Chapter 340: Chapter 340: So Cunning

This young woman, though not very old, has many schemes, and now she wants a gift.

Initially, seeing her beautiful appearance, his heart was itching unbearably. Now, only anger remained. He wanted her, but he wouldn’t dream of cherishing her tenderly; once he had her, he would make her suffer thoroughly.

The malice and filth in his eyes, although well concealed, were noticed by Huangfu Jingchen, whose eyes held a deep coldness. Yu Shikui truly did not know his limits!

Xia Wenjin accepted the silver note straightforwardly and unreservedly — this silver note should not be left untouched.

Along with the one hundred taels from Huangfu Jinxuan, it made a thick stack.

Xia Wenjin held it in her hands, barely warmed, and then walked towards Shang Jingwang, saying, “Although the treatment for the epidemic has shown effects, many expenses remain, so these two thousand one hundred taels are my donation!”

The villagers stared wide-eyed; more than two thousand taels, donated just like that? To them?

Shang Jingwang was deeply moved; earlier Doctor Xia had donated over thirty thousand taels. Young Master Huang also donated tens of thousands of taels. They provided silver and energy, and now, such a large sum of silver donated again?

Shang Jingwang accepted the silver, bowed deeply to Xia Wenjin, and said loudly, “Shang Jingwang of Huainan Prefecture extends the gratitude of Wangshan Town’s citizens to Doctor Xia and Young Master Jing for their immense benevolence and virtue!”

Xia Wenjin quickly shifted aside, saying, “Lord Shang, please don’t be this way. Healing and saving lives is something every trained doctor would naturally do. Besides, the epidemic in Wangshan Town was not my lone achievement; without Young Master Huang’s aid, without Lord Shang’s trust, without the joint efforts of our doctors and the cooperation of Wangshan Town’s citizens, today’s success would not have been possible!”

Some villagers couldn’t help but kneel, saying, “Doctor Xia’s great benevolence and virtue will be forever remembered by us villagers of Wangshan Town!”

“Doctor Xia is truly a living Bodhisattva!”

“We must place a Longevity Tablet for Doctor Xia and Young Master Huang, to wish them a long and prosperous life!”

As they knelt, one after another followed suit, especially those from the severe epidemic area who were pulled back from the edge of Yama Hall by Xia Wenjin – their tears flowed freely with gratitude.

Xia Wenjin hurriedly said, “Please, everyone, rise quickly! What is all this for? I, Wenjin, am undeserving; I only did what I could!”

Huangfu Jingchen looked at Xia Wenjin standing before the crowd, seemingly surrounded by light, so radiant, so striking, with an elegance as bright as the moon, making it hard to look away.

She is a woman, yet in this male-dominated era, she does better than many men!

She is a Jianghu person, but what she does for the villagers exceeds what those parental officials do!

She is a commoner, yet her heart is compassionate, and her medical skills are exceptional, her medical ethics unparalleled!

She is the woman he admires; if possible, he wishes to accompany her for the rest of his life!

Huangfu Jinxuan clapped!

The woman favored by the Princely Heir is indeed special; the Princely Heir’s face must be given.

Plus, he is a wastrel; a latrine that delivers itself to be slaughtered — if he doesn’t cut it, he fails his title as the rogue king of the world.

Therefore, after clapping, he looked at Yu Shikui again.

Yu Shikui had a bad premonition in his heart, wanting to find a reason to say congratulations had been delivered and the gift given, so he would take his leave.

But Huangfu Jinxuan did not give him the opportunity to speak, already saying, “Dear villagers, don’t rush to kneel to Miss Xia, get up, Lord Yu has something to say!”

Yu Shikui: “…”

He had nothing to say; he just wanted to leave!

Also, why did they have to stand when he spoke? Can’t villagers kneel to him?

The villagers stood up, all looking at Yu Shikui.

Being watched by so many eyes, although these people were merely ants in his eyes, at this time and place, their gazes made Yu Shikui slightly embarrassed.

However, wasn’t it just a few words? He’s been an official for years and can easily spout formalities; these insignificant people, this rabble, what was there to fear?

Yu Shikui was preparing an impromptu speech about the epidemic to show his importance as Prefectural Governor to Wangshan Town’s epidemic and his determination to remedy it alongside these humble villagers.

This was indeed his real thought because he couldn’t set the villagers on fire, erasing his traces for great merit. Plus, knowing the epidemic’s remedy was already developed, staying here posed no life threat; of course, he wanted to act appropriately, showing concern, and then submit a superficial report to the Capital City seeking credit. With Marquis Anning negotiating in the court, even if great credit isn’t achieved, some minor credit will be forthcoming.

Yu Shikui was about to open his mouth when Huangfu Jinxuan interrupted, saying, “Lord Yu, seeing Miss Xia donate so much silver to Wangshan Town’s epidemic, thinks as the Prefectural Governor, he must lead by example and donate another sum of silver to Wangshan Town. Everyone should thank Lord Yu!”

Yu Shikui: “…”

When did he say he’d give more silver?

Wasn’t the previous two thousand taels enough?

After Huangfu Jinxuan spoke, he smiled and winked at Yu Shikui, saying, “Lord Yu, did this young master not speak correctly?”

Huangfu Jingchen clasped his fists, considered it a greeting, and said, “Lord Yu is truly worthy as the Prefectural Governor; seeing Wangshan Town’s current situation, promptly offering your generosity, thank you, Lord Yu!”

Xia Wenjin clasped her fists, saying, “Indeed, Lord Yu as our parental official is courageous and responsible, thank you, Lord Yu, for your generosity!”

The observant villagers immediately joined in loudly, saying, “Thank you, Lord Yu, for your generosity!”

Afterward, all villagers spoke in unison, “Thank you, Lord Yu, for your generosity!”

Although they didn’t understand those last four words, following Miss Xia was surely right! Didn’t they see after Miss Xia said this, Lord Yu’s face turned grim? They remembered him driving them to the quarantine area intending to burn them alive, not treating their lives as lives; he was a bad official! Making his face grim must be good words!

Yu Shikui: “…”

He felt like he had swallowed a fly, uncomfortable.

He had already issued the two thousand tael silver note, and now to give another two thousand taels was like carving his flesh.

But at this point, he couldn’t say no.

The villagers were watching; Huangfu Jinxuan also kept an eye on him, even Shang Jingwang was looking eagerly.

He nearly bit his teeth off; his smile stiffened — it seemed this silver must be given. Today he would give it, but he would recoup it twice over in the future.

He signaled painfully to his follower to casually take a thousand taels to settle the matter.

Just as the follower was about to fetch silver, Huangfu Jinxuan caught Huangfu Jingchen’s look, understood, and suddenly said, “Wait!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep