Chapter 52 052 I understand.

In the end, Zhao Jialing still failed to demonstrate her strong and powerful arms to Xie Lanzhao.

She was rejected by Xie Lanzhao, who remained expressionless.

Watching Xie Lanzao leave with almost hurried steps until her figure disappeared from sight, Zhao Jialing returned dejectedly to the warm palace, once again bending her arms. She reached out and touched her own hand, muttering to herself, "Isn't my embrace warm and broad enough? It's like my heart, as vast as the sea—"

【Host, that's enough!】

The Wise Ruler System couldn't stand her anymore and said, "Why was she unable to say anything when Xie Lanzhao asked her a question the other day?"

Zhao Jialing retorted stubbornly: "What do you know, you bot? This is my fun."

The Wise Ruler System fell silent; it regretted teaching Zhao Jialing some vocabulary. But it wasn't a human-machine interface; it was just a pure machine.

Zhao Jialing: [San San, don't you think she seemed to be running away in a panic?]

Wise Ruler System: [Everyone would run away.]

Zhao Jialing sighed: "I merely wished to demonstrate my power; was it some heinous crime?"

Wise Ruler System: […Let’s try a different approach.]

Zhao Jialing was not discouraged. She thought for a while and then suddenly smiled happily.

[When I was young, Xie Lanzhao and I played a game of carrying each other. I could walk steadily when I carried her, but Xie Lanzhao almost carried me into a ditch. She should have known my strength since childhood. In that case, I was indeed unnecessary to do this today. She understands me best!]

After Xie Lanzhao returned home, her fluctuating emotions gradually cooled down.

Recalling her outburst in the palace, she frowned slightly. But then she thought that His Majesty hadn't noticed at all, and her frown relaxed.

Some long-dormant memories were stirred up by His Majesty's "power".

As a child, the little princess was oblivious to social cues. To others, she was poised and mature beyond her years, a typical example of someone who had been disciplined by her mother. Naturally, people treated her with restraint and seriousness. But the little princess was different. For some reason, she insisted on playing a silly game of carrying her around on her back one day.

She didn't refuse at the time.

The princess was small and at risk of falling and getting bruised and battered, so she stopped after only a few steps.

Meeting the princess's bright, sparkling eyes, she lied and praised her, saying, "It's reliable."

When it was the princess's turn to carry her, she only swayed slightly, and the princess complained that it was bumpy.

She was sullen for a while, but because she was always so aloof, no one noticed.

Memories only bring warmth when they appear at the right moment. Xie Lanzhao's eyes sparkled, and a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on her lips. She didn't think about politics, but instead took out paper and pen to draw. With just a few strokes, the figure leaped onto the paper.

After finishing the drawing, Xie Lanzhao carefully put it away.

We mustn't send it to His Majesty, or he'll become even more demanding.

As usual, the grandfather and grandson ate dinner together in the evening.

The Grand Princess gazed at her and said slowly, "In previous years, people would inquire about your marriage, but in recent months there have been fewer inquiries."

Xie Lanzhao frowned slightly and said, "Grandmother, I have no interest in this matter."

“I know.” The Grand Princess nodded and said, “I’ve always refused for you, haven’t I? It’s just that I’ve heard some rumors lately.”

Xie Lanzhao asked, puzzled, "Hmm?"

When speaking to her granddaughter, the Grand Princess became less tactful and sighed, "They say you are His Majesty's concubine."

Xie Lanzhao frowned: "Nonsense." Whose relative is spouting nonsense in front of Grandmother?!

The Grand Princess nodded and said, "You're wearing His Majesty's jade pendant. Has His Majesty worn this jade pendant for quite some time?"

Xie Lanzhao: "..." She said nonchalantly, "As a subject, it is naturally inappropriate to refuse a gift bestowed by His Majesty."

"When will you bestow upon me something more intimate? Should I refuse or not?"

“Your Majesty wouldn’t go to such lengths,” Xie Lanzhao replied, her eyelids twitching. She herself didn’t find her words very credible.

The Grand Princess simply smiled, sized up Xie Lanzhao for a moment, and said with a kind expression, "Never mind, we'll talk about it later." His Majesty's "care" would certainly save some trouble. Some people seem unable to understand human language, constantly recommending their children and relatives, which is extremely annoying.

Perhaps because she had many related matters during the day, Xie Lanzhao even had a dream at night.

His Majesty said that she was not young anymore and it was time to establish an empress. He even took out a picture book for her to study.

Before she could even open the picture book, Xie Lanzhao's dream ended.

She frowned as she looked at the "slight sleep pillow" that His Majesty had given her, her mind somewhat troubled.

The system says that using a small pillow can help you sleep well all night?

She recalled the poem "Jade Pillow": "Searching everywhere for spring in my dreams."

Whose spring is it?

·

Meeting the next day.

After dealing with the staff of the Prince Zhong's residence, the court finally returned to a long-awaited peace. However, this was not a time of leisure. Although the southern suburban sacrifice to Heaven had passed, the New Year's Day court assembly was still a grand ceremony that could not be neglected in the slightest. After the court assembly, the Ministry of Rites' examinations in the first month of the lunar calendar would begin. This year's imperial examinations were different from previous years; the examination halls would be closed around New Year's Day. But before that, Zhao Jialing needed to discuss suitable candidates with his trusted prime minister.

In his busyness, Zhao Jialing almost forgot about his business, let alone seeing the flowers.

Major events spanning three provinces could be tracked through official notice boards, but some things required her own memory to remember. She first had someone inform Li Zhaoci that the "fireworks" (a type of firework) could be delivered to the shops near the An family's residence and sold, marketed as a divine blessing and a cause for celebration. These "fireworks," after all, were sent by the late emperor in a dream.

Then, someone was sent to deliver a set of medical books distributed by the system and a selection of "New Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold" from the Imperial Medical Bureau to Meng Yize, hoping that her family would study them carefully.

The Meng family.

Meng Yize was filled with trepidation. A few days ago, as soon as she left the palace, she discussed the matter of medicine at Mingde Academy with her family. His Majesty's meaning was clear: he wanted her family to be involved and help in finding suitable candidates.

"If you become a physician, will you still be able to rise to a high position in the future?" Meng's father stroked his beard, looking worried. He actually disapproved of Meng Yize practicing medicine in the common people's wards after passing the imperial examination and becoming an official. The distinction between scholars and physicians was clear; what kind of image did she project? First, she was forcibly invited by the Prince Zhong's mansion and suffered a great calamity. Now, His Majesty has taken a liking to her medical skills, and she may be stuck on that path from now on.

"Although some were promoted because of their medical skills, they have always been despised. Historians have been merciless in their writings, and their reputations have been ruined for posterity."

"As a subject, do you have any room to refuse?" Mother Meng patted Meng Yize's shoulder, gently comforting her, and said, "His Majesty will still appoint you as Xie Lu Lang and will not look down on you. However, Mingde Academy—" A hint of hesitation appeared on Mother Meng's face.

The enrollment of students at Mingde Academy was a trend in Chang'an, and some of the subjects were unheard of. Some subjects overlapped with those of the Imperial Academy and the Imperial Medical Academy. Although His Majesty ordered its construction, could it compare to official schools? If it were to be implemented briefly and then abandoned, wouldn't that be a waste of time?

Meng Yize said, "Didn't Mother read 'General Knowledge'?"

Mencius's mother nodded and said, "That's a bit strange." She only picked out the medical-related sections to browse and didn't find many medical prescriptions. The book started with "bathing matters." Before the book was published, the An family's shop had already started selling various kinds of soap. When "General Knowledge" came out, the "toothbrush" and "toothache powder" mentioned in the book were also put out for sale. She almost suspected that these were An family promotional brochures, and wondered if they were just trying to rip people off.

Meng Yize: "His Majesty said he would give some medical books to our family."

However, this wait lasted for several days.

Meng Yize tossed and turned, almost thinking that his visit to the palace to meet the emperor that day was just a pipe dream.

At this critical moment, the nobleman arrived with a box of books.

Medical knowledge is difficult to pass on, as it's essential for making a living. Many doctors choose to keep their knowledge secret, limiting family medical practice to a narrow scope and making it extremely difficult to expand outwards. While ordinary families are constrained by this, the palace faces far fewer limitations. In terms of the sheer number of medical books, the palace possesses the most. This box of books contains not only the medical materials provided by the system but also secretly stored medical texts and case records, enough to broaden the Meng family's horizons.

Looking at the student register, Meng Yize felt that surge of passion well up again.

This proves that everything His Majesty has done is genuine, not just a pretentious and superficial act!

Meng Yize said, "Your Majesty is endowed with divine virtue and lofty aspirations. You have repeatedly issued virtuous pronouncements for the benefit of the people! You have brought lasting happiness to the people, and the common folk are extremely fortunate."

After seeing off the distinguished guests from the palace, the Meng family members were so excited by the box of medical books that they were speechless. These were things that money couldn't buy, and even the physicians in the Imperial Medical Academy might not possess them. His Majesty's word was law; how virtuous he was!

When Meng Yize took out the book "Brief Account," her expression changed drastically. Unable to control her voice, she cried out in a shrill voice, "Mother, it's a prescription for smallpox and malaria!" Her family practiced medicine and knew how dangerous these infectious diseases were; they could only cure about 20-30% of cases. It was precisely because of this that many people turned to gods and Buddhas, copying scriptures and praying for blessings. If these diseases could be cured, saving millions of lives would be an immeasurable act of merit!

"These...these are new prescriptions bestowed by divine beings." Meng Yize patted her heart, trying to calm herself. She didn't quite believe in the so-called "divine beings," but it was probably just a common practice for the Imperial Medical Bureau to fabricate stories about ghosts and gods in order to gain people's trust.

Mencius' mother said, "How can such books be kept in my Mencius family?"

Meng Yize shouted, "I understand!"

A gift from a sage should be expressed in gratitude.

She wanted to implore the sage in her petition to make these prescriptions public.

Only when everyone sees it can it be used!

"She's still very dedicated, but she's ingrained by old habits and some of her ideas are too stubborn," Zhao Jialing remarked to Xie Lanzhao after reading Meng Yize's memorial. Meng Yize made various excuses, but she knew from the system that Meng Yize was hesitant because others looked down on medicine.

"Why does Your Majesty say such a thing?" Xie Lanzhao asked knowingly.

“She probably doesn’t want to join the Imperial Medical Bureau, considering the position of physician too lowly,” Zhao Jialing said, but then, raising an eyebrow, she added, “However, she is inherently simple and honest. Once those superficialities are washed away, she will understand what is important.”

After saying a few words about Meng Yize, Zhao Jialing changed the subject: "I plan to add supplementary questions to the examination papers. For example, test some knowledge of medicine and law."

Xie Lanzhao frowned and shook his head, saying, "This is not good. It has nothing to do with what scholars have learned in the past, except for the examinations. It will attract a lot of protests." Even if the court officials do not advise against it, it will not be easy to resolve when the scholars start to make trouble. This touches the very foundation of the imperial examination system, and now is clearly not the time.

Zhao Jialing frowned as well. She said, "Is it not acceptable if the additional items don't affect the choice?"

Xie Lanzhao understood perfectly: "What appears on the exam papers will eventually be presented to His Majesty. It's not something you can simply say won't have an impact. Don't the examiners who are reviewing them consider this?" In officialdom, who doesn't try to fathom the Emperor's intentions?