In the past, Zhu Qingyu was not familiar with the official positions in the imperial court. But now, after flipping through the court registry for so long, she knew the various positions by heart.
Therefore, she could say with confidence:
Shouming, I know you want to elevate my maternal family's status to facilitate this marriage. But among the Nine Courts and Nine Ministers in the imperial court, I have never heard of a Court of Benevolent Medicine, nor have I ever heard of the official position of Minister of Benevolent Medicine. Aren't you afraid of being exposed on the spot for deceiving the elders in my family like this? If it is exposed on the spot, and people mock me for my wishful thinking and swindling, how will my whole family handle themselves?
Gu Zhao just watched her talk, feeling a strong urge to stroke her hair or kiss her again. After all, it had been a long time since he last saw her.
But he also worried that acting this way would make her feel he didn't cherish her enough. It was exactly because of this that she always distrusted him and never took their relationship seriously.
There was plenty of time; there was no need to rush.
Once he married her and brought her home properly, he could naturally kiss her however and whenever he wanted.
But not now. He needed to show some restraint.
Thus, Gu Zhao reflected on himself, forcefully held back his urges, got up from the small couch, and sat down at the desk. Smiling at her from a distance, he said:
It doesn't exist now, but it will once your father and brothers arrive in the capital. Originally, I wanted to find a suitable position in the Imperial Academy of Medicine. But the Academy involves the royal family and prioritizes stability in all things. Your father's foundation is shallow; it would take at least several years, if not a decade, for him to become an Imperial Physician or Assistant Physician. Qingyu, I can't wait a decade. I want to marry you now. The Imperial Academy of Medicine only serves the royal family. Since that path is blocked, it's better to forge a new one. This matter requires an opportunity. When the time is ripe, I will petition the Emperor to establish the Court of Benevolent Medicine outside the Imperial Academy, to benefit the common people.
Hearing him say this, Zhu Qingyu was also somewhat curious:
Is that so, Shouming? Then what will the Court of Benevolent Medicine do?
Gu Zhao's smile deepened, and he even looked a bit like a joyful youth, as if claiming credit:
Qingyu, this was inspired by you. The Court of Benevolent Medicine will do exactly what you did in Yangzhou: compile and print medical books, train young doctors, and establish charitable medical centers. This way, the common people across the world will be able to afford consultations and medicine, even if they only have twenty copper coins. I saw that you did it very well, which must be due to your family's heritage. Your father and brothers must be excellent as well. Do you think this is a good idea?
Zhu Qingyu understood. This was the legendary tactic of digging a hole for a specific radish.
It was just that Gu Zhao was playing a big game. He actually had the confidence to create a tailored third-rank position.
Honestly speaking, this Court of Benevolent Medicine was a great idea. According to Gu Zhao's vision, it was basically equivalent to a public medical school combined with a public hospital.
With the government stepping forward to roll it out everywhere, the number of people it could benefit and the impact it could have would naturally be far, far greater than her small clinic in Yangzhou.
Therefore, she was fully in favor of Gu Zhao establishing the Court of Benevolent Medicine itself.
But the biggest problem was that she didn't have a father or brothers here. This was just a stalling tactic she had used, and Gu Zhao would find out one day.
Now that he was so enthusiastic and genuinely prepared to put his heart and soul into making this happen, she dared not imagine his fury when he eventually discovered that this was just her lie, that her father and brothers didn't actually exist, and that everything was just an illusion.
Sure enough, one lie required another to cover it up, like a snowball rolling bigger and bigger, with endless future troubles, until the day it completely exploded.
Zhu Qingyu lowered her eyes, and when she raised them again, there was more worry in them:
Shouming, this Court of Benevolent Medicine is very good, and naturally it should be built. It's just that my father and brothers have never been officials. If you suddenly arrange such high positions for them, I'm very worried that they won't do well and might even drag you down in the officialdom. Do you want to reconsider this carefully? Actually, there's no need for this. If you want, you can come find me anytime.
Hearing Zhu Qingyu say this, Gu Zhao, who had just been happily waiting for her praise, instantly turned cold. He felt as if his true heart had been fed to the dogs, and he asked in disbelief:
Zhu Qingyu, it just has to be Zhang Jingyan, doesn't it? Even at this point, you're still thinking about going back and being husband and wife with him? I want to discuss marriage with you, but you refuse, insisting on having an illicit affair with me? And you still want me to bail him out? Don't even think about it!
Gu Zhao seemed truly furious this time. He picked up a book to read by himself and stopped talking to Zhu Qingyu.
Wrapped in her trailing cloak, Zhu Qingyu walked up to him and tugged at his sleeve:
That's not what I meant. You are in a high position, and there are plenty of people lurking in the dark waiting to catch your mistakes. I am genuinely worried that my father and brothers will drag you down. Shouming, don't be angry. You said you would help me. Please help me, okay? Once my second cousin is out, I'll have an explanation for my mother. Then I will divorce him and marry you, alright?
Gu Zhao pulled his sleeve away, turned around, and sneered:
No, don't try to fool me. Why save him? So the two of you can fly away together? What do you mean by marrying me? I don't think you have a word of truth in you. The moment Zhang Jingyan walks out of the imperial prison, you'll leave the capital right after. Do you think I don't know?
Gu Zhao's anger lasted an exceptionally long time this time. Even when they had lunch together, his anger hadn't subsided. He blurted out again:
I can't reason with you; you can't tell good from bad. I'm not talking to you anymore. When your father arrives in the capital, I'll go directly to him to propose and ask him to betroth you to me. I don't need your consent. Before your father arrives, you better stay put in the capital. As long as you behave, Zhang Jingyan will be fine. If you make me angry again, try and see what happens to him.
This time, Zhu Qingyu couldn't coax him even by using the line "Shouming, you're not that kind of bad person." Gu Zhao vowed:
I am exactly that kind of bad person. You can gamble with his life and see.
They finally managed to eat a meal together, but they parted on bad terms again.
Zhu Qingyu had been busy all day but returned without any success, her progress reset to zero. When she returned home in the evening and stepped off the carriage, she was utterly exhausted.
As soon as she got off the carriage, Nanny Wang hurried up to her at the door:
My Lady, a Lord Zhuang from the Office of Transmission, along with Miss Zhuang, have come to see you. They have been waiting for almost half an hour.
