Chapter 215 Proving Innocence
Meanwhile, Consort Xian added fuel to the fire in the inner palace, saying, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, I've heard that Madam Ye is using the Heritage Hall to cultivate her own faction. Many of the students she's recruited are relatives of former dynasty loyalists. I'm afraid she's plotting something sinister!"
The emperor was already wary of Ye Wanning and Pei Zhi's power. After hearing these words, he was somewhat undecided, so he summoned Pei Zhi and asked, "Pei Zhi, what exactly is Ye Wanning's purpose in opening the Heritage Hall?"
Pei Zhi understood that the Wei family wanted to seize the Inheritance Hall and use the opportunity to suppress him and Ye Wanning. So he tried his best to defend himself: "Your Majesty, Ye Wanning opened the Inheritance Hall so that more people who aspire to learn medicine could learn medical skills and save lives. She did not corrupt the social atmosphere! The funds of the Inheritance Hall were used for the construction of teaching buildings, the purchase of medicinal materials, and the expenses of free clinics. The accounts are clear and verifiable! The claim that they colluded with the remnants of the previous dynasty is pure slander by Prime Minister Wei and Consort Xian!"
"I understand." The emperor pondered for a long time. "This matter is of great importance. I will think about it some more."
Upon receiving the news, Ye Wanning was not worried. She knew that the Wei family's impeachment was baseless, and as long as evidence was presented to expose the lies, there was nothing to worry about.
"Miss, Prime Minister Wei has so much power, and with Consort Xian stirring things up, won't the Emperor side with them?" Xiao Lian asked anxiously.
"No rush," Ye Wanning said calmly. "What we need to do now is to produce evidence that can convince the Emperor and Empress! You should immediately prepare the Inheritance Hall's accounts, free clinic records, and cases of apprentices treating patients. Also, notify the branches in various regions to send letters of thanks from local officials and people to headquarters as soon as possible."
"Okay, I'll go right away!" Xiaolian replied and left.
The next day, Ye Wanning entered the palace to see the Empress Dowager with the prepared evidence—she could not allow the Emperor to make a hasty decision.
Inside the warm pavilion of Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager was practicing calligraphy before the Buddha. Hearing Ye Wanning enter, the Empress Dowager put down her brush, reached out to support her, and smiled, "Wanning, have you come about the impeachment against you in court?"
"Your Majesty is wise! This is precisely why I have come!" Ye Wanning knelt down, presenting the account books, records, and thank-you letters one by one, her tone earnest. "These are all evidence. I beg Your Majesty to grant me justice!"
"Hmm?" The Empress Dowager picked up the books and began to read. Sure enough, every expense was recorded clearly. The free clinic records were filled with the names and ailments of the people who received free treatment. The apprentices' medical records contained many difficult and complicated cases, most of which were cured. The thank-you letters piled up on half of the table.
"Brainless!" The Empress Dowager sneered angrily. "For personal gain, you actually impeached such a fine institution and suppressed a good doctor like you who cares about the people!"
"Your Majesty, I do not wish to be an enemy of the Wei family, but I do not want the Inheritance Hall to fall into the hands of others, nor do I want the apprentices to lose their learning opportunities!" Ye Wanning lowered her head and spoke sincerely. "The Inheritance Hall can train female doctors, provide free medical consultations to the people, and alleviate the shortage of medical care and medicine in various places. If it is given to the Imperial Medical Academy, I am afraid that the conservatives will control its direction and violate the original intention of its establishment!"
"I understand." The Empress Dowager nodded. "Don't worry, I will stand up for you. I'll take you to see the Emperor now and let him see this evidence!"
Ye Wanning followed the Empress Dowager into the imperial study. The Emperor was reading memorials when he saw them enter and quickly went to greet them: "Empress Dowager, what brings you here?"
"Your Majesty, I have come regarding the Heritage Hall." The Empress Dowager's tone was displeased. "Prime Minister Wei and Consort Xian impeached Ye Wanning and slandered the Heritage Hall. Take a look at these pieces of evidence, and then tell me whether what they said is true or false!"
The emperor took the evidence and began to read it, becoming increasingly surprised—it turned out that the Heritage Museum had done so many things that benefited the country and its people.
"Your Majesty," Ye Wanning seized the opportunity to speak, "The Medical Heritage Institute recruits women from the common people to learn medicine not to corrupt morality, but to give women from impoverished families who want to study medicine an opportunity. After completing their studies, some stay at the Institute, while others return to their hometowns to open their own clinics, treating the sick and solving the problem of lack of medical care and medicine in various places. Now the Medical Alliance has more than a dozen branches, covering most of the country, and it treats countless people every year, which is evident to all. As for the imperial funds, the Medical Heritage Institute's accounts are open and transparent, and every penny is used for the right things. Moreover, with the development of the alliance, the branches in various places are now able to be self-sufficient and no longer rely on imperial funds. If Your Majesty is still not at ease, you are welcome to send someone to audit the accounts."
The emperor looked at Ye Wanning, then at the evidence in his hand, and had already made up his mind—the Wei family was clearly using this opportunity to suppress Ye Wanning and Pei Zhi for their own selfish gain, while the Heritage Hall was a great thing that benefited the country and the people, and should not be abolished because of slander.
"Ye Wanning, what you said is all true, and this evidence proves the value of the Heritage Hall," the Emperor said earnestly. "I have decided that the Heritage Hall will remain independent, and the court will continue to allocate funds to support it. The impeachments by Prime Minister Wei and Consort Xian are pure nonsense and utterly despicable!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ye Wanning quickly kowtowed to express her gratitude.
"Your Majesty has done well." The Empress Dowager was very satisfied. "The Heritage Hall is Ye Wanning's life's work and a good thing that benefits the people. From now on, no one is allowed to submit a memorial to impeach her!"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the Emperor replied, bowing.
When the news reached the imperial court and the inner palace, Prime Minister Wei and Consort Xian were both stunned. They had not expected Ye Wanning to produce evidence so quickly and to receive the full support of the Emperor and Empress.
Prime Minister Wei lost face in court, and conservative officials dared not speak out anymore; Consort Xian became a laughing stock in the harem, losing more than she gained and even being reprimanded by the Emperor and Empress.
When Ye Wanning returned to the Inheritance Hall, the apprentices swarmed around her, their faces beaming with joy: "Madam Ye, that's wonderful! The Emperor and Empress both support us!"
"Yes, we knew those slanders wouldn't succeed!"
Ye Wanning smiled and said, "This is a victory for all of us. Without your accumulated efforts, there would be no Heritage Hall today, nor would we have gained the Emperor and Empress's approval. In the future, everyone must work even harder and not let the Emperor, Empress, and the people down."
"We won't!" the apprentices answered in unison.
Ye Wanning knew that the Wei family would not give up so easily. Sure enough, not long after, news spread from the palace that Consort Rou was pregnant.
Consort Rou came from humble origins, was timid, and had no powerful backing. She always kept a low profile in the palace, avoiding any rivalry. Yet, even so, the news of her pregnancy could not be kept secret and was soon discovered by Consort Xian.
As Consort Xian looked at her increasingly protruding belly, a sinister glint flashed in her eyes—she herself had no children yet, how could she let another concubine conceive the emperor's child first? She wanted to get rid of Consort Rou's child, but did not want to leave any evidence, so she came up with the idea of using someone else to do the dirty work.
One day, Consort Xian took the initiative to show goodwill to Consort Rou, not only frequently sending people to deliver tonics and clothes to her, but also often visiting her in person, showing concern and care, just like close sisters.
Consort Rou was flattered and thought that Consort Xian was genuinely kind to her. She thanked her profusely and had no sense of suspicion whatsoever.
That day, Consort Xian visited Consort Rou again and gave her a special incense burner: "Sister, this incense burner was specially found for you by me. The pills inside can calm the nerves and nourish the fetus. You can use it every day, it will be good for you and the baby."
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