The jade fingers clutching the embroidered handkerchief trembled slightly.
She stared intently at the man before her, who called himself "Duan Xifeng," and at the jade pendant at his waist.
This jade pendant was different from the one she had previously given to Luo Mu Chen.
It was precisely because of this that she became so agitated.
It was... Qian Ying!
The person before her was Qian Ying!
Back then... Qian Ying had two jade pendants, giving one to her and keeping the other for herself.
At that time, she had told her.
If you encounter danger, give the jade pendant away, to someone trustworthy.
For so many years, Nangong Cong's people surrounded her, even her personal maids obeyed Nangong Cong.
She had no opportunity to send word to Gu Qian Ying. It was also on that occasion, when her son fell ill, that she held a sliver of hope and sent the jade pendant through her son's hands to Luo Mu Chen.
Hoping heaven would bless her and her son with a chance to survive.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she dared not let them fall.
She hadn't expected... Gu Qian Ying to actually come!
"You are the one who defeated Luo Mu Chen?"
Among the civil and military officials, Nangong Cong had not spoken, and no one dared to ask.
"Replying to Your Highness, it is I."
Gu Qian Ying cupped her hands in a salute to Nangong Cong.
"I heard you are a woman? And why are you dressed like this? Do you know that this is the crime of deceiving the emperor!"
Nangong Cong's sharp eyes were full of scrutiny.
His men, Magistrate Yang, had reported the events of the Poisonous Doctor's Guild medical competition to him through a memorial.
He naturally knew that the person calling himself "Duan Xifeng" was a young woman disguised as a man.
A single sentence caused all the civil and military officials present to be greatly alarmed.
"What? She's a woman? How is that possible?"
"She's a woman? This is utterly ridiculous, what is a young girl doing entering the palace?"
"Disguised as a man and appearing here? What kind of decorum is this!"
"How could a woman's medical skills be so superb? That day, it must have been cheating."
"Young Master Luo, the divine physician, also brought a woman into the palace. Such recklessness, what do they think the imperial palace is!"
"I heard this person is also called 'Little Medical Saint,' ha, are the common folk outside fools?"
The crowd buzzed with discussion, their focus shifting from the person's medical skills to accusations, and then to mockery.
Listening to the surrounding people pointing fingers at her.
Gu Qian Ying's expression was calm, and she did not kneel!
That day, when her hair accidentally came loose, she knew her identity as a woman could no longer be hidden.
However, fortunately, she had brought a human skin mask that day and disguised herself.
Even if she changed back into women's clothing now, her identity as Gu Qian Ying would not be exposed. Moreover, she had made some preparations on her way here.
"Your Highness, please see clearly, this humble girl is indeed not a man, but this humble girl has not deceived the emperor. It is merely because wearing men's robes is more convenient for my work. Furthermore, this humble girl has no elder brothers at home, and my father's medical skills, fearing no one would inherit them, he raised this humble girl as a boy from a young age."
"Now this humble girl has inherited my father's medical skills."
As she finished speaking, Gu Qian Ying faced the civil and military officials, her voice clear and steady.
"Learning medicine is only for treating patients. Physicians should not be divided by gender. Moreover, as a female physician, it is more convenient to examine female patients who have physical discomfort. Why are you all so unfriendly towards me, a female physician?"
"Tsk! What can women accomplish?"
Someone scoffed disdainfully.
"Heh! Among common folk, women give birth and raise children, cook and wash for their husbands. In noble households, the ladies of each mansion manage all affairs of the inner quarters. Are these not all important matters?"
"These trivial matters are also called matters?"
A portly official among the ministers spoke mockingly.
"Why are they not matters? Were you not born? Did you pop out of a rock?"
Gu Qian Ying's lips curled into a cold smile.
"You... you little girl, you!" The fat official was so angered he was about to explode.
Someone beside him added, "Even so, it only shows that women are only suitable for managing trivial matters at home, and not for such public appearances!"
"Ha!"
Gu Qian Ying laughed. "What's wrong with appearing in public? I'm not undressing naked, so what's the harm? Besides, who decreed that women cannot learn medicine, or become physicians? Anyone with ability can be a general, a soldier, a scholar, or even a female top scholar. And it is the same for physicians!"
"As long as their medical skills are superb!"
Her words were resounding and powerful.
All the civil and military officials present looked at Gu Qian Ying.
"Well said!"
A rough voice sounded from outside the hall.
A stout man with a beard, dressed in brocade robes, entered with his personal guards.
The man's steps were heavy, and each one made a sound.
As the man walked past the officials, everyone cupped their hands in salute: "Your subject greets the Fifth Prince."
Looking at the man slowly approaching.
Gu Qian Ying narrowed her cold eyes.
This person is actually still alive!
Nangong Hong... the Fifth Prince!
This man was known for his violent temper and unpredictable moods. During the reign of Nan Rong Qi, his whereabouts were unknown, and at that time, she had once thought he was long dead!
Nangong Hong was the only idle prince who did not participate in the struggle for the throne.
It seemed this person was another cunning old fox in disguise.
The Fourth Prince, Nangong Cong, had hidden himself in a Taoist temple, making the world believe he had withdrawn from worldly affairs, but in reality, he had deceived everyone.
At that time, even she, who had brought Nangong Cong back from the Taoist temple as instructed by Empress Dowager Meng.
She was also deceived by Nangong Cong for a time, which led to today's events.
She didn't know what had happened among these civil and military officials in the court.
Facing Nangong Hong, they were even more fearful than when facing Nangong Cong.
"Fourth Brother, where did this little lady come from? She's so interesting."
As he spoke, Nangong Hong walked towards Gu Qian Ying and reached out as if to touch her face.
At this moment, Luo Mu Chen stepped forward, standing before Nangong Hong, shielding Gu Qian Ying behind him.
"Fifth Prince, please mind your manners!"
If there was anyone in the capital who did not fear the Fifth Prince, or even Nangong Cong, it was only Luo Mu Chen, who was pure and incorruptible.
Upholding gentlemanly conduct, being gentle, distinguishing between good and evil, and holding his own sense of justice.
"Heh! It's you again, you bookworm! Luo Mu Chen, you've angered me several times, and I haven't settled the score with you yet! What? Are you looking for a beating in front of me today?"
Nangong Hong had a violent temper and, in general, was most annoyed by weak scholars like Luo Mu Chen.
As soon as he finished speaking, he swung his fist.
Luo Mu Chen stood in place, unmoved.
As Nangong Hong's fist swung towards him, he actually closed his eyes.
To him, injury was a small matter, as long as he could protect the person behind him.
However... his wrist was suddenly grabbed by someone, and he was violently pulled aside.
Nangong Hong's swinging fist was blocked by someone.
"Yo! A young lady who knows martial arts, not bad, I like it!"
Looking at the woman before him, who was shorter than him, yet could block his punch.
Nangong Hong smiled.
For many years, he hadn't encountered a worthy opponent.
He was greatly fond of this feisty young woman before him.
"Young lady, may I know your name?"
Gu Qian Ying's face was cold, and she remained silent.
If it weren't for the fear of alerting the enemy at this moment, she would have beaten this man Nangong Hong until he was rolling on the ground!
Gu Qian Ying blocked Nangong Hong's punch, but took no further action.
Nangong Hong's fat eyes narrowed.
He reached back, grabbed Gu Qian Ying's wrist, and pulled her forward.
The two of them were closer.
Nangong Hong grinned: "Young lady, are you married? Do you have someone you fancy? Marry me, and be my woman, will you?"
"Your Highness, Poria cocos, borneol, lotus leaf, 15 grams each, is the best prescription for treating bad breath. This humble subject believes this prescription is most suitable for Your Highness!"
Gu Qian Ying's delicate hand skillfully slipped out of his grasp. With a flick of her wrist, she flicked out two silver needles, piercing Nangong Hong's elbow at the Erbai acupoint, two points.
A numb sensation spread.
Nangong Hong's arm dropped uncontrollably.
"Your Highness!"
"Presumptuous! How dare you injure our Prince!"
The guards behind him changed their expressions and were about to grab Gu Qian Ying.
At this moment, Nangong Hong grabbed him and stopped him: "Stop!"
The guards retreated.
Nangong Hong pulled out the two silver needles stuck in his arm and turned to face Nangong Cong: "Fourth Brother, this young lady has some skill, her medical expertise is good, she is a talent worth cultivating."
As he spoke, Nangong Hong gave Nangong Cong a meaningful look.
This woman has no spiritual energy within her, nor demonic power.
It's not Gu Qian Ying!
Following that, Nangong Hong pressed two points on his own arm with his other hand.
Watching him operate like this, Gu Qian Ying narrowed her eyes coldly.
As expected, he was testing her!
It seemed that Nangong Cong was more difficult to deal with than she had imagined.
Fortunately, when she came, she had already hidden the demonic energy within her, and had no spiritual energy, only retaining a few tenths of her internal strength.
"Hahaha... talent emerges in large numbers. This King is happy that our dynasty can produce such a skilled female physician. Come, pass down my decree, from today onwards, this Miss Duan Xifeng may enter the palace and serve in the Imperial Hospital, becoming a qualified female imperial physician."
"Since she is a female physician, from now on, this woman will be responsible for treating the female members of the palace."
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace."
Gu Qian Ying bowed to express her gratitude.
At this point, the civil and military officials were still in a state of bewilderment.
Among them, some who understood the situation cupped their hands in salute to Nangong Cong, congratulating him.
At this moment, Madam Meng, who was clutching her embroidered handkerchief, had her palms covered in sweat.
From the moment Nangong Hong appeared, she knew that Nangong Cong did not believe the disguised "Duan Xifeng" before him.
When she saw Nangong Hong make a move against Gu Qian Ying just now, she broke out in a cold sweat for her.
In this court, if Gu Qian Ying's identity were exposed, she would not be able to leave here alive today.
However, fortunately, nothing went wrong, and everything proceeded smoothly.
"Mother, what's wrong?"
Feeling his mother's sweaty hands, he sensed she was very nervous.
The young emperor tilted his head and asked softly.
"Mother is fine, mother is just too tired."
Fearing her son would ruin things, Madam Meng quickly explained.
In addition to Gu Qian Ying becoming a physician in the Imperial Hospital, some officials also reported other matters to Nangong Cong.
After the court session, Gu Qian Ying followed Luo Mu Chen to the Imperial Hospital.