Chapter 228: Imperial Physician! Quickly, call the Imperial Physician! (1 / 2)

Xu Yanmiao didn’t understand the intricacies and hidden meanings in political dealings. However, he was obedient, didn’t stir up trouble, and never considered himself smarter than others.

—Since the Minister of War had advised him to pay attention to the children of officials, he would focus on them as instructed.

But as soon as court was dismissed, the families and elders of those children surrounded him.

“Xu Lang, to achieve the position of a chief examiner at only nineteen, you are truly a rare talent.”

—The Chief Examiner’s Tower (至公楼) is the viewing platform where the main examiner supervises candidates during the imperial exams.

“My relative is over forty and still attempting the imperial exam—truly shameful.”@@novelbin@@

“My boy is the same. Xu Lang, I’m someone who tends to overthink, so I’ll be straightforward: I hope this child has genuine talent and ability, so he can better serve His Majesty. If he lacks the virtue to match his position, disaster is inevitable. Xu Lang, please show no mercy to him.”

“Same for me!”

Xu Yanmiao was surrounded so tightly he could hardly move. After being bombarded by their remarks, he managed to extract a single core takeaway: [They just want me to be fair and impartial, right?]

[Even if they didn’t say it, I would still be fair. Whether these people are being honest or subtly hinting at something, it has nothing to do with me.]

The young university scholar held his head high.

[The imperial exams—no, any exam tainted by favoritism—is garbage!]

After finally escaping the crowd, Xu Yanmiao accidentally bumped into Ji Sui. He clasped his hands in greeting, “Greetings, Lord Ji.”

Then, he walked away. However, the faint glances he cast as he left…

Ji Sui’s temple throbbed. He wanted nothing more than to grab Xu Yanmiao and tell him: Either walk away properly or just say what you mean directly! This ambiguous, half-glancing look only made people overthink!

After Xu Yanmiao had gone far, Ji Sui pulled aside an official—one known for his honesty. “What did Xu Yanmiao just think in his heart?”

The official immediately turned pale and hesitated, unable to speak.

—Clearly, whatever Xu Yanmiao thought wasn’t something good.

Several breaths later, the official finally whispered, “He… he praised you, Lord Ji…” Seeing Ji Sui’s skeptical gaze, the official added, “He said… Lord Ji is very courageous.”

Ji Sui: “?”

He actually praised me?

Impossible. Why would Xu Yanmiao praise him for no reason?

“Explain in detail. I won’t hold it against you.”

The official clenched his teeth and continued, “Xu Lang said you are very courageous. First, you misjudged your first wife, then you misjudged your fake nephew. Yet you still haven’t realized that you’re terrible at judging people. Despite this, you dared to adopt a godson, hoping he’d serve as a pillar of support for your beloved granddaughter. Aren’t you afraid of being swindled out of everything? If you’re really determined to choose, you’d be better off drawing lots blindly than relying on your own judgment. At least that way, you might find someone reliable…”

“Lord Ji?”

Ji Sui’s face was already contorted with frustration, the stress clearly visible.

After a pause, he spoke in a displeased tone: “The world has female heirs. Naturally, my wealth and connections are meant for my granddaughter. But women face greater challenges. If the household has no male protector, all sorts of vultures will test whether they can carve a piece of flesh from her. That boy Xu knows nothing!”

The official murmured quietly, “Xu Lang mentioned that too. He said: If you’re really worried, why not trust the Crown Princess instead of outsiders?”

“He also said that if you must choose someone yourself, you should first eliminate anyone you find pleasing to the eye. Then, from the remaining candidates, pick the one you find most displeasing…”

Faced with such blatant “insulting advice,” Ji Sui took a deep breath and decided to let it go.

“He thinks I made this decision without careful thought? When I adopted a godson, I had a contract drawn up as proof. The agreement includes the signatures of the godson, witnesses, and guarantors. After my death, he is obligated to ensure the safety and well-being of my granddaughter, serving as her protector. Should he break this agreement, he will face punishment. Even though I may no longer be alive, my friends and relatives will still be around.”

—But sending her to the imperial family is different. If someone in the royal family bullies Ah Zheng, no one will stand up for her.

The official whispered cautiously, “Xu Lang also mentioned… that your friends and relatives are already advanced in years, while your godson is still young. One day, he will rise to become a high-ranking official. By then, who would dare oppose him on behalf of an orphaned girl? A mere contract would rely solely on his conscience.”

Ji Sui’s silence was deafening.

How could he not harbor these hidden fears? But Ah Zheng was unwilling to marry, and Ji Sui didn’t want to force her. His only option was to create more familial ties for her, so outsiders wouldn’t dare mistreat her.

What else could he do?

“If only I had left behind a son or two in my younger years…”

The official hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.

“In fact… Xu Lang also said something about that…”

Ji Sui choked, his breath caught.

How does that kid think of so many things?!

“What did he say?”

The official hesitated, then mimicked Xu Yanmiao’s voice: “Ji Sui, why don’t you just step down and let your godson take over so he can protect you…”

“Absurd!” Ji Sui waved his sleeve angrily. “I am a dignified man—”

The official interjected, “Actually… Xu Lang had a comment about that too.”

“…”

Ji Sui felt his heart seize up, his vision darkening.

The official continued cautiously, “He said, ‘Ji Sui, you could also pretend to be a woman…’ Uh, the rest is a bit crude.”

Ji Sui pressed a hand to his throbbing temples, the veins on his forehead bulging. “Speak!”

—You’re the one who told me to say it!

The official, with a hint of mischievous excitement at the drama, delivered the line: “Xu Lang said, ‘If relying on others feels so good, why don’t you try it yourself?’”

“Ji Sui?”

“Ji Sui?!”

“Imperial Physician! Quickly, call the Imperial Physician!!!”