These words shocked everyone present, and they began to discuss among themselves.
"Who is she? How did she appear here?"
"I heard she's here to apply for the position of physician, and she seems to have some connection with that young master Su."
The female officials below spoke to each other, and the Empress finally opened her mouth.
"You want to save him? I am curious, who are you to dare to step forward?"
Seeing that she was being asked, Gu Qianying quickly stepped forward and bowed.
"Greetings to Your Majesty, long live, long live. Your humble subject's surname is Gu, and her given name is Qianying. I am merely an ordinary physician. I entered the palace today after receiving the imperial decree, wishing to prove myself as a palace physician."
Her words indeed drew much laughter.
"So she's just a commoner. I thought she was from a noble family or a renowned medical lineage."
Everyone's gaze instantly turned dismissive, as if they had already decided that her impulsive act would lead to her death along with Su Cheng.
The Empress, upon hearing her answer, also showed disdain.
"Without any background to vouch for you, you dare to stand out. Truly foolish."
"However, I see you are not without your looks. I assume you were merely charmed by Su Cheng's appearance and acted rashly. I shall not pursue this matter today. You may quickly withdraw."
She never expected the Empress to speculate about others' feelings.
But her good intentions were ultimately to be disappointed.
Gu Qianying took another step forward, her eyes firm as she looked at the person above and spoke again.
"Your humble subject is determined to save Su Cheng's life today."
Seeing her obstinacy, the guards beside her immediately stepped forward and surrounded her.
When she had mocked the three young ladies of the Su family, the chief guard had heard that she possessed martial arts skills, and quite formidable ones at that. If she were to act impulsively now, she might injure His Majesty.
Seeing that these people intended to stop her, Gu Qianying's lips curved. She hadn't intended to resort to force, but it seemed unavoidable now.
In an instant, she kicked away the guard in front of her and, taking advantage of the opening, leaped into the air and landed beside the Empress.
Meanwhile, the Xuanming silk thread from her sleeve had evaded everyone's eyes, secretly wrapping around the Empress's wrist.
This Xuanming silk thread was spun from the fine silk of the thousand-year-old Cicada King, processed with a special medicinal solution to form a colorless, extremely fine diagnostic thread.
Gu Qianying's previous movement was merely to attach this thread to the Empress's wrist.
Her movements were fluid and natural; she merely brushed past the stage and returned to below the high platform.
Those present were almost stunned by her swift speed.
How could this person be an ordinary physician? Such superb Qinggong allowed her to easily evade the palace guards. Such a person was truly terrifying.
Amidst the Empress's startled expression, Gu Qianying had already diagnosed her illness through the Xuan silk.
"Your Majesty, you have been having continuous nightmares, waking up covered in cold sweats, you have lost weight, and have no appetite for meals." She casually stated the Empress's ailments, causing the female physicians present to marvel greatly.
"How did you know about my condition?" The Empress was also shocked. She had clearly said nothing, and the imperial decree had not specified that she was the one who was ill.
This woman had merely flown past her just now, and she had already discerned her illness?
How could such a person exist in this world? Such ability was likely only achievable by immortals.
Gu Qianying moved her fingers slightly, and the Empress finally felt the coolness on her wrist. But before she could react, Gu Qianying had already retracted the Xuanming fine thread.
"Your humble subject merely performed a suspended pulse diagnosis. However, Your Majesty's illness, I can cure."
The events of moments ago replayed in everyone's minds, and no one dared to speak casually now.
The Empress waved her hand, signaling the guards to withdraw from her side.
Gu Qianying knew that her condition was tormenting her mind, and anyone who could cure it would be like a life-saving straw.
The Empress's action gave her the answer, so Gu Qianying stated her condition.
"As a reward for curing Your Majesty, your humble subject asks for only one thing: to hand Su Cheng over to me immediately. Whether to kill or torture him, I shall decide."
Since in this country, men were merely servants, and if someone desired one, they could be given away casually.
She believed that since she could cure the Empress of such a difficult ailment, bestowing one person upon her would not be too much.
However, this time, the Empress hesitated.
Su Cheng had committed a grave crime, and it was she who had personally ordered his execution. If she were to easily pardon him now, wouldn't that diminish her authority?
The people below had seen the Empress's predicament and now stepped forward one after another to advise the Emperor and accuse Gu Qianying.
"Your Majesty, your condition is not severe. You have already summoned all the renowned physicians in the land. Even if she knows how to cure it, surely others do not?"
A female official stepped forward first.
"Lord Liu is correct. Moreover, this woman is speaking seditious words. Her Qinggong, who knows, perhaps she secretly reviewed the archives of the Imperial Academy to speak so accurately. How can anyone diagnose an illness solely through Xuan silk?"
A palace physician also stepped forward to respond.
Seeing that everyone's intentions were unified and that Gu Qianying would not be allowed to stay, Su Yuxi also stepped forward.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Our Su family has been a medical lineage for generations. I believe that my sisters and I, working together, will surely cure Your Majesty's illness. This woman is clearly boasting. If we can believe in her martial arts, then her medical skills are merely words that can be spoken to achieve divinity."
The people below spoke one after another, but Gu Qianying did not offer any rebuttal.
The Empress lowered her eyes and looked at her wrist, which had just been touched by the Xuan silk.
She had heard of such pulse diagnosis techniques, but without a divine physician, it would be very difficult to possess such skill.
However, the faint cool sensation that brushed against her wrist brought her a sense of comfort.
Thus, she closed her eyes.
"My status indeed cannot be easily diagnosed. If you claim to have the ability, then why not stay here and participate in the medical competition according to the original plan to prove yourself?"
Her words still gave Gu Qianying an opportunity.
Upon hearing this, Duan Xifeng and Xiao Yihao behind her finally breathed a sigh of relief. But as it was nearing the hour of the horse, Xiao Yihao quickly waved to his mother, reminding her to save this older brother.
Gu Qianying naturally knew her objective. She thanked the Empress but did not forget to mention the person about to be executed.
"Since Your Majesty has given your humble subject an opportunity, I hope Your Majesty will be merciful and temporarily postpone the reward I seek. You need not revoke the punishment, merely delay it for a while. After all, if your humble subject does not win the position of chief physician, it will not be too late for you to kill him."
The Empress touched the armor on her hand. If this person could truly cure her illness, bestowing a criminal upon her would not be much. Thus, she gave an order to release Su Cheng to the male servant quarters first, and his fate would be decided later.