This way, she would have time to manage her own shops and then find a way to track down the real culprit from that year.
Yuan Yuchuan rolled his eyes at Mu Fengqie irritably. "Women are so troublesome. Come out with this prince today, and go to the palace early tomorrow to treat the Empress Dowager."
The two waited in the Imperial Court Hall for a long time before the emperor appeared. When the emperor entered the hall and saw Mu Fengqie beside Yuan Yuchuan, his eyes lit up. His eyes seemed to be glued to Mu Fengqie.
Yuan Yuchuan was also shocked at this sight but quickly regained his composure. "Father, Imperial Grandmother's headache flared up today. I've found Miss Mu. I've persuaded Miss Mu to join the Imperial Medical Bureau. What do you think, Father?"
The emperor only thought Mu Fengqie was an extremely rare beauty. He was also a bit surprised when he heard her name. When he first saw Mu Fengqie, she was dressed in coarse cloth. Now, with a little dressing up, she was truly stunning. She was indeed a rare beauty.
He had always regretted not being able to keep Mu Fengqie. Now that she had come to him on her own, how could he let her go?
"Good! The crown prince has rendered meritorious service. I'll reward you with that genuine Qi Baishi painting. Later, you can go to the national treasury and take it yourself." As the emperor spoke, he leered at Mu Fengqie.
His greasy eyes seemed to stick to Mu Fengqie. Mu Fengqie felt a wave of nausea in her stomach and almost vomited in front of that despicable emperor.
Hearing this, Yuan Yuchuan also showed a smile. "Thank you, Father, for your grace. Then I'll send Imperial Physician Mu back first."
"Go down first."
It wasn't until the two had left the Imperial Court Hall that the emperor withdrew his burning gaze. This Mu Fengqie was truly a rare beauty, more beautiful than any woman in his harem.
After leaving the palace, Mu Fengqie returned to the Minister's Mansion. Yuan Yuchuan had wanted to see her off, but was rejected by Mu Fengqie. She felt nauseated just seeing the emperor and his son and didn't want to have any more contact with them for a single moment.
It was already night when she returned to the Minister's Mansion. Lady Shen and Shen Yiru came to her Maple - Listening Garden together. Both of them looked worried.
"What on earth happened? Why were you taken into the palace? And why did you come back so late?" Shen Yiru asked worriedly.
Looking at their worried expressions, Mu Fengqie showed a relieved smile. "It's actually a good thing for me. I've now joined the Imperial Medical Bureau and become an imperial physician. I'll go to the palace tomorrow to treat the Empress Dowager and won't be able to return to the mansion for a while."
"The Imperial Medical Bureau?" Shen Yiru exclaimed. "The Imperial Medical Bureau is full of men. How did you, a woman, get into it? Was it the current emperor's order?"
Lady Shen also looked surprised. "What on earth is going on? As a woman, you'd better stay away from the deep palace. You're all alone now. I'm afraid there will be villains who will harm you!"
Lady Shen knew that Mu Fengqie's husband was Jing Xinche, and she also knew what kind of person the emperor was. If she had a choice, she would never let Mu Fengqie take risks alone.
Mu Fengqie understood Lady Shen and Shen Yiru's concerns, but she wasn't afraid. Since she had entered the palace, she had a way to confront that despicable emperor.
"Don't worry. I've already thought it through. Whether it's for myself or for my husband, I have to go to the palace. But I'll have to trouble you, Mother - in - law, and Yiru to take care of the business in the shops." Mu Fengqie grabbed Lady Shen and Shen Yiru's hands, her face full of expectation and gratitude.
Lady Shen knew that Mu Fengqie was always a brave and resourceful woman, but she still couldn't feel at ease. Compared with the emperor, they were all as insignificant as ants. How could they fight against imperial power?
It was Shen Yiru who spoke first. "I'll support you no matter what your reasons are. Since ancient times, there has never been a woman in the Imperial Medical Bureau. You're the first one. But you must be careful of all the intrigues in the palace. Don't provoke the concubines in the palace. Leave the shops to me."
Hearing this, Mu Fengqie showed a grateful expression. After chatting for a while, they left the Maple - Listening Garden. After Mu Fengqie had packed up, she fell into a deep sleep.
As the morning sun slowly rose, Jing Xinche and Yuan Yuhan began to plan how to completely defeat the Northern Ming Kingdom. Since the Northern Ming Kingdom had run out of food and supplies, they had suffered heavy losses. Jing Xinche first gave them a warning.
However, the Northern Ming Kingdom was very vigilant. No matter how much the army provoked them, they just guarded the city gates and never stepped out. This also gave Jing Xinche and Yuan Yuhan a headache.
"Report!"
The sudden voice interrupted the train of thought of Yuan Yuhan and Jing Xinche. They both looked out of the tent.
"Report! The scouts have detected that the seventh princess of the Northern Ming Kingdom has entered the city. There are no other actions from the Northern Ming Kingdom."
"Understood. Continue to scout."
"Yes!"
Yuan Yuhan pondered over the scout's report. This seventh princess of the Northern Ming Kingdom was just a woman. Why had she come to the battlefield?
"Brother Jing, what do you think of this seventh princess?"
Yuan Yuhan squinted his eyes, his eyes full of calculation and a hint of smile. He just stared at Jing Xinche without moving.
Jing Xinche also returned a smile. "Just as you think."
After getting along for a long time, the two had developed a tacit understanding and cooperated seamlessly.
"Then hold back for now. Don't attack the city for the time being. The attack on the city is just a guise. The real goal is to capture this seventh princess!"
After making this decision, the two gathered the army and advanced towards the enemy. Surprisingly, this time the Northern Ming Kingdom didn't hide like a coward. Instead, they also sent out their troops.
"The Northern Ming Kingdom finally stopped acting like a coward. Brother Jing, it's time for us to have a big fight this time!"
"Do your best to capture them!"
The seventh princess, Bei Moxue, was dressed in military uniform. In her tight - fitting clothes, she looked very capable. Standing in the crowd, she was no different from the others.
"How arrogant! You people only know how to use underhanded tricks. You're really despicable. Let me teach you a lesson!"
Bei Moxue stared at Yuan Yuhan and Jing Xinche with a vicious look on her face. Although she was different from other women, Yuan Yuhan and Jing Xinche still managed to identify her.
Jing Xinche stepped forward casually and whispered, "This is the seventh princess. Capture the ringleader first!"
Soon, the two armies were in a chaotic battle. Jing Xinche faced off against Bei Moxue. Looking at the terrifying scar on Jing Xinche's face, Bei Moxue didn't show the slightest bit of fear.
"Villain! Take your life!" Bei Moxue roared.
Jing Xinche didn't reveal his full strength but kept restraining Bei Moxue. It was said that the Northern Ming Kingdom was good at using underhanded tricks, so he always guarded against Bei Moxue, preventing her from suddenly using such tricks.
Bei Moxue didn't notice anything unusual. She had been learning martial arts since childhood and was extremely skilled. Her martial arts were even better than those of the imperial bodyguards.