Chapter 312: Entering the Capital

Chapter 312: Chapter 312: Entering the Capital

312 Entering the Capital City

Wei Shulan confidently said, "Don’t worry, this one is absolutely reliable."

Zhao Zhitong said, "...That’s what you said last time."

Wei Shulan, flustered, coughed and said with a serious expression, "Don’t you always say that failure is the mother of success? Let’s just forget those failures. This one is truly reliable."

"Look, this bracelet may seem ordinary, but it has a hidden mechanism. If you encounter bad guys, just open this small hidden clasp on the side. There’s a little button inside. Press it, and silver needles will shoot out from this ’eye’ on the bracelet."

As she spoke, Wei Shulan opened the hidden clasp and demonstrated it to Zhao Zhitong.

She continued, "There are ten silver needles inside, and I’ve coated each one with poison. It’s small and exquisite, so girls can wear it without anyone noticing. It’s perfect for you."

"The only drawback is its single-use nature; once all the silver needles are fired, it can’t be reused. But I’m currently researching how to design a reusable one. For now, just use this."

Saying this, she took Zhao Zhitong’s hand and put the bracelet on her.

Then she showed her own. "Look, I have an identical one! This is called... what was it again?"

Zhao Zhitong laughed and added, "A Best Friend Bracelet."

Wei Shulan nodded. "Exactly! Only the two of us have them."

Ever since they were children and both wore little wooden pendants of Peppa Pig and George, Wei Shulan had been obsessed with these kinds of ’best friend’ trinkets.

After saying this, Wei Shulan suddenly remembered something and asked, "Oh, right, I heard from Zhao Yue. Are you going to the Princess Mansion to treat the Princess’s illness?"

Zhao Zhitong sighed. "It’s not about whether I want to or not. Didn’t you see the people from the Princess Mansion? They made it quite clear that if I don’t go, they’ll tie me up and drag me there."

Wei Shulan huffed. "These imperial aristocrats! Isn’t this just their usual tactic for coercing people?"

Zhao Zhitong quickly hushed her. "Shh, keep your voice down! We can’t afford to offend the Princess Mansion."

Then, somewhat curious, she added, "I wonder what illness the Princess has that even the imperial physicians from the Imperial Physician Bureau are stumped."

At this moment, Wei Zijian finally chimed in, "Master, in my opinion, you should go! Your medical skills are so incredible; you’ll definitely be able to cure the Princess."

"By then, your reputation as a Divine Doctor will spread throughout the Capital City! And I, your disciple, can bask in your glory too, hehe."

Wei Shulan looked helpless and tapped him lightly. "Brother, are you dense? No wonder Uncle insists I supervise you and make you read more. Think about it. If Tongtong actually saves her, it’ll be a slap in the face to all the imperial physicians in the Imperial Physician Bureau."

"The Capital City isn’t as peaceful as our Anyang County. The currents there run deep; who knows how she might get secretly framed."

After hearing this, Wei Zijian couldn’t help but feel a wave of fear and quickly said, "Then let’s not go! Don’t go, Master! You mustn’t go!"

Wei Shulan said, "This isn’t about what Tongtong wants or doesn’t want. Didn’t you hear her? The people from the Princess Mansion are practically going to drag her to the Capital City."

At this moment, Zhao Zhitong said thoughtfully, "Actually, being ’dragged’ there... might not be entirely a bad thing."

"Huh?"

Now it was their turn to be baffled.

Zhao Zhitong just smiled and shook her head. "Never mind. Lanlan, you just arrived. Do you want to visit the academy? Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue are there organizing books. They’re preparing to leave for the Capital City tomorrow."

Wei Shulan shook her head decisively. "No way. What’s so interesting about two grown men? I want to talk with you. We haven’t seen each other in ages."

Wei Zijian also nodded repeatedly. "Exactly! And I want Master to teach me things."

"Hey, Master, what’s this medicine? What does it treat? Why haven’t I seen it in any of the medical books?"

"Hey, Master, and what’s this..."

"Master... Master..."

And so, for the next while, Zhao Zhitong’s ears were filled with Wei Zijian’s "Master, Master," in what felt like 4D surround sound... It nearly drove her to distraction.

In the afternoon, Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue finished packing their bags and gathered at the medical clinic. Both carried a luggage box and wore the special flag issued by the imperial court to scholars traveling to the Capital City for the imperial examination. This flag, provided by the imperial court, ensured scholars safe passage, protecting them from bandits on their journey.

By the time they reached the medical clinic, Zhao Zhitong had already been bound by the people from the Princess Mansion and taken away to the Capital City.

Wei Zijian, that silly goose, kept shouting that he was Zhao Zhitong’s disciple, and so he was tied up and taken away with her as well...

The Sun family members were extremely anxious.

Qiao Muchen thought for a moment and comforted them, "Don’t worry too much. We’re also heading to the Capital City. Besides, many influential people there are Zhao Zhitong’s patients. She’ll be alright."

Sun Kang sighed, asking Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue to send a letter home once they reached the Capital City so the family would know how Zhao Zhitong was faring.

Qiao Muchen nodded. "Uncle Sun, please rest assured, Tongtong will be fine."

After bidding farewell to everyone, Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue set off on their journey.

Watching the children grow up and leave, one after another, Sun Kang was filled with a myriad of emotions, a profound sense of wistfulness among them.

Sometimes, he wondered if teaching Zhao Zhitong medicine had been a mistake, one that frequently put her in harm’s way. But then he would chide himself for sounding like an old man, dwelling on the past and its regrets. Zhao Zhitong often said that one must look forward; he shouldn’t be less clear-sighted than a child. Thinking about this, he couldn’t help but smile. Zhao Zhitong was exceptional and intelligent; she was never meant to be confined to such a small place. A person as insightful as her was destined to face trials beyond the ken of ordinary people. He believed his disciple could overcome them all.

Having come to terms with this, Sun Kang turned and went back into the medical clinic.

「 」

Although Zhao Zhitong was taken to the Capital City by force, the people from the Princess Mansion didn’t treat her harshly en route. On the contrary, they were quite courteous.

The carriage swayed and bumped along, and by the time dusk settled, they had entered the Capital City.

As expected of the city at the Emperor’s feet, it was exceptionally bustling. Compared to their small Anyang County, the streets of the Capital City were far more lively and prosperous.

Wei Zijian, tied up alongside Zhao Zhitong, was currently dazzled by the vibrant and magnificent sights of the Capital City.

"Wow! So this is the Capital City! It’s truly magnificent!"

Zhao Zhitong simply shook her head and sighed. "Wei Zijian, you’re certainly optimistic. Aren’t you afraid that once you enter this Capital City, you won’t be able to leave?"

Wei Zijian, however, was full of confidence. "Nope! I believe in Master. There’s no illness in this world Master can’t cure!"

Zhao Zhitong interrupted, "...Stop. I’m not as capable as you claim. Don’t go spouting such nonsense outside in the future."

Wei Zijian asked, "Why not? Master, you *are* that amazing!"

Although he grumbled, he still nodded obediently when he met Zhao Zhitong’s gaze. "Ah, alright, Master. I won’t say it again."