Chapter 710: Creating Chaos in the World

“Youwei, I’ve recruited a pharmacist for our Yongning Hall. Xia Zhu has met her and thinks she’s pretty good, but just…”

Now that Xu Qixi’s status is more or less finalized, there’s naturally no problem for her to come and go at the Lin residence, as even the Xu Family doesn’t mind.

Xu Qixi doesn’t care about those rumors either.

Xu Qixi marrying into the Lin residence is as certain as nails driven into a board, even if they now sleep in the same bed, it is just socially inappropriate.

In situations like this, if the populace doesn’t raise a fuss, the officials won’t pursue it.

Even if someone reports it, given Lin Miao’s current relationship with Dongshan Prefecture’s prefect, Pei Jian, the report could easily be diverted directly to him.

To be blunt, Pei Jian is now practically the sole authority in Dongshan, and the extent of Lin Miao’s contributions to Pei Jian’s position is something Mr. Pei is aware of.

His former position as an officer in the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace now doesn’t carry as much weight as Lin Miao’s role as a sixth-rank Chengde Lang.

As long as the Crown Prince returns safely to the capital, he’s bound to act as regent, and once in power, it would be hard to dislodge him.

His Majesty’s stroke, even if he recovers, might leave him lacking the energy, and it’s uncertain how long he might live.

Therefore, the Crown Prince is inevitably the next emperor.

If Lin Miao can help the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess Consort conceive, he very well might be a hot candidate for the next Imperial Physician.

Becoming an Imperial Physician requires not only one’s skills and level but also recognition from secular authorities. Generally, kingdoms can at most appoint Imperial Physicians, only an empire is qualified to designate a Grand Imperial Physician.

With Lin Miao so young and his medical skills already at such a level, in time, as long as he continues to advance in medical arts, ten or twenty years hence, who knows how high he can reach; even Pei Jian cannot predict.

“Just what?” Sun Youwei was successfully piqued by Xu Qixi’s words.

“It’s just that her skills are a bit underutilized at our Yongning Hall; her abilities would be more than sufficient at Sansheng Hall or Benefit People Pharmacy.”

“Is that so bad?”

“Moreover, she’s too beautiful. Even as a woman, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of admiration for her,” Xu Qixi said.

“What?” Sun Youwei, hearing this, became wary, although she had always been quite tolerant of Lin Miao’s flirtations.

It was initially because she didn’t stop it, and later found it hard to manage. But now it seems some matters indeed cannot be left for a man to deal with recklessly.

Even if Lin Miao can handle it physically, spreading oneself too thin isn’t good for future happiness, and the many women in the house are also taking this into consideration.

With so many women at home for him to favor, is there really a need for more?

If he really is just growing tired of the old and eager for the new, so be it.

Even emperors, with their famed harems of seventy-two consorts, usually only have a few with true status, and of course, if one counts everyone he’s slept with, that’s another story.

Is this woman here for her man?

This has never happened before, but now it’s uncertain. Sun Youwei felt it necessary to meet this “Ruan Qingyao.”

If she really is talented, then keeping her wouldn’t be inappropriate; but if she has ulterior motives, it’s best to have her find someone else early on.

“Then tomorrow I’ll go have a look, little Qi, introduce me,” Sun Youwei said.

“Sure, Youwei,” Xu Qixi responded.

“Little Qi, frankly, letting you enter our family as a concubine is a bit of an injustice to you, but nominally our family refers to ourselves as concubines, though in truth, we’re all equals, like sisters,” Sun Youwei said.

“I understand, Youwei. In the future, in this household, I will look up to you as the leader,” Xu Qixi replied.

“Little Qi, you don’t have to say that; it’s just mutual support between sisters,” Sun Youwei said.

…

Lin residence study.

Pei Jian visited quietly at night, avoiding everyone’s eyes and ears, and dressed in plain clothes, clearly come to discuss important matters with Lin Miao.

“Mr. Lin, you don’t look well; have you been too worried lately outside the city?” Seeing Lin Miao’s appearance, Pei Jian was startled, as the once healthy and vibrant Mr. Lin now seemed quite different.

“It’s nothing serious. On my way back to the city, I encountered some thugs and got into a fight, so I got a bit injured,” Lin Miao replied.

“Who would be so bold?” Pei Jian, hearing this, was alarmed since Lin Miao’s importance in his eyes was very high now.

If something happened to Lin Miao, this parent official would find it hard to give an explanation to the Crown Prince.

“They seemed like remnants of the Green Blade Sect, but I chased them off. I just sustained some injuries, nothing too serious. I probably won’t be able to make patient visits in the next few days,” Lin Miao said, waving a hand.

He didn’t want to let Pei Jian know about killing Green Blade Sect Leader Shen Yidao. For one, he wasn’t interested in the reward of twenty thousand taels of silver, and for another, he worried it might scare Pei Jian.

Shen Yidao was a Tianyuan master, after all, killing one is indeed frightening, isn’t it?

“These Green Blade Sect remnants are truly despicable. Later, our prefecture will increase the bounty to have the Blade Catching Alliance bring these remnants to justice!” Pei Jian said with righteous indignation.

“Thank you, Mr. Pei. If the bounty isn’t enough, I can also offer some funds,” Lin Miao said.

“No need, the Green Blade Sect colluded with Marquis Lingyang in smuggling and treason, and has already been formally characterized; any remnant caught is to be killed without mercy!” Pei Jian declared with a killing intent.

“Mr. Pei, your late-night visit—is there news of the Crown Prince?” Lin Miao asked.

“Mr. Lin is insightful. The Crown Prince has arrived safely in the capital and is likely in control of the situation by now,” Pei Jian said, excitedly.

“What about Mr. Su? Can he return to the capital now?”

“Mr. Su needs to stay a while longer, but the resolution notice concerning Marquis Lingyang and the Green Blade Sect’s smuggling and treason case has been sent swiftly to the capital. The Crown Prince is fully informed of the whole process, just waiting for the notice to arrive for the case to be officially closed!”

“Marquis Lingyang is Consort Xue’s brother, and among those involved in the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince, aside from the Green Blade Sect, there’s another faction—does Mr. Pei know them?” Lin Miao asked.

“Aside from the Green Blade Sect and the Shenxiao Association, is there another?” Pei Jian was surprised.

“Carefree Palace,” Lin Miao revealed.

“What? The heretical force Carefree Palace from over a hundred years ago, wasn’t it eradicated by the Daoist sects allied with righteous paths?”

“Eradicated, Mr. Pei, do you know what ‘preserving bandits to use them for personal gain’ means?” Lin Miao sneered, “If Carefree Palace had been completely uprooted, would the Da Li Dynasty still treat the Daoist sect with such reverence?”

“Mr. Lin, do you have evidence, or is this just speculation?” Pei Jian’s forehead began to sweat. He agreed with Lin Miao, but without evidence, speaking carelessly could lead to death.

Evidence, Lin Miao couldn’t produce, but the Moon Worship Sect indeed held related records and suspicions. Back when Carefree Palace was supposedly eradicated, the Moon Worship Sect had also aided in secret.

After all, the growth of Carefree Palace posed a threat to the Moon Worship Sect as well, and even a demonized sect such as theirs was weary of Carefree Palace’s ways of mind control.

“Mr. Pei, don’t imagine these righteous sects to be so virtuous; some are filthier than those who’ve done evil,” Lin Miao said.

“Mr. Lin, this matter is significant. Have you told the Crown Prince?” Pei Jian asked.

“Such matters can’t be disclosed to the Crown Prince. Knowing wouldn’t help him; he’s not a man of the martial world,” Lin Miao said, “I’m worried Carefree Palace has deeply planted itself within Li Jing. If they act desperately, it could spell trouble.”

“Thank you, Mr. Lin, for the warning. I’ll immediately send an eagle message to the Crown Prince, to alert him to be careful.” Pei Jian bowed deeply.

“By the way, Mr. Pei, has the source of the ‘numb epidemic’ been found?” Lin Miao asked, concerned that without tracing the source, the epidemic would be hard to end.

This was his main concern.

Pei Jian frowned slightly, “This issue is complex, difficult to trace. I’ve stationed people at several outbreak points in the city, but no results have come; it seems the epidemic appeared out of thin air, and ultimately all initially infected have died.”

“Although the epidemic’s fatality rate is high, it’s not absolute, how could the initial infected all die? Mr. Pei, don’t you find this unusual?” Lin Miao said.

“I know, but I don’t have the time to focus on it. I’ve secretly ordered the Arresting Department to investigate the source, but indeed, no results have surfaced,” Pei Jian admitted, “If the people behind this are from the Shenxiao Association, it might be challenging to uncover anything.”

“This epidemic is undoubtedly man-made. There are those who wish to use it to cause chaos, capitalize on panic for profit, disrupt the regime, and incite unrest, creating a chaotic era,” Lin Miao explained.

“Create a chaotic era?”

“For some ambitious individuals, only in times of chaos can power be seized, and the world be conquered. In times of peace, would regular folks want a change in emperors?” Lin Miao asked.

Pei Jian was stunned. Indeed, in a peaceful world, who’d want to rebel and swap emperors? Only when survival becomes impossible would people rise up to destroy and start anew.