The Fake Imperial Daughter Is Presented a Petition by Commoners
The medicine merchant Fang Ru Jiang had visited the Feng residence a few times, hoping that Fu Ya would open a Hundred Herb Hall in Lan Zhou. News of this somehow spread and reached the ears of the citizens living in Lan Zhou.
This was not much at the start, but once the desert countries attacked, the battle in the South became nerve-wracking. Numerous injured soldiers would be sent to Lan Zhou from the South each day to live in the medical clinic. Injured soldiers could be seen on the streets all over, and some medical clinics could not accommodate all of them. The bloody atmosphere spread all over, and although the fires of war had not yet reached Lan Zhou, the citizens of Lan Zhou had already begun feeling the nervousness.
In this sort of atmosphere, the citizens suddenly heard that there was a medicine merchant that wanted to open a Hundred Herb Hall with Imperial Daughter Ji An. News of this was something that had to be praised. Everyone knew that Imperial Daughter Ji An’s medical abilities were exceptional, and everyone knew that Imperial Daughter Ji An had miraculous medicines. Although the people of the South had never seen how a Hundred Herb Hall treats patients before, there were some rumors that reached this side. The rumors made Imperial Daughter Ji An sound like a deity, and it caused everyone to feel as though Imperial Daughter Ji An was a deity.
Given the current circumstances, if Imperial Daughter Ji An opened a Hundred Herb Hall, that would be a great thing for the commoners!
Thus the citizens of Lan Zhou began to rally together. Each day, large amounts of people would gather around the Feng residence’s entrance to petition in hopes that Fu Ya would agree to open a Hundred Herb Hall and relieve some of Lan Zhou’s burdens. There were also the medical clinics that had taken in a large number of injured soldiers, and there would also be a large number of people that would visit to ask for Imperial Daughter Ji An to help them with the soldiers that they were powerless to save.
This continued for over ten days, and the Feng residence had not enjoyed a single moment of peace. More and more citizens came to petition outside the Feng residence each day. By the end, even the back entrance of the Feng residence was surrounded. The Feng residence was very tightly surrounded.
Inside the Feng residence, regardless of whether it was master or servant, not a single person dared to go outside. Fu Ya simply announced that she had fallen ill and that doctors could not treat themselves. She herself had fallen ill and truly could not do anything about it. But in truth, she and Feng Jin Yuan were spending their days, researching how to face this matter. In regards to the petition from the citizens, they did not dare to do anything, but they also did not dare to remain unmoved. They were extremely anxious and had become noticeably thinner.
Feng Jin Yuan calculated the days and said: “The eagle that we sent back to the capital with our letter should see a return letter shortly.”
Fu Ya said: “Even if something happened to the letter that we sent, the capital should also be sending a letter of their own regardless. Now that Noble Lady Yuan is in the palace and His Highness the eighth prince is also in the palace, they can’t just leave us to handle the matters over here on our own. This was a play that they had arranged, yet they have just left us here to our own devices? Who would come and take care of this big plot?” She was complaining a bit. Originally, even if there would be some movements, they would not be so urgent, but now it had been pressed to this degree. She could not do without being anxious.
Feng Jin Yuan was also feeling anxious, but he was already clear on what he needed to do first. At the very least, he needed calm Fu Ya. He needed to ensure that no mistakes were made at this critical moment. He analyzed the situation and said to Fu Ya: “It’s chaotic outside. Perhaps the situation in the capital is also the same. It’s inevitable that the letter sent by His Highness the eighth prince’s side will be intercepted along the way. But there’s no need to be afraid. Didn’t we already discuss this a few days ago? Since there is someone willing to spend money for us to open a medicine shop, we can just open one. When the time comes for us to act as doctors, we can just invite some famous doctors. You are a girl and also a member of the imperial family as an imperial daughter. How could you possibly personally go and personally perform examinations? Even in the capital, that person herself does not go. That’s why it’s fine to open a Hundred Herb Hall. As for those that wish to invite you out to their medical clinics, you can just continue saying that you are ill, and there will be nothing that they can do. There are also the various strange medicines. In the worst-case scenario, just bring some in from the Hundred Herb Halls outside the region. There will always be possibilities.”
“Then how long will I continue feigning this illness?” Fu Ya was clearly a bit annoyed. Unable to go out each day while staying inside the residence like a criminal, she was almost unable to endure it any longer.
“It should not be much longer. News should very quickly come from the capital.”
Just after Feng Jin Yuan’s words came out of his mouth, the footsteps of a servant came from the outside. It was a hidden guard that had been left in the South. The person stopped outside and said: “Word has come from the capital.”
The two rejoiced and quickly called that person inside. After the person entered, he just handed over a letter that had been rolled up to Feng Jin Yuan then retreated from the room.
Feng Jin Yuan opened up the letter. It was Xuan Tian Mo’s handwriting, and it provided some explanations about their life in Lan Zhou; however, they were just normal instructions. They just told them to continue living in accordance with Feng Yu Heng’s identity. There was no need to worry about anything else. If there was anything that they could not resolve, they could just seek out Ji Ling Tian. He would have an idea. But the end of the letter brought up a very important matter: Feng Yu Heng has gone to her fief. It’s possible that she might go from her fief to Lan Zhou, and they must be careful.
This time, it was not just Fu Ya, as Feng Jin Yuan also became a bit dazed. In regards to Feng Yu Heng, he had a bit of a reflexive feeling of horror. He thought that coming to the South would free him completely of that person, but what was that girl coming to the South for? To catch them? Feng Jin Yuan always felt that there seemed to be something that they did not know hidden in it, but the eighth prince’s letter did not say anything, and he could not quite guess it.
But he still felt uneasy. He felt that the eighth prince was hiding something from them, and this made him feel uncomfortable. Since the two sides were working together, they were now the eighth prince’s people, so why were they still being kept in the dark? What exactly was being hidden? Feng Jin Yuan could not guess it no matter what.
Fu Ya was just as puzzled as him, and the two looked blankly at the letter, their hearts filled with speculation.
“Father.” After a long time, Fu Ya spoke up, “Say, what exactly is she coming to the South for? With her coming, our identity will naturally be exposed. Lan Zhou… what will be left for us to do?” She smiled bitterly, “In the end, a fake is a fake. No matter what arrangements are made, there will be a day when mistakes are made. Right now, we should not be considering whether or not to open a Hundred Herb Hall. We should be thinking about how to flee for our lives, right? Once Feng Yu Heng comes, what chance will remain for us to live.” In regards to Feng Yu Heng’s methods, Fu Ya would become flustered upon thinking of them. Even to this moment, there were still scars on her body. They were the result of being hit while in the Yao family’s other courtyard.
Feng Jin Yuan also trembled. Just like Fu Ya, it was a subconscious reaction caused by a horror that stemmed from Feng Yu Heng. It had already taken hold of his heart and could not be shaken no matter what. But thinking about it more carefully, he also felt that it was not as pessimistic as Fu Ya had said. He analyzed: “His Highness the eighth prince’s letter mentioned that we should be extremely careful; however, he did not tell us to leave immediately. Instead, he wanted us to continue living normally. What does this mean?” His mind raced, “This means that His Highness the eighth prince should have a secret weapon. Think about it, this side could be considered His Highness the eighth prince’s domain. Even if Feng Yu Heng came, what waves could she stir? The prefect of Lan Zhou recognizes us. Would it not just be him saying that she’s not to prove that she’s not?”
“Father means to say…”
“Have the fake act real and act as though the real is fake!” Feng Jin Yuan became joyous. He felt that his analysis was very reasonable, “Feng Yu Heng coming to the South might be something prepared by His Highness the eighth prince. It’s likely that she will come and never return. When that time comes, the South will still be our domain!”
“Really?” Fu Ya’s thoughts became lively, and she was no longer as dreary as she had been before, “If it really is like that, we still have value.” She was very happy, “As long as we are still useful to His Highness the eighth prince, we will not be quickly discarded. If we do things properly, the things that His Highness promised will definitely be delivered.” She looked at Feng Jin Yuan and smiled, “Father, we’ll do as you said. We will continue to prepare around opening a Hundred Herb Hall. I will think of something to have the maidservants go out and say something to the lord prefect. Have him come and think of how to get medicine from the Hundred Herb Halls from other provinces. In any case, we need to get through this one hurdle.”
The two reached an agreement on the matter, and they had become spirited, immediately beginning to arrange things.
In the Yao manor in the capital, Xu shi, Qin shi and Miao shi had already made their preparations to leave the capital, but Miao shi changed her mind right before departing. She believed that the three could not all go to Ji An Prefecture. Even if A-Heng needed someone to take care of her, Zi Rui was still in Xiao Zhou. With all of them so far away, what if something happened on Zi Rui’s side without an aunt at his side. After all, that child was still small.
Xu shi’s group heard this and felt that this was the case, thus Xu shi waved her hand: “Then you will go to Xiao Zhou. Second sister and I will go to Ji An Prefecture.”
In regards to the decision made by the three, there was nothing that the Yao family could do. Yao Jing Jun was worried that they would go and cause trouble for Feng Yu Heng after going over, but Yao Xian then spoke up. He felt that Xu shi and Qin shi going over was also good. No matter how much ability that girl had, in his eyes, she was still just a child. Moreover, after a few more months, she would become of age. To have her come back to the capital to celebrate her becoming of age was not too probable, thus the family had to send some adults over to prepare for it.
When Yao Xian brought up this matter, Yao Jing Jun and the others also reacted. At the same time, they also remembered what His Highness the ninth prince had been saying the entire time. They would get married on the day that Feng Yu Heng became of marriageable age. But now that the South has become a mess, perhaps this wedding would need to be delayed, but the coming of age ceremony still needed to be carried out. Upon thinking of this, Yao Jing Jun immediately changed his position and began to rush Xu shi and Qin shi to get on their way. He also asked if they had brought enough stuff. He asked until even Xu shi felt annoyed, but he was still uneasy and simply made the decision: “A-Heng coming of age is something that the entire family will go for. You go and prepare first over there. The things that were not brought over, we will bring later on.”
Just like this, Xu shi and Qin shi were sent off toward Ji An Prefecture by the entire family. As for Miao shi, she also began to head toward Xiao Zhou.
Watching the carriages move further and further, Yao Xian repeatedly lamented internally. He thought to himself, living again in this world, although Feng Yu Heng ended up in such an exceptional family like the Feng family, fortunately, the Yao family treated her sincerely, thus she did not suffer too much of a loss. He advised Yao Jing Jun: “Send two hidden guards to follow them and protect them. Send one toward Xiao Zhou. Although Xiao Zhou is closer, nothing must happen. Eldest daughter-in-law’s journey is longer. She must be protected.”
Yao Jing Jun nodded and complied, quickly going to move the people around. Xu shi and Qin shi only brought their personal maidservants and some drivers. The two sat in the same carriage, and there were two carriages filled with items following behind them. It was no good if there was nobody going along to protect them. Fortunately, the Yao manor now had plenty of hidden guards. He thought for a bit then sent the hidden guards sent by the Yu Palace. He then told the two to report to Feng Yu Heng after arriving in Ji An Prefecture.
After the Yao family sent away the three wives, the children were still mired in the hurt of “being discarded by their mothers.” Yao Shu went to call for the manor’s gates to be closed, but just as he reached the entrance and before he could speak, he saw a couple people sneaking around. They looked around and used their sleeves to cover up their faces. They did not look like good people.
He furrowed his eyebrows and asked in a foul mood: “You two, what are you doing?”