The Zhou family members all perked up. Now that Jing’an Houfu had reached a point of no return, although they had far more people on their side than Shouguo Gongfu, the quality was not even remotely comparable.
When Zhou Qinzhu’s Ji-ji ceremony had just taken place, only a few were offering blessings, while most were growing impatient.
They had come primarily for Little Medical Immortal. Even with the Third Prince lending support, compared to the Eldest Prince who brought the imperial edict of enfeoffment, they were at a significant disadvantage.
Not to mention the various Big Shots from all walks of life.
“Quickly, please invite them in…”
Zhou Zhili hurriedly said, fearing he might miss the opportunity that could turn his fortunes around.
Laofuren also began to grow excited. She had genuinely almost had another episode earlier, startling Laofuren of Yunyang Hou who had been keeping her company.
Ye Lanxin’s smile also relaxed: “Yes, where are they?”
Before long, a young woman with a very stern expression appeared.
“Greetings to Jing’an Hou, Madam, and all esteemed guests…”
Though she wore no smile, she did not forget her manners.
“How should we address you?” Zhou Zhili asked, slightly nervous.
The woman said: “Just a passerby. I am merely delivering some items from Little Medical Immortal to Houfu and relaying a message. There is no need for Houye to trouble himself.”
Zhou Yuzhi directly stepped forward and said: “Has Little Medical Immortal been delayed by some matter and will arrive later? Where is she staying now? Our Zhou Family can provide accommodation, ensuring she is completely satisfied.”
The woman looked at Zhou Yuzhi with a strange expression and repeated: “She?”
Zhou Yuzhi, feeling rather constrained, said: “After all, I have not yet formally become her disciple, so I cannot call her master at this time. However, she must have heard of me from Imperial Physician Zang. Though I lack talent, I do have some aptitude in medicine. I recommend myself to become Little Medical Immortal’s disciple, promising to support and care for my master in the future, allowing her to enjoy her later years in peace.”
Zhou Yuzhi’s words made the woman even more astonished.
Those attending the Ji-ji ceremony, however, sighed inwardly, admiring how quick-witted these people were.
It seemed the rumors circulating on the streets these past few days about Little Medical Immortal taking the Zhou Family’s Second Young Master as a disciple were their own doing to build momentum.
Zhou Qinzhu also stepped forward: “Yes, my Second Brother has great talent. He will certainly not bring disgrace to Little Medical Immortal’s name in the future. Moreover, this time Little Medical Immortal is to treat my grandmother. This is a great kindness to our Jing’an Houfu. Our entire family will be grateful to Little Medical Immortal and will treat her as a most honored guest.”
Zhou Zhili also wanted to say something, but the woman solemnly spoke first: “You have misunderstood. Little Medical Immortal originally intended to come to Jing’an Houfu. However, after entering the city and hearing about certain matters, she has changed her mind. This is the invitation she asked me to return to Houfu. As for the generous rewards Houfu previously promised, she is not interested.”
“Little Medical Immortal also asked me to relay a message to Houye: Knowing full well that it is retribution, she will not intervene to help. Kindness misplaced is equivalent to evil. Using medical skills on wicked people is no different from abetting tyranny.”
The bad premonition in Zhou Zhili’s heart now became reality, causing a roaring buzz in his mind. For a moment, he did not know how to react.
Laofuren could not hold back and asked with difficulty: “Could you tell us, what did Little Medical Immortal hear about?”
The woman looked at Laofuren’s unwilling expression and said, “How did Jing’an Houfu treat Lady Ye and her daughter back then? Has Laofuren forgotten?”
Without paying attention to Laofuren’s reaction, she turned to Zhou Yuzhi and added, “Second Young Master, Little Medical Immortal has also heard the rumors circulating in the streets these past few days. She has a message for you: someone who doesn’t even recognize their own birth mother is not qualified to become her disciple.”
She directly shoved the invitation letter into Zhou Zhili’s hands and said expressionlessly, “The message has been delivered. Farewell.”
Watching the woman leave the Zhou Family without any hesitation, Zhou Zhili saw the guests’ mouths moving incessantly but seemed unable to hear what they were saying.
Until someone shouted loudly, “Laofuren has fainted…”
What began as a proper Ji-ji ceremony, lively and bustling at the start, ended like a farce.
Those who had brought patients along never got to see Little Medical Immortal’s face, but they all witnessed the Zhou Family father and son being harshly rejected one after another.
Such a memorable scene would likely be talked about with relish for a long time to come.
By the time Zhou Zhili regained his senses, his mother had already collapsed on the ground. Ye Lanxin was hastily dealing with everything, while his father-in-law, the old Marquis of Yunyang Houfu, was already helping to escort the guests out.
“Go and invite Imperial Physician Zang…”
He finally managed to regain his composure. The top priority now was to save his mother’s life.
Zhou Qinzhu, who should have been the center of attention throughout the ceremony, stood alone in place, her face filled with disbelief.
Her Ji-ji ceremony began with half the courtyard filled with listless patients and ended in chaos with her grandmother’s sudden collapse…
Jing’an Houfu was thrown into utter chaos. The commoners outside the gate truly got an eyeful of the spectacle. Many who had hoped to catch a glimpse of Little Medical Immortal despised Jing’an Houfu for its blind publicity. They complained as they walked away, showing no concern for whether Laofuren would survive.
After everyone had left, the servants hurriedly cleaned up outside, while those inside remained flustered and disorganized.
Zhou Yuzhi, who had been sternly rejected by Little Medical Immortal, was distracted and frequently lost focus while examining Laofuren, infuriating Zhou Zhili.
Seeing the family, once full of anticipation, now consumed by hostility, Zhou Yuxiu also felt extremely irritated.
“Zhili, if even you can’t stay calm at a time like this, how can Yuzhi, still a child, manage…? Didn’t you already send someone to invite Imperial Physician Zang? Where is he?”
Lady Pan, Laofuren of Yunyang Houfu, had just comforted her granddaughter. Seeing Zhou Zhili’s attitude, she spoke sternly again.
“You are right to admonish me, Mother-in-law. Shouguo Gongfu isn’t far, so he should already be on his way… However, Imperial Physician Zang was attending a banquet there today and may not have brought his tools.”
“It’s fine. The tools Yuzhi usually uses should be sufficient to handle this. My in-law’s illness was triggered by acute anxiety and anger. That girl really knows how to stir up trouble. Now that she has attached herself to Shouguo Gongfu and received the title of County Princess, she can still cause trouble for Jing’an Houfu…”
Lady Pan’s words just reignited the hatred Zhou Zhili had barely managed to suppress.
“Gu Ruanci, don’t think that just because you changed your name, you can rest easy forever. If you truly cause your own grandmother’s death, even Shouguo Gongfu will suffer the consequences!”
Zhou Yuzhi finally steadied his mind, found the right spot, and inserted needles for Laofuren.
Laofuren, unconscious, wore a pained expression, her brows tightly furrowed, clearly suffering greatly.
This scene made Zhou Zhili even more distressed. He simply could not accept it. He had originally thought that Little Medical Immortal would come today to cure his mother’s illness with a single dose of medicine, but because of Gu Ruanci’s matter, all of this had become an empty hope. His mother now lay here, and it was uncertain whether her life could be saved.
At that moment, the servant sent to fetch Zang Jizhi returned.
“Lord Marquis…”
The servant’s uneasy voice only deepened Zhou Zhili’s own unease.
“Where is Imperial Physician Zang?” Zhou Yuxiu asked first.
“Heir Apparent, Imperial Physician Zang is drunk at Shouguo Gongfu. He can barely walk and is unable to come to examine Laofuren…”