After the flower-viewing banquet, everyone gradually understood the palace's intentions.
With Jiang Yu and Gu Lin in charge, Gu Qingyan's marriage was no longer mentioned.
Several years passed in the blink of an eye, and Gu Qingyan decided to travel incognito.
Zhaoning Palace.
"Brother, dear brother, can you take me with you?" Gu Qingchen, who had grown up to Gu Qingyan's waist, clung to Gu Qingyan's leg and wouldn't let go, causing the veins on Gu Qingyan's forehead to bulge.
"Gu Qingchen, with your behavior, if I take you along, I'll have to clean up your messes the whole way. I'm going to visit the people to understand their lives, not to go sightseeing." Gu Qingyan ruthlessly pried Gu Qingchen's hands off him.
He has something more important to do on this trip...
"Brother, I promise, I promise to be obedient."
Gu Qingchen persisted, "Besides, you're going to Lingping, which has no mountains or rivers, just plains everywhere. I just want to go with you."
"If you can persuade the Empress Dowager, I will take you with me."
Gu Qingyan gave the decision-making power directly to Jiang Yu, and then looked at Gu Qingchen's pouting lips, and curled the corners of his mouth smugly.
You brat, getting rid of you is a piece of cake!
On the day of departure, Gu Qingyan looked at the "little tail" following him and his face turned as black as charcoal.
"Who sent you?"
"Father sent me." Gu Qingchen straightened his back. His father was overjoyed that he had come with his brother.
"I understand." Gu Qingyan said through gritted teeth. His father had dumped Gu Qingchen on him again so that he could spend time alone with his mother. "Let me make this clear: if you cause me any trouble, I'll have someone send you back to the capital at top speed."
"I promise, I promise I'll be obedient."
......
It took three whole days to get to Lingping.
Gu Qingchen was already dozing off in the carriage, leaning against Gu Qingyan, but Gu Qingyan forcibly woke him up and dragged him down. Gu Qingyan was wearing casual clothes, but his demeanor still revealed his extraordinary nature.
As they walked down the street, everyone couldn't help but glance at Gu Qingyan and Gu Qingchen a few more times.
“The people here seem to have plenty of food and clothing, and the smiles on their faces are genuine.” Wei Ruo followed behind Gu Qingyan, carefully observing the surrounding scenery.
Gu Qingyan nodded, a smile on his face.
"Your Majesty...Young Master Huang, I remember that Lingping's women's clinic is renowned. Why don't we take a look while we're there?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyan's expression involuntarily stiffened. "A women's clinic? Wasn't that set up by Miss Pei?"
“Exactly.” Wei Ruowei gave a barely perceptible smile and winked at Yingzhi, who immediately led the way to the women’s clinic.
"However, Miss Pei is always traveling around, so I wonder if she is in Lingping now."
Upon hearing Wei Ruo's words, Gu Qingyan almost immediately replied, "This young master is going to see a clinic, not to see a person."
But his steps were clearly getting faster and faster.
Lingping's women's clinic now has dozens of staff members, seven of whom are almost ready to graduate and provide free medical consultations every day.
Gradually, not only women, but also some elderly people and children who felt unwell were willing to come to the clinic for treatment.
"The two young masters look healthy and rosy-cheeked, not like they are unwell."
The female doctor on duty smiled and spoke.
"We have long admired your reputation as a divine physician, so we came here specifically to visit you. Are you currently in Lingping?"
Hearing Wei Ruo's words, the female doctor's smile remained unchanged. In recent years, countless people have come to her seeking her expertise.
“Master is currently in Lingping, but he has been going to the village to provide free medical services these past few days and is not at the clinic.”
"May I ask which village it is?"
"Xinghua Village".
Judging from the name, it must be a beautiful place.
Gu Qingyan's expression shifted slightly. "Since you're not here, we'll be leaving now."
Two hours later, the group stood at the entrance of Xinghua Village.
Gu Qingyan was somewhat uncomfortable, while Wei Ruo wore a knowing smile. Gu Qingchen, completely unaware of what was happening, simply ran happily towards the apricot tree.
"Miracle doctor, my daughter-in-law is about to give birth. Could you please wait until she gives birth before you leave?" the old woman said nervously. "She lost her first child."
"Okay, I'll stay until she gives birth safely."
Pei Zhi's voice carried a hint of compassion, which warmed the hearts of those who heard it.
"Thank you, thank you so much, you are truly a living bodhisattva."
"Alright, go back now. Your legs aren't very strong, so be careful on your way back."
As dusk fell, Pei Zhi got up and stretched her stiff limbs, slowly packed up her wooden box, and turned around to see Gu Qingyan.
Pei Zhi seemed to find it hard to believe her eyes, and even rubbed them with her hands.
"What, you don't recognize me after two years?"
“Of course I recognize you, young master.” Pei Zhi realized what was happening and smiled as she curtsied.
......
"The food and drink are simple; we are not very hospitable."
Pei Zhi had a small courtyard in the village where she temporarily stayed, and she personally cooked several dishes.
"Miss Pei has changed so much in the past few years, she can even cook such a good meal." After taking a bite, Wei Ruo praised her without reservation, and then she ate faster and faster.
After eating a few bites, he pulled Gu Qingchen out of the house, leaving Gu Qingyan and Pei Zhi alone.
“You’ve written to Mother every year for the past few years,” Gu Qingyan said softly. “Mother says the clinic is doing very well now, congratulations.”
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Pei Zhi chuckled softly, "Now that the world is at peace and people everywhere are living in contentment, why would His Majesty travel incognito to Lingping? Could it be that he came specifically to see me?"
Gu Qingyan's ears immediately turned red. "How could this be?!"
"Oh." Pei Zhi deliberately drew out her voice, making Gu Qingyan even more restless.
"I just happened to come and thank you."
In recent years, Pei Zhi has traveled to many places. In each place, she writes letters to Jiang Yu about the local people's situation. After receiving the letters, Jiang Yu forwards them to Gu Qingyan.
So for so many years, Pei Zhi has been Gu Qingyan's eyes and ears outside the capital.
"The world is at peace, and the seas are calm and the rivers are clear. I should congratulate Your Majesty."
The two glasses clinked together, and smiles appeared on their faces.
"You are now a renowned goddess doctor."
"Aren't you also the mighty Emperor of the Great Yu?"
"When I first saw you, you were thin and small, standing next to the Empress Dowager, and your eyes were surprisingly bright."
"That was the first time I saw you. You came here begging for rice porridge looking like a refugee. I was wondering which family's little girl was so pitiful."
The two chatted casually, and while Pei Zhi was pouring wine, Gu Qingyan grinned.
The Empress Dowager is right; he should have come to Lingping long ago.
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