The next morning, three women's dresses in shades of pink and green were neatly laid out in Gu Qianying's room.
Little Yi Hao, now calling himself a big boy, also slept in Duan Xifeng's room.
The two, with sleepy eyes, came to Gu Qianying's side. Seeing the clothes on the table, Duan Xifeng was the first to laugh.
"Sister, are you going into the palace or participating in a selection? Why prepare so many clothes? Although I understand women love beauty, you've prepared too much."
In his daze, he didn't think too deeply about what Gu Qianying was preparing.
However, looking at a child's short shirt among them, Little Yi Hao instantly sobered up.
"Mother, this isn't for you to wear, is it? Could it be?" This clever little head naturally thought of his mother and, with a turn, knew who it was prepared for.
Gu Qianying picked up a green skirt.
"Brother, do you know how difficult it is to find a girl's shirt of this size? Please don't let my efforts go to waste."
These words completely woke up the groggy Duan Xifeng.
"This is for me?" He looked at the long skirt in Gu Qianying's hand in disbelief.
How could he, a dignified seven-foot man, wear women's clothing and act coy?
Seeing the two, a man and a child, strongly refusing, Gu Qianying did not persuade further and sighed, sitting to the side.
"Alas, in the Nan Yi Kingdom, women are supreme. If one wishes to enter the palace and is not of female gender, they can only be selected and investigated as male servants. Naturally, I cannot let you be male servants, so the only remaining option is for me to go myself."
She said this with a troubled expression, and seeing her like this, Duan Xifeng frowned deeply.
Why had he agreed to accompany and protect this little girl in the first place? With her intelligence, alertness, and superb martial arts skills, she was more likely to harm others than need protection.
Regret was too late. Duan Xifeng looked down at Little Yi Hao, who was also gaping, and helplessly shook his head.
"We can't just leave your mother to venture alone. Come, let's get dressed."
Seeing his uncle had compromised, Little Yi Hao had no choice but to push his mother out of the room to change into women's clothes.
A few days prior, while bored, the three of them had wandered around and found a royal decree posted at the foot of the imperial city, announcing that the palace was seeking capable physicians.
Although it didn't specify who was ill, the imperial seal on it and the urgent recruitment indicated the person must be important.
At first, they had just treated it as a joke. However, after receiving Meng Qinghua's letter, they consulted ancient texts and learned that the Nan Yi Kingdom had been ruled by women for a hundred years, and thus the emperors and officials were naturally women.
However, a hundred years ago, on the same land, men and women were still relatively equal, and it was precisely because of women's extraordinary abilities that they held the position of empress.
With the tradition passed down through generations, the matriarchal society gradually became excessively dominant. The once equal relationship between men and women was broken, and men's status declined. By the time the current empress ascended the throne, men were reduced to slaves, at the mercy of others.
Thinking that the problem originated from the palace and that the palace was recruiting, Gu Qianying conceived the idea of applying as a physician. She knew her medical skills were considerable, which was why she was so confident she would be selected.
The two men in the room, wearing women's clothing for the first time, fumbled for a long time before hesitantly opening the door.
"Pfft, hahahaha." Gu Qianying couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Little Yi Hao was still a child with delicate features. Dressed in a child's girl's outfit, he truly looked like a girl.
But Duan Xifeng was broad and sturdy, clearly a man. Now, wearing women's clothes, it was unbearable to look at.
Sensing she was being mocked, Duan Xifeng pouted.
"Hmph, what? A woman like me is clearly fierce and brave. Perhaps the empress will be pleased and even appoint me as a general."
He naturally knew that all officials in the Nan Yi Kingdom were women.
However, his words only made Gu Qianying unable to contain her laughter.
"Brother, I'm afraid the palace people will drive you out because of your burly appearance."
Her worries proved true. After much fuss, the three of them finally reached the foot of the imperial city. Upon hearing that Gu Qianying was there to apply as a physician, the guards at the gate sized her up and, indeed, blocked Duan Xifeng outside the city gate.
"She's bringing so many people to apply for a physician position. Her appearance might offend the Emperor's eyes. You two go in."
Hearing the guard's words, Duan Xifeng wanted to step forward and grab him by the collar to question him. But, being unaccustomed to wearing women's clothes, he lost his balance, stepped on his skirt, and fell with a thud in front of the guard.
Seeing her in this state, the guard became even more disgusted and wanted to kick the person on the ground. Fortunately, Gu Qianying grabbed her arm.
"Young official, please calm your anger. She is my personal maid. Although a bit unsightly, she does have some strength. My assistant is young, and needs her to help carry some things. Please be accommodating."
As she spoke, her hand clasped the guard's palm, and a Xiuhe pouch was placed in her hand.
The guard weighed the pouch in his hand. She was a sensible person. Glancing at the person on the ground, he stepped aside and waved his hand, signaling for them to enter.
Gu Qianying quickly helped Duan Xifeng up, with Little Yi Hao following behind. The three finally entered the imperial city as they wished.
There were many applicants today, and under the guidance of palace servants, all applicants were led to the Hall of Arts, where the Emperor would receive them after noon.
Those who arrived early had found comfortable spots to sit and rest. When Gu Qianying arrived, all the seats were occupied.
They were not here for leisure. Since there were no seats, they could walk around the courtyard.
"You, are you the ones who caused trouble in the library that day?" a familiar female voice came from behind.
Gu Qianying turned around. As fate would have it, standing behind her were the three young ladies of the Su family, whom she had already encountered.
"What's going on? They also know medicine?" Duan Xifeng asked in confusion. The other applicants nearby, seeing the Su family members, came forward to pay their respects.
"This humble one pays respects to the eldest, second, and third young ladies of the Su family. Everyone in the capital knows that the Su family is a renowned medical family. I was wondering why I hadn't had the fortune to see anyone upon arrival, but it seems you were enjoying the cool breeze out here."
It was already late autumn. If it weren't for the heat, who would want to stand outside in the wind?
This flattery was delivered with great skill, and Gu Qianying couldn't help but applaud the woman in her heart.
"Yes, we will naturally come. But this physician position is no ordinary one. Such a high position, how can just anyone come to apply?" the second young lady of the Su family said haughtily, looking at Gu Qianying.
The "anyone" she referred to was naturally Gu Qianying.
People who had been far away heard that the Su family had arrived and came from all directions, wanting to curry favor and, seeing the situation, expecting to witness a good show.