This reform proposal was exceptionally long, with small script. The emperor only read two pages, which barely constituted the beginning.
However, even from the opening, the docunt laid out several key points regarding the reform of the Imperial Hospital, its grand scale comparable to the current Imperial Academy.
Though he didn’t ticulously review the rest, the emperor skimd through with a glance and imdiately realized it was unfeasible. Implenting such reforms for the Imperial Hospital would require not just this year’s private treasury but also the next year’s—possibly even the year after.
Thus, the emperor genuinely regarded this docunt as re entertainnt, especially since it was authored by three youths who were barely thirteen or fourteen years old.
The emperor coughed lightly, set the proposal down, and said sternly, "It’s late, my dear, let us sleep."
The empress, rarely hearing this term of endearnt, couldn’t help but raise her head to look at him and asked, "Your Majesty, you wouldn’t go back on your word, would you?"
The emperor coughed again, trying to ingratiate her by holding her hand and said, "Zitong, even if we plan to establish a won’s Imperial Hospital, we must carefully deliberate. Otherwise, it would be simpler to establish another based on the existing Imperial Hospital. But judging by this proposal, it seems they intend to rebuild the Imperial Hospital altogether, even altering the current system."
The empress nodded slightly and smiled, "I was surprised when I first saw this proposal too, but I haven’t finished reading it yet. Why don’t we read through it all before making any decisions?"
Conflicted, the emperor said, "The proposal is well-written. I’ve heard these three children have even authored biographies outside the palace, which are said to be excellent. Still, writing a good literary piece does not necessarily an it fits the court setting."
The empress agreed but persisted, "Let us read it through first, and then discuss further?"
Looking at the empress’s expression, the emperor felt uneasy. He decided that the next ti Zhou Man ca to the palace to administer acupuncture, he must have a serious conversation with her.
Why couldn’t such a proposal be submitted pieceal? Why did it need to be so detailed all in one go?
And should she not have discussed it with those in authority before writing it?
Even Wei Zhi, whenever submitting a critique against him, would first show signs of displeasure as a warning to prepare him.
The emperor decided on this course of action, only to discover the next day upon visiting the Eastern Palace that Zhou Man hadn’t entered the palace that day, and her entire household had already left the capital to return to their hotown.
Having been entangled all night and now hoping Zhou Man would voluntarily retract the proposal with the empress’s help, the emperor was left feeling... defeated.
The crown prince heard his father had co and hurriedly greeted him outside the palace, bowing deeply before asking with so curiosity, "Father Emperor, what brings you here?"
Not finding the person he sought, the emperor naturally couldn’t leave right away. Casting a glance at the scenery of the Eastern Palace, he smiled faintly and said, "Just passing by, thought I’d co take a look at you."
The Eastern Palace was located east of Taiji Hall, where the emperor worked. To reach the Eastern Palace, he needed to pass the second section of Taiji Hall, descend a long set of stairs, walk through a long corridor, cross a vast empty square, and finally arrive at the gates of the Eastern Palace...
And now, he was already in the second section of the Eastern Palace.
No matter where he was "passing through," he wouldn’t pass through here—believing this claim would be foolish.
Nonetheless, the crown prince didn’t show it. Since his father was here, he extended the courtesy of showing him around.
The emperor hadn’t been a stranger to the Eastern Palace in past years but had visited less frequently in the last two. Whenever he did co by, it was largely upon hearing news of the crown prince hosting drinking bouts or getting into fights, disregarding the tutors’ advice, prompting the emperor to chastise him.
Monts like this—peacefully strolling and conversing—were exceedingly rare.
The emperor took a full tour of the Eastern Palace, nodded in satisfaction, and asked, "You haven’t been drinking lately, have you?"
"No, father," the crown prince replied. "Zhou Man said I shouldn’t drink yet."
The emperor nodded, "Doctors’ instructions must be followed. How have you been feeling as of late?"
"Thank you for your concern, Father Emperor. I’ve been feeling much better."
Feeling better was all well and good. "Now that Zhou Man has left the capital, who will continue your acupuncture treatnts?"
The crown prince replied, "For now, they’ve paused. I’ll continue once she returns."
The emperor frowned, "How can treatnt be interrupted? Are there truly no others who know her acupuncture techniques?"
Of course, others knew. Zhou Man had even suggested that Ms. Doctor Liu or Director Xiao carry on in her stead. But the crown prince still trusted her more.
Smiling, the crown prince said, "I’m not in a rush for now. She will return in a month, and for now, I only need to be treated with acupuncture once every half month, which is a significant improvent."
The emperor didn’t share his nonchalant attitude. Offspring, especially the crown prince’s, were of utmost importance. "Then she shouldn’t have left the capital. She should’ve remained in the palace until your illness was fully treated."
The crown prince replied, "Mother Empress agreed. She also said Zhou Man was young, had been away from ho for a long ti, and was yearning for her family. Surely, we couldn’t stop them from reuniting, could we?"
The emperor sighed, "Your mother’s kindness is her weakness. Fine, I’ll call Director Xiao to take a look at you. Even if acupuncture is paused, your dication cannot be discontinued."
The crown prince didn’t object. Let them examine him—that didn’t an they could dictate his treatnt.
If Zhou Man hadn’t already left the capital, the emperor might have sent soone to bring her back. He felt such irritation every ti he imagined facing the empress that evening.
The emperor began scheming discreetly—perhaps he should visit another palace tonight?
But before putting his plan into action, the empress dowager summoned him.
On his way to the concubines’ quarters, the emperor was intercepted, and shifting his plans, he adopted an air of steadiness to et the empress dowager.
The empress dowager’s health had improved significantly. Assisted by Commandery Princess Yunfeng, she took her seat at the dining table. Seeing the emperor, she smiled and beckoned him over. "It’s been so long since we dined together as mother and son. Let’s share a al tonight."
The emperor smiled warmly, stepping forward to personally serve a bowl of soup for the empress dowager.
Commandery Princess Yunfeng stood behind the empress dowager, attending to her needs. The emperor glanced at Yunfeng and smiled, "Yunfeng, sit with us as well. There’s no need to stand on ceremony among family."
The empress dowager laughed, "She’s not dining here."
Turning to Yunfeng, the empress dowager said warmly, "Go back and have dinner with your mother. I’ll chat with your imperial uncle for a while."
Commandery Princess Yunfeng responded softly, bowed, and withdrew.
Watching her retreat, the empress dowager remarked to the emperor, "Yunfeng has grown up and beco much more sensible."
The emperor nodded.
The empress dowager sighed, "She’s also grown very filial. During my illness, it was always her attending to ."
The emperor quickly said, "Mother, since you’re fond of young girls, why not have Changyu and the others co visit tomorrow to keep you company?"
The empress dowager: ...I wasn’t implying that your daughters were unfilial!
Feeling sowhat exasperated, the empress dowager directly stated, "Yunfeng is of marriageable age now. I’ve chosen a match for her—the Sun family of Weizhou. What do you think?"
The emperor maintained his composure, though inwardly wracking his brain to recall which Sun family she was referring to...
After pondering for a while, the emperor tentatively said, "If I recall correctly, the magistrate of Chenzhou, Sun Shuyuan, seems to be from Weizhou..."
The empress dowager nodded, "They’re from the sa family line. Sun Shuyuan is from the third branch, while I’ve taken a liking to the eldest grandson in the main branch. The young man is studying, and I’ve heard good things about him."
The empress dowager hadn’t known the Sun family before, but since she’d decided, she had naturally investigated thoroughly.
The emperor asked, "What’s the Sun family’s stance on this?"
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