“What do you mean?”
Just as Zhou Zhili was about to demand an explanation, another palace attendant came to report.
“Your Majesty, Empress, someone from Jing’an Houfu has come seeking an audience. They say Laofuren is critically ill and request the Marquis to return immediately…”
Zhou Zhili was stunned, his expression toward Gu Ruanci growing even more resentful.
“Ungrateful daughter, if you hadn’t angered Mother, how could her condition have worsened? If anything happens to her, I will make you pay.”
Gu Ruanci replied with exceptional calm, “Are you referring to the funeral gift money? You don’t need to remind me—I’ll give it. How much do you think is appropriate?”
Before Zhou Zhili could say more, the Emperor interjected, “Jing’an Hou, Laofuren’s condition is urgent. Take Imperial Physician Zang with you and return…”
With the Emperor mediating, Zhou Zhili finally regained some semblance of reason and left in a rage.
Gu Congyun was particularly satisfied with how lightly Gu Ruanci had delivered those piercing words.
His daughter was not someone to be bullied.
He glanced proudly at the Emperor once more, his smug expression so unbearable that even the Emperor found it hard to look at.
“Alright, you’ve brought your daughter for me to see, and you’ve already driven people away. Hurry home now…”
The Emperor’s tone was tinged with impatience.
Watching them leave, the Emperor couldn’t help but remark to the Empress, “How much hatred must this Gu Ruanci harbor to speak so calmly to her own father in such a way?”
The Empress, however, gently replied, “How utterly inhuman must this Zhou Zhili be to drive his own daughter to such heartlessness? Your Majesty, do not forget—there is only Gu Ruanci now, no Zhou Qingran.”
“It seems that in a few days, at the Renqin Yan, I must send a grand gift.”
On the way out of the palace, Gu Congyun could hardly contain himself.
“Ruanci, the words you just spoke to Zhou Zhili truly pleased me. Rest assured, our family will not impose rigid rules on you, forcing you to weigh every word. As for those who would reject you outright for your outspokenness, claiming they dare not marry you—we wouldn’t want them either. They’re all cowards.”
Gu Congyun was in high spirits, at least relieved that his daughter was no pushover.
For years, he had been preparing, waiting for his daughter’s return so he could protect her in every way.
Zhuang Hefeng interjected, “Our daughter has just returned. I want her to stay with me for a few more years. Why bring up marriage out of nowhere? Have you run out of things to say?”
Gu Congyun quickly apologized, “My dear, I got carried away just now and spoke carelessly…”
“Enough, let’s hurry home. This Renqin Yan must be held with dignity, so that everyone in Dizhou knows the daughter of Shouguo Gongfu has returned.”
She was comforted by Gu Ruanci’s composed demeanor earlier, confident that she would not be manipulated by those from the Zhou Family in the future.
Those shameless people were capable of who knows what unscrupulous acts.
After meeting Zang Jizhi at the imperial physician’s quarters, Zhou Zhili rushed him back to Jing’an Houfu.
Along the way, he spewed all manner of slander and insults about Gu Ruanci. Zang Jizhi listened coldly, neither agreeing nor stopping or correcting him.
After all, this family no longer had any connection to his Little Junior Sister. There was no need for him to help them settle their grievances.
Hate all you want. In the end, when they realize the person they resent most now is the only hope for their Laofuren’s survival, they’ll regret it.
“How is she, Imperial Physician Zang?”
As soon as Zang Jizhi finished applying the acupuncture needles, Zhou Zhili hurriedly asked.
Ye Lanxin also stepped forward to emphasize, “Imperial Physician Zang, my mother-in-law suffered from a sudden surge of anger. Her health was already poor, and after hearing all sorts of nonsense, her condition worsened. Originally, with careful rest and waiting for your junior sister to arrive, there wouldn’t have been any problems. But now, I’m afraid it will require more effort. If you need any rare or expensive medicinal herbs, just say the word—we won’t hesitate…”
“It’s all because of that wretched Zhou Qingran. If she hadn’t recklessly returned and spoken so improperly, how could things in the household have turned out like this? Little Sister was driven to attempt suicide by her, and now Grandmother was nearly anger to death by her. She’s nothing but a jinx. If she ever returns to the household, I’ll make sure she kneels for three full days and give her a few lashes with the whip.”
Zhou Yuzhi’s words were spoken through gritted teeth.
Seeing Zang Jizhi’s increasingly cold gaze, he thought the Imperial Physician was disappointed because he had been distracted and not fully focused on Grandmother’s condition.
He quickly explained, “Imperial Physician Zang, this student was simply too angry and heartbroken for Grandmother, which is why such thoughts arose. When one cares deeply, it’s easy to become flustered. Please do not take offense…”
Before Zang Jizhi could respond, he immediately added, “Given Grandmother’s current critical condition, if not for your exquisite and masterful acupuncture technique just now, we would have been at a complete loss. Setting aside the matter of wanting to become your disciple, which we discussed earlier, could you perhaps teach me a thing or two about that acupuncture technique, just in case of emergencies?”
Zang Jizhi recalled how Jing’an Houfu had been trying for years to get Zhou Yuzhi to become his disciple and felt nothing but annoyance. Treating Laofuren was his duty as a physician and his responsibility as an Imperial Physician. His Little Junior Sister wouldn’t overthink it. But if he accepted Zhou Yuzhi as a disciple, even before Little Junior Sister cut ties with him, their master would likely expel him from the school outright.
“You recognize all the acupuncture points, but the depth and force of the silver needles require accumulated experience. It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to apply what you learn temporarily directly on your grandmother.”
Zhou Yuzhi understood that this was yet another rejection from Zang Jizhi. While feeling somewhat frustrated, another aspiration grew even stronger: to meet the Little Medical Immortal and strive to become her disciple.
Based on Zang Jizhi’s previous descriptions of his junior sister—well-traveled, highly skilled in medicine, and already showing signs of surpassing their master—he imagined she must be an elderly, unmarried woman with no children. Perhaps she could see him as her own child, as her future support.
Imperial Physician Zang had no time to analyze his delusions. After prescribing the medicine, he left directly.
Only then did everyone have a moment to inquire about what exactly had happened in the palace.
The more Zhou Zhili thought about it, the angrier he became. After recounting the events, the usually steady Eldest Son, Zhou Yuxiu, spoke with a grim expression, “Ten years, and she has become so rebellious. We never should have let her leave with Lady Ye back then.”
“Since she left, she shouldn’t have come back. We were living perfectly fine lives. Just because she appeared, everyone is unhappy. She’s nothing but a scourge. When I see her one day, I’ll definitely teach her a proper lesson.”
The youngest son of Houfu, Zhou Yuqi, didn’t even bother to hide his disdain.
The person they were discussing at that moment didn’t seem like their own blood sister, but rather an enemy.
The widow of the eldest branch, Wen Zimei, who had remained silent until now, spoke up at this moment: “I wonder when that Little Medical Immortal will finally arrive. We should have asked Imperial Physician Zang just now…”