Disease rights policy

Qiao Ran picked up the Imperial City Commander's badge, which was entirely black with gold lettering. The heavy black iron with gold trim made her sigh in admiration, "It's so realistic, I can't even recognize it."

“If you’re going to do it, do it more naturally, how about that?” Chen Jiu asked her.

Qiao Ran was overjoyed and clapped her hands, exclaiming, "That's amazing! I really didn't expect that, Chen Jinzhou!"

"What didn't you expect?"

"I never expected that someone as gentle and delicate as you could be so fearless when it comes to getting things done," Qiao Ran said with a smile. "I like you as a friend."

Chen Jiu turned his face away, staring at the lush rockery in the courtyard, momentarily lost in thought amidst the melodious laughter.

Knowing that he had put on a brave face and dared to come to save her, Qiao Ran was even more moved. She immediately got up and ran over to hug Chen Jiu tightly. "I can't thank you enough. Yesterday, you, Chen Jinzhou, were willing to go through fire and water for me. In the future, I, Qiao Ran, will definitely go through fire and water for you."

The girl's body temperature, carrying the fragrance of the forest, pulled Chen Jiu back to his senses. Although it was only for a moment, it felt as if he had tasted a mellow and lingering wine, and even the tips of his ears became hot.

Chen Jiu coughed lightly twice, lowered his eyes, turned the teacup, and murmured an "Mmm".

Qiao Ran naturally didn't hear his voice. After the initial surprise, she came to her senses and analyzed, "You tricked Cang Zhengqing with a fake token. Cang Zhengqing isn't stupid. With a little investigation, he'll know that the imperial court hasn't arrived in Shu yet. Wouldn't he lead the Wuting Hall disciples to tear down your villa?"

Chen Jiu nodded calmly, "That's true."

"..." Qiao Ran was stunned. "Then...should we run first?"

"Old Master Qu warned me that my body can't take any more strain." Chen Jiu slowly stood up, a head taller than Qiao Ran. "Where can I run to?"

Qiao Ran swallowed hard and said dryly, "Then what should we do?"

"Just wait," Chen Jiu said.

Qiao Ran didn't understand what he was up to, but she didn't ask any further questions. Two hours later, the guards who had left the city returned to report, but they hadn't found any trace of Qin Huai.

Chen Jiu stayed a while longer at noon and was still resting. Old Master Qu had ordered that no one should disturb her. Since this matter concerned Qiao Ran, she knew about it immediately.

Master Xie asked ten questions: "Did you search carefully?"

"Careful." The guard who was searching for the man blurted out without thinking, "I searched carefully three times as Miss Qiao instructed, but I did not find any trace of Young Master Qin."

Qiao Ran frowned. "Qin Huai is a steady person. He wouldn't leave me without any clues. Something has happened to him."

After pondering for a moment, Xie Laoshi said in a low voice, "Miss Qiao, if you need help, I will send someone to assist you, but my young master..."

“I understand what Guardian Xie means.” Qiao Ran looked at him, clasped her hands and said, “Jin Zhou is not well and should not worry about my affairs. Don’t tell him about this for now. I will go to find Qin Huai. If necessary, I will ask the chief guard for help.”

"Thank you for your understanding, Miss Qiao." Xie Laoshi nodded slightly. "Zhou Mu, you stay with Miss Qiao and protect her safety."

Zhou Mu was ordered to leave the city to find Qin Huai's guards. His skills were among the best in the manor, and he naturally obeyed Qiao Ran's orders after receiving the order.

"By the way." After a moment's thought, Qiao Ran frowned and said, "I already know that you used a fake Imperial City Commander to save me from danger last night. Cang Zhengqing is petty and narrow-minded, and he has a lot of influence in Sichuan. I'm afraid he will soon find out about the villa and cause you trouble."

Old Master Xie was surprised that Qiao Ran was still worried about this matter, and his impression of her improved. He said in a deep voice, "Miss Qiao, don't worry, the young master has already made arrangements."

"I'm still worried. You took so many maids from Wuting Hall last night, and they're still locked up in the other courtyard. Cang Zhengqing could easily find an excuse to bring people in."

Xie Laoshi didn't hide anything and frankly said, "The people we brought back from Wuting Hall last night have been transferred to the state prison overnight, and someone will interrogate them."

Having said that, Qiao Ran understood. Although Chen Jiu's identity was little known, he was backed by the Prime Minister's immense power. He had lived in Sichuan for many years, and the Prime Minister must have made arrangements for him privately. His abilities were not necessarily weaker than Cang Zhengqing, this local tyrant.

Qiao Ran was relieved. She and Zhou Mu quickly rode out of the city again, and sure enough, they found no trace of Qin Huai.

"Miss," Zhou Mushuan said as he rode over, "Young Master Qin should have entered the city as well."

Outside Shuzhong City, the land was lush and green, stretching as far as the eye could see. Qiao Ran frowned and gave a soft "hmm". "If Qin Huai enters the city after me, he will definitely go there after hearing the false information spread by Wuting Hall."

Zhou Mu turned his head and asked, "Shall we go to Wuting Hall?"

“After what happened last night, Wuting Hall is heavily guarded, and it will probably be difficult to get in.” Qiao Ran turned her head and mounted her horse. “But no matter how difficult it is, we have to get in. I’ll have to trouble Guard Zhou to help me.”

Zhou Mu cupped his hands in greeting, "Please give your instructions, young lady."

"drive!!"

When Qiao Ran returned to the city, she found that there were far fewer people. After inquiring, she learned that someone had used the same trick again to spread the news that Wuting Hall had been investigated by the imperial court last night. She wondered what trouble they had gotten into. It was a very serious matter for a martial arts sect to interfere in the affairs of the imperial court. Those who were friends with Cang Zhengqing had only wanted to join in the fun and see the true face of the number one thief in the martial arts world, "Ghost Hand." Since they couldn't see him, they all left one by one.

"Who leaked this information?" Qiao Ran asked Zhou Mu.

Zhou Mu followed respectfully behind her without making a sound.

Qiao Ran chuckled, her eyes bright and clear. "Go back and thank Chen Jinzhou for me."

The two had thought that getting into Wuting Hall would be a hassle, but it turned out to be easier than expected. Zhou Mu led Qiao Ran away from their eyes and ears and sneaked into the back hall.

Qiao Ran praised him enviously, "You're so skilled! I wish I were as good as you."

“Girl, look.” Zhou Mu led Qiao Ran behind the eaves and pointed to the empty back room. “There are hardly any people.”

The two of them hid furtively for a while longer, and sure enough, they didn't see anyone. Qiao Ran asked in confusion, "Where are the disciples of Wuting Hall?" Why are there only a few people left in broad daylight?

Zhou Mu shook his head, indicating that he did not know.

"Grab someone and ask about Qin Huai's whereabouts." As soon as Qiao Ran finished speaking, she flipped over and slid down the pillar next to her, almost making Zhou Muxin jump out of her throat.

"who!"

As expected, those left behind by Cang Zhengqing were all quite capable. They noticed Qiao Ran's movements instantly. By the time they followed the sound, Qiao Ran had already quickly moved to another location. In just a few breaths, Zhou Mu had already brought her over with her bound.

"Girl," Zhou Mu said breathlessly, unable to understand how Qiao Ran could be so bold. The two of them sneaked into an empty house, and Zhou Mu threw her on the ground, holding a sharp blade to her neck.

Qiao Ran wiped the sweat from her forehead, looked at the person trembling with fear in front of her, and said fiercely, "I'll ask you one thing. Tell me the truth. If you dare to lie, I'll have him kill you."

The disciple, having long been oppressed by Cang Zhengqing, was hardly loyal, and immediately nodded.

Qiao Ran was very satisfied. "How many people did you arrest yesterday?"

"We didn't catch a single one." The disciple, afraid that Qiao Ran wouldn't believe him, quickly explained, "We almost caught one... but we really didn't."

"Male and female?"

"It seems... to be a man."

Qiao Ran: "It seems like it? Is it a man or a woman?"

The disciple nodded vigorously, his neck bleeding from the blade, shouting, "A man! A man!"

Qiao Ran took out Qin Huai's portrait from her bosom and unfolded it in front of him. "Is it him?"

"It seems so..."

"Do you even know what's going on?!" Qiao Ran snapped, seeing him stammering and unable to give a coherent answer. "Don't you want to talk? You want to die?"