Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 682: Trusted Aides (Part 3)

Doctor Sun had no choice but to cough heavily, discreetly signaling his daughter to shut her mouth with a glance.

This is the Imperial Palace, in front of us is the Da Liang Empress. It’s not like the past when we were at the Nanyang Prince Mansion talking freely before the Commandery Princess!

Sun Zelan had been in the military camp for several years, greatly advancing her medical skills, and gaining quite a temper as well. Ignoring her father’s obvious hint, she continued, "The Emperor is young and strong, in good health, and remains energetic despite daily busy affairs of state. The fetus is also healthy. Why should there be a need to check the pulse daily? Even if there is a need, with Father here, it should be enough. I’d rather return to Nanyang County!"

Doctor Sun felt his head exploding. He immediately got up and knelt, pleading for forgiveness: "Calm down, Emperor! My daughter was spoiled since childhood, growing bold and capricious under my indulgence, speaking without restraint. In fact, she is utterly loyal to the Emperor without any resentment or dissatisfaction. Please, Emperor, don’t be angry!"

Sun Zelan: "..."

Sun Zelan was also stunned by her father’s actions, unsure whether to refute that she was true to her words or to kneel down together to beg the Emperor for peace and forgiveness.

Jiang Shaohua felt some helplessness, yet also amusement: "Doctor Sun, please get up and speak."

"Since the day I was born, I’ve been carefully tended to by Doctor Sun, and being able to grow up healthy and safe is all thanks to him. Sister Zelan is slightly older than me, and we have grown up accompanying each other, deeply familiar with one another."

"Now that I’ve ascended the throne as Emperor, everyone respects and fears me, and all act with caution. It’s only in front of you that I can relax for a moment and talk about everyday matters."

"With me here, Sister Zelan can speak freely, and I’m pleased to listen. I won’t be angry. Doctor Sun, don’t be so stiff, it makes me feel uncomfortable."

Why is Doctor Sun so cautious and careful?

Because being an Imperial Physician and serving nobles in the palace comes with strict rules. Those who aren’t cautionary and meticulous have a hard time living to old age in the palace. There, it’s not unusual for words to lead to punishment.

It can be said that being an Imperial Physician is the most dangerous profession in the world, bar none.

Jiang Shaohua understood Doctor Sun’s worries and gently comforted him. Such heartfelt words warmed Doctor Sun’s heart and eased his tense demeanor: "The Emperor’s generous treatment of me and my daughter is engrained in my heart, and I am eternally grateful."

"This girl Zelan has been in the military camp for so long, interacting daily with those straightforward soldiers. She originally had a straightforward temper, now even more so. Frankly, Emperor, I can’t control her, and it’s quite troubling."

Doctor Sun’s manner of sighing deeply amused Jiang Shaohua: "If controlling doesn’t work, don’t control her. I think Sister Zelan is quite good this way."

Sun Zelan also laughed, her tone somewhat softened: "Indeed, I did speak recklessly today, Emperor, don’t be angry with me. I’m used to being busy, and now suddenly being idle, I’m not quite accustomed."

"Moreover, the Imperial Hospital isn’t as I imagined. I always aspired to be a Medical Officer at the Imperial Hospital, but after observing for a few days, I think being an Imperial Physician doesn’t suit me."

Jiang Shaohua smiled: "Imperial Physicians are officials first, doctors second, aren’t they?"

Sun Zelan was in awe: "Exactly!!! What the Emperor said is precisely the difference."

In the military camp, nobody cared she was female. Possessing miraculous surgical skills to save injured soldiers, the respect given by soldiers was genuine. She was rightly called Divine Doctor Sun.

In the palace, she was surrounded by the stable and secure Imperial Physicians. Most were over fifty, even the younger ones were about forty or so. Each spoke in a calm and reserved manner, looking at her like seeing a frisky monkey.

Sun Zelan indignantly said "frisky monkey," making Jiang Shaohua laugh out loud.

Outside the chamber walls, Qin Hu subtly raised his mouth corners.

Since becoming the Empress, their Commandery Princess had been expressionless, her demeanor more imposing. It had been long since she laughed so heartily.

Doctor Sun couldn’t hold back his smile either: "You’re right, in everyone’s eyes, for a woman like you to become an Imperial Physician in the palace, moving quickly and speaking sharply, isn’t it just like an unsteady frisky monkey?"

Sun Zelan proudly straightened her chest: "What’s wrong with being a woman? Our Emperor is the Empress, the Imperial Attendant is female, now with a female Imperial Physician, it’s nothing strange."

"Well said." Jiang Shaohua responded with a smile: "In the future, both the court and palace will have female officials. There’s a saying: One emperor, one set of courtiers. Since I’ve sat on this Dragon Throne, who to promote and employ is naturally my decision."

When she was ten, she swore an oath in front of her grandfather’s memorial tablet.

Her fate in this lifetime will be in her own hands, not swayed by anyone else.

She wants the world to quietly listen to her voice.

Now, she has finally accomplished it.

She has many things she wants to do. But there’s no hurry; one must eat one bite at a time and do one thing at a time.

This frisky monkey, Sun Zelan, was soothed by Jiang Shaohua’s words. Enthusiastically, she spoke: "However, after entering the palace, I’ve also found many good things. There are numerous medical classics and ancient books in the Imperial Hospital to read freely. The medicine storehouses have many rare medicinal herbs; whatever concoction one desires can be made."

"I’m already preparing to develop a topical hemostatic medicine. Once successfully developed, it can be promoted in the army. In the future, each soldier can carry a portion of hemostatic ointment when going to war. It could potentially save a life if one suffers any injury."

On the battlefield, external injuries are common, and soldiers dying from excessive blood loss due to delayed treatment occur frequently. If every soldier carried an excellent hemostatic medicine, it would indeed be beneficial.

Jiang Shaohua strongly agreed: "Good! You proceed with your research, whatever you need, just give the command. I will fully support you."

Sun Zelan was so delighted her brows curved with a smile.

Doctor Sun secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling quite proud of his daughter.

Therefore, one cannot entirely blame others for Sun Zelan’s current temperament. Largely, it was fostered by her father.

As Jiang Shaohua and Sun Zelan chatted, Doctor Sun didn’t want to disrupt the Empress’s enjoyment, so he left first.

Without her father watching, Sun Zelan became bolder, speaking softly: "That day, Chief Historian Chen wrote a letter to Nanyang, asking my father and me to come to the Capital City specifically for the Emperor’s prenatal care."

"Is it because the Emperor doesn’t trust the palace’s Imperial Physicians?"

Only Sun Zelan would dare to think and ask such a question.

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly, lowering her voice: "Prince Dongping and Heir of Prince Gaoliang secretly colluded, spending great sums to bribe Doctor Ji. Doctor Ji tampered with the medicine during preparation, leading to the premature death of my cousin."

"The Imperial Physicians in the palace all have different backgrounds, I haven’t had the time to discern their loyalty yet. So, I decided not to employ any of them."