The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law
Chapter 429 - 439: The Imperially Bestowed Plaque

Chapter 429: Chapter 439: The Imperially Bestowed Plaque

As the red cloth fell, a gilded plaque glittering with gold appeared before Gu Youyou’s eyes, inscribed with the words "Divine Doctor" at the top.

Oh my, Gu Youyou had thought that a simple banner would be enough as a token of appreciation; where on earth was she supposed to hang such a large object?

But since the lord of the city had already presented it, she had no reason to refuse it.

The crowd was shocked and there was also a stir of commotion.

A Divine Doctor, and... that type of bright yellow plaque seems like an imperial gift, right?

Someone whispered, "Did you see the Imperial Jade Seal on it? This plaque wasn’t given by the city lord. It really is an imperial award."

"An imperial plaque for Doctor Gu?"

Everyone’s jaws dropped, and they craned their necks, rubbing their eyes as they looked at the plaque.

Gu Youyou listened to all these comments with a slight frown.

Given that it takes seven days to reach Beijing from here by fast horse, even if riding overnight and the weather is good, how did he manage to get an imperial gift plaque?

And the fact that he came to her door just after she had returned, his information was extremely timely.

After pausing for a moment, Gu Youyou decided to play dumb and, with a forced grin, said, "Lord Mayor, the treatment of the typhoid wasn’t only my doing. The other doctors haven’t returned yet. By giving this to me alone, you make the others feel saddened. After all, everyone went with the mindset that they might not return."

If it had been anyone else, they would have felt awkward after listening to Gu Youyou’s words, but Zhang Quansheng just calmly shook his head and said, "How to prepare and administer the medicine, and understanding all the symptoms of the patients during the disease outbreak - all of this was known only by you. Did any of the other doctors have that knowledge?"

Gu Youyou’s expression grew increasingly serious; his words were essentially giving her a bad reputation. By elevating her and belittling others, Lord Mayor, I don’t recall offending you?

The crowd grew restless, and their voices louder.

"Doctor Gu cured it? Doctor Gu is so young, could it all be an exaggeration?"

"Get out of here, do you think an imperial plaque is like a head of cabbage, that you could get one just by bragging? If it’s that easy, try blowing your own horn and see if you can get one."

This person spoke a bit loudly, so Gu Youyou had no choice but to stiffen up and, with a look of surprise, turn to Zhang Quansheng, saying, "Lord Mayor, this... this plaque..."

Zhang Quansheng smiled and replied, "Indeed, this is an imperial plaque. The Emperor heard that you were confident in curing the typhoid and, it is said, spontaneously praised you with the words ’Divine Doctor,’ ordering that this plaque be made expeditiously and sent to Lingnan with the greatest speed.

Ideally, it should have been delivered by the Marquess himself, but the Marquess has been so occupied with the typhoid outbreak recently that his office delegated the honor to me."

Looking at the plaque, Gu Youyou found it hard to feel happy.

Because she hadn’t heard a whisper about any imperial plaque before this moment, and, even if she was unfamiliar with the protocols, she knew that imperial awards were supposed to come along with a eunuch bearing the imperial edict, not with the city mayor and a procession of drums. What was going on here?

Well, regardless of whether the plaque was truly bestowed by the Emperor, it was indeed delivered in person by the city mayor, so in the end, Gu Youyou accepted it.

After Zhang Quansheng’s visit, Jisheng Hall became thoroughly famous.

While the other doctors hadn’t yet returned, the citizens of Lingnan City were already spreading word everywhere about how Gu Youyou single-handedly quelled the military’s typhoid outbreak.

In just a half day’s time, someone had already composed a complete tale about the birth of a Divine Doctor. By the next day, storytellers in teahouses were recounting the tale with such flair. She was hardly a human in their eyes, but rather an Ultraman who had defeated the little monsters of typhoid.