Quincy was somewhat surprised by Qin Lüxi's decision not to keep Xizheng by her side. After all, Qin Lüxi's actions had completely won Xizheng's trust and gratitude, and if taken in as a servant, she would certainly not dare to betray. Yet Qin Lüxi chose not to keep her, even offering guidance without seeking a single penny in return.
Qin Lüxi lazily remarked, "I have saved countless lives in my medical practice. If everyone were as eager to serve as she is, wouldn't my entourage be overrun? As a lowly Taoist, where would I find the means to support so many servants? Do you take me for a philanthropist?"
"Surely, Doctor Qin, that is not your intention," but Quincy found it hard to believe her.
"Well, she does bring her own troubles," Qin Lüxi replied nonchalantly. "If I were to keep her by my side and trouble were to arise because of her, being frail as I am, wouldn't I be inviting trouble for nothing?"
"Your medical skills are extraordinary, and you can even avoid calamity. Even if trouble were to come, it would likely be trouble for the other party," Quincy retorted.
So, stop pretending, I see through you!
Qin Lüxi raised an eyebrow lightly. "I'm amazed at how capable you think I am, Mr. Quincy. It's rather embarrassing for me."
Quincy chuckled, then said after a moment, "Her father, by the name of Xipenghai, was once a fourth-ranked General who fled the Western Sea Battle during the Kangwu era, resulting in the capture and killing of fifty thousand soldiers, and was subsequently branded a traitor. He was even accused of embezzling military funds, angering the Emperor, who stripped him of all titles and honors, relegating him to commoner status. Unable to bear the shame, Xipenghai took his own life, leaving behind only his two children."
Qin Lüxi leaned against the carriage, playing with a jade token in her hand, silent.
"Doctor Qin, do you truly believe Xipenghai to be a deserter?" Quincy glared at her intensely.
Only then did Qin Lüxi look up, helplessly saying, "Mr. Quincy, you may discuss philosophical texts with me as much as you like, but when it comes to state affairs, how would I know? I have never met General Xipenghai, so how can I judge his loyalty?"
Quincy squinted, saying, "You refer to him as General, and you even helped his son, so as a practitioner of the Tao, you cannot be unaware of right and wrong. Therefore..."
"Hey, I haven't said anything!" Qin Lüxi cut him off, shaking her finger. "Mr. Quincy, unaware of Taoist practices, not all practitioners are righteous. There is a sect, known as the dark path, that commits heinous acts for a price. How do you know I'm not one of them?"
"If you were, you wouldn't have helped that Xipeng family lad, and you haven't accepted a single coin," Quincy countered.
"How do you know I haven't received payment?" Qin Lüxi chuckled. "Their payment has already been made, but Mr. Quincy is unaware."
Those merits were a reward beyond compare.
Quincy frowned.
"Mr. Quincy, there are countless wrongful convictions in the world. Do you inquire about Xipenghai's loyalty to ascertain the truth, or do you seek to exonerate him? Regardless, you must investigate it yourself, mustn't you? Whether I say he is loyal, would you or the Emperor believe it?" Qin Lüxi gave a scornful smile. "Only evidence can convince the Emperor. Even if it seems false, once presented with evidence of wrongdoing, the accused can be condemned. But if the Emperor doesn't believe him, he will lack evidence, and he will not be loyal. His crime is punishable."
This is the way of rulers and subjects: when the ruler wants the subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die.
Quincy's expression changed slightly, and his demeanor became more intense.