To maintain fairness and checks, the Imperial Hospital typically appoints two chief physicians.
Currently, Zhang Shuzhong is one, and Zou Li is the other.
The person mentioned by Jiang Guangcheng is the only son of Chief Physician Zou Li, Zou Hansheng.
Upon hearing the name Zou Hansheng, the doctors in the courtyard couldn't help but marvel. Even the disciples attending class peeked out from the windows, praising their senior brother.
Ji Zizhao was uninterested in this Zou Hansheng, who earned everyone's admiration. After all, no matter how skilled he was, it had little to do with her.
She only needed to do her best.
"Jingle jingle..."
As the wind chime hanging from the eaves jingled, the doctors in the courtyard entered the examination hall.
The Imperial Hospital's recruitment examination was divided into three rounds, the first being theoretical.
In plain terms, it was about common medical knowledge and the recognition of medicinal herbs.
For the doctors taking the exam, these were entry-level questions. Many doctors finished their papers and submitted them within the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn.
As more and more people left, the examination hall gradually became emptier.
Jiang Guangcheng had intended to submit his paper and leave as well, but when he looked up, he saw a slender figure sitting by the window, still unhurriedly writing her answers.
Sunlight streamed through the window, falling upon her, as if she were a pearl adorned with blush, or a piece of fine jade glowing with luminescence.
Regardless of how many people left early, it seemed to have no bearing on her. Her hand, holding the pen, was steady and sure, so detached from the world that one felt even breathing near her would be a sacrilege.
Unconsciously, Jiang Guangcheng found himself staring, mesmerized.
He had heard of Ji Zizhao's name before.
From being the well-known good-for-nothing of the city to becoming the pillar of the Ji family, he was truly curious about what kind of woman she was.
To see her today, he found she indeed lived up to her reputation. The courage it took for a woman to come alone to the Imperial Hospital for the recruitment examination was not something everyone possessed.
There were countless noble ladies in the imperial city, but she was truly different.
Ji Zizhao had actually finished her answers long ago; she was merely refining and adding supplementary details to each question.
This competition was merely about basic knowledge. The fact that everyone was rushing to submit their papers early was simply an attempt to make a special impression on the invigilators.
However, Ji Zizhao did not need such a display to stand out.
She only needed to do her duty.
"Jingle jingle..."
The wind chime on the eaves outside jingled again, signaling the end of the first round of the recruitment examination.
In the courtyard, many doctors who had finished and were sharing their experiences still stood around. Seeing Ji Zizhao as the last to emerge, although they dared not say anything due to Jiang Guangcheng's presence beside her, their gazes towards her were filled with disdain and mockery.
If the first round of the examination was this arduous, they could only imagine the subsequent two rounds.
If they were in her shoes, they would have packed up and gone home long ago.
But they couldn't afford to lose face.
The Imperial Hospital announced the results quickly. By the day of the second round of examinations, the results of the first round were posted.
Whether Ji Zizhao had packed up and left or not was unknown, but those who had been mocking her yesterday were genuinely shocked.
On the public board listing over forty people, excluding those who failed, Ji Zizhao's name was ranked second!
For a moment, everyone stared at the board with wide eyes, as if dreaming.
In their hearts, they cursed Ji Zizhao for some stroke of luck, while simultaneously questioning their own lives.
How could they lose to a woman?
How was it possible!
When Jiang Guangcheng saw his name ranked behind Ji Zizhao, he was also surprised. However, he soon smiled with relief. Upon seeing Ji Zizhao, he sincerely congratulated her, "The Eldest Daughter of the Ji family indeed possesses exquisite medical skills. I am impressed."
Ji Zizhao smiled and said, "Second Young Master Jiang is too modest."
Given Jiang Guangcheng's knowledge, he probably had the answers to the exam paper long ago.
He estimated that seeing she hadn't left, he had deliberately stayed behind to prevent her from feeling embarrassed.
Although Ji Zizhao did not need such solicitous companionship, she was still grateful for his actions.
Soon, the sound of the examination bell rang.
Before entering, each doctor had to choose a medical specialty they were most proficient in.
Ji Zizhao, being a woman, naturally chose gynecology.
Upon entering, under the supervision of the specialized imperial physician, Ji Zizhao examined the pulse of the woman and prescribed medicine accordingly, which was then decocted. This concluded the second round of the recruitment examination.
The result was that those who had been cursing Ji Zizhao's luck could no longer utter a sound.
Because in the second round, Ji Zizhao still ranked second.
This time, even Jiang Guangcheng was stunned.
If he attributed his ranking behind Ji Zizhao in the first round to deliberately prolonging his time, then in the second round, he had truly exerted his full effort, yet he was still ranked behind Ji Zizhao.
Jiang Guangcheng had considered that Ji Zizhao, being accepted as a disciple by Chief Physician Zhang, would not have negligible medical skills.
But Jiang Guangcheng had never expected Ji Zizhao's medical skills to be so exquisite!
During the third round of the recruitment examination, Ji Zizhao arrived precisely on time.
After two rounds of elimination, only a handful of doctors remained in the courtyard.
However, regardless of how many people were standing in the courtyard, their gazes towards Ji Zizhao no longer held any contempt or disdain.
If Ji Zizhao was considered lucky, then what were they, who had been left behind by her for two consecutive rounds, if not worse than dirt?
Suddenly, there was a commotion at the entrance.
Everyone looked and saw a carriage bearing the royal insignia parked at the entrance.
Instantly, everyone held their breath.
As the carriage door opened, the Fourth Prince, accompanied by the Seventh Prince, entered the courtyard.
According to the regulations of Yulin, those who passed the final day of the recruitment examination and were admitted into the palace had to report to the Ministry of Revenue. Therefore, Xie Jinglan, being in the Ministry of Revenue, naturally had to come in person.
Xie Jingqi was off duty today. Upon hearing that his Fourth Brother was going to the Imperial Medical Academy, he naturally tagged along.
Today was Ji Zizhao's last day of the recruitment examination, and he wanted to come and cheer her on.
Seeing the arrival of the two princes, everyone in the courtyard immediately knelt down and paid their respects, "Greetings to the Fourth Prince, greetings to the Seventh Prince."
Xie Jinglan was never one to put on airs. He waved his hand and said, "Rise."
As everyone stood up, Xie Jingqi was about to rush towards Ji Zizhao.
Fortunately, Xie Jinglan grabbed his wrist in advance, "There are too many people, do not act rashly."
Xie Jingqi was unhappy. "If I can't even speak to her, what kind of cheering is this? Fourth Brother, if you had told me earlier that I couldn't speak to Ji Zizhao, I wouldn't have come."
He had finally gotten a day off, and lying around at home was more appealing than wasting time here.
Xie Jinglan smiled faintly and said, "Given the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family's intelligence, even if you don't say it, she will know why you are here."
Xie Jingqi was speechless.
Logically speaking, this was indeed the case, but he was still unhappy at not being allowed to speak.
The doctors in the courtyard, who were still holding their breath, looked at the Seventh Prince whispering with the Fourth Prince with great curiosity, wondering what important matter could have summoned both princes.