Chapter 593 A Dream of Youth 125
Due to a sudden rain, Xie Ning, who was far away in the palace, was moved from the garden to a side hall. All the palace maids lined up neatly to have Xie Ning treat their illness, but unfortunately they had no medicine and could only relieve their pain with acupuncture.
Xie Ning could only tell them what food they could eat, or what herbs in the palace could be used as medicine to treat their ailments.
Even so, the palace maids were already very grateful.
They would also secretly give Xie Ning some personal savings, but Xie Ning refused them all, saying, "You all have a hard life, so you should keep the money. You might need it someday. Otherwise, save some for when you leave the palace, so you can live a better life in the future."
After saying that, he led a palace maid to give her acupuncture.
Through the curtain, Xie Ning was startled by the maid's sudden kneeling. "What's wrong?"
"Dr. Xie, I... I beg you, can you save my younger brother?"
The young palace maid's pale lips trembled slightly, her voice was extremely low, and she stared intently at Xie Ning with a pair of large, anxious eyes, tears streaming down her face.
She didn't know what to do, or who to turn to for help. In the deep palace, everyone wore a mask of indifference, and even if there was warmth, who knew if it was just a layer of pretense?
Xie Ning didn't answer immediately, but asked, "What's wrong with him?"
Even when extending goodwill, one must weigh one's own capabilities and consider whether one has the ability to help others while also protecting oneself.
"He hurt his leg. If he doesn't get treatment soon, I'm afraid... I'm afraid his leg will be useless, and he'll..."
A eunuch with a broken leg naturally cannot serve his master, nor can he do ordinary work; he is doomed to die.
"Let me give you acupuncture first. If your back problem isn't treated soon, it might get worse."
The young palace maid's eyes dimmed, and she forced a smile as she knelt down, tears falling drop by drop onto the wooden board. The faint sound was completely drowned out by the torrential rain.
After Xie Ning finished the acupuncture, she didn't leave immediately. She just said softly, "I've always been authorized to treat you with acupuncture."
Otherwise, she would be unable to escape the charge of colluding with the imperial harem, and not only her, but the entire Xie family would be implicated.
The young palace maid understood, and simply turned her head to gently grasp Xie Ning's finger. "Dr. Xie, you are such a kind person. I was the one who insisted. I just... I just..."
A sense of fear and unease filled her mind, causing her to instinctively lean closer to Xie Ning when their eyes met.
When the family ran out of food and couldn't repay the loan, her parents sold her and her younger brother. The two were beautiful and were sent to the palace, but in this vast palace, they could never see each other again.
The next time they met, she saw her younger brother being beaten. She didn't dare to go forward to help, and only went forward after the other eunuchs left.
That leg wasn't injured from a fall; it was broken by someone.
"Dr. Xie, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence." Aunt Qian stood outside the curtain, and then heard a reply from inside.
"Please wait a moment, Aunt Qian, while I finish this course of treatment for them."
Aunt Qian nodded slightly, without urging him. Before coming, the Empress had told her to be respectful to Xie Ning.
When Xie Ning arrived at the Empress's palace, not only was the Empress there, but the Emperor and Princess Yanxi were also present.
Because the Empress was pregnant with the Emperor's child, the Emperor visited her more often.
After Xie Ning took the Empress's pulse and confirmed that she was safe, the Emperor smiled and asked Xie Ning, "Xie Ning, you have cured Princess Yanxi. Tell me, what reward do you want?"
"Speak freely, and I will grant your request."
Yan Xi winked at Xie Ning, "Don't be afraid. To put it bluntly, Father is unusually generous!"
The emperor cleared his throat, then glared at Yan Xi, "You child."
But he was really happy. Because Yanxi was in poor health, he and the Empress often wondered if their Yanxi would grow up to be of marriageable age.
This is the eldest daughter of the legitimate wife.
Xie Ning feigned hesitation and asked uncertainly, "Really, anything is fine?"
She's been waiting for this moment!
The emperor waved his hand, "A ruler's word is law!"
"Your Majesty, I have opened a small pharmacy and have also researched some medicines specifically for women's diseases. My intention is to reduce the suffering of women in the world, but I am of lowly status and power."
The world is divided into men and women, showing how many women there are. It is truly difficult for me alone to benefit all women in the world.
Xie Ning bowed deeply.
The emperor nodded slightly, "He's a good child," and then asked curiously, "So what do you want me to do? Write a plaque for you to make you famous?"
Xie Ning smiled and shook her head, her eyes shining like stars. "This humble woman is willing to offer her prescription to the pharmacy free of charge. I only ask that Your Majesty set up a special women's preparation workshop in the pharmacy, so that not only the medicine is for women to use, but also the medicine makers are women."
This not only opened up a path for women to access medicine, but also provided them with job opportunities. This was an official signal, representing a message from those in power, and was enough to guide certain things.
Whether those in positions of power are aware of the deeper meaning behind this is another matter.
As for whether the pharmacy officials would object... her father was still there, so Xie Ning wasn't worried.
The emperor looked at Xie Ning with a slight shock in his eyes. After a long while, he sighed and said, "Your father was devoted to the people. I never expected that you, as his daughter, would be the same. Like father, like daughter. Your Xie family certainly has integrity."
With such ministers and such people, I am truly comforted.
Because of Xie Ning's identity as a woman, and that she was still a young girl, the emperor had not yet realized Xie Ning's hidden intentions. He only thought that this child was filial, benevolent, and loved the people, and was truly a good child.
However, the emperor hesitated because it was a pharmacy staffed only by women. "There probably aren't many female officials who understand pharmacology."
Even ordinary women who understand pharmacology are few and far between... Looking at Xie Ning's fair and resolute face, the emperor's heart stirred. "Xie Ning, would you be willing to serve as a female official and be in charge of this women's apothecary?"
Isn't there one right here?
But after asking the emperor, he felt a little regretful.
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