Chapter 417: Chapter 417: Do You Believe in Fate?

As the carriage approached the gatehouse of Ling’an City, the Shadow Guard and the others were on high alert.

"At least, the road from here to the Imperial Palace will be safe." Song Lianhe gazed out the window, speaking without turning her head. "If I were you, having decided to return, I would have first spread news of the great victory at Sishui City to every corner of Ling’an. Then, upon your return, your every move would be under intense scrutiny. Emperor Cheng Xiao would have to think twice before making a move on you, to say nothing of Zhou Gaosuo."

Zhou Cangyan listened intently, then let out a soft chuckle. "Are you worried about me?"

"Who’s worried about you!" Song Lianhe suddenly bristled, glaring at him. "I don’t have the time or mood for that! I’d rather spend my time worrying about myself!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Zhou Cangyan looked at her doubtfully, truly not knowing what he had done wrong to make her unhappy.

"My lord, we’ve reached the city gate."

The Shadow Guard reported in a low voice.

Song Lianhe’s heart tightened. She pushed open the carriage window and looked at the approaching gatehouse. The two large characters for "Ling’an" seemed to bring her back to the beginning once more.

But she knew that every story had to have an ending, sooner or later.

Just then, Su Huaqing came to the side of the carriage and knocked lightly on its frame. "Prince Ling says his men are already inside the city. Once we enter, he will personally escort Your Highness to the Imperial Palace. Once at the Palace, Commander Cao will take over."

"Mm."

Song Lianhe looked at him after hearing this. ’The enemy of my enemy is my friend.’ She had expected Zhou Cangyan and Zhou Junlin to join forces.

This was Zhou Cangyan’s scheme, and Zhou Junlin couldn’t have failed to see it. It was just that his own confrontation with Zhou Gaosuo was also inevitable, so he had no other choice.

"Once we’re in the city, I’ll have someone escort you back to the mansion," Zhou Cangyan said seriously. "The Prince Mansion has Household Soldiers, and there are guards posted outside. No one can touch you."

Song Lianhe’s heart softened. She reached out and hugged him. "Then you have to be careful too. Don’t get hurt."

Zhou Cangyan’s gaze softened as his large hand caressed her cheek. "Okay."

After entering the city, everything was just as Song Lianhe had guessed. The common people spontaneously lined the streets to welcome them. Anyone who could defend the nation and resist foreign enemies was a hero! What did it matter if he had the infamous reputation of the "Heavenly Kill Slash"?

As they proceeded into the city center, someone suddenly announced in a loud, clear voice, "Everyone from the Medical Clinic respectfully welcomes Boss Song’s triumphant return!"

Song Lianhe was suddenly stunned. "Yan Wen?!"

’Since these characters in the book have regained their memories of me after my return to Ling’an City, it’s only natural that Yan Wen would remember me too.’

’But the problem is, did he really just announce my identity so brazenly in the most prime location in the entire city?!’

The Medical Clinic’s reputation in the city was immense.

The Medical Clinic’s greatest treasures were its "Seven Dragon Balls"—Antipyretic Pills, iodine oil pills, Miasma Pill, strengthening heart pill, Awakening Brain Pills, Clear Heat Pills, and the Big Red Pill. They had brought great convenience to the common people! Not only were the prices fair and the instructions simple, but most importantly, their effectiveness was top-notch!

Besides the Medical Clinic’s medicines, there was also its Shopkeeper—he was the current dynasty’s Top Scorer in the imperial examinations!

It was said that he once presented the contract he had signed with the Medical Clinic before becoming the Top Scorer. In front of the Holy Emperor himself, he declared that he would fulfill his contract even if it meant giving up his title. This act earned him the profound admiration of many ministers in the Court. Officials like Marquis Xuan Chang, Lin Yuanzhong; the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Zhen Yongming; the Minister of the Secretariat; and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue all stepped forward to voice their strong support.

What could the Holy Emperor say? He could only grant his request, allowing him to go to work at the Medical Clinic after court sessions ended.

As a result, the Medical Clinic’s fame skyrocketed. Everyone knew that a Top Scorer presided there!

’The mysterious owner behind the scenes must be no ordinary person!’

Now, with Yan Wen shouting "Boss Song" in the middle of the street, could it be that the mysterious owner was...

When Song Lianhe finally stepped out of the carriage, the surrounding crowd erupted.

"The owner of the Medical Clinic is actually Princess Qing!"

"No wonder the Medical Clinic is so benevolent! The owner is Princess Qing! I heard that during the battle for Sishui City, Princess Qing led the citizens in a desperate resistance, vowing to defend the territory of Da Cheng! That’s how she bought time for King Qing and saved the people of the city!"

"I heard about that too! Princess Qing, a woman, is in no way inferior to any man! A true heroine!"

"To be protected by Prince Qing and the Princess Consort is truly a blessing for our Da Cheng!"

Surrounded by praise, Song Lianhe felt quite embarrassed.

’I’m being forced to the pinnacle of my life!’

Zhou Cangyan remained in the carriage, the corners of his lips curling as he watched her looking somewhat at a loss. He recalled her fearlessness when facing Yan Jiayu, a stark contrast to her current state.

His gaze swept coolly over Yan Wen, who stood in the road. Their eyes met for a brief moment before Yan Wen quickly looked away.

Zhou Cangyan never liked to take credit, but this time was different.

He wanted the entire world to know that when everyone else wanted to abandon Sishui City, it was he and his Princess Consort who saved it! Not only that, his Princess Consort was also a divine doctor, devoted to healing the masses!

Song Lianhe got out of the carriage and helped Yan Wen and the others to their feet.

"You should have at least given me a heads-up before making such a huge scene! You gave me no time to prepare myself at all!"

"Miss!" Shuang Ye was overjoyed to see her and stepped forward to grasp her hands warmly.

"Boss!" Bai Shu and Shi Zhu were also delighted.

Seeing how close the staff of the Medical Clinic were with Song Lianhe, the common people were now certain that she was, without a doubt, the owner!

At that moment, Zhou Cangyan leaned out of the carriage and said softly, "I must enter the Palace for an audience with the Holy Emperor. You go with them to the Medical Clinic and catch up. I will personally come to pick you up tonight and take you back to the mansion."

Those few short sentences were packed with information.

Zhou Cangyan was publicly announcing his audience with the Holy Emperor. If anything were to happen to him, Emperor Cheng Xiao would be the prime suspect! As for the Emperor’s motive, it wasn’t hard to guess—he must be wary of Zhou Cangyan’s achievements overshadowing his own authority. Throughout history, how many loyal officials and great generals have unjustly lost their lives for this very reason? If Emperor Cheng Xiao didn’t want to lose the hearts of the people, he wouldn’t dare touch him.

Song Lianhe gave him a radiant smile. "Okay. I’ll wait for you to come get me."

The group split into two. One party headed directly for the Imperial Palace, while the other went to the Medical Clinic.

The people wanted to catch a glimpse of Princess Qing, so the Medical Clinic was completely mobbed. Worried that Song Lianhe was weary from her long journey, Yan Wen wanted her to go upstairs and rest.

But to everyone’s surprise, Song Lianhe simply changed her clothes and began seeing patients.

A long line formed outside the door, and she instructed Shuang Ye and the others to brew herbal tea and distribute it to the crowd.

From afar, Gu Ha watched the mobbed Medical Clinic. "She really doesn’t get tired, does she? Seeing patients the moment she gets back to the city."

The man in white, sitting upright in the teahouse, raised his cup and took a sip.

His cool, sharp gaze swept over and then slowly retracted. "She is saving herself."

Gu Ha paused for a moment, then quickly understood.

"But, Prince, now that King Qing has returned, he’s still a threat to you!"

A threat?

Zhou Junlin chuckled softly and set down his cup. "Gu Ha, do you believe in fate?"

"Ah? I..."

"It matters not if you don’t. Because disbelief itself is also a form of fate."

Gu Ha scratched his head in confusion. "Prince, I don’t understand."

’The Prince has been acting very strange lately, always saying these ambiguous things. Before, he was always so determined to win the throne, but now he seems so casual about it. I really can’t figure him out anymore.’