ebookland Chapter 141 Poor Man
Chapter 141 Poor Man
Zhen Huan ignored her expression and continued, "Your Highness always talks about palace rules and etiquette, but don't you know what the sages said? If a person is not kind, what is the use of etiquette? If a person is not kind, what is the use of music?"
Although Nian Shilan had little knowledge of poetry and literature, she knew that Zhen Huan was saying that she was reckless and unkind, but she didn't know how to defend herself. She could only turn her accusation towards Shen Meizhuang and said sneerily, "I heard that Concubine Hui gave birth to an auspicious child. It is truly a cause for celebration. Concubine Hui is blessed with great fortune. This child will surely become rich and powerful in the future!"
Although it was a congratulatory message, it made people feel very uncomfortable. It was a subtle way of reminding the emperor that the Sixth Prince might have the intention of seizing the throne in the future, which made the emperor deeply suspicious.
Yongzheng couldn't help but frown. As an emperor, and someone who had experienced the nine princes competing for the throne, he was the most sensitive and suspicious about this kind of thing!
Shen Meizhuang understood what she meant and immediately retorted, "Oh, the Emperor and Empress went out of the palace to pray for rain, their piety was so profound that Heaven was moved and sent down a rain. This is Heaven's blessing on our Great Qing, bringing prosperity and peace to the country and the people. The Sixth Prince was born during this rain, which is only double the joy! Moreover, if it weren't for the Imperial Concubine, the Sixth Prince would never have encountered such a good time. I will always be grateful for the Imperial Concubine's kindness!"
This flattery made Yongzheng feel extremely comfortable and immediately dispelled his suspicions.
"I thought Concubine Wan was very articulate, but I didn't expect Concubine Hui to be no less eloquent!"
"I am not good at speaking, and I am only willing to say a few words when I meet Your Majesty!"
Yongzheng watched the two women quarreling with great interest. He didn't expect that the usually dignified and calm Concubine Hui would have such a sharp-tongued side, which made Nian Shilan's face turn red.
Yongzheng didn't want others to talk about his new son. Seeing that the two of them had almost finished their conversation, he stepped out to smooth things over. "Hui Fei is still in the middle of her month, so let's skip these customary rituals if possible!"
These words were obviously biased towards Concubine Hui, and Nian Shilan shut her mouth in hatred!
Seeing that she had stopped talking, Shen Meizhuang finally got down to business. "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Wen and I have searched through ancient books and discovered a method that may be able to heal Rong'er's injury. We implore Your Majesty to allow the Imperial Hospital to experiment with this method!"
Yongzheng asked curiously, "What method?"
Wen Shichu stepped forward and knelt on the ground. "Ms. Wen's wound is festering because bacteria are growing in the wound. I want to extract a liquid that can kill bacteria from the Penicillium mold on the moldy oranges."
This left Yongzheng confused.
Shen Meizhuang didn't want to explain too much, because even if she explained, you wouldn't understand anyway. "Your Majesty, Rong'er's time is running out. Please order the Imperial Hospital to fully cooperate!"
Zhen Huan also echoed the plea.
Yongzheng had never heard of any bacteria being extracted from moldy oranges, and he didn't hold much hope for this method. However, since Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang had come to ask for help, as long as it didn't require him to punish Nian Shilan, he could agree to anything else.
"Okay, Wen Shichu, go and try developing it!"
Shen Meizhuang was a little anxious. The emperor's tone clearly showed that he didn't take the matter seriously. "Your Majesty, this method is quite difficult. Please send more people!"
Nian Shilan seized the opportunity and said disdainfully, "The epidemic outside the palace has not yet been eradicated, and the Imperial Hospital is understaffed. How can we waste the Imperial Hospital's resources for a mere noble? Concubine Hui, you must put the overall situation first!"
Why are you everywhere?
Yongzheng also somewhat agreed with Nian Shilan's words.
Shen Meizhuang sneered and said, "The overall situation? When Wanpin went to pay her respects that day, Her Majesty ordered a punishment. The concubines pleaded for mercy, but Her Majesty remained unmoved. Why didn't Her Majesty prioritize the overall situation then? Now that Concubine Wen is seriously injured by Her Majesty and in imminent danger, Her Majesty has brought up the overall situation. It seems that the overall situation is all empty talk by Her Majesty!"
"Noble Wen has committed insubordination. It is only natural for me to punish you!"
"Insubordination? Your Majesty is treating things unfairly, and the concubines can't express their opinions? Does Your Majesty want to have the final say?"
Seeing that Nian Shilan remained silent, Shen Meizhuang continued, "It was Your Majesty who first ordered Concubine Wen to be caned that day, and only then did she call out Your Majesty's maiden name. Your Majesty must understand the whole story and not mislead the Emperor!"
"She falsely conveyed the imperial edict..."
Shen Meizhuang interrupted her and asked sternly, "Isn't the emperor's oral order considered an imperial decree?"
Anyway, the emperor has already said that he has given an oral order to Rong'er, and the blame for forging the imperial edict cannot be put on her.
Seeing that her defense was failing, Nian Shilan changed her tone and said, "The Emperor has already dealt with the matter that day. Is Concubine Hui dissatisfied with the Emperor's decision?"
"I naturally dare not interfere with the emperor's decision, but I don't want the emperor to be deceived!"
Yongzheng sent people to carefully investigate what happened that day. Concubine Hua did mislead him, but the imperial edict had already been issued, and he did not want to cause any more trouble.
Seeing that Nian Shilan stopped talking, Zhen Huan quickly brought the topic back to where it had gone off track.
"Your Majesty!" Zhen Huan said, "Your Majesty, if this medicine is successfully developed, it will be able to cure carbuncles, as well as knife wounds, sword wounds, and gunshot wounds. Please consider it carefully!"
This time, Yongzheng quickly understood what Zhen Huan meant, his eyes brightening, "Are you serious?"
Wen Shichu replied, "I will do my best and use Noble Wen as an experiment."
"Good!" Yongzheng stood up and said excitedly, "Wen Shichu, for your contribution to treating the epidemic, I will promote you to the position of Vice Director of the Imperial Hospital. You must devote all your efforts to research and development. I will order the Imperial Household Department to cooperate!"
Nian Shilan was a little confused. How could Zhen Huan change the emperor's mind with just one sentence and even promote him?
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After leaving the Yangxin Palace, Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan talked as they walked, watching Nian Shilan's sedan chair go away.
Seeing that no one was around, Shen Meizhuang said quietly, "She thought the emperor doted on her, but in fact, the emperor was using her. I used to think she was hateful, but now I only feel pity for her!"
After finishing his words, he looked at Zhen Huan and said, "Huan'er, you have always been intelligent, but the word love can blind people and cloud their minds. You must know that the love of an emperor is nothing but a mirage. Don't lose yourself!"
This was what An Lingrong said to herself. Now that she had fully understood it, she naturally brought it out to warn Zhen Huan.
After hearing this, Zhen Huan smiled bitterly and said, "Sister, I understand everything you said, but the Emperor treats me...very well."
After hearing what Zhen Huan said, Shen Meizhuang didn't want to say anything more. The most urgent matter at the moment was the penicillin issue.
Looking at Wen Shichu's anxiously departing figure, Shen Meizhuang murmured, "Rong'er's method always works, and it will definitely work this time too."
These words seemed to comfort Zhen Huan, but also to comfort herself. She turned around and said to Zhen Huan, "Huan'er, for the next few days, you need to send more people to the Imperial Hospital to keep an eye on it, to prevent Concubine Hua or others from causing trouble. I will take care of Rong'er personally these days!"
After the two of them agreed, they returned to the palace.