Chapter 510: Extending an Invitation

Chapter 510: An Invitation to the Palace

Empress Dowager Yuan's curiosity was piqued, and she looked up with renewed interest.

"Is Doctor Yun really that good, or is General Shen just exaggerating?"

Nanny An replied deferentially, "I only heard about it this morning from the palace gossip, but by now it's all over the palace and beyond. Many ministers' wives have even come in person to ask Doctor Yun to treat their families!"

Empress Dowager Yuan glanced at her, then lay on her side on the soft couch, slowly closing her eyes.

"I'm weary. Send someone out to look into it further. If Doctor Yun's medical skill is truly that extraordinary, then send someone to invite Doctor Yun to the palace in my name."

"Mind you, don't offend her!"

Nanny An respectfully acknowledged the order and took out a blanket to cover Empress Dowager Yuan. "Yes, this servant will do as you say."

Shen Xiangming, following Ji Yuntang's instructions, spread the news of her remarkable medical skill, and that very day, several ladies came calling, drawn by her reputation.

In a short while, close to ten people were seated in the reception hall of the General's Mansion.

Ji Yuntang knew her reputation was made, and now she just had to live up to the label of "exceptional physician."

So she turned away almost no one who came for treatment, writing a prescription for each person.

Fortunately, before coming to the Xishu Kingdom, Ji Yuntang had already darkened her skin with charcoal powder and changed her appearance.

Now she looked like a completely different person from the old Ji Yuntang.

Even Xie Liuzheng, standing right in front of her, didn't recognize her at first.

After treating a host of patients, Ji Yuntang's fame in the capital spread even further.

Her professional knowledge and spot-on diagnoses left the ladies who came to see her thoroughly convinced.

Almost without asking, just by taking a pulse, Ji Yuntang could name all their ailments and past medical issues.

That afternoon, Nanny An took a carriage from the palace to the General's Mansion.

The person who came out to receive her was Madam Mo, who had a good idea of her purpose but still asked, "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, Nanny An?"

Nanny An bowed to Madam Mo and said with a smile, "This servant has come today on the Empress Dowager's orders to invite Doctor Yun to the palace. Is she in?"

Madam Mo's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. So Empress Dowager Yuan had indeed had her eye on Doctor Yun. Was this a good thing or a bad thing?

She thought it over and decided that this matter should ultimately be Ji Yuntang's own decision, so she said, "Doctor Yun is resting in the guest room. Please wait a moment, Nanny An, and I will go fetch her."

Nanny An said, "Thank you, Madam General."

Ji Yuntang took her time. She rested in her room for a good while before strolling out to the front courtyard.

Nanny An felt somewhat displeased. A mere folk healer, and she dared to keep her waiting this long? This Yun Tang really had some nerve.

However, remembering Empress Dowager Yuan's instructions, Nanny An suppressed her anger and stood up, walking over to Ji Yuntang.

She put on what she thought was a friendly smile. "You must be Doctor Yun, right?"

Ji Yuntang nodded, looking at her with slightly surprised eyes. "That's me. But I've already rested for the day and am not seeing patients anymore. Ma'am, you can come back tomorrow!"

Nanny An was growing more and more convinced that Ji Yuntang had no manners.

She was a favorite of Empress Dowager Yuan, and no one had ever dared to call her "old lady" to her face.

Despite her irritation, Nanny An kept a smile on her face.

"You misunderstand, Doctor Yun. It's not this servant who needs treatment."

Ji Yuntang asked, puzzled, "Oh? If not you, then who?"

Nanny An replied, "This servant is here on the orders of our Empress Dowager. She wishes to invite you to the palace to take her pulse and check her over."

Ji Yuntang's eyes flew wide open. She pretended to be shocked and said, "Wait, did I hear that right? The Empress Dowager wants me to come to the palace to treat her?"

Nanny An felt contempt in her heart but said aloud, "You heard correctly. It is our Empress Dowager who sent me to invite you."

"The palace carriage is already waiting outside. If you have nothing pressing, please come with me now."

Ji Yuntang's face fell, and she looked hesitant. "But I've never set foot in the palace in all my life. What if I accidentally say something wrong and upset the Empress Dowager? What if she gets angry and orders my head chopped off?"

Nanny An smiled and said, "Rest assured on that point, Doctor Yun. Our Empress Dowager is benevolent and forgiving, famous throughout the palace for her generosity of spirit. She would never take your life, nor would she ever order anyone to cut off your head."

That was exactly what Ji Yuntang had been waiting to hear. She piped up immediately, "You said that! Many people in the general's mansion heard you. You'll be responsible for what you've said."

"I'm just a plain old nobody. I say whatever comes to mind and don't know much about etiquette. If I accidentally say something wrong in front of Empress Dowager Yuan, you'll have to bail me out."

Nanny An's opinion of Ji Yuntang sank even lower. What an ill-bred little thing, carrying on like that in front of her and making so many people witnesses. If she wasn't ashamed, Nanny An was ashamed for her!

However, today's task given by Empress Dowager Yuan was to bring Ji Yuntang to the palace.

So now, she had to accept whatever demands the other party made.

"Don't worry, Doctor Yun. If such a situation arises, this servant will certainly explain things to the Empress Dowager on your behalf."

Ji Yuntang nodded. "That's more like it. Since you've come all the way to invite me personally, I'll make an exception and go with you."

As she walked out, she muttered to Nanny An, "You know, I've been a doctor for eight years, and I only treat ten patients a day at most. I won't treat even one more, no matter how rich they are."

"This time, it's only out of respect for the Empress Dowager that I'm taking this job. I'm really making an exception for her!"

Nanny An glanced at her and probed, "Doctor Yun looks young, but you've already been practicing for eight years. Who might your master be?"

Ji Yuntang lowered her eyes, a hint of sadness on her face. "My master was just an ordinary old man. He passed on years ago."

She clearly didn't want to say more, so Nanny An didn't press further.

Before boarding the carriage, Xie Liuzheng chased after them. He said, "Sister Yuntang, your brother has had your favorite spicy diced chicken and sweet and sour pork ribs prepared. Your sister-in-law and I will wait for you to return for dinner tonight."

Ji Yuntang knew perfectly well that Xie Liuzheng's words were a veiled warning to Nanny An, telling them not to make things difficult for her and to send her back safely by evening.

------------