Chapter 6: Shadows of Conspiracy

Lin Wanqing stood amid the wreckage of her Mercy Clinic, her gaze icy as it swept over the chaos. She bent to pick up a scattered herb, sensing the faint dark mist clinging to it, her suspicions sharpening. Turning to Xiao Cui, she said, "Go fetch Old Master Lin and the clan elders—I have something to report."

Xiao Cui nodded and hurried off. Soon, Old Master Lin arrived with the elders, his face darkening at the sight. "Wanqing, what happened here?"

Lin Wanqing bowed respectfully, her voice steady. "Grandfather, last night, someone deliberately trashed the clinic. I suspect Xue'er is behind it. Though banished, she's unwilling to let go and must have found allies."

Old Master Lin's expression hardened. "That stubborn girl! Do you have proof?"

Lin Wanqing pointed to the dark mist traces on the floor. "I've examined it with a special method—these match the aura of the man in black with Xue'er. She's the mastermind."

An elder frowned. "Banished as she is, where does she get the nerve?"

Lin Wanqing replied calmly, "She's sided with an outsider, likely a power in the city. I'll uncover the truth."

Old Master Lin nodded. "Very well, Wanqing, handle this. If it's Xue'er, the Lin family won't spare her."

Lin Wanqing swiftly rebuilt the clinic, this time bolstering security with loyal clansmen. Meanwhile, she launched a covert investigation. Using her heavenly eye, she traced the dark mist's origin to a grand mansion in the city's east.

"Li Mansion?" she murmured. She recalled Li Fugui, a notorious merchant. If Xue'er had allied with him, the stakes were higher than she'd thought.

Determined to investigate, she donned plain clothes and a veil, sneaking into Li Mansion under cover of night. The estate glowed with lights, its lax guards relying on wealth rather than vigilance.

Slipping into the rear courtyard, Lin Wanqing edged toward a lit room, overhearing hushed voices:

"Miss Xue'er, smashing the clinic will make Lin Wanqing suspicious," Li Fugui said nervously.

Xue'er sneered. "So what? She's just a庶女—what can she do? Next, we take the manual."

Li Fugui rubbed his hands. "Is it really that powerful?"

Xue'er's tone was resolute. "Absolutely. Master The Lin Family's Heart Method, and we'll live long and invincible. The Lin family will be nothing."

Hidden outside, Lin Wanqing's heart clenched. Xue'er's ambition wasn't mere revenge—she aimed to topple the Lin family entirely.

The next day, Lin Wanqing reported her findings to Old Master Lin. He slammed the table in fury. "That wretched Xue'er, colluding with outsiders to harm us!"

Lin Wanqing advised, "Grandfather, we shouldn't act rashly. Xue'er has Li Fugui's backing—we need their weakness."

Old Master Lin agreed. "You're right. What's your plan, Wanqing?"

A sharp glint flashed in her eyes. "I'll use my medicine as bait to lure them out."

Days later, Lin Wanqing reopened the clinic, spreading word of a "Longevity Pill" she'd crafted, claiming it extended life. The rumor ignited the city, even reaching Li Fugui's ears.

"A Longevity Pill? Did she use the manual?" Li Fugui asked Xue'er urgently.

Xue'er's eyes narrowed. "She must have. We can't let her keep it—tonight, we strike."

That night, Li Fugui sent masked men to raid the clinic. But Lin Wanqing was ready—she'd set an ambush with elite soldiers lent by Zhao Xuan, who'd offered aid after her last attack.

As the masked men burst in, the soldiers pounced, capturing them after a fierce clash.

Lin Wanqing stepped forward, staring coldly at the kneeling captives. "Speak—who sent you?"

One, seeing the fight lost, muttered, "Li Fugui and Lin Xue'er."

Lin Wanqing nodded, turning as Zhao Xuan emerged from the shadows. Armored and imposing, his sword still unsheathed, he exuded authority.

"Miss Lin, are you alright?" His deep voice carried concern.

Lin Wanqing smiled faintly. "Thanks to you, General Zhao, I'm fine."

Zhao Xuan's gaze lingered on her, then he nodded. "I'll take them for questioning and get you answers."

Warmth stirred in Lin Wanqing's chest—this stern general seemed less distant than the rumors suggested.

The interrogation soon bore fruit: the captives confessed Li Fugui and Xue'er planned to steal the manual and attack the Lin family. Old Master Lin, enraged, resolved to join forces with Zhao Xuan to crush the threat.

Yet Lin Wanqing sensed something amiss. Using her heavenly eye, she examined the captives and found one shrouded in an unusually thick dark mist, hinting at a deeper secret.

"General Zhao," she whispered, "there might be a bigger mastermind among them."

Zhao Xuan frowned. "You mean someone beyond Li Fugui?"

Lin Wanqing nodded. "I need time to find out."

(End of Chapter)