Chapter Thirty-Five: Epidemic

  (ps seeking all kinds of collections, recommendations, and support, (*^__^*) hehe...)

  As expected, Shu Yao had previously investigated Li Zhiqing's thoughts, but when she said it out loud with a clear conscience, Shu Yao took a closer look at Li Zhiqing. She was even more confused than herself, who was historically ignorant. Was she taking medicine? Big shots were all afraid of death and would be extremely cautious when taking medicine. Even if Li Zhiqing's space was extraordinary and her ginseng was extraordinary, she couldn't cure all diseases.

  Li Ziqing looked at Gual Jiasi with full confidence, who was silently sipping tea. She felt a little annoyed by her indifference. If it weren't for the fact that she could only enter the palace through her second uncle, Duke Zhiguan, Li Ziqing would not have wanted to give this great achievement to him. "Second Aunt, I want to enter the palace to rescue the Empress Dowager."

  Li Ziqing's overbearing attitude annoyed Shu Yao, who already didn't like her. Shu Yao absolutely refused to admit that she was jealous of Li Ziqing's incredible space and ginseng. In her heart, Shu Yao nodded in agreement: you have an incredible space, but I have a powerful mother. This era is all about having a strong backing, and spaces are just fleeting clouds, outdated. What really got under Shu Yao's skin was Li Ziqing's condescending attitude, acting like she was doing everyone a favor just because she had an incredible space. For someone who could only grow radishes in her own space, Shu Yao couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

  "Sister, are you a doctor?"

  Li Zhi has never looked down on Shu Yao, a naive and ignorant little loli, and the gap in knowledge between her and someone who has read the Qing History Draft is too far apart. Gua Erjia continued to drink tea, without even raising an eyebrow, with a slightly raised corner of her mouth showing her joyful mood at this moment. Her own daughter, how could she be a good seedling, allowing others to bully her? Niece, you underestimated your opponent. Shu Yao is extremely skilled at pretending to be stupid and harming others in a subtle way, Gua Erjia is inferior to her in this aspect. Shu Yao followed her husband Zhiyuan, a straightforward person who can't bear to be hurt.

  Gual Jia still doesn't quite understand Shu Yao, she's not pretending to be silly, she really doesn't get it. If Gual Jia were to travel back to modern times, she would realize that there is a term that suits Shu Yao perfectly - natural airhead. Of course, Shu Yao is slightly better than a natural airhead.

  "No." Li Ziqing shook her head in denial. Have you ever seen a 10-year-old loli become a doctor? Li Ziqing really wanted to grab Shu Yao and shake her, which eye did you see that I'm a doctor with?

  "Sister, do you have a magical medicine that can cure all diseases?"

  Li Ziqing fell silent for a while before saying "No." Does the rare ginseng count?

  "Eldest Sister, you don't understand medicine and you don't have any miraculous medicines. What makes you think people will believe in you? Even if it's because we're relatives that they believe in you, what makes you think the Empress Dowager and the Emperor himself would believe in you?"

  "Sixth sister, I once saved our great-grandfather, and the Empress Dowager is well aware of it. At that time, you were not in the capital city and did not know the details."

  "My sister-in-law means I wasn't in Beijing and don't know how you saved Ma Fa. Are you saying the Empress Dowager knows?"

  "Yes, the Empress Dowager knows." Li Ziqing felt a bit smug. Shu Yao had never been to the imperial palace and had certainly never met the Empress Dowager. A little loli born and raised in ancient times, what could she possibly understand?

  Shu Yao turned and asked Guale Jia: "Mother, has the Duke's Mansion recently welcomed the Empress Dowager?"

  "Silly girl, the Empress Dowager has always lived in the Forbidden City and won't easily leave the palace." Gualjia's good-natured explanation was actually a veiled attack on Li Zhiqin's proud spot.

  "Sister, you're lying. Even the Empress Dowager didn't witness you saving Ma Fa with her own eyes. She's in the Forbidden City Palace, and I'm in Huizhou - we're both just hearing rumors. Can rumors be trusted?" Shu Yao lectured Li Zhiqing with a serious tone, her curved eyebrows furrowed, her small nose twitching slightly, the red gemstone on her hairpin making her look even more mysterious. "In matters of life and death, how could the wise Empress Dowager believe in rumors? Sister is only a few months older than me - would the Empress Dowager not trust the experienced imperial physician with his impressive beard, but instead believe you? Are you thinking too highly of yourself?"

  Li Ziqing fell silent, she had always been proud of herself and had been in a good position for the past few years. In the Duke's mansion, except for the old lady, she was the one who gave orders. After entering the palace, she pleased the Empress Dowager with her flattery, and the Empress Dowager often praised Li Ziqing in front of others. With her mysterious space and Qing history manuscript as her backing, Li Ziqing had received higher education and had a broad perspective. She rarely looked at ancient, conservative women who were uneducated, but today, before Gua'erjia even opened her mouth, her peer Shu Yao had already asked Li Ziqing questions that left her speechless, which was not a small blow to her.

  "Niece, it's not that I don't want to help you. Your intention to save the Empress Dowager is good, but you can't just say something and have us all follow you blindly. Have you ever thought about what would happen if something unexpected occurs and the Empress Dowager's condition worsens? The entire Duke's household, from top to bottom, will be executed or exiled by the Emperor in a fit of rage."

  Gua Lijia's tone became increasingly heavy, "Even if the emperor shows mercy and the women avoid death and exile, but becoming a courtesan? It's better to die cleanly. Second Aunt can follow you in your schemes, but I won't let Yao'er suffer."

  Tea house? It seems to be another name for a brothel. Shu Yao hastily hid in the arms of Gua Erjia, "Mother, I'm scared."

  "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid." Guwalgiya comforted Shuyao with a heart-wrenching tone, her eyes filled with genuine love and concern. The mother-daughter duo leaned against each other, and Li Ziqing suddenly felt envious - she had never been this close to her own stepmother. Guwalgiya said: "My niece was raised by the old lady herself, living in the Duke's mansion, with all expenses covered by the Duke's household. Although my niece is good at making money, without the Duke's title, who would listen to her? Just relying on the favor of saving one's life, this phrase 'merchants seek profit' I'll give it to my niece."

  "Second Aunt, I really have a way to save Empress Dowager Cixi, and I won't harm Second Uncle."

  Li Ziqing was also anxious, if she missed the opportunity to save Empress Dowager, how could she marry Yongzheng? Wouldn't her previous plans be ruined? No way, since becoming a Qing dynasty woman with a magical space, she must marry Yongzheng, even if it means being a secondary concubine. Before Li Ziqing crossed over, the internet was popularizing stories of women with spaces marrying Yongzheng, healing his body, and exclusively gaining his favor, while Empress Ulanara was abandoned by Yongzheng and died in various ways before he ascended to the throne, becoming a brilliant empress.

  Li Ziqing always believed that Ulanara's various deaths were very normal, and any woman who obstructed the exclusive favor of Qingxiu should be abandoned by Yongzheng in all kinds of ways.

  Shu Yao was really afraid of pretending to be a teacher, had no interest in understanding Li Zhiqing's thoughts, and missed the good opportunity to understand history through Li Zhiqing. However, even if Li Zhiqing generously showed Shu Yao the draft of Qing history, Shu Yao wouldn't recognize the classical Chinese characters. She was a pure science student, and everything related to liberal arts had always been beyond her comprehension.

  "Niece, I advise you to think about the Duke's mansion." Gua Erjia patted Shu Yao and said slowly: "Even if we have been neglectful of you, we are still your closest relatives who raised you. Think thrice before acting, niece, there is no regret medicine in this world."

  Gua Lijia's eyes shot coldly at Li Ziqing, she didn't dare to stay any longer, stood up and bid farewell: "Since Second Aunt doesn't want to, I won't say more, you... will regret it sooner or later."

  "Regret? Li Ziqing, I'll save this sentence for you. Let's see who will regret it in the end."