People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 110, The Tide Demoness: Men, You Must Understand Equivalent Exchange
In the passageway of the Han King's Palace, Xu Qing led two physicians toward the Imperial Medical Academy.

The two physicians looked anxious, but Xu Qing walked on unhurriedly.

"Imperial Physician, let's hurry, we can't afford to delay Lady Mingzhu's visit," a physician carefully reminded him.

Xu Qing merely glanced at the other party, thinking to himself, "It's not even dark yet, what could possibly happen to Madam Mingzhu? So it's not you who's going to get whipped, is it?"
When the two physicians explained that there was a problem at the Pearl Palace, he didn't even need to think that it was something the Tide Demoness had deliberately created to get him into the palace.

He originally didn't want to go to the palace, as he knew he would be whipped if he did, but with so many people watching, he had no choice but to come. He figured he might as well delay as much as possible.

After being given a cold look by Xu Qing, the physician immediately stopped talking and silently followed behind Xu Qing.

Before long, Xu Qing brought the two back to the Imperial Hospital. One of the physicians who was on duty at the Imperial Hospital was extremely anxious. When he saw Xu Qing return, it was as if he had seen a savior.

"Imperial Physician, you've finally returned! Lady Mingzhu's maid has been waiting for a long time," the physician said anxiously.

“I know everything. Bring the person here. Let me see what we need to prepare,” Xu Qing said.

"it is good."

Two physicians helped Xu Qing pack her medicine box, while another physician called over a maid.

"Imperial Physician, please hurry up and pack. The Madam is waiting for you."

Looking at the exhaustion on Xu Qing's face, the maid couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.

Normally, when her mistress summoned Xu Qing, it was after he had finished his consultations and rested. This time, she didn't even give him time to rest, clearly still holding a grudge about the time Xu Qing went to the theater with Hu Meiren.

The two medical officers handed the medicine box to Xu Qing.

“Alright, let’s talk about Madam’s condition as we walk,” Xu Qing said, picking up his medicine box.

"it is good."

Under the envious gazes of the three physicians, Xu Qing left with the maid.

They also wanted to be like Xu Qing, enjoying the favor of Madam Mingzhu, who would consult on any matter and treat him as her most trusted confidant.

After leaving the Imperial Hospital, the two passed through several corridors and palaces and returned to the Mingzhu Palace.

Just as Xu Qing was about to walk towards the palace, a maidservant beside him stopped him.

"The lady is not in her bedchamber, but in the Hundred Fragrances Hall," the maid said, pointing to a pavilion next to the bedchamber.

The Hundred Fragrances Hall was where the Tide Demoness stored and blended perfumes; even Xu Qing had only been there once or twice.

"it is good."

Xu Qing walked outside the door, looking at Bai Xiang Palace with a complicated expression. Then his face turned tragic, as if he was about to leave and never return.

After taking a deep breath, Xu Qing pushed open the palace door, and a unique fragrance greeted him.

Upon entering the Hall of Fragrance, the scent of incense became even stronger, the light dimmed, and the doors were closed by the maids outside.

Xu Qing looked around and found the Tide Demoness standing next to the incense burner.

The trendy woman was dressed in a black and purple strapless nightgown, exposing large expanses of her fair skin, with her jet-black hair casually draped behind her.

The form-fitting long dress perfectly accentuated her curvaceous figure, and her two full breasts were held up by two thin straps, making them look incredibly alluring.

Two thin black bands ran across her smooth lower abdomen, and a bright little pearl hung on her Shenque acupoint, making her look particularly alluring.

Her long, shapely legs were exquisitely rounded and gleamed with an alluring glow in the dim light.

Tiny feet painted with black cardamom stepped onto the smooth floor, their toes slightly raised, like ripe grapes, making one's mouth water.

Her pretty face, adorned with light makeup and a few teardrops at the corners of her eyes, made her even more charming and alluring. Her captivating eyes, filled with a hint of a smile, were looking at him.

To prevent sunlight from damaging the precious herbs, the lighting inside the Hundred Fragrances Hall is relatively dim. The Tide Demoness standing by the incense burner looks exactly like a beautiful female ghost who stepped out of a book, seducing the scholars who have mistakenly entered the Hundred Fragrances Hall on their way to take the imperial examinations, and taking the opportunity to absorb their vital energy.

Even though he was already very familiar with the Tide Fairy and had seen her in many different forms, Xu Qing was still amazed every time he saw her.

This woman is so good at showcasing her beauty that she's irresistible every time, and she's also a very controlling woman.

She would generously reward the man she cared about, and also devour him whole, making the two of them one.

"Madam," Xu Qing said, putting down his medicine box and bowing slightly to the Tide Demoness.

"The Imperial Physician has arrived."

The enchanting woman smiled slightly and stretched out her slender hand to reveal a medicine bottle containing spices.

Xu Qing took small steps forward and caught the medicine bottle, then casually took the other person's small hand in hers.

"What? You're not planning to run away this time?"

The trendy woman leaned forward slightly, getting closer to look at Xu Qing.

Their faces were very close, and they could clearly feel each other's breath on their faces.

The warmth of their breath stirred something within them.

"When did I ever run away?" Xu Qing asked, raising an eyebrow.

He certainly couldn't admit to what happened at the theater last time, otherwise the other party wouldn't let him off easily.

"There are only the two of us here, is there any need for you to put on an act with me?" the Tide Fairy asked, tilting her head.

Looking at the seemingly innocent and harmless Chao Nu Yao, Xu Qing dared not be careless in the slightest. He knew that his reply had displeased her, and his fate would certainly not be good.

"What acting? Madam, what are you saying? I don't understand," Xu Qing said, puzzled.

In this way, anyone who saw it would have to praise Xu Qing, saying that he was indeed a master at pretending to be confused.

Seeing Xu Qing's expression, the Tide Demoness couldn't help but laugh out loud. When it comes to things that everyone already knows the answer to, making everything too clear is actually bad for everyone.

Since Xu Qing was pretending to be confused, she naturally wouldn't delve into it further, otherwise she would seem a bit petty, and how could she have fallen for such a palace intrigue tactic?

"Don't play dumb with me. Let's get down to business first," said the Tide Demoness.

"What important matter is it? Is there really a problem with your perfumery process?"

Xu Qing immediately grabbed Chao Nuyao's wrist and began to take her pulse, his face showing three parts tension, four parts concern, and three parts genuine emotion.

Now is the time to put on a good show. Only by letting the trendy woman completely move on from this matter can we ensure that he won't be whipped again next time.

At times like this, women don't care about your true thoughts at all; they only care whether you're willing to comfort her and whether you'll focus more on her.

Even though she knew that not much of the concern and nervousness on Xu Qing's face was genuine, Chao Nuyao still showed a satisfied expression.

Just as Xu Qing thought, she couldn't possibly dig out Xu Qing's heart to see how much sincerity he had, especially since their relationship wasn't that of a loving couple. As long as Xu Qing was willing to put in the effort to show it, satisfying her desire for control and conquest, that would be enough.

"No, but you seem to have run into a lot of trouble these past two days."

The alluring woman leaned against Xu Qing's chest, her eyes filled with seductive charm, her words tinged with concern.

Xu Qing reached out and put his arm around Madam Mingzhu's waist, stroking her delicate skin through the cool veil. His lips moved slightly, and he spoke slowly with a hint of sadness in his voice.

"What can I do? I'm known as a miracle doctor, and Zhang Kaidi just happened to catch a cold. The person who made this move probably wants to get rid of me too."

"So what are you planning to do next? In this vortex, one wrong move and you'll be shattered to pieces."

The succubus slapped Xu Qing's outstretched, restless hand.

Seeing the hidden smile in Chao Nu Yao's eyes, Xu Qing understood that either Ji Wu Ye had given him some order, or he wanted to tell her how to break the deadlock.

"What can I do? If I continue to treat Zhang Kaidi, I'm afraid the assassination attempts will continue. If I don't treat him, I'm afraid some people won't let me go either."

"Let them stir things up, let them stir things up until South Korea is destroyed. At worst, I'll fight them to the death."

Xu Qing looked worried, as if he had given up on everything.

"Stop being silly. I called you here today because someone wants you to do something."

The succubus turned around and wrapped her arms around Xu Qing's neck, looking intently into his eyes.

"What is it?" Xu Qing asked.

"Someone wants you to add something to Zhang Kaidi's medicine so you'll kill him." The Tide Demoness looked at the medicine bottle in Xu Qing's hand.

Xu Qing glanced deeply at Chao Nu Yao, then stared silently at the medicine bottle in his hand.

"So, what do you say? Are you willing to go?"

The seductive voice of the succubus rang in his ears, and the eight words "assess the situation and choose carefully" from the fortune-telling slip reappeared in Xu Qing's mind.

The real time to make a choice is now; only by making the right choice can he remain safe and sound.

Killing Zhang Kaidi was clearly Ji Wuye's order. If he didn't do it, Ji Wuye would only let him go. But if he did, the Zhang clan and his family would not let him off the hook.

Faced with this dilemma, Xu Qing quickly made up her mind.

Xu Qing tightened his grip on the incense bottle and looked at the Tide Demoness seriously, saying...

"it is good."

Chao Nu Yao was taken aback upon hearing this, clearly not expecting Xu Qing to agree to it without hesitation.

Based on her understanding of Xu Qing, this scoundrel was greedy and lustful, always eager to take advantage of others while avoiding any trouble.

Why did you suddenly change your mind today and agree to her so readily?

"I won't ask why. I'm willing to do anything you ask me to do."

Xu Qing gazed at Chao Nu Yao with deep affection, his words calm yet striking straight to Chao Nu Yao's heart.

The trendy woman, accustomed to deceit and scheming, was taken aback by Xu Qing's deep and straightforward affection, and a touch of emotion welled up in her heart.

Seeing the genuine affection in Xu Qing's eyes, the trendy girl's alluring eyes softened, and she buried her head in Xu Qing's arms, reaching out to snatch the incense bottle containing the poison.

"Don't worry, I won't let you go. Zhang Kaidi can't die yet," the Tide Demoness said softly.

Ji Wuye wanted to eliminate Zhang Kaidi and further control the Korean court, but this was not in her or her cousin Bai Yifei's interest.

What Nanyang needs is a court with checks and balances; only in this way can Nanyang continuously siphon resources from Han to expand its own power.

"Then what should we do? If I don't kill Zhang Kaidi, we'll both be in danger, won't we?" Xu Qing said, looking at the incense bottle in the Tide Demon's hand.

"I've already thought of a way to break this deadlock for you."

"However, everything in this world is exchanged for its equivalent value; only labor can be exchanged for value."

"Huh? What does 'exchanging labor for value' mean?"

Before Xu Qing could inquire about the meaning of the equivalent exchange in the Chao Nu Yao's words, his perspective inexplicably shifted to looking up at her.

"lady."

"Don't talk, continue."

"You...you...all you need to do now is listen to me."

(End of this chapter)