The Emperor inquired about Yang Heshu’s opinion.
Yang Heshu promptly requested to stay in Xiazhou, expressing that he didn’t bring his family to the capital because he was worried about the affairs in Xiazhou.
The Emperor sighed, instructed Yang Heshu to leave the palace, and in the evening issued a decree reprimanding Yang Heshu for insubordination and detaining his superior, penalizing him three months’ salary.
anwhile, the Ministry of Personnel was preparing docunts for his promotion to Prefect of Xiazhou.
This matter was no secret; even the Crown Princess’s place had attendants lightheartedly talking about it, "This is an apparent demotion but real promotion. People outside are saying the Yang Family is rising again."
The Crown Princess smiled and waved the attendants away, speaking to the three of Manbao, "It’s not that simple. I heard from the Crown Prince that Xiazhou’s situation isn’t good now."
Changyu looked worried, "Then why is Lord Yang still going?"
Manbao said, "Precisely because it’s not good, he needs to go."
She continued, "No one understands what Xiazhou was like before better than him. Now that Xiazhou is in such a state, he can’t simply walk away."
Manbao was confident in Yang Heshu, smiling, "Don’t worry about it. Since Yang Scholarly Senior managed to safely navigate this court issue, Xiazhou will be a breeze."
Manbao glanced at the sun outside, stood up, and took her leave, "Your Highness, it’s getting late, I must leave the palace and return ho."
The Crown Princess also glanced at the sun’s position and nodded, "Go ahead. You just got back; you should spend ti with your family."
Mingda imdiately stood up to follow, "Sister-in-law, I will see her off."
Changyu also stood up imdiately, "I’ll go too."
So the two of them accompanied Manbao leisurely towards the East Palace gate, with Mingda asking her, "Last month you submitted a morial saying that there is a thod to prevent smallpox in the Western Regions called vaccination?"
"Yes," Manbao replied, "I want to look into it."
Mingda was quite envious, "I heard Father and Mother ntioned it occasionally, saying if this thod can be found, it would be a ritorious deed."
It ant the Emperor was inclined to agree with Zhou Man going to the Western Regions.
Manbao’s spirit lifted, "Did His Majesty really say that?"
Mingda nodded, "Father sent a letter to inquire with the Protectorate of Anxi after receiving the morial, to see if they have such a thod. However, Anxi is far from the capital, so even if everything goes smoothly, it will take two to three months for the letter to return, let alone the possibility of Anxi Protectorate having to investigate first."
Since it’s not urgent, the courier would naturally take his ti, taking over a month going and a month returning, hence two to three months.
Relieved, Manbao considered she might not need such a long holiday and thought about discussing the vaccination issue with Imperial Doctor Liu and Doctor Xiao tomorrow instead.
Yes, tomorrow Imperial Doctor Liu is on duty, let’s look for Doctor Xiao.
"By the way, I heard today in the Imperial Hospital that Doctor Xiao, credited for his contributions to epidemic prevention, might be restored to his original position?"
Mingda laughed, "If you were to ask about other positions, I might not know, but I do know this one. Doctor Xiao is indeed going to be restored to his original position."
She continued, "Early in the year, the capital was also dangerous. Soone secretly sneaked into the capital seeking dical help, and it was Doctor Xiao who helped County Magistrate Tang and County Magistrate Guo find them all."
It wasn’t simply about finding them; the capital’s situation at the ti was hardly better than Xiazhou’s, with no one knowing exactly how many smallpox patients had hidden in the capital and whom they had contacted.
With the capital being populous, it was Doctor Xiao who forcefully advocated isolating anyone who might have co into contact with smallpox patients and their belongings, keeping them isolated one by one, treating them one by one...
Furthermore, Xiazhou and other places needed his assistance with procuring dicinal herbs and fabrics, which were managed by the Ministry of Revenue, and after reviewing matters, the Emperor acknowledged that while Imperial Doctor Liu was skilled in dicine, Doctor Xiao excelled in managing such affairs.
Moreover, Doctor Xiao’s dical skills were quite good, so the Emperor decided to promote Doctor Xiao again.
Mingda said, "The decree hasn’t been issued yet, but it’s almost certain."
Changyu said, "I ntioned before, you have also made great contributions this ti. When you return from Xiazhou, can you vie for the position of Institute Director? Who knew you intended to go to the Western Regions? Alas, it’s so far and desolate, and I heard there are many horse thieves."
Manbao replied, "Even if I don’t go to the Western Regions, I wouldn’t be eligible to be Institute Director. Not to ntion Imperial Doctor Liu, I still have Imperial Doctor Lu above , who has more seniority."
Mingda curiously asked her, "Do you want to be Institute Director?"
Manbao replied, "Not now."
It was not now, rather than not ever.
Mingda understood, smiled slightly, and nodded, "I get it."
They accompanied her to the palace gate, where the three of them stood talking, "You can’t go to the Western Regions alone; have you thought about who to ask from the court to accompany you?"
Manbao said, "I have my two junior brothers."
She chuckled, "Your Prince Consort will also go with us, and we’ll often write back to you."
Mingda blushed a little, "You know I’m not referring to him. You’re all too young to handle such a big matter alone. Father will definitely have soone from the Honglu Temple accompany you."
This suggested that they should start looking for soone from the Honglu Temple soon.
Manbao thought about it, then lowered her voice, "Could I ask my teacher to go to the Honglu Temple first, and then have him take us there?"
This way, they’d all be their own people, and since they’re supposed to be on a study tour and searching for teorites, having their own people would make things smoother, wouldn’t it?
Mingda pondered and also lowered her voice in reply, "It’s not impossible, but you’d need to ask the Crown Prince Brother for help; Father won’t indulge you."
Still, it’s not difficult for the Crown Prince to assign Assistant Lecturers from the Chongwen Pavilion to the Honglu Temple.
Manbao thought about it, "Is the Crown Prince in a good mood lately?"
Changyu couldn’t help but laugh, "You sound like a villainous character in a storybook when you say that."
Manbao: ...
Mingda also laughed and said to her, "I wouldn’t say it’s good or bad. Now that spring has arrived, he’s busy. I haven’t seen him for almost half a month."
"Alright, I’ll go back and think of a way."
Manbao hadn’t experienced asking soone to do such a thing, particularly asking the superior of a superior, so she planned to ask for guidance from a teacher with a wealth of life experiences when she got back.
Or perhaps she should consult with Scholarly Senior Yang and Senior Brother Tang tomorrow?
After all, they’ll visit Scholarly Senior Yang tomorrow.
At the Yang Family, it was bustling with activity, clearly indicating that the Emperor’s esteem for Yang Heshu in the capital wasn’t a secret.
As Manbao and their carriage arrived at the side entrance, it was guided inside, with the servant placing their carriage separately in a corner of the courtyard, smiling, "Miss Man, Young Master Bai, Young Master Bai Er, Old Master Tang has arrived, and is currently talking with our Lord in the study at the back."
A maid led them over, and as they passed the side entrance of the main courtyard, they could hear the lively voices inside. Manbao asked with a smile, "How co there are so many guests at ho?"
The maid replied with a smile, "The Lord has returned safely, and friends and family are visiting."
Only a few could personally et with Yang Heshu, and most of the visitors were won, gathered in the main courtyard with the Marquess.
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