Knowing that Bai Qingyan had come in plain clothes because she didn’t want others to know her identity, Physician Ji quickly changed his words mid-sentence.

“Then I shall trouble you.” Bai Qingyan supported herself on Chun Zhi’s hand, lifting the hem of her dress with her other hand, and walked inside under Physician Ji’s respectful guidance.

Physician Ji, Ji Langhua’s father, was considered a renowned physician in the Feng County area. Not only was his medical skill excellent, but he often treated common people who truly couldn’t afford silver for consultations without charging fees, and even gave away herbal medicines. The common people held great respect for this Physician Ji.

What was as famous as this Physician Ji’s medical skills was his well-known fearlessness of the powerful and influential. He saw patients strictly in order of arrival and absolutely would not allow the wealthy and powerful to cut in line, unless it was a matter of life and death. Initially, some influential people tried to cause trouble for Physician Ji, but later, when Physician Ji’s daughter, Miss Ji, became a favored person beside the current Emperor, the powerful no longer dared to make trouble for Cao’an Hall.

The common people inside Cao’an Hall who had come seeking medical treatment saw Physician Ji respectfully escorting a pregnant young lady inside, and immediately began speculating about this young lady’s identity.

Physician Ji invited Bai Qingyan to sit in the main seat of the rear courtyard’s main hall. Just as he was about to respectfully pay his respects to Bai Qingyan, he heard her say with a smile, “Physician Ji is Langhua’s father, so by rights, he could be considered an elder. This isn’t the imperial court where we must observe the distinction between ruler and subject. In private, it’s enough that Physician Ji’s sentiment is understood.”

“I must kneel!” Physician Ji’s eyes reddened as he insisted on kneeling. “Back then, if the Grand Princess hadn’t had Eunuch Wei intervene, our entire family… would probably not have lived to see this day. Later, the Bai family’s general saved my daughter Langhua from the Xiliang people’s blades. Langhua’s letters mentioned it all… the Bai family not only saved Langhua but also saved Ning Yu! I must kowtow in gratitude to the Bai family.”

Physician Ji knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily, his heart filled with endless gratitude toward the Bai family.

Grateful that the Grand Princess had spared their family’s lives, grateful that the young Bai family general and Bai Qingyan had saved Ji Langhua, and even more grateful that the Bai family army had protected Feng County and never abandoned the people of Feng County.

“Then I shall boldly accept this bow on behalf of my grandmother and my younger brother.” Bai Qingyan signaled for Weizhong to help Physician Ji up.

Physician Ji rose and hurriedly thanked Weizhong, then said to Bai Qingyan: “Your Majesty led the Bai family army to capture Yecheng Pass, and later was besieged by Xiliang’s main forces at Jiangzi City. The news has spread everywhere. These past few days, the young people of Feng County have been clamoring to join the army, wanting to protect Your Majesty and protect Great Zhou!”

Although Bai Qingyan was now pregnant, and whether for Great Zhou’s sake or her own sake… she shouldn’t go to the battlefield, she had gone anyway!

This greatly inspired the patriotic people of the Great Zhou to enlist in the army.

After all, if their Emperor could fight on the battlefield while pregnant, how could strong seven-foot-tall men cower behind their Emperor?

Bai Qingyan smiled and nodded: “I saw it when entering the city.”

She then spoke to Physician Ji about Ji Langhua: “Miss Ji is currently with the Bai family army at the front lines. Her medical skills are very good. Later, when we’ve pacified Yun Jing and the army returns, I will have someone escort Miss Ji back so you father and daughter can be reunited.”

“That Your Majesty can make use of Langhua is Langhua’s good fortune!” Physician Ji said with a smile. “This daughter of mine has high aspirations and has fully inherited her grandfather’s medical skills. If she were to marry and bear children like ordinary women, it would bury her ambitions. Now that she can serve beside Your Majesty and share your worries, this commoner is very happy! Speaking of this…”

Physician Ji boldly looked toward Bai Qingyan and said sincerely, “Your Majesty established schools in Feng County, allowing women to study, and even allowing women to take the imperial examinations, giving women the opportunity to advance based on their abilities. This commoner believes this is a tremendous blessing for women.”

Chun Zhi took hot tea from the Ji family servants outside the door, tested some of it first, then placed it on the table beside Bai Qingyan.

Seeing that Physician Ji seemed to have some insights about the new policies, Bai Qingyan picked up her teacup and asked: “Speaking of this, I’d like to ask Physician Ji, since the implementation of the new policies… how are the people of Feng County faring? Are there any areas that need improvement? Please feel free to share your thoughts, Physician Ji.”

Physician Ji bowed deeply toward Bai Qingyan: “Every one of Your Majesty’s new policies considers the people’s welfare, with the people as the starting point. It can be said… not a single one fails to benefit the people. However, only this policy allowing women to study and take imperial examinations naturally encounters some difficulties in implementation. Of course, this commoner is not saying Your Majesty’s action is wrong, it’s just… it has always been that men are superior to women. Your Majesty’s action can be said to elevate women to the same status as men, but this damages some men’s interests. This is the first point!”

Seeing Bai Qingyan nod, Physician Ji continued: “Previously, a Master Cai came to Feng County. I heard he was an advisor to Lord Gaoyi. Master Cai stayed in Feng County for a long time, going to school almost daily. Once when Master Cai fell ill and came to Cao’an Hall for pulse diagnosis, he shared some concerns with this commoner.”

Bai Qingyan knew that Cai Ziyuan had come to Feng County, and presumably, he had already joined up with Bai Jinzhi by now.

“They say ten years of hard study in cold windows is all for the sake of passing the imperial examination. Our women originally could marry upon reaching the age of maturity, but if they study and take imperial examinations, they probably can’t marry at the age of maturity. Even if they marry after passing the examination, women must experience pregnancy and childbirth. After entering the court as officials, when they encounter pregnancy sickness and discomfort, can they continue to competently perform their duties? Childbirth is like passing through the gates of hell—can they safely get through it? During confinement after childbirth, how should they handle the governmental affairs that are their responsibility? This is the second point.”

Physician Ji knew that Bai Qingyan was a ruler with great tolerance who could listen to opinions, which was why he dared to say so much in front of her.

Seeing Bai Qingyan nod, Physician Ji continued: “For these issues, our Great Zhou has not issued clear laws, and this… is also why the people feel that even if women participate in imperial examinations, even if they surpass men to become the top scholar, they still won’t be given important positions. Everyone is using this reasoning to persuade themselves and their daughters to give up studying, all thinking it’s just because we now have a female emperor, so the emperor is eager to elevate women’s status as a temporary measure that won’t last long.”

“What Physician Ji says is exactly right. If we open imperial examinations to women, we must implement supporting measures to encourage them.” Bai Qingyan rubbed the edge of her teacup and asked again, “What about the other new policies? How are they being implemented in Feng County?”

“As for the other new policies, initially, some people might not have understood them, but because Your Majesty comes from the Bai family army, the people of Feng County all complied! Later, everyone gradually experienced the benefits.” Physician Ji smiled. “Plus, Master Cai came and explained things, and only then did the people understand that Your Majesty truly had the people’s welfare at heart, and they became even more enthusiastic.”

Bai Qingyan smiled and said, “It seems Master Cai accomplished quite a lot during his time in Feng County.”