Chapter 221: The Dashing Young Master in the Cut‑Sleeve

Upon hearing the words "Southern First Young Master," Xie Yuwei's eyes brightened, and Mo Junyan slowly opened his eyes.

The two glanced sharply toward the doorway.

Chi Nan Yi wore a moon‑white brocade robe, a silver mask covering half of her face; the Emperor, seeing this, felt a sense of familiarity and instinctively glanced at Mo Junyan by the window.

Today he was also dressed in a white brocade robe, with a mask on his face as well.

Mo Junyan's gaze openly followed Chi Nan Yi.

The Emperor felt another wave of alarm at this behavior.

The more he watched his second son, the more something seemed off.

"A humble servant wishes to see the Emperor."

"Stand." The Emperor gave a faint smile twice: "Southern First Young Master, I did not expect you to be so young yet your medical skill so outstanding."

"Your Majesty overpraises me." Chi Nan Yi said lightly: "I merely have a modest grasp of medicine."

"Divine Doctor is being too modest." The Emperor glanced at Mo Junyan by the window, his lips moved, but he swallowed the words.

"You have solved a great trouble for me; what reward do you desire?"

Reward?

If I were to ask for silver, would the Emperor give it?

Chi Nan Yi instinctively looked toward Mo Junyan, meeting his deep eyes; it felt as if a scorching warmth from his gaze burned her, so she quickly averted her eyes and whispered, "It is my honor to relieve Your Majesty's worries; you have already rewarded me, I have no further request."

"No further request?" the Emperor said, smiling as he shook his head: "Every person has some desire. Moreover, besides this disaster relief, your First Village of the World sends vegetables to the palace daily. Strangely, after eating them I feel refreshed, as if I am growing younger."

"The humble servant added a small amount of medicinal juice to the irrigation water; the vegetables that grew thus have a strengthening effect on the body."

"I see." The Emperor nodded: "Very well, tell me what you wish."

Chi Nan Yi lifted her head, her cool eyes gazing at the Emperor in a bright yellow dragon robe before her; she wanted to ask about the tragic incident of the Situ Family, but she could not.

"The humble servant truly has no request."

"Fine, then I shall not press the matter. However, since your medical skill is outstanding, I intend to summon you into the palace to serve as chief of the Imperial Medical Hall; would you be willing?"

"Enter the palace?"

The Emperor's calculations were indeed loud; the fees I earn treating patients outside are unknown, but if I join the Imperial Medical Hall, the pitiful monthly silver I would receive wouldn't even fill a tooth gap.

If another epidemic arises, she would become free labor.

Without hesitation, Chi Nan Yi replied, "Your Majesty, I am unskilled and shallow in learning, not fit to enter the Imperial Medical Hall."

"Ha, if you are unskilled and shallow, then what are those old things in the Imperial Medical Hall? All useless?"

At that moment, several physicians preparing medicines in the Imperial Medical Hall collectively sneezed.

Why does it feel so chilly?

"Humble servant…"

"Father Emperor." Mo Junyan waved his hand, and Yun Shui pushed him forward: "Father Emperor, why are you making things difficult for her here?"

"Making things difficult?" The Emperor was about to laugh in anger.

Becoming a physician who checks the Son of Heaven's pulse is a dream for any doctor, yet she refused? My foolish son even says he is making things difficult for her.

Having his face rebuked, the Emperor felt displeased.

As a ruler, aside from his second son, no one can utter a 'no' before him.

The temperature in the Emperor's eyes cooled, his brows furrowed: "Divine Doctor, what is your true intention?"

Hearing his tone, Chi Nan Yi understood in her heart that it carried a hint of threat!

"Your Majesty, I come from the countryside, accustomed to a carefree life, and cannot bear heavy responsibilities; please seek another." Chi Nan Yi said calmly, low: "If Your Majesty needs my help, I will assist wholeheartedly."

Seeing her still refuse, the Emperor's expression grew sour; noticing his displeasure, Xie Yuwei hurried forward: "Your Majesty, Southern First Young Master is straightforward and not intending offense; please forgive him."

"Ha." The Emperor only snorted coldly, saying nothing else, but the sound revealed his displeasure.

At that moment, Mo Junyan sneered: "Father Emperor, you brought this meritorious official today—are you rewarding her or punishing her?"

The Emperor was momentarily speechless, glared at him fiercely, and whispered, "Fine, since you do not wish to enter the palace, consider that I never mentioned it." He waved his hand; Li Gonggong carried a tray to Chi Nan Yi, the tray piled with golden ingots.

Chi Nan Yi's eyes lit up: "Gold, gold!"

The Emperor does not seem overly stingy.

Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, Mo Junyan's lips curled slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

What a little money‑lover.

"Is this gold a bit short?"

As Mo Junyan finished speaking, two gazes snapped toward him.

One belonged to Chi Nan Yi, the other to his Father Emperor.

The Emperor stared at him, nearly losing his breath.

Has my son gone mad? This is a hundred taels of gold; an ordinary person could not spend it in a lifetime, and he says it's insufficient?

Chi Nan Yi was slightly surprised.

Speaking to the Emperor that way, isn't he afraid of the Dragon‑faced Emperor's wrath and punishment?

Mo Junyan saw the confusion and worry in her eyes, his lips curling slightly as he offered a reassuring smile.

Only then did Chi Nan Yi safely lower her gaze.

Their interaction fell entirely within the Emperor's sight.

The Emperor, already suspecting Mo Junyan of a penchant for same‑sex affection, became even more convinced that his second son… actually likes men!

This thought lingered in the Emperor's mind; now his second son's leg is crippled, his face disfigured, and he is a 'cut‑sleeve'—if this spreads, what will the royal family's reputation be?

His gaze subtly shifted between the two; moments ago he was flirting with Xie Yuwei, now he is entangled with this Southern First Young Master, even their attire identical—anyone with eyes could guess the truth.

This son, always dignified and self‑possessed, now appears to be the flamboyant 'cut‑sleeve' young master.

The Emperor placed his hand over his heart, truly feeling his heart race.

"Second brother, in your view, what should we reward Southern First Young Master with?" Seeing his seemingly resolute stance, the Emperor clenched his teeth; he could not dislike it nor speak out, lest the royal face be completely lost.

"In my opinion, Father Emperor, we should grant a thousand taels of gold, a hundred mu of fertile fields, and also have a plaque inscribed. Previously it read 'Number One Village Under Heaven'; this time it should read: 'First Divine Doctor.' In this way, it both displays royal magnanimity and lives up to her name as Divine Doctor."

Mo Junyan seemed to be asking, yet his tone was firm and decisive; he, who has always been sparing with words, this time actually spoke at length, and the sight made the Emperor's eyelid twitch.

Chi Nan Yi lowered her head and never raised it; it wasn't for any other reason, mainly because she feared the Emperor would see the corner of her lips that she could not suppress no matter what.