Not long after, the document drawn up by Jiang Sui was delivered. After reading it, Ji Kongqing signed her name.
Once settled, Jiang Sui swiftly had her subordinates inspect a storefront, and in accordance with Ji Kongqing’s requirements, hired the relevant personnel she needed, having them sign contracts of indenture.
Just as all this was completed, Minister Li suddenly arrived at the Princess’s Estate.
“Your Highness, by the Emperor’s oral edict, His Majesty summons Your Highness and the Prince Consort into the palace.”
Realizing that the one-month period had arrived and that His Imperial Father wished to inspect Ji Kongqing’s progress, Jiang Sui had Cuizhu fetch her, and the two boarded a carriage together to enter the palace.
Upon entering the palace, Minister Li led the two to the Imperial Study.
After paying their respects to the Emperor, Jiang Shengjiang looked at Ji Kongqing and nodded with satisfaction. “Weiqian has already told Us everything about this past month.”
“Prince Consort, you have done very well. In half a month, you taught all the imperial physicians, and this method can also benefit the common people, aiding the populace. Excellent, Us did not misjudge you.”
“Your Majesty flatters this subject; this subject truly does not deserve such praise.” Ji Kongqing modestly declined.
“We hear from Weiqian that half a month ago, you even accompanied them to the Huimin Medical Bureau, treating many commoners and saving two patients whom they were completely helpless against, employing the technique of abdominal surgery to ensure both mother and child survived a difficult labor.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Ji Kongqing candidly acknowledged this. “But it is entirely thanks to that family’s good luck; the success rate of performing this technique is not high.”
“High or not, using a new method to save lives is naturally wonderful. Countless people die in childbirth every year, and being able to save lives is a good thing.” Jiang Shengjiang laughed heartily. “Ji Sheng has indeed sent Us a fine son-in-law.”
Ji Kongqing knew he was referring to the original body’s biological father, Ji Sheng, King of the Kingdom of Thousand Birds.
Since he was not her real father and had treated the original body with extreme ruthlessness, Ji Kongqing naturally would not speak on his behalf.
She merely replied, “That is also because under Your Majesty’s governance, this subject dared to perform such a technique. In the Kingdom of Thousand Birds, my royal father would only consider these to be sorcery.”
Hearing this, Jiang Shengjiang felt quite pleased and gave a grand wave of his hand.
“Prince Consort, name whatever reward you desire, and Us shall grant it. Last time you said you had not thought of anything, but have you figured it out now?”
“This subject only wishes to accompany the physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy on volunteer medical missions every month. May I, Your Majesty?”
Knowing that her current status was awkward, Ji Kongqing realized it was best not to request anything related to power, so she only asked for an insignificant matter.
“You only want this?” Jiang Shengjiang was somewhat surprised.
Ji Kongqing nodded. “Yes, this subject only wishes to carry forward the medical skills learned from my master and save the lives of the common people. Apart from this, I have no other desires, and I beg Your Majesty’s permission.”
“Very well, Us grants it, and further bestows upon you a hundred liang of gold.” Jiang Shengjiang smiled, approving Ji Kongqing’s request.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Ji Kongqing bowed in salute.
“Now, Prince Consort, go rest in the side hall first; Us has matters to discuss with Fenghua.” Jiang Shengjiang dismissed Ji Kongqing.
Acquiescing, Ji Kongqing followed Minister Li to the side hall.
“Sui’er, how have you and the Prince Consort been getting along lately?” Jiang Shengjiang motioned for Jiang Sui to sit with him while a palace maid poured tea for them both.
“Acceptable.” Jiang Sui nodded. “She has been quite obedient and has not caused trouble.”
“That is good. However, this Prince Consort of yours is quite different from the intelligence reports sent back by our spies.” Jiang Shengjiang stroked his chin with a puzzled expression. “If the portraits sent by the spies were not of her, Us would have suspected she was swapped out.”
“Perhaps her presence is simply too low, and the people of the Kingdom of Thousand Birds did not know what she was actually doing,” Jiang Sui pondered for a moment. “Besides, does Ji Sheng not have numerous offspring? In order to survive, concealing one’s capabilities is entirely possible.”
“Sui’er speaks with reason.” Jiang Shengjiang nodded in agreement.
“It seems Ji Sheng did not know his own daughter’s talent either, sending her here as a hostage and instead bringing a talent over to our Jiaming.”
“As for her, has she been well-behaved lately? Has she had any contact with the spies from the Kingdom of Thousand Birds in the capital?”
“Not at all.” Jiang Sui shook her head. “She spends most of her time within the estate and rarely goes out. Dark Five has never witnessed anyone from the Kingdom of Thousand Birds making contact with her.”
“That is good.” Jiang Shengjiang lowered his gaze. “Keep her under surveillance for now. If she harbors allegiance to us, spending her entire life in Jiaming is not out of the question.”
“Us can also give her a reasonable identity so she may live in peace until old age. But should she become restless, then kill her; after all, she is merely a princess of a hostile state.”
Jiang Sui agreed with Jiang Shengjiang’s approach, as neither she nor her imperial father were inherently bloodthirsty individuals.
“As for Sui’er, do you have someone you fancy now?” Jiang Shengjiang looked at Jiang Sui with a smile.
Jiang Sui gave the same reply as before. “None.”
“Ah, what a pity.” Jiang Shengjiang sighed. “If Chuhe had not been injured, letting her become your Prince Consort would have been splendid. What a shame.”
“I hold no such romantic feelings toward her.” Jiang Sui shook her head. “Though she is indeed a pity.”
“Have you ever gone to visit her?”
“Yes, I visit her estate once a month. She remains as she always was.”
“Ah, what a pity.” Jiang Shengjiang shook his head, a look of sorrow crossing his face. “Envy of heaven toward gifted talents.”
Jiang Sui remained silent, uttering no further words.
Coming out from the palace, Ji Kongqing and Jiang Sui prepared to return to the Princess’s Estate.
On the way back, due to unknown circumstances, the carriage was blocked and unable to move forward for a long time.
“What is going on?” Ji Kongqing lifted the carriage curtain to question the driver.
The driver got down to investigate and quickly returned to report, “Prince Consort, two beggars are seeking medical attention at the entrance of the medical hall ahead, but they were thrown out. The hall’s thugs are beating people.”
Ji Kongqing frowned. “I will go take a look.”
“Be careful.” Jiang Sui offered a reminder.
Ji Kongqing jumped down from the carriage and trotted over.
Just as she reached the entrance of the medical hall, she witnessed a heartbreaking scene.
The thugs of the medical hall were kicking a young beggar who looked to be only five or six years old. Though still just a child, he clenched his teeth tightly after being struck and let out not a single sound.
Beside him lay an unconscious old beggar covered by a tattered straw mat, their life or death unknown.
“Hold on,” Ji Kongqing rushed forward to intervene. “They have already been driven out by you, why must you push them to their deaths?”
The thugs stopped their assault, looked up at Ji Kongqing, and noticing her fine attire, guessed she must be a young lady from some prominent household, so they restrained themselves.
One of them spoke up: “They disrupted the medical hall’s business, and bad omens deserve a beating.”
“Does a medical hall’s business need disrupting? A physician should have a benevolent heart. For a medical hall that resorts to beating and kicking those seeking help at every turn, poor business is entirely normal.”
Ji Kongqing sneered, casting a disdainful glance at the elderly physician standing at the entrance of the medical hall.
She had noticed this old man standing there right as she arrived; seeing the old and young being beaten, not only did he fail to help, but he was even smiling, which instantly filled her with rage.
“What do you mean?” The thug clenched his fists, unable to resist the urge to act against Ji Kongqing.
Ji Kongqing stood her ground, staring at him. “If you have the courage, hit me. Hit me, and I will ensure you spend the rest of your life in prison. Feel free to try.”
The thug looked at Ji Kongqing with bitter resentment, but after a moment of hesitation, he stepped back and did not strike.
The old man inside who had been watching the spectacle realized this situation was beyond the thugs’ handling. He walked over and bowed to Ji Kongqing. “I wonder which household’s young lady you are?”
“You are worthy of knowing?” Ji Kongqing sneered. “Just a fickle old monkey bending with the wind, and you are worthy of speaking to me?”
The old physician had never been looked down upon like this before, and his face instantly turned dark.
The watching onlookers also began to chime in: “This Jishi Medical Hall relies on being an industry under the wealthiest family, and this isn’t the first time they’ve beaten people like this. Today they’ve probably kicked a hard rock.”
“Indeed, this old lady has long found their medical hall utterly obnoxious. Their prices are exorbitant, and every time they prescribe medicine they engage in forced buying and selling, going entirely too far.”
“Who told the wealthiest family to be the Second Prince’s uncle? Imperial relatives, naturally they are arrogant.”
Hearing this, Ji Kongqing understood why this medical hall behaved so arrogantly; as it turned out, they had someone backing them up!
Yet she was not afraid. Relying on power to bully others, who couldn’t do that? She could play the fox exploiting the tiger’s might just as well. No matter how formidable Jiang Yu was, he was not as formidable as Jiang Sui.
Seeing that Ji Kongqing showed no backing down even upon hearing of their connection to the Second Prince, the old physician could no longer gauge Ji Kongqing’s identity.
Once again, he bowed respectfully to Ji Kongqing. “May I ask whose household young lady you are?”
Ji Kongqing let out a cold snort. “You are not worthy to know!”
Glancing sideways at the old man, she squatted down to check the old beggar’s condition.
“Are you a physician?” The young beggar scrambled up. His grime-covered face obscured his features, but those eyes were clear and bright, marking him as someone pure of heart.
Ji Kongqing nodded. “What relation are you two?”
“He is my grandfather,” the young beggar replied.
“How long has he been like this?”
“About three days.”
Understanding the situation, Ji Kongqing fished out her purse from her robe, sought out two sturdy farm laborers among the crowd, and pressed two small pieces of silver into their hands. “Help me carry him and take him to the nearest inn.”
One of the laborers was quite sharp. “There is a large inn nearby, owned by the Eldest Princess.”
“Then go there.” Ji Kongqing nodded with satisfaction. “Let us go, lead the way.”
Seeing Ji Kongqing attempt to leave with the two men, the thugs tried to block them, but the old physician glared at them and gave a slight shake of his head.
The capital was beneath the feet of the Son of Heaven, populated by countless nobles. Although they had the Second Prince as their backing, they only dared to bully ordinary folk lacking power and influence, and dared not easily make an enemy of powerful figures for the Second Prince.
Therefore, after Ji Kongqing left, the old physician signaled the thug to tail Ji Kongqing secretly.
Yuelai Inn.
“This is…” Seeing Ji Kongqing bring a beggar over, the innkeeper looked somewhat hesitant.
Ji Kongqing laid down two liang of silver. “Open a room, prepare water, and provide two sets of clothes, one large and one small.”
She gestured toward the two beggars.
Upon seeing the money, the innkeeper hesitated no further and instructed a waiter to make preparations.
Once Ji Kongqing resolved this matter, the path outside had cleared, yet with Ji Kongqing still missing, Jiang Sui grew somewhat puzzled. “Where is she?”
The carriage driver was equally clueless. Jiang Sui pressed her lips together and waited in place for a short while, until shortly after, a farm laborer approached. “Pardon me, are you a friend of Miss Ji?”
“Where has she gone?” The driver nodded and asked.
“She took two beggars to Yuelai Inn. She asked me to come inform you that she will be returning late.”
“Very well, thank you.” The driver tossed a small fragment of silver to the laborer.
The laborer never expected to receive money just for delivering a message; true to nobles who rode such carriages, their spending was exceptionally generous.
“Return to the estate.” Learning that Ji Kongqing had gone to her own inn, Jiang Sui dropped the inquiry and instructed the driver to head back.