Dingbei Hou's doctor brother

Chapter 182 Terminal Illness

Lu Ziqing said, "I can develop it, so there's no need to keep it."

After he finished speaking, he listed many matters that needed treatment inside and outside the palace, and even the missing items in the archives room, explaining every detail clearly.

The more Chi Musheng listened, the more he felt something was wrong. He put down the booklet, placed it on his arm, and asked, "What's wrong with you? Why are you saying all this for no reason? It's like you're leaving."

Upon hearing this, Xu Shizhang looked at him without saying anything, as if he knew what was going on.

Lu Ziqing immediately hid his smile and said, "No, I'm just worried that you won't be able to find me if you have any problems when I'm not around."

Chi Musheng snorted, "You wouldn't go anywhere else except the Marquis' Mansion, so how could you not find it?"

As they were talking, someone came in. It was Gao Jian. The three of them immediately stood up to greet him. Xu Shizhang asked.

"Eunuch Gao is here, but is it the Emperor who summoned you?"

"No." Gao Jian held the imperial edict and said, "We are here to deliver it. Lu Ziqing will receive it."

The three of them looked at each other in confusion, then quickly knelt down to receive the order and listened to Gao Jian reading it.

"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims that the Imperial Physician Lu Ziqing of the Imperial Hospital is a man of exceptional medical skill, capable of curing illnesses with his medicines. He cares deeply for the people. Recognizing his exceptional medical skills and his contributions to protecting the imperial court and harem, I appoint him the Right Court Judge of the Imperial Hospital. I hope he will continue his research and strive for the well-being of my subjects. Lu Ziqing must faithfully follow His Majesty's instructions, uphold medical ethics, and live up to my high expectations. I decree this!"

It was obviously a happy event of promotion, but Lu Ziqing felt a chill on his back and said with fear and trepidation.

"Your Majesty, I, Lu Ziqing, thank you for your grace. Long live the Emperor."

He accepted the order, and after Gao Jian left, Chi Musheng was so happy as if he had been promoted.

"Okay, Ziqing, now you're actually the hospital judge. I feel relieved to have you and Master here in the Imperial Hospital."

As he spoke, he bowed solemnly, then smiled and performed a passage in a clear and melodious voice.

"This humble official has met with Judge Lu."

Lu Ziqing was amused by his appearance, "You'd better not do that. This is creepy."

The news spread quickly throughout the Imperial Hospital, and everyone gradually changed from being indignant to accepting and obeying.

Those who had previously targeted Lu Ziqing openly or covertly were really much more honest this time, and everyone they met was smiling and flattering them.

He dragged his heavy load back to the Marquis' Mansion, and after dinner he began to check Chen Ji's homework. Late at night he fell into melancholy again.

At this time, the door was pushed open, and Su Chengyi walked in wrapped in a small quilt. He sat down beside the coffee table and asked.

"Why haven't you rested yet at this hour?"

Su Chengyi was wrapped up like a rice dumpling. He said, "I couldn't sleep, so I came to see you. My second brother wasn't asleep either."

Lu Ziqing poured him a cup of hot tea and asked, "Do you miss your brother?"

"I do." Su Chengyi drank his tea, put it down, and said, "I was just wondering, it's almost March now, when exactly does my second brother plan to leave? I still haven't heard anything from Sister Yunling."

Hearing this, Lu Ziqing sighed softly, "The Emperor just appointed me as a judge today. I don't know what to do for a moment."

"What?" Su Chengyi was surprised. "You got promoted?"

"What's so surprising about getting promoted? I don't want to be an official," said Lu Ziqing.

"No, what I mean is that the emperor just promoted you, and then you turned around and resigned. Will the emperor think you are playing a trick on him and want to chop off your head?" Su Chengyi looked worried.

Lu Ziqing was disappointed. "I don't know whether I'll be beheaded or not, but I don't think I can just resign. What excuse should I find?"

"What's the reason?" Su Chengyi pondered. "How about... you have an incurable disease? You want to resign and go home to recuperate."

Hearing this, Lu Ziqing slapped him and asked, "Are you cursing me?"

Su Chengyi chuckled, "No, then what other reasons do you have for the emperor to let you go? Losing your parents? Looking for your long-lost fiancée? Looking for your biological parents? These reasons seem even less plausible."

The more Lu Ziqing thought about it, the more annoyed he became. This incident had arisen out of nowhere, which was really beyond his expectations. He didn't close his eyes until the second half of the night.

The cold winds of spring soon reached March, and the victims of the hailstorm had almost been dealt with.

However, due to frequent natural disasters in various places from last year to this year, the Ministry of Revenue carefully calculated the money and grain for disaster relief, and the national treasury was almost in a state of deficit.

The lower-level ministries were always bragging about money, but the Ministry of Revenue couldn't produce any, and their words and deeds always involved the word "corruption". They argued fiercely in the court, and Emperor Shengzhi was so angry that his liver hurt, and he left the court early.

There was chaos in the hall and the prince was not there. It was the chief minister of the cabinet who suppressed the matter.

It was not until the afternoon that Chen Jing came back to report. As soon as he stepped into the Qianqing Palace, he saw Emperor Shengzhi leaning on the dragon throne with his head tilted and his eyes closed for a nap.

He was about to pull away when Emperor Shengzhi opened his eyes. He walked over and handed him the memorial.

"Is the Emperor unwell? Should we call the imperial physician?"

Emperor Shengzhi read the memorial and put it aside. He praised it as usual and said, "Natural disasters in various places require money. I'm afraid the national treasury can't hold on for much longer."

Chen Jing said, "Natural disasters are unavoidable, but the treasury still owes a considerable amount of silver. Zhongzhou alone owes five million taels, not to mention other provinces. Furthermore, which minister in the court hasn't defaulted on their debts? If all this silver were to be recovered, it would be a huge sum."

Emperor Shengzhi leaned his head back on the dragon throne, pinched his nose bridge, and thought for a while.

"This matter is difficult. Are you willing to go?"

Chen Jing bowed and said, "I, your son, am willing to go and share your worries, father, and do my best to recover the debt."

Emperor Shengzhi nodded and said "hmm", then picked up a memorial and placed it on the table. "This was presented to me yesterday. Take it and have a look."

Chen Jing took it and looked at it, his face visibly shocked, "This... Lu Ziqing has a terminal illness and wants to resign? When... How should I..."

He felt panic rising in his heart. Although Lu Ziqing's personality was not very cheerful, he was full of life and energy. He did not look like he had a terminal illness at all.

what happened?

"The person you recommended, you tell me whether I should approve this memorial or not?" asked Emperor Shengzhi.

Chen Jing held the memorial in his hand and said in a trance, "Father, please allow me to think about it again."

So, he stepped out of the Qianqing Palace and hurried to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, where several people in Chongcuixuan were having dinner.

Lu Ziqing stood up and saluted, but before he could say anything, Chen Jing pulled him out of the door. Chen Ji and the others looked at each other in confusion.

The upset man led the person straight into Xiao Yan's room and closed the door.

Lu Ziqing asked, "Your Highness, what's wrong? What happened?"

Chen Jing stared at the face that was as calm as usual. After a while, he asked, "What's wrong with you? Why did you resign?"

Lu Ziqing had never expected to be questioned by Chen Jing in person, and he didn't know how to answer for a moment. He hesitated for a moment and spoke calmly.

"Your Highness, have you read the memorial? Why ask again?"