The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

Chapter 320 The Unique Little Fairy Doctor

"what?!"

Tian Shang never expected to learn from Wang Huai that Qi Kai was not dead. Qi Kai was a very influential figure who stirred up a storm. At that time, Tian Shang was only a teenager and often heard his father talk about him.

When Qi Kai was in charge of the government, he often used ruthless methods to suppress dissidents. At that time, the State of Chen was basically ruled by Qi Kai, who resolutely did not allow other court officials to have any criticism of his political views. The King of Chen was more like a puppet, listening to Qi Kai's every word.

Other, more secretive matters remained unknown to Tian Shang even after many years.

"Since Qi Kai is not dead, where is he now? Why did you bring him up, sir? What is your relationship with him?"

Faced with Tian Shang's series of questions, Wang Huai's eyes flashed with a complex expression. After a moment, he sighed deeply.

"Because this old minister is Qi Kai!"

Upon hearing Wang Huai's words, Tian Shang stood up in shock, looking at Wang Huai in disbelief.

"You're Qi Kai?!"

"Yes! I am Qi Kai!"

Wang Huai confirmed his identity with Tian Shang again. Unbearable memories flooded his mind in an instant, and his eyes flashed with uncontrollable hatred. He clenched his fists, filled with righteous indignation.

"Back then, I was so passionate about the revitalization of the Chen Dynasty, but I was maliciously slandered by those conservative ministers. Gu Li even used the pretext of killing me to start a rebellion!"

When Wang Huai mentioned this matter, he truly gritted his teeth and swallowed his anger, catching his breath before continuing:

"This old minister escaped from Liyang and later fled to Chuyang City in the Yue Kingdom. It so happened that His Majesty, who was then the Ninth Prince, was recruiting talented people. This old minister changed his name and devoted himself to assisting His Majesty, and thus gained His Majesty's trust..."

Tian Shang's gaze toward Wang Huai was obscure and unreadable.

"Oh? Does the gentleman not wish for revenge? Or does he merely wish to remain anonymous here with me and secure his own survival?"

Wang Huai looked directly at Tian Shang with piercing eyes and spoke frankly.

"At first, this old minister still harbored the desire to restore the country, but gradually he was impressed by Your Majesty's ambition to unify the Qiankun Continent. With Your Majesty's patience and planning, you finally ascended the throne and are now on the verge of completing this great undertaking!"

This old minister is filled with emotion, and recalling the past moves me deeply. If it weren't for Your Majesty's protection, I would never have lived to this day to witness Your Majesty's great achievements!

Wang Huai knelt down before Tian Shang once more.

"Your Majesty! This old minister has only one worthless life, and is willing to give his life for Your Majesty!"

Tian Shang laughed heartily, walked over to Wang Huai again, and helped him up.

Who exactly is Wang Huai?

Is it open at the same time?

Not all open at the same time?

None of that mattered to Tian Shang; what he valued was Wang Huai's strategic planning and loyalty to him.

Looking back on Wang Huai's actions over the years, they are quite remarkable.

However, if Wang Huai really was Qi Kai, and the former prime minister of Chen State was able to bow down to him, Tian Shang was quite proud.

What does this mean? It means he already had the makings of an emperor!

"What you say is absolutely right, sir! The day I accomplish my great task will be the day I avenge you! You have assisted me for many years, and I promise you, when that time comes, I will hand over the Xia Emperor to you, so that you may have full authority to dispose of him!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Wang Huai was moved to tears. He believed that he had finally met a wise ruler in this life, and Tian Shang would surely fulfill his long-cherished wish.

When the Yue army conquers the Xia Kingdom, he will make the Xia emperor wish he were dead!

?

Liyang City of Xia State.

Thanks to everyone's tireless efforts over the past few days, sixty crossbows and a total of two thousand crossbow bolts have been completed.

With a major battle imminent, Yang Liuming personally came to the workshop to convey Gu Li's instructions.

These bows and crossbows will be divided into two batches, one to equip the northern army led by Qin Shao, and the other to equip the southern army led by Gu Jiancheng.

That afternoon, in the workshop warehouse.

Zhao Xuan was concentrating on applying medicine to the arrowheads of each crossbow bolt before ordering them to be packed into boxes and prepared for transport.

Gu Zhanghua arrived at the warehouse and saw Zhao Xuan busy at work. After thinking it over, he squatted down next to Zhao Xuan.

"Sister Xuan, can I talk to you about something?"

Gu Zhanghua asked cautiously.

Zhao Xuan didn't even look up, still diligently applying the medicine to the arrowhead. This medicine was something Little Fairy Doctor had painstakingly prepared, and not a single drop could be wasted.

"Tell me, what's the matter?"

Gu Zhanghua pointed to the arrow and then to the white porcelain bottle on the ground.

"Sister Xuan, I think these crossbows are powerful enough. I wonder if it's necessary to coat the arrowheads with poison?"

Zhao Xuan suddenly stopped what she was doing, looked at Gu Zhanghua with a surprised expression, her expression changing inscrutable, and then she suddenly smiled.

She placed the crossbow bolts coated with medicine into the box beside her, then picked up the white porcelain bottle from the ground, plugged the mouth of the bottle with a cork, and then looked at Gu Zhanghua again, saying seriously:

"Xiao Wu, my master died tragically from a poisoned arrow. Do you think I would act like those villains who killed my master?"

"You mean, what you put on the arrowhead wasn't poison?"

Gu Zhanghua thought for a moment before realizing what was happening.

"No."

Zhao Xuan shook her head firmly, pulled Gu Zhanghua aside, and explained in a low and very patient voice.

"Not only is it not poison, but it's also an anesthetic that avoids hitting vital organs!"

As Zhao Xuan spoke, she raised one of her feet.

"Let me give you an example. Even if the opponent is shot in the toe, they will immediately fall into a coma and be unable to resist. This was developed by Little Fairy Doctor. Now you can rest assured?"

Gu Zhanghua scratched his head sheepishly.

"Sister Xuan, I'm sorry, I misunderstood you."

Zhao Xuan feigned anger and gave a cold snort, then flicked Gu Zhanghua's forehead with a single finger.

"As long as you know!"

"Yes, Sister Xuan, I know I was wrong."

Gu Zhanghua covered his forehead and chuckled awkwardly.

Looking at the porcelain bottle in her hand, Zhao Xuan recalled what had happened back then and explained it to Gu Zhanghua again.

"When Little Fairy Doctor first arrived at Jiaoyang Valley, a plague was raging in the valley, and many people fell ill and could not get out of bed. In order to reduce the pain suffered by patients during treatment, she conducted many experiments and finally made a combination of various herbs. It is absolutely the only 'Little Fairy Doctor' brand anesthetic in the Qiankun Continent!"

When Gu Zhanghua heard Zhao Xuan say that, he thought of something else.

"When you shot and wounded the Rongdi king, was the arrowhead coated with anesthetic?"

“You’re right. Little Fairy Doctor saw the immense power of my crossbow, which is why she taught me to apply anesthetic to the arrowheads. Her intention was the same as yours; she didn’t want me to have any lives on my hands.”

As Zhao Xuan spoke, she curled her lip in disdain and continued angrily:

"Otherwise, wouldn't it have been better to just shoot the Rongdi King dead with an arrow? Shoot him in the arm and teach him a lesson! But now I regret it. It would have been so much better to kill him back then, and see if he would still have the life to invade my northern border!"

At this moment, Shishu walked up to the two of them, cupped her hands, and reported.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, the thirty crossbows and one thousand bolts have been packed into boxes. Shall I deliver them to Prince Cheng now?"

"No need! The prince and I will personally deliver it to my second brother and teach him how to use it properly."

Zhao Xuan waved to Shi Shu.

"You must be tired these days, go and rest first."

"Very well, I'll take my leave."

Shi Shu responded and turned to leave.

Zhao Xuan watched Shi Shu's retreating figure and sighed with some regret.

"The most important thing in a relationship is trust. Why doesn't he talk things out with Chunlan? Does he really want Chunlan to misunderstand him? Sharing joys and sorrows is the way of a husband and wife. How long is he going to keep this a secret?"

Gu Zhanghua noticed that Shi Shu paused for a moment before continuing to walk forward. Once she reached the door of the storeroom, Gu Zhanghua couldn't help but make a "shh" gesture to Zhao Xuan.

"Keep your voice down. I don't hide anything from you, but I promised Shishu I wouldn't tell Chunlan for now."

"I just want him to hear it! It's just a childhood betrothal, what's so difficult about that?"

Zhao Xuan muttered something in dissatisfaction.

Gu Zhanghua misunderstood her at first, but she explained it clearly in a few words, and the matter was over.

If she were to follow Gu Zhanghua's wild guesses like Shi Shu, a rift would gradually grow between them, and what happiness would there be left?

Is it really just a simple arranged marriage?

The thought flashed through Zhao Xuan's mind, and she stopped thinking about Shishu and Chunlan.

"Since so much time has passed, I might as well go to Prince Cheng's residence later and ask Xu Hu what's going on with the matter he helped investigate."

"You mean what happened to those orphans from the Liyang branch back then?"

Zhao Xuan hummed in agreement, her expression somewhat solemn.

"I think we should be getting somewhere."