Taking Office Again

After discussing it, they felt the prescription was feasible, so they began to administer the medicine to Xiao Lingyan and perform acupuncture.

Five days after the medication was started, good news kept spreading from the Prince of Qi's Residence to the palace.

"Prince of Qi is beginning to regain feeling in his body."

"Your Highness can move your fingers now."

"His Highness Prince of Qi is able to sit up now..."

The entire court was thrilled upon hearing this news.

Xiao Ge and Noble Consort Cen were overjoyed.

They visited Xiao Lingyan in person and found that his health was indeed improving. They not only praised Zhao Ruxi extensively but also gave her a lot of rewards.

Zhao Ruxi quickly downplayed her knowledge, saying that she didn't understand medical principles and it was just a coincidence.

She dared not accept the title of "miracle doctor." What if someone came to her for treatment?

As Xiao Lingyan's condition improved, and he was able to sit in a chair and eat by himself, and walk a few steps with the help of servants, Noble Consort Cen summoned Zhao Ruxi to the palace.

"Your Majesty."

Noble Consort Cen quickly stepped forward to help Zhao Ruxi up, scolding, "Why are you calling me 'Your Highness'? Just call me 'Mother Consort'."

Zhao Ruxi smiled and had no choice but to change her address to "Mother Consort."

The difference between "Niangniang" and "Mufei" is like the difference between the three ladies in the Earl of Suiping's Residence calling the old lady "Niang" or "Laofu"—it represents whether the elders approve of you.

"Come, sit down," Noble Consort Cen, pointing to the seat next to her.

After Zhao Ruxi sat down, she inquired about Xiao Lingyan's recovery and then hesitated before asking, "Zhiwei, you and Little Five... haven't consummated your marriage yet, have you?"

Zhao Ruxi shook her head. "Yes."

"Imperial Physician Sun said that Little Five's health is recovering well. However, after fully recovering, he still needs to recuperate for a period of time. That's what I wanted to tell you."

She looked at Zhao Ruxi and said softly, "For Little Five's health, do you think it's possible to postpone your wedding night by six months?"

Zhao Ruxi was taken aback. She hadn't expected that Noble Consort Cen had summoned her to the palace to discuss this matter.

She nodded quickly, "I'll listen to whatever my mother says."

"Good child." Noble Consort Cen patted her hand, her face full of satisfaction.

Zhao Ruxi couldn't help but feel a little depressed.

Does she look very thirsty?

Noble Consort Cen, worried that Zhao Ruxi might misunderstand, quickly explained, "You're completely devoted to Little Five, so naturally you wouldn't joke about his health. It's just that Little Five likes you, and I'm worried that you won't be able to refuse him if he insists on doing something, so I asked you to tell him in person. That way, if he acts recklessly, you can use me as a shield."

Zhao Ruxi then understood.

It's likely that Xiao Lingyan wanted to delay consummating the marriage and avoid harming her body, so he sent someone to speak to Noble Consort Cen, which is why Noble Consort Cen summoned her to give her some instructions.

She stood up, bowed, and thanked him, but felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

As a prince, how could Xiao Lingyan not understand the importance of his recovery and having offspring?

Once he recovers his health and has children, his position as crown prince will be secure and no one can take it away.

But now, for her sake, he has postponed the consummation of their marriage, and it took him a great deal of effort to persuade Noble Consort Cen.

When she returned to the Prince of Qi's Residence, Xiao Lingyan was being helped by servants to walk, doing rehabilitation exercises.

Seeing Zhao Ruxi return from the palace, he looked up, smiled at her, and gestured for the servants to help her back to the hall to sit down.

Zhao Ruxi poured him a cup of tea and said, "I'm going to work at the Ministry of Works."

Xiao Lingyan paused in his outstretched hand and looked up at Zhao Ruxi.

Zhao Ruxi traced his handsome features with her gaze, her eyes filled with unusual tenderness. "You've done so much for me, I have to earn some reputation for you too."

They were husband and wife as one, and her name outside was no longer "Zhao Ruxi" but "Consort of the Prince of Qi". If she could produce more new farm tools, Xiao Lingyan's reputation would naturally rise even higher.

Xiao Lingyan held her hand. "Don't overwork yourself."

Although Zhao Ruxi did not tell him how she obtained the information about the Great Jin, the modern data, and the pills, she simply could not reveal it and did not deliberately hide it from Xiao Lingyan. Therefore, Xiao Lingyan could guess that Zhao Ruxi obtained the information and the pills through practicing calligraphy and painting.

Zhao Ruxi has never left the city since she got married.

Now, as I rode out of the city in a horse-drawn carriage, I saw the green, nearly ripe rice paddies by the roadside through the window, and I couldn't help but sigh—time really flies.

She got married in mid-February, but it's already autumn now.

Zhao Ruxi went out of the city to visit the estate twice, and then went to the Ministry of Works to chat with the official in charge of farm implements. That's how Qi Xugu got the news.

He rushed to the Prince of Qi's Residence's residence, requesting an Prince of Qi and asking Xiao Lingyan to persuade Zhao Ruxi to take a position in the Ministry of Revenue.

He was certain that Xiao Lingyan would agree.

Previously, both the Crown Prince and the Third Prince tried every means to reach into the Ministry of Revenue. As long as they controlled the treasury and grain of the Great Jin, the Great Jin would naturally be in their hands.

Once Xiao Lingyan recovers, he will undoubtedly be made crown prince. Zhao Ruxi's appointment to the Ministry of Revenue is tantamount to securing the purse strings of the Great Jin in advance; such a favorable opportunity is highly coveted, so why would she turn it down?

As a result, the couple actually pushed the door open.

Xiao Lingyan, "Isn't Zhao Jingli in the Ministry of Revenue? They are cousins, and working in the same department is taboo. Lord Qi, please don't bring this up. If the Ministry of Revenue really has some difficult accounts to settle, it shouldn't be a problem to have her help out. As for going to the Ministry of Revenue, let's just forget about it."

Qi Xugu: "..."

Is it too late for him to kick that brat Zhao Jingli out of the Ministry of Revenue?

Gong Cheng knew that his junior sister intended to take a position in the Ministry of Works. Seeing that Qi Xugu had come to him, he quickly went to the Prince of Qi's Residence as well.

This time, Zhao Ruxi didn't put on airs and agreed to take up an official post.

Gong Cheng was overjoyed and submitted a memorial to the emperor explaining the matter. The next day, Emperor Xiao Ge issued an imperial edict, appointing Zhao Ruxi to a Principal Sixth Rank position in the Ministry of Works.

Zhao Ruxi was Subordinate Sixth Rank in Nanyang, and now she has been promoted by half a rank.

Even if Zhao Ruxi weren't a member of the royal family, she would have been promoted two ranks without anyone daring to say anything, simply because she modified two agricultural tools and built the water conservancy system in Nanyang.

But even officials of the fifth rank had to attend court.

Xiao Lingyan's health is improving day by day, and the young couple will consummate their marriage sooner or later. When Zhao Ruxi becomes pregnant, she'll have to get up before dawn every day for court sessions, which will be too strenuous. And if something happens to her, whose responsibility will it be?

Since one is going to hold a nominal position, it would be easier to hold one that doesn't require attending the morning court or going to the government office.

Zhao Ruxi didn't care what official position she held. All she wanted was a position where she could stand on equal footing with men.

The day after receiving his appointment letter, Zhao Ruxi went to the Ministry of Works, chatted with the blacksmiths and carpenters there, and took out blueprints to have them make the products.