Chapter 113 The Roof is Leaking
Seeing his excited expression, Ye Wanning couldn't help but laugh: "It's all because you taught me so well, otherwise I definitely wouldn't have been able to answer."
"It's because you're so capable." Pei Zhi pinched her cheek. "Alright, don't be nervous. Go to sleep early so you'll be energetic tomorrow. I've already spoken to the Emperor. If anyone tries to make things difficult for you, he'll help you."
Ye Wanning nodded, finally relieved. She leaned against Pei Zhi and whispered, "It's so good to have you."
"Of course, I am your husband." Pei Zhi smiled and helped her cover herself with the blanket. "Go to sleep. I will send you to the palace tomorrow."
The next morning, Pei Zhi escorted Ye Wanning to the palace gate, took out a brocade bag from his pocket and handed it to her: "This is full of mints. Eat one when you're nervous."
Ye Wanning took the brocade pouch, feeling a warm glow in her heart: "I understand, don't worry."
Ye Wanning arrived at the Imperial Hospital and entered the lecture hall. She saw many imperial physicians sitting inside, their eyes filled with curiosity and skepticism. She took a deep breath, recalling the scene of Pei Zhi accompanying her during the rehearsal, composed herself, and walked onto the podium.
At first, some imperial physicians deliberately made things difficult for her, asking many obscure medical questions. But Ye Wanning remained calm and answered them one by one, even combining her own medical experience to explain things clearly.
The imperial physicians' gazes gradually shifted from skepticism to conviction, and finally one of them stood up and applauded: "Miss Ye is right! We were so ignorant before. Women practicing medicine do indeed have many advantages!"
After the lecture, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy personally escorted her to the palace gate, smiling and saying, "Miss Ye, I apologize for our previous prejudice. If the Women's Medical Clinic ever needs anything in the future, the Imperial Medical Academy will certainly do its utmost to assist you!"
Ye Wanning smiled and thanked him. As she exited the palace gate, she saw Pei Zhi waiting not far away, carrying a food box. Upon seeing her, he immediately approached her with a smile and asked, "How did it go? Did anyone give you any trouble?"
"Successfully, they all approve of me." Ye Wanning smiled and took out a mint from her pocket, putting it to his lips. "See, your mint works very well."
Pei Zhi took a bite, smiled, and said, "I knew you could do it. Come on, let's go eat your favorite red bean buns to celebrate."
The early summer rain comes suddenly. One moment the sky is clear and blue, and the next moment dark clouds gather. Raindrops the size of peas pelt down one after another, hitting the green tiles of Cixi Hall with a "pat-pat" sound, like firecrackers.
Ye Wanning had just put the children to sleep when she heard a dripping sound from the roof. Looking down, she saw water leaking from the eaves, trickling down the corner of the wall, and soon a small puddle formed on the ground.
"Oh no! The roof is leaking!" Chun Tao rushed in, holding a basin to catch the water. "Miss, if this keeps leaking, the children's rooms will get wet too!"
Ye Wanning frowned and ran out to check. The rain was getting heavier, and the wind was whipping the crabapple tree in the yard, making it sway wildly. Just as she was about to find a ladder to climb onto the roof to check, a familiar voice came from outside the gate—Pei Zhi had arrived.
He was wearing a raincoat, soaked to the bone, his hair plastered to his forehead, yet his posture remained upright. "What happened? I saw the Ci'an Hall leaking on the way here, so I rushed over!"
Pei Zhi walked into the house, took off his raincoat and threw it at the door, his gaze falling on the puddle on the ground: "Where is the roof leaking?"
Chun Tao helped Ye Wanning in: "I was just trying to find a ladder to go up, but the rain is too heavy and I can't get up at all."
"I'll go up." Pei Zhi turned and walked out without saying another word. "You hand me the tiles down here. Be careful and don't stand where it's leaking."
"No! It's too dangerous with this heavy rain!" Ye Wanning quickly grabbed him. "It's not too late to fix it after the rain stops."
“We can’t wait.” Pei Zhi gently pushed her hand away, his eyelids slightly closed. “The children are still sleeping inside. If it gets into their room and wets their blankets, they’ll catch a cold. Don’t worry, I’ve repaired countless tents at the border. I can handle this.”
He said he found a ladder, leaned it against the wall, and climbed up nimbly. As soon as he reached the roof, a strong wind whipped up raindrops that lashed at him, instantly soaking his robes, which clung tightly to his body, outlining his tall and straight figure.
Ye Wanning stood at the bottom of the ladder, her heart pounding. She quickly found some new roof tiles, put them in a basket, and handed them up: "Be careful! Climb slowly!"
"I know!" Pei Zhi poked his head out, his forehead covered in mud, but he smiled brightly. "Don't stand too high, or you'll fall and get hit by a tile."
He squatted on the roof, plugging the leaks with tiles and fixing the loose ones with mortar. Raindrops streamed down his face, but he didn't care, focusing intently on repairing the roof.
Ye Wanning stood below, handing him tiles and tools every now and then, her eyes following his every move, afraid that he might make a mistake.
Half an hour later, Pei Zhi finally climbed down. He was soaked to the bone, his hair dripping wet, and his face covered in moss. He smiled sheepishly and said, "It's alright now, it shouldn't leak anymore. I'll take a closer look after the rain stops and reinforce it a bit."
Ye Wanning quickly handed him a towel and helped him wipe the rain and mud off his face: "Hurry up and wipe yourself off, don't catch a cold. I'll go make you some ginger soup."
"Hey, wait!" Pei Zhi grabbed her, his eyes shining. "Add more maltose when you make ginger soup. I want it sweet."
Ye Wanning couldn't help but laugh and nodded: "Okay, I'll add two more fried eggs for you to make up for it."
"Okay!" Pei Zhi let go of her hand, watching her retreating figure as she went into the kitchen, feeling a warm glow in his heart.
He turned to pack up the ladder and tools. Chun Tao, seeing him like this, couldn't help but tease him: "General, if the soldiers in the camp saw you like this, they would never believe that you are the majestic General who protects the country."
Pei Zhi smiled and said, "It's not shameful to fix the roof for my wife. In fact, bringing her peace of mind is more gratifying than winning a battle."
In the kitchen, Ye Wanning was simmering ginger soup. The flames danced merrily, illuminating her face, and she felt a sense of peace. She knew that no matter what happened, Pei Zhi would rush back immediately to help her resolve the situation.
Just like this sudden downpour, although it came quickly, as long as the two of them work together, there is nothing they cannot solve.
Before long, the ginger soup was ready. Ye Wanning carried the bowl out of the kitchen, where Pei Zhi had already changed into clean robes and was sitting at the table waiting. Drinking the ginger soup, a warmth spread from her throat to her heart. Pei Zhi looked at her and smiled, "Your ginger soup is still the best."
The children at Ci'an Hall have recently taken a liking to playing with rattles. Little Douzi ran around the yard with his old rattle, the "thump-thump" sound attracting many children to watch, and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Ye Wanning sat to the side watching, her eyes filled with nostalgia. She also had a rattle drum when she was a child, made by her mother, with a red drum body and a small tiger pattern, but it was lost when they moved to another house.
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