Chapter 2688 — Right Again by Sheer Luck

So after turning it over and over, this was the only explanation left: "Besides, Wei Zhao said as much himself when he got there—that he and Yuning are together in that way... Ugh, I'm just unlucky. Had I known Yuning was Wei Zhao's woman, I'd have eaten shit before I ever did such a thing..."

"Is that so?" Old Master Zhao was taken aback for a moment, then nodded. "If Wei Zhao and Yuning are involved, then it really is hard to say... Never mind, let's drop that. Medicine King, how are Qibing's injuries?"

"Old Master, Qibing's injuries are severe. This Wei Zhao is a nasty piece of work—when he kicked, it wasn't a plain kick; he laced it with true qi and burst the meridians around the young master's organ. On the surface it looks like the organ is severed, but in truth, even a Lesser Restoration Pill would only mend the surface; the interior can't be repaired. Unless we use a Greater Restoration Pill." The Medicine King spoke after a careful examination.

"That severe?" Old Master Zhao was alarmed. Zhao Qibing was the future head of the family—the Hidden Zhao could not be left without an heir! He asked hurriedly, "Then... apart from the Greater Restoration Pill, is there any other way?"

"I can only try. I can't guarantee it." The Medicine King hesitated. "Five parts in ten, at best."

"That will do. So long as there's hope." Old Master Zhao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Of course, Old Master needn't worry too much. The Hidden Zhao won't be left without descendants—though the young master can no longer do it the usual way, artificial insemination is still possible. It's just rather troublesome." The Medicine King, thoroughly versed in medicine, set the old man's mind at ease.

"That's good to hear." Old Master Zhao's heart was lighter still. "Then do your utmost. Perhaps it's just as well he can't—this time he lost out to a woman, and he must never lose out that way again."

"......" Zhao Qibing was weeping inside. Oh, the misery...

"All right, set this matter aside for now. Elder Mian, we must think about how to clean up this mess. Qibing failed, so our relations with the Hidden Yu can only grow worse. We must find some way to quell their fury." Old Master Zhao spoke.

Elder Mian finally breathed easy at that—so Old Master Zhao no longer suspected him. But as for a response, he could not think of a good one offhand. He had no choice but to say, "Give me some time to think it over..."

"Mm. Qibing, do you have any ideas yourself?" Old Master Zhao turned to Zhao Qibing, who was being needled by the Medicine King.

"Grandfather, didn't Wei Zhao go there himself? Why don't we simply tell the Hidden Yu that Wei Zhao was the one who took Yuning? After all, when Yushan and I were scheming, we worked that out too—have Yushan tell his grandfather that Wei Zhao seemed to have abducted Yuning. Wouldn't that fit perfectly?" Zhao Qibing thought for a moment. "Last time, didn't we pin that Qi-Gathering Pill on Wei Zhao? And by sheer luck we pinned it on the right man. This time should be about the same, no?"

"Not this time!" Old Master Zhao shook his head at once. "Never mind that once the Medicine King's potion wears off, Yuning will remember what happened before—she won't be making empty accusations, she'll have evidence. You two idiots didn't even think to take the camera with you when you left. Do you suppose the Hidden Yu won't find out the truth?"

"That..." Zhao Qibing saw the sense in it. Afterward, not only would Yuning recall the truth, but even if she didn't, the camera would still be there. He and Steward Zhu had left in such a hurry that they had forgotten all about it.

"That... at the time I was scared out of my wits by Wei Zhao. Forgive me, Old Master..." Steward Zhu said, sweating with shame.

"Forget it. Wei Zhao is a formidable creature; it's only natural you were afraid. Even I, a Heaven-rank expert, feel a chill at the sight of him." Old Master Zhao did not press the blame further. "Elder Mian, have you thought of anything?"

"Old Master, as I see it, since it can't be hidden any longer, what choice do we have now but to confess of our own accord?" Elder Mian said with a bitter smile.

"Confessing of our own accord—that's not out of the question. We'll pin the whole thing on Yushan, say Qibing was misled by him... Mm, let me think. Let me sort out my thoughts..." Old Master Zhao was indeed a vicious, poisonous sort; in moments he had his countermeasure. "Aren't Yuning and Wei Zhao lovers? I have it! We'll say Yushan was wounded by Wei Zhao and wanted revenge, but lacked the strength, so he schemed to have Qibing abduct Yuning as a way of striking back at Wei Zhao. What do you think? Hahahaha—I truly am a genius!"

"Exactly!" Zhao Qibing slapped his thigh in excitement—but the Medicine King was in the middle of needling him, and the needle went astray, straight into his balls. Zhao Qibing let out a shriek. "Ow... my balls, my balls hurt..."

"......" The Medicine King was somewhat abashed. "It's nothing, just a small wound, no great harm. Young Master, please don't move about..."

"All right..." Zhao Qibing, terrified, dared not slap his thigh again. "Grandfather, that's a fine move, but Yushan becomes the scapegoat, and I'm not quite easy in my heart about it... after all, he came along to help me."

"He's doomed either way. Even if you don't pin it on him, he'll never come out of this unscathed. Better to put the useless wretch to use and squeeze out his last bit of value!" Old Master Zhao waved a hand.

It had to be said, Old Master Zhao was a formidable man—twice now he had been right by sheer luck. This time, in pinning it on Yushan, he had somehow guessed more than half the truth: apart from not knowing Yuning's value to the Hidden Yu, and not knowing that Yushan meant to take revenge on the Hidden Yu, he had guessed right about Yushan wanting revenge on Wei Zhao.

"True enough..." Zhao Qibing was a ruthless man himself; hearing Old Master Zhao's words, he nodded at once in agreement.

Steward Zhu, standing to one side, felt his heart grow colder still. Zhao Qibing was truly no wise master to serve—those who followed him were little more than scapegoats, sold out the moment they had served their purpose. What a wretch! Steward Zhu felt all the more certain that throwing in his lot with Wei Zhao had been the wise choice. Following Zhao Qibing led nowhere; sooner or later one would die by misadventure.