Gu Yutang, the eldest son of the Shouguo Gongfu stationed far at the border, had prepared gifts early on, which happened to arrive today.
The other three sons of the Gu family harbored no jealousy, believing in their hearts that all this was what Gu Ruanci deserved.
Seeing such a complete tiger skin and a set of tiger bones that could be used for medicinal purposes, Gu Ruanci felt that her eldest brother had indeed put thought into it.
The Renqin Yan of the Shouguo Gongfu, after being overshadowed by the Zhou Family’s news of the Little Medical Immortal, unexpectedly concluded with perfect satisfaction.
In contrast, the Jing’an Houfu was bustling with activity, yet it left people with an indescribable discomfort.
Zhou Zhili and Ye Lanxin noticed it as soon as they greeted guests at the entrance: more people had arrived than expected, but each family brought along a few who appeared rather listless.
Even with heavy makeup, the signs of severe illness were still visible.
When Minister Liu arrived with his elderly father, who struggled to walk and coughed incessantly, they finally found it hard to maintain their composure.
“Brother Liu, this is…”
Two days earlier, Zhou Yuxiu had tricked Young Master Liu, and Zhou Zhili had initially felt somewhat guilty. However, seeing Minister Liu’s actions now, he found them excessive.
“Marquis, I heard that the Little Medical Immortal will grace us with her presence today. As you know, my father’s health requires long-term care, and ordinary prescriptions no longer help much. If he could receive treatment from the Little Medical Immortal’s skilled hands, perhaps he could be cured completely. Many of today’s guests have likely brought their ailing family members. I believe the Marquis can understand the hearts of us children.”
Ye Lanxin’s smiling face was on the verge of collapsing. Having played the role of a schemer all her life, she had hoped to receive everyone’s blessings on such an important day for her daughter. Instead, so many sick people had arrived—wasn’t this a curse on her daughter?
With an awkward expression, she glanced at Zhou Zhili and saw his equally frustrated look. Gritting her teeth, she said, “Minister Liu, you flatter us. We, too, went through great difficulty to invite the Little Medical Immortal. With everyone being so enthusiastic this time, I fear the Little Medical Immortal may not have the energy to attend to each patient individually…”
“No matter, at least there is a chance. Moreover, given the relationship between my son and the young master, I trust the Marquis will show us special consideration and find a way for those in critical condition, like my father, to see the Little Medical Immortal first…”
Zhou Zhili muttered, “Of course, of course,” but inwardly, he was already cursing.
“I heard that the second young master will also become a disciple of the Little Medical Immortal today. His future must be boundless.” Whether Minister Liu’s congratulations were sincere or not, his elderly father’s illness was undoubtedly real.
The banquet was full of guests, half of whom were ill.
This half-dead liveliness made the three sons of the Zhou Family feel deeply distressed.
“This isn’t about congratulating our younger sister at all—everyone is just looking out for themselves…”
Zhou Yuqi gritted his teeth, glaring angrily at these people.
“From the moment we released the news about the Little Medical Immortal, we should have been prepared… Enough, we cannot let our younger sister’s Ji-ji ceremony be ruined. Everyone, keep a close watch.”
As the eldest son, Zhou Yuxiu remained relatively composed.
“The ceremony over there should have started by now. That cold and lonely Renqin Yan ought to make that little wretch who clings to power and wealth realize her own worth…”
Zhou Yuzhi said bitterly, deeply annoyed by Gu Ruanci’s disobedience.
To mock the Shouguo Gongfu, they deliberately scheduled the Ji-ji ceremony half an hour later than the Renqin Yan over there, hoping that those trying to please both sides would run out of time. Meanwhile, they could use the overwhelming number of guests to starkly contrast with the Shouguo Gongfu.
However, the outcome seemed to be heading in the opposite direction.
When the Third Prince, Lu Enrui, arrived, the atmosphere of the Ji-ji ceremony reached its peak.
“Greetings to the Third Prince…”
As his uncle, Zhou Zhili still had to bow in respect.
“A mere Ji-ji ceremony actually drew the attention of a prince…” someone whispered.
Such remarks finally lifted Ye Lanxin’s spirits a little. Her daughter was, of course, special.
“Don’t you see whose Ji-ji ceremony this is? Even Little Medical Immortal is coming. I heard there aren’t many people at the Renqin Yan of the Shouguo Gongfu. The Third Prince’s mother consort is the younger sister of Jing’an Hou, so it’s no surprise he’s here…”
Some self-proclaimed knowledgeable commoners had already stepped in to explain.
But someone who had just come from the Gu family sneered and said, “Over at the Gu family, the Eldest Prince arrived with an imperial decree from the Emperor, appointing Gu Ruanci as the Princess of Chaoyang County on the spot…”
“What? Such a big commotion over there?”
The chatter among the commoners left the people at the entrance looking rather displeased.
Lu Enrui was actually unaware beforehand that his eldest brother had gone to the Shouguo Gongfu.
He quickly adjusted his demeanor and said to Zhou Zhili, “Uncle, Shouguogong has achieved countless military merits over the years, leaving no room for further rewards. It’s understandable that Father Emperor bestowed the favor on Gu Ruanci to support her.”
“Hmph…” Zhou Zhili was inwardly dissatisfied. Their plan to celebrate their daughter’s Ji-ji while mocking the Shouguo Gongfu had completely backfired.
“I heard the Prime Minister, the Grand Tutor’s family, and even Imperial Physician Zang, who has been treating the old lady of Jing’an Houfu, all went to the Shouguo Gongfu, abandoning this side to go there instead…”
No one knew who said this, but it made the Zhou family, who had just settled the Third Prince, feel even worse.
Zhou Yuzhi’s expression was particularly grim. Little Medical Immortal was Zang Jizhi’s junior sister. If he didn’t show up today, how could he smoothly become his disciple?
Before he could think it through, the auspicious hour arrived.
Zhou Zhili adjusted his mindset and looked at the courtyard, now packed to the brim, half of whom were either elderly, weak, or sick. His feelings were especially complicated.
The prepared opening remarks he delivered were also quite somber.
Ye Lanxin could see he was struggling and forcefully tried to explain on the side that the Marquis was simply expressing his emotions.
Most of the people here had come seeking treatment from Little Medical Immortal. Who cared if Zhou Zhili’s attitude was off?
When Zhou Qinzhu appeared, she also sensed something was amiss.
There were simply too many people.
Before she could even feel happy, she heard someone coughing violently, as if trying to cough up their lungs.
She lowered her head, frowned, and felt extremely annoyed.
The three Zhou brothers looked disdainful as they searched for the source of the cough. Upon seeing it was Minister Liu’s elderly father, they dared not say anything.
Especially Zhou Yuxiu, who felt guilty when he recalled the incident with Young Master Liu.
Minister Liu stood up apologetically and said, “Marquis, my apologies…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine…”
Ye Lanxin was also deeply uncomfortable. She thought to herself that they should have followed the traditional Ji-ji ceremony, inviting only female relatives to simply comb their daughter’s hair, arrange her bun, and add makeup.
Lu Enrui’s eyes lit up slightly when he saw Zhou Qinzhu.
This cousin he had watched grow up was indeed becoming more and more beautiful.
Suppressing her annoyance, Zhou Qinzhu walked to her position, gracefully bowed, and expressed her gratitude for everyone’s presence.
The speech that followed was something she had practiced for many days, with each word’s intonation carefully designed.
The three Zhou brothers listened with heartfelt satisfaction, feeling proud that their younger sister had grown up and was being praised by the world for her beauty.
However, a commotion among the commoners outside the gate completely disrupted Zhou Qinzhu’s rhythm.
“Go and take a look at Shouguo Gongfu! Besides the Eldest Prince, the Chess Sage, Qinlao, the Chief Master of the Changfeng Escort Agency… many important figures have appeared. Even Duan Wangfu has sent a grand gift…”
Laofuren, who had been forcing herself to sit there, felt her chest tighten again upon hearing this.
At that moment, a servant outside the gate shouted loudly, “Lord Marquis, Lord Marquis, Little Medical Immortal has sent someone!”