There is only one official Imperial Hospital in the Chu Country. Although it has dozens of Imperial Physicians, they must ensure the health of the nobles inside and outside the Imperial City. In case of an epidemic, not many can be dispatched.

Wen Wan proposed that Emperor Xuanjing transfer a few Imperial Physicians from the Imperial Hospital and then heavily recruit doctors from the public sectors, and classify the residents in the Northern Border epidemic area into three levels: uninfected, mildly infected, and severely infected.

There should be corresponding prescriptions for each level, and decoction should be distributed daily.

The uninfected are to be given preventive treatment, while the mildly and severely infected are to be isolated separately, with different prescriptions.

The bodies of patients who have died should be incinerated at designated locations.

In short, every possible humane measure should be taken. If a blanket approach is used, burning everyone inside regardless of infection status, it might logically be effective and control the epidemic in the shortest time. However, doing so would inevitably brand Emperor Xuanjing as a "tyrant."

Wen Wan believed Zhao Xi was not such a person; if he were, he would have already ordered the burning of villages in the Northern Border.

"In fact, with so many doctors around, developing a cure for the patients isn’t difficult. The hard part is controlling people’s hearts," Wen Wan said. "Because of panic, many people are fleeing, spreading the epidemic to others. Actually, if you think about it, their panic stems from the court’s failure to reassure them. Given the historical examples of village lockdowns and burnings, even if infected, who wouldn’t want a chance to be cured and live? Who wants to be burned alive? In such times, if an influential figure from the court goes to calm them, making the one hundred thousand residents of the Northern Border believe that the court won’t take a blanket burning approach and will try their best to treat them, as long as the public’s mood stabilizes and patients are willing to cooperate, the epidemic can be completely controlled very soon."

When she saw the appreciation in Zhao Xi’s narrow phoenix eyes, Wen Wan paused, "Actually, I have another suggestion."

Zhao Xi nodded, signaling her to continue.

Wen Wan spoke slowly: "I once heard that several major business associations in Jiangnan have their own business schools, and shopkeepers must graduate from them. So I thought, for literature, there are academies, for martial arts, there are martial halls, and even for business, there are teachers to teach. If the court sets up a large official medical institution in each province, handling both medical treatment and recruiting apprentices, wouldn’t it be more convenient to mobilize them in times of disaster in the future?

Moreover, there are many complicated ailments in this world that ordinary people can’t afford to treat with expensive life-saving drugs, leaving them to wait for death. If the court covers these costs for designated rare diseases, they wouldn’t have to spend a coin; the people would surely remember Your Majesty’s great kindness and virtue."

Zhao Xi, playing with a seal between his long fingers, appeared thoughtful, "Did you think of all this by yourself?"

Wen Wan nodded, "I grew up in the countryside and have seen many people die at home because they couldn’t afford treatment. It just came from the heart."

Zhao Xi suddenly raised his head, a hint of laughter in his eyes as he looked at her, "That’s why Song Wei didn’t let someone like her slip away." To marry such a precious young woman as Wen Wan.

It’s only someone like Song Wei who would be willing to use such a method to keep Wen Wan in the Capital to assist him.

This couple really did him a great favor this time.

Having grasped the unspoken words, Wen Wan quickly curved her lips into a smile, "It’s Third Son’s duty to share Your Majesty’s burdens."

Thinking of something, Zhao Xi suddenly changed the subject, "Perhaps it’s too lonely in the harem, and the Empress has been looking a bit off her appetite lately. Cousin, why don’t you go talk to her for a while, and have lunch in the palace?"

Since he called her "cousin," naturally, they spoke of family matters.

Wen Wan had never had a chance to be alone with the young Empress before, so she readily agreed.

After Wen Wan left, Zhao Xi urgently summoned all the court officials and relayed Wen Wan’s proposal for dealing with the epidemic and setting up official medical institutions in each province without missing a word.

After hearing it, the hall fell into an eerie silence.

Zhao Xi raised an eyebrow slightly, "What is it? Do all of you find it inappropriate?"

What was inappropriate?

They found it unbelievable. How could Wen Wan, a woman who spent all her time in the inner quarters, come up with such methods?

Those who had previously strongly opposed Wen Wan’s involvement in court affairs were now frowning in thought. After a while, the Minister of Revenue stepped forward, "The proposal to control the epidemic is feasible, but as for establishing medical institutions in each province, Your Majesty might need to think it over. To integrate the Jiuli Clan into Han culture, the Ministry of Revenue conceded seventy percent of the tax. Several business associations have already passed the review. Plus, the Northern Border war and epidemic have depleted a great amount of resources, meaning the National Treasury will be strained for at least the next three years. If medical institutions are built now, I’m afraid..."

"The seventy percent tax concession was negotiated between the Cabinet and your Ministry of Revenue. Now that the National Treasury is empty, you, as the head, must find ways to cut costs and increase revenue," Zhao Xi said with a cold glance, "The epidemic will follow the Commandery Princess’s proposal. However, given the urgency, resources from all departments and government offices should prioritize the Northern Border. As for establishing medical institutions in the thirteen provinces, the specifics can be discussed once the epidemic has passed."

The Minister of Revenue felt immense pressure. Unable to increase taxes or replenish the treasury, the role of head is not easy to occupy!

Zhao Xi initially intended to appoint Duke Lu to reassure the people of the Northern Border. After all, Duke Lu is the father of the War God Lu Xingzhou and oversees the Divine Soldier Bureau, signifying his influential status. However, Zhao Xi’s uncle, Prince Kang, stepped forward first.

Prince Kang expressed his willingness to go to the Northern Border to combat the epidemic alongside the doctors.

Although Prince Kang is usually very low-key, he does pragmatic work. The last time Zhao Xi ordered the demolition of nobles’ illegal structures in the Capital, no one dared to take the lead. Prince Kang, without hesitation, led the Ministry of Works to demolish Princess Qing Shui’s estate.

His proactive request to fight the epidemic filled Zhao Xi with immense satisfaction, "I’m grateful, Uncle Four."

Prince Kang smiled, "This is my duty."

...

Yikun Palace.

When Wen Wan arrived, Dong Han was leaning against the Black Sandalwood Auspicious Beast Couch, supporting her forehead with one hand.

There was no incense in the hall; the only scent of orange came from the palace maidens who had collected orange peels, dried them, and placed them into silver incense balls, giving off a very light and pleasant fragrance.

"This concubine greets the Empress." Wen Wan stepped forward to pay her respects.

Dong Han quickly had Xiu Dong support her, "The Commandery Princess is family, no need for formalities, please come and sit."

Seeing Wen Wan, Dong Han felt delighted and wisely avoided the topic of separation, directly asking her if she had gotten used to the routine of attending court every few days, and if anyone from the Astronomical Bureau was bullying her. She advised not to endure it silently but to tell His Majesty directly to have him intervene.

Wen Wan replied with a smile, "This concubine is well, thank you for your concern, Empress."

Dong Han glanced at the water clock; it was nearly the hour for lunch, so she ordered for the meal to be served.

Wen Wan was surprised to find that most of the lunch was vegetarian.

Although she didn’t mind vegetarian food, these days she had to run around frequently and use her mind; the physical exertion was significant, and if she only ate vegetables, she would quickly become hungry.

Seeing the dishes on the table, Dong Han frowned slightly, "Why did they serve according to my taste? Have them send something else from the Imperial Kitchen."

She then turned to ask Wen Wan what she liked to eat.

Being in the palace rather than at home, Wen Wan of course could only say she loved everything on the table and not to bother.

Dong Han said, "I’ve had little appetite lately, so I specifically asked the Imperial Kitchen to adjust the flavors. I forgot to mention this earlier." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Wen Wan held her chopsticks while Xiu Dong served her dishes, and asked, "Has the Empress seen an Imperial Physician?"

Dong Han herself knew some medical skills, although not expertly; she knew her own body’s condition quite well.

"No," Dong Han shook her head, "It’s probably because the weather is getting colder and people are feeling lazy."

"It’s best to have an Imperial Physician take a look; after all, the Empress’s health is precious. If you fall ill, His Majesty will inevitably be worried."

Knowing Zhao Xi’s busy schedule, Dong Han naturally didn’t want him to be distracted with concerns about her, and thus agreed with Wen Wan’s suggestion, asking Nian Chun to visit the Imperial Hospital.

This examination revealed a pregnancy, and Doctor Miao diagnosed that it had already been over two months.

Dong Han opened her mouth in surprise, her expression slightly bewildered.

Pregnancy? She thought she was just feeling lazy and didn’t want to eat, how could it be pregnancy?

Wen Wan wasn’t surprised at all; she had seen several girls like Dong Han who were unaware of their pregnancy. She had suspected this beforehand, but since Dong Han was the Empress and she didn’t understand medicine, she felt it inappropriate to make a wild judgment, hence suggested calling an Imperial Physician.

Sure enough, it was indeed pregnancy.

While happy, Dong Han also felt a bit frustrated.

Despite knowing some medicine, she was still inexperienced and knew little about women’s issues. Previously, when her menstruation didn’t come, she thought it was due to overexertion from the late Emperor’s mourning rituals, not realizing she was pregnant with an Imperial Heir.

Calculating back over two months, wouldn’t that likely be from the night of the Qixi festival?

Thinking of this, Dong Han’s face immediately blushed red.

Looking at her, Wen Wan felt as if she saw Jiaojiao for a moment — that flower-like girl who smiled sweetly when she first learned of her pregnancy.

"Pregnancy is not easy; I hope the Empress takes good care of the phoenix body."

Wen Wan did not want to see another situation like Jiaojiao’s.

"I must thank the Commandery Princess today." The blush on Empress Dong’s face lessened as she placed her hand over her flat abdomen, "I will do my best to bring this child into the world."

She then instructed the Imperial Physician and all palace attendants, "Do not inform His Majesty of this for now. Wait until the pregnancy is stable at three months before saying anything."

As soon as Dong Han finished speaking, Zhao Xi’s clear voice came in, "I already know."