"Alright, I'll remember what you said. You can't go back on your word." In the end, she couldn't bear to make things difficult for him any longer. Her goal had been achieved.
The two embraced and fell asleep.
Here, the night was dark and the wind was high, the perfect time for mischief.
News began to spread through the capital: the current Emperor, Qingzhi, was incompetent and unfit to bear great responsibilities. Heaven would send down calamities to test the current Emperor.
The rumors started to circulate wildly during the time Xiao Wangye and his companions returned. There were even whispers of royal secrets: the late Emperor, during his early private visits disguised as a commoner, had left behind a romantic entanglement. The woman and their illegitimate son eventually died of illness in a foreign land.
However, Ye Qingcheng had been busy with the affairs of the medical hall and was unaware of the rumors circulating outside.
The rumors spread like fallen leaves swept by an autumn wind, leaving traces wherever they went. The capital was in a state of panic. The current Emperor had yet to undergo his coming-of-age ceremony, and the Regent King was... If a man-made disaster were to strike, who in the court would be capable of handling important affairs?
"This is the method you speak of? Spreading slander like a woman to defeat your enemies?" The speaker was a tall man, dressed in attire unseen in the capital on this late autumn night. One of his muscular arms was exposed, covered in runic tattoos of unknown origin. He wore copper earrings and had a short braid at the back of his head. His skin was dark, giving him a formidable appearance.
Facing him, a "person" two heads shorter, clad in a black cloak with a large hood obscuring their head and face, emitted a chilling laugh after hearing his words: "Hee hee hee hee."
The tall man rubbed his exposed arm, shivering slightly. "It's been a long time. You're becoming less and less human."
"Sometimes, a brain is a good thing," he retorted sarcastically to the muscle-bound, brainless fellow opposite him.
"Hmph. How long will it take you to finish someone off like this? I'd rather just charge in and chop that little emperor into eight pieces." As he spoke, he swung the large axe he kept hidden behind him. Clearly, he hadn't grasped the implication of the words.
"However, when it comes to the little emperor, I'm more interested in the legendary Regent King."
A gust of wind blew, lifting the black-clad person's cloak and revealing their inhuman legs. Their withered muscles clung to small leg bones, as if corroded by long exposure. The two looked into the distance with the wind, catching sight of the Regent King's mansion plaque.
Another gust of wind swept the fallen leaves from the ground. The two had already vanished atop the rooftops.
---
If there was another widely discussed story in the capital recently, it was that the Regent King's consort was joining forces with doctors from all over the capital to establish the first medical hall!
At noon, the capital's premier restaurants were bustling with guests.
"This medical hall, you see. Even though the consort is as beautiful as a celestial being, as soon as she proposed this matter, the King immediately agreed and began preparations with great efficiency. Look, on the main avenue three streets to the east, the consort's medical hall is being renovated at full speed," the storyteller on stage paused, took a sip of tea, and continued.
"The consort even sent people everywhere to post notices, announcing the opening of a medical academy: all unmarried individuals in the capital, regardless of gender, could come to the medical hall to study medicine. And it was completely free! Even this loss-making venture received great support from the Regent King. Now, the capital is eagerly awaiting the opening of the consort's medical hall."
The guests below burst into applause, exclaiming "Good!"
In a private room on the second floor sat the "doting wife fanatic"—the Regent King—whom the storyteller had mentioned.
"Your Highness, you can rest assured about this person. We've paid them, and the matter will definitely be handled properly," said Lin Xiao, Xiao Wangye's trusted confidant.
More than half a month had passed since the first rehabilitation training. Besides handling state affairs in the imperial palace every day, Xiao Wangye trained at home in the evenings.
Of course, this was with Ye Qingcheng's accompaniment. The second training session after that night had even made Ye Qingcheng cry. She realized how much willpower patients needed for rehabilitation.
Watching Xiao Wangye fall repeatedly, his clothes soaked with sweat, she finally understood why he hadn't allowed her to accompany him.
But it was after this session that Ye Qingcheng's care for him reached a new level. Even their "intimate moments" at night were no longer limited to kisses and touches.
Thinking of this, a smile never left Xiao Wangye's lips.
Lin Xiao: For some reason, even though the consort isn't here, I still feel like I'm being force-fed dog food.
At this moment, the storyteller below had finished recounting everything Lin Xiao had instructed and began to tell another rumor circulating in the capital.
"The old man in the purple Daoist robe calculated with his fingers, muttering to himself, 'Natural disasters and man-made calamities, natural disasters and man-made calamities.' To escape this tribulation, one must, must..." He spat blood from his mouth. The crowd below was captivated, all stopping their actions and listening intently.
Xiao Wangye upstairs also noticed the storyteller's words.
"To know what happens next, listen to the next installment." The wooden clapper fell, startling the guests. The storyteller on stage had already disappeared backstage.
"This guy, why is he always like this, teasing people's curiosity?"
"Yes, yes, will he be here tomorrow?"
"Wow, according to the shopkeeper, this person's storytelling schedule is completely unpredictable."
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
"These rumors have been circulating for quite some time, haven't they?" Xiao Wangye asked Lin Xiao, drinking hot tea.
"Reporting to Your Highness, they haven't stopped since the news of the consort's medical hall spread."
"This is quite a coincidence." His well-defined fingers put down the teacup and gently wiped his lips with a handkerchief.
"I've had people keeping a close watch. We'll know the truth as soon as the other party shows the slightest clue," Lin Xiao said confidently.
"Mm." Xiao Wangye naturally trusted Lin Xiao's abilities. The secret service and shadow guards were all experts, and there was no fear of intruders.
---
At Xiao Wangye's specific request, Ye Qingcheng heard not a single word about the rumors.
She remained focused on her own endeavors, supervising the ongoing renovations at the medical hall during the day and accompanying Xiao Wangye for his training in the evenings.
Her days were full and busy, and she was very content.
"Master, place that table by the wall. Yes, right there. Thank you for your hard work." Ye Qingcheng, supervising the construction, was very diligent.
A few days prior, she had discussed with Xiao Wangye that since they were establishing an academy, they would need to select a new location. Fortunately, they had collaborated with several private academies in the capital, which provided them with space.
Today was the last day of the academy's renovation.
The renovation of the medical hall was complete, and all the traditional Chinese medicines had arrived. Now, all they needed was to recruit staff. For this matter, she would need to borrow some modern knowledge from San San. She was preparing to create a brand new employment system.
The academy's layout here was designed to resemble a modern classroom and was now fully completed. Ye Qingcheng had specifically rented two rooms for the academy, separating the teaching for males and females.
As for the teachers, Ye Qingcheng had also decided that they would be doctors from the capital.
"What about the curriculum?" San San reminded her in her mind.
"Ah, go on, I forgot. Do you have any relevant books to provide?"
After a moment of thought, San San said, "Of course. I can provide whatever you need, but you'll have to complete a task again."
"What task?" Ye Qingcheng asked very readily.
"You need to..."
She frowned. "Do we really have to do it this way?"