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Within Shengjing City, the weather was exceptionally gloomy. Dense clouds, laden with raindrops, continuously roiled and swirled.
A withered leaf was fiercely slapped against the plaque inscribed with the elegant characters "Marquis Changning's Estate," shattering on impact.
Another gust of wind carried away the fragmented remains of the withered leaf, yet the plaque remained exquisite, pleasing to the eye.
"Doctor, please watch your step." Xiao Cui held an umbrella and helped the doctor down from the carriage.
The group hurried along, passing by Lin Zhiqing's courtyard.
"What's that noise outside?" Lin Zhiqing stared at the "Character Dossier" in her hand, asking without lifting her head.
Aunt Mu entered with a hand warmer and tucked it into Lin Zhiqing's hand: "The doctor from Lingnan has arrived. First Master has already gone over to Miss Yangyang's side."
"Let's go take a look too." Lin Zhiqing decisively stood up. "Aunt Mu, send a few more hand warmers over to the Lu siblings and Young Lord Jiang."
"My courtyard is cold; it wouldn't be good if they caught a chill."
Aunt Mu took an umbrella: "Miss, First Master has arranged for people to take care of them. You don't need to worry."
"That's true." Lin Zhiqing took the umbrella and walked out into the drizzling rain.
Jiang Liuyun and the others were of noble status. Even if Lin Zhiqing didn't say anything, the Lin family wouldn't neglect them.
Thinking of this, she glanced at the exquisitely crafted hand warmer in her own hand and raised an eyebrow slightly.
Perhaps the hand warmer she held was even thanks to those three.
"Speaking of which, why did the doctor only arrive at this hour?" Lin Zhiqing gathered her clothes tighter.
Aunt Mu followed Lin Zhiqing step by step: "I heard the doctor encountered mountain bandits on the way from Lingnan to Shengjing, which caused some delay."
Lin Zhiqing didn't think much of it and quickened her pace.
However, when she arrived at Lin Yangyang's courtyard, she was met with a closed door.
Xiao Cui blocked Lin Zhiqing outside, stating clearly that Lin Congli was not allowing anyone in.
Lin Zhiqing initially thought it was Lin Congli who disliked her, but when she saw Lin Shi'an also being refused entry, her brows furrowed deeply.
Could it be that something had happened?
"Cousin, how is Elder Cousin's condition?" She stood beside Lin Shi'an, her words full of probing.
But Lin Shi'an just shook his head: "I don't know either. I came over this morning and couldn't see Elder Sister."
As he spoke, the distance between his eyes narrowed, and his eyebrows rose.
This indicated he was both confused and annoyed.
Lin Shi'an didn't know the specifics either?
Lin Zhiqing glanced at the tightly shut door and decisively led Aunt Mu away.
If they weren't allowed in, standing outside all day would be useless.
After walking some distance, Lin Zhiqing sent Aunt Mu to gather information.
She herself pondered all the way, quickly returning to her courtyard.
After some thought, she turned and headed towards the side courtyard where the Lu siblings were staying.
"Zhiqing, why are you here?" Lu Nanyue put away the various medicinal herbs on the table.
"I have a favor to ask." Lin Zhiqing got straight to the point. "By the way, is Lu Huai here?"
"He found the room stuffy and wanted to go out for a walk." Lu Nanyue had someone serve hot tea.
After Lin Zhiqing sat down, she closed the door: "Go on, what is it?"
She spoke casually, yet her tone was very familiar.
"Lend me some silver." Lin Zhiqing was direct.
Hearing this, Lu Nanyue was stunned, then frowned tightly: "Lin Zhiqing, oh Lin Zhiqing, borrowing again?"
Lin Zhiqing blinked. What did she mean by "again"?
Could it be that the original owner had borrowed before?
Before she could figure it out, Lu Nanyue reached out and tapped Lin Zhiqing's head: "If it weren't for the fact that you still owe me silver, I wouldn't have bothered to come and save you!"
"That was a thousand taels, a whole thousand taels!" She clutched her chest, looking utterly heartbroken.
Wait, a thousand taels?
Lin Zhiqing swallowed. Was the original owner really such a spendthrift?
She steadied herself and was just about to speak when she heard the sound of a door opening.
Turning around, she saw Lu Huai had returned.
He brought in a gust of cold air, his clothes still bearing water marks, and said with a speechless expression: "Sister, that thousand taels of silver should be what you two owe me."
What? Lin Zhiqing looked at Lu Nanyue.
The latter scratched her head, showing no guilt at being caught in a lie: "You're my younger brother. Isn't what's yours also mine?"
Lu Huai shook his head: "If the clinic continues like this, it will go bankrupt sooner or later. Let me remind you two, you're running a business, not a charity."
Lin Zhiqing narrowed her eyes, understanding the meaning behind his words. Had the original owner actually opened a clinic with Lu Nanyue?
Before she could hear clearly, Lu Nanyue changed the subject with some banter.
Lin Zhiqing, thinking of her own matter, didn't have time to delve deeper and could only speak to Lu Huai: "Lu Huai, lend me some silver, just five taels."
She held out one hand.
The corners of Lu Huai's mouth curved: "Same old rules, double the repayment."
Lin Zhiqing felt a pang of reluctance, but still nodded.
It couldn't be helped; she was penniless now and struggled to do anything.
After receiving the money from Lu Huai, Lin Zhiqing was in a good mood and sincerely thanked the siblings: "Nanyue, Lu Huai, if you hadn't come to help me out this time, I really don't know if I would have had the chance to borrow money. Thank you."
Lu Nanyue pursed her lips: "We didn't come here for you."
"If something happened to you, our clinic's medicinal herb business with the Lin family would be cut off. Besides, if you died, what about the money you owe our little Huai?"
Lu Nanyue chattered on.
Although the words weren't pleasant, Lin Zhiqing knew in her heart that this was probably how she and the original owner interacted.
Speaking of medicinal herbs, besides the Lin family, there were many other herb merchants in Shengjing. It wasn't as if Lin Zhiqing was indispensable.
Thinking of this, Lin Zhiqing also understood that the two people before her indeed had a close relationship with the original owner.
That blasted clinic... Lin Zhiqing felt she still didn't have enough information.
Just as she was about to ask, a "thump, thump, thump" of knocking sounded on the door.
Before Lu Huai could open the door, Aunt Mu's voice came through: "Miss, something terrible has happened!"
Lin Zhiqing's expression changed. Lu Huai and Lu Nanyue exchanged a glance and quickly pulled the door open.
The umbrella in Aunt Mu's hand was dripping water, and her clothes were also somewhat damp.
"Aunt Mu, go change your clothes first. We can talk about whatever it is later." Lin Zhiqing pressed the hand warmer she was holding into Aunt Mu's hand.
Aunt Mu wiped the rainwater from her forehead: "Miss, the doctor from Lingnan said he can treat the rash on Miss Yangyang, but he can't treat her other illnesses."
"Other illnesses?" Lu Nanyue frowned. "What does that mean?"
Aunt Mu's lips moved, her face full of worry as she looked at Lin Zhiqing: "What caused Miss Yangyang to fall unconscious wasn't just the raw lacquer, but also another kind of poison."
Lin Zhiqing's pupils contracted, and then she reacted quickly: "That old momo is still in the dark prison. We can still interrogate her if we go now!"
"It's useless." Just as everyone was about to leave, Lin Shi'an's voice came from outside.
He stood under the eaves holding an umbrella with one hand, his expression extremely complicated:
"She's already dead."