Priceless: A widow with a baby asks the prince to marry again

The luxurious carriage, surrounded by a long procession and accompanied by all kinds of people lining the streets, rumbled towards Prince Duan's Mansion in the east of the capital.

Just like the scene from last year, when the carriage turned onto the side road leading to Prince Duan's mansion, guards quickly blocked both ends of the road, drawing their swords and threatening: "Prince Duan, return to your mansion! Everyone else, please leave!"

The gate to Prince Duan's mansion was covered in brass nails, still gleaming with vermilion lacquer. It looked incredibly heavy, yet it made no sound when it opened. Even when the owner was away, Prince Duan's mansion was meticulously maintained.

This time, there was no need for Chu Shiyu to coax her. Liu Rusi held Qin Hao's hand in one hand, turned her head to show a warm smile to the doctors such as Zhu Hengzhen and Li Chunfu who were traveling with her, and took the initiative to greet them: "Teachers, please follow me into the mansion."

Then, she led her son and walked calmly into the threshold of Prince Duan's Mansion.

Liu Rusi no longer worried about not being able to leave after entering this door. This was not because Chu Shiyu's strong desire for control had been restrained, but because she had carved out her own small world in Daxia with her own abilities and planning.

Now, countless pairs of eyes are watching her - some are worried, some are cold, some are vicious, and some are expectant... waiting to see how she will rise and fall in this vortex of power, and how she will deal with the inevitable storms that are coming.

Inside the palace, Chief Steward Lin from Prince Duan's Mansion had been waiting for a long time.

His thoroughness and meticulousness were truly admirable. Upon learning that the doctors were returning together, he had already ordered hot, fragrant water to be prepared in the quiet and elegant guesthouse for everyone to wash off their travel dust. Even the new clothes needed for the palace banquet were prepared according to each person's size and neatly folded in the room.

However, faced with this thoughtful arrangement, several doctors showed obvious hesitation and resistance.

"Disciple, I won't be attending that harem palace banquet!" Li Chunfu, as usual, was blunt and straightforward. He spoke first, his tone carrying his usual straightforwardness. "As for how the Ministry of Medicine and the Medical Association will be run in the future, and if you need my help, just let me know when the time comes! Don't get involved in those empty social engagements!"

Another doctor also bowed and said, "The purpose of my trip to the northwest this time is to learn effective methods of treating injuries. Now I have mastered the skills and saved many wounded people, practicing the true meaning of medicine. These are already invaluable, and I dare not seek credit or reward. In a place with such strict rules..." He shook his head, his unspoken meaning was full of resistance.

Zhu Hengzhen twirled his beard and sighed, "The temporary restraint is not a problem, but I'm afraid that from now on I'll be entangled in political maneuvers... I won't be able to control myself! I have fulfilled my duty to protect the life of the last crown prince of the previous dynasty. Your Excellency's sleepless nights... I have carefully taught the palace maids the massage techniques to help you sleep. This matter is over now. I sincerely do not wish to set foot in the palace again."

Liu Rusi understood their concerns. Looking at the doctors who were doing their utmost to save lives on the Mobei battlefield, she said gently, "I understand your intentions, teachers. Doctors practice medicine to save the world, seeking nothing more than freedom and true heart."

She swept her gaze over the crowd, her tone earnest and firm, "I thank all the teachers for recognizing and supporting my ambition—to promote medical skills, to teach medicine widely, and to save as many patients as can be saved! However, such a grand ambition... naturally requires the support of the court, even its protection... Without the court's support, it would be like sailing against the current, a difficult journey."

Liu Rusi showed a somewhat embarrassed expression. She glanced at Li Chunfu and said sincerely, "Master, you know that although I have some experience in treating injuries and first aid, my attainments in the profound art of Qihuang are still shallow... I am afraid that I will be easily surpassed by others and disgrace your reputation."

"Tsk... I knew you were such a troublemaker..." Li Chunfu looked at him with disdain, but revealed a look of helpless compromise.

Liu Rusi smiled warmly, then changed the subject, scanning the room with her gaze, her tone filled with sincerity and respect. "Furthermore, if we truly want to promote medicine and save the people from suffering, this cannot be accomplished by a student alone. Such a great undertaking naturally relies on the teachers to teach and systematically pass on the unique skills and proven recipes they have devoted their lives to studying, so that they can be passed down to future generations!"

"In the future, we will even establish a university in the capital, gathering the strengths of hundreds of schools, gathering the essence of the world's medical fields, recruiting talented people, and benefiting future generations!"

"And you, the teachers, are the foundation of this medical academy, the masters of teaching and imparting knowledge! If you enter the palace this time and receive royal honors and display your talents before the emperor and his officials, it will not only bring personal honor, but will also establish the first resounding brand for the future medical academy! You will be admired and spread throughout the world, and be followed by aspiring students from all over the world!"

"Of course, I know that teachers dislike flattery, petty maneuvers, and power struggles outside of medical skills..." She then solemnly promised, her eyes clear and firm: "I hereby declare! From now on, all these mundane matters will be handled by me, Liu Rusi! This will allow you teachers to focus on studying medicine, teaching, answering questions, and writing books without distractions!"

This promise clearly defined the boundaries of responsibility - she was responsible for overcoming difficulties and withstanding external storms; while the doctors only needed to protect the pure land of medicine and focus on the inheritance and improvement of medical skills.

"Okay, okay! Stop rambling. I'll just do as you say, okay?" Li Chunfu continued his customary venomous barbs, but his and the other renowned doctors' expressions softened considerably, revealing a look of contemplation and agreement. The prospects and division of responsibilities outlined by Liu Rusi made the trip to the palace banquet seem more than acceptable; at the very least, it was worth a try.

After the doctors were comforted, they went to the guest house to make preparations.

Chu Shiyu, who had been standing silently by, patiently waiting, finally stepped forward. His phoenix eyes glared at Liu Rusi, their gentle gaze like a spring water ready to drown a beautiful woman. His deep voice carried a mixture of teasing and sincere admiration: "Such a silver tongue... You managed to convince these seemingly stubborn and stubborn old men with just a few words."

Then, his tone turned to one of deep concern, his eyes fixed on the weariness that could not be concealed between her brows: "Are you tired after all this journey? It's still early, why don't you go and rest for a while?"

"Thanks to you, I do have plenty of time." Liu Rusi rolled her eyes at him, then pulled up little Qin Hao, who had been silent and cuddling obediently at her lap, and headed straight for the Ruliu Courtyard that had been prepared for her. Last year, she had requested a residence from the Emperor, but soon after, she had moved into her own 'Female Medical Clinic' and established her own practice. She had never lived in Ruliu Courtyard again...

A year later, I checked in again on the day before the palace banquet, but there was no rush like last time.

Liu Rusi thought to herself that Chu Shiyu's arrangements this time were extremely thoughtful, clearly having learned from the previous hasty and chaotic arrival in the capital. This time, he ordered the troops to rest and recuperate just five miles from the capital, officially entering the city the next morning. This arrangement was precisely to give everyone ample time to wash off the dust of the journey, recuperate, and be in top condition for the evening's palace banquet.

Early noon.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice into the main room of the Ruliu Courtyard. Liu Rusi had just finished bathing, her long, wet hair draped over her shoulders. She sat at her dressing table, while Chunlan and she, each holding a towel, wrung out her dripping hair.

Like the previous two times, the palace banquet will not start until the evening, but it is still early now, so there is no need to be anxious.

At this moment, there was a gentle knock on the door, followed by little Qin Hao's childish and crisp voice asking: "Mom, are you okay? Can I come in?"

A pair of almond-shaped eyes suddenly lit up with a smile, and Liu Rusi raised the corners of her lips slightly, and responded in a gentle tone: "Okay, Haohao, come in."

The door was pushed open, and Qin Hao, with his nimble, light steps, trotted over to her side, clinging to her with a clinging hand, as if to make up for the months of separation. Although he had cried heartily upon their reunion, the longing still lingered, but he knew they were going to a palace banquet that evening and his mother needed to dress and tidy up, so he barely suppressed it.

Liu Rusi reached out and rubbed his little head, smiling and said, "It's been a long time since we last met, and Haohao has become even more clingy."

"Haohao, do you miss your mother..." Qin Hao twisted and turned coquettishly, and tears appeared in his big eyes, but they quickly disappeared. His mother had told him that crying occasionally is a way to vent, but crying often would be annoying.

Then the child's eyes fell on her wet long hair. Four hands were busy, but there was still a part of her hair that was "unattended". Suddenly, he reached out and took a spare dry cloth from the side, and imitated their movements, carefully wiping the wet ends of her hair.

Liu Rusi noticed it and smiled even warmer, but she did not stop him, enjoying the child's somewhat clumsy care and consideration.

"Mom's hair is so long, it reaches her hips, while Haohao's hair only reaches her shoulders..." Little Qin Hao wiped it and observed curiously, looking concerned but also with the innocent interest of a child imitating adults.

"Haha... Mom has been growing it for many years." Liu Rusi was not surprised by her son's strange observation. She explained in a gentle and teasing voice, "Haohao is still young, and Mom used to trim your hair often. Have you forgotten?"

Qin Hao paused, then recalled a vague memory from when he was a little over two years old. When his father was alive, his mother had plenty of free time and would occasionally trim his hair, doing some relaxing and heartwarming chores... But then he remembered the principles he had recently learned at the Imperial Academy and wondered, "But 'the body and hair are given by parents, and I dare not damage them. This is the beginning of filial piety'... Can hair be cut?"

"Well... the original meaning of this sentence is to teach people to cherish themselves and value their health. It's just that in the name of filial piety, more people can take it to heart." After Liu Rusi explained, she paused and added, "However, some good principles can be overcorrected and even distorted over time... For example, hair is actually no different from nails. It's just that the current custom is to keep hair long, so trimming it is common. Haohao, don't take it too seriously."

Little Qin Hao nodded in agreement, then pouted and snorted in disdain, "I told you they were all just stupid people!"

Liu Rusi immediately turned around and asked seriously and calmly, "Has Haohao encountered any problems?"

Qin Hao pursed his lips, as if hesitating about something, and finally whispered: "Mother...someone said bad things about you."

Liu Rusi's eyes narrowed slightly, but she was not surprised. She only asked softly, "What did they say?"

"They said..." Qin Hao's voice was muffled, filled with grievance and anger, "They said that my mother had shown her face in public and ran to a military camp full of men, and that she was not a good wife..."

"Oh? How did Haohao deal with it?" Liu Rusi hugged the child, giving him a sense of security and strength in her arms.

But Qin Hao didn't seem to need it. He raised his eyebrows with a hint of pride and said, "Haohao said that my mother went to the military camp to rescue the wounded and save lives. Human lives are at stake, so all those trivial etiquettes have to stand aside!"

"Hmm..." Liu Rusi probably guessed what was going to happen next, but she still continued to ask flatteringly, "Then what? What did they say?"

"Some people say 'starving to death is a small matter, but losing one's chastity is a big matter', and one must not lose one's chastity no matter what." Qin Hao's rosy lips curled up cunningly, and he said proudly: "I asked him, are the lives of those soldiers who shed blood for their country not more important than a small matter of chastity?"

"Many people were watching, and the man's face was flushed red. But a fool is a fool! He didn't understand the concept of flexibility. He stubbornly refused to admit his mistake, saying, 'After all, it's a big deal to lose your integrity.' This immediately angered many of the students who came from military families. They rushed over and beat him up!"

Liu Rusi couldn't help but smile. Her son was going further and further down the path of being a cunning person. These were the very words she had been preparing to use. Unexpectedly, Qin Hao had grasped them on his own, seemingly with a telepathic understanding...

Sometimes, distance is needed to see the bigger picture. Previously, she'd been so focused on whether her child was influenced by others that she'd forgotten she was the person closest to him and had the greatest influence. A child is like a canvas, and as a mother, she's the color at the beginning of his life, laying the foundation for his canvas.

Unable to help but pick up the child and put him on her lap, Liu Rusi looked at Qin Hao's proud little face and had a deeper understanding of the child in front of her whom she had raised herself - taking advantage of the situation, this was exactly the method she used to deal with those unruly people in Fubin City who spoke ill of them and asked them to sacrifice to the river.

Obviously, with Qin Hao's intelligence, he not only memorized it, but also integrated it and put it into practice.

The mother and son cuddled together, continuing their gentle chatter. Qiuju, standing nearby, winked at Chunlan, picked up the wet towel she had just changed, and with an indignant look on her face, quietly retreated, heading straight for the next room...

It was quiet outside, no one in sight. Qiu Ju raised her voice slightly, "Your Majesty, are you here?"

A low, emotionless voice came from the inner room: "What's the matter?"

Qiuju approached the inner room door and reported with indignation that the young master had been slandered in the Imperial College!

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment, then a deeper, angrier voice rang out: "I understand. You may return. If you hear of such important matters again, please report them promptly."

"Yes!" Qiu Ju bowed through the door and retreated briskly. Although the prince hadn't explicitly stated how he would deal with those slanderous words, how could he remain indifferent when he cherished his wife like the apple of his eye?

Back in the capital, even this moment of mother-son warmth seemed precious. However, leisure time is ultimately short-lived.

Liu Rusi changed into a solemn cyan stand-up collared double-breasted blouse, paired with an elegant horse-faced skirt of the same color. Her hair was styled into a regal and elegant bun. Tonight's palace banquet was destined to be a tough battle. Clothes make the man, and at least in terms of momentum, she couldn't lose!

Chu Shiyu also changed into the dark-colored official attire of a prince, which gave him a more imposing aura than usual. Little Qin Hao also wore new clothes. Although his age couldn't hide his delicate and lovely appearance, it did add a touch of preciousness.

The three of them boarded a relatively unassuming yet luxurious two-horse carriage. Following them, dozens of carriages carrying accompanying doctors, maids, and servants followed. With rumbling wheels, the procession of carriages headed towards the turbulent palace.