Chapter 1296: Chapter 1274: The Emperor and the Empress
The Crown Princess received a number of precious flowers and plants; some were placed in the greenhouse for cultivation, and she decided to bestow them upon Manbao at a later date.
Another portion was sent to the Empress so she could enjoy them as well.
When she delivered the flowers, the Empress was meeting with Ms. Doctor Liu, who had recently returned to the palace.
The Empress gestured for the Crown Princess to sit down and listen together.
Ms. Doctor Liu paused only briefly before continuing to speak.
The Crown Princess was stunned as she listened, while the Empress remained serene and asked, "So, Fifth Lady of the Han Family is now able to get out of bed and walk?"
Ms. Doctor Liu lowered her head and replied, "She can now move herself to get out of bed, though it’s very painful. She can’t walk properly yet and can only move a few steps with the aid of the bed."
The Crown Princess couldn’t help but swallow nervously and place a hand over her chest, asking, "Wasn’t it just yesterday that she underwent a cesarean operation? How could she already be standing?"
Ms. Doctor Liu responded softly, "Doctor Zhou Junior said that proper movement could reduce uterine contractions and bleeding, helping the wound to heal faster."
The Empress nodded and asked, "So, can we say Fifth Lady of the Han Family is now out of danger?"
Physicians would never offer definitive assurances, and Ms. Doctor Liu was no exception. She replied in a subdued tone, "The wound hasn’t healed yet and continues to bleed lightly, so it’s uncertain. It depends on proper post-care. Given that the wound is internal, there’s still a risk of inflammation. For patients with external injuries, the greatest fear is infection."
The Empress asked, "Is this what Doctor Zhou Junior also mentioned?"
"Yes," Ms. Doctor Liu pondered for a moment before recounting what Manbao and the ladies at the Li Residence said about external evils penetrating the body. She added, "Doctor Zhou Junior stated that precisely due to these risks, cesarean operations are extremely dangerous. They are far inferior to natural childbirth and cause great harm to the mother’s body, to be used only as a last resort."
The Empress nodded, then looked at Ms. Doctor Liu with a smile and remarked, "You’ve grown more composed under Zhou Junior’s mentorship."
Ms. Doctor Liu immediately replied, "Yes, Doctor Zhou Junior has been teaching us diligently and without reserve. Aside from acupuncture, she has also taught us many things this time, including medication knowledge."
The Empress, known for her discerning nature, raised her brows and softly asked, "So it seems Doctor Zhou Junior is willing to train you all now?"
"Yes," Ms. Doctor Liu felt a touch of nervousness in her palms but lowered her head and recounted in detail what Manbao said while combing her hair previously. "Doctor Zhou Junior said that women in this world suffer far more than men. When ill, few women can seek treatment at medical clinics or pharmacies. Most endure their ailments—those who recover do so through sheer endurance, while those who can’t manage often call for a physician at the very end or quietly pass away."
Hearing this, the Empress let out a deep sigh and turned to the Crown Princess, saying, "Such a young child, yet she possesses such remarkable compassion for the world. In comparison, as the mother of the nation, I feel nothing but shame."
The Crown Princess immediately rose and knelt. "Mother Empress, this is my failure. You have long been unwell; how could you still burden yourself with such matters..."
The Empress waved her hand dismissively. "It is my own failing; there is no need for the Crown Princess to cover it."
She then turned to Ms. Doctor Liu and said, "Since she has the willingness to train others, do you wish to follow her and study medicine?"
This was a question about whether Ms. Doctor Liu intended to leave the palace in the future, marry, and lead a domestic life, or follow in Zhou Man’s footsteps and practice medicine.
Even though she had spent a day and night pondering the matter and reached a decision, Ms. Doctor Liu still hesitated for a brief moment. However, upon lifting her gaze to see the gentle expression on the Empress’s face, that lingering hesitation vanished. Kneeling, she declared, "I am willing to follow Doctor Zhou Junior and learn medical skills. I wish for women across the realm to be able to seek care at medical clinics and pharmacies when they are ill or injured."
The Empress nodded with satisfaction, personally stepping down to help her to her feet. She smiled at the Crown Princess and said, "This is a blessing for the world. You must also pay careful attention in the future."
The Crown Princess understood at once that the Empress intended to take action. She quickly lowered her head in acknowledgment.
The Empress did not keep Ms. Doctor Liu for long and said, "You’ve been busy and exhausted these past two days. Go home today and see your family. Return to the palace early tomorrow morning. By the way, Doctor Zhou Junior is coming to the palace tomorrow to perform acupuncture for the Crown Prince, correct?"
The Crown Princess replied, "Yes."
The Empress nodded. "Tomorrow, accompany Doctor Zhou Junior here."
The Crown Princess acknowledged this and bowed before leaving.
The Head Attendant supported the Empress as she went to rest and softly remarked, "Your health has only just improved, and now you are taking on new concerns again?"
The Empress replied, "Look at them—they’re so young and yet already burden themselves with worries for the people and the nation. Compared to them, we are far less capable."
The Head Attendant smiled and said, "You are being self-deprecating again. When you were fourteen, you were already managing the imperial household for His Majesty and leading troops to confront rebel armies. Surely that was far more perilous than this?"
"That’s not the same," the Empress replied with a smile. "It was a time of chaos; I had no choice but to act, every step driven by the overarching circumstances. She, however, faces no such compulsion."
The Empress spoke softly, "It’s not exaggeration—Zhou Man truly is the most gifted child I’ve met in all these years."
The Head Attendant smiled but said nothing.
The Empress leaned on her hand as she sat on the bed and murmured, "Among noble families, there are many children who are intelligent, but ones as perceptive as her are rare."
There was one thought the Empress did not voice—that even the Crown Princess, though clever, lacked Zhou Man’s acute insight.
Still, this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
The Empress sighed deeply and fell into deep contemplation.
The Head Attendant considered offering counsel but hesitated and refrained. Unsurprisingly, the Empress suffered from insomnia again that night.
The Emperor, awakened by thirst in the middle of the night, got up to drink a cup of water. Turning back, he noticed the slight twitch of the Empress’s eyelids and realized she wasn’t asleep. He nudged her and said, "Don’t pretend to sleep. If you can’t sleep, just open your eyes."
The Empress didn’t open her eyes; instead, she continued to keep them shut and replied, "Even if I can’t sleep, keeping them closed allows for a bit of rest."
The Emperor climbed back into bed, leaned against the headboard, and asked, "What’s on your mind again? Has the Dowager Empress been troubling you?"
The Empress opened her eyes and sat up in bed. The Emperor helped her adjust her bolster pillow to lean against.
The Empress sighed and shook her head. "No, the Dowager Empress has been kind to me. I wish to ask Zhou Man to take on a matter."
The Emperor chuckled, amused. "I thought it was something serious. If you have something to ask her, just tell her directly. Oh, by the way, she likes money. If she hesitates, just give her more money."
The Empress thought the Emperor’s tone was too light-hearted and shot him a glare.
The Emperor then straightened his expression and said, "Alright, alright. What is it? What do you wish to ask her to do?"
"I want her to train more female physicians," the Empress said after a brief pause. "No, not just female physicians, but female doctors who, like her, can diagnose, prescribe, and treat illnesses."
The Emperor laughed. "That won’t be easy. Studying medicine requires years of dedication; I’ve heard she began learning from a very young age. Asking people to learn now won’t yield much in the short term."
Thinking of something he’d overheard earlier, he added, "Are you being influenced by Fifth Lady of the Han Family’s recovery? Do you want the female physicians to learn Zhou Man’s skill in performing cesareans?"