Disease rights policy

When Old Qu heard that Chen Jiu wasn't taking care of himself at this time and was going to have a late-night snack with Qiao Ran, he immediately became anxious.

"Young master, your health is important."

“I’ve been sleeping all day, and now I’m hungry and can’t sleep either,” Chen Jiu instructed. “Old Qu, you should go and rest first.”

Old Master Qu was extremely worried about his health and could not possibly agree. "Why is the young master so concerned about Miss Qiao? It's all because of her that your condition has worsened. This old servant truly doesn't understand!"

"Elder Qu!" Chen Jiu's tone hardened. He couldn't see clearly, so he simply closed his eyes. "I know what I'm doing. You may leave."

Old Qu wiped away his tears and left reluctantly.

As soon as Qiao Ran heard Chen Jiu's message, she rushed over without stopping. It seemed that a new batch of flowers had been planted in his yard, and they were in full bloom.

"Chen Jinzhou," Qiao Ran's voice preceded her arrival. She rushed in and sat down. Seeing that Chen Jinzhou's complexion was alright, she breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good that you're alright."

Chen Jiu waited for the maid to finish serving the food and leave before saying, "Every time you see me, don't you ask if I'm alright?"

Qiao Ran, covered in sweat from the journey, immediately replied, "Of course. With your frail health, I'm afraid something bad might happen to you if there's even the slightest disturbance."

Chen Jiu took out a clean handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Qiao Ran, gesturing for her to wipe her sweat. Qiao Ran accepted it generously, while Chen Jiu stared at her with a hidden gaze.

"If something happens to me, you'll be able to get the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' sooner, won't you?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Qiao Ran said impatiently, glaring at him. "Am I the kind of person who is heartless and ungrateful? You've been so good to me, helping me out so many times. I genuinely consider you a friend now, and of course I want you to be healthy."

Chen Jiu's fingers, curled on her knees, tightened slightly. "If I remain safe and sound, aren't you afraid that you'll never get the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' you want in this lifetime?"

This question was a bit pointed for Qiao Ran. She naturally wanted to figure out the secret of 'Spring and Autumn', but she was unwilling to exchange it for Chen Jiu's death.

After a moment of silence, Qiao Ran looked up and said, "Anyway... this is how my life is going to be. A thousand cups are not enough when you meet a true friend. I don't want you to die."

Chen Jiu also fell silent.

With both of them preoccupied with their own thoughts, the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat heavy. Qiao Ran ate a couple of bites of pastry listlessly and quickly got down to business, "I haven't found Qin Huai, and I don't know if he's safe or not."

"Old Ten Xie told me," Chen Jiu regained his composure, "that Master Kongji's body is missing, did you know that?"

Qiao Ran was startled. "The body is gone? How could it be gone?"

Chen Jiu shook his head: "I don't know."

"After the body was taken out of Wuting Hall, it was transferred to the government office, where someone was specifically watching over it. How could it have been lost?" Qiao Ran couldn't understand.

Chen Jiu's teacup was empty, but he didn't reach out to pour more. He kept his eyes half-lowered and asked Qiao Ran, "Who can sneak into the yamen without the guards and steal Master Kongji's body without alerting anyone?"

Who could have done everything so smoothly? Qiao Ran went through Chen Jiu's question in her mind before noticing that he used the word "steal."

"You suspect Qin Huai?"

Chen Jiu shook his head slightly, "That's not what I meant, I was asking you."

“It can’t be Qin Huai. I went to Wuting Hall. Qin Huai was probably there last night, and he was injured,” Qiao Ran said. “If he was really seriously injured, Qin Huai’s skills are only average. Even if he managed to sneak in without the guards, he couldn’t have carried Master Kongji to safety. He…”

Qiao Ran spoke at length, afraid that Chen Jiu and the others would suspect Qin Huai.

But Chen Jiu added, "Master Kongji is over seventy years old and has a small stature. If you go, there is a 70% chance that you can carry him away."

This implies that Qin Huai is capable of stealing Kong Ji, as long as he is not so badly injured that he cannot run.

Moreover, his disappearance makes him even more suspicious.

“Perhaps it’s just a coincidence?” Qiao Ran said. “Qin Huai has no reason to risk stealing Master Kongji’s body; he doesn’t even know Master Kongji.”

"Hmm." Chen Jiu nodded casually. "Perhaps it's a coincidence. Let's not talk about that. Qin Huai's whereabouts are currently unknown. What are your plans next?"

Qiao Ran looked at Chen Jiu with disappointment, "I know you meant well by having someone send me away from Sichuan, afraid that if I stayed too long, Wuting Hall would discover my identity sooner or later, but I don't plan to leave yet. I'll wait for Qin Huai a little longer."

Chen Jiu: "How long do we have to wait?"

"If he doesn't show up in half a month, I'll leave Sichuan to find him. I have to find him eventually."

“I can lend you some help if you need it,” Chen Jiu said. “You’re not very skilled, and you’re a woman. It’s not safe for you to travel alone.”

Qiao Ran muttered to herself, "I wish I were more skilled."

The room was quiet to begin with, and Qiao Ran hadn't made any effort to mute herself, so Chen Jiu overheard her whisper.

He smiled and said, "I can find you a mentor."

"Huh?" Qiao Ran stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Chen Jiu seemed to be carefully observing her, but only he knew that he couldn't see Qiao Ran's face clearly at the moment. He softly repeated, "If you want to learn martial arts, I'll find you a master. If you want to learn, then learn properly. If you don't want to learn, then just treat it as a way to strengthen your body, okay?"

Qiao Ran's eyes lit up. She really wanted to learn, but if she agreed, wouldn't she owe Chen Jiu a huge favor?

Chen Jiu guessed what she was thinking. "No trouble at all. I happen to have a suitable candidate. Once you've thought it through, I'll arrange for you to go."

Qiao Ran hesitated for a moment, wondering if she was just too thick-skinned or simply couldn't resist such a good thing. She chuckled and asked, "Let me think about it?"

Chen smiled and said, "Okay."

Qiao Ran said she would think about it, but she agreed early the next morning. She went to find Chen Jiu, only to run into him as he was leaving.

Aren't you going to rest?

It was nowhere as warm as the courtyard outside. Chen Jiu was wearing a thick layer of clothing, with a fox fur coat on top. Perhaps because of his frail health, even with so many clothes, he still looked thinner than the average person when standing in the courtyard.

Chen Jiu replied, "I'll go to the state prison."

Qiao Ran understood. Today, the Censorate, the Imperial City Guard, and the Shuzhong Prefecture were going to jointly try Yang Min's case. Chen Jiu probably had some reasons to go. She didn't ask any more questions, but she thought about the Shuzhong Prefecture Prison, which was located in a remote part of the western city. It might be a bit difficult for Chen Jiu.

She frowned slightly and said kindly, "It's cold there, you really should wear more clothes. If you really can't stand it, come back quickly. No one will dare to make things difficult for you if you don't want to stay."

Chen Jiu smiled and said, "I'm just going to take a look; I won't stay long."

"That's best."

"Would you like to come along?" Chen Jiu asked.

Qiao Ran waved her hand, "I won't go. It wouldn't be convenient for me to go anyway. You are all important people, and my going would only cause you trouble. Just... if you find any clues or something, just let me know if it's convenient for you."

"it is good."

After all, Cang Zhengqing initially pinned the blame on Qiao Ran, the "ghost hand," and almost drowned her in mud. Although she has temporarily escaped the stigma, she might still be implicated again, which makes her very afraid.

Chen Jiu took a hand warmer from the guard and prepared to leave. He then turned back to look at Qiao Ran and revealed her little secret, "Would you like to go see your master?"

Qiao Ran looked slightly embarrassed, but said casually, "I really can't stay here any longer. I'll go and pay my respects then. Thank you, Chen Jinzhou."

Chen Jiu raised an eyebrow and instructed, "Zhou Mu, accompany Miss Qiao."