Because of the injury on her face, Ji Kongqing stayed in the courtyard for the next few days without going out.
She would frequently stare blankly at the sky, sigh, and look pensive.
Ping’an really couldn’t figure out what was on Ji Kongqing’s mind, so unable to hold back any longer, she took the initiative to ask, “Master, what are you thinking about?”
Ji Kongqing had been applying medicine to her face herself these past few days, so the swelling had already gone down, leaving only some bruises.
She said, “I’ve been reflecting on my mistakes these past few days. What I said to Her Highness last time seemed a bit excessive. She’s actually not a bad person. Shouldn’t I give her some gifts to express my gratitude?”
Ping’an nodded. “I heard servants in the manor say that Her Highness didn’t even dress her hair at the time. When she heard that you were in trouble, she galloped over on horseback to save you. There aren’t many people in Jiaming who get treated like that.”
“Master really should properly thank Her Highness. The maidservants in the manor are all so envious of you for being saved by Her Highness.”
Ping’an unconsciously revealed an expression of admiration.
Seeing this reaction, Ji Kongqing was somewhat puzzled. “Do you all like Her Highness that much?”
“That’s natural. Her Highness is the dream lover of the people of Jiaming!” Ping’an wore an expression that said you really don’t know how blessed you are. “Her Highness is a hero, a female general. She once led a hundred thousand troops with her kunze body to fight against two hundred thousand.”
“After years of warfare, she has never suffered a single defeat. Apart from those arrogant and rude qianyuan, no one in the capital doesn’t admire Her Highness.”
“The Kingdom of Qiandiao doesn’t dare to step one foot into the border now precisely because Her Highness is here. She is the backbone of the Jiaming people and the God of War among the military generals.”
Ji Kongqing suddenly had a flash of realization. “So I was just a peace-offering gift sent by Qiandiao after Jiang Sui won her battles? That’s really quite ironic.”
In Ji Kongqing’s mind, the face of the original host’s father, Ji Sheng, flashed by, along with the image of Jiang Sui from a few days ago galloping toward her on horseback clad in red.
For some reason, her dreams these past few days were all scenes of Jiang Sui saving her, unrestrained, bold, dashing, and cool. She was the spitting image of the red-clad female general from the novels and manga she used to read, truly unforgettable at first sight.
She wondered what Jiang Sui would look like if she really put on military armor. Would she be even more stunning and heart-stirring than now?
Heart-stirring? What am I thinking about? Ji Kongqing raised a hand to pat her burning face, trying hard to pull herself back from her memories.
“Master, what’s wrong with you? Why is your face so red?” Ping’an’s innocent remark made Ji Kongqing feel her ears growing hot.
She stood up, shaking her head. “It’s nothing, nothing at all. I just suddenly felt a bit warm. Alright, Ping’an, you can step down first. Let me be by myself for a bit.”
Ping’an withdrew with a puzzled expression.
Touching her burning face, Ji Kongqing didn’t know what was wrong with her lately; whenever she thought of Jiang Sui, she would become so strange.
To keep herself from overthinking, Ji Kongqing decisively immersed her consciousness into the space to attend classes, swimming in the ocean of knowledge.
Through the explanations in the system’s Master Lecture Hall, combined with content from books borrowed from the Imperial Medical Bureau, Ji Kongqing had grasped quite a bit regarding the genders and physiological structures of this world.
Though she wasn’t quite at the level where she could start treating people hands-on yet, she had at least truly gotten her foot in the door.
Just as Ji Kongqing had calmed her thoughts and was no longer affected by her previous emotions, Jiang Sui’s personal maidservant, Cuizhu, arrived.
She brought the news that the Princess of Shaowang had invited them to attend a flower-viewing banquet.
“This is the new robe Her Highness prepared for the consort. You can change into it tomorrow.”
Cuizhu brought over a wooden box containing a white plain-brocade long robe, matched with a dark green jade hairpin.
Thinking of her casually suggested remarks when she and Jiang Sui went into business together, Ji Kongqing hadn’t expected Jiang Sui to actually take them to heart.
She smiled and nodded in agreement, indicating she would go tomorrow.
The next day, Ji Kongqing changed into the robe early and waited at the main entrance of the princess’s manor for Jiang Sui to come out.
The weather had already turned hot as June arrived, and the sun had become fierce.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the tiles, landing squarely on Ji Kongqing’s profile.
The light was somewhat dazzling. She raised a hand, narrowing her eyes to block the glare, and walked over to the largest tree in front of the manor, squatting down.
At the base of the tree roots was an ant hole. The ants had formed a neat queue, orderly transporting insect carcasses. They moved very quickly, possessing a perspective unique to their own world.
With an urge to fiddle, Ji Kongqing swiped a finger across the ground, cutting off the scent trail left on their compulsory path.
The ants in the back lost their direction, and one or two even ran elsewhere, but the other ants re-scouted the path and quickly returned to the right track.
What should she do now to return to the right track of her life? Ji Kongqing felt somewhat dazed.
In her previous life, her life consisted only of work. She frequently woke up at five or six in the morning, running back and forth between the outpatient clinic, inpatient department, and operating room. Performing surgeries until dawn was the norm, leaving her with completely no private life.
Thinking about it now, given the intensity of her work back then, dying of exhaustion on the operating table would have been completely normal.
She only had one body. No matter how many patients she saved, she had forgotten that she was also a living, breathing person who needed lovers, friends, and family.
She had missed all of these in her past life; in this life, she really wanted to live differently.
She wanted freedom, health, and a small courtyard belonging exclusively to her where she could raise flowers and grow vegetables.
If she could meet a lover as well, that would be wonderful, boil wine and brew tea, three meals across four seasons, for a lifetime.
Unfortunately, for her right now, even freedom had become a distant luxury.
Someone was coming. In the midst of her daze, a figure blocked the sunlight above her head.
On the newcomer’s feet were a pair of exquisite white embroidered shoes. Lifting her gaze upward, Ji Kongqing met Jiang Sui’s deep and beautiful eyes.
“What are you looking at?” Jiang Sui’s expression was calm; though she was asking a question, her tone held no real curiosity.
Ji Kongqing stood up and briefly sized Jiang Sui up.
She noticed that today Jiang Sui was not wearing red, but had instead changed into a light blue embroidered long dress. Her hair lacked complex ornaments, adorned only with a simple white jade hairpin.
It was very minimalist and clean, but a pretty person looked beautiful even wearing coarse burlap.
“I was watching the ants while waiting for you.”
“You really are bored enough.” Jiang Sui shook her head and looked away. “Let’s go. Going to the flower-viewing banquet today is precisely for the promotion you mentioned last time.”
“A few days ago, this palace already sent the finished products made by the workers to the Shaowang estate. The Princess of Shaowang and the heir both love these things very much, so they will definitely help us promote them today.”
“Her Highness handled it so quickly?” Ji Kongqing hadn’t expected Jiang Sui to have such strong execution skills.
Jiang Sui raised an eyebrow. “Otherwise, should I wait for you to handle it?”
Ji Kongqing shrugged helplessly and cupped her fists. “Then it’s better for Her Highness to handle it. Her Highness is mighty, I’ll just tag along behind and drink some soup.”
“You don’t need to flatter this palace.” Jiang Sui was truly unaccustomed to Ji Kongqing’s fake demeanor. “Just be like how you usually are.”
“Oh.” Ji Kongqing acknowledged, and the two left the manor, with Jiang Sui boarding the carriage first.
Shaowang Estate.
When Ji Kongqing and Jiang Sui arrived, the flower-viewing banquet at the Shaowang Estate had already gathered most of the officials’ female family members in the capital.
Upon arrival, Ji Kongqing found that almost everyone present was a kunze. Jiang Sui’s biological sister, Jiang Yi, and her half-sister, the Fourth Princess Jiang Liang, had also come. At a glance, it was clearly an exclusive gathering for kunze.
When Ji Kongqing stepped inside, these people all looked uniformly toward her, making her feel as though she were sitting on pins and needles, and she could only awkwardly hide behind Jiang Sui.
Seeing this, Jiang Yi took the initiative to walk over, her face, which bore a five-to-six-part similarity to Jiang Sui’s, filled with teasing intent. “Imperial Elder Sister, why does your consort look so timid today? Last time she was able to speak with a tongue as sharp as a blade in front of Father.”
“Indeed, indeed, Kongqing, when I saw you last time, you weren’t like this.” The Princess of Shaowang also gathered around, teasing her while looking at Ji Kongqing.
Ji Kongqing awkwardly waved her hands. “Isn’t it just feeling a bit embarrassed being stared at by such a large group of beauties?”
With Ji Kongqing’s words, the family members who had originally looked somewhat solemn immediately burst into laughter. An elderly female kunze covered her mouth with a chuckle, “Eldest Princess, your consort really has such a sweet mouth.”
Jiang Sui slanted a glance at Ji Kongqing and smiled faintly.
Feeling inexplicably guilty, Ji Kongqing turned to look at Cuizhu at the side, signaling her to hand the box over to the Princess of Shaowang.
“Your Highness, this is a gift from Her Highness and me. It’s a small washing gadget I made at home when I had idle time recently. I hope you won’t disdain it.”
“How could I disdain it? Since the consort sent it, this princess is too happy to even begin with.” The Princess of Shaowang smiled amiably and had someone take it, instructing them to open the gift on the spot.
The people around watching the excitement all gathered close. The first to speak was Prime Minister’s wife Shen Hanqiu, “What are all these? They look quite exquisite.”
Ji Kongqing smiled faintly and asked the Princess of Shaowang, “Would the Princess mind having someone bring me a basin of clean water and some ink?”
“Naturally.” The Princess of Shaowang instructed a servant, and soon a maid brought over a basin of clean water and a basin of ink.
Ji Kongqing picked up the soap she had made. “This white blocky object is called soap, used for bathing with very strong cleaning power.”
“Look.” Ji Kongqing deliberately stained her hand black with ink. After the ink dried, she submerged her hand into the basin of clean water. The ink didn’t wash off, so Ji Kongqing used traditional gleditsia pods to clean it, which only washed away a portion.
She then picked up the soap, wetted it, and began cleaning her hand. Before long, the ink on her hand was completely cleaned away.
Prime Minister’s wife Shen Hanqiu was surprised. “This can wash it this clean?”
“Yes, and it doesn’t hurt the skin.” Ji Kongqing wiped her hand dry, clenched her fist, and signaled that Shen Hanqiu could touch the back of her hand.
Shen Hanqiu hesitated for a moment and looked toward Jiang Sui. “Does Her Highness mind?”
Ji Kongqing hadn’t expected Shen Hanqiu to ask Jiang Sui this, and instinctively glanced at Jiang Sui.
Jiang Sui smiled faintly and nodded. “Prime Minister doesn’t mind, so this palace naturally doesn’t mind either.”
“Oh my, she and I are already an old married couple, it’s nothing.” Shen Hanqiu waved her hand generously, reaching out to touch the back of Ji Kongqing’s hand.
“Oh, the skin really seems to have become better.” Shen Hanqiu was somewhat surprised. “I want to wash mine and see too.”
Ji Kongqing made space, having someone bring another basin of clean water for Shen Hanqiu to try the soap.
After using it, Shen Hanqiu touched her hand to confirm her sensation. “It really feels much smoother on the back of the hand.”
“Wait.” Shen Hanqiu lowered her head to sniff her freshly washed hand. “What a refreshing scent. What fragrance is this? Peppermint?”
“Not bad.” Ji Kongqing smiled and nodded. “This scent can be customized. If you need it, we can custom-make a fragrance specifically for you.”
“Then what about these, what are they all?” Shen Hanqiu’s eyes sparkled as she looked expectantly at the remaining items.
Ji Kongqing beckoned, signaling Cuizhu to come over, and began demonstrating the items one by one for everyone to try.
Every item she displayed was more novel than the last, quickly capturing everyone’s attention.
The flower-viewing banquet instantly turned into a commodity promotion convention, and the kunze who had always stayed in the inner quarters had their shopping desires thoroughly ignited.
Apart from the soap and mosquito coils Ji Kongqing displayed, the mosquito-repellent floral water had the most people placing orders, simply because it could repel mosquitoes while smelling pleasant, far superior to previous smoke-based mosquito repellents.
After the promotion ended, the order logs recorded by the junior servant helping the Shaowang estate were written across a full, massive sheet of paper.
Seeing that the time was about right, Jiang Sui leaned close to Ji Kongqing’s ear and whispered, “Your task for today is done, you can return to the manor.”
“I’m going back by myself?” Ji Kongqing was somewhat surprised. “You’re not coming with me?”
“This is a kunze gathering.” Jiang Sui glared at her. “This palace and the madams are going to have lunch later, it’s inconvenient for you to be present.”
“Fine.”
Having recently taken gender-based medical courses, Ji Kongqing understood the gender differences in this world and was slowly adapting, so she didn’t say any more and turned to leave the Shaowang Estate with the person Jiang Sui had arranged to escort her back.
Not long after Jiang Sui left, someone brought up the matter of Ji Kongqing being harmed a few days ago, asking Jiang Sui if she had caught the culprit.
Jiang Sui was not surprised that they knew this news; she had rushed out of the manor in a hurry that day, galloping wildly on horseback without masking her face at all. The commoners knew, so naturally those who planted spies in the princess’s manor knew as well.
Jiang Sui smiled faintly. “Caught, we did catch them, but the other party took poison and committed suicide.”
“Ah, then doesn’t that mean there’s no proof of death?” A male kunze covered in facial powder wore a disappointed expression.
Jiang Sui gave him a look that was half-smile, half-serious, remembering that he was the favorite concubine of Qian Yougui, Jiang Yu’s maternal uncle.
“No proof of death?” A carefree and nonchalant composure filled Jiang Sui’s face. “There is no such term in this palace. Those who harm her will pay the price they deserve.”
The male kunze felt a chill run through his heart looking at Jiang Sui’s smile, and immediately decided to thoroughly question his master upon returning to the estate.
“Alright, we won’t chat about extra things anymore. Once things are bought, we need to fill our stomachs. Later I will have people prepare a banquet, let’s enjoy the flowers while composing poems and playing around.”
Sensing the atmosphere was off, the Princess of Shaowang took the initiative to end this topic, inviting everyone to enjoy flowers and drink together.
The crowd dispersed, and Jiang Sui walked over to Shen Hanqiu to express her gratitude.
Shen Hanqiu smiled and shook her head. “Her Highness is too polite. The consort’s items are good, this minister’s wife is merely speaking the truth.”
After the flower-viewing banquet ended, the male kunze returned to his estate and told Qian Yougui about what he had learned today.
Qian Yougui pulled him into his arms to kiss him and said with a smile, “I thought it was what major matter? It turned out to be just trash gadgets for washing? At most they can only coax ignorant women trapped in the inner quarters, not worth fearing.”
Qian Yougui looked down upon the actions of Jiang Sui and Ji Kongqing, not taking these things to heart, yet he had no idea that this was merely the beginning.
After the flower-viewing banquet ended, Jiang Sui returned to the manor and found that Ji Kongqing was already waiting for her.
“What is your business?” Jiang Sui sat down and picked up the new tea poured for her by Cuizhu.
“Today the things I made have made their presence known in front of the ministers’ wives. Does Her Highness not plan to promote them among the commoners as well?” Ji Kongqing looked at Jiang Sui with a mysterious smile.
Jiang Sui frowned. “Promote them among the commoners? Do you think the pricing of these items is something ordinary commoners can afford?”
Ji Kongqing smiled. “Ordinary commoners can’t afford them, but they still need to recognize our brand, otherwise when those young ladies and madams buy them, how will they highlight their status?”
Jiang Sui fell silent, tilting her head with a sudden flash of realization. “Ji Kongqing, you really do have the potential of a ruthless merchant.”
Ji Kongqing cupped her fists. “Overpraised, overpraised, I’m just copying the practices of my predecessors.”
Jiang Sui frowned. “Practices of predecessors? Who?”
Ji Kongqing touched her chin with a profound look. “A group of people called capitalists.”
Looking utterly baffled, Jiang Sui had no idea what Ji Kongqing was talking about, but she still gave the order for her subordinates to contact storytellers, theatrical troupes, bookstores selling prompt-books, and the Baixiaosheng who specialized in spreading gossip, having them jointly promote the Curiosity Shop.
Soon, the Curiosity Shop made a name for itself across various social circles in the capital, becoming a universally known luxury brand in the capital.
From high-ranking officials down to commoners, everyone knew that being able to use items from the Curiosity Shop was a symbol of status.
After the hype of the promotion had heated up enough, Ji Kongqing knew the time had come for deep development.
She immediately suggested that Jiang Sui find a large group of skilled artisans, and drawing from her modern memories to draft designs, they quickly produced a large batch of bags, jewelry, and shoes.
On opening day, all three floors of the Curiosity Shop were packed with goods that were exquisite in craftsmanship, trendy, and beautiful.
Official wives and merchant young ladies all came to patronize, crowding the place until it was completely jammed.
Those of official backgrounds remained relatively restrained, but the wives and young ladies of merchant origins held back not at all, buying bags by the tens or twenties; the restocking couldn’t even keep up with their purchases.
In the third-floor private room of the teahouse opposite the Curiosity Shop.
Even Jiang Sui, who had seen plenty of grand scenes, was astonished by the bustling spectacle of the shop. She couldn’t help marveling at Ji Kongqing’s cleverness, feeling that she had completely grasped the preferences of official and merchant families.
This maneuver of hers swept the money bags of the wealthiest group of people in the capital straight into her own embrace.
“Is Your Highness satisfied?” Ji Kongqing sat opposite Jiang Sui, proactively pouring her a cup of tea with a calm, poised smile on her face.
Jiang Sui lifted her eyes to look at her, understanding dawning instantly as she realized the reason for Ji Kongqing’s recent high-profile behavior. “What do you want to negotiate with this palace?”
“Your Highness is truly wise.” Ji Kongqing cupped her fists in admiration. “Now that Your Highness has also witnessed my capability, I wish to cooperate with Her Highness.”
“Cooperate?” Jiang Sui frowned. “What do you want to gain?”
Ji Kongqing looked at Jiang Sui. “I want freedom.”
“Freedom?” Jiang Sui furrowed her brows, somewhat surprised that after doing so much, Ji Kongqing only wanted freedom?
Jiang Sui found that she truly had some trouble figuring out what was on Ji Kongqing’s mind.
Ji Kongqing nodded. “Mn, I only want freedom.”
Jiang Sui raised an eyebrow. “How do you expect me to grant it to you?”
Ji Kongqing looked downstairs, her tone revealing anticipation. “Your Highness has seen it too. I can draw design drafts, understand commerce, and know medical principles as well.”
“In the future, I am willing to act as the blade in Your Highness’s hands to win people over. I only ask that when Your Highness ascends to that position in days to come, you grant me a household register, release me to return to the fields to accompany the rivers and mountains, flow alongside the rivers, and become a person wandering free and unconstrained like a crane in the clouds.”
Ascend to that position.
The look in Jiang Sui’s eyes toward Ji Kongqing shifted slightly. Ever since she differentiated as a kunze, whether it was the ministers in the capital or her own brothers and sisters, no one felt she still had the qualifications to contend for that position.
How did Ji Kongqing feel so certain that she would contend for it?
“You actually don’t want power and wealth?” Thinking of how Ji Kongqing had previously begged rewards from her father, Jiang Sui had assumed Ji Kongqing loved money.
Ji Kongqing smiled. After experiencing life and death, who would still care about these external possessions? Money was enough as long as it was sufficient; right now, she just wanted to enjoy life.
Of course, she certainly wouldn’t tell Jiang Sui all this.
Ji Kongqing merely nodded. “I have no interest in power and wealth. Money is enough as long as it’s enough, and I don’t like schemes and deceit, nor do I enjoy studying human relationships day in and day out. Wealth and power are merely fleeting clouds after all, which is why I only ask for this single thing.”
“Fine, this palace promises you.” Jiang Sui stared into Ji Kongqing’s eyes and agreed to this cooperation. “When my wish is fulfilled, this palace will have someone draft a new identity for you, far away from the imperial court, to live a carefree life.”
After Ji Kongqing left, a sparrow flew to the eaves of the teahouse, lingering for a moment before flying back up into the sky and disappearing from sight. Jiang Sui wore a dazed expression.
Freedom? In the capital, freedom was a luxury for everyone situated in the imperial court.
A month later, Jiang Sui received the ledger and was instantly startled upon seeing the turnover of the Curiosity Shop. For a shop spanning a mere three stories, the profit of a single month actually matched half a year’s profit from the inns under her name.
She had underestimated Ji Kongqing, never expecting that someone who looked somewhat brainless could possess such novel commercial ideas.
Just as Jiang Sui was still deep in thought, Ji Kongqing arrived.
“Your Highness, how are the earnings?”
Jiang Sui handed the ledger over to Ji Kongqing. Scanning the profit figures roughly, Ji Kongqing broke into a smile. “Your Highness, I have another idea, I wonder if Your Highness would like to hear it.”
“Speak.” Jiang Sui took a sip of tea, anticipating what earth-shattering words Ji Kongqing might utter next.
“I recently inquired about the properties under the wealthiest man Qian’s name, and discovered that the most profitable parts of the Qian family business are none other than the medicinal herb trade and the jewelry and gemstone trade. The jewelry and gemstone business thrives because he owns gemstone mines under his name, capable of producing a steady stream of jade and gems.”
“Coupled with the fact that the Qian family serves as the maternal clan of the Second Imperial Highness Jiang Yu, they are able to exclusively supply jewelry and precious medicinal herbs to the palace through the Second Highness’s connections.”
“Your investigation is quite accurate.” Jiang Sui nodded. “Then what do you propose to do?”
“They have been the richest men for so long, I believe many people are jealous of them. Since that’s the case, why not utilize other merchants? The Qian family could make the Second Highness their backer, why can Her Highness not become someone else’s backer?”
“What plans do you have, and whose family have you set your sights on?” Jiang Sui was somewhat curious.
Ji Kongqing smiled faintly. “Does Your Highness know the Cao family, who handle maritime transport? Their business relies on dock shipping, frequently transporting goods and commodities to various countries. The place they most frequently visit is the Kingdom of Haiyue, which produces pearls, agates, crystals, jade, and all sorts of exotic fruits.”
“You want to cooperate with them?” Jiang Sui raised an eyebrow. “Their family subsists on maritime transport with numerous merchant ships under their banner, and many merchants in the capital rely on their shipping docks. They aren’t lacking people to cooperate with.”
“With the current scale of business between this palace and you, they will likely look down on such a meager profit eight times out of ten.”
“Then we will expand the business,” Ji Kongqing looked at Jiang Sui with a firm gaze. “Your Highness, the Qian family owns chained Treasure Pavilions with branch stores in every city of the Kingdom of Jiaming. Jiaming is so vast with numerous wealthy households, we can also open shops outside the capital.”
“Not only that, we can also build specialized commercial streets where shops can venture into apparel, jewelry and gold, cosmetics, pastry restaurants, with sources of goods coming from other countries. Only novel trinkets can create a unique, limited-edition feel.”
“Once the commercial street develops, we can also lease the stalls on both sides of the street to impoverished commoners, allowing them to compete for positions to sell snacks, fruits, or other foods.”
“If this business model succeeds, we can replicate it elsewhere. Your Highness can first implement it on a trial basis in your fiefdom of Jiangzhou, see the effects, and then make a decision.”
Jiang Sui pondered Ji Kongqing’s words for a long time before nodding. “In that case, you shall submit a proposal to this palace. I want to see your specific implementation methods.”
Ji Kongqing smiled faintly and pulled several sheets of paper covered in writing from her bosom. “I’ve already written it down, Your Highness can take a look.”
Jiang Sui took the papers and discovered that the handwriting was not the standard regular script she usually saw; it was writing with almost no brush flourish, lacking literati backbone, but it made up for being neat and easy to recognize.
After spending half a quarter of an hour reading through it, Jiang Sui put the papers down and nodded. “Alright, this palace grants it, but this isn’t something whose effects can be seen overnight. To build a commercial street in Jiangzhou, there must be a source of goods. You said we’ll import goods from other countries, where will the source of goods come from?”
“Naturally, by negotiating with the Cao family.” Ji Kongqing looked at Jiang Sui, looking extremely confident.
“You have a way?”
How long had she even been in Jiaming? She didn’t even know many people, what way could she possibly have?
Doubt filled Jiang Sui’s heart, and her brain was already contemplating how to manipulate the Cao family.
Who would have thought that the next second, Ji Kongqing would smile faintly. “Did Your Highness forget what I am capable of?”
“Medical skills?” Jiang Sui raised an eyebrow uncertainly.
Ji Kongqing nodded. “I heard that Cao Qian, the head of the Cao family, suffers from diabetes. Not only is he constantly on medication year-round, but he also needs to avoid greasy and sweet foods, yet before falling ill, those were precisely what he loved eating most.”
“To cure this illness, he invited many famous doctors who were unable to achieve a complete cure, suffering terribly all this while. He has also posted notices far and wide for famous doctors, stating that as long as his illness is cured, he will give a thousand pieces of gold and ten thousand pieces of silver as consultation fees.”
“That is indeed true. Could it be that you can cure it?” Jiang Sui was somewhat surprised.
Ji Kongqing shook her head. “It cannot be cured, but it can be suppressed, at least allowing him to eat the things he loves. In this way, he will have no choice but to rely on me.”
“Rely on you? Aren’t you afraid he might find someone to copy the medicine you give him?” Jiang Sui was deeply skeptical.
Ji Kongqing shook her head with a mysterious smile. “I am confident, simply because that medicine belongs exclusively to me, and only I can make it.”
The reason Ji Kongqing was so confident was because this month she had gone out to participate in free clinics with the Imperial Medical Bureau again, and the system had unlocked insulin injections.
Jiang Sui frowned, looking at Ji Kongqing’s confident appearance, and her curiosity toward her grew even stronger.
An ailment that imperial physicians in the capital couldn’t treat, this imperial princess from a remote, minor country actually possessed the ability to treat it. Could it really be as she claimed, that her medical skills were taught by a wandering physician?
Would a wandering physician capable of treating such an ailment be someone of unknown status?
Once doubt takes root in a person’s mind, suspicion grows larger and larger.
Jiang Sui recalled Ji Kongqing’s foolish behavior of letting kind intentions cause trouble a few days ago, her unconventional treatment methods, her novel commercial ideas, and her predicament back in the Kingdom of Qiandiao.
The Ji Kongqing she knew was kind-hearted, empathetic, and benevolent, yet spoke without filtering and acted without considering consequences. If not for her protection, she would have long been eaten down to the bones without a single shred left.
Someone like her, how had she managed to survive until now within the treacherous royal family of Qiandiao? With her brains and scheming, was she really someone who would feign incompetence to preserve herself?
At this moment, Jiang Sui had an eerie intuition: the Ji Kongqing investigated by her father and the Ji Kongqing she knew were not the same person.
However, this notion was far too bizarre; Jiang Sui still needed to spend time properly verifying it and finding evidence that Ji Kongqing was not truly Ji Kongqing.
Putting her suspicions aside for the moment, Jiang Sui nodded. “In that case, go ahead and do it. This palace will send an invitation to the Cao family, the rest is up to you.”
“Many thanks, Your Highness.” Ji Kongqing bowed, paused for a few seconds, and continued, “Your Highness, I have one more matter.”
“What matter?”
“Well, I want to open a medical clinic dedicated to treating difficult and complicated ailments for the commoners, but my status is awkward and I cannot own private property. I wanted to ask Your Highness for help.”
Hearing this, Jiang Sui fell silent, staring straight at Ji Kongqing for a few seconds. Her pupils were very dark, and staring at someone like this gave off a feeling of wanting to see right through them.
Feeling guilty under her gaze, Ji Kongqing could only repeat herself. “Your Highness, I know the ones who plotted against me last time were people from the Jishi Medical Clinic. Relying on their background, they monopolized access to medical care for the commoners, treating human lives like grass and dirt, not treating people as human beings.”
“Commoners cannot afford medicine or see a doctor; minor illnesses frequently drag on into major ones, and sometimes a tiny cold can cost them their lives. I truly cannot bear it, and simply want to use my own ability and medical skills to prop up a piece of the sky for them as well.”
With Ji Kongqing saying this, that familiar sense of suspicion washed over Jiang Sui once more.
Jiang Sui stood up and walked over to Ji Kongqing’s side.
Not knowing what Jiang Sui intended, Ji Kongqing could only stand in place, looking at her with an innocent expression.
Who would have thought that in the next second, Jiang Sui reached out and forcefully pinched her cheek.
“Ouch, Your Highness, what is the meaning of this?” Ji Kongqing mumbled unclearly, her long eyelashes fluttering like the wings of a hurried butterfly, her amber pupils filled with panic.
Ji Kongqing looked as panicked as a puppy, a trace of a smile flashing across Jiang Sui’s face. Withdrawing her hand, she turned around, rubbing the fingers that still retained Ji Kongqing’s body temperature, her eyes full of doubt.
It wasn’t a human skin mask; then what on earth was going on here?
Ji Kongqing didn’t yet know that Jiang Sui was already doubting her identity. Rubbing her cheek, which still stung a bit from Jiang Sui’s pinch, she looked with a puzzled expression as Jiang Sui sat back down.
“How do you want this palace to help you?” Jiang Sui sat down, pretending as if nothing had just happened.
“Your Highness, can you help me rent a storefront in the capital?”
“As long as the size is about the same as Jishi Medical Clinic, it’s fine. The money can be deducted from my share of the profits. I am willing to conceal my identity; once the medical clinic builds up its reputation, if Your Highness has need of it, you can also reveal that Your Highness is the master behind the scenes.”
Jiang Sui hadn’t expected Ji Kongqing to be willing to go to such lengths. If it were for fame, she could completely practice medicine revealing her true visage; if it were for money, the funds to open this medical clinic would come entirely out of her own pocket, yet she still wanted to treat illnesses and prescribe medicine at rock-bottom prices.
Was there really someone in this world with such a noble mindset, desiring nothing at all and solely intent on curing illnesses and saving people?
Accustomed to deceit where every action stemmed from considerations of personal interest, this was the first time Jiang Sui had ever encountered someone like Ji Kongqing. She found her truly incomprehensible.
Yet Ji Kongqing could genuinely help her. Throughout dynasties, there was never a shortage of emperors and high-ranking officials who pursued longevity techniques simply because once power reached a certain degree, they became reluctant to throw everything away and只想 live longer.
She could cure ailments that imperial physicians couldn’t, and she could save a woman in difficult labor from a double fatality. If this news spread out, people wishing to befriend her would only multiply.
Among the high-ranking officials and nobles, which household didn’t encounter ailments? Befriending such a divine doctor brought only benefits and zero drawbacks.
Having thought it through, Jiang Sui agreed to Ji Kongqing’s request.
Soon, she sent people to look into the storefront frontage Ji Kongqing needed.
At the same time, she also delivered an invitation to the Cao family, stating that she had a divine doctor capable of curing Cao Qian’s illness on her side.
Before long, word came back from the Cao family inviting Jiang Sui and Ji Kongqing to visit.
On the day of the visit, Jiang Sui handed two masks to Ji Kongqing, one a human skin mask, and the other an ordinary mask covering the face, and told Ji Kongqing to choose one from within.
Picking them up to look for a few moments, Ji Kongqing chose the human skin mask, which offered stronger concealment.
Once the human skin mask was put on, Ji Kongqing transformed into an ordinary-looking woman. She purposely checked the mirror; her current appearance belonged to the category of being difficult to remember even if thrown into a crowd.
Jiang Sui was very satisfied with her current appearance. Taking the black cloak handed over to her by Cuizhu, she personally helped Ji Kongqing drape it over her shoulders and tied the straps.
Because of this movement, the two of them stood very close. Ji Kongqing’s gaze swept past Jiang Sui’s eyelashes and nose, finally landing on her attractive lips.
Amidst the pounding rhythm of her heartbeat, Ji Kongqing’s throat bobbed up and down. Withdrawing her gaze, she quickly pulled up the hood of the cloak to cover her burning ears.
“Your Highness, shall we go?” Ji Kongqing took a step back to widen the distance.
Not noticing Ji Kongqing’s abnormality, Jiang Sui nodded, led her out of the princess’s manor, and boarded the carriage.
Cao Estate.
The princess’s manor carriage had barely stopped when the servants of the Cao family who had been waiting for a long time came forward to inquire. Confirming it was the Eldest Princess, they offered careful bows and led Jiang Sui and Ji Kongqing into the estate.
Cao Qian and his children had already been waiting in the hall for quite some time.
Seeing Jiang Sui, they offered bows one after another.
“There’s no need. This time this palace has come low-profile, keep everything as simple as possible.”
Cao Qian nodded carefully. “Very well, then Your Highness may follow this humble person to the study to discuss matters.”
“No need, let’s treat the illness first.” Jiang Sui glanced at Ji Kongqing. “After the treatment is finished, we can discuss serious business. Rest assured, Old Master Cao, this palace will not force you to do anything you are unwilling to do, everything is up to you to choose.”
Though Jiang Sui said this, Cao Qian still felt a chill in his heart.
They said scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, though they as merchants had money, they held the lowest status. To do business, he had to beg local officials for convenience, and the silver he spent every year on social networking expenses was countless.
The highest-ranking official he had ever met was the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review; Jiang Sui belonged to a figure he had only heard of and could never possibly come into contact with.
When he received the invitation from the princess’s manor, he had even wondered if it was fake, given that Jiang Sui was a legendary figure whom he had no business contacting.
In the past, he had only heard that the Eldest Princess possessed formidable military achievements and an appearance of imperial beauty. Having a brief glance today, he found that the rumors were indeed true; Jiang Sui herself completely exceeded everything described in rumors, surpassing them in every way.
Moreover, her mere gaze carried natural majesty. Even though he had traveled far and wide doing business and had seen plenty of ruthless figures, he couldn’t help his legs going weak upon meeting Jiang Sui.
Now that a person of Jiang Sui’s stature had condescended to come here, even if he were unwilling, he had no choice but to be willing.
“Alright, this must be the divine doctor, correct?” Cao Qian looked toward Ji Kongqing. “How should I address the divine doctor?”
“My surname is Liu, you can call me Dr. Liu.” Ji Kongqing casually fabricated a surname, took out her medical kit, and invited Cao Qian to sit down.
“Has Old Master Cao fasted for four hours according to my instructions?” Ji Kongqing began inquiring about his condition.
“Yes, as Her Highness instructed, this humble person dared not disobey.” Knowing Jiang Sui was coming today, Cao Qian had no mind left to eat; his stomach was filled with nothing but anxiety.
Ji Kongqing’s mind was put at ease as she began inquiring about Cao Qian’s symptoms and drawing blood to test his blood sugar.
The test results provided by the system were extremely fast, and Ji Kongqing quickly confirmed that Cao Qian had diabetes, specifically Type 1 diabetes, which could be managed through insulin injections to maintain blood sugar levels.
“Has Old Master Cao had the servants prepare meals?”
“Prepared. Would Your Highness and Dr. Liu be staying for a meal?”
“No,” Ji Kongqing smiled faintly. “Shortly, I will administer the medication to you. Once the injection is finished, you can eat normally just like before the illness. The sweet and greasy foods you love can also be eaten.”
“Is this true?” Cao Qian’s eyes lit up.
“Naturally, you’ll know once you try.” Ji Kongqing began administering the insulin injection to Cao Qian. Once the injection was complete, she had the servants serve the meals and personally watched Cao Qian eat.
Initially, Cao Qian still held a skeptical attitude. Although he loved eating, he also treasured his life and still felt somewhat afraid to touch greasy foods.
Yet for some reason, looking at Ji Kongqing’s confident eyes, he suddenly dropped his guard and began eating.
This meal was eaten very happily and to his full satisfaction. What surprised Cao Qian even more was that he did not experience symptoms of excessive thirst, frequent drinking, and frequent urination afterward.
Having suffered from diabetes for many years, this was the first time he had felt such a clear improvement, as if he had never been sick at all.
“Am, am I cured of this illness by you, Divine Doctor?” Cao Qian excitedly grabbed Ji Kongqing’s hand.
Pushing his hand away nonchalantly, Ji Kongqing smiled and said, “It is not cured. My medicine can only allow you to live as you did before, enabling you to eat the things you want to eat.”
This statement left Cao Qian feeling somewhat disappointed.
Yet Cao Qian’s wife clearly saw through it much better than he did. “Master, this is a good thing. Dr. Liu’s medicine only requires a few pricks on the body, and you can eat the food you like, without needing to gulp down all sorts of bitter medicine decoctions like before and being forbidden from eating anything.”
Hearing this, Cao Qian instantly figured it out, nodding with a smile. “What Madame says is right, it was I who was being narrow-minded. Compared to the painful days of the past, being able to be like this is already very good.”
Turning his head, Cao Qian looked expectantly at Ji Kongqing. “Dr. Liu, how should I purchase this medicine of yours? Will you come every day to help me needle?”
Ji Kongqing shook her head. “I won’t come every day, but I will teach you how to use the medication. Later I will write it down clearly on paper and also demonstrate it personally, please listen carefully.”
With that, Ji Kongqing handed a medication instruction sheet to Cao Qian’s maid, then took out the medicine and began teaching Cao Qian how to store and use it.
During the explanation, Cao Qian’s wife and maid listened very attentively, evidently knowing they would be the ones operating it in the future.
Confirming they had learned it, Ji Kongqing provided Cao Qian with medicines and blood-sugar testing test strips at the price of two hundred taels of silver per month.
According to the system’s factory price, Ji Kongqing made a massive profit, but measured against what Cao Qian used to spend on this illness, this price was simply dirt cheap. Both of them felt they had taken advantage of the other.
Having resolved the problem that had plagued him for several years, Cao Qian and Jiang Sui wore smiles on their faces when discussing serious business. “I wonder what matter Her Highness needs this humble person to help with?”