Chapter 105

Yang Tieqiang's words struck Shen Tianxing's heart; they are all wives, so naturally there is no hierarchy.

"Old Man Yang spoke well; dividing by age, that's exactly what I thought, so let's decide that way."

Yue Yunyang stood aside silent, but he also secretly breathed a sigh of relief; with such words he could relax, after all he regarded his daughter as extremely important.

"That's very good; there are still many things to discuss about your marriage, let's go to the rear courtyard to talk. As for your father-in-law, just have someone take him downstairs to rest; once the betrothal gifts are ready, let him take them away."

Having said that, Yang Tieqiang grabbed Shen Tianxing and pulled him out without another word, leaving only Yue Yunyang with a face of mixed laughter and tears; but since it's come to this, he could only helplessly follow the new servant behind him to rest.

"Old Man Yang, what you're doing seems a bit excessive; my father-in-law may be a bit stubborn, but he's still a decent person—there's really no need to treat him like this."

Walking to the rear courtyard, Shen Tianxing said that, and Yang Tieqiang smiled indifferently.

"It's precisely because I, the old man, understand him that I treat him this way; although the old man knows you won't be manipulated by him, after all he's your father-in-law, so you still ought to give him some face."

But with the old man present, whether face is given or not is up to the old man; furthermore, his temperament ought to change—he used to have the old man bail him out for everything he did, but now it's different.

He should bear the responsibility he owes to himself and his family; likewise, as your servant, he ought to let go of his worries and serve you wholeheartedly.

Yang Tieqiang's meaning is simple: Yue Yunyang's stubbornness will hinder many things; only by trying to change that stubbornness can we better assist Shen Tianxing.

"Old Man Yang's consideration is thorough; I can only temporarily wrong my father-in-law."

Yang Tieqiang and Shen Tianxing exchanged a glance and both smiled.

However, neither of them noticed Hong Yi in the red clothing nearby, shaking her head repeatedly at them.

"This old and young pair are both improper; I don't know who led whom astray."

Shen Tianxing's side went smoothly, but Sun Zhongquan in Jingcheng was worried; fortunately, the Flying Pigeon-delivered letter arrived in Jingcheng three days later, and upon reading its contents, Sun Zhongquan was overjoyed.

However, the crafty Sun Zhongquan didn't show it; he merely let out a slow breath, gazing at the young Emperor lying on the sickbed for nearly a month.

"If your fate isn't to die, then neither is mine; if you die, I'll rebel, but if you live, I can at most be a mere traitor."

Sun Zhongquan had a clear sense of his position; after saying that, he rose and left the Imperial Palace, personally leading men to find Zhang Baicao.

The northern slums of Jingcheng have always been its darkest corner, inhabited by refugees who sneaked into the city, and besides them, the city's poorest commoners.

They basically can't leave; this place can be called a lawless zone of Jingcheng, while the Little Grass Clinic is the most authoritative spot in the slums—Zhang Baicao goes out daily to gather herbs and treats these poor folk for free.

He lives on charity meals; basically, his medicine cures the illness, unless it's old age or someone beaten to death beyond rescue.

Dying in the slums is normal; Zhang Baicao does only his best, and he tries his utmost to restrain those who casually beat people to death.

Thanks to Zhang Baicao's efforts, the slums have stabilized somewhat over the years; although there are still some utterly wicked people who do evil there, at least most folks give Zhang Baicao face.

"Prince, the slums are just like that—killing a few people would suffice; the Little Grass Clinic is right ahead."

The speaker was the young Emperor's personal attendant, Eunuch Wang Gonggong, who in fact monitors the young Emperor's every move to accurately report to Sun Zhongquan, and this Eunuch Wang Gonggong originally came from the slums.

The slums' lanes are narrow, filled with old illegal constructions; Sun Zhongquan's grand carriage can't enter, so he took a small sedan, surrounded by a large contingent of the imperial guards.

Of course those guards are dressed as civilians, though they wear swords; still, some reckless folk come to cause trouble, and that's why a few have been killed—along the way they've already slain a dozen or so.

"Jingcheng doesn't need such a place; once the court stabilizes, we'll clear out these people, not waste this large area—recruit some troops to station there, which is absolutely better than letting this lot occupy it."

"What the Prince says is true, but the late emperor once issued an edict that the northern slums of Jingcheng must remain slums; to change them into something else requires the current Emperor's Imperial Edict."

Eunuch Wang Gonggong came from the slums, so he naturally knows the situation well; upon this, Sun Zhongquan couldn't help but frown.

"Well, we could wait a bit longer, but that's all it would be—just waiting."

"The Prince's words are quite correct."

Eunuch Wang Gonggong answered with a smile; at this moment the entourage had arrived at the Little Grass Clinic's gate, where a queue of about a hundred people had formed.

"Have them driven away; those who refuse to leave, just kill them."

Eunuch Wang Gonggong gave the order directly; the guards were about to move to drive them off, when Sun Zhongquan lifted the carriage curtain and spoke to stop them.

"Let them go, give them some loose silver—that's all; this Prince has come to ask for the miracle doctor, so don't create bloodshed at the miracle doctor's door."

Sun Zhongquan didn't want any mishap; of course the key is that behind Zhang Baicao there is still a grandmaster's great-grandfather, especially since this grandmaster is old and has no scruples, which makes him the most fearsome.

"Yes, Prince!"

Eunuch Wang Gonggong respectfully agreed, then took out a sack of silver, brought a few people forward to distribute it—but sadly no one wanted to leave, and moreover several people came over cursing and swearing.

"Who do you look down on? We may be poor, but we have backbone; this bit of silver you think will send us packing, treating us like beggars, right?"

"That's right, Doctor Zhang Shenyi has said many times that to see him you must queue, no matter who you are—if you dare cut in line, Doctor Zhang Shenyi will absolutely not treat you."

"Look at how they're dressed—they must be from other districts; who knows our slums' rules? But even if they don't know, the rule cannot be broken."

Hearing the words of these rascals, Eunuch Wang Gonggong's expression turned grim; if it weren't for Sun Zhongquan telling him not to overreveal himself and expose his identity, he would have long been rude to these rascals.

"Today's clinic hours are over—go back, come tomorrow, line up inside to get a number, and tomorrow we'll see patients according to the numbers."

A plain voice came from within the clinic, and then a young man in his twenties stepped out, dressed plainly and carrying a medicine box.

The rascals in Eunuch Wang Gonggong's eyes immediately stepped aside, bowed respectfully, and answered in unison.

"Understood, Doctor Zhang Shenyi—we'll head back first."

Zhang Baicao nodded, then turned his gaze to Sun Zhongquan, who had lifted the carriage curtain.

"The Regent King's august presence honors us; our failure to greet you properly is regrettable, please forgive us. Prince, do you intend to let a commoner enter the palace to treat the Emperor?"