Now that Yuan Lang has ascended to the throne, with a new emperor co new officials; the Empress Dowager, a wise woman, proactively extricated herself from a delicate situation ahead of others.
While matters of the harem might be easier to deal with, those of the previous court are far more perilous.
"Minister Yan has left," after a mont, the Emperor finally spoke, "With the Privy Council now headless, the crafty and nefarious are stirring within the court. Your return is tily, for I can use your eyes to root out every hidden stake in the court."
Pei Yunng barely smiled, "Your Majesty, that is the responsibility of the Departnt of Imperial City, not the Palace Front Office."
"Are you implying that the salary I provided was insufficient?" Yuan Lang said with a smile, "Wait until you’re married; I’ll convert another portion of your salary into a gift of money and send it to your residence."
"Then I shall thank Your Majesty in advance."
The Emperor chuckled and his gaze fell on the person before him, seemingly reminded of sothing, and suddenly he sighed softly.
"When the forr Emperor was alive, I heard him instruct my brother, ’The ruler is the head, the ministers the arms. United in spirit, they form one body. A body is incomplete without its limbs; else, no man is whole. Thus, though the head is sovereign, it must rely on arms and legs for completion; although the ruler is wise, he must lean on his arms for governance. To disregard these limbs and rely solely on one’s chest and heart, to think this integrates the body, is unheard of.’
"Although the great situation is now settled, the world is so vast, the people so nurous, and the issues so complex, that whenever I think of them, I often feel like I’m walking on thin ice."
He looked at Pei Yunng.
"To , you are that ’arm.’
"Pei Yunng, I don’t care what plans you have for later, but at least for now, steel yourself. I need you."
Pei Yunng bowed his head.
"Your Majesty’s concern, trusting in the wise and benefiting the people, will make the kingdom ever more radiant. I am willing to follow Your Majesty, to be Your Majesty’s eyes."
"Rember, those are your own words."
Pei Yunng hesitated slightly, "Just don’t forget the accompanying gift."
Yuan Lang laughed, feigned throwing a paperweight, playfully scolded, "Moral excellence! Go and win over your beloved first!"
...
The "beloved" of Pei Yunng was currently returning to the Hanlin dical Institute with a group of dical officers.
The dical officers returning from Su Nan were greeted with warmth by the Hanlin dical Institute.
Managing a major epidemic was hazardous, and often thankless work. So behind their backs cursed them as fools, others pitied their misfortune, still others were just relieved the miserable task had not fallen to them, but when the dical officers returned to Shengjing unscathed, it certainly inspired admiration.
Lin Danqing was about to take Lu Tong back to their lodgings for so rest, but Lu Tong approached Chang Jin, "Chief Physician, I have sothing to discuss with you."
Chang Jin was taken aback, thinking she was going to discuss the matter of the dicine man, dismissed everyone around, and said, "Let’s talk inside."
Lu Tong followed Chang Jin into the room.
As soon as they entered, Chang Jin sat down at the table.
"Doctor Lu," he said, "as soon as I returned, I sent soone to the Imperial Apothecary to give notice. I’ll have a few dicinal ingredients exchanged for you."
"The Imperial Apothecary and the dical Officer Institute had so tensions in the past, and this task wouldn’t normally be so easy, but thanks to the incident with Hong Fangxu, their envoy is quite impressed with you. Hearing that you were sick, they did not make it difficult for us and went to fetch the prescription right away. With the new dicines, it will be even more convenient to take care of your health."
Seeing that Lu Tong remained silent, he hastily added, "Rest assured, I did not ntion the matter of the dicine man, only that your old ailnt had flared up."
Lu Tong nodded, "Thank you, Chief Physician."
"What’s there to thank for," Chang Jin continued, "Your trip to Su Nan yielded results with Golden Qin, which proved essential. I’ve included this in the official report. Once the Official Examiner’s assessnt elevates you three grades, with a bit more effort, it won’t be long before you can beco an Imperial Physician..."
He spoke with enthusiasm but was interrupted by Lu Tong, "Chief Physician."
"What is it?"
"I would like to resign from my post as a Hanlin dical Officer."
Chang Jin was stunned.
"Doctor Lu," he frowned, "why would you bring this up out of the blue?"
Lu Tong nodded, "You know about my illness, Chief Physician. The dical Officer Institute is overwheld with work, busying until late into the night, which does no good in healing. I want to go back to West Street and focus on recuperating for a while."
"But there’s no need to resign," Chang Jin said reflexively, trying to retain her, "Just rest up for a while. I will grant you leave for ten days."
"How long will you grant leave, Chief Physician? Ten days, fifteen days, a month?"
Lu Tong smiled, "You are well aware that my illness won’t heal overnight."
"But still..."
Chang Jin looked at her, struggling within.
Lu Tong was a promising talent.
Ranked first on the spring exam red list, and notably gifted in dicine, she stood out undisputedly among the younger dics at the Hanlin dical Institute. Such a promising individual leaving the institute was undeniably regrettable.
Yet he knew Lu Tong was right.
The life of a dical officer was arduous, with constant duties and frequent all-nighters, which were detrintal to Lu Tong’s health. Although he valued talent, he also empathized with her past years as a dicine man.
"Chief Physician," Lu Tong looked at him, her tone calm, "I have been a doctor for many years, and having faced life and death, I have let go of many things. The dical Officer Institute is not suitable for , please allow this selfish request, to return to West Street and live the life I desire."
Chang Jin was montarily stunned.
The woman before him wore her dical officer’s robe loosely, her features beautiful and open, and he was reminded of the day in Su Nan, when she lay on her bed with closed eyes, pale and frail.
He wanted to persuade her further, but the words stuck in his throat and he couldn’t say a thing.
After a while, Chang Jin sighed.
"Let think about it."
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