The cruel little princess

Whether the Emperor actually ate those meals or not is beyond discussion. Along with the food and fodder came the Emperor's imperial decree. "Promote Shen Duanfang to the rank of First-rank General! This is decreed!" Shen Duanfang's recent promotions have been rapid, and he believes it's all thanks to his daughter. Ever since she arrived at the border, he's been rapidly promoted from a third-rank officer to a first-rank General! It's like a dream, unbelievable!

After the military rations were delivered, a large amount of sweet potatoes were also taken away. The soldiers did not feel too much reluctance to see the sweet potatoes taken away. After all, they had eaten sweet potatoes for half a month and were tired of them. Can you believe it? Even mooncakes are made of sweet potatoes, with sweet potato flour and sweet potato fillings...

Along with Hongshu, Doctor Xu and his team returned to the capital. The rescue team was now on track. They had learned all they needed to learn and were now very adept at dissection. If they didn't become imperial physicians after returning to the capital, becoming a coroner would probably be a good option!

Before leaving, Doctor Xu found Shen Youyou alone and said he wanted to talk to her. Shen Youyou took a step back and stood opposite him.

"Brother Xu, is there anything you don't understand?" Shen Youyou looked at his hesitant expression and thought he had something to ask that he was too embarrassed to ask.

"Youyou, I..." Doctor Xu's face flushed crimson, his eyes flickering. He seemed to have a thousand words to say, but he didn't know how to begin. His heart was pounding like thunder, and he was so nervous that he could hardly breathe.

Finally, he mustered up all his courage, took a deep breath, and shouted loudly: "I love you!" His voice echoed in the air, as if it was going to break through the sky.

Shen Youyou was startled by his sudden confession and took a step back with a look of surprise on her face. She had never thought that this usually taciturn, steady and reserved man would suddenly confess his love to her.

"After spending these days together, both your medical skills and your kindness have deeply attracted me! I find that I have fallen in love with someone for the first time!" Doctor Xu's eyes were firm and sincere, as if burning with a flame.

His tone was filled with sincerity and enthusiasm, making people feel the sincerity and persistence in his heart. He then said, "If possible, can you try to accept me?" This sentence was like a sharp sword, piercing Shen Youyou's heart, making her heart tremble violently.

Shen Youyou lamented inwardly. They didn't have many opportunities to be alone together. He'd witnessed her teaching them dissections with blood on her hands. She'd also seen him faint from fear, his face pale. Yet, even with this seemingly unlikely pairing, he'd developed such deep feelings for her.

"It can only be said that benevolence is in the eye of the beholder. Love is inherently irrational..." Shen Youyou thought silently. If we put aside His Royal Highness Prince Jin, this Imperial Physician Xu Weizheng might really be the ideal son-in-law in the capital. At such a young age, he has been promoted to the head of the Imperial Hospital by his own ability. He is a third-rank official. His little medicine boy said that his family has no concubines or maids, and they don't have extramarital affairs. The elders in his family are all gentle and kind, and he is tall, handsome, gentle and considerate. His future wife should live a very comfortable and happy life. It's a pity that Prince Xiang had a dream but the goddess had no interest in it, and the flowing water has feelings but the falling flowers have no intention. They are destined to have no result.

Therefore, Shen Youyou didn't intend to drag it out with him and said directly: "I am very grateful for Brother Xu's kindness to me, but I have no such feelings for you, and we will definitely not be together in the future. I will pretend that I have never heard what you said today. In the future, I will still respectfully call you Brother Xu. After this farewell, the mountains are high and the waters are far away. I hope Brother Xu can take good care of himself!"

From the moment Shen Youyou started calling him Brother Xu, he knew that he had no chance. However, he did not regret expressing his feelings to her. After all, life is short, and if some things are not said, you may never be able to let go of them in your life. Although this confession did not get the response he wanted, at least he tried and will not leave any regrets for himself. Moreover, even if they cannot become lovers, they can still maintain a friendship and continue to help and support each other. As a man of integrity, he believes that he can take it and let it go. She said that she still recognized him as Brother Xu, so he will protect her well in the position of big brother!

Time slowly passed, and after realizing they could no longer profit from this, the Qinglong Nation withdrew its troops. Then, Shen Youyou's life in the barracks suddenly became easier. The rescue team was back on track and operating normally, and she no longer needed to worry about it. The military doctors' skills had also reached a new level. Suddenly, she realized there was nothing left for her to do in the barracks. However, the apprentices she brought back were constantly busy.

Previously, His Royal Highness Prince Jin had carefully selected sixty teenagers, approximately fourteen or fifteen years old, including some young girls. After these individuals were sent here, An Er rented several spacious courtyards in the city and divided them into groups of six to learn pharmaceutical techniques from Shen Youyou. They had already successfully mastered and produced a variety of products, including scar-relief cream, seven-whitening cream, wrinkle-removing cream, freckle-removing cream, lip balm, and body deodorant. Each group focused on their respective products, and the entire process resembled the orderly flow of a factory assembly line.

More importantly, they signed a death pact with Shen Youyou, obligating them to remain loyal to their master and never betray or reveal her secrets, lest their lives be in jeopardy. This arrangement ensured their loyalty and confidentiality, allowing the birth process to proceed smoothly. Shen Youyou had the right to impose any punishment on them! They didn't object, but rather happily signed the death pact. Perhaps they'd had enough of the suffering of the world!

This learning opportunity was a rare one, so everyone naturally cherished it doubly, their dedication evident. In just two weeks, they had already mastered 80% to 90% of Shen Youyou's skills, and the products they produced were of exceptional quality, earning widespread acclaim. These products were packaged in exquisite bottles sent by Liu Jianye, aiming to establish their unique brand, "Zui Hongyan," in one fell swoop.

Liu Jianye then shipped the goods to shops across the country for sale. The initial month saw a lukewarm response, but by the second month, sales had skyrocketed, demonstrating astonishing explosive growth. However, problems arose. Demand outstripped supply, leading to shortages in some areas. Faced with such overwhelming demand, Liu Jianye had no choice but to return to the military camp to seek help from Shen Youyou. After all, he had promised not to rush delivery, but now, under pressure, he had no choice but to make the bold move. Business was booming, with many high-ranking officials scrambling to get their hands on the products, some even offering to buy them from other buyers at exorbitant prices. With no other options left, Liu Jianye personally traveled to the military camp to seek help from Shen Youyou.

He had just brought the dividends from the first shipment, a stack of banknotes neatly stacked in an exquisite box. Shen Youyou didn't count them, simply putting them aside. Then she took him to the rented factory to pick up the goods.

"Is this what you've made recently?" Liu Jianye looked at the familiar items and asked in surprise, "So you really produced so many?!"

Shen Youyou smiled but said nothing, only nodded. She knew that these things would be very popular.

Liu Jianye happily pulled several more carriages full of goods and left. Shen Youyou then asked him for a batch of medicinal herbs and other materials needed to make these goods. She told him to gather them and send them directly here.

Liu Jianye nodded repeatedly, his admiration for Shen Youyou growing stronger. He felt that he had truly met a noble person. If it weren't for her, he would probably still be struggling with the grief of losing his wife and child. Thinking of this, he was full of confidence and anticipation for the future.