Chapter 199 Silently Helping and Protecting Her
The Emperor received the memorial, his face growing increasingly grim as he read it. Finally, he slammed it down on the imperial desk with a loud bang, roaring, "You audacious Wang Huai'an! Colluding with corrupt officials, slandering loyal ministers, and obstructing the people's livelihood! Guards, drag him out and execute him!"
The guards dragged Wang Huai'an, who had collapsed to the ground, away. The Emperor then pointed at the conservative officials who had participated in the impeachment, his eyes flashing with cold light: "You damned officials, instead of thinking of serving the country and the people, you are jealous of the virtuous and capable, forming cliques and spreading rumors. What are your crimes?"
The officials were terrified and collapsed to the ground, kowtowing until their foreheads bled: "Your Majesty, spare our lives! We were confused for a moment and made a grave mistake. We beg Your Majesty to give us a chance to repent!"
"Opportunity?" The Emperor was furious, his lungs practically bursting. "You've obstructed the promotion of this effective remedy, nearly harming countless people. What opportunity do you have left? Guards! These officials are all to be dismissed and investigated. Those with serious offenses will be exiled three thousand li away!"
"Your Majesty, spare our lives!" The officials' cries were drowned out by the splashing sound of the guards dragging them away, and soon the hall was quiet again.
The Emperor looked at Ye Wanning, his tone immediately softening: "Ye Wanning, your concern for the people and your superb medical skills make me very pleased. I have decided to promote the effective remedies for smallpox throughout the country, and all imperial medical hospitals nationwide will include them in the 'Qing Nang Mi Yao' (Secret Essentials of the Green Bag), allowing all physicians in the land to study them!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ye Wanning and Pei Zhi hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed to express their gratitude for the Emperor's grace.
Stepping out of the palace, the sun shone brightly. Ye Wanning felt completely relaxed—the conservatives had fallen, the effective remedies could now be circulated, and her mother's medical classics could finally be carried forward; all her efforts had not been in vain.
"Wan Ning, congratulations." Pei Zhi looked at her, a smile playing on his lips, his eyes filled with pride.
Ye Wanning turned to look at him, her eyes slightly moist: "Thank you, Pei Zhi. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have won this case."
"Why are you being so polite with me?" Pei Zhi held her hand, his palm warm. "We're husband and wife, we'll share joys and sorrows and overcome difficulties together."
Ye Wanning nodded, her heart filled with gratitude. She knew how much effort Pei Zhi had put into this case—collecting evidence, contacting officials, and even arguing for her in court, secretly helping and protecting her all along.
The two lovers walked side by side on the stone path of the palace, the warm sunlight shining on them, feeling exceptionally comfortable. Ye Wanning could feel the warmth of Pei Zhi's hand holding hers, and the flutter in her heart grew stronger little by little.
“Oh, right,” Pei Zhi suddenly said, “The Emperor also said that he would appoint you as a guest physician in the Imperial Medical Academy, allowing you free access to the Imperial Medical Academy’s library to peruse ancient books. This should be of great help in improving medical classics.”
"Is it true?" Ye Wanning's eyes lit up. "There are many lost ancient books in the Imperial Medical Academy's library. If we can read those books, we can definitely improve the 'Qing Nang Secret Essentials' and make Mother's medical skills even more exquisite."
“Yes,” Pei Zhi said with a smile. “However, the Imperial Hospital has many rules. If you don’t want to be bound by so many restrictions, you don’t have to accept them. The Emperor said that everything is up to you.”
Pei Zhi's smile stirred her heart, but the smile remained on her face, causing her to fall into deep thought.
Becoming a guest physician at the Imperial Medical Academy would indeed allow her access to many ancient texts, greatly benefiting the refinement of the medical canon. However, the Imperial Medical Academy has many rules, which would definitely take up a lot of time. What would happen to the branch hospitals and the female physician training camp? She couldn't just focus on refining the medical canon, but she also couldn't let down every patient and apprentice who trusted her and sought her treatment.
“I’m in a bit of a dilemma,” Ye Wanning said. “I want to read ancient books, but I’m afraid there are too many troubles in the Imperial Medical Academy, and I won’t be able to focus on running the branch hospital and training camp.”
Seeing her deep thought, Pei Zhi seemed to understand something: "I know what you're thinking. You don't need to force yourself. If you want to accept it, I'll arrange a time for you and try to get as little involved in the Imperial Hospital as possible; if you don't want to accept it, the Emperor won't make things difficult for you."
He paused for a moment, then said, "The most important thing is that you're happy. I'll support whatever you want to do."
Ye Wanning looked at him, feeling a warm glow in her heart. Pei Zhi would always respect her thoughts, support her decisions, and would never force her to do anything.
"Let me think about it some more," Ye Wanning said. "I want to go back and discuss it with Su Xiao and Chen Sheng to see if we can find a solution that satisfies both sides."
Pei Zhi hummed in agreement and nodded: "Okay, no rush, take your time to think it over, just let me know when you've made up your mind."
Upon arriving at the villa, Su Xiao and Chen Sheng were indeed already waiting at the entrance, both of them with anxious frowns.
"Master! How did it go? How did the confrontation in court go?"
Ye Wanning recounted the events that had transpired in the imperial court and the news of the emperor's appointment of a guest imperial physician.
"Wow! Guest Imperial Physician!" Su Xiao's eyes lit up. "Master, this is amazing! There are so many books in the library. After you read all those medical books, you'll definitely improve your skills even further!"
Chen Sheng nodded in agreement: "Yes, Madam Ye, this is a rare opportunity, you must accept it!"
Ye Wanning hesitated and said, "I also want to accept, but the Imperial Medical Academy has too many rules, and I'm afraid it will hinder the branch hospital and training camp!"
"What's the problem?" Su Xiao quickly said, "Master, you only need to go to the Imperial Hospital once a week, and stay here the rest of the time!"
"Chen Sheng and I will manage the branch campus, and Zhao Linglong and the others will help with the training camp. Everything will be fine!" Chen Sheng echoed. "Mrs. Ye, please rest assured! We will take good care of things here and won't distract you. It would be wonderful if we could make the *Qing Nang Secret Essentials* more complete and help more people!"
Looking at the determined eyes of the two, Ye Wanning gradually made up her mind. With Su Xiao and Chen Sheng's help, going to the Imperial Hospital wouldn't be a problem—she would go once a week, and spend the rest of the time at the branch hospital and training camp. With them watching over her, nothing would go wrong.
“Alright, I’ve made up my mind.” Ye Wanning’s eyes were firm. “I accept the appointment and become a guest physician in the Imperial Medical Academy. I will go there once a week to study ancient books and research medical techniques.”
"That's great!" Su Xiao and Chen Sheng both smiled happily.
Pei Zhi looked at her, his eyes full of tenderness: "That's good. If anything happens in the Imperial Hospital in the future, or if you need to coordinate a time, just tell me, and I'll take care of it."
"Mm." Ye Wanning nodded, her heart filled with gratitude.
In the days that followed, Ye Wanning was busy but fulfilled. Every Monday, she would go to the Imperial Medical Academy's library to research ancient books, take notes, and supplement the content beyond "Qing Nang Mi Yao"; the rest of the time she would either see patients at the branch hospital or guide apprentices at the training camp.
Pei Zhi also tried his best to spend time with her—accompanying her to the Imperial Hospital and waiting for her outside the library; bringing her a cup of hot tea when she studied late at night; and gently massaging her shoulders to relieve her fatigue when she was tired. Their feelings for each other gradually warmed up during these days.
Ye Wanning no longer avoided Pei Zhi's affection as before; sometimes she would snuggle against his shoulder, seeking comfort and support.
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