Chapter 1756 - 1742
Luo Qi sneered, "She’s not the reckless little girl anymore? Isn’t what she did today reckless enough?"
"Big brother..." Luo Jiu said helplessly, "Isn’t Feng Luo’s temperament just like yours? If you were being watched and not allowed to leave the manor, what would you do?"
Luo Qi pressed his lips together and instantly fell silent.
What would he do? Of course, he would find a way to escape. He, more than anyone, hated being trapped and losing his freedom.
This is also why he never agreed to the Emperor’s repeated offers, because once you join the court as an official, there are too many formalities and restrictions, leaving no personal freedom at all.
Luo Jiu’s words had hit the mark.
"I haven’t forgotten the scene where you climbed over the wall to escape from home when the Old Gang Leader locked you in."
Luo Jiu chuckled, "Weren’t you eighteen at that time? Three years older than Feng Luo now."
"Enough!" Luo Qi was very frustrated. At a crucial moment, Luo Jiu decided to side with Feng Luo, which really infuriated him.
He was angry, but after all, this wasn’t the place for him to vent his emotions. In the end, Luo Qi forced himself to suppress his feelings and said to Feng Luo, "Seeing that Mr. Chu and your Uncle Nine pleaded for you, I won’t hold it against you for now."
Feng Luo pursed her lips. The tears in her eyes had already been held back before Luo Jiu stepped out. She would never cry in front of so many people and make a fool of herself.
Prince He Shuo lightly cleared his throat and said, "So, Miss Feng Luo sneaked out. If Boss Luo doesn’t agree to let Miss Feng Luo join the military, then I won’t force it."
After saying this, he made a motion to turn around.
Feng Luo hurriedly stepped forward to stop him, "Who said they disagreed? Didn’t you hear my father say he already agreed? Come on, no matter what challenge you put forth, I will face it head-on!"
Prince He Shuo glanced at Luo Qi, his eyes seemed to be asking, do you really agree?
Luo Qi sighed helplessly and clasped his hands together, "Your Highness, I trust my daughter, she will pass the test."
Feng Luo felt slightly relieved inwardly; she was truly worried that Luo Qi would continue to obstruct her.
Prince He Shuo pondered for a moment, then turned his head to scan around, "Is there anyone willing to step forward and let Miss Feng Luo assist with a diagnosis?"
Chu Ge’s mouth twitched. Why did Prince He Shuo’s words sound so awkward? Who would stand out for a diagnosis if they weren’t sick? Isn’t this clearly announcing to others that they’re ill?
Just when he thought no one would step forward, suddenly three or four people from the crowd stepped out. They cupped their hands and said, "We are willing, Your Highness."
Chu Ge was speechless. There were actually people who thought they had an illness.
He carefully observed the ones who stepped out. One person’s complexion was slightly yellow, and he looked lethargic. Despite trying to put on a strong front, he still seemed lacking in vitality. As for the other two, they appeared healthy on the surface; there were no obvious issues, and it would take a pulse examination to diagnose them.
"Feng Luo, if you can diagnose all four of these individuals correctly, I will make an exception and choose you as a military doctor."
Prince He Shuo slightly curved his lips, a hint of a mischievous smile spread across one side of his lips, with an inexplicable emotion in his eyes.
Chu Ge always felt that Prince He Shuo’s way of looking at Feng Luo was peculiar, and he had this illusion that if he didn’t know about the discord between the Beggar Gang and Prince He Shuo before, seeing this scene and being told that these two were not on good terms would be hard to believe!
This strange feeling made him feel that there was truly no deep-seated enmity between them.
But on second thought, what deep-seated enmity could there be between them? Prince He Shuo and Luo Qi disagreed on various political opinions at court, which was eventually exaggerated into a rift between the Prince Manor and the Beggar Gang, subtly affecting people’s perceptions.
Feng Luo walked up to them, making direct eye contact with one individual. That person exuded arrogance, snorted lightly, then slightly lifted his chin, refusing to look at her again.
Feng Luo circled around the person, scrutinizing every inch from head to toe, then said, "Stick out your tongue."
The person called was the Assistant Minister of Rites in the court. Since Prince He Shuo was appointed his own territory, he had been on his side, participating also in hosting the military recruitment today.
Facing Feng Luo’s command, the Assistant Minister of Rites was indifferent, standing unmoved, as if he hadn’t heard her.
Feng Luo showed no impatience, repeating, "Please stick out your tongue."
The Assistant Minister of Rites remained still.
Feng Luo raised a brow, realizing the official was trying to intimidate her.
"Sir, I don’t know if you’re physically unwell, but there is definitely an issue with your ears. You’re probably hard of hearing, right?"
Feng Luo said nonchalantly, her words inciting immediate anger from the Assistant Minister of Rites, "Outrageous!"
"Who’s really being outrageous here!" Feng Luo glared defiantly, "The Prince himself ordered you all to come out as test subjects, yet the subjects refuse to follow orders. I don’t mind, being just a beggar, but you’re embarrassing the Prince! He commanded you, yet you refuse to obey—is it that you outwardly conform but inwardly despise the Prince?"
The Assistant Minister of Rites was so frightened he knelt on the ground, repeatedly kowtowing to Prince He Shuo, "Your Highness, this humble servant didn’t mean that! Please don’t listen to this demoness’s nonsense."
Prince He Shuo’s face was unfriendly, radiating a faint chill, "Enough. Just do whatever Miss Feng Luo asks. If anyone dares defy, they’ll be dealt with under military law."
The Assistant Minister of Rites hastily nodded in agreement, "This humble servant will absolutely follow Miss Feng Luo’s lead."
Feng Luo chuckled, "I don’t need you to follow my lead; I just need you to stick out your tongue!"
The Assistant Minister of Rites was humiliated but had no ground to argue, forcing himself to stick out his tongue.
Feng Luo’s lips twitched; she didn’t know why, but watching the Assistant Minister of Rites stick out his tongue, especially while kneeling, made him resemble a lapdog.
She quickly restrained her playful thoughts, focusing seriously. The Assistant Minister of Rites’s tongue was thickly coated and yellow, an indicator of internal heat and liver fire.
"Tsk tsk, it seems the Assistant Minister of Rites has been displeased with work recently."
Feng Luo clicked her tongue and advised, "Drink more hot water."
After she spoke, she moved to the next person, who was the listless official Chu Ge had noted earlier.
Feng Luo stroked her chin, scrutinizing this man, whom she recognized as a regular at the Yihong House. Despite the court’s clear prohibition against officials consorting with prostitutes, they still frequented them in private.
Especially these individuals, who received special services from those trying to please the officials.