Shuse Jinjia

Grandma Huo chuckled and said, "I don't know if it counts as hitting it off, but the two of them talk about everything at the chicken farm and even work together to figure out how to raise chickens well!"

"I heard from Huo Han that Zhang Yanqing admires Xiao Jing very much, saying that she is practical, smart, and hardworking."

Xie Zhaotang asked, "What does Xiaojing think of Zhang Yanqing?"

Xie Zhaotang also got to know Zhang Yanqing when he treated Zhang Yanqing and the others, and had a very good impression of him.

If Huo Jing can appreciate Zhang Yanqing, it would be a good marriage.

The old lady said, "Xiao Jing said that Zhang Yanqing is down-to-earth, respectful, and has his own opinions. In short, she has a very high opinion of him."

Xie Zhaotang smiled. A good impression is a good start. The two of them raised chickens together, and their daily interactions made it clearer whether they were suitable for each other.

Then just leave it alone and let it develop naturally!

After lunch, Xie Zhaotang took Xinyi to the hospital.

The hospital is not yet officially open because Xie Zhaotang went to the border. Physician Li is the vice president, and he recruited several doctors according to Xie Zhaotang's request.

Some specialize in orthopedics, some in gynecology, and some in pediatrics.

As soon as Xie Zhaotang arrived, Imperial Physician Li came over to inquire when the business would open.

"Imperial Physician Li, His Majesty has ordered me to select disciples for the Divine Physician Valley. Will you accompany me? After a few days of training, the valley will open next month."

Physician Li also felt that the hospital was too big to be managed by the doctors he had hired alone, and that it would be easier to find more people to help.

As the two were talking, Chief Physician Luo and Doctor Lu arrived.

Xie Zhaotang didn't want to involve Physician Li any further, so she told him to go about his business.

There were only the three of them in the meeting room, and they were all from the same sect.

Doctor Lu didn't mince words, saying directly, "Junior Brother Luo, leave the poison making to me. You just focus on researching the antidote. That way, when I leave, you and Zhao Tang won't attract any unwanted attention."

"Girl, you should research how to improve the Crown Prince's health."

Xie Zhaotang was stunned. Doctor Lu was giving her all the benefits; he was protecting her!

Chief Luo didn't object. They were all old guys, and they didn't have many years left to live. They had to bear the responsibilities they were supposed to bear.

He said in a low voice, "I've thought about it too. Once this matter is over, I'll gradually retire from the Imperial Medical Academy and go back to the countryside to live out my retirement!"

Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger. Over the years, he has been using no method to detoxify the crown prince. Although the emperor has not punished him, he must be harboring a lot of resentment.

If the Crown Prince dies, the Emperor might take his anger out on him. It would be best to get away while the Crown Prince is still alive.

Xie Zhaotang also felt that this was the best way. Emperor Mingcheng seemed to be a wise ruler, but the empress was not a virtuous one.

Previously, Prince Rong's faction suppressed the other princes, but now that Prince Rong has fallen, those princes may well be tempted to make their own moves.

The risk is very high in Beijing!

The Emperor would not let the Huo family leave, so Xie Zhaotang had no choice but to stay in the capital.

After the three of them discussed it, Xie Zhaotang and Imperial Physician Li went to the prison of the Prefect of the Capital.

Murong Qing's Divine Doctor Valley recruited dozens of disciples, and Duan Chengyu and the Black Dragon Guards all investigated the identities and backgrounds of these disciples.

Apart from a dozen or so of Murong Qing's confidants, the rest were all diligently studying medicine and helping the Divine Doctor Valley treat patients.

There are about twenty female disciples, some of whom are children from poor families, and others are orphans that Murong Qing bought from various places.

There were forty-two men and women in total.

Xie Zhaotang and Duan Chengyu confirmed their clean backgrounds and then asked them if they were willing to stay at the hospital.

A dozen or so people refused to go home; they were frightened by being locked up in jail.

Xie Zhaotang didn't force them and let them go.

The remaining orphans had nowhere to go and were willing to stay. Xie Zhaotang asked them what they had been doing in the Divine Doctor Valley and signed employment agreements with them to keep them on the team.

If you really think about it, these disciples only learned the basics. Murong Qing didn't teach them how to treat illnesses at all. All they knew was how to care for patients, bandage them, prepare medicine, and process medicinal materials.

Xie Zhaotang sent those who knew how to grow medicinal herbs to the Valley of Divine Doctors with him, while the others were temporarily assigned to the hospital, with adjustments to be made later based on their medical talents.

After arranging these matters, it was time for dinner. Duan Chengyu invited Xie Zhaotang to dine at Prince Chen's residence.

Shen Jin and Xie Tiantian are still living at the Duan family's house. Xie Zhaotang didn't stand on ceremony and went back to the Duan family's house with Duan Chengyu.

Sitting in the carriage, Duan Chengyu said, "Don't hold a grudge against the Emperor about what I told you yesterday. It's normal for him to be wary of people who can use poison. I told you not to mention it just to avoid any unnecessary complications."

Xie Zhaotang smiled but did not offer any opinion.

The emperor's heart is unpredictable. Duan Chengyu is the emperor's nephew, so naturally he will speak up for the emperor.

"The young marquis has already subdued the lost cities on the border. Once he helps the Crown Princess of Xique capture Prince Gong, the agreement between the two countries will be signed, and I will then go to Xique as an imperial envoy."

Duan Chengyu gave advance notice: "I heard from the Emperor that the young marquis has rendered great service this time and can be granted the title of First-Class Marquis. The other princes will be granted the title of King and sent to their fiefdoms. There will be no major changes in the capital for the time being!"

Xie Zhaotang's heart stirred. The Emperor was determined to groom the eldest grandson. As long as the Huo family did their best to support the eldest grandson, and as long as Duan Li was not the kind of person who would discard someone after using them, the Huo family would be worry-free for at least three generations.

Duan Chengyu added, "The Emperor and my old man discussed that when the young marquis returns, Duan Li will become his disciple and learn martial arts from him."

Duan Chengyu said meaningfully, "Do you know what this means?"

Xie Zhaotang raised an eyebrow; she really couldn't understand what this meant!

Seeing that she didn't understand, Duan Chengyu patiently explained, "Firstly, the young marquis will be Duan Li's teacher in the future. The emperor governs the country based on filial piety. If Duan Li dares to harm the young marquis in the future, it will be considered betraying his teacher and ancestors, and he will be despised by the people of the world!"

Xie Zhaotang was stunned for a moment. Emperor Mingcheng was really willing to go to great lengths to ensure the Huo family's loyalty to the Great Zhou Dynasty.

"This also contains an apology for breaking the young marquis's legs last time!"

Duan Chengyu smiled and said, "It's mainly to appease you! The Emperor understands your value... You may not know this, but the chamber pots and porcelain your kiln produced made the Emperor a lot of money, and your glass bottles for distilled liquor also impressed him."

"The Emperor sees you as a golden goose that lays golden eggs; you must be appeased!"

Xie Zhaotang was both amused and exasperated, but she did feel comforted.

As long as the emperor isn't senile and the empress doesn't whisper in his ear, making money for the emperor isn't a big deal.

Xie Zhaotang was unwilling to live a life of hiding and running away. Since he was going to be tied to Duan Li, he would try to instill more ideas in Duan Li in the future, so that everyone could be happy.

She is no longer alone. Duan Chengyu, the Huo family, and Xie Yan have all taken root in the capital. They cannot give up easily, so she can only make sure that she is firmly established.

Their influence was so deep that as long as the emperor wasn't senile, no one would dare to touch the Huo family.

When they arrived at the Duan family home, Madam Duan immediately sent a maid to inform Shen Jin and Xie Tiantian as soon as she saw Xie Zhaotang arrive.

A moment later, Xie Tiantian rushed in.

"Sister, you're back! I missed you so much..."

She rushed towards Xie Zhaotang, who immediately pulled her into his arms.

She worked so hard to establish herself in the Great Zhou Dynasty, hoping to watch Tian Tian grow up safely and peacefully. She would do her best to pave the way for her so that she could live a carefree life...