frightfiction Chapter 176 The Imperial Physician Arrives
Chapter 176 The Imperial Physician Arrives
"Don't worry, A-Li. I'll have someone investigate what's happened to the Lin family recently," Gu Chang'an reassured her.
Shen Li waved her hand and said, "She will tell me tomorrow. I just need to keep my appointment on time. My husband doesn't need to worry. I won't carry the burden myself when I need help."
"Okay." Knowing that she was clean, Gu Chang'an put away the bamboo tube for her and went to the river to fetch water for her to wash her hands.
Shen Yue leaned against a tree, eating grilled fish and watching this scene. She sighed to Yu Die beside her, "This is so nice."
"If Miss Two likes to eat, there's more over there. Shall I get it for you?" Yu Die then looked up, thinking that there wasn't enough fish in her hand.
Shen Yue paused for a moment before saying, "I was talking about people, not fish."
"Oh." Yu Die followed her gaze and nodded, "Yes, Miss is a very kind person. I have never met such a kind person."
“…” Shen Yue.
Great, at least she's no longer the youngest and least romantic one in the family.
"Second Miss, do you still want to eat fish?" Yu Die asked, blinking her eyes.
Seeing that there was only one left on the fire, Shen Yue immediately took a big bite of the one in her hand and said, "Eat half each, don't even think about keeping any for yourself."
Everyone felt that the day had passed quickly. Shen Yue was still digesting the grilled fish in her stomach when she saw her older sister get into her car.
"Your sister has something to tell you, you must deliver it to Father," Shen Li said.
Shen Yue's first reaction was: "Can't I go to my sister's house?"
"It's not too late to come after I've delivered the message to you." Shen Li pinched her chubby little face and said, "Listen carefully."
Shen Li felt that she was destined to worry. Even though the matter of the river embankment had nothing to do with her, she couldn't help but want to take care of it whenever she thought of tens of thousands of people being displaced.
After seeing Shen Yue off, Shen Li and Gu Chang'an returned to the mansion together. However, before they even reached the main hall, they heard a commotion. Upon closer inspection, they realized that one person was cursing.
Sitting in the hall was Dr. Jiang, dressed in plain clothes, while the one who was cursing was Old Man Zou. Dr. Jiang looked extremely uncomfortable and was sweating profusely.
"I am here in this mansion, and you still come to diagnose illnesses? Can you even make a proper diagnosis?"
"Divine Physician, I am also here on the Emperor's orders," explained Jiang Yuanzheng.
Old Zou rolled up his sleeves: "You mean the emperor doesn't believe in my medical skills? Fine, then let's go to the palace and reason with him."
“Divine Doctor… this…” Just when Jiang Yuanzheng was at his wit’s end and had no other choice, he saw Gu Chang’an and Shen Li return and quickly sent out a pleading look.
"Senior," Shen Li said calmly.
For some reason, when Old Man Zou met Shen Li's calm gaze, he involuntarily let go of the hand that was tugging at Dean Jiang's clothes.
"Girl, it's perfect timing for you to tell me. I was with you, so why did you send him here?" Old Zou's expression was a mixture of dissatisfaction and wariness.
In his eyes, Shen Li and Gu Chang'an were treasures, and he couldn't write books for others.
"Senior," Shen Li pulled the person aside and whispered, "Did you mention the matter of compiling the book?"
Old Zou shook his head repeatedly and added, "I didn't."
"That would be perfect. He probably came to ask us to compile a book. If he knew we were compiling a book for you, he wouldn't be able to refuse." Shen Li said seriously, "You should go back, senior. We'll handle things here."
Old Zou was a little scared after hearing this. Luckily, he had just heard the news and rushed over, and hadn't had a chance to show off the book yet.
Hearing Shen Li's words, he covered his mouth and said, "Too much talk leads to mistakes. I will talk to him less in the future... I will simply not speak to him, and I will never make things difficult for you."
"Thank you for your understanding, senior." Shen Li said gratefully.
Old Zou left satisfied, without even provoking President Jiang again.
Gu Chang'an had already apologized to Dean Jiang and led him to the inner courtyard for a consultation.
Inside the main courtyard, Chief Physician Jiang felt the pulses of the two men several times before finally concluding: "There is nothing wrong with the health of the lord and his wife. The fact that they have no children is simply because their time has not yet come. They should just let nature take its course."
Shen Li thanked her calmly, but inwardly she was both amused and exasperated. Why didn't she know that she didn't have children?
It's quite remarkable that the emperor would care about this matter.
"Thank you, sir. I'll see you off." Gu Chang'an remained calm and politely saw the man off.
After going to bed that night, Shen Li teased, "It's because your Gu family doesn't have any elders to make decisions. Otherwise, if you hadn't had an heir for two years, someone would have been arranging for you to take a concubine."
The same was true in their previous life. The emperor, seeing that Gu Chang'an was pitiful for having no children, had suggested that he take a concubine, but Gu Chang'an refused.
“Ah Li is joking. Even if our parents were still alive, they would never have the thought of taking a concubine if they saw a daughter-in-law like Ah Li.” Gu Chang’an embraced her: “The child is nothing to worry about.”
"I'd like to have one, to see if it's a boy or a girl, and whether it looks more like you or me," Shen Li said dreamily. "What do you think our child will look like?"
“Someone like Ah Li is the best,” Gu Chang’an said without hesitation.
“I often think that if I had a daughter who looks like you, she would be absolutely gorgeous.”
Gu Chang'an's thoughts wandered for a while, and he smiled when he thought of that: "It would be better if she looked like A-Li. When the time comes, our family can live in seclusion and enjoy a carefree life behind closed doors."
"That's good then. A new emperor brings a new court. No matter who sits on the throne when the regime changes, it's hard to guarantee their safety." Shen Li said with some worry.
Gu Chang'an's position is too high and too special. No matter whether the future emperor sits on the throne is a capable ruler or a foolish one, he will be feared.
The fact that the knife was always in someone else's hands left Shen Li feeling uncertain.
Upon hearing this, Gu Chang'an patted her on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, A-Li, I won't let anyone have the chance to hurt us, no one."
Since he prioritizes peace over orthodoxy, he naturally has his own ideas for achieving peace, but they are troublesome to implement and will take some years to accomplish.
"I'll help my husband," Shen Li said with a hint of pride.
In this life, she entered officialdom, which gave her many more opportunities to do things.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
The next morning, Shen Li went to the palace to give lessons. After Li Che had learned painting, he pulled her aside to talk about classics and history.
"Your Highness, there are other scholars who can teach this, and besides, I am not very knowledgeable and dare not teach you," Shen Li declined.
Although she could act with impunity in the Hanlin Academy, it didn't mean she could openly steal her colleagues' jobs.
“That old gentleman speaks too slowly and is too boring. How about we just have a casual chat?” Li Che said seriously.
Shen Li never expected that she could discuss history and strategy with a twelve-year-old child. She thought they wouldn't be able to talk for long, but Li Che's insights surprised her.
It turns out that his maturity beyond his years wasn't an act; he genuinely possessed some skill and experience.
“Master Shen, I can still get along with you.” Li Che nodded in agreement.
Shen Li almost burst out laughing again. The prince was taught by a group of old scholars, so it was no wonder that the child had learned so well.
"Master Shen, how is your younger sister these days?" Li Che asked as they parted. "Has she been taking good care of the jade pendant I gave her?"