Yan Ling is very clear that the discord between Liang He and Mu Qingqiu is mainly caused by the fact that they both feel wronged and want to gain the upper hand in words. But seeing them argue each time they meet, Yan Ling is still somewhat disconsolate.
Although Liang He doesn’t think Mu Qingqiu is good, and even regards him unreliable because of his behaviors, he knows that Mu sincerely wants to take Yan Ling as his student. If not, Liang He would have prevented it from happening anyway.
On hearing Yan Ling mention Mu Qingqiu again, Liang He doesn’t think it’s a good idea. He has some really good doctors in command. It won’t cause any loss though to consult Mu Qingqiu as Yan Ling suggests. It will be OK even if he can’t find out anything. He has other methods to find out the truth.
Of course, Liang He won’t admit that he has this contemptible ideas in mind — it would be better if Mu Qingqiu couldn’t find out anything and instead his men would. Liang He feels uncomfortable as long as he thinks of Mu Qingqiu’s complacent face.
The main reason why Liang He feels more or less uncomfortable is that Yan Ling trust in her master whom she hasn’t known for long. It would be nice to see him embarrassed in front of Yan Ling.
“It’s up to you.” Liang He stops pondering in his heart and says to Yan Ling as usual.
Somehow Yan Ling feels a little cold when a breeze blows by.
“Well, no time to lose then. Let’s go now.” Yan Ling shakes her head and stopping thinking too much.
“Well, we can discuss on our way.” Liang He nods. The carriage has been ready outside.
“According to the present situation, there must be something wrong with the maid named Hong’ye.” Liang He makes a conclusion first.
“That’s right. She dumped the dregs on purpose so that we could not find out any clue. As for the wound on her hand, it is also likely to have been caused by the broken bowl.” Yan Ling also relates her speculation.
Liang He frowns and says in a deep voice, “According to what you said, the cut on her hand should be new. So she had no time to dispose of it. Therefore, … it’s very likely that the bowl and the dregs of the decoction are still in the yard.”
Yan Ling is shocked by Liang He’s speculation. She recalls what happened little by little after they met Hong’ye, but she can’t figure out anything.
“When we arrived, she was scarifying the soil for trees in the yard…” Liang He says slowly.
An idea suddenly occurs to Yan Ling, just like she has been waken up from the bewilderment by the words and she immediately says,”Usually, there is no particular workers to scarify soil for trees in the places where the maids live. And Hong’ye is Bai Yiyi’s chamber maid so she doesn’t need to do such kind of rough labor. ”
“So she was not scarifying, she was burying things. So… the bowl, the dregs and other evidence might all be under that tree.” Liang He adds frowning.
After saying this, Liang He immediately lifts the curtain of the carriage and waves. As soon as the carriage stops, a man in black appears beside Liang He from nowhere.
Liang He is not surprised at all. He just orders in a deep voice,”Go to Imperial Censor Bai’s Mansion right now and meet with the ones monitoring Hong’ye. Don’t worry about anything. Just arrest her and search in her yard and room. This is my token. Anyone who obstructs can be declared guilty!”
The man in black takes the token with both hands and immediately disappears from Yan Ling’s sight.
Yan Ling knows the ability of Liang He’s subordinates, so she doesn’t have the slightest worry. They went on to Mu Qingqiu’s clinic as they originally planned.
The clinic is not near from the Crown Prince’s Mansion. After a long time, the carriage stops and the voice of the coachman comes from outside.
“Here we are, Your Highness, Lady Yan.”
After getting off the carriage, Liang He and Yan Ling go straight into Mu Qingqiu’s clinic.
It seems that Mu Qingqiu doesn’t expect to make a living on treating patients. There is no one in the front hall of the clinic even though Mu Qingqiu is the only one working here.
Liang He and Yan Ling are not surprised to witness such scene and go directly to the backyard.
As expected, Mu Qingqiu is now lying in an armchair in the courtyard bathing in the sun with a cup of hot tea still emitting vapor on the stone table beside him.
Yan Ling is about to go forward directly, but is held back by Liang He. Looking at Yan Ling’s inquiring eyes, Liang He gently shakes his head and says in a low voice, “Don’t walk around freely. This yard is complicated.”
Although Yan Ling doesn’t understand why Liang He says that, she knows that Liang would never deceive her so she takes no step forward.
Instead, Yan Ling stands beside Liang He and calls out to Mu Qingqiu,”Master!”
Mu Qingqiu opens his eyes at her voice. Yan Ling isn’t sure whether she got it wrong that she notices for a second Mu Qingqiu got tense. However, seeing Yan Ling and Liang He both standing on the corridor outside the yard, he suddenly lets out a sigh of relief.
Mu Qingqiu causally knocks at the stone table in the yard and shouts to them,”What are you doing there? Why don’t you come here?”
Before Yan Ling says anything, she is pulled abruptly forward by Liang He when she still feels confused.
When they come over, Mu Qingqiu has been staring at Liang He. Yan Ling thinks it is because they don’t like each other. But on a closer look, there seems to be something else in Mu Qingqiu’s eyes, which is incomprehensible for her.
“OK, what’s up? You two never come to see me for no reason. What can I do for you?” When Mu Qingqiu withdraws his sight, he pours two cups of tea and asks them casually.
Yan Ling grins and sits down with Liang He. She says in a tone of a lovely little girl, “Master, why did you say that? Don’t you welcome me, your student, if I have nothing important?”
Mu Qingqiu is amused by Yan Ling. He waves his hand casually and says, “OK. Can’t I see what’s in your mind, little girl? I do want to chat with you leisurely. But I’m afraid you don’t have the time.”
Clearly Mu Qingqiu knows that Liang He and Yan Ling come here for something else.
After hearing this, Yan Ling stops kidding and turns her head to Liang He.
Liang understands her and takes out a handkerchief from his sleeve and throws it onto the table with a somewhat disgusted look.
Mu Qingqiu first takes a look at Liang, then lowers his head to unfold the handkerchief on the table. What makes Mu Qingqiu feel funny and ridiculous is that this is more than one handkerchief.
The handkerchief inside is stained with blood, which should be their purpose. The other two handkerchiefs outside should be the result of Liang He’s “mysophobia “.
Seeing these handkerchiefs, Mu Qingqiu purposefully raises his head and looks at Liang He jokingly. Liang He is more or less uncomfortable to look into that eyesight, but he still tries to hold himself upright and confident.