Chapter 74 - Breaking Away from the Shen Family (2)

Shen Ninghua’s gaze was icy cold. “What is done by night appears by day. Didn’t you just say that there is one such thing called retribution?”

Madam Zhao abruptly took two steps back and looked at Shen Ninghua in horror. That peerless face in her memories slowly overlapped with Shen Ninghua’s.

At that time, Xia Jingyan was the first daughter of the Xia family, the apple of the eye of the entire Xia family, whereas she was only an unfavored daughter born by a concubine of the Zhao family.

Xia Jingyan was dressed in red clothes that were as brilliant as blazing fire. Her brilliance was so bright that it seemed like it could burn people’s eyes. She could only hide in a corner watching her beloved man flattering Xia Jingyan attentively. She gritted her teeth in hatred, but there was nothing she could do. Fortunately, heavens had eyes. The Xia family was eradicated. Xia Jingyan was arranged by the Xia family’s patriarch to marry Shen Dong in a haste. However, she never expected that her beloved man would venture his life to save the Xia family. How could she let this go?

So she must let Xia Jingyan die! She secretly seduced Shen Dong and drugged Xia Jingyan when she was pregnant. She carefully planned step by step and calculated bit by bit. Finally, that bitch Xia Jingyan died on the day of delivery, and she took her place as the wife of Shen Dong.

What wrong had she done? She was just taking back what Xia Jingyan owed her. She wasn’t wrong at all!

‘”Shen Ninghua, I’m already very merciful to let you live. Unfortunately, you didn’t appreciate it. When Xia Jingyan was about to die, I promised her that I would spare your life. I also lived up to that. Why should you blame me?”

Shen Ninghua glanced coldly at Madam Zhao’s belly and said, “I might as well promise you that when the baby is born, I will spare his life.”

“No,” Madam Zhao clutched her belly, and her voice was filled with hatred. “Are you still a human being?”

Shen Ninghua couldn’t help but laugh. “Haha, why didn’t you think about what you had done to me before you said that? Is it only natural for you to harm others but inhumane for others to harm you? Madam Zhao, don’t you think you’re a little too ridiculous?”

“You will be punished by retribution. You will die a terrible death!”

“Retribution?” Shen Ninghua looked at the Chengqian palace not far away. Her memory returned to the night when the heavy rain filled the sky and she knelt in the rain suffering great humiliation, while Shen Linghan sat high in the empress throne and smiled like a flower. “I have lost belief in retribution long before.”

She didn’t want to speak to Madam Zhao, so she turned around and walked towards Princess Anning’s palace.

Baili Qingcang was very thoughtful. He thought that Shen Ninghua might not be used to the palace maids’ service, so he summoned Bai Ruo and the other three maids into the Palace. When Shen Ninghua and Princess Anning returned to Changle palace, they saw the four maids waiting at the gate.

Bai Ruo sized Shen Ninghua up and down. Seeing that Shen Ninghua wasn’t hurt, she heaved a sigh of relief. “Miss, is everything alright?”

Shen Ninghua’s heart relaxed slightly. “I’m fine. Let’s talk inside.”

Princess Anning smiled and said, “All of you have been shocked. I’ll have someone prepare the side hall. You can rest there for a while now. Ninghua, if you need anything, let me know. Don’t be so polite.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

After Princess Anning left, Qing Que and Hong Ling checked the main hall. “Miss, this place is very clean. There is nothing inappropriate here.”

Shen Ninghua nodded. “Well, how is the Shen Clan now?”

“Once the news that the prescription was wrong was released, people became furious. The mansion is now surrounded by the people. Many people threw stones into the mansion. The scene was very terrifying.” Hong Ling’s heart trembled when she thought about it. There were simply too many people, and each one throwing a single object alone was enough to bury the Shen Mansion.

Shen Ninghua frowned. “Did you make proper arrangements?”

“Miss, we arranged everything according to your instructions. The Second Lady and Young Master Xuanhua are staying indoor and are protected by guards. Young Master Xuanlin also has Liu Yun watching him. Miss, you can rest assured.”

“Alright, the Palace is different from the Shen family. You should pay more attention. Bai Ruo, rub the ink stick for me. I’ll write out the manuscript of the prescription.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Outside the Palace, people knelt down and prayed for the good news. Civil and military officials silently knelt in Chengqian palace. They all held brushes and paper and lay on their stomach to write. Many people’s legs and feet were numb and their faces were pale. From time to time, some of them would faint on the ground.

Baili Qingcang called the imperial doctors to wait at the entrance of the main hall. Anyone who fainted would be brought out to be waken up and then sent back to continue the kneeling posture.

At this moment, everyone started to remember how cruel the emperor’s methods were when he was still young, and they didn’t dare to slack off in the slightest.

In the side hall of Changle palace, Shen Ninghua had already written a dozen pieces of manuscripts.

Bai Ruo came over with a cup of tea. After putting it down, she stood behind Shen Ninghua and helped massage her shoulders. “Miss, take a rest. You’ve been writing for two hours.”

Shen Ninghua raised her head, picked up the manuscripts, and read them again. “It’s nearly done.” She knew the prescription, but she could not hand it over directly. She could only mix the prescription with the manuscript in a perfect way. Naturally, it would take some effort.

“Miss, you have just started your research in the prescription. Can the numerous people in Jiangnan wait?” Bai Ruo was a little worried.

Shen Ninghua looked at her and smiled. “Do you think I would make a joke with the lives of so many people?”

‘”No, why would I think so? I’m just worried about you, Miss. Although you are sharp-tongued, you’re actually not ruthless at all. Ever since the flood in Ping City began, you haven’t slept well for a single night…”

Shen Ninghua laughed self-deprecatingly. “You’re probably the first one to praise me like this. I’m not as kind as you say. I just don’t want to carry too much sin of slaughter on my back.”

She would not be blindly kind, nor would she treat people’s lives like grass for her own selfish desires. In the end, she was just an ordinary person. She would kill people because of hatred in her heart, and she would also save people because she couldn’t bear to see them suffer. She just wanted a clear conscience.

“Miss, is there still enough time to save the people of Jiangnan?”

“Of course. Shen Xuanye’s prescription is actually not wrong. It’s just not suitable for the people in Jiangnan. After experiencing the great calamity, people are already panicked and their bodies are weak. After taking the medicine, they will suffer from diarrhea. Although they are uncomfortable, they will also expel the waste in their bodies. After a few days, their situation will immediately improve if they take some tonic. After recovery, their bodies will even be healthier than before.”

Bai Ruo’s eyes lit up. “Miss, you are really clever. You even took this into consideration.”

“Alright, go tell Princess Anning that I have finished writing the manuscripts of the prescription. We will go to see His Majesty.”

Bi Zhu stepped forward to help Shen Ninghua sort out the manuscripts. “Miss, the Shen family will definitely suffer this time. Shouldn’t we think of a way out?”

Shen Ninghua lowered her eyes and said, “Yes, I have already thought of it.”

Bi Zhu and Bai Ruo exchanged a glance. A trace of worry flashed through their eyes. After all, Miss was a member of the Shen family. Even if the bones were broken, the tendons were attached. It would be very difficult for her to leave the Shen family without being affected at all.

After Chen Yun read Shen Ninghua’s manuscripts, he didn’t have time to talk to Baili Qingcang before he directly walked to the table and looked through the pharmacopoeia. After a while, he picked up his brush and wrote.

“Haha, I found it, I found it! It should be like this. Your Majesty, the people of Jiangnan are safe now.”

Baili Qingcang ignored the emperor’s dignity and walked over to Chen Yun to examine what he had written. “Doctor Chen, is there any problem with this prescription?”

Chen Yun laughed loudly. “Your Majesty, I have repeatedly analyzed this prescription. It is finely formulated and absolutely effective! This is all thanks to Miss Shen. If I hadn’t read her manuscripts and been inspired, I wouldn’t have thought these medicines could be used.”

Hearing that the prescription had been worked out, the civil and military officials finally heaved a sigh of relief. Now, they had only been shed a layer of skin. If the prescription did not come out, they would lose their lives.

“Good! Reward, I will heavily reward you! Ninghua, what do you want?” Baili Qingcang stared at Shen Ninghua with unprecedented warmth in his eyes.

Shen Ninghua stood upright, and her eyes were calm and clear. “Your Majesty, I have a request. Please consent to it.”

“What do you want?”

Everyone focused their gazes on Shen Ninghua, guessing what request she would make.

Shen Dong’s eyes lit up. The emperor always kept his promise. As long as Shen Ninghua pleaded for them, the emperor would definitely let the Shen family off the hook.

Shen Ninghua’s opened her mouth and her clear voice was like a pearl falling onto a plate. “Your Majesty, I want to personally go to Ping City. Please allow me.”

“What?”

Everyone was stunned. Personally going to Ping City? Ping City is where the plague started and is suffering the most serious disaster. Is she courting death?

Baili Qingcang said with a serious expression, “Ninghua, why do you want to go to Ping City?”

Shen Ninghua raised her eyes to look in the direction where Shen Dong and Shen Xuanye were kneeling. Then, she slowly knelt down and said, “Your Majesty, no matter what, the people of Jiangnan suffered because of the Shen family. As a member of the Shen family, I feel guilty. Although it is irreparable, it would be good if I try my best to make up for it. I know medical skills and can be of some help.”

Baili Qingcang’s heart trembled. This child…

“If you went to Ping City, you might never be able to come back.”

Shen Ninghua raised her head with a smile on her face, but her eyes were extremely determined. “I’m not afraid.”

“Good.” Senior Prince Gong stepped forward. “Although Shen Dong deserves death penalty, he has raised a good daughter. Your Majesty, this girl is so brave at such a young age. We have nothing to be afraid of. I will personally go to Jiangnan and make sure that the people there are safe and sound.”

Baili Jinchuan said, “Uncle, this is a good opportunity to gain merits. Please let me have the honor. Father, I am willing to personally go to Ping City.”

Senior Prince Gong slapped Baili Jinchuan on the shoulder and said, “Brat, what are you talking about?” The plague was contagious. Although there was a prescription, who could guarantee that everyone could be safe? This could be a great merit, but it could also be a great fire pit. It was good to be able to climb out, but it would be miserable if he couldn’t.

“Uncle, your hand is still so strong. There are many things going on in the capital. You still need to help His Majesty collect medicinal ingredients. Let us run the errands.” Baili Jinchuan lifted his robe and knelt on the ground. “Father, please issue the decree.”

Baili Qingcang looked at the two of them kneeling on the ground with a complicated expression in his eyes. “Shen Ninghua, do you want to be my daughter?”

Shen Ninghua raised her head in shock. “Your Majesty…”

“I also knew your mother. If it weren’t for her stubborn temper, I would have married her as my concubine long ago.”

Everyone was stunned on the spot. They lowered their heads and didn’t dare to listen to the secret of the royal family.

Baili Qingcang sighed and continued to say, “Unfortunately she didn’t want to be restrained, so I didn’t force her. You are her only child, and I will also treat you as my own child. Are you willing to break away from the Shen family and become my child?”