Chapter 7: A Game of Trust

Lin Wanqing stood at the rebuilding site of her Mercy Clinic, her eyes piercing through the debris. The unusual dark mist she'd detected with her heavenly eye hinted at a greater force behind Li Fugui and Lin Xue'er. She resolved to team up with Zhao Xuan to dig deeper.

At dawn, she arrived at the Zhao residence. Zhao Xuan was training in the courtyard, setting down his sword as she approached. "Miss Lin, what brings you so early?"

Lin Wanqing cut to the chase. "General Zhao, among last night's captives, one had an odd aura. I suspect Li Fugui's a pawn—someone bigger pulls the strings."

Zhao Xuan's gaze sharpened. "You think their plot extends beyond the Lin family?"

Lin Wanqing nodded. "Exactly. I'd like your help to uncover the truth."

After a pause, Zhao Xuan agreed. "Very well. I'll have men watch Li Mansion. We'll split up and investigate."

Back at the clinic, Lin Wanqing resumed treating patients, secretly analyzing clues. Using her heavenly eye, she studied the captives' dark mist again, noticing a strange purple glow within it. She consulted The Lin Family's Heart Method, finding a note: "Purple qi signifies authority, often tied to the court."

"The court?" Lin Wanqing's heart jolted. Could Li Fugui be linked to a high official?

She penned a letter to Zhao Xuan with her discovery. His reply came swiftly, arranging a clandestine meeting that night at a teahouse outside the city.

As dusk fell, Lin Wanqing donned dark robes and slipped out to the teahouse. Zhao Xuan awaited her, his general's aura cloaked in black.

"Miss Lin, I read your letter. If this involves the court, it's no small matter," he said gravely.

Lin Wanqing lowered her voice. "I suspect a powerful official is behind it, using Li Fugui to seize the manual."

Zhao Xuan frowned. "If it falls into court hands, it could harm your family. What's your plan?"

A sly glint flickered in her eyes. "We'll play their game—spread false news to draw them out."

The next day, Lin Wanqing circulated a rumor in the market: she'd handed The Lin Family's Heart Method to Zhao Xuan for protection. The city buzzed, and the news soon reached Li Fugui.

"She gave it to Zhao Xuan?" Li Fugui panicked, rushing to Xue'er. "What now?"

Xue'er sneered. "Zhao Xuan's just a brute—Lin Wanqing's digging her own grave. Tell the master; we'll take it back tonight."

That night, black-clad men infiltrated Zhao Mansion, only to stumble into a trap. Zhao Xuan led his elite soldiers, capturing them all in a swift clash.

Lin Wanqing emerged into the courtyard, her gaze icy as she studied the captives. She approached their leader, whose purple aura shone vividly under her heavenly eye.

"Who do you serve?" she demanded coldly.

The man clenched his jaw. Zhao Xuan stepped forward, sword at his throat. "Speak or die."

"I… I serve the Vice Minister of Revenue," he confessed.

"Vice Minister of Revenue?" Zhao Xuan and Lin Wanqing exchanged stunned glances.

Lin Wanqing's voice hardened. "Our enemy is stronger than we thought."

Zhao Xuan interrogated them overnight, learning that Zhang Hongtu, the Vice Minister of Revenue, coveted the manual to enhance his power and challenge the throne. Li Fugui was his pawn, and Xue'er a mere tool.

"Zhang Hongtu's ambitions run deep," Zhao Xuan said, frowning. "Reporting this could implicate many."

Lin Wanqing pondered. "Let's hold him off—feign cooperation, then strike back."

Zhao Xuan nodded. "I'll monitor Zhang's mansion. You keep up your medical cover."

Days later, Lin Wanqing publicly refined her "Longevity Pills" at the clinic, drawing crowds. She let word slip to Zhang Hongtu that the pills stemmed from the manual's secrets.

Unable to resist, Zhang sent a letter, summoning her to a secluded forest outside the city.

With Zhao Xuan's hidden guards, Lin Wanqing went to meet him. In the forest, Zhang Hongtu stood in ornate robes, flanked by guards. His smile was chilling. "Miss Lin, I hear you've made Longevity Pills?"

Lin Wanqing feigned deference. "Lord Zhang is well-informed. I can offer them to you."

Zhang's eyes narrowed. "Good, but I'll test them first."

She handed over a fake pill. Zhang had a guard try it; moments later, the man collapsed, foaming at the mouth.

"You dare deceive me!" Zhang roared.

Lin Wanqing smirked. "A fake pill, Lord Zhang—why so angry?"

Before he could react, Zhao Xuan charged from the trees with his men, encircling Zhang. "Zhao Xuan, you dare touch me?" Zhang shouted, aghast.

Zhao Xuan's voice was steel. "Colluding to harm the Lin family—you're done. To the capital for trial."

Zhang's resistance crumbled as he was seized.

Afterward, Lin Wanqing and Zhao Xuan stood side by side in the forest. The night breeze rustled as Zhao Xuan said softly, "Miss Lin, your wit saved the day."

Lin Wanqing smiled. "Your support made it possible, General."

Their eyes met, a quiet understanding growing between them.

(End of Chapter)