Su Rong didn’t see Zhou Gu or Zhang Yun, and she cast an inquiring look at everyone else.
Ning Ze promptly said, "Miss Su, Brother Zhou and Brother Yun left for Nanchu six days ago and left letters for you."
Su Rong was surprised that Zhou Gu had left the army and gone to Nanchu, taking Zhang Yun with him. She asked, "Has Dawei withdrawn their troops?"
Ning Ze nodded, "Yes, Crown Prince Yuan Zhao of Dawei, gathered five hundred thousand troops, intending to take advantage of the situation. But unexpectedly, there was no chaos within Daliang, thus Dawei found no opportunity to act. Yuan Zhao smartly withdrew his troops."
Su Rong raised her eyebrows, "He left without saying goodbye?"
"Who? Yuan Zhao?" Ning Ze immediately said indignantly, "He did say goodbye, Zhou and his men killed and captured Dawei’s spies. He avenges tit for tat, and when he retreated, he picked off all the secret agents that Daliang had planted in the border cities of Dawei, only leaving one to deliver the message."
Su Rong nodded, "It’s Yuan Zhao’s style."
During her time in the Eastern Palace, despite focusing on reading Daliang and Nanchu archives, she also reviewed Dawei’s archives during her free time, as they would come in handy eventually.
In the archive about Dawei sent by the hidden agents, Crown Prince Yuan Zhao was much more favored than Yan Huisheng. The Dawei Emperor loves this crown prince very much, not superficially, but genuinely. More remarkably, under the Dawei Emperor’s lavish favoritism and delegation of power, Yuan Zhao surprisingly never became corrupt.
Moreover, he had many capable people under his command. Although the Dawei Emperor had not abdicated yet, the crown prince Yuan Zhao’s position was almost equivalent to the Dawei Emperor. The other princes were suppressed since childhood, and no one could surpass him.
However, the long-term suppression naturally invited resentment, such as the second prince, Yuan Chen.
Su Rong set aside the matter of Dawei for a while and introduced Shen Yi to everyone. "This is my senior sister, Shen Yi."
Ning Ze whispered, "Isn’t she the Imperial Concubine?"
"No longer an Imperial Concubine, from now on I only have one identity, that is Su Rong’s senior sister." Shen Yi, hearing clearly, responded to Ning Ze.
Ning Ze chuckled and rubbed his nose, promptly showing his respect, "Greetings, Senior Sister Shen!"
He made up his mind, no matter when, he must never offend the woman before him. This woman coldly killed her former lover, acted ruthlessly, eradicating his entire family. She was indeed a fierce character, someone he could not afford to offend.
Shen Yi smiled, "Why are you calling me senior sister?"
"Miss Su’s senior sister is also our senior sister," Ning Ze cleverly turned to the others asking, "Am I right?"
"Yes!" Jiang Zhu echoed.
Several others also nodded in agreement, making their stance quite clear.
Shen Yi laughed genuinely, "Then, from now on, your senior sister will rely on you brothers."
The crowd merrily entered the military camp.
Su Rong entered her tent. After bathing and changing clothes, someone announced that Doctor Zhan requested to see her.
Su Rong looked towards the entrance and ordered, "Let him in."
Doctor Zhan entered the tent and saluted Su Rong, "Lady Seven, I am Zhan Jian." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Su Rong stood up, "Doctor Zhan, please dispense with the formalities, there’s no need for courtesy, please take a seat."
Doctor Zhan straightened up and slowly sat down.
Su Rong smiled and said, "I’ve heard of Doctor Zhan’s extraordinary medical skills. Regarding Zhang Ping’s matter, it was crucial that Doctor Zhan stepped in. This has contributed to the peace we enjoy in Daliang today. I thank you, Doctor Zhan."
Zhan Jian shook his head, "Prince Three came to me, threatening me with my family, I had no choice but to betray my loyalty."
Su Rong nodded, "To protect your family, your actions are understandable."
Doctor Zhan sighed, "I am merely a doctor, devoted to studying medicine. I was initially forced to stay in Jibei by Zhang Ping, who controlled my family. I was in a helpless situation."
Su Rong was unaware of this, she thought that like Duan Xiao, he was seeking power and wealth.
Doctor Zhan said, "In most of my life, I have been coerced due to my family, unable to truly do a doctor’s work."
Su Rong understood, "So, Doctor Zhan, you’re here today to ask me to release you and your family?"
Doctor Zhan stared at her, neither nodding nor shaking his head, "Having spent these days in the Military Camp, I have come to know Miss Seven’s character through many people. Therefore, I do have an unreasonable request."
"Doctor Zhan, please speak."
Doctor Zhan stood up and saluted Su Rong, "Miss Seven, I beg you to take me and my family with you, to follow you to Nanchu."
Su Rong was surprised, "Here I thought Doctor Zhan was asking me to grant him his freedom. I do not recruit those who are unwilling to my command. Although you are not one of my people, you do belong to Zhang Yun’s forces and I could make that decision to set you free on his behalf."
Doctor Zhan shook his head, "I used to work with Zhang Ping, and established my family in Jibei City under Zhang Ping’s supervision. His trust in me was earned through over a decade of my dedication and treatment of his heart disease. I have a son, two grandsons, and a granddaughter. My eldest grandson is already fourteen, but I did not let him serve at the Pingxi General’s Residence. He doesn’t like studying medicine, and because I didn’t allow him to work at the Pingxi General’s Residence, he went into business. Though in reality, the boy would be excellent at scholarly pursuits. But I dared not let him do so, as Zhang Ping was involved in capital offenses, I dared not block my grandson’s future. Then, there’s my younger grandson, eleven, who shows promise in martial arts, but I dare not send him to join the Jibei Army. My granddaughter is eight this year, witty and smart. My daughter-in-law is beautiful, my granddaughter is surely going to be a beauty."
Su Rong listened quietly.
Doctor Zhan went on, "I’ve always wanted freedom for my family, but due to my medical skills, it’s impossible to ever have true freedom. No matter where we go, we will be sought after. Those with ill-intentions might even force us away. My two grandsons are growing up, and my granddaughter will eventually need to find a good marriage. We cannot be without support. So, I’ve had a realization that I need to consider my two grandsons and granddaughter’s future, not only mine. If I were a commoner, depending solely on my medical skills, I would become a prey at the mercy of others. But if I serve you, Miss Seven, not only me but also my grandsons will serve you. I can swear an oath of loyalty to you, Miss Seven. My grandsons are at your disposal. The future of my family lies with you, Miss Seven."
After hearing what Zhan Jian had to say, Su Rong pondered for a moment, "If Doctor Zhan is worried about the futures of your family, you don’t necessarily have to follow me to Nanchu. You have made meritorious service in assisting Zhang Yun in assassinating Zhang Ping. I can write a letter of recommendation for the Crown Prince to promote your family. You can still stay in Daliang. With your medical skills, you can join the Imperial Medical Bureau. If you don’t wish to, that’s also fine. With the Crown Prince providing protection, no one would dare harm you. Your two grandsons can seek positions within the Eastern Palace or can even secure positions at the Imperial Court through the Imperial Examination or Martial Arts Competition."
Doctor Zhan shook his head, "I wish to follow you, Miss Seven. Unlike how the Crown Prince is popularly known for his kindness, you are compassionate. Despite the distance of the journey to Nanchu, I think it’s worth it for a person like you. The Crown Prince doesn’t lack people, but you, Miss Seven, lack people who can be of use. Both I and my two grandsons can be utilized by you. In the future, our honor and fortune will be tied to you, Miss Seven. You can rest assured that even if a sword is held to my throat, I won’t betray you as long as my grandsons have a smooth future. I can swear an oath."
Su Rong smiled faintly, "As for your two grandsons, I will need to meet them before I can make a decision. After all, Zhang Yun was able to threaten you to assassinate Zhang Ping through your family. That vulnerability requires careful consideration."
Upon hearing this, Doctor Zhan was not only not angry but sighed with relief, "Prince Three kept his word and had them brought to the Military Camp in order to reassure me. I will fetch them now."
Su Rong nodded, "Alright."
Doctor Zhan immediately left, and before long, he brought two young men and a little girl.
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