"Oh?" Mu Shaoling chuckled lightly and after a while, he said, "She does like to meddle in other people’s affairs."
Mu Shaoling’s casual remark made Shen Qiu’s heart race.
"Did you fail the selection, or did you join halfway?"
With just two simple questions, Shen Qiu’s joy soared again, as this seemed promising.
"I failed the selection." After saying that, Shen Qiu worried that Mu Shaoling might think she was not worthy of his help, so she quickly added, "I was eliminated only at the final stage."
Mu Shaoling nodded indifferently. In his opinion, whether eliminated at the final stage or the first one, the result was the same: she was unqualified.
It’s not that he couldn’t help her with this matter; he could indeed arrange for someone to meet the Emperor. However, it would require a bit of effort to cover up and ensure the Emperor wouldn’t know that he was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
But why would Xiaxia ask him to do such a thing? After pondering, he decided not to give a clear response.
"Alright, I understand. You may go back now."
As Mu Shaoling’s attitude remained unclear, Shen Qiu grew anxious. She had heard that Funan’s beauties were to be sent to Capital City before December, and there was not much time left.
Unable to hold back her urgency, she asked, "Divine Doctor Mu, can you help me with this matter?"
Only then did Mu Shaoling glance at her. Her appearance was indeed delicate and graceful, which made her quite pretty. Logically, she shouldn’t have been eliminated.
Before Mu Shaoling could speak, a young servant behind him stepped forward, "If he told you to go back and wait, then go back and wait. Why are there so many questions?"
Seeing that Mu Shaoling had lowered his eyelids again, Shen Qiu reluctantly bowed and took her leave.
As soon as Shen Qiu left Mu’s Clinic, Mu Shaoling instructed his young servant, "Send a message to Yangshu Village and ask for her opinion."
Back in Yangshu Village, Yang Chuxia’s face darkened upon hearing the news from Mu Shaoling. She hadn’t expected Shen Qiu to be so calculating. Even after she rejected her, Shen Qiu still managed to take the initiative and go directly to Mu Shaoling.
"Madam Ye, our young master asked me to inquire about your opinion on this matter."
"I have no opinion on this. Since she wasn’t selected, it means she’s not destined to serve in the palace. It’s better to let nature take its course." After a moment’s thought, Yang Chuxia added, "By the way, tell your young master that she decided to do this on her own. I never intended to cause him any trouble."
"I understand. I’ll report back to the young master. Goodbye."
"Wait." Yang Chuxia waved to Xiu’er, and shortly after, Li Wen brought over some sugarcanes. With a smile, she said, "These just ripened this year. Send them to your young master and Linhao, who loves them."
"Yes, thank you, Madam Ye."
The young servant then placed the sugarcanes onto the horse and galloped away. Watching his swift movements, Yang Chuxia thought to herself, "No wonder they’re from a prominent family; even their servants are so capable."
When the young servant returned to the county town and relayed the message to Mu Shaoling, he frowned.
"Why’d she send them to me? These are for that brat Linhao. I’m only getting them by association."
The servant thought to himself, If the young master knows these were not meant for him, why even mention it? It’s so annoying.
"So, young master, are we going to help Shen Qiu with her matter?"
"Why would we?" Mu Shaoling shook his head, "Didn’t you hear her say to let nature take its course? This is about selecting people for the palace; we don’t have the ability to interfere." His last words were laced with a hint of helpless self-mockery.