Chapter 177: Chapter 157: Imperial Pharmacy Miscellaneous Division (Part 2)

Thinking that if something really goes wrong, it’s Mr. Jia’s issue, and perhaps this might even expose his true colors, bringing him some misfortune.

Considering the relationship between Mr. Jia and Prince Jing, if this medical formula proves useless, Prince Jing can’t blame the Imperial Pharmacy for standing idly by.

Everyone secretly watched to see the outcome after Prince Jing received the medical formula.

The result astounded everyone.

The medical formula actually worked!

What Mr. Jia reported was true; the efficacy wasn’t exaggerated at all.

"I have failed in my duties; please, Your Majesty, punish me!" Jiang Xian was straightforward. This time it was Prince Jing who complained—a great uncle to the emperor. No amount of explanation would help; it was better to just admit the fault honestly and accept punishment.

Having worked beside the emperor for so many years, how could he not understand the character of this emperor who was over fifty years old? He liked others to align with him; opposing him rarely ended well.

If the medical formula had been ineffective, the Imperial Pharmacy would have been praised for foresight, but only verbally at most, and not rewarded on the spot, as that would be rubbing salt in Prince Jing’s wounds.

At least this ordeal would have passed, and Prince Jing couldn’t use his grandson’s situation to trouble the Imperial Pharmacy.

However, now that the formula worked and lives were saved, the Imperial Pharmacy was in a difficult position.

If Prince Jing didn’t delve into the details, things would be fine; after all, the formula was provided by the Imperial Pharmacy, and if no one spoke up, who would know who deserved credit?

But Prince Jing directly reported to the emperor, speaking up for Mr. Jia, who was dedicated to benefiting the imperial court and the citizens but faced suppression and neglect at the Imperial Pharmacy.

Is there any justice?

Is the head of the Imperial Pharmacy competent?

Actually, Prince Jing was still considering Jiang Xian’s favor, as nobody could compel him to disclose the formula.

Yet, once Mr. Jia returned to the capital, Prince Jing would certainly know about the matter and the formula, and by then, the Imperial Pharmacy might not be able to withstand Prince Jing’s fury.

If they kept the life-saving formula hidden because they targeted Mr. Jia, it would cause a different predicament.

So, Jiang Xian felt a chill of fear, not daring to defend himself any further. If he were caught by Prince Jing and subjected to another scolding, he doubted he would have a good end today; admitting fault might lead the emperor to show leniency.

If he insisted on arguing over the facts, the truth would not change.

It’s a loss either way; might as well lose with dignity.

Upon seeing Jiang Xian kneel and plead guilty, Prince Jing was infuriated, his eyes locked onto Jiang Xian on the ground, likely pondering a string of rebukes he wouldn’t get to voice.

Old fellow, quite adept at assessing situations, a shame he’s not an official.

"In this matter, Jiang, as the head, indeed had a negligence oversight that almost cost my brother his life. Punishment is warranted!" Emperor Zhao Rui directly set the tone, not daring to offend the grand uncle, given Prince Jing’s long-standing position as the royal family’s principal for three decades.

"Uncle, do you have any suggestions on the punishment?"

"All rewards and punishments are Your Majesty’s dispensation. How could this old minister dare interfere?" Prince Jing cupped his hands; as a royal and imperial prince, he could handle domestic royal family matters but should refrain from intervening in external court punishments, as that would be overstepping authority.

The Jing royal line survived from the founding era to now adhering to this principle—never interfere in court politics, never misuse power, never seek power.

"Alright, head of the Imperial Pharmacy Jiang Xian, hear the decree!"

"Your servant is here."

"Due to your failure at the Imperial Pharmacy to promptly recognize Mr. Jia’s report on the treatment of the ’Rabies’, which almost led to Prince Jing’s grandson’s demise, I demote you from the fourth-grade seven-rank judicial position to the fifth-grade ten-rank service position, and further cut your salary for half a year, demoting you to the head position at the Li Jing Medical Bureau of the Imperial Pharmacy!"

Given that no one died and the outcome was positive, imposing a severe penalty would be overly harsh, especially since the formula was eventually provided by him, and even if he was the head of the Imperial Pharmacy, he must be the one to bear the responsibility.

"The servant thanks Your Majesty for the grace!" Jiang Xian was momentarily stunned; being demoted from the head of the Imperial Pharmacy to the head of the Capital City Medical Bureau was still acceptable, as the position is typically held by one of the deputy heads of the Imperial Pharmacy.

The Imperial Pharmacy has two deputy heads, one in charge of medicine, the other of pharmacology.

The deputy head responsible for medicine is Leng Qingfeng, while the other deputy head, emerging from the Medicine King Sect, cannot rise beyond deputy head.

Next, the Imperial Pharmacy would undoubtedly be led by deputy head Leng.

Of course, the Imperial Pharmacy has a renowned practitioner, but since being named "national practitioner" and appointed as head of the Qihuang Research Institute, they no longer oversee Imperial Pharmacy affairs and won’t return to head position; the status of a national practitioner is esteemed, and life is leisurely, mainly involving writing, medical practice, and healing rather than seeking further ambitions.

Additionally, national practitioner Fu Qingzhu remains the emperor’s appointed chief physician, responsible for maintaining His Majesty’s health.

Other titled "national practitioners" occasionally come to the capital to treat royal family members and high-ranking officials and engage in academic exchanges.

With the wrongdoing punished, achievements must be rewarded.

Mr. Jia’s official rank rose from eighth-grade Cultivation Officer to sixth-grade Scholar Officer, advancing two entire ranks.

His position also elevated, directly promoted from academic officer to head of one of the eight sections—the miscellaneous section. Previously the position was vacant due to the lack of suitable candidates, now there’s someone qualified.

In the report submitted to the Imperial Pharmacy, although Mr. Jia’s name was first, there were also two others, Guan Biyun and Cui Wanquan.

Guan Biyun was technically wearing a guilty status, though not punished; she’d lost her official rank, only retaining a lecturer role at the Qihuang Research Institute, ranked ninth-grade.

This time, the emperor personally promoted her to eighth-grade professor, indicating the prior matters were closed by the emperor.

As for Cui Wanquan, he originally had no official rank, but gained a ninth-grade attendant officer treatment this time.

Such a treatment shouldn’t be underestimated; with a ninth-grade vacancy, he can be prioritized for filling, comfortably advancing ahead of many.

As for the contributor of the medical formula, Lin Miao, who should have been credited the most, was utterly forgotten. Prince Jing didn’t mention him, nor would Jiang Xian proactively bring him up; Prince Jing’s complaint to the emperor was to speak on behalf of Mr. Jia.

If he were to highlight Lin Miao, it could imply Mr. Jia merely borrowed Lin Miao’s formula, and the true savior of Prince Jing’s grandson was Lin Miao.

No one knows how Prince Jing might feel; words may lead to loss, so Jiang Xian simply opted to stay out of it.