Chapter 365: Chapter 365 Green Medical Benevolence
If it were an ordinary ancient emperor, Lu Zheng wouldn’t necessarily respect him, but he definitely wouldn’t be afraid.
However, the Great Jing Dynasty is different; this is a Xianxia world, and the Great Jing Dynasty suppresses the Central Plains. What kind of person is such a reigning emperor?
Therefore, Lu Zheng felt an overwhelming pressure.
Indeed, the power is different, and the impression it leaves is truly different, even if the Great Jing Dynasty appears just like an ordinary ancient era to common folks.
"Miss Liu is from the Yizhou Prefecture, so the decree has arrived there." Du Yuru said with a smile, "The eunuch issuing the decree is currently at the Prefecture Government Office. Shall we go to receive the decree first?"
Liu Qingyan looked at Lu Zheng with some apprehension.
She is just an ordinary little fox; hearing suddenly that she would have interactions with the emperor of Jing Dynasty, apprehension was normal.
Lu Zheng took Liu Qingyan’s hand and then turned to look at Chu Jin.
Others couldn’t see Liu Qingyan’s true form, but he believed Chu Jin could definitely see it. If the emperor didn’t wish to award a fox girl, this man should step in and smooth things over.
To his surprise, Chu Jin just smiled, nodded towards Lu Zheng, signaling it was no problem.
"Hmm?"
In the next moment, Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan heard Chu Jin’s voice transmission, "The Anomaly Suppression Bureau has already investigated the Liu Family. They know Miss Liu is a fox, but she treated the people of Great Jing, and is thus a citizen of Great Jing, so there’s no need to worry."
Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan exchanged a glance and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
...
After chatting for a while along the road, they entered the city together, heading towards the State Government Office.
On the way, Du Yuru roughly explained some rules.
Hmm, there’s nothing particularly notable; the Great Jing Dynasty doesn’t emphasize kneeling ceremonies. When receiving the decree, just face the direction of Zhongjing, keep a solemn expression, bow and listen; you mustn’t rise until the decree is complete.
Arriving at the State Office, stepping into the front yard.
Lu Zheng found that the front yard was already set up with incense table banners, and two rows of inner guards stood solemnly. At the innermost area stood a middle-aged man in a blue hundred flowers official robe.
Lu Zheng saw clearly that the two rows consisted of eighteen inner guards who didn’t hide their aura; each brimming with vitality, all Martial Dao experts, each no less powerful than Duan Changzai.
But the middle-aged man looked like an ordinary person, his face full of smiling kindness, eyes gentle and bright; however, his presence was solemn, indicating official status.
Upon seeing everyone, he simply nodded before focusing on Liu Qingyan, saying, "Liu Qingyan, receive the decree!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Qingyan hurried two steps forward, stood still and bowed deeply, saying respectfully, "Commoner Liu Qingyan, receives the decree!"
Lu Zheng stood by her side, also bowing deeply.
The others stepped forward too to show respect for the emperor.
"The Great Jing Emperor decrees: In the 672nd year of Great Jing, there was a flood disaster... Now there is a female doctor Qingyan of the Liu Family from Yizhou, who heals the world with genius and benevolence, treating the people far and wide, distributing ’Little Star Hu Four Spirits Antimalarial Soup’ to hundreds of doctors with sincerity. The people are grateful, thus bestowing the title of ’Green Medical Benevolence’, hoping she doesn’t forget her original intent and keeps all the people in mind. Thus it is commanded!"
"Commoner Liu Qingyan, receives the decree and thanks for the grace!"
Liu Qingyan replied, and everyone stood up, seeing the middle-aged man wipe his jade ring on his left thumb, a large plaque appeared before him.
The plaque was half a zhang wide and a foot high, surrounded by wooden carvings of royal patterns, with four big gold-lettered words in the center:
Green Medical Benevolence
Goodness, it’s actually written by the current Emperor Jing himself. If it were an ordinary family, it could definitely be a family heirloom.
Lu Zheng initially thought Green Medical Benevolence was just a title; who knew the emperor also sent a plaque personally inscribed.
"Miss Liu, congratulations, treasures personally bestowed by His Majesty are very rare indeed!" the middle-aged man said with a smile.
"Thank you, His Majesty, for the favor." Liu Qingyan accepted the plaque, blinked, and then handed it to Lu Zheng.
Lu Zheng looked at Du Yuru, "Can I keep it?"
Du Yuru nodded, "Of course."
Upon saying that, Lu Zheng stored the plaque in a gourd, and said to Liu Qingyan, "When we return to Tonglin County, you can decide whether to hang the plaque in the clinic or at home."
Liu Qingyan smiled wryly, "Of course at home; hanging it in the clinic would be too conspicuous."
After receiving the decree, the formal affairs were completed. Du Yuru introduced both parties, and Lu Zheng learned that the middle-aged man is a first-grade eunuch from the Imperial Palace named Zhong Lingyin, who spoke casually amongst Chu Jin, clearly indicating he’s a significant expert.
Ahem, it’s worth mentioning that the eunuchs in Great Jing are different from those in ancient Hua Country; Zhong Lingyin has a beard, so Lu Zheng did not think in any misleading way or avert his gaze.
After formal affairs, there’s no need to maintain a grand presence, so Zhong Lingyin relaxed his demeanor, naturally amiable, like a neighborly uncle, smiling at Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan saying, "Miss Liu is brimming with merit, and Young Master Lu is a noble of the Daoist Sect, you two truly are a heaven-made match!"
He had already inquired about Lu Zheng’s background before arriving; although an outer disciple of White Cloud Temple, he was already registered into the main Daoist records and had impressive cultivation after just two years, signaling unlimited prospects ahead.
Furthermore, because of her healing work and wide distribution of remedies, Liu Qingyan is now filled with Merit Golden Light, clearly destined to become a thousand-year-old Great Demon.
One might say, though their current Dao Practice isn’t very high, their potential is immeasurable, so Zhong Lingyin did not act superior.
Moreover, upon arriving at Yizhou, he also heard about the Peach Blossom Fairy affair...
Goodness, no wonder Chu Jin regards them with admiration, as Zhong Lingyin could see the future grand figures in Lu Zheng.
Listening to Zhong Lingyin’s praise, Lu Zheng humbly bowed repeatedly, "I dare not! Lord Zhong praises too highly; we are juniors and need much guidance from our elders."
Stay humble! Must stay humble!
"As expected of a noble of the Daoist Sect, there’s something extraordinary about your mindset." Zhong Lingyin praised.
Lu Zheng, "..."
Du Yuru laughed while intercepting, "It’s nearing noon; my wife has prepared a family banquet in the kitchen. If you don’t mind, how about we move over to enjoy a meal and chat?"
"Of course, of course!"
"Then we are indebted to Madam Du!"
"Please!"
"Please!"
...
A family banquet, where hosts and guests enjoyed themselves.
Du Yueyao finally returned home and was taken to the rear courtyard by Madam Du for conversation; Zhong Lingyin stayed in the State Government Office, while Lu Zheng’s group was led by Chu Jin to the Anomaly Bureau.
"Young Master Lu and Miss Liu traversed several states of Lingbei and Chuandong; how many demons and evils did you encounter on the road?" Chu Jin asked, "Any other discoveries?"
"Other discoveries?" Lu Zheng blinked, unsure of Chu Jin’s intentions, so he could only reply, "Indeed, we encountered several demons and ghosts, but most were not very formidable. The truly mischievous Abnormal People were not encountered, well, we did meet one, a disciple from Pan Shui Cave."
Chu Jin nodded, "The matter has been reported by the River God of Yuejin River, and someone will speak to Pan Shui Cave about it. Does Young Master Lu have any other discoveries?"
Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan exchanged glances, shook their heads, then looked to the five ladies of Five Beauties Manor, who also shook their heads.
Lu Zheng looked at Chu Jin, "Did something happen?"
Chu Jin nodded, then shook his head, "The matter isn’t clear yet. Since Young Master Lu’s group did not encounter it, there’s no need for you to know."
Lu Zheng expressed this was best; he had everything, except curiosity.