Chapter 48 The Minister and His Wife
The main hall of the Lin residence.
"The third day of next month? The date chosen by the young lady?"
Madam Lin clutched the invitation that had just been delivered: "Quickly! Summon all the managers! Also, go to the accounting office and get the money! Make sure this banquet is a success!"
This banquet marked the beginning of the Lin family's rise to power.
Xie Sangning had specifically instructed that nothing should be neglected!
In Ruixue Tower, Xie Sangning was in his study, with Yin Bai by his side.
She was already looking forward to how the emperor would react when he had schemed and plotted to get her into the palace, only to find that the person who came was Xie Nu'er.
Shock? Furious?
The mere thought of that scene made Xie Sangning feel incredibly comfortable.
Yin Bai slumped in the large armchair, looking like a lump of mud with its bones removed.
His skin was already fair, and now there were two dark circles under his eyes. Coupled with his lifeless expression, he looked exactly like a completely drained laborer.
He let out a huge, unladylike yawn, his voice hoarse as he accused, "Young Miss... you really make the most of everything, sucking the marrow from the bones!"
"Three days! A full three days! My throat is parched! My legs are about to break! This isn't hiring a miracle doctor, it's like you've grabbed a free laborer and are using him to death!"
Xie Sangning didn't even lift her eyelids, focusing intently on marking and annotating a roster.
That list contained the names, hometowns, teachers, and even the personalities and strengths of more than twenty students from impoverished backgrounds under her tutelage.
Yin Bai glanced at the densely packed names, his eyes darted around, and suddenly leaned closer, lowering his voice with a hint of urging.
"Hey, Miss... how about you get me an official title too?"
"Since I'm just idling around anyway, why don't I try taking the imperial examination for fun? With my brains, I might not be able to get into the top three, but I can at least get a Jinshi degree, right? Then you can just put me in a position in any lowly government office..."
Yin Bai rubbed his hands together, looking expectant.
"Oh."
Xie Sangning finally looked up from the roster and looked at Yin Bai: "If you take the exam, no matter what you answer on the paper, the one on the dragon throne in the Golden Hall will only do one thing."
She paused for a moment: "Immediately issue an imperial decree appointing you as the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, granting you a first-rank salary, and granting you residence in the Imperial Medical Academy's office. Lock you firmly within those square palace walls, exclusively at the emperor's beck and call."
The mischievous glint in Yin Bai's eyes froze instantly, then his face fell. He pouted and muttered under his breath, "Tch... This is so boring! I'd rather continue doing your hard labor..."
The carriage of Minister of Personnel Chen Yi and his wife Chen arrived at the General's Mansion just as dawn was breaking.
The couple's expressions betrayed their barely concealed excitement, yet also the anxiety of a sleepless night, with faint redness in their eyes.
Chen Yi was dressed impeccably in his official robes, but his fingers trembled slightly as he helped his wife out of the carriage.
They had already heard the news that the legendary physician Yin Bai had been invited to the mansion by Miss Xie to provide free medical treatment!
Chen Baoqian, the only son, has been bedridden for a long time. He has been visiting famous doctors with great effort, but even the imperial physicians in the palace have shaken their heads in despair, concluding that he is just going through the motions.
These past few days, the couple has been extremely anxious at home, like ants on a hot pan, worrying about how to get in touch with the General's Mansion and shamelessly ask to see the legendary miracle doctor.
I never expected this!
The invitation from the General's Mansion was actually delivered to them on its own initiative!
It was Miss Xie who personally extended the invitation!
This is truly a miraculous escape from a desperate situation!
Last night, almost no one in the Chen household slept soundly.
Chen checked the gifts she had brought over and over again, while Chen Yi paced back and forth in his study until late at night, pondering how to begin and how to express his sincerity.
How could we possibly persuade that eccentric and eccentric doctor to condescend to take a look at their poor, only son, who was being tormented by illness and barely clinging to life?
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Chen Yi took a deep breath of the cool morning air, suppressing the turmoil in his heart.
He turned slightly to the side, his voice trembling with a barely perceptible sob, and whispered to his wife, "No matter what, we... must find a glimmer of hope for Qian'er!"
Madam Chen gripped the brocade box tightly in her hand, her knuckles turning white, tears welling in her eyes, and nodded heavily.
The two of them walked hand in hand and solemnly stepped onto the high steps of the General's Mansion.
In the main hall of the General Zhenguo's Mansion, Xie Sangning and Yin Bai were already seated in the main seats.
As soon as Mr. and Mrs. Chen entered the door, they knelt heavily on the ground.
"Ouch!"
Yin Bai, who was originally drowsy, was startled by the sudden commotion and almost jumped out of his chair!
He patted his chest, still shaken, staring wide-eyed at the two kneeling figures on the ground, muttering, "Oh my... what... what's going on here? Such an extravagant gift?"
He subconsciously looked at Xie Sangning, only to see that the other party had an indifferent expression, clearly having expected this.
Chen Yi kowtowed deeply, his forehead pressed against the cold ground, his voice trembling and choked with sobs: "Please, Miss Xie, have mercy! Please, Mr. Yin Bai, save my son! My son Baoqian... his life hangs by a thread, and the Imperial Hospital is helpless!"
"Only you, sir... only you, sir, have a glimmer of hope! Please, sir, have mercy!"
Chen, standing behind him, was sobbing uncontrollably, her shoulders heaving violently, only able to utter muffled sobs.
Xie Sangning didn't speak immediately, but simply picked up the teacup and gently skimmed off the foam with the lid.
After a moment, she slowly put down her teacup: "Minister Chen, Madam Chen, please rise and speak."
The Chen couple dared not get up, but simply raised their heads, their eyes filled with pleading.
Xie Sangning took out a plain note from his sleeve and handed it to Minister Chen through Yin Bai.
Unfold the plain paper, and more than twenty names are clearly written on it.
"Regarding your son's illness, Yin Bai will accompany you to the Minister's residence."
The eyes of Chen Yi and his wife instantly lit up with wild joy!
"However, I also have a matter that requires Minister Chen's permission."
Chen Yi hurriedly said, "Please speak freely, Miss! As long as my son can live, I will gladly die for him..."
Xie Sangning raised her hand to stop his declaration of loyalty: "There's no need to be willing to be crushed to pieces. This list contains over twenty students whom I have carefully nurtured. The imperial examinations are just around the corner."
She paused slightly: "If any of them are able to pass the imperial examination with flying colors, I hope that Minister Chen will consider this matter and give them a place... where their future is secure."
Chen Yi's gaze swept quickly across the list. Twenty-three names!
His heart sank!
But at this moment, his son's life hangs by a thread, and this is their only hope!
His mind raced: How difficult is the imperial examination for selecting officials? Could all twenty-three of them possibly pass?
Even if one or two people are lucky enough to pass the imperial examination, with his power as Minister of Personnel, what difficulty would it be for him to arrange a good position for them?
This price is insignificant compared to the loss of his son's life!
Almost instantly, Chen Yi made his decision.
He replied resolutely, "Don't worry, Miss! Leave this to me! I guarantee with my life that if any of the talented young men on the list pass the exam, I will do everything in my power to secure a stable and promising future for them! I will not dare to be negligent in the slightest!"
"Very good." Xie Sangning finally smiled.
Chen Yi carefully tucked the list into his pocket, as if it were not just a list, but his son's lifeline.
Xie Sangning said no more, turning his gaze to Yin Bai: "Alright, stop pretending to be dead. Go with Minister Chen."
Yin Bai pouted, slowly climbed up from the chair, stretched lazily, and muttered, "Sigh, I just sat down for a little while... What a miserable life... So troublesome..."
Mr. and Mrs. Chen dared not delay any longer. Chen Yi personally bowed and led the way, his posture extremely humble: "This way, sir! The carriage is ready outside the mansion! Please come in, sir!"
Yin Bai yawned and lazily followed behind Chen Yi and his wife, heading towards the door.
Now that the situation is settled, it's up to my twenty-odd students to see how they perform.
I believe they won't let me down.
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