Although the words left Shen Yu feeling a bit dazed, she could roughly understand their meaning.
Essentially, the current Empress had somehow taken an interest in her, feeling that her medical skills were impressive and her character was virtuous.
She had essentially said, “Come and be an attending Medical Officer at my Huimin Hall so I can test your true abilities.”
If she performed well, she would continue to advance; if she performed poorly, she should have the sense to pack her bags and get out.
Without having taken any exams, Shen Yu was directly appointed to the Follow 9th Rank.
Although it was the lowest official rank, she was now considered part of The Imperial Court’s establishment.
Furthermore, this Follow 9th Rank had been personally conferred by the Empress with such a grand display.
Countless eyes on the street were now fixed on Shen Yu.
Usually, the authority to appoint someone to the Follow 9th Rank had long since been delegated to the Ministry of Personnel, where the Vice Minister of Personnel could appoint or dismiss people at will.
But Shen Yu’s appointment was different.
She was not a local Follow 9th Rank official but a Capital Official of the Follow 9th Rank.
There was a world of difference between a Follow 9th Rank official in The Capital and those in the other Sixteen Prefectures.
Moreover, Shen Yu’s rank was bestowed by an Imperial Decree personally issued by His Majesty, making it even more prestigious.
However, the more Shen Yu thought about it, the more frightened she became.
She did not feel the slightest bit of joy at easily obtaining the status of a Capital Official; instead, she felt mostly dread… She had never even met the Empress, nor had she done anything significant.
She had simply walked around The Capital, saved a little girl, and bought some clothes, jewelry, and accessories.
That was all.
Yet, she had gained His Majesty’s favor and been personally appointed as an attending Medical Officer at Huimin Hall.
This proved that her every move was under the control of the current Empress.
The fact that the Empress could have her people find Shen Yu in a crowded marketplace spoke volumes.
It was very likely that from the moment Shen Yu stepped into The Capital, everything she said, everything she did, and everyone she met… was all within the Empress’s grasp.
“Then wouldn’t my identity also be — ?”
Shen Yu murmured to herself, her heart skipping a beat.
But soon, her shocked expression regained its composure.
‘If the Empress really knew I was the daughter of Shen Bashan, the bandit leader of Qingfeng Village, it likely wouldn’t be a eunuch bringing an Imperial Decree to appoint me today. Instead, it would be Military Nobles leading soldiers from the Sixteen Guards of the Capital Camp to arrest me.’
Grandpa’s Certificate of Clean Background for her most likely had no issues.
At the very least, Shen Yu was still safe for now.
“This commoner, Shen Yu, thanks His Majesty for the imperial grace.”
“Heh heh, take it, Lady Shen.”
The eunuch placed the Imperial Decree into Shen Yu’s hands and spoke with a thin, insincere smile.
“Since the business is finished, I shall head back.”
“Please wait, sir.”
Shen Yu pulled out 10 silver taels from her sleeve and discreetly pressed them into the eunuch’s hand.
“Oh my! Lady Shen, I really shouldn’t! I shouldn’t!”
Although the eunuch said this, his hand showed no intention of stopping as he accepted the money.
“You are too kind, sir. It is just a small token to celebrate the occasion, and I apologize for the trouble of your journey,”
Shen Yu spoke calmly, her voice revealing no emotion.
“You certainly know how to handle things! My surname is Li. Lady Shen, you will be practicing medicine at Yimin Hall from now on. If there is ever anything you need, feel free to ask. I have a few connections at Yimin Hall as well.”
“Then I shall rely on you, Eunuch Li. There is one thing I am unclear about. Did you say there are 100 people in The Capital like me who have been appointed as Follow 9th Rank Medical Officers?”
Shen Yu spoke softly, choosing her words as carefully as possible.
To be honest, she really wanted to ask how the current Empress had noticed her… but some questions could lead to execution.
This also indirectly proved that it was effortless for the current Empress to monitor anyone.
No wonder Grandpa had been so cautious about her Certificate of Clean Background and fake identity.
“Indeed. His Majesty’s grace is boundless, and she has opened the Medical Recruitment Exam to all. From the moment you all stepped into The Capital, the test had already begun. Although there are thousands upon thousands of physicians in this city, only about 100 met the criteria.”
“As for what you must do, Lady Shen, you must do your best in the position His Majesty has assigned you. As long as you pass the next test, heh heh, I believe His Majesty’s decree for your promotion will arrive soon.”
“You must work hard, Lady Shen! Do not fail His Majesty’s imperial grace!”