The entire journey here, Ji Zizhao had been afraid of taking even a single step too slowly.
After all, the Fourth Prince had been schemed against this time, and she feared he might not be able to handle it.
As it turned out, by the time she arrived, she realized she might have been too hasty.
Following the Xue family’s servant into the door and looking at the constipated expressions on everyone’s faces, Ji Zizhao knew that the black-hearted fox was indeed a black-hearted fox. The idea of making him suffer a loss was something that wouldn't even happen in a dream.
The moment Ji Zizhao stood firm in the main hall, all eyes turned towards her. Su Dan Fiction Network.
Originally, everyone had dismissed the Fourth Prince’s words as mere stalling tactics.
Who would have thought that after waiting and waiting, the doctor who was supposedly on his way would actually arrive?
All those present had been sitting there for half an hour. Seeing Ji Zizhao enter, they naturally watched her with a thoughtful gaze.
However, regardless of what they were thinking, they couldn’t help but be surprised when they saw Ji Zizhao.
A woman?
Old Master Tong was the first to question, "Since when did women dare to be so ostentatious in public!"
Ji Zizhao tilted her head slightly, maintaining a perfectly polite smile, but her words did not spare Old Master Tong, "What's wrong with women?"
Old Master Tong scoffed, "I’ve never heard of a woman being able to practice medicine."
Ji Zizhao’s smile remained unchanged, "Practicing medicine knows no gender, and healing is also without gender difference. It's understandable that this gentleman has doubts, as not everyone has seen a female doctor."
In plain terms, you are narrow-minded.
Old Master Tong: "..."
Was this a doctor, or a shrew?
How could she be so sharp-tongued!
The other ministers harbored the same doubts, but seeing Old Master Tong's face, which was almost blooming from being rebuffed, they decided to remain silent despite their many questions.
After all, there was a row of princes sitting opposite them. Even as subjects, they still cared about their reputation.
And the princes, who were also staring at each other wide-eyed, were equally filled with questions.
However, they were princes. Things that even the ministers were unwilling to do to lose face, they certainly wouldn’t do either. If it were to get out that they were quibbling with a woman, they would have no face left to lose.
A tacit understanding of silence descended upon the main hall.
Ji Zizhao walked unhurriedly to the Fourth Prince, slightly bent her knees, and said with her head lowered, "The road was heavily guarded, which caused a significant delay. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness."
Others might not understand these words.
But Ji Zizhao was confident that with the Fourth Prince's incredibly astute intellect, he would definitely be able to go with the flow and respond fluently.
However, after waiting for a long time, there was only silence from above.
Ji Zizhao looked up in surprise and met those eyes, as deep and tranquil as a clear pool, as vast as the sea.
But at this moment, those eyes, which always appeared gentle yet were actually indifferent and distant, were not so calm. Various emotions surged beneath the surface, crashing like waves within them.
Those thoughts were too complex and difficult to fathom, and even Ji Zizhao only managed to grasp a hint of surprise.
Although Ji Zizhao knew that her sudden intrusion today was impulsive, she felt it was worth it to shock the Fourth Prince, who could remain unfazed even if the sky were to fall.
After all, she and he were now tied together. It wouldn't do to always be led by him.
That would make her seem like a useless person.
"I didn't expect Fourth Imperial Brother's doctor to be so unique. No wonder Fourth Imperial Brother was willing to wait so long," the usually smooth-talking Eighth Prince said with a smile, looking at the Fourth Prince.
As Xie Jinglan’s senses returned, he let out a soft 'hmm'. He didn't even glance at the Eighth Prince, but instead looked at Ji Zizhao and said, "My person is naturally good in every way."
Eighth Prince: "..."
Would it kill you to be humble?
Ji Zizhao was taken aback by the Fourth Prince's immediate declaration of her as "my person," and her heart inexplicably skipped a beat.
Xie Jinglan reached out to support Ji Zizhao, and with a slight, faint smile, he had already regained his usual composure, "Just do your best."
The old madam of the Xue family, sitting nearby, almost spat out a mouthful of blood upon hearing this.
Was it really appropriate for a prince to speak like this about a doctor he brought?
The old madam of the Xue family knew that the Fourth Prince's words were implicitly reminding her that if his brought doctor failed to cure her son, it would be an unavoidable circumstance, and the Xue family should not hold him accountable.
The old madam of the Xue family was worried about her son, but was it really appropriate for the Fourth Prince to be so protective?
The other princes, who had not expected such a display of magnanimity and tolerance, immediately instructed the Xue family’s servants to call all the doctors in the courtyard, instructing them as the Fourth Prince had just done.
Old Madam Xue: "..."
Her heart felt so weary.
Finally, after the princes had all given their feigned words of care and instruction, the old madam of the Xue family waved her hand, signaling the servants to quickly escort the people away. If she had to watch any longer, her son might not be cured, but she herself would have been angered to death.
Ji Zizhao, along with four other doctors, walked towards the backyard.
Because the sick person could not tolerate noise, and also to test the true abilities of each doctor, the Xue family had secretly decided that the doctors who came this time would examine General Xue one by one.
The other doctors, already aware of the protocol, were chattering and discussing amongst themselves at the front, occasionally glancing back at Ji Zizhao, who was walking at the very end. Although they said nothing, the mockery in their eyes was clear.
In this feudal era, women were trained from a young age to be virtuous wives and good mothers, adhering to the three obediences and four virtues. Such public displays were naturally looked down upon.
Ji Zizhao knew this very well and therefore did not feel that the gazes of those doctors were particularly piercing.
It was precisely because of this that she had confined herself within the courtyard since childhood.
Even after taking over the Four Great Medical Halls, she had always remained behind the scenes, working silently.
If not for the sudden misfortune of the Ji family’s men, Ji Zizhao would never have imagined stepping out into the open.
Changing one person's mind was not difficult, but going against the entire era was incredibly challenging.
As soon as they entered General Xue's courtyard, a strong, bitter medicinal scent wafted in on the breeze.
The servant stood on the steps, asking the doctors behind him, "Please form a line and enter one by one."
The doctors, who had already been conferring at the front, lined up.
Naturally, Ji Zizhao was squeezed to the very end.
Ji Zizhao did not mind, standing silently at the back.
The few doctors in front chuckled contemptuously at this.