Chapter 250 Excellent Medical Skills?
The sleeping quarters of the Lihe Palace.
The curtains hung low, and the air was still filled with the lingering warmth of a passionate night.
Narcissus slowly awoke, the warmth of Emperor Zhaoheng still lingering beside her.
She moved her slightly sore body, and the brocade quilt slipped down, revealing a few ambiguous red marks on her snow-white shoulders and neck, like red plum blossoms fallen in the snow, proclaiming just how intense the emperor's favor had been the night before.
Narcissus rubbed her slightly sore lower back before slowly getting up.
She draped a soft, everyday robe over her shoulders; the brocade fabric glided against her skin, bringing a touch of coolness.
Without disturbing Shu'er, who was on night watch outside, she first put on soft-soled sleeping shoes and walked lightly to the side hall.
In the cradle, twins Qingyan and Qinghe were fast asleep.
Further inside, Yongning was on her small bed, hugging a rag doll, with a slight smile on her lips, as if she were having a sweet dream.
The peaceful, carefree sleeping faces of her children, like the softest feathers, gently brushed against Narcissus's heart, softening even her hardened heart.
What she wants to protect is this tranquility.
Quietly leaving the side hall, Narcissus, disregarding her thin nightgown, went to the courtyard.
On a cold winter morning, the air is frosty and refreshing when inhaled.
Narcissus took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, instantly clearing her mind, which had been somewhat muddled by the pleasure and tenderness of the previous night.
She walked slowly along the bluestone path, her mind still preoccupied with the matter of the free medical consultation outside the palace.
Zhou Yan's injuries, the shortage of medicinal herbs, the increasingly chaotic crisis... Behind all of this, although she had no evidence, she recalled that few imperial physicians were now going to the countryside to provide free medical care...
Narcissus couldn't help but think of Lu Zhengqing, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy.
This old fox has been operating in the Imperial Medical Academy for decades, with disciples and old friends all over the place, and his relationships are deeply entrenched. He is also extremely cautious and shrewd in his actions. How easy is it to find something to hold against him?
Just as she was pondering this, the ever-clever Tinglu appeared silently beside her like a shadow.
She, who always had a smiling face, looked solemn at this moment.
She whispered, "Your Majesty is up very early."
Shui Xian didn't turn around, her gaze still fixed on the withered branches in the courtyard, glistening with morning dew. She asked softly, "Outside the palace... is there any new news? How's the investigation going with the Chang'an Escort Agency?"
Tinglu looked somewhat troubled and replied, "Your Majesty, the Chang'an Escort Agency has used some connections in the martial arts world to secretly investigate those large pharmacies. They have done it extremely discreetly, and there are no obvious problems on the books. In the short term... it will probably be difficult to find evidence that the Imperial Hospital is directly involved in monopolizing medicinal materials or deliberately sabotaging the free clinic."
She paused, trying to reassure her, "But Your Highness, rest assured, Young Master Lu has not given up and is still inquiring from various sources. It just needs more time..."
"time……"
Narcissus repeated those two words softly, her eyes cold and icy.
She thought of her previous life, when she was reduced to a life of prostitution, and the state of her illness that she had witnessed.
In this life, she was prepared and capable, enabling Pei Jichuan and others to take medicine and methods to the common people.
In the previous life, the epidemic spread so rapidly that it caused a huge upheaval in the capital in less than a month.
Narcissus closed her eyes slightly, and what flashed before her eyes was the pain she suffered from the plague in her previous life, how the ever-increasing price of medicinal herbs made people prefer to endure the suffering rather than dare to go to the pharmacy...
Lu Zhengqing is shrewd and calculating; he wouldn't easily leave any evidence against you. Getting entangled with him on this will only put you on the defensive and waste your time.
What the people waiting for treatment outside the palace lacked most was time!
Seeing that Narcissus's expression was solemn, Tinglu couldn't help but whisper words of comfort.
"Your Majesty, you've already done so much; this isn't some kind of competition..."
Tinglu had never seen or imagined how terrible the epidemic could be. All she wanted to do now was comfort the seemingly heartbroken Narcissus.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing the word "competition," Narcissus suddenly opened her eyes, a glimmer of understanding flashing in them.
Why be so fixated on proving Lu Zhengqing guilty?
Her ultimate goal was to get the imperial physicians to go down to the common people!
It was about breaking the outdated rules of the Imperial Medical Academy and truly making medical skills benefit the people!
As long as the goal can be achieved, what does the process matter?
She has a solution!
Shui Xian's expression shifted from contemplation to a cool and dignified one, naturally revealing the demeanor of an imperial concubine wielding the Phoenix Seal.
She turned to Tinglu and instructed, "Make preparations immediately, as I will be going to the Qianqing Palace to meet the Emperor later. Also, send someone to inform Pei Jichuan and Ana to go to the Qianqing Palace to await orders at once."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Although Tinglu didn't understand why, seeing Shuixian's determined expression, she knew that Her Majesty must have a brilliant plan, so she immediately accepted the order and left.
Inside the Imperial Medical Academy.
Lu Zhengqing had just finished breakfast and was preparing to conduct his routine inspection of the pulse records of the various palace masters when he received an imperial edict from the Qianqing Palace summoning him to an audience.
He frowned slightly, his already graying eyebrows furrowing, a moment of doubt flashing through his mind, but he quickly regained his composure.
His students gathered around and whispered, "Is the Imperial Physician summoning you now because of the free medical consultations outside the palace?"
The other person said confidently, "Rest assured, Your Honor, we handled the matter of the medicinal herbs cleanly and efficiently, without any mistakes. Pei Jichuan is in a terrible predicament, and public resentment has already arisen!"
Lu Zhengqing stroked his white beard, a confident sneer appearing on his face, carrying the arrogance of the head of the Imperial Medical Academy: "Even if the Emperor asks, I am only acting according to the rules and maintaining the order of the Imperial Medical Academy. What wrong have I done? You can all just focus on your duties."
He carefully straightened his official robes to ensure they were impeccable, and then ordered his apprentice to carry his imperial sandalwood medicine chest. The chest was filled with medical instruments, all of which were either antiques from the previous dynasty or inlaid with gold and jade.
With everything prepared, Lu Zhengqing calmly and leisurely strode towards the Qianqing Palace.
Inside the Qianqing Palace.
Emperor Zhaoheng sat upright on the dragon throne, his face expressionless, his eyes deep and unreadable.
Pei Jichuan and Ana stood respectfully to the side below.
Pei Jichuan looked somewhat haggard, a result of days of hard work, but his eyes remained clear and firm.
Ana remained calm as always, her purple eyes like a deep pool, undisturbed.
Lu Zhengqing stepped into the hall, his gaze quickly sweeping across the entire room. When he saw Pei Jichuan and Ana, especially Ana, this woman from another ethnic group, a barely perceptible look of disdain flashed across his eyes.
In his view, Pei Jichuan, who came from a eunuch family, was already inferior, and this witch from the southern border was even more of a charlatan, disgracing the reputation of the Imperial Medical Academy.
He composed himself, stepped forward, and respectfully performed a deep bow: "Your humble servant Lu Zhengqing pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
"Rise."
Emperor Zhaoheng's voice was somewhat cold.
After Lu Zhengqing stood up, he did not immediately ask the reason for the summons. Instead, he put on a concerned look, turned to Pei Jichuan, and spoke with a hint of feigned worry.
"Imperial Physician Pei, I heard that there was some trouble at the free clinic the other day, and that someone was injured? Alas, young people are so prone to rashness. Diseases are rampant among the people, and people's hearts are unpredictable, unlike the stability of the palace. You must be extra careful, and do not let down the Imperial Noble Consort's trust."
His words, though seemingly caring, actually implied that Pei Jichuan's lack of ability and poor management had led to the chaos.
Pei Jichuan remained silent, offering no reply, but simply nodded slightly.
Ana didn't even lift her eyelids, as if she hadn't heard anything.
Emperor Zhaoheng's eyes flashed with impatience for a moment before he spoke directly: "Counselor Lu, I have summoned you here today for the matter of the free medical clinic outside the palace. Pei Jichuan, please report to Courtier Lu again on the current situation of the clinic tents."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Pei Jichuan stepped forward, his voice steady. He made no mention of any possible conspiracy, but simply stated the facts objectively and clearly: "Your Majesty, Judge Lu. At present, the free clinic outside the Dengdi Inn sees more than a thousand people seeking treatment every day, most of whom are suffering from severe epidemic diseases or are poor and destitute."
"There are fewer than ten imperial physicians and their apprentices, a severe shortage of manpower. People often have to wait in line for several hours, which is extremely difficult. The prevention and control of the epidemic depends on timeliness. Delay may lead to unforeseen changes and easily cause public resentment. If this continues, it will not be a blessing for the people and will also fail to live up to the Emperor's grace."
This statement, without any accusations, only presented the current situation and difficulties, which made it seem even more magnanimous and selfless.
Lu Zhengqing listened with a cold smile, but on the surface he showed a troubled expression, stroking his beard and sighing, "Your Majesty is wise, I share the same feelings as Physician Pei. However..."
He sighed deeply, "This old minister is advanced in years and lacks the energy to endure the hardships of traveling. As for the other colleagues in the Imperial Medical Academy..."
Lu Zhengqing changed the subject, his tone becoming increasingly dismissive.
"The primary duty of the imperial physicians is to serve the palace and ensure the health of the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and all the nobles. If, due to their duty of providing medical services, a noble in the palace suffers a minor ailment and is left untreated, this responsibility... is one that this old minister and my fellow imperial physicians cannot bear at all!"
He paused, and instead of offering any support, he bowed to Emperor Zhaoheng and began to complain.
"Your Majesty, training a qualified imperial physician requires countless efforts and money. The Imperial Medical Academy is currently facing a severe shortage of funds, making it difficult to procure many precious medicinal materials."
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you allocate more funds so that the Imperial Medical Academy can better study medical techniques and purchase good medicines, so that it can better serve all the masters."
Lu Zhengqing spoke with utmost respect, yet subtly pointed the finger at the free clinic promoted by Shui Xian, implying that it was using up valuable resources that should have been used to "serve the master," and was an extra or even unnecessary burden.
Emperor Zhaoheng sneered inwardly. This old fox was indeed eloquent!
At this moment, a clear and gentle female voice, yet carrying an increasing air of authority as she rose in rank, came from behind the curtain hanging on the side of the hall:
"If that's what Physician Lu says, then all the physicians in the Imperial Medical Academy must be handpicked and have exceptionally outstanding medical skills?"
Before the words were finished, the beaded curtain rustled softly, and Narcissus gracefully stepped out...
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