Chapter 101: Burning Bridges After Crossing the River

Three days later, at the Jiang family residence.

In the main hall of the inner courtyard, Jiang Nanyan looked at Old Master Han’s excited face and asked, “Old Master Han, are you certain these prescriptions will ensure my grandfather’s safety?”

“I’ve studied the properties of these herbs and tailored the treatments accordingly. I can only say, Qin Yang’s medical skills are extraordinary.” Old Master Han nodded enthusiastically. “By stimulating the body with golden needles and combining it with moxibustion, once the five elements in his body recover and yin and yang are balanced, the salve Qin Yang provided can repair the sinews and drive out hidden injuries. Within a month, you’ll see great improvement. In a few months, he’ll recover fifty or sixty percent, and in a year or two, he’ll be almost fully restored.”

“Is it truly so miraculous?” Jiang Nanyan tried to suppress her excitement and pressed, “You’re aware that Qin Yang and I have a grudge. He—?”

“Don’t worry. A true healer treats all as his own kin. If Qin Yang harbored ill intent, he could never have mastered such profound medicine.” Old Master Han assured her. “Besides, you needn’t worry about the ongoing treatment—I’ve memorized every step. In the past two days, I’ve seen significant improvement treating the old general. You won’t have to fear Qin Yang making any unreasonable demands. Haven’t you consulted many renowned doctors with these methods? Didn’t every one of those old fellows guarantee there’s no problem with the prescription and that it can heal the old general’s wounds?”

Jiang Nanyan nodded, a cold gleam flashing in her eyes, though her true thoughts remained concealed. Immersed in his excitement, Old Master Han failed to notice.

…

Qin Yang ate the exquisite dishes laid before him without restraint, occasionally turning to Liu Yan. “Aren’t you going to eat? That bastard’s spread isn’t bad.”

“I’m not hungry.” Liu Yan rolled her eyes, then asked, “Where exactly did you learn such advanced medical skills?”

“That’s a secret.” Qin Yang grinned mischievously.

“You—” Liu Yan glared at him and asked again, “Are you sure the old General Jiang is truly on the mend?”

“No problem at all.” Qin Yang answered with full confidence. “So long as they follow my instructions, both in medication and acupuncture, there’ll be notable results within a month. While he won’t be fully cured for some time, you’ll see his vitality return. With consistent treatment, he’ll only grow stronger with age.”

Qin Yang spoke with unwavering assurance.

“Really?” Liu Yan asked, still skeptical.

Qin Yang set his chopsticks down, took a napkin, and wiped the corner of his mouth, his expression growing serious. “What did Jiang Nanyan offer you?”

“What do you mean?” Liu Yan was puzzled.

“These past three days, you’ve been subtly probing whether my treatment would work. Don’t speak yet—there’s not much I can say now.” Qin Yang waved her off, then continued, “Jiang Nanyan hasn’t appeared before me at all. It’s easy to guess she took my prescription and methods to consult various doctors. And out of all our meals together, you chose not to eat this one—was it because there’s a sedative in the food?”

“What?” Liu Yan’s face turned ashen.

Qin Yang’s body swayed. He bit his tongue and forced a bitter smile. “I never thought your promises would be so worthless. I really shouldn’t have believed a word you people said. I always thought myself clever, but it seems I failed to anticipate just how empty your assurances were. Hahaha…”

With laughter still on his lips, Qin Yang collapsed to the floor.

Liu Yan’s face went deathly pale. Two armed soldiers entered, handcuffed Qin Yang, and carried him out. Jiang Nanyan then walked in from outside, her expression icy.

“Jiang Nanyan, what is the meaning of this!” Liu Yan demanded furiously.

Jiang Nanyan glanced at her. “Just sending him back to the Black Prison. He never should have been released.”

“Do you realize how many people won’t stand for this?” Liu Yan sneered.

Jiang Nanyan shook her head, her voice flat. “While Qin Yang was treating my grandfather, I was invited to tea by a certain group. I don’t need to spell out their intentions—you understand well enough. They gained far more valuable benefits from me than anything Qin Yang could offer. I profited handsomely as well. So once again, Qin Yang is the sacrificial lamb. I won’t deny it: his prescription and treatment methods are flawless—so flawless that dozens of doctors praised them, all promising they’d prolong my grandfather’s life. And from what you’ve told me, I’ve confirmed their efficacy.”

“Are you not afraid of being ridiculed for this?” Liu Yan’s expression grew colder still.

“Ridicule? No. No one will ever know. Only a handful of people knew Qin Yang was released to treat the old general, and all of them have made agreements with me—including your own Liu family.”

“So dragging me into this was just to sow discord between me and Qin Yang, to undermine my standing in the Qin family?” Liu Yan sneered.

Jiang Nanyan shook her head. “That wasn’t my original intention, but the facts have produced this unintended effect.”

“Despicable,” Liu Yan spat, then stood and left.

“Liu Yan, you should know what consequences your loose tongue might bring,” Jiang Nanyan called after her. “Your family wanted to block your relationship with Qin Yang—this agreement was their idea. You need to understand that.”

“Hmph.”

Liu Yan gave a cold snort. “Aren’t you afraid Old Master Han will turn against you?”

“No. By the time he considers it, my grandfather’s illness will no longer need his sole expertise.” Jiang Nanyan’s tone was calm. “I’ve taken every precaution these past three days. I’ve watched Qin Yang’s every move, analyzed every word. Not even my grandfather knows what truly happened. The margin for error was less than one percent. With Qin Yang back in the Black Prison, he’ll never escape again.”

Liu Yan wanted to hear no more and walked away.

She couldn’t deny that Qin Yang’s final words had confirmed it: he now counted her among his enemies, alongside Jiang Nanyan. With his temperament, the rift between them was now a chasm, nearly impossible to bridge. She hadn’t expected Jiang Nanyan to strike so ruthlessly, or to prepare so thoroughly in secret. Over the past three days, every move Qin Yang made had been under her watchful eye. With the analytical power of her advisors, they must have decided that sending Qin Yang back to the Black Prison was the only option.

In the end, Jiang Nanyan’s scheming would only offend two people.

One was her—but with the Liu family complicit in this plot, offending her came with no consequences at all.

As for Old Master Han, they had calculated even more shrewdly. With his pride, if he learned of such disgrace, he might vent his anger in front of these people, but he would never let it be known to the outside world. And under certain unspoken pressures, he would have no choice but to swallow his resentment.

How absurd, how laughable.