Emperor Mingde was taken aback, then laughed with great tolerance, "Nonsense, change it."
Zhao Shu knew that it didn't really matter who sat in that position. The Empress wasn't there, and she, a mere concubine, was sitting in the Empress's seat. What did she think she was?
"Uncle, a king's word is law," Zhao Shu insisted. This might damage her reputation, but what did reputation matter compared to real face and substance?
Emperor Mingde's smile vanished, and he feigned anger, saying, "Listen to me, and don't be silly."
Consort Hao was pleased, but at the same time worried, as Emperor Mingde was clearly indulging Zhao Shu.
Zhao Shu looked disappointed. "Uncle is biased."
"Alright, alright." He pretended to be helpless and then turned to Consort Hao and said, "My dear consort is an elder, so please don't take offense at A-Jun's position. The Crown Prince will sit in A-Jun's seat, and A-Jun will sit next to me. Otherwise, this little brat will complain that I'm being biased, and I've been having headaches lately, so I can't stand it." This was to have Zhao Shu and the Crown Prince switch places, with Consort Hao sitting below Zhao Shu.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Shu immediately smiled happily and pulled Sun Yun to Emperor Mingde, saying, "Uncle Emperor, would it be alright if A-Yun sat next to me? Or she could sit next to Grandmother Emperor." Sun Yun was close to her, but what kind of care could she expect from Sun Ganzheng and his wife when she entered the palace? In this situation, she might as well go all out and protect her little sister. What was wrong with that?
Emperor Mingde nodded and had a small table set up behind the Empress Dowager for Sun Yun.
Consort Hao dared not act coquettishly like Zhao Shu, much less disobey. Zhao Shu had a history of being audacious, which Consort Hao did not. Moreover, Zhao Shu was her niece, while Consort Hao was a woman, so they were naturally incomparable.
Reluctantly, she stood up and sat in the Crown Prince's seat, while the Crown Prince sat in Zhao Shu's original seat. After everyone returned to their places, Zhao Shu smiled slightly at Consort Hao and sat down next to Emperor Mingde without any hesitation.
"Uncle, today is your birthday. Ah Jun has prepared a gift for you that she thinks is a very generous one. Please don't look down on it when you see it. Oh, by the way, Physician Peng has also prepared a small gift for you. Ah Jun tried to dissuade him, but couldn't." Normally, this is the time for everyone to present their gifts in turn and say auspicious words.
With so many civil and military officials, Emperor Mingde naturally wouldn't listen to everyone. Only those of high rank received this treatment. Those of lower rank would have their birthday gifts registered by palace servants as soon as they entered the palace, and then displayed in the open for public viewing.
Physician Peng was one of those who could not advance to offer sacrifices because his rank was not high enough.
Emperor Mingde knew that Physician Peng was close to Zhao Shu, and that many things in Chunyuan were researched and developed by this old fool. Although Chunyuan no longer had the high profits from salt and canal transport, its annual profits were still quite considerable. Nowadays, who would use wood ash to wash their hair if they had a little spare money?
"I will not look at your grand gift, but I would like to see what small gift Physician Peng has given me." He smiled and gestured to Liang Yunsi. Physician Peng was not only of low rank, but also unable to sit inside the hall due to his profession.
Having received Emperor Mingde's signal, Liang Yunsi went out of the palace to invite Physician Peng.
Physician Peng and Physician Zhou whispered among themselves, while the court judge's faction across the way gritted their teeth. How could they be at peace with someone who had been ostracized by everyone before suddenly becoming famous!
Liang Yunsi walked over, bowed, and said, "I wish all the imperial physicians a good day."
The imperial physicians hurriedly returned the greeting. Although they did not rise, they nodded in acknowledgment. The chief physician thought that the emperor had invited him over. He glanced smugly at the old physician Peng and said, "Is there something wrong with you not serving His Majesty in the palace?" He thought to himself that the emperor would surely reward him. He had given the emperor a blood jade ruyi, which was a top-grade blood jade. Moreover, as the chief physician, he received more rewards than his colleagues every year.
Just as he was lost in thought, Liang Yunsi came to the side of Physician Peng and said, "Physician Peng, the Emperor summons you to an audience."
Court verdict: !!
His heart was breaking. To be honest, his medical skills were inferior to those of Physician Peng, but the old man was bad at interpersonal relationships and had offended almost everyone in the Imperial Hospital. He was secretly pleased with himself, but after leaving the capital for a few years, the man suddenly changed when he returned. He was uneasy and afraid that he would lose his position as the head of the hospital.
It's true that Dr. Peng wasn't very emotionally intelligent, but he had no ulterior motives and was mostly focused on treating patients and saving lives. He had a pure and innocent heart that the hospital judge couldn't match.
Therefore, he stood up at this moment with a solemn expression. He was not proud of being summoned by the Emperor and having a better face than the Imperial Physician. He thought to himself that if the Emperor could grant him permission to set up a research workshop, and provide him with funding and space to study what the Princess had mentioned, it would benefit all the people.
After straightening his official robes and adjusting his hat, he carried a scroll of paper and entered the main hall.
Upon arriving at the center of the hall, all eyes fell upon him. It was the first time he had been in front of so many people, and he was somewhat nervous. However, he braced himself and knelt down, saying, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!" He was not good at flattery, and since it was Emperor Mingde's birthday, he simply said the usual things he said.
Emperor Mingde looked at him and asked in a cool voice, "Ajun said you have a gift to present to me? What gift is it? Present it here."
He copied it out, added his own imaginative paper, and handed it to Liang Yunsi, respectfully saying, "Your Majesty, please take a look."
Liang Yunsi took the paper from his hand and presented it to Emperor Mingde. Emperor Mingde unfolded it and saw that it contained illustrations, annotations, ideas, and a request for him to establish a research workshop.
Zhao Shusheng was afraid that Emperor Mingde would not agree, so she pretended to want to see but dared not, and asked, "Uncle, is it too light? Please don't be angry. If you are angry, Physician Peng will definitely say that the gift is light but the meaning is heavy, and he will be right no matter what."
Emperor Mingde could easily tell that Zhao Shu was speaking up for Physician Peng. He glared at her and said, "I approve this. Have Minister Huo handle this for you."
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