Heavenly Dragon Doctor Son-in-Law-Chapter 168 - 169: Old Master Tang’s Change of Attitude!

"Why?" Qing’er asked, equally confused.

Pressuring Wu Mulan was done for two reasons: first, to help Qin Long, and second, to test for any of Qiu Hu’s spies in Jiangzhong. However, the fact that no one came to investigate or show any concern for the matter led Qing’er to believe that Jiangzhong might actually be safe.

Xiao Lingyue slowly rose from her chair, her graceful and agile figure immediately highlighted. She walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window.

"Do you think I take these families seriously?" she asked. "The Wang Family, the Li Family, the Bai Family... despite their immense wealth, if I, Xiao Lingyue, wished it, I could effortlessly turn them to dust. I would have thought you knew who I was truly concerned about."

Xiao Lingyue sighed softly and shook her head in resignation.

Upon hearing this, Qing’er’s eyebrows shot up, and the realization instantly dawned on her. "Are you worried about the person in charge of the military in Jiangzhong?"

"Yes," Xiao Lingyue confirmed. "There’s a commander in Jiangzhong named Jiang Xue. She’s the head of the Imperial Court’s law enforcement."

"But Jiangzhong and the Southern Region are so far apart. It shouldn’t be under Qiu Hu’s influence, should it?"

"This is just my speculation. I have no way to prove whether she is one of Qiu Hu’s people," Xiao Lingyue said, her brow furrowed with worry.

In a small place like Jiangzhong, it wouldn’t be a major issue even if Qin Long caused heaven-shaking trouble. After all, these local families were simply not worthy of forging ties with a supreme figure like Qiu Hu, so she didn’t have to worry about them exposing Qin Long’s identity.

The military, however, was a different matter.

In the great nation of Xia, there were only a handful of War Venerables, and it was perfectly normal for them to have connections. If Qiu Hu were to discover by some chance that Qin Long was still alive, he would likely send his own men to eliminate him personally. After all, it was Qiu Hu who had ambushed Qin Long, attempting to kill him to secure his own position. And now, Qin Long was merely a cripple whose strength had not yet recovered, making him an incredibly easy target.

Because of this, Xiao Lingyue dared not act rashly.

"Miss, I understand," Qing’er said at once, making a solemn promise. "I will definitely keep a close watch on Jiang Xue."

"Good." Xiao Lingyue smiled with satisfaction. "We can only truly reveal ourselves once the Commander has fully regained his strength. For now, we must remain hidden. As long as the Heavenly Dragon recovers his power and returns, we will no longer need to fear Qiu Hu!"

Xiao Lingyue spoke each word with firm, steely resolve.

"Yes, Miss," Qing’er replied. "I’ve already sent our most trusted people to secretly search for the Snow Heart Grass. I haven’t dared to offer a large public reward for fear of attracting the attention of Qiu Hu’s forces." She looked helpless; there was little else she could do.

"You must entrust this task to absolutely reliable sisters," Xiao Lingyue instructed. "I reported to headquarters that we are on a secret mission, so no one should suspect us for the time being. Therefore, you must not reveal anything about the Snow Heart Grass to anyone you don’t implicitly trust. If Qiu Hu finds out, both of us will be in danger. Get this done as quickly as possible, but ensure it’s done safely."

Although Xiao Lingyue knew Qing’er understood, she couldn’t help but offer a few more words of caution.

"Don’t worry, Miss," Qing’er said, patting her chest in assurance.

「The rear mountain of the Tang Family’s old estate.」

This area was not in the city center but on the outskirts. It was the Tang Family’s ancestral property, covering five hundred square meters. The authorities would never have approved such a plot of land in the city center.

Many investors had approached the Tang Family, offering to buy the ancestral property, but they were all thrown out. Back then, under Tang Rulan’s leadership, the family’s fortunes were soaring, and they were extremely prosperous with no need to sell their ancestral land. Naturally, the investors could do nothing but leave in disappointment.

Thus, the Tang Family’s ancestral property remained. The family members had all bought villas in the city center and rarely returned to the old estate to live.

Inside the Tang family’s ancestral hall, Wang Ming, having heard that the old master had come here, had quickly followed.

"Old Master, the fiftieth-anniversary celebration is almost upon us," Wang Ming said, scratching his head and looking at the Tang patriarch with a puzzled expression. "How are your plans coming along?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The old master was lost in thought and didn’t fawn over Wang Ming as he had before.

Although he secretly despised Qin Long and wanted to use Tang Xuewu as a pawn in a marriage alliance to latch onto the Wang Family and restore his own family’s former glory—even considering forcefully kicking Qin Long out—things were different now. Qin Long had, after all, saved his life. Without him, he would be dead. Old Master Tang could not ignore such a profound debt of gratitude. If he were to forcibly drive Qin Long away now, outsiders would call him heartless and ungrateful, a man who repays kindness with enmity.

"Young Master Wang, you know that Qin Long just pulled me back from death’s door," the old master said slowly, gritting his teeth. "If I were to turn on him now, wouldn’t my name be tarnished forever?"

"Hmm..." Wang Ming was momentarily stupefied. He had always been so confident in his pursuit of Tang Xuewu because the old master had secretly supported him. If this old man suddenly changed his mind, all his plans would be thrown into disarray.

"Old Master, are you really willing to watch Xuewu marry a cripple? To let Qin Long hold her back for the rest of her life?" Wang Ming was seething with rage but forced himself to maintain a facade of urgent concern. "She’s your own granddaughter. Can you truly bear to see that happen?"

Old Master Tang hesitated, pondering for a moment before sighing helplessly. "Young Master Wang, if Xuewu is willing to accept your proposal, I will absolutely give you my full support. But if she is unwilling, my hands are tied."

The patriarch stated his position clearly. As much as he wanted to latch onto the Wang Family, he would not do something so vile, not after Qin Long had saved his life. This time, he decided not to interfere so forcefully. The decision would primarily rest with Tang Xuewu.

"Old Master Tang, that cripple is a penniless wretch!" Wang Ming pressed, his mood souring with resentment. "It’s true that he secretly tried to mortgage your Tang Family Ancestral House! He’s trying to destroy the Tang family’s foundation and ruin Tang Xuewu’s future! Are you really going to stand by and do nothing?"

Previously, this old geezer had always backed him without question, which had made Wang Ming incredibly arrogant and certain that Qin Long could never compete with him. He had never imagined that Qin Long would know some blasted Golden Needle Acupuncture and, by a sheer fluke, save the old man’s life. It felt like a slap in the face, leaving him at a loss.

Hearing this, Old Master Tang fell into contemplation again. He was initially inclined to believe Wang Ming, but there was no real proof. Besides, no one had called about any alleged mortgage.

"Young Master Wang, that’s enough. I understand what you’re saying," the old master said finally. "This time, I plan to listen to Xuewu’s opinion. As her grandfather, I know she cares for Qin Long as if he were family. So, if you try to drive him away completely, Xuewu will never allow it."

The old master’s words carried a subtle warning for Wang Ming to back off, though he himself may not have realized it.