CHAPTER 270: CHAPTER 270: GENERAL ZHAO, YOU REALLY ARE PETTY

Emperor Jing’s expression was unpredictable; evidently, he also found Zhao Ting somewhat shameless.

Indeed, in this matter, Zhao Ting felt wronged.

But wasn’t he the one who had been wronged the most?

He had the face to ask for compensation; then who would compensate him?

Emperor Jing’s gaze moved to An Guifei, the culprit was right there.

"Changle, it’s not easy for Ah Ting, making such a fuss... Madam Zhao was also frightened, what do you think?" Emperor Jing spoke earnestly.

An Guifei felt somewhat guilty.

"I will open the private treasury and pick something for General Zhao and Madam Zhao to calm them," An Guifei said.

Emperor Jing nodded with satisfaction, "This is the right thing to do. There’s another matter, Changle, as a Noble Consort, there are many things you should and can do. Reading storybooks and unofficial histories is not something for someone of your status. Shuangxi, later take people to Concubine’s Palace and collect all those harmful storybooks and unofficial histories."

An Guifei widened her eyes, "Your Majesty, I put a lot of thought into collecting those, you can’t—"

Emperor Jing interrupted An Guifei, "Pass my decree, anyone who helps the Noble Consort collect storybooks, if I find out, will be severely punished."

This cut An Guifei’s thoughts from the source.

If it weren’t for reading too many of those storybooks and unofficial histories, how could such a scandal have happened, how embarrassing!

Fortunately, the matter was resolved within a small scope, otherwise, if it escalated, wouldn’t he, as the emperor, lose face?

An Guifei’s heart was bleeding, those were her treasures!

"Alright, I still have some memorials unfinished, you may all withdraw now." Emperor Jing sent them away.

At the moment, no matter whose face he looked at, he felt stifled.

Out of the Imperial Study Room, An Guifei caught up with Zhao Ting and Meng Yao, and solemnly apologized to them again, "General Zhao, Sister Meng, this matter was all my fault, causing a misunderstanding for you, I feel truly uncomfortable."

Zhao Ting kept a stony face, saying nothing.

He couldn’t scold, but he could ignore.

"The Noble Consort didn’t mean it," Meng Yao said.

"Can we still be friends in the future?" An Guifei asked.

"As long as the Noble Consort is willing," Meng Yao replied.

An Guifei laughed happily, "Of course I am willing. General Zhao, there’s no one better in the world than Sister Meng, General Zhao, cherish your fortune! Sister Meng, if he bullies you in the future, tell me and I’ll back you up."

As a Noble Consort, she still had such authority.

"As long as the Noble Consort doesn’t cause me trouble, I am content." Zhao Ting replied mildly.

"General Zhao, you’re so petty!" An Guifei snorted, "But, whether you’re petty or not, I don’t care, I’m not trying to befriend you anyway."

With that, An Guifei placed her hand on the arm of a palace maid and walked away arrogantly.

Meng Yao pushed Zhao Ting, following behind the little eunuch, walking slowly towards the palace gate.

At home, Zhao Ting groaned about his shoulder pain.

Meng Yao felt guilty, earlier, she hadn’t attacked him too hard, but she did use some force, and she struck an acupoint, which was particularly painful.

"I’ll apply medicine for you and give it a massage," Meng Yao said.

When one makes a mistake, it’s a mistake, she wouldn’t avoid it, nor be coy.

"It hurts, it really hurts, Ah Yao, can you be gentler?" Zhao Ting coquettishly demanded.

"If I don’t massage it out, it’ll hurt even more tomorrow," Meng Yao replied.

"Gently massage it for a longer time, it’ll still work," Zhao Ting suggested.

"Alright." Meng Yao agreed.

What else could she do since she hit him?

What happened next really opened Meng Yao’s eyes—

During meals, Zhao Ting wouldn’t pick up the chopsticks or lift the bowl, sighing, "The shoulder pain makes it hard to even lift my arm, I might as well starve."

Meng Yao: ...

She chose not to argue with him.

"I’ll feed you," Meng Yao said.

"This isn’t right, even if I don’t eat for a meal, it’s nothing. How could I let Ah Yao work so hard?" Zhao Ting said.

He was taking advantage of the situation, even asking for tea!

"Sure, even three to five days without eating won’t starve you," Meng Yao said, "So for the next three to five days, I won’t make food for you when I cook, to avoid waste."

Others at the table kept their heads down, shoveling rice into their mouths, afraid they’d burst out laughing.

"I should eat, a strong person can go without eating for three to five days, but I’m injured, and starving could worsen my condition, which would trouble Ah Yao even more," Zhao Ting gave himself a way out.

A true man can bend and stretch, it’s no big deal.

As for Emperor Jing, despite pondering it over and over, he couldn’t disperse his frustration, so he immediately gathered a group of people and sent them to the Medical School.

He also issued an order that results must be seen within three months, or else Lu Luoxing would be held accountable.

Upon hearing this, Meng Yao mused that emperors are quite petty too; they couldn’t get over such a small issue and had to reclaim their dignity.

Meng Yao began to busy herself.

Emperor Jing’s grand gesture wasn’t without benefits.

At least, it motivated a group to enroll.

Following Meng Yao’s advice, Lu Luoxing categorized these people and arranged courses based on their displayed talents.

This left Zhao Ting distressed.

Originally, he took advantage of his injury to fiercely assert his presence in front of Ah Yao. While Ah Yao seemed calm, Zhao Ting was convinced that her thoughts would definitely change.

But now that the Medical School was keeping her busy, Ah Yao was out early and late, leaving little time for the two to meet.

This couldn’t continue, Zhao Ting contemplated and came up with an idea. He went to the palace, and when he left, he had an extra token in his hand, the Head of Security at the Medical School.

If the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain.

This way, they’ll leave together, go to the Medical School together, and return home together. Wouldn’t there be many opportunities for communication?

The Medical School was thriving, and Steward Lu couldn’t sit still. Although there weren’t many enrollments yet, it seemed like the emperor intended to continuously send people, aiming to ensure the military was equipped with enough military doctors.

Moreover, from the looks of it, the first batches were selected from soldiers, and subsequently, people would be recruited from the civilian population.

Those who completed their studies and excelled could choose to go to the military. If they did, they would receive official positions, albeit minor ones, but they would receive salaries from the Court every month.

Of course, this decision hasn’t been officially announced yet, Steward Lu knew through his own channels.

Once announced, the Medical School would firmly establish its footing.

As the initiator, Lu Luoxing would reap immeasurable benefits, both overt and covert.

By then, wanting to control the Lu Family would be even more challenging.

Therefore, the urgent task is to ensure the Medical School doesn’t run smoothly.

At the same time, he must continue to woo Meng Yao, whose abilities are considerable. If she could be used, Lu Luoxing would be nothing to fear.