Tu Yao was somewhat surprised, “I thought you admired her.”
That’s why he went to great lengths to bring her to the Kaifeng Prefecture.
Xie Yu didn’t deny it, but his suspicions remained intact despite any admiration.
He had seen too many talented people go astray, including ambitious young prodigies and seasoned pillars of the nation.
Were those people not worthy of admiration? Yet they still fell for various reasons.
Ma Bing’s timing and identity upon arriving at Xu’s residence were too coincidental. Moreover, she indeed possessed such capability… until the truth was revealed, everyone remained a suspect.
Tu Yao could understand his thoughts, “However, regarding a person’s innocence or guilt, one must proceed with caution.”
Xie Yu replied, “Of course.”
At present, without evidence, he wouldn’t voice his suspicions openly.
Once people were influenced by preconceived notions, they could no longer make fair judgments.
Precisely because she was talented, he needed time—to observe slowly and meticulously.
“Alright then, I’ll follow your lead.”
If that young lady was indeed the culprit, keeping her under close watch would prevent any trouble; if she was innocent, working here would be no worse than wandering alone elsewhere, and the Kaifeng Prefecture would gain a capable person—benefiting both sides.
Xie Yu thanked him, exchanged a few more words, and then stood to take his leave.
“Aren’t you afraid she might poison you?” Tu Yao’s teasing voice came from behind.
Xie Yu shook his head, “No.”
Truth be told, that Miss Ma was indeed somewhat contradictory.
She openly loved money, never missing an opportunity to earn, even charging extra for an extra meal. Yet she had also volunteered medical services in Nining Prefecture for months and even treated strangers she met at city gates and gifted them tangerines…
Such a person wouldn’t recklessly kill indiscriminately.
When he exited the study, the sun had risen high, its warm rays gently falling, making the Persian cat in the courtyard drowsy.
The wintersweet flowers in the corner bloomed vigorously, clusters upon clusters, crowding together. Over the years, they had multiplied into a spring corridor.
Xie Yu walked along the floral corridor, not yet reaching the front courtyard when he heard a piercing scream like a pig being slaughtered.
The cat, startled from its pretend nap, jumped up, fur bristling, letting out a “meow” before darting into the flowers.
Xie Yu’s eyebrows twitched.
He stopped a nearby servant, “What’s happening ahead?”
The servant’s expression was complicated, “It’s that young lady brought back by Minister Yuan just now. Seems she’s a physician. She just finished giving her statement and said since she was here, she might as well offer free treatment…”
Xie Yu understood the reasoning, but couldn’t figure out where that scream came from.
Was that treating patients or committing violence?
The servant opened his mouth, “My lord, you really should see it for yourself. It’s hard to explain in just a few words.”
So Xie Yu went.
There was a large open space in the front courtyard used for drills, now surrounded by countless curious officials and servants. The crowd was so dense that only heads could be seen, with laughter rising and falling.
Facing the wall of people, Xie Yu instinctively slowed his steps.
Frankly, he wanted to squeeze in and watch, but… he couldn’t bring himself to push through people, feeling caught between desires.
Coincidentally, a constable turned to speak to his companion and happened to glance back, “Lord Xie?!”
At that exclamation, everyone turned simultaneously, saluted upon seeing Xie Yu, “My lord!”
Xie Yu merely nodded, standing still without speaking.
What had brought the lord here?
The constable who first spoke blinked, cautiously stepping aside, “My lord, please go ahead?”
Xie Yu gave him an approving look.
Those working in the Kaifeng Prefecture all had sharp eyes, so the constables quickly understood, stepping aside, instantly clearing a wide path.
Refusing such kindness from subordinates would seem too unkind, so Lord Xie reluctantly stepped in. As he lifted his eyes, a shocking scene unfolded before him:
A huge man lay sideways on the ground, face flushed red, screaming and thrashing wildly. Meanwhile, the legendary Miss Ma, who had been brought back for questioning, had one knee on his hip, one hand pressing his shoulder, the other twisting his arm behind his back, smiling cheerfully as if his struggles were nothing.
With a few cracking sounds, the constables’ expressions changed. The big man’s eyes widened, his body stiffened, then he went limp like a dead fish thrown ashore.
“Done,” Ma Bing stood up, kicking his back with her foot, “Stop pretending to be dead.”
The big man seemed to have had his soul scared out, lying there blankly for a long time before slowly rising.
His gaze was vacant, movements stiff, as if he had truly died once.
He cautiously took a step forward, “Huh? Huh huh huh? My waist doesn’t hurt anymore!”
“Marvelous!”
Ma Bing smiled, “You had improper strain years ago, overworked, causing some misalignment in your back. Though I’ve reset them, the damage accumulated over years cannot be fully repaired. However, with proper daily care, you won’t suffer pain during rainy weather anymore.”
“That’s great,” the big man was overjoyed, “Thank you so much, Madam Ma! Your bone-setting technique is truly miraculous!”
Ma Bing waved her hand cheerfully, “You’re welcome. That’ll be two taels of silver.”
The big man nodded repeatedly, quickly reaching for his money bag, “Not expensive at all, worth it, worth it.”
Due to his waist pain over the years, he had been almost half disabled, suffering and only able to take light jobs, hence a lower salary.
Now that he was healed, his life would surely improve gradually. What was two taels of silver then?
Silently watching, Lord Xie: “…”
Do you have some obsession with two taels?
Bringing you to the Kaifeng Prefecture was to let you run a business here?
Ma Bing happily collected the silver, feeling full of motivation, then addressed the crowd, “Who’s next?”
Hmm, isn’t that the Prince?
She barely acknowledged Lord Xie with a nod before shifting her gaze away, without a hint of lingering.
Lord Xie: “…”
Am I not worth two taels either?
The constables exchanged glances, momentarily no one stepping forward.
Though tempted, the previous colleague’s harrowing screams were terrifying. If they couldn’t help screaming themselves, wouldn’t that be embarrassing in public?
Ma Bing raised her eyebrows, suddenly smirking, “I bet none of you dare come up, only that previous brave soul.”
Lord Xie’s expression instantly became extremely complex.
This method… you really learned it quickly?
Some methods, though old, work because they tap into human impulses, igniting instantly.
Sure enough, as soon Ma Bing said that, the crowd became restless.
A bet?
You say this, and the brothers can’t help but compete.
No need for further encouragement, a burly man stepped forward, pounding his chest, proudly declaring, “I’ll go! Can she kill me or what?”
The previously “adjusted” man stood silently for a moment, then patted his shoulder, “Brother, I really thought I was going to die a few times.”
For a moment, he seemed to see his long-deceased grandmother smiling at him.
The new challenger: “…”
Lord Xie couldn’t watch anymore.
He felt if this continued, the Kaifeng Prefecture’s dignity would peel off like flaking wall plaster.
He stepped forward, “Miss Ma, may I have a word?”
Seeing him speak, the crowd dispersed unwillingly.
Before leaving, the self-recommended constable secretly sighed, stubbornly muttering, “You all saw it, I was about to go up for a treatment…”
Everyone laughed, “What of it? She’s right there waiting, you can go anytime after Lord Xie finishes talking. Can she fly away?”
“Exactly! But I bet you won’t dare go then, just boasting.”
The man’s face flushed red, veins popping on his forehead, defending, “A martial artist’s matter… can’t say ‘dare not’ lightly!” followed by incoherent phrases about being a real man, causing laughter among the crowd, instantly filling the air with joy.
Ma Bing watched them leave, as if watching silver ingots flying away.
Therefore, her gaze toward Lord Xie was full of obvious displeasure, “Lord Xie, I’ve said all I needed. Can I leave now?”
Lord Xie couldn’t help smiling, stepping forward to help pack her medical bag, “Miss Ma, have you considered staying in the Kaifeng Prefecture?”
Stay? Ma Bing was taken aback. This was the Kaifeng Prefecture! Countless people across the nation would kill to come here.
Xie Yu dusted off the medical bag before handing it over, “You can still go out for free treatments, and receive a fixed monthly salary, no need to wander around. How does that sound?”
Sunlight reflected in his eyes, shimmering like gentle spring waters.
Ma Bing suddenly felt uneasy.
She casually took the bag, tilted her head, brightening, “Then I’ll keep practicing outside, just come here once a day. That way, I can do both, right?”
And earn double income! How delightful?
Lord Xie: “…”
You’re thinking pretty highly of yourself!
Ma Bing herself realized it was unlikely, chuckling awkwardly.
Kaifeng was beautiful, but living costs were several times higher than elsewhere. Though she wasn’t short on money, long-term residence might drain her resources.
If she indeed secured a position here, she could save on rent and food expenses while earning a salary. This way, she’d gain a few taels extra monthly.
Moreover, Lord Xie said it wouldn’t interfere with her free treatments…
Lord Xie didn’t urge her, just quietly waiting. Soon enough, the answer came.
“Alright.” Ma Bing readily agreed, “Then I’ll trouble you from now on.”
After resolving the major issue, Ma Bing wasn’t in a hurry to leave, “By the way, how’s the case of Minister Xu?”
Previously, she wasn’t part of the Kaifeng Prefecture, so it was inappropriate to ask. Now, it’s fair enough to inquire, right?
Lord Xie didn’t answer but instead asked, “Miss Ma, what do you think of the Xu father and son?”
Ma Bing clicked her tongue, stopping still.
She noticed they shared a trait—seeming calm but cautious, never easily swayed. In conversation, this meant asking more than answering.
Conversing was indeed an art. Once you answered every question, you became the weaker party, led around by the nose, defeat inevitable.
Ma Bing tossed the question back, “Does the opinion of a weak woman matter?”
Lord Xie gave her a deep look.
Setting aside the latter half, he couldn’t agree with the “weak woman” part.
Even now, echoes of that constable’s scream lingered in his mind.
“It matters.” Lord Xie replied simply.
Since he answered, she couldn’t keep avoiding, Ma Bing slightly hesitated before uttering eight words, “Occupying posts without merit, virtue unworthy.”
Lord Xie raised his eyebrows, surprised by her bluntness.
“You’re wondering, since I knew that, why did I still treat them, right?” Ma Bing asked.
Lord Xie nodded.
This was indeed a clever girl. As long as you showed the slightest hint, she easily guessed the rest.
Ma Bing looked up at the blue sky, “My lord, how vast this sky appears, yet even so, clouds often obscure the sun. If even heaven cannot always act, how can human willpower?”
Under the vast sky, how many truly good people were there?
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