In ancient times, the powerful and wealthy seized power step by step.

Princess Da Chang wanted to recommend Zhu Qingyu for the position of Minister of the Imperial Medical Academy. After some maneuvering in the court, she actually encountered virtually no real resistance.

Firstly, the position is unique. To become the Minister of the Huiyi Temple, one must first be a physician, and among physicians in the world, the Imperial Medical Academy is the foremost.

The former head and vice-head of the Imperial Medical Academy died one after another due to the epidemic. Now, only two vice-heads are competitive in the leadership of the Imperial Medical Academy.

In contrast, one was in the capital, at a loss as to how to treat the emperor's illness that had kept him bedridden for many days.

One of them is in the northern border region. Not only did he save the emperor in the past, but he has also suppressed the epidemic. It will be just around the corner for the epidemic to be brought under control.

It's obvious who has the superior medical skills and who truly deserves the title.

Secondly, Huiyi Temple is independent. It has no connection with other departments of the imperial court, so there is no conflict of interest.

Humans suffer from all kinds of diseases from eating grains, and even the emperor is no exception. No one in this world can live without a doctor. The establishment of this Huiyi Temple will not only benefit the common people, but also the officials in the capital. Previously, most families in the capital had consulted Dr. Zhu for medical treatment. Who wouldn't want to recommend a truly talented and trustworthy person for their position?

After all, if they or their relatives and friends get sick one day, no one wants to run into someone like Dr. Liu again.

So today, the cabinet ministers had a small discussion about deciding on the candidate for Minister of the Imperial Medical Academy. Most of the cabinet ministers felt that it was just a formality and there would be no objections. Who knew that the Empress Dowager, who never expressed her opinion, would actually speak up.

Since the Empress Dowager asked this question, it must mean she disagreed. The cabinet ministers immediately sought her advice:

"Yes, we believe that there is no one more suitable than Zhu Yuanzhang in the current court. But is there anything wrong with it? Please enlighten us, Your Majesty."

This year's Spring Festival was not peaceful for the Empress Dowager.

Consort Tan contracted the plague, and because it was discovered too late, there was no cure. Both she and her unborn child perished.

Her departure nearly cost the emperor his life.

It is said that the imperial family is the most ruthless. The Empress Dowager really couldn't understand why, in her case, whether it was her husband, her son, or even her nephew, they were all such amorous people who would risk their lives for love.

The Empress Dowager had no objection to Feng Zhuyuan being appointed as the Minister of the Huiyi Temple, as it was what she deserved. However, the Empress Dowager simply did not want her to remain in the capital.

He didn't want Gu Zhao to get entangled with a married woman again, lest Gu Zhao follow in the footsteps of the Emperor.

When you're deeply in love, the only way to overcome the obstacles in your relationship is through time, distance, and barriers.

The Empress Dowager asked:

"Is the position of Minister of the Imperial Medical Academy to be appointed now? Is the Imperial Medical Academy in the capital already completed?"

The Minister of Works hurriedly said:

"No, construction started before the Lunar New Year, and it's estimated that it won't be finished until the end of this year."

Another cabinet minister added:

"Although Huiyi Temple is not yet completed, the recruitment and training of doctors should be brought forward. The original idea was that the Imperial Academy could first set aside a piece of land, appoint the Minister of Huiyi Temple, and recruit and train doctors in advance, so that it would be just in time by the end of the year."

The Empress Dowager's tone remained calm and composed:

"Since all the ministers agree that Zhu is suitable, then he shall be Zhu. However, I have observed that in the common people's practice, doctors teach their apprentices while seeing patients; no one can learn medicine solely through reading. Since the Huiyi Temple in the capital is not yet completed, could there be a suitable place elsewhere? The Huiyi Temple benefits all the people of the world, and its clinics will eventually spread throughout the north and south of the Yangtze River. It need not be limited to the capital; the prosperous Jiangnan region surely has many ready-made locations. The Ministry of Works can find a suitable residence for Lord Zhu to use, and the Huiyi Temple can begin its trial in Jiangnan."

......

As February arrived, everything began to revive, and the number of sick people in the military camp decreased day by day. Gu Zhao's injuries also improved day by day, and the northern frontier welcomed guests from the capital.

Xie Zexing rushed over to find Zhu Qingyu:

"Quickly, quickly, come here! Lady Zhu, the imperial envoy from the capital has arrived with an imperial decree! It's at the Grand Princess's residence!"

Xie Ze was so happy for a reason: his dear mother had arrived together with the imperial messenger.

Zhu Qingyu hadn't expected it to happen so quickly, and she could hardly believe it:

"The imperial envoy, is he looking for me?"

Gu Zhao was quicker; he grabbed her and ran.

"It's faster than I expected. It seems the Grand Princess really did a great job. Let's go, don't keep the Imperial Envoy waiting."

The person who came to deliver the imperial decree was none other than Lord Shao from the Hanlin Academy, an old acquaintance of Zhu Qingyu.

When she was on good terms with Madam Shao, she attended several banquets with Madam Shao, and Madam Shao introduced her to her.

Seeing Lord Shao's beaming smile, one knows it's not a bad thing.

Zhu Qingyu knelt and listened to the imperial decree, her heart pounding. Would it be as she thought?

Is she going to become a third-rank official?

Is it really that easy?

It's so easy it almost seems unreal.

The long string of words preceding her was probably a compliment, but perhaps because Shao Dawen was so eloquent, Zhu Qingyu didn't understand a single word.

Only when she heard the key phrase "Feng Hui, Minister of the Imperial Medical Academy" did Zhu Qingyu's tense and flustered heart finally settle down.

It's true! She really did become a third-rank official.

After hearing the imperial decree, Zhu Qingyu knelt to receive it, while Lord Shao remained all smiles.

"Congratulations, my lord. My wife specially asked me to bring you a gift. She said that since you are going to Jiangning, she couldn't deliver it herself, so she asked me to make sure to bring it to you."

With the imperial edict in her hands, Zhu Qingyu was still a little smug. As Lord Shao's words echoed in her ears, she replied in response:

"Thank you so much, she went to all this way to bring me something."

Something seems off?

Zhu Qingyu finally realized:

"Jiangning?"

Lord Shao laughed and said:

"That's right. First, the Huiyi Temple in the capital is not yet completed. Second, the Empress Dowager is probably understanding of the difficulties you and Lord Zhang face as you are both serving as officials in different places. Therefore, she issued an edict that the Huiyi Temple should be piloted in Jiangning first."

Zhu Qingyu paused for a moment, then smiled and said:

"I see. Your Majesty's good intentions are deeply appreciated."

On the way back to the military camp after receiving the imperial decree, Gu Zhao remained silent. Once back at the camp, he began packing his luggage.

Zhu Qingyu leaned against the door watching him pack his luggage and asked:

"You're leaving already?"

Gu Zhao silently accepted the gifts.

"I'm in a hurry."

Zhu Qingyu observed his expression and said:

"Not angry?"

Gu Zhao walked over to her, hugged her, rested his head on her shoulder, and said in a muffled voice:

"There's one thing the Empress Dowager meant, which was expected. I've said before that I'll handle whatever difficulties we face and whatever price we have to pay. I'll return to the capital and resolve things as soon as possible. But when you go to Jiangning, you must divorce him. Don't be biased; don't soften your heart just because he's upset. I really can't stand hearing people say that you and he are husband and wife; it drives me crazy. I'll come to fetch you after I've settled things in the capital."