Chapter 49 The Crown Prince’s Scheme

"Ha, your own etiquette is a total mess. What right do you have to teach my daughter etiquette?"

After Consort Li spoke, Luo Qianxue turned and shot her a defiant look.

"Mother, since she says she's teaching me etiquette, why not make her show us how it's done right here?"

Luo Qianxue knew damn well whether Ji Yuntang had learned etiquette.

If she messed up later, they'd have more ammo to take her down.

"Then Consort Li and Tenth Sister, watch closely."

Ji Yuntang showed no fear. She had a photographic memory and perfectly copied Nanny Sun's moves, finishing the whole routine in under the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

Everyone in the hall was blown away.

Even though Consort Li didn't want to believe it, she had to admit Ji Yuntang's moves were spot-on and flawless, with no room for criticism.

She'd actually mastered a full set of etiquette in just one afternoon.

Ji Yuntang asked, "Mother, Tenth Sister, are you happy with my performance?"

"Princess Ye really impresses me. Learning etiquette was for the palace banquet in three days. Since you've got it down, make sure to show up on time."

Consort Li then pulled out an invitation from beside her and handed it over. "This is your invite. Use it to get into the palace."

Hearing this, Luo Qianxue got visibly anxious. "Mother, the palace banquet is for unmarried ladies and gents. What right does a married village girl like her have to come?"

"Even though your third sister-in-law is married, she's still a virgin. She hasn't been in the capital long, so letting her rub elbows with the noble ladies is a good thing."

Consort Li spoke convincingly, but only she knew her real motive was to see Ji Yuntang humiliated.

Daring to cross her meant facing the consequences.

She'd turned Luo Junhe into what he was now, and she could do the same to Ji Yuntang.

Ji Yuntang looked at the palace banquet invitation in her hand like it read "Hongmen Banquet."

But, she figured, she'd roll with the punches. As a modern person from the 24th century, she wasn't scared of a few ancients.

Meanwhile, at Fengyi Palace,

When Crown Prince Luo Jingshen found out the Empress wanted Ji Yuntang to treat Luo Xianan, he was the first to strongly oppose it.

"Mother, Seventeenth Brother is so young. How can you let some random woman treat him? If something goes wrong and Father blames us, can she handle the responsibility?"

A flicker of displeasure crossed the Empress's refined face, but she patiently replied, "Shen'er, don't talk nonsense. She's not some random woman; she's your third brother's lawfully wedded wife."

"If she hadn't saved An'er today and helped me uncover the spy Shuixian by my side, An'er could have been in mortal danger."

Luo Jingshen's dark eyes darkened a bit as he suddenly said, "But I heard Princess Ye grew up in the countryside and never learned medicine. If Mother lets her treat An'er rashly, it might piss off Father."

"Why not have Princess Ye take part in the medical competition at Qinglong Square? That way, we can test her medical skills, and both Mother and Father can be reassured. What do you think of my idea, Mother?"

The Empress frowned a little at this.

The medical competition at Qinglong Square was put on under the name of Prince Qi, Luo Feizhou, and had been going for two years.

Over these two years, many folk doctors with medical knowledge had come to challenge, but they all failed when faced with tough and complex cases.

Even with the lure of a huge cash prize, they were clearly powerless.

Wasn't Luo Jingshen's suggestion to have Ji Yuntang compete just a way to mess with her?

The Empress didn't get why Luo Jingshen, who had never met Ji Yuntang, showed such hostility toward her.

She was a bit annoyed. "I've already agreed with Princess Ye to have her treat An'er in ten days. How can I go back on my word now?"

"I won't get involved in the competition. If Princess Ye wants to join, she can; if not, don't force her."

Luo Jingshen stood up, a mysterious smile on his handsome face. "Mother, you don't need to get involved. I'll take care of this."

With that, he left Fengyi Palace and happened to bump into Ji Yuntang, who was walking out of Weiyang Palace.

Ji Yuntang didn't recognize Luo Jingshen and turned to leave, but he blocked her.

"Third Sister-in-law, hold up. I'm the Crown Prince and your third brother's elder brother. I have something to talk over with you."

His handsome, refined face beamed with a gentle and courteous demeanor, but Ji Yuntang caught a hint of sneaky cunning in his eyes.

She figured her impression of the Empress was good, and since he was the Empress's son, she smiled and asked.

"Your Highness, what do you want to discuss with me?"

"I heard Princess Ye will treat my seventeenth brother for his epilepsy, but I've never heard you know medicine. To reassure Father and Mother and shut up the critics, I've thought of a perfect solution for you. Qinglong Square holds a medical competition every month, and tomorrow is the start of this session. Would Princess Ye dare to take on the challenge?"

Ji Yuntang shook her head. "I don't dare. To be honest, Your Highness, I don't know medicine."

In her past life, she was obsessed with learning medicine to save people, but that didn't mean she still was.

Who knew what this Crown Prince's real intentions were?

The next moment, Luo Jingshen offered a condition Ji Yuntang couldn't turn down.

"If Princess Ye succeeds in the challenge, you'll be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold."

Others might not know, but Luo Jingshen was well aware that Fifth Prince Luo Feizhou had started the medical competition to recruit skilled folk doctors for his own purposes.

In this era, doctors were highly respected and had a high social status.

Luo Feizhou was the son of Consort Ning, and Luo Jingshen and Luo Feizhou were rivals, both gunning for the throne.

His motive was twofold: first, to probe Ji Yuntang's background, and second, to piss off Luo Feizhou.

If Ji Yuntang won, the ten thousand taels of gold would come out of Luo Feizhou's pocket.

Then, the one who pissed off Luo Feizhou would be Ji Yuntang.

"What do you say, Princess Ye?"

Ji Yuntang smiled slightly. It'd be stupid not to take money when it was offered, especially since it was being handed to her.

"Not enough. If I win, I want twenty thousand taels of gold."

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