, who had been studying medicine longer than his younger sister and was somewhat more skilled, although he was initially unstable in character and lacked confidence, he didn’t dare to let go and treat patients. With Xu Jing present, he seemed to have found a stabilizing force, straightening his back and speaking with confidence. By the end of the day, he was conducting consultations quite professionally.

At the close of business, they counted today’s consultation fees and found they had collected a total of two thousand five hundred and fifty cents!

Plus, they received dozens of pre-orders for Atractylodes Qi Pills!

Though most of the silver coins were earned by Miss Xu, some credit also belonged to them. Cheng Xianbai was so moved he almost cried and could hardly wait to rush home and kneel before his father’s memorial tablet to tell him that Xinglin Hall had grown accomplished, and he and his sister were now accomplished too!

In contrast, Cheng Qingqing was much more rational than her brother, slightly biting her lip and saying, "But many patients only came to us because of Sister Jing’s reputation. For complex conditions, it was thanks to her guidance that we didn’t misdiagnose or give the wrong prescription..."

She suddenly felt that it was very generous of Sister Jing to want a seventy-thirty split back then.

Just thinking of Sister Jing’s mentoring, they ought to offer tuition fees to her instead!

Xu Jing smiled faintly and said, "Although you and Mr. Cheng still have much to improve in your medical skills, it’s far better than when you started. Patients you treated today seemed quite satisfied with you. Given time, your medical skills will undoubtedly advance greatly.

Today, I give you a task: after going back, detail the cases you treated today, and from medical books, find related descriptions and possible prescriptions and treatments. Bring them to Xinglin Hall tomorrow."

In Xu Jing’s view, these two siblings were both very clever, and most importantly, she could tell after some days of interaction that they were honest and kind-hearted people.

Such individuals were worth long-term collaboration, and Xu Jing willingly took the time to instruct them.

Cheng Qingqing immediately nodded with seriousness, "Alright! Sister Jing has also worked hard all day today. Please go back and rest early."

Even Cheng Xianbai, who usually couldn’t help but grumble once or twice, didn’t say anything redundant this time, decisively upholding Xu Jing’s words.

Guiding someone wasn’t easier than diagnosing patients; in some ways, it was even more mentally exhausting.

When Xu Jing left Xinglin Hall, it was already completely dark. Chen Hu and Wu Xiangui had rented a carriage and were waiting outside. As soon as Xu Jing got into the carriage, she leaned against the carriage wall with her eyes closed to rest.

The high-intensity work of the past days, coupled with the sudden realization that Chang Xiao was her child, emotionally overwhelmed her, making Xu Jing indescribably tired. As she closed her eyes, her consciousness couldn’t help but scatter.

In a daze, she seemed to hear voices from outside—

"Xiangui’er, why do I feel dizzy..."

"Me too, strange, could it be something wrong with the tea we had at the teahouse opposite Xinglin Hall..."

The voice abruptly cut off, followed by the sound of two heavy objects falling loudly.

The horses, uncontrolled and startled by the sound of heavy falling objects, became frantic, darting east and west, with increasing speed.

Jolted back to her senses by the convulsions, Xu Jing’s heart skipped a beat as she pushed open the carriage door. Seeing the coachman’s seat empty made her eyes widen.

But with the horses spiraling further out of control, she couldn’t think much more and decisively stepped onto the carriage shaft, leaping out, rolling down onto the bluestone road, and rolling several times before stopping.

As soon as she stopped, Xu Jing felt a sharp pain in her left hand, and burning pain radiated from many places on her body.

Yet, she didn’t have time to care for her discomfort, immediately surveying her surroundings.

She found herself on a main road leading to her home, about five hundred meters ahead, and a turn would take her home.

This area had few passersby in ordinary times, let alone now that night had fallen, with no one in sight.

Suddenly, Xu Jing’s gaze steadied.

In front of her, a dark cyan robe appeared silently, along with a pair of finely crafted cloth shoes.

Her heartbeat quickened bit by bit, carrying a sense of foreboding as she slowly looked up. Seeing the person standing before her, she coldly smiled, uttering one word after another, "So, it was you, the criminal!"