It was not easy to obtain such a piece of information.
Naturally, Zhao Shuning was not going to give up so easily.
She quickly said, "Old man, could you please take me to see him?"
"Alas—young lady, I must tell you first that the man's condition is not optimistic. Whether he is the one you're looking for or not, you need to prepare yourself mentally. Over the years, I've cured countless people, but for that man, alas, even I am powerless."
One of the onlookers also sighed.
He said, "Old Man Miao's medical skills are unparalleled in Jiangning City. Even among the senior imperial physicians in the Imperial Medical Academy, there are probably few who can match his expertise. If Old Man Miao has said such things, that man's situation is truly—"
"Please take me there, old man. Whether he is the one I'm looking for or not, I know what to do."
The old man nodded.
Zhao Shuning looked up.
She said to everyone, "Thank you all for coming here tonight. But your efforts tonight will not be in vain."
"You're being too polite, young lady."
"If you all still hope to see your wives and daughters again, then please keep tonight's visit a secret. Your belongings will surely return to you one day."
Everyone forced a smile.
They thought the young lady was just trying to console them.
Yang Hun was extremely powerful and might even be colluding with people in the court. Later, he got to know Master Lu. They feared that this young lady and her little maid would not be able to shake Yang Hun, a powerful figure like an old tree.
"Let's hope for the best as you've said, young lady."
They had a sworn feud with Yang Hun, so they would naturally keep this a secret.
This was also the reason why Zhao Shuning had sought them out.
Zhao Shuning glanced at Luo Qiu and nodded at her.
Luo Qiu understood immediately.
She then withdrew the spiritual aura shield.
Zhao Shuning also retrieved the night pearl.
Suddenly.
The sky.
Turned pitch - black again.
"Miss."
"How about those merchants I asked you to contact?"
"Most of them have been contacted. I should be able to reach the rest tomorrow."
Zhao Shuning nodded.
She whispered in Luo Qiu's ear, "After you've gathered them, follow our previous plan. I might not be able to make it there as I have something to attend to."
"Don't worry, miss. I can handle it."
"Good. I trust you."
Jiangning.
A land of fish and rice.
It was close to the sea, so the fishing industry was highly developed.
Moreover, Jiangning had a flat terrain, and most of the farmers here planted rice.
These were the two main industries in Jiangning.
Ling Xiao traveled on his ship.
Most of the people on his ship were merchants traveling between different places. Ling Xiao had gradually built up friendships with them.
The fact that Ling Xiao had given the token to Zhao Shuning meant that those people should have received favors from Ling Xiao.
It would be easier to carry out their plan then.
Zhao Shuning was going to make Yang Hun, the local tyrant, spit out all the money he had extorted from the common people over the decades.
Then.
Make him pay the due price.
It was most suitable to entrust this matter to Luo Qiu.
Luo Qiu had special means and would always find a way to "persuade" those people.
"Xiao Qiu, take them back to their original places first. Remember to be careful."
"I understand."
"Okay."
Zhao Shuning nodded.
Then she turned around.
She followed Old Man Miao and walked in another direction.
Luo Qiu stared at Zhao Shuning's back for a while.
Then a smile spread across her face.
It was really nice to be by Sister's side.
She turned around.
Leading everyone.
She disappeared into the twilight.
It was an extremely dim and damp hut.
The hut was built in the middle of the forest. Judging from the bamboo - woven structure, it should have been built by everyone together for Old Man Miao as a shelter from the wind and rain.
Zhao Shuning followed Old Man Miao.
The old man reminded her, "Young lady, it's dark, and the road is uneven. Watch your step."
Zhao Shuning replied, "Okay."
She took out a paper lantern from her Qiankun bag.
Then she put a small night pearl inside.
Although it wasn't very bright, it was enough to light the way ahead.
Zhao Shuning was used to rough traveling, and these mountain paths were nothing to her.
She simply used her spiritual power to make the lantern float in front of Old Man Miao so that he could see the way clearly.
When they approached the hut, Old Man Miao picked up a medicine jar.
Then he walked out of the door.
"Old man? Isn't he here?"
Old Man Miao nodded.
"Young lady, although I've lived in seclusion, I've still heard some things. The man I saved that day should have had a conflict with Yang Hun, the villain. Although not many people come to my hut usually, if I were to keep him here and someone with ill intentions saw him, it might bring us all disaster."
"Thank you for your hard work, old man."
Old Man Miao forced a smile and shook his head.
He walked step by step in front.
Zhao Shuning patiently followed behind him.
When they encountered a rough part of the mountain path.
She would step forward to support the old man.
At such times, the old man would always push her away, saying that he was dirty and didn't want to soil Zhao Shuning's clothes.
Every time this happened.
Zhao Shuning would always smile.
"Old man, I'm dirty."
"Old Man Miao has been saving lives and is much cleaner than many people in this world."
It was the human heart that was dirty.
People like Old Man Miao were exactly what was most needed on this Nine - Province Continent.
"I'm old and useless. It's just a pity that although I have excellent medical skills, I don't know how to write. My years of experience will probably disappear with my death."
"Old Man Miao could go to the Imperial Medical Academy and ask those who record history to write down what you know."
The old man just forced a smile.
When asked again, he remained silent.
"The Imperial Medical Academy is not such an easy place to enter."
Zhao Shuning asked, "Isn't the ruler good?"
"The ruler has been working hard to govern the country and has managed Cangwu Kingdom in an orderly manner. How could he not be good? But Cangwu Kingdom is so vast that the new emperor doesn't have the energy to investigate every corner. That's why Yang Hun has slipped through the net."
Zhao Shuning asked, "Is the ruler of Cangwu Kingdom still Gu Zhiruo?"
The old man stopped in his tracks.
He turned back seriously and said, "Young lady, I don't know who you are. Judging from your accent, you might not be from Cangwu Kingdom, so you may not have much respect for our ruler. I'm old and my words may not be pleasant, but I still advise you, our ruler is a rare and excellent one in a hundred years. If you have any opinions about him, don't mention them in front of me."
Was Gu Zhiruo so popular?
This was beyond Zhao Shuning's expectation.
"Old man, if he is as wise as you say, Yang Hun should not have been able to get the position of governor. He is still derelict in his duty."
"Young lady!"
Old Man Miao's suddenly raised and angry voice startled Zhao Shuning.