Chapter 1597 - 1444: The False Commandery Princess 54
The matter with the Prince Nan Mansion is temporarily resolved, and in the future, it will be enough to maintain a good relationship with Zhao Wan and Qin Pei Jun. As for the two sons of the Prince Nan Mansion, Shuangshuang does not mind speaking well of them in front of the Emperor.
Zhao Wan and Qin Peijun are smart people. They pamper their daughter, showering her with money and gifts but do not overly concern themselves with her. However, they are strict with their son, refusing to let him become a playboy.
Children raised in this environment are naturally smart. Shuangshuang is not afraid that these two people will cause her any big trouble.
A month later, Shuangshuang’s apprentice, Zhang Qijun, arrived from Nanzhao in a hurry. Accompanying him were several young doctors from the Medical Hall who had great talent in medicine.
These young doctors originally came to study with Shuangshuang. Although Shuangshuang did not formally accept them as apprentices, she was indeed more attentive in teaching them.
This time, Shuangshuang stayed in the Capital City, and as her apprentice, Zhang Qijun naturally had to come over to continue learning.
When Zhang Qijun left, these young doctors discussed among themselves and decided to follow Zhang Qijun into the Capital City to continue learning medical skills from Shuangshuang.
With so many men suddenly arriving, it wasn’t possible to let them all stay at the Princess Mansion. Shuangshuang herself did not mind. The Princess Mansion was large enough to accommodate many people.
However, outsiders would not think like this. If Shuangshuang truly kept everyone at the Princess Mansion, her reputation in the future would be unsalvageable.
But long-term arrangements for them to stay outside were not appropriate either. After much contemplation, Shuangshuang decided to establish a Medical Hall in the Capital City.
Of course, the location for the Medical Hall could not be within the Capital City, as it would occupy too much space, which she could not afford. Shuangshuang decided to build a Medical Hall in the Suburb and provide medical services to the common people at fair prices.
Shuangshuang naturally could not keep this decision hidden from the Emperor and Empress. The Emperor and Empress would certainly not oppose it, as long as Shuangshuang was in the Capital City and could be found at any time.
The fame of Shuangshuang led to side effects on her marriage prospects. Not only did noble families fancy her, even a few sons of the Emperor had their eyes on Shuangshuang.
Shuangshuang did not want to be trapped in a man’s household, vying for favor with concubines, so she made a particularly decisive choice.
She directly reported to the Emperor, expressing her intention to become a nun in the identity of a princess, praying for the Emperor and Empress, for the country and the dynasty, and to remain single throughout life to show her sincerity.
This action of Shuangshuang greatly moved the Emperor and Empress. The Empress and Emperor really treated Shuangshuang well. Initially, they comforted and didn’t allow it, but when they saw she was steadfast, they directly decreed the establishment of Qifeng Temple for Shuangshuang.
Qifeng Temple was built in the Biyou Valley of the Suburb, vast and majestic, its scale surpassing that of Shuangshuang’s Princess Mansion. The Ministry of Industry spent a full three years to construct it.
Due to this, Shuangshuang’s imperial favor reached its peak. Thereafter, using her influence, she established Medical Halls throughout the country. Although she only accepted Zhang Qijun as her apprentice, doctors who recognized her as their master spread across the nation.
And Zhang Qijun inherited the generous nature of his master Shuangshuang. As long as a doctor with good character came to learn, he was willing to teach the person.
At the age of twenty-five, the Emperor abdicated in favor of the Empress’s son, becoming the Supreme Emperor himself, and settled in Qifeng Temple with the upgraded Empress Dowager for health.
The new Emperor ascended the throne and immediately took control, having no power struggles with the Supreme Emperor. Backed by the Supreme Emperor, even the old ministers in court dared not trouble the new Emperor.
Ye Fangchen never returned to the Capital City throughout his life, living entirely in Nanzhao. However, Ye Jingyi and Ye Jingfei later came to the Capital City for the imperial examinations, achieving the rare honor of dual top scholars, and became confidants of the new Emperor.
At seventy years old, Shuangshuang had earned the reputation of a master healer, known nationwide!
............
On a pitch-black path, a dozen people were galloping on horses, with the clouds obscuring the moon tonight, making it even darker than usual.
The large trees by the roadside swayed in the night wind. Their shaking crowns seemed like clawing monsters, and the rustling sound of the leaves felt like whispers.
The riders were silently galloping, the chaotic sound of hooves striking the ground, each beat tapping like a drum on the heart, bringing a peculiar sense of terror.
A flash of lightning suddenly streaked across the sky, momentarily illuminating the riders. They were a group of more than ten young men dressed in martial arts uniforms, and the leading man appeared slightly older, with all faces looking seriously stern.
The rumbling thunder followed the lightning, exploding loudly by their ears, and finally, someone among the silent riders spoke.
"Sir, it looks like it’s going to rain. It’s hard to see the road at night, and traveling in the rain is too dangerous. We need to find a place to stay and wait out the rain."
The leader pulled the reins and halted, asking the person who spoke: "Do you know a place nearby where we can take shelter?"
The person who spoke earlier nodded in the darkness: "Sir, I know a place not far ahead where we can take shelter. It’s an abandoned old house of a wealthy family."
The person addressed as sir nodded: "Let’s rest there for a while."
"But sir, we are pressed for time. Resting will delay us quite a bit. It’s more important to get to the Capital City sooner." Another person blocked the leader, urging.
The leading man sighed and said: "Xiao Liu is right, traveling in the rain would be too risky. If something goes wrong, it would be more of a delay than just resting for a bit.
Moreover, we’ve been traveling non-stop for so long. The brothers are also exhausted. Resting to regain some strength would be good."
"But sir..."
The person who wanted to object tried to persuade further, but the leader did not let him continue: "Alright, even if we don’t need the rest, the horses do. Xiao Liu, lead the way ahead."
Xiao Liu acknowledged, adjusted his horse’s direction, and led the way. It wasn’t long before the group, following Xiao Liu, saw a large, dark house ahead.
This house looked quite large, presumably belonging to a wealthy family, yet it’s unknown why it was left abandoned here.
From afar, the place was completely dark. When the group arrived near, secured the horses, and opened the door, they discovered a firelight coming from the side chamber in the courtyard.
The group, upon entering, felt surprised. Could it be that someone actually lived in this house?
They hesitated in the dark, and the leader walked up to the side chamber’s door and knocked.
"Excuse me, is anyone inside? We are passing by and wish to stay here for the night, may we?"
The side chamber’s door creaked open, bright firelight poured out, allowing everyone to see the person who opened the door.
To everyone’s surprise, a very young and beautiful girl appeared at such an abandoned old house in the dead of night!