Ji Zizhao’s condition was simple: if Tao Hua agreed to deliver the medicinal herbs to Tong Lin, she would keep Tao Hua by her side. Compared to Mo Hen and Xue Ying, Tao Hua’s existence was unknown, making it easier for him to carry out certain tasks.
Tao Hua: "..."
He understood now. This "eating soft rice" couldn't be for free.
“Although I’d love to stay, a true man’s ambition lies in exploring the world. If fate allows, we shall meet again in the Jianghu,” Tao Hua refused outright. Joking aside, was a tough guy like him meant to live off a woman?
Ji Zizhao was not surprised by Tao Hua’s refusal. She simply smiled faintly, “Ambition is a good thing, but to soar higher, the prerequisite is to have no worries.”
Tao Hua felt a prickle of unease at Ji Zizhao’s smile, almost dropping his teacup. “What do you mean? You haven’t poisoned me again, have you?”
“A while back, I had some free time and made a few inquiries about the Jianghu. Assassins like yourself receive substantial rewards for each task. If you tally it up, the money you’ve accumulated should be more than enough for you to live out the rest of your life. There’s no need to keep living a life on the edge of a blade.”
“What do you mean?” If these words came from anyone else, Tao Hua might have believed them. But Ji Zizhao never acted without reason.
“There can only be one reason you’d fight so desperately: someone you care about is behind you. Coincidentally, Xue Ying, who is with me, has heard some things about you. It’s said that you grew up relying on your mother, but unfortunately, she had a chronic illness. After her death, you drifted into the Jianghu. However, no one actually saw your mother die. Everything was recounted by you.”
“Ji Zizhao, what exactly do you want to say!” Tao Hua shot up, glaring at Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly and continued unhurriedly, “Therefore, I have reason to believe that your mother is still alive. You are deliberately saying she’s dead to protect her. As for the money you’ve earned all these years, it’s highly likely it’s all been sent back to your mother for her treatment.”
Tao Hua clenched his fists, the veins on the back of his hands bulging.
Xue Ying and Mo Hen had already taken up positions outside the door, ready to intervene if Tao Hua made a move.
An invisible killing intent filled the air, and tension crackled both inside and outside the room.
Only Ji Zizhao remained composed and pleasant, facing Tao Hua’s guard. “I don’t know what illness your mother suffers from, but I think I might be able to help.”
Tao Hua froze. Although Ji Zizhao had always been his target for assassination, he couldn’t deny her medical reputation. He had also investigated and found that Ji Zizhao was the head of the four major medical halls in the imperial city.
“Given your age, your mother must be quite old. As an assassin, you naturally can’t keep your mother by your side. But as a bodyguard, keeping loved ones close is perfectly normal. If you agree, I’ll have Xue Ying bring your mother here immediately. I’ll handle all other arrangements. You just need to do as I instruct, and I promise you will see your mother when you return from Tong Lin.”
“What if I refuse?”
“To allow someone you care about to have a better life, I don’t think you have any room to refuse.”
Tao Hua: "..."
This woman…
She really knew how to leverage people’s deepest vulnerabilities for negotiation!
“How did you know all this?” Tao Hua’s killing intent subsided as he spoke.
“I guessed,” Ji Zizhao said with a smile.
“Who are you kidding?”
“It was truly a guess.”
Ji Zizhao had no reason to lie to Tao Hua. However, she had indeed intentionally sent people to inquire about his affairs in the Jianghu back then, as a contingency plan. She hadn’t expected it to be used so soon.
Tao Hua was straightforward. Since he had agreed to Ji Zizhao’s terms, he didn’t linger. After leaving his mother’s address, he looked at Ji Zizhao with an expression that said, “You decide, and I’ll follow.”
Although Tao Hua had agreed, the matter required careful handling for greater security.
Ji Zizhao first sent Mo Hen to find Wang Can at the four medical halls, instructing him to take the medicinal herbs and wait outside the city. In these sensitive times, it was inconvenient for others to leave the city, but the four medical halls had special permits. As long as it was declared as the transport of medicinal herbs, the city gates would likely offer little obstruction.
As expected, Wang Can’s progress was relatively smooth. In about half an hour, he had safely driven the horse-drawn carriage carrying the medicinal herbs out of the city.
Upon receiving the news, Ji Zizhao handed Tao Hua a map of Tong Lin along with a letter for Old General Zhong. She emphasized that Tao Hua must deliver the letter personally to Old General Zhong.
Tao Hua carefully tucked the items away. Before leaving, he suddenly turned back to Ji Zizhao and asked, “You trust me this much? Aren’t you afraid I’ll run off halfway?”
Ji Zizhao smiled, “Filial people are always trustworthy.”
Tao Hua: "..."
Was this woman a doctor or a manipulator of hearts?
How could she have him so thoroughly under her control!
“The Fourth Prince’s manor has been under strict lockdown for several days. Today, it suddenly relaxed for no apparent reason. I thought it was the heavens opening a path for me, only to realize it’s another trap…”
Tao Hua grumbled as he left. Ji Zizhao was so shocked by his words that she couldn't come back to her senses for a long time.
Xie Jinglan would not have sealed his manor without a reason. And considering how his manor had suddenly relaxed its lockdown today…
Ji Zizhao understood.
It was likely that Xie Jinglan had known all along that Tao Hua would leave after General Mu Man’s death. However, he was concerned about potential changes regarding the trip to Tong Lin, so he had been keeping Tao Hua under control. Otherwise, why would it be such a coincidence that just as the trip to Tong Lin was delayed, Tao Hua appeared, and Ji Zizhao was in need of someone to deliver medicine?
Ji Zizhao’s heart pounded. Xie Jinglan’s move had calculated everyone, including her!
Mo Hen returned well past midnight.
“Miss, Tao Hua has already departed for Tong Lin with the medicinal herbs.”
“I know. Go get some rest.”
Ji Zizhao’s mind was at ease, but when she finally lay down, she couldn’t sleep.
Although everything that was happening now clearly pointed towards Xie Jinglan and the Seventh Prince, without concrete evidence, they were all mere speculations for Ji Zizhao.
However, Ji Zizhao was not entirely unconcerned. A fox would eventually reveal its tail, and with Xie Jinglan’s methods, even the most deeply hidden tail would be unearthed.
Ji Zizhao’s thoughts were correct. At this moment, Xie Jinglan was entangled with a group of princes in the palace.