No one cared about their little actions, neither Chu Xiang nor Li Yufeng sent anyone to keep an eye on them. Since Bai Yi gave up on Zhuang Yulang, Zhuang Yulang was nothing to them, and he was not worth a single glance from them.
Within this period, Chu Xiang completely cured the plague victims in the town. Those two imperial doctors and ten other doctors basically did not play any role. They merely lent her a hand. In addition to the plague during those days, there were other people who contracted other diseases, some of which were mild, severe, and quite critical. In Chu Xiangâs presence, all the medicines they took were highly effective, very simple.
The doctors deeply admired Chu Xiangâs medical skills. They voiced no complaints about helping her as if they were her apprentices, each with a better attitude than the other, and everyone followed her to learn. At the same time, they also acknowledged her as Prince Xiao Yaoâs consort from the bottom of their hearts. As all the villagers in town called her, she was the âCelestial Maidenâ who saved people from the pit of misery!
Twelve doctors took turns to check the pulse of all the villagers. When they announced that the plague had completely vanquished, the villagers were so excited that they cried and hugged each other in twos and threes, expressing their fear and despair during this period, as well as the joy of surviving from the jaws of death!
On the fateful day, Li Yufeng rode a white horse and led some people to pick up Chu Xiang in person. He ordered them to remove the boulders blocking the road, saw Chu Xiangâs figure and immediately dismounted. He strode forward and took Chu Xiangâs hand.
The officials of the Ministry of Rites, the imperial guards and Li Yufengâs confidants were among the party. They were first dazzled by Chu Xiangâs peerless beauty and then were caught off guard by Li Yufengâs attitude. His demeanor already displayed the height of Chu Xiangâs position in his heart. She was a figure that absolutely couldnât be offended. Chu Xiangâs image in the hearts of all people has shot up to the summit.
Li Yufeng looked Chu Xiang up and down and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she was all right. âIâm here to pick you up. Imperial Father has been missing you too. Shall we enter the palace?â
âFine by me. Iâm a little tired these days. Iâll follow your arrangements when we get back.â Chu Xiang smiled at him, planning to take a vacation for herself and enjoy her palace life.
Li Yufeng felt that Chu Xiang seemed to be treating him better than before. At least she no longer treated him as if he were just a âtoy boyâ as she did in the beginning. Ahem, could he count this as a success?
He led Chu Xiang back to his horse. The people from the Ministry of Rites immediately rushed forward to ask her to get on the carriage behind them. However, Li Yufeng waved his hand and said, âThe Princess subdued the plague, and her merits are enough to go down in history. Itâs not only the people here who are grateful but also those in the capital. They all want to have the opportunity to see the benevolent Celestial Maiden. Today, the princess will ride back to the capital with me, so that everyone can see her elegance with their own eyes.â
âUnderstood, Your Highness.â The Ministry of Ritesâ officials ordered the coachman to make way and asked someone to bring a gentle horse for Chu Xiang to ride.
Chu Xiang knew that Li Yufeng was trying to build momentum for her in preparation for her identity exposure in the future. To this end, she gently smiled and got on the horse neatly, which amazed everyone yet again. Could it be that the Princess was not only skilled in medicine, but also a cultivator?
Some well-informed people knew that Chu Xiang could capture demons and exorcize ghosts, so they felt that she was truly capable. From the look of it, she was an extraordinary person.
When Chu Xiang was about to leave, all the villagers gathered at the entrance of the village, and under the leadership of the village chief, they all knelt down and kowtowed three times. âThank you, Celestial Maiden, for saving our lives! Thank you, Celestial Maiden, for saving our lives! Thank you, Celestial Maiden, for saving our lives!â
Many people burst into tears, but all with gratitude painted on their faces. Everyone present was moved by their resounding thanks and then looked at Chu Xiang again. She maintained her balance, smiled calmly, waved and turned away. That free and easy back was printed in the hearts of all spectators. For some reason, they could not help but want to worship and revere her.
The people in the capital had already received the news that the Celestial Maiden who cured the plague, the first since ancient times, was on her way to the capital. Everyone put down what they were doing and rushed to the streets. Even the windows on the second floor of the inns and teahouses were packed, just to see with their own eyes what the Celestial Maiden looked like. The hustle and bustle couldnât even compare to the New Year. The crowd was beside themselves with joy.
The moment Chu Xiang and Li Yufeng entered the city, cheers rang out one after another. Not only were the people cheering joyfully, they were also marveling at Chu Xiangâs beauty. Chu Xiang deserved the title, Celestial Maiden.
They have never seen such a stunning woman, nor have they seen a woman exuding such a powerful aura while looking so noble. She was Prince Xiao Yaoâs consort, the Celestial Maiden who curbed the plague and saved an entire town, and the legendary lady who was likely to become the next empress.
Countless halos were placed on Chu Xiang, but none of them were as astounding as seeing her with their own eyes. She was not only a millennium-old fox demon, but also a millennium-old demon cultivator. Chu Xiang, who has experienced countless worlds and lived countless lives, naturally exuded an incomparable aura. Even when she was merely riding on a white horse and doing nothing, the spectators couldnât take their eyes off her. Even if Prince Xiao Yao was beside her, he couldnât take away a ray of brilliance from her.
Nobody knew who started chanting, but soon the words âLong live the Celestial Maidenâ got louder and spread along the streets of the capital, spreading far and further awayâŠ