Chapter 2688: I Want to Be an Official Too

The envoy was slightly taken aback, while the emperor sat up a bit straighter, casting an inscrutable smile as his gaze swept past the face of the Ministry of Agriculture’s vice minister. He said, “Courtier Zhou is always so imaginative. What difficulty could there be in this? Wouldn’t you agree, envoy?”

The envoy quickly snapped back to attention, hurriedly agreeing. He promised that once they returned to their country, they would certainly send high-quality seeds from Tubo to the Great Jin.

However, they couldn’t help but glance at Zhou Man with some skepticism. If they really had high-yield seeds there, would they need to ask the emperor of Great Jin for them?

What use were cold-tolerant and drought-tolerant crops if they weren’t high-yield?

Isn’t the yield the prime concern when it comes to grain production?

But this official was clearly a woman and bore the surname Zhou, so she must be that famous female doctor. The envoy had other objectives and did not want to offend her.

For now, the matter was set aside. Most officials’ families were not particularly interested in subjects like crops or seeds, so the emperor smiled and said to the empress, “Let the feast begin.”

The envoys from all countries took their seats, and the banquet officially commenced.

Palace maids carrying trays filed in, music played, and dancers glided gracefully into the hall, ready to perform in the center.

Manbao’s seat was in the upper middle, ideal for watching the dance. As she looked up, she saw Fenghua being surrounded in the center. Fenghua offered a captivating smile to the emperor seated at the top, then turned her head slightly toward Zhou Man’s direction. Catching Manbao’s eye, she playfully winked, instantly bewitching Manbao.

Seeing Manbao’s transfixed look, Fenghua couldn’t help but laugh brightly. She flicked her flowing sleeves in Zhou Man’s direction, spun with light grace, like a butterfly fluttering mid-air, softly landing and then turned to face the emperor again.

Bai Shan couldn’t help himself and waved a hand before her eyes. Manbao clutched her chest softly and whispered, “Did your heart skip a beat too?”

“…No,” Bai Shan said. “If I had, you’d probably hit me.”

Manbao lowered her voice and said, “Nonsense, am I the kind of person who hits?”

Bai Shan remained silent, watching the dance in the hall alongside her.

After Fenghua finished her dance, she bowed and withdrew with the dancers, and another group replaced them.

A palace feast really is just about eating and drinking, steering clear of national affairs.

First, dine with the emperor, then toast to each other and continue eating and drinking.

The family members would accompany for a while, then find various excuses to gather together, perhaps to enjoy the song and dance, or to step outside for some fun.

Though it was now dark outside, many lanterns were lit, providing a delightful backdrop and enough distance to entertain them for quite some time.

Especially the young men and maidens, who did not enjoy sitting for long, discreetly slipping away to play once the elders reached the peak of their sipping and dining.

Deeming herself still young, Zhou Man also slipped away with Bai Shan.

Zhou Liru was stunned, not expecting her aunt and uncle to leave even earlier than she did. She hesitated a moment, but Liu Huan had already risen to lead her away.

Lord Tang could only watch them leave helplessly. Truth be told, he wanted to leave as well, but after glancing at the emperor engaging amiably with State Duke Zhao and others, he decided to linger a while longer.

Many young maidens, like Zhou Man, slipped out and followed the lantern-lit path, gathering in small groups to talk.

Manbao and Bai Shan walked hand in hand, and seeing many people ahead, they turned abruptly into a dimmer path.

“Lord Zhou, please wait a moment.”

Manbao turned, and a young lady hurried over from behind. Arriving in front of Zhou Man, she crouched and respectfully saluted. Raising her head, she looked directly at Zhou Man, eyes seemingly aglow, “Lord Zhou, my surname is Cui.”

Manbao was slightly surprised, carefully examining her, but finding no recognition. She smiled in return and said, “Lady Cui, may I ask what brings you to seek me out?”

Lady Cui glanced at Bai Shan.

Bai Shan pursed his lips in displeasure, but as Zhou Man tugged his hand, he reluctantly let go and turned to leave.

Though slightly annoyed, considering they rarely had the chance to escape uninterrupted.

Zhou Man thought she might need medical help, but here the lighting was poor, and there were quite a few people coming and going, perhaps making it inconvenient, so she said, “Lady Cui, what brings you to me? If it’s not urgent, we could discuss it another day.”

Lady Cui glanced at Zhou Man with sparkling eyes and asked, “Lord Zhou, are you still compiling books at the Chongwen Pavilion?”

Manbao paused for a moment, then nodded, “Yes.”

Lady Cui continued, “How many books has Lord Zhou compiled this year?”

Manbao replied, “Not many, just two medical books.”

Lady Cui breathed a sigh of relief, bowed deeply, and said, “Lord Zhou, I too wish to serve as an official in Chongwen Pavilion like you.”

Manbao widened her eyes in shock, then grew pleasantly surprised. She lowered her voice to ask, “Do you have a connection?”

That would be wonderful; then she wouldn’t be the only female official in court.

Lady Cui blushed and said, “No, I wish to ask you to speak favorably of me to the Crown Prince.”

Manbao was momentarily stunned, then asked, “How could I praise you well?”

She found herself troubled; she could join Chongwen Pavilion to compile books because it coincided with the Crown Princess’s pregnancy, which necessitated an excuse to stay in the Eastern Palace to monitor her condition daily.

Later, she kept compiling medical books without neglecting duties, continuously advancing due to her accomplishments. But for other women…

Manbao quietly asked, “Do you possess any exceptional skills?”

Ideally, ones not possessed by other assistant lecturers and compilers at the Chongwen Pavilion, enabling her entry.

Lady Cui said, “No.”

Manbao: …

She was direct and said, “What I’ve learned, the Chongwen Pavilion’s lecturers and compilers likely know anyway. But I am confident that the books I’ve read are no less than theirs, and my capabilities are not inferior to theirs.”

She then asked, “Why must women master things men cannot to be valued?”

Manbao paused in silence before saying, “Because women have it inherently tougher in this world, and the emperor and other court officials might think, if you have the same skills they have, why wouldn’t they use more familiar and convenient men rather than choose more controversial women?”

Lady Cui was momentarily stunned before saying, “Isn’t it the case that the medical skills you possess are not known by all the imperial doctors in the Imperial Hospital?”

Manbao replied, “I have skills surpassing theirs, at least in acupuncture, treating ulcers, and women’s illnesses. They do not rival me. Oh, and with regards to infertility, I am the foremost individual at the Imperial Hospital today.”

Lady Cui: …

Manbao continued listing her advantages. “I also compile medical books.”

She uniquely stood out in high-output compilation, not because Director Xiao and Imperial Doctor Liu couldn’t write, but because they hesitated, wanting to keep their secret formulas from being entirely shared, thus producing slower, inferior books in comparison.

Otherwise, why would the emperor delight in adding titles to her role as a compiler at Chongwen Pavilion?

Ultimately, it was due to her knowledge bank.

Looking at the girl, clearly younger than herself, brimming with enthusiasm yet slightly lost, Manbao said, “To pursue a court position, you must possess skills others cannot refuse—there needn’t be an immediate achievement, but there must definitely be the potential.”

With years in the court, Zhou Man knew her strengths and weaknesses, aware of her likely future orbit revolving only within the Imperial Hospital, Imperial Doctorate Department, and Chongwen Pavilion, without possibilities elsewhere.

Even for Liu Sanniang and Zhou Liru, her plans for them revolved around working within these three departments. In time, as more women graduated from the Imperial Doctorate Department, female officials would eventually be present in local medical departments under the Imperial Doctorate Department, the Imperial Hospital, and the Chongwen Pavilion.

They were valued for their specialized skills, but what about the young lady from the Cui Family? Where did she aspire to go, and where could she presumably go?

Manbao considered this and asked her similarly, “This path is not easy; have you thought carefully about where you wish to go, where you can go, what you want to do, and what you can possibly do?”

Lady Cui contemplated this.