The Lucky Farmgirl-Chapter 2110 - 2085: Inquiries

Their small talk spread very smoothly because Marquis Yang was also in the capital.

Compared to the Yang family, Governor Niu’s family background was not worth mentioning. How could Marquis Yang sit by indifferently when Yang Heshu was bullied in Xiazhou?

Therefore, after some rumors started circulating among the students of the Imperial Academy, Marquis Yang quietly fanned the flames a bit.

Of course, he didn’t dare to overdo it, but the scholars staying in the capital all knew the ins and outs of the Xiazhou incident and, under guidance, the vast majority sided with Yang Heshu.

Gradually, the whispers reached the court and the palace.

The matter didn’t escalate, but those who needed to know were aware, and there was some gossip among the common folk as well.

When the Crown Prince heard about this, he told the Crown Princess, "What’s there to discuss about this matter? If Yang Heshu hadn’t sealed the city, we wouldn’t have celebrated a good New Year last year, let alone this year. If people could leave Xiazhou, they could travel south to the capital or head east to Jiangnan. By then, the entire Great Jin would be in trouble."

"He sealed the city, yet we’re still incredibly busy. In my view, they’re overthinking; there’s nothing worth discussing about him putting the Xiazhou magistrate under house arrest."

The Crown Prince responded gently, "Just because you think this way, it doesn’t mean His Majesty does too. Even if His Majesty shares this view, there are so many ministers in court, some of whom will surely think differently. Otherwise, His Majesty wouldn’t have summoned Lord Yang and Governor Niu to the capital for clarification."

The Emperor, in fact, had the same thought as the Crown Prince. He said to the Empress, "Wei Zhi mentioned taking urgent and decisive actions but also noted the violation of laws, hmph, saying it all comes down to whether a bad precedent will be set or if I should be the one doing something bad."

The Empress then smiled and asked, "So, does Your Majesty intend to set a bad precedent or do something bad?"

The Emperor frowned and said, "This matter is indeed tricky to handle. I do admire his decisiveness and boldness, but such actions should be allowed once, not repeated. Otherwise, without rules, the world would fall into chaos."

He pondered for a while, finally sighing, "No wonder they all push this matter upon me; it’s truly not a good issue. Let’s wait until they arrive in the capital. I’m already inclined in his favor, and he’s always been smart, so he should know what to do."

The Empress knew the Emperor was still leaning towards Yang Heshu, and she smiled slightly, seeing that the Emperor did not hold a grudge against Yang Heshu due to the previous incident related to Ms. Yang.

Manbao and the others took ten whole days on the road this time. Before even entering the city gate, they sensed the bustling atmosphere, and Zhou Man, along with a few young students, couldn’t help but cheer quietly.

Imperial Doctor Lu, who was waiting, swept his gaze over them and said sternly, "Imperial Doctor Zhou, you are a teacher and must maintain your decorum."

Then he told the students, "After entering the city, first report to the Imperial Medical Department, then go home. You have three days of rest. Classes resume in three days."

The students immediately clasped their hands and bowed in response.

The Ministry of Justice officers obtained travel papers and communicated with the gate officials. Shortly after, their convoy entered through another gate, avoiding the queues of other convoys and pedestrians.

Upon entering the city, the Ministry of Justice officers first bade farewell to the imperial doctors from the Imperial Hospital, saying, "We will escort you to this point."

Yang Heshu and Governor Niu and his son were their main charges, while the Imperial Hospital personnel were merely accompanying them.

Imperial Doctor Lu, not wanting to go to the Ministry of Justice — a rather gloomy place — bid them farewell with a grin. Manbao, however, and Imperial Doctor Zheng took the opportunity to part ways with them at the city gate.

Imperial Doctor Lu could only angrily watch as Zhou Man gathered Bai Shan and the others, then left with Daji and a few guards.

Yin Huo, on the same route as them, also left with two imperial guards.

Yin Huo asked, "Do you need my father to plead for Lord Yang?"

Bai Shan thought for a moment and then shook his head, "Never mind, Lord Yin’s status makes it inconvenient for him, and we’re unsure of His Majesty’s intentions. If someone is to plead for Yang’s case, the Yang family should have connections."

Manbao said, "We should know His Majesty’s intentions by the afternoon."

Bai Erlang was surprised, "The trial before the Emperor is that quick?"

"No," Bai Shan gave him a look and said, "Watch whom His Majesty speaks to today, then you’ll know. The Xiazhou incident is not a complicated case. The disputes are clear, so it depends solely on His Majesty’s will."

Will means whom the Emperor favors or does not favor.

Evidently, the Emperor did not favor Governor Niu because, after completing the formalities at the Ministry of Justice, Governor Niu was sent to stay at the posthouse, but Niu Kang was detained at the Ministry of Justice and temporarily placed in the cell there.

Yang Heshu, on the other hand, was allowed to return home.

In the afternoon, the Emperor summoned Yang Heshu. The next day, He met with both Yang Heshu and Governor Niu at the grand court assembly...

Manbao could have first gone to the Imperial Hospital to report and then applied for a few days off, but out of the desire to witness... No, out of concern for Yang Heshu, she donned her official attire early in the morning to attend the grand court assembly.

When attendees saw Zhou Man at the assembly, they couldn’t help but take a closer look at her, even Wei Zhi couldn’t resist complimenting her for her diligence with a smile and kindly asked, "Are you moving into the palace today?"

Manbao immediately shook her head, "No..."

Her mind raced, and weakly, she said, "Didn’t I submit a proposal earlier? I came to hear His Majesty’s and the ministers’ opinions."

Wei Zhi, even more genial, nodded with a smile and said, "Very well, Lord Zhou, you have worked hard."

With their supportive gazes, Manbao nervously moved to her seat, then looked back and whispered to County Magistrate Tang, "Senior Brother Tang, what’s going on with them?"

Something felt off.

County Magistrate Tang glanced at her and said, "It’s spreading all over the court now, saying that the young miracle doctor, Imperial Doctor Zhou from the Imperial Hospital, volunteered for the sake of the common people to explore the Western Regions to find a way to prevent and treat smallpox. Everyone, including His Majesty, is deeply moved."

Manbao’s eyes lit up, and she asked excitedly, "Really?"

County Magistrate Tang nodded, "Truly."

Sitting beside them, County Magistrate Guo stroked his beard and interjected, "I too admire Lord Zhou greatly, but I’m puzzled; County Magistrate Tang does not seem as moved."

County Magistrate Tang gave Zhou Man a look that was almost a wry smile. Others may not know, but how could he not? In the past couple of years, she and Bai Shan often asked him about the Western Regions and even borrowed several travel notes from him that were about the Western Regions.

Clearly, these individuals had long intended to visit the Western Regions, unrelated to smallpox.

Facing County Magistrate Tang’s smiling face, Manbao chuckled sheepishly and then sat up straight. After sitting for a while, because the Emperor hadn’t arrived, she couldn’t resist turning back to whisper to County Magistrate Tang, "Senior Brother Tang, do you think His Majesty and the Crown Prince will agree for me to go to the Western Regions?"

County Magistrate Tang replied, "It is a matter of everlasting merit. If there is indeed such a precedent in the Western Regions, His Majesty will certainly want to know. But..."

He scrutinized her up and down and said, "You are too young, and I fear His Majesty and the court ministers might not feel comfortable."

Manbao then began to ponder thoughtfully.

Zhou Man was too young; her ambition and aspiration were admirable, but clearly, the Western Regions were dangerous, with tangled forces. The Emperor sought ways to prevent smallpox but ultimately aimed to gain, not lose a capable official. Therefore, for Zhou Man to undertake the journey, she would need to bring someone experienced, at least a person deemed experienced by the Emperor and the court officials.