The Lucky Farmgirl

Chapter 1720 - 1695: Who’s Afraid of Whom? (Part 1)

The Emperor glanced at him briefly, then asked, "Are Courtier Zhou and Courtier Wang on bad terms?"

Doesn’t the entire court know about their discord?

Zhou Man’s brief delay entering the palace gate was due to Wang Ji’s impeachment. Later, when Wang Ji beat his nephew leading to an incident, it was Zhou Man who saved him. Because of Wang Rong’s scandal, Wang Ji not only was estranged from his family, but his reputation also suffered significantly. How could they possibly get along?

However, such matters known to all are silently acknowledged and never spoken aloud. Wang Ji, upon being questioned, realized he had made a misstep. Cold sweat broke on his forehead, yet he insisted, "Your Majesty, traditionally, physicians begin as apprentices. During their apprenticeship, we have never heard them needing to pay any fees. It shows that the training costs are not as high as Zhou Man claims."

"She calls us phoridae of the state, but we cannot accept such an accusation. The private classes at the Imperial Hospital were indeed Your Majesty and the Empress’s ways of showing compassion to us, yet they are being used by her and the hospital for profit. She is the true phoridae!"

An official from the Ministry of Revenue, who was still standing, said, "I have here the records submitted by the Imperial Hospital, estimating the annual expenditures and the approximately two thousand taels spent, which could be mostly attributed to teaching expenses."

Wang Ji questioned, "Are you saying that the future expenses of the Imperial Hospital will be borne by the families sending someone to the private classes? Then on what grounds does Zhou Man call us phoridae?"

These words, upon being voiced, made most people feel uneasy. Indeed, will the future expenses of the Imperial Hospital rely on the families sending people to its private classes?

The official from the Ministry of Revenue replied, "Lord Wang, you are overthinking it. The expenses of the Imperial Hospital are not limited to just this."

"Then tell us, what else?"

The official from the Ministry of Revenue was at a loss for words, as he didn’t know what to say; he was not a physician, after all.

Sitting silently at the back, Yang Heshu stood up and said, "The materials and equipment used for teaching at the Imperial Hospital incur considerable costs. This minister has seen Director Xiao and the imperial doctors calculating them. If Your Majesty wishes to understand, why not summon Director Xiao and Lord Zhou to the court for questioning."

Imperial doctors typically do not attend court sessions because they do not partake in state affairs.

However, Lord Tang raised his eyelids and said, "Zhou Man is still a fifth-rank compiler, is she not? Why does she not attend the grand court sessions?"

Sixth-rank capital officials are required to attend every grand court session.

Everyone fell silent for a moment. The Emperor looked at Gu Zhong and waved his hand, saying, "Summon Director Xiao and Lord Zhou."

Gu Zhong acknowledged and retreated to give the orders.

It was only then that the Ministry of Personnel responded, explaining, "Zhou Man is a compiler of the Chongwen Pavilion, and the Chongwen Pavilion falls under the Office of Palace Affairs..."

So, as to why she doesn’t attend court, it’s not a matter for the Ministry of Personnel to answer, but rather the Office of Palace Affairs?

Minister Guo: ...Can this blame even fall on me?

Zhou Man was specially recruited by the Emperor and the Crown Prince for the Crown Princess, allegedly for writing books in the Chongwen Pavilion. However, seeing her run to check on the Crown Princess occasionally reveals her true role: to ensure the safe birth of the Crown Prince’s heirs. Considering her young age, who would expect her to attend court?

Nevertheless, with the current situation favoring them, Minister Guo did not wish to dwell on this topic further. Thus, he straightforwardly admitted his mistake, "This is my oversight, Your Majesty, please punish."

The Emperor waved his hand, saying, "Go receive your punishment from the Ministry of Personnel yourself."

This matter was simply brushed aside.

Wang Ji and others wanted to continue speaking, but Minister Guo’s admission was so straightforward that they couldn’t follow up. Unable to shift the topic reasonably, they naturally had to continue with the previous issue.

Although he tried to defend himself, the accusations against him continued unabated. Taking advantage of Director Xiao and Zhou Man’s absence, over a dozen ministers stepped forward to present their impeachment articles.

Their articles were all very brief and concise. Each minister read for a short while, and most of their points overlapped.

If Director Xiao and Zhou Man hadn’t yet arrived, the Emperor wouldn’t have wanted to continue listening, mainly because it was making him drowsy.

By the time the eunuchs and guards from the Taiji Hall arrived, Manbao was busy with a brush in one hand and a snack in the other, simultaneously editing a book and enjoying a treat, completely in her element.

Meanwhile, Director Xiao was sitting calmly on the side, pondering how to draft his defense memorial. He had received the impeachment articles early in the morning, and procedure dictated that he either plead guilty or write a defense.

Pleading guilty was impossible, as the accusation of colluding with the Crown Prince to amass wealth was grave, and he was not foolish.

After much deliberation, he picked up his pen and barely started a short paragraph when someone from the Taiji Hall came to summon them: "The Emperor calls Director Xiao and Lord Zhou to the court for an audience."

Manbao was momentarily taken aback. She looked around and seemingly realized she was the only one named Zhou in the entire Chongwen Pavilion. Uncertain, she pointed at herself and asked, "Me?"

The eunuch bowed his head and replied, "Yes, indeed, Lord Zhou. Please, Lord Zhou."

Manbao immediately put down her snack, briskly dusted her hands, then thought it was not enough and picked up a teacup to rinse her mouth. She then fetched a cloth to wipe her mouth, asking, "Why summon me?"

The directness of her question piqued Director Xiao, who had already risen to follow the eunuch, also perked up his ears.

The eunuch, with a serious face, responded, "His Majesty wishes to inquire about matters concerning the Imperial Hospital."

Manbao halted her steps again, asking, "Which aspects does he want to inquire about?"

Seeing the eunuchs and guards glaring, Manbao justified, "There are many matters within the Imperial Hospital. Knowing in advance would help me prepare the materials."

At this point, Manbao seemed to recall something, her eyes darting as she asked, "Did His Majesty see my impeachment against Lord Wang Ji?"

The eunuch internally sighed. If it were any other official, who would dare openly ask so many questions? One would discreetly bribe for a hint at most.

But, Zhou Man was different, after all. He had visited the side hall of the East Palace several times for acupuncture. Last time he caught a cold, it was with the help of Imperial Doctor Zhou that medicine was prepared for him from the Imperial Hospital.

Otherwise, the taste of decoction would be too revealing to hide.

While Director Xiao hesitated whether to slip the eunuch a purse, the eunuch directly spoke, "The Emperor read the article aloud in court, and Lord Wang defended himself there as well. Imperial Doctor Zhou should go quickly."

Manbao still didn’t understand, curiously asking, "How did Lord Wang defend himself?"

She was confident her article was well-crafted. How could one even defend against it?

Furthermore, why was it a defense in court? Wasn’t he supposed to submit a defense article and debate with her remotely via their writings?

The eunuch, who stood not far from Gu Zhong at the time, naturally heard everything. He glanced back at the guards, seeing them merely urging haste without obstructing them, and said, "Lord Wang claimed that future expenses of the Imperial Hospital would rely on the annual two thousand taels, so how could they be called phoridae?"

Upon hearing this, Manbao’s eyes widened. Turning to Director Xiao, she said, "His face is indeed thick-skinned. Imperial Doctor Liu, where are the accounts and records we received the other day? Quickly, fetch them for me."

Director Xiao, equally incensed, immediately ordered, "Quick, find them."

Imperial Doctor Liu, along with Imperial Doctor Zheng and others, quickly began searching the tables and cabinets. In no time, they gathered a pile of accounts and records, all neatly bound together, preventing disarray.

Manbao took some of them, passing the rest, which she couldn’t carry, to Director Xiao.

The two of them, brimming with righteous indignation, marched toward the Taiji Hall. On the way, Director Xiao said to Zhou Man, "You’re astute, once there, give him a tongue-lashing for me."