Chapter 2: Bending Over

From then on, Qiushi, who used to spend her days fantasizing about brilliant scholars and beautiful ladies or perfect romantic matches, seemed like a different person.

Originally somewhat materialistic and fond of luxury, she began to become frugal and industrious.

In the past, she was the most skilled at enticing men; a single smile from a distance could provoke a wealthy master to squander a thousand gold pieces for her.

But now, Qiushi refused to see any guests.

Even when she was forced to appear for business, she maintained the aloof distance of a Qingguanren, even wearing a veil whenever she stepped out.

The reason for this change was only known to Qiushi’s two sisters:

Qiushi had been completely smitten and her heart turned by Shen Yu.

While she used to drone on about how only a top-scoring scholar was worthy of her, everything Qiushi subconsciously talked about now revolved around Miss Shen this and Miss Shen that.

In fact, Shen Yu had no need to buy embroidered shoes or insoles for the past two years.

They were all handcrafted for her by Qiushi, stitch by stitch.

They were several times more beautiful than anything bought on the market, and they were both sturdy and comfortable.

As for why she had corrected her old habit of spending money like water, everyone was well aware of the reason.

Qiushi wanted to redeem her freedom…

Although a Qingguanren did not receive guests, she was still considered a woman of the brothel and belonged to the Jianji class.

If she wanted to stay by Shen Yu’s side permanently, she had to obtain a clean identity for herself.

From the moment Shen Yu rescued her from that cold, dark basement, Qiushi’s heart and soul had belonged entirely to her.

Even if it meant simply following Shen Yu as a lowly maidservant, attending to her daily life, dressing her hair, fanning her on summer nights, or warming her bed in the winter, she was more than willing to do such menial work.

As for Dong Shuang, the youngest of the three Qingguanren, she was even more enthusiastic toward Shen Yu.

This wasn’t just because Shen Yu had cured her several times with medicine that worked every single time, but also because Dong Shuang had always liked beautiful girls.

And Shen Yu happened to be the perfect object of her affection.

Consequently, Dong Shuang was now like Shen Yu’s ultimate devotee; she wouldn’t go west if Shen Yu told her to go east.

Even if Shen Yu wanted her heart or liver, she would be eager to cut them out and hand them over immediately.

Among the three sisters, Dong Shuang was the first to save enough money for her redemption.

However, seeing that Shen Yu currently seemed preoccupied, Dong Shuang found it difficult to bring up the matter of serving by Shen Yu’s side after her redemption.

“Miss Shen, do you perhaps have something on your mind?”

Dong Shuang watched Shen Yu, who was drinking cup after cup of wine in silence.

This was truly the first time she had seen her like this.

“It should be about The Imperial Court, shouldn’t it?”

Chuntao looked at Shen Yu, her eyes filled with a bit of helplessness.

Even the vast Qingfeng Village could not directly oppose the pressure of The Imperial Court; what could a Qingguanren like her, who still lacked the silver to redeem herself, possibly do?

If they could die in Shen Yu’s place, they would certainly be willing, but… was this really a matter that could be settled by the death of one or two people?

“It’s nothing. By the way, how do you all find my medical skills?”

Shen Yu’s mind was entirely occupied with the prospect of Entering Officialdom through Medicine, but similarly, she wasn’t very confident about curing the Princess of the current dynasty.

Shen Yu’s strength lay in her modern thinking and rich clinical experience, but when it came to actual treatment methods, she relied more on modern medical standards.

At most, she could obtain some herbs with strange properties from her own mother and learn some skills in acupuncture.

“Miss Shen’s medical skills are absolutely top-tier. I’m afraid even the Imperial Physicians from the palace would pale in comparison.”

“Prescribing the right medicine for the illness and hitting the mark immediately—it is truly rare.”

“Who in this border town doesn’t know that Miss Shen’s medical skills are superb? For illnesses that dozen-odd doses of herbal soup elsewhere couldn’t fix, one or two doses from Miss Shen will do the trick.”

The three beautiful ladies began to praise Shen Yu in a non-stop torrent.

They weren’t just flattering her; they genuinely believed her medical skills were profound.

“Then do you think, if I were to take the exam for the Medical Top Scholar, what would my chances be?”

As soon as Shen Yu spoke, the three previously chattering Qingguanren were instantly struck dumb.

“That…”

Seeing the atmosphere grow increasingly heavy, Dong Shuang couldn’t withstand the pressure and spoke up first.

“Miss Shen, Master Shen forbade us from discussing the new imperial examinations with you. He said that this matter is as difficult as ascending to heaven… He said he would find a way regarding The Imperial Court, and told you not to worry blindly about it.”

“Dong Shuang!”

Chuntao gave Dong Shuang a displeased glare, clearly annoyed by her slip of the tongue.

“My father? If he really had the ability, he would have shown it long ago. I know him all too well…”

Shen Yu sighed softly.

“To save the Shen family, this is the only path that can be taken.”

“To tell you the truth, Miss Shen…”

Seeing that Shen Yu’s intention of Entering Officialdom through Medicine was becoming clearer, Chuntao ignored the instructions of the Madam and Shen Bashan.

“It is true that the Empress is recruiting new scholars, and it is true that your superb medical skills provide an opportunity, but… but a Medical Top Scholar must undergo an Ancestral Check.”

“Your identity guarantees that you cannot become the top scholar, and it might even invite an even greater disaster. Not only is there an Ancestral Check for three generations, but you also need guarantees from neighbors, a Certificate of Clean Background issued by the local government, and sponsorship from more than two incumbent officials.”

The Empress was intending to use the lives of the common people to fill her daughter’s medicine jar, yet she demanded that the backgrounds of those commoners be cleaner than snow.

Chuntao didn’t dare to go into detail, but the fact that Shen Yu’s grandfather, Shen Qingtian, had once rebelled was not exactly a secret in the local rumors.

“But this is also the only chance. I do have a way to solve this problem, but the risk is extremely high.”

Shen Yu’s words made Chuntao’s eyes light up, but they quickly dimmed again.

A long silence fell over the elegant private room, forming a sharp contrast with the singing, dancing, and bustling atmosphere outside.

“You really have a way? In that case… there isn’t much I can do to help Miss Shen.”

Chuntao fished out a cloth bundle wrapped in layers of handkerchiefs from her bosom.

When she opened it, there was a banknote for one hundred taels of silver, still carrying her scent and the warmth of her body.

“Take this silver. You’ll be traveling to the Capital City for the exam; don’t mistreat yourself regarding your expenses on the road. You have always been pampered; once you reach the Capital City, you can use this money to find someone close to attend to you.”

Chuntao pushed the banknote into Shen Yu’s hand without allowing any argument.

Shen Yu wanted to refuse, but Chuntao was determined, firmly pressing down on Shen Yu’s hand.

“Miss Shen, I also have some silver. Please don’t think it’s too little.”

Qiushi also stuffed a banknote for five hundred taels into Shen Yu’s hand.

“Miss Shen, I have some banknotes too…”

“Some?”

Chuntao and Qiushi looked at the banknote for a thousand taels that Dong Shuang brought out, completely stunned.

The price to redeem the three of them from their Jianji status was one thousand five hundred taels of silver each.

Among the three sisters, Dong Shuang was undoubtedly the closest to freedom.

But now, she hadn’t kept a single copper coin for herself, giving it all to Shen Yu.

This was all the three of them could do…

These banknotes were different from the money plundered by Qingfeng Village; they could be exchanged for silver anywhere in the country.

Not only would they not arouse the suspicion of the government, but they would also provide a safety net for Shen Yu.

It was true that the Shen family had money, and they could easily produce these one thousand six hundred taels for Shen Yu, but that money was ultimately tainted.

Shen Yu was going to the Capital City to have an audience with the monarch.

Under the majesty of the Emperor, any small detail could determine success or failure.