After being punished, Yan Nangui was able to continue her postpartum confinement in peace.
The next day, news arrived that three imperial physicians—Qi, Jiang, and Ma—had been dismissed from their posts at the Imperial Medical Academy, with Qi to be executed immediately. Their families were imprisoned, their property confiscated, and their descendants banned from practicing medicine.
The imperial edict stated that Physician Qi was unethical, sought personal gain, and plotted to harm the Imperial Concubine and the Prince.
Physician Jiang and Physician Ma were exiled three thousand miles away, and their descendants were forbidden from holding official positions or practicing medicine.
Physician Qi and Physician Hu were dismissed from their posts and investigated.
In addition, some apprentices and eunuchs were also driven out.
The Imperial Medical Academy was short-staffed, so it naturally needed to recruit new staff. And since becoming an imperial physician wasn't easy, there was a requirement to pass an exam.
Jiang Xiang told Yan Nangui these words, and Yan Nangui smiled and said, "The corrupt practices in the Imperial Medical Academy really need to be eradicated. How many things have been ruined by them over the years? For doctors to act so recklessly, they deserve to die."
"Yes, that Physician Qi was the one who took care of Consort Jing back then."
Yan Nangui nodded: "Once the new batch of imperial physicians enters the palace, we should also get some useful medical advice. I don't need imperial physicians to harm others, but at least I need to protect myself."
"Yes, the young imperial physicians are all inexperienced when they first enter the palace, and they need to endure hardship. If you can cure their illnesses, they will be willing to help." Without support, it is difficult to get ahead.
In the field of imperial physicians, seniority is even more important.
When the Empress Dowager heard about this, she was devastated. Physician Qi had been her servant for decades.
She was naturally unhappy about being suddenly sentenced to beheading.
She was unhappy, but she didn't dare to stop him directly, since the emperor had openly stated that he was plotting to harm the imperial concubine.
Should I take his place if he doesn't die?
"He didn't seem to dote on her much when she was alive, but now that she's gone, he's suddenly become so enthusiastic," the Empress Dowager said angrily.
“Your Majesty, there is always some affection between us.” Granny Fei sighed, “It’s not just for Consort Duanyi Jing, there are other things too. In recent years, the imperial physicians have indeed needed to be reformed. So many problems have occurred in the Imperial Hospital.”
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, somewhat annoyed: "No need to talk about this. How is the Huo family's pregnancy?"
"Your Majesty, she is fine. She should give birth in March of next year. The imperial physicians haven't been able to tell yet, but they should be able to in about a month."
"With the Empress in her current state, only Consort Xiangxian and Consort Chenhui hold significant power among the first-rank officials. I cannot simply ignore this situation. I must support a few others. One of them has no children, and the other only has a daughter; naturally, they cannot be controlled," the Empress Dowager said.
“Yes, there will definitely be someone to be promoted to the first rank. But… you have your eye on Consort Huo? With Consort Ning and Consort Ke ahead of her, I’m afraid it’s impossible for her to be promoted to such a high rank all at once,” said Granny Fei.
The Empress Dowager remained silent, but her thoughts were unclear.
She wants to find two new people who are similar to her if there are new hires next year.
I don't expect anything in return, at least they're my people.
She is increasingly losing control and is filled with anxiety.
It's impossible to stay there peacefully.
Shu Chengfeng still frequently visits Zhaochun Palace recently, while Yan Nangui has not yet served the emperor.
However, the emperor still came. The seventh princess changed a little every day, but neither her parents could tell.
I just suddenly realized that this little girl has gotten a bit chubby again.
Even if His Majesty were blind, he couldn't say that this child resembled a wild goose returning south.
Those eyes really are exactly the same as his.
On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, Shu Chengfeng went to Ruining Palace to pay his respects.
The Empress Dowager then brought up the pregnancies of Consort Huo and Consort Lu.
"I have also consulted the imperial physicians. Both of their pregnancies are stable. Consort Huo's pregnancy is definitely a boy. It would be better to have more princes."
Shu Chengfeng nodded: "Mother is right."
"Well, you should go to Guiyun Pavilion whenever you have time. Consort Huo is resting during her pregnancy, and Consort Song is also at Guiyun Pavilion; she also gave birth to the Fifth Princess," the Empress Dowager said.
"It has been several years since Consort Song gave birth to the Fifth Princess, and she really cannot continue to live in Guiyun Pavilion. It was my oversight. Consort Xiangxian, please find her a place to move out as soon as possible. Consort Huo is also about to give birth, and her living space will be too cramped in the future."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will take care of it in a moment," said Consort Xiangxian.
"Your Majesty, I thank you!" Song Lingyi was naturally happy. She could live by herself, so of course she wouldn't let her live with others.
"Your Majesty! Even if it's a relocation, it should be Consort Huo who's moving, not Song Lingyi who's being asked to move first!" the Empress Dowager said angrily.
"Your Majesty, Consort Huo is pregnant, so it's naturally inconvenient for her to move. If she wants to move, it can only be done after she gives birth," said Consort Xiangxian.
"Yes, although the Empress Dowager feels sorry for Consort Huo, it's not good for her to move while she's pregnant," Consort Ke added with a smile.
"I am very grateful for Your Majesty's kindness. However, Guiyun Pavilion is also very nice. I have lived here for many years and have gotten used to it." Consort Huo hurriedly stood up and said.
She understood His Majesty's meaning, but the Empress Dowager's aggressive manner made things difficult for her.
She's lost her mind and sided with the Empress Dowager...
"Enough. I won't concern myself with your affairs anymore. Let's leave it at that for today." The Empress Dowager said no more.
Shu Chengfeng stood up: "Your subject takes his leave."
His expression didn't change much, but everyone knew he was unhappy.
Lu Baolin didn't dare to utter a sound.
After returning, Consort Xiangxian laughed and said, "The Empress Dowager was able to trick even Consort Jing, so Consort Huo must be regretting it now. It would be strange if His Majesty promoted her."
“It’s unfair that she’s still a concubine after giving birth. At least the Huo family has military power,” Lingjiao said.
"Perhaps we'll give her a title," said Consort Xiangxian.
“That’s true. So many years have passed, and she hasn’t even received a title.” Lingjiao shook her head. “These days, I’ve been thinking that our Emperor’s temperament is actually quite easy to understand; you just have to go along with him. Look at Consort Rong, who came from the Jiang family and I thought she had no future. But it turns out she also has a son.”
"Although she is not favored, His Majesty still occasionally visits her for a night. He still bestows upon her generous rewards. But look at Consort Huo, she really never gets to see His Majesty."
Consort Xiangxian smiled: "Yes, that's why you say that even though Consort Chenhui is formidable, she's actually quite clever. Although she's ruthless to everyone, she always obeys His Majesty."
"From now on, we'll just have to see what the Empress Dowager does. Even if Consort Huo is favored, so what? The Huo family has military power; they can't let the Ye family win them over," Lingjiao said.
"Who knows? Let's wait and see. Perhaps the Empress Dowager will get her wish in the future." Consort Xiangxian smiled.
"Let Song Lingyi move to Feihong Pavilion; it's been empty for a long time. Perhaps she'll be promoted," said Consort Xiangxian.
"Yes, this servant will go and deliver the message right away. There's no need to make any special arrangements for Fei Hongxuan."
She wasn't really concerned; it was basically just something said in the heat of the moment, and His Majesty did it on purpose, so whether she was staying comfortably or not wouldn't matter to him.
Let's just make do with this place.
However, no matter how it was arranged, Song Lingyi was very happy.
It's always a joyous occasion to be able to move out with your children.
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