Chapter 68 You Can Be Greedy, But There Are Limits on Your Appetite!

This time, not only Shen Dong, even Madam Zhao raised her head in shock. They both knew that Shen Xuanye was studying the prescription. The Zhao family had the empress, so it wasn’t strange for them to know the inside story. However, it would be weird for the Zhao family to request Shen Xuanye to show them the prescription!

Shen Dong’s face was a little stiff. “Mother-in-law, the Imperial Health Institute has researched on the prescription to cure the plaque for more than ten years, but there has been no progress so far. Although Xuanye has learned some medical skills from Master Liao Chen, he is still not comparable to the imperial doctors. He…”

Old Lady Feng looked at Shen Dong with a faint smile on her slightly lackluster lips. “My son-in-law, I never say anything without concrete evidence. Since I dare to ask for it, I know something. Although you are now the Prime Minister, but you are just a Prime Minister. You can be greedy, but there are limits on your appetite.”

Shen Dong’s eyes darkened. “What do you mean?”

“The prescription for curing the plague can save thousands of people. Once the people know that the prescription is provided by the Shen family, you will definitely be able to leap forward with the gratitude of the people. It is even possible for your reputation to surpass the Zhao family.” Old Lady Feng coldly looked at the sunlight shining through the door. “When that time comes, how can the royal family sit by idly and remain indifferent?”

Shen Dong slightly gritted his teeth. He knew that Old Lady Feng’s words made sense, but how could he accept handing over such a great credit to others?

Seeing that he seemed to have been persuaded, Old Lady Feng continued, “The Zhao family is different. We are the emperor’s relatives, and the empress is the daughter of the Zhao family. Only when the empress is successful can our Zhao family be successful, and you, who are married to us, can take a step forward.”

Shen Ninghua stroked her sleeves slightly. A glint flashed in her eyes. What a brazen person! She clearly acted like a bandit, but she put on a layer of righteousness as her disguise. She was truly shameless.

Shen Dong shook his head slightly. “Mother-in-law, I have no problem if Xuanye can develop a prescription to cure the plague. Unfortunately, his ability is limited. He has no clue up to now. Sorry to disappoint you.” Even if he had to compromise, he still wanted the final benefits!

Old Lady Feng’s curled lips instantly flattened. “Since that’s the case, then there’s nothing else. I am leaving.” What an ungrateful monster!

“Mother-in-law, I’ve prepared a feast. How about having dinner here before you leave?”

“I’m not entitled to it. Just let Yunxiang and Linghan send me off.” Old Lady Feng snorted coldly and left with Madam Zhao and Shen Linghan followed by a group of maids and nurses.

Shen Dong sat on the chair and pinched his eyebrows tiredly. Shen Ninghua personally poured a cup of tea and brought it to Shen Dong. “Father, have some tea and rest.”

Shen Ninghua’s voice was neither slow nor fast, as if it carried a reassuring power. Shen Dong raised his head to look at her. “Ninghua, you were wronged today.”

Shen Ninghua smiled and shook her head. “Grandmother misunderstood me. That’s why she had prejudices. I can understand.” She could understand, but she would never forgive.

“Alright,” Shen Dong nodded his head in satisfaction and took a sip of tea. “I knew that continuing to study the prescription might cause envy from others, but I didn’t expect the Zhao family to be the most impatient before everyone else made a move. Once the prescription is worked out, we will be walking on a broad path. In the future…” Shen Dong seemed to feel that he had said too much. He abruptly shut his mouth and stared at Shen Ninghua.

However, Shen Ninghua’s expression remained calm as usual as if she did not understand what he said. “Father, don’t worry too much. Take care of yourself. You are the head of the Shen family and the emperor’s chief assistant. Now that the country is in danger, you should take better care of yourself in order to save the people who are suffering.”

Shen Dong nodded and looked at Shen Ninghua with a sigh. “Ninghua, you are more and more like your mother.”

Shen Ninghua’s heart skipped a beat and she tried her best to calm down. “Mother…what kind of person was she?”

Shen Dong looked somewhat absent-minded. First, a smile appeared on his lips, and then a trace of resentment and unwillingness rose up. Finally, his expression slowly calmed down. After a while, he raised his head and seemed to be very tired. “You go back now. The mansion is not peaceful these days. You should be more careful.”

Shen Ninghua failed to get any information about her mother from Shen Dong and felt a burst of anxiety, but she could not lose her composure at this time. She could only force herself to endure it.

By the time she returned to Yingyue Courtyard, Qing Que and Hong Ling had already got up and were cleaning the room. When they saw her entering, their eyes lit up. “Miss, you’re back.”

Shen Ninghua paused and said, “Why aren’t you lying in bed? You dare to mess around just because you have a good foundation? Don’t you want to keep your martial arts skills?”

Hong Ling shrunk her neck and lowered her head. “Miss, we are afraid you won’t get used to our absence from your side.”

“Then I should thank you?”

Hong Ling knew that Shen Ninghua was really angry. She hurriedly ran over to Shen Ninghua and the wound in her back caused her to grimace in pain. “Miss, don’t be angry. We were very happy when we heard that the people who beat us up yesterday were killed, so we wanted to serve you well to express our gratitude.”

Shen Ninghua glared at her. “Alright, there’s no need for you to express your gratitude. Quickly go back and lie down. Apply the medicine twice.”

After settling down the four maids, Shen Ninghua sat on the soft couch beside the window, frowning and staring blankly.

Bai Ruo’s face was still pale. Seeing Shen Ninghua’s worried expression, she asked softly, “Miss, what happened in the front yard?”

“Nothing much. The Zhao family’s matriarch, Old Lady Feng, has been here.”

“Zhao family? Aren’t the First Lady and the Second Miss going to get their way?”

Shen Ninghua did not answer, but Bai Ruo and the other maids could guess the result and could not get rid of the anger in their hearts. Shen Linghan did so many things to frame Shen Ninghua, but how could she do whatever she wanted just because she had the Zhao family behind her?

A sound came from the door, and a vigorous figure suddenly jumped into the room.

“Brother Liu Yun, you are here?” Hong Ling immediately shouted happily when she saw the person.

The man was dressed in a black martial artist’s robe and his every move was vigorous and powerful, “Greetings, miss.”

Shen Ninghua smiled gently. “Hmm.”

Liu Yun stood up and looked at pale-faced Bai Ruo, and his eyes were filled with concern. “Miss Bai Ruo, are you alright?”

Although Bai Ruo had always been calm, she blushed at this moment. “I’m fine. Thank you, brother Liu Yun, for your concern.”

Liu Yun nodded. The tall man stood there with a somewhat nervous expression. “Fine…I’m glad that you are fine. I already helped you last night…to vent your anger. I got rid of those people in charge of the clubbing.”

Bai Ruo smiled. “Thank you, brother Liu Yun.”

Liu Yun stiffly curled his lips. “You’re welcome. If anyone bullies you in the future, you can come to me. I’ll help you vent your anger. Miss, I’ll go back now.”

“Alright, pay more attention to Xuanlin and teach him some life-saving skills so that he won’t get implicated in the future.”

“Yes, Miss.”

After Liu Yun left, Hong Ling laughed and teased Bai Ruo. Bai Ruo embarrassedly glared at her several times.

Shen Ninghua walked to the window and looked at the courtyard at the side. Madam Zhao was sent back, followed by nurse Qian and nurse Wu who were left behind by Old Lady Feng.

“Miss, do you have something on your mind?” Bai Ruo asked softly.

Shen Ninghua looked at Madam Zhao’s glowing face as if she was an outsider and there was no emotion in her eyes. “With the Zhao family there, as long as Zhao Yunxiang and Shen Linghan don’t commit a crime that fills the heaven, the Zhao family will stand by their side.”

Hong Ling said indignantly, “Then aren’t all our previous efforts in vain?”

Bai Ruo shook her head. At this time, it was better not to talk too much so as not to make miss worried. Bi Zhu comforted Shen Ninghua. “Miss, don’t worry too much. Although we can’t let them suffer right now, they can’t harm us either. We can take time to deal with them step by step.”

Shen Ninghua shook her head. Her eyes seemed to reflect layers of flames. “We need take actions quickly. I don’t want to be trapped in the Shen family’s backyard all the time. Only by trampling on this place can I leave.”

“Miss, have you thought of a way?”

“Things in the court are changing very quickly. Compared to a prestigious prime minister, the emperor is more wary of the power of his wife’s family. Since the Zhao family is powerful enough to cover the sky, I will break this sky for them. Let’s see if they can hold it then!”

Bai Ruo and the others felt a burst of coldness, but their eyes were filled with determination. As long as their miss wanted to do something, they would do their best to help her realize it.

For the next seven days, the Shen family appeared to be very harmonious on the surface, but in fact, all sorts of undercurrents surged.

The atmosphere in the court became increasingly tense. The emperor, Baili Qingcang, angrily scolded the officials many times. The civil and military officials were all trembling like quails soaked in the rain, unable to provide useful suggestions.

The head of the Imperial Health Institute, Chen Yun, stayed in the Imperial Palace all day, flipping through almost all of Da’an’s medical books. But even with so much effort, he still couldn’t find any effective method.

The plague in Ping City became more and more serious, and countless people died or became sick.

Shen Ninghua frowned when she received the news. The longer it took, the more dangerous the situation in Ping City would be. It was time for her to take action.

Two days later, the atmosphere of the entire Da’an Dynasty was burning with anxiety. More than half of Jiangnan region had fallen into danger. Refugees ran everywhere, hoping to find a way to survive.

The Zhao family suddenly released a shocking piece of news. With the guidance and help of the Zhao family, Shen Xuanye finally found a method to cure the plague. The moment this news came out, the emperor summoned Zhao Kun, patriarch of the Zhao family, Shen Dong, Shen Xuanye, and other officials overnight. After a day and night, Shen Dong and Shen Xuanye returned to the Shen Mansion.

Shen Ninghua and Madam Su were sitting in the garden and saw from afar Shen Dong and Shen Xuanye walking towards the study. They turned their heads at the same time.

After a while, Madam Su picked up the tea cup and said, “I just saw eldest brother and Xuanye. I think something good is about to happen in our Shen family.”

Shen Ninghua raised her head. Madam Su had a smile on her face, but that smile was extremely faint. Under careful observation, she could see the worry underneath. “Aunt, your expression doesn’t seem to be happy.”

Madam Su’s fingers trembled and spilled some tea on the table. She said coldly, “Oh, they don’t cherish the current good days but choose to go into the hot pot to suffer. How can I be happy?”

Shen Ninghua watched the water droplets on the table slowly spread and then dry up. “Father wanted to take advantage of the strong wind to soar straight up, but he forgot that sometimes when the wind was too strong, it could also kill people.”

Madam Su sighed. “I heard that the Zhao family wanted to obtain the prescription from Xuanye, and then there was no more news. I thought that Shen Xuanye did not find the prescription, but then came this shocking news.”

“If the Zhao family want anything, they will get it even from the imperial palace. The Shen family is nothing in the eyes of the Zhao family.” Shen Dong declined Old Lady Feng’s request. But how could she be willing to let the Shen family have the fat meat alone? She kept sending people to pester him. Shen Dong did not dare to cast aside all considerations of face, so he could only try his best to obtain as many benefits as possible. Seeing that it was time, he revealed the news that the prescription was worked out. The two families did have a good plan.

Madam Su looked at the blooming peony beside the stairs and sighed faintly. “That’s true.”

Shen Ninghua faintly curled her lips. Her beautiful face was almost transparent under the sunlight. “It is fine to be greedy, but hopefully they won’t be stuffed with this big cake. Aunt, don’t worry too much. Just watch how the situation develops.”