The Lucky Farmgirl

Chapter 1702 - 1677: Future Prospects (January Monthly Ticket Bonus 9)

The Empress thought for a moment and then said, "Select a batch of children who are of suitable age and clever, and send them to the Imperial Hospital. Let them take the examination; if they pass, they will be granted good status. Their registration papers will be released, and everything will follow the rules of the Imperial Hospital."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Shang paused for a moment and asked in a low voice, "What about the list of those chosen to be released from the palace earlier?"

"Let it proceed as usual," the Empress said, "We’ve added no new people to the palace in recent years. Instead, several have gone to serve in the provinces. Now Five is also about to be engaged and leave the palace to establish his household. I think the Imperial Hospital won’t be able to select many from us; just tighten up in various areas."

Aunt Shang then laughed, "Your Majesty is most benevolent."

It truly is benevolence.

Since becoming the Empress, this is the third time she released older palace maids.

Without the grace of the Emperor and Empress, palace maids would never be able to leave the palace throughout their lives, and the aging aunts, apart from those serving closely by the masters, generally wouldn’t have good ends.

Why are there so few elderly palace maids seen in the palace, despite so many maids there?

Because most do not live to old age.

Why are eunuchs and palace maids so keen on adopting godsons and goddaughters? They hope that when they grow old and weak and can no longer serve the master, someone will care for them.

So they aren’t sent to places like the laundry bureau or the cold palace to do hard labor. If they are sent, and their apprentices or godchildren watch out for them, the work can be lighter, and they can occasionally receive some leftovers in food and medicine.

Indeed, their wishes are just that simple.

Even Aunt Shang, despite being close to the Empress, has an apprentice for her old age.

Therefore, the Empress allowing older palace maids to leave with their savings from palace work is a great favor.

Even though life outside the palace is harsh, having palace savings and some skills ensures a stable late life, which might be better than staying in the palace.

If they aren’t particularly old, those under forty might find a widower to marry, raise his sons or grandchildren, and possibly even have support in old age.

Zhou Man’s proposal offers even more hope for palace people.

Of course, Manbao knows nothing about this. She only thinks that if the female students from Imperial Hospital aren’t recruited to capacity, it would be embarrassing for her, affecting future admissions, so she’s determined to bring in enough students.

She doesn’t know how much of a sensation her proposal causes in the palace, especially among the palace maids.

Many palace maids over eighteen, already unqualified for the exam, secretly shed tears, regretting being born too early.

The older ones think more openly and tell a group of younger maids who have been in the palace for a while, "Your luck has come. If you can enter the Imperial Hospital, we might have to call you ’lord’ when we meet in the future."

A young palace maid asked quietly, "Like meeting Lord Zhou Junior?"

"That depends on your skills. If you have medical skills like Lord Zhou Junior, then you’ll be the same."

Everyone thus felt somewhat inspired.

Consequently, many young palace maids registered with Aunt Shang. Though young, they weren’t foolish. Knowing it was a legitimate opportunity to leave the palace with a promising future, they naturally seized it.

In the palace registration, Zhou Liru also listened to her aunt and registered, holding medical books and studying continuously these days.

Zhou Lijun took care of her three meals a day before this, almost serving her like an ancestor.

Zhou Lixue and the others were astonished, confused, "Isn’t Auntie here?"

Zhou Liru, holding a book in one hand and a bun in the other, both eating and reading, said without lifting her head, "Aunt explicitly said she can’t give me preferential treatment; many at the Imperial Hospital are watching her."

She sighed, "Senior Brother and Third Brother surpassed the age limit, so they entered with Aunt’s earned quota. For me, stricter requirements may apply, so I must perform better in the exam than others. Otherwise, I fear I won’t get into the Therapeutic Studies department."

Therapeutic Studies have the most rigorous requirements, being the only department that demands literacy and basic medical knowledge, with an eight-year curriculum.

"Aunt said if I don’t get into Therapeutic Studies this year, then I shouldn’t enter the Imperial Hospital yet, and try again next year."

Zhou Lixue, always a worrywart, said, "What if you don’t pass next year either?"

Before Zhou Liru reacted, Zhou Lijun reached out to pat him and then smiled with Zhou Liru, "Don’t listen to your Third Brother’s nonsense."

Zhou Lixue said, "I’m reasonably doubting. One must consider the worst outcome."

Zhou Liru replied, "Aunt said if I still don’t pass next year, then apply for Acupuncture Studies. I’ll surely get into Acupuncture, study a year or two there, then aim to transfer to Therapeutic Studies."

Zhou Ligu asked, "Third Sister, if you get in, would you have to work fifteen years at the hospital after graduating?"

Zhou Liru confidently said, "I’ve thought it through. I’ll take the Imperial Hospital exam too, enter the palace to serve."

Zhou Lijun asked, "What if you don’t pass?"

"Then I’ll return to Luojiang County’s hospital. Staying close to home isn’t bad."

Everyone thought it over and indeed agreed. Paying for skill acquisition surely would be worthwhile.

So everyone was happy without fretting over these matters.

Meanwhile, Manager Zheng was discussing this with Zheng Gu, "Don’t concern yourself with the fifteen-year term. I’ve discussed it with your uncle. Even if you don’t enter the Imperial Hospital, entering the hospitals of either of the two counties in the capital, or other hospitals in the capital region, would also be good."

Zheng Gu asked, "What about the family business?"

"Silly child, there are other branches. We are a family of medicine; our medical skills and connections are most important. With good skills, the clan wouldn’t dare shortchange our branch. Look at your uncle, you’ll know." He said, "Though your two cousins are still young, they clearly lack talent; but as long as your uncle is around, your father has a say in the pharmacy. If I have a say, our family and your uncle’s can’t suffer."

Shopkeeper Zheng had already thoroughly planned it all, "You among your siblings are the calmest and most talented, so focus on learning medicine with your master. After the new year holiday, I’ll let your cousins learn by my side. In the future, the shop’s business will mostly be entrusted to them."

Zheng Gu understood that in their generation, he would be at his uncle’s current position, while his cousins would be at his father’s current position.

He was used to such matters and nodded.

Shopkeeper Zheng sighed, "But I’m worried about your marriage. Alas, Liru is too young."

Zheng Gu widened his eyes, exclaiming, "Dad, what are you thinking? Little Junior Sister is so young."

"Yes, so do you think her sister might be suitable?" Shopkeeper Zheng said, "If you could marry into your master’s family, you might have a better chance at entering the Imperial Hospital."

Zheng Gu tried to think but couldn’t recall Zhou Lijun’s face; only remembering her rapid speech and brisk manner, he immediately shook his head, "No, Dad, we’re not suitable. I prefer gentler women."

Shopkeeper Zheng looked disappointed at his son, "Can you be a bit ambitious? She’s merely strong-minded. Why would that scare you?"

Zheng Gu shook his head repeatedly, feeling more pressure facing Zhou Lijun than his master; he’d rather stick to business with her.

Shopkeeper Zheng was regretful, genuinely thinking Zhou Lijun was good, not only building better relations with Zhou Man but also being notably capable. However...

Glancing at his cowardly son, considering his usual passive nature, mentioning Zhou Lijun...

He shuddered, decided against it, thinking perhaps it wouldn’t be ideal for having a future daughter-in-law oppress the son.

If personalities don’t align, what would happen if arguments arose later?