Even when she was still struggling to make a living, Jiang Jiuniang longed to see the outside world.
In the past, modern life was boring, and there weren't many people around who cared about her. She had no interest in doing anything. Now it's different. She has many family members who care about her and treat each other well. She has started to become interested in the world and is willing to do something for it.
Yes, she not only wanted to travel, but also wanted to use her medical skills to help more people.
With her exceptional medical skills, it would be a waste if she didn't open a clinic, but her body couldn't handle seeing patients every day. So she decided to travel around as a itinerant doctor to help patients in different places and promote local medical progress.
Moreover, she had long planned to open a medical school. Before fulfilling this wish, she needed to travel around and gain a deep understanding of the situation in this era, to know what was available, what was lacking, what areas needed improvement, and what areas needed strengthening. All of this was very necessary.
"Alright, I'll go to the Emperor first thing tomorrow morning to resign from my post."
Lu Baichuan had known about her dream for a long time, and now that the court was stable, there was nothing he could do. Resigning from his post would allow him to better accompany her to give birth to the child, which seemed like a good choice no matter how you looked at it.
"Well, while the dog is still young, there's no need to rush him to take the imperial examinations. Let him read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles. Let him go out and see the good and evil of this world first. Even if he takes the imperial examinations and works for the court in the future, he will have some experience to do the job assigned by the emperor well and become a good official."
Jiang Jiuniang always felt that people who only knew how to take exams but never wanted to go out and explore were no different from armchair strategists. Before Gou'er went to the border, he also thought he was very capable. However, after going out, he grew a lot, which further proved that her parenting philosophy was correct.
"Okay, whatever you say."
Lu Baichuan had no objections to any of this; as long as he was by his side, he could go anywhere.
After reaching an agreement, the two turned off the lights and went to sleep. The next morning, after the court session, Lu Baichuan went to see the emperor alone.
What do you mean by that?
The emperor looked at the tiger tally that Lu Baichuan handed over, which was a symbol of his power. After the palace coup, the old emperor had given Lu Baichuan control of the military, and this had remained unchanged since Lu Baichuan ascended the throne. It had become a symbol of Lu Baichuan's power.
"Your Majesty, I have come to resign from my post."
Lu Baichuan remained calm and composed, showing no sign of pretense.
He continued, “Now that the situation is settled and there is no major threat, the Tiger Tally should be returned to the Emperor. Moreover, I have not spent enough time with my wife and children during these years away from home. I would like to resign and take my wife and children out for a walk to see how the people around us are doing, and also to give my son a chance to broaden his horizons.”
He explained the reason clearly, not wanting the emperor to misunderstand.
Although the emperor's previous probing was indeed heartbreaking, he didn't have to be so dramatic as to make everyone aware of it. Besides, the other party was the emperor, and he was the subject. To put it nicely, both the emperor's favor and the emperor's grace were acts of kindness. As a subject, how could he have the right to blame the emperor?
But the emperor was still sensitive and felt that Lu Baichuan was just sulking because of that incident, but as the emperor, he had to maintain his image.
However, while it didn't warrant an apology, he still brought it up: "Are you still angry with me about what happened at the victory banquet?"
When the emperor said this, he was very unhappy, but he knew that he had caused this unhappiness and could not let it out. He could only force himself to suppress it, and his face turned red with anger.
"Your Majesty, I would not dare. You have misunderstood."
Lu Baichuan naturally wouldn't admit it. To increase his credibility, he could only say, "It is Jiu Niang who is pregnant. I was not by her side when she was pregnant with Gou'er. This time, I want to make up for it as much as possible, so I would like to ask Your Majesty for permission to resign and spend some time with her."
"Your wife is pregnant?"
The emperor was taken aback, feeling somewhat surprised. After all, the two had been reunited for many years and had a very good relationship, but there was still no news about Jiang Jiuniang's pregnancy. Not to mention the Lu family, even outsiders like him and the empress were worried about them.
I'm really happy for them now that I've suddenly heard they're pregnant.
"That's right. I really want to stay home with my wife and children. Now that the country is peaceful and prosperous, there is no need for me. But if there is a day when I am needed, I will definitely come back to report."
If the country is truly in trouble, he would never stand idly by. It would be better to tell the emperor now, so that he doesn't have to worry about it all day.
The emperor's expression softened slightly, but he still said, "Now is the time to discuss surrender with the Eastern Court. The people of the Eastern Court have not yet left the capital. If they find out that you have resigned, who knows what they will think. Let's wait until this period is over."
Lu Baichuan thought for a moment and said, "Yes."
Actually, he had thought of this before he came. The emperor wouldn't agree easily, so he would give the emperor some buffer time. Anyway, the fetus is still unstable, and it will be two or three months before he leaves. That time will be enough for the emperor to recover.
Seeing how readily he agreed, the emperor was stunned for a moment before realizing that he had been tricked, and he was so angry that he wanted to roll his eyes.
"You, Lu Baichuan, you've even tried to scheme against me!"
He pretended to be angry, but he was smiling.
Lu Baichuan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not. However, Jiu Niang's pregnancy is not yet stable, so she cannot travel for the time being. Therefore, I have decided to wait until the pregnancy is more stable before we set off."
Why would you do this?
The emperor frowned, looking disapproving.
"If you're pregnant, just stay home and rest. Why suffer like this?"
Lu Baichuan smiled nonchalantly, "If she wants to go, I'll accompany her. She's a doctor, she knows her own health condition, she'll be fine."
"Alright, then you should go back and keep her company. Also, bring her some nourishing food so she can recover and suffer less when she goes out."
The emperor admired Jiang Jiuniang to some extent. After all, when the empress was pregnant, she was easily fatigued, and Jiang Jiuniang still wanted to go out sightseeing at that time. Wasn't she just asking for trouble?
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Lu Baichuan thanked the emperor and then returned to the general's mansion with a basket of good things.
Jiang Jiuniang asked expectantly, "Well, did the Emperor agree?"
"No."
Lu Baichuan shook his head and said, "But it should be fine. He said to get the Dongting people out of here first."
Jiang Jiuniang rolled her eyes: "Are you trying to dump the negotiation on me again?"
Originally, this matter should have been Lu Baichuan's responsibility, but after the celebration banquet, Lu Baichuan made an excuse to decline it, and arranged for someone else to do it during this period.
Now the emperor is using this as an excuse to push the blame onto Lu Baichuan again. What a scoundrel.
"Um."
Lu Baichuan nodded, not thinking anything of it. He placed a bunch of things he had brought out of the palace in front of Jiang Jiuniang, and her eyes lit up instantly.
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