Novel Full Chapter 947 - 60: Has the Consort Lost Favor?
Chapter 947: Chapter 60: Has the Consort Lost Favor?
The two doctors sent by Zhao Yao have arrived in the capital. After resting for two days, they entered the palace to teach the Imperial Physicians about cowpox vaccination.
The Imperial Physicians humbly learned from the two doctors and cooperated earnestly with them, making the cowpox vaccination process go very smoothly.
The first batch of children to receive the cowpox vaccination were originally the children of the Imperial Physicians themselves. However, the Emperor later realized that his grandsons and granddaughters were of suitable age for the vaccination, so he had his sons and daughters bring their children to the palace for the vaccination.
Except for Prince Wei, who had no children, the other three Princes and Princesses all sent their children to the palace. Prince Dai and Prince Zheng were reluctant to let their sons get vaccinated, fearing something might happen to them, and suggested to the Emperor that the commoners’ children should be vaccinated first, which made the Emperor furious and he scolded them harshly.
Before the Emperor even ordered, Prince Chu took the initiative to send his two sons to the palace for vaccination. Subsequently, Prince Jing also proactively sent his son to the palace.
As for Prince Wei, he had no children, so he could not partake in this matter.
The Emperor praised Prince Chu and Prince Jing for their initiative and then publicly scolded Prince Dai and Prince Zheng in front of the civil and military officials, leaving them embarrassed.
Loyal ministers following the Emperor also sent their children, who met the condition for vaccination, to the palace. Of course, the noble families sent theirs as well, but they only sent their illegitimate sons. They would not risk their legitimate sons.
Several days later, the vaccinated children left the palace safe and sound. During the cowpox vaccination process, not a single child had any issues. Seeing the success of the vaccination, the Emperor decreed that cowpox vaccination should be promoted across all regions of Great Zhou.
The cowpox vaccination initiative was to be carried out jointly by the local government offices and medical clinics, ensuring that all children who met the conditions for vaccination could receive it. Any government office found to be neglectful of this matter would be severely punished upon discovery.
The citizens of the capital, upon learning that children vaccinated with cowpox would no longer contract smallpox and that all vaccination costs were covered by the court, naturally became very willing.
Knowing that it was Prince Han who initiated the cowpox vaccination to prevent smallpox, Zhao Yao’s standing among the common people rose higher and higher. It was all as Yang Ling had planned.
The cowpox vaccination initiative proceeded very smoothly in the capital, and the citizens were full of gratitude towards the court and Zhao Yao.
Currently, Prince Han, Zhao Yao’s reputation among the common people is exceptionally good, so much so that other Princes can only look up to it. Walking on the streets, if you randomly ask someone which Prince they know, their immediate answer would be Prince Han.
However, despite Zhao Yao’s cowpox vaccination initiative, he still lacks popularity in court, and few ministers are willing to support him. In contrast, after Prince Zheng returned to the capital, he gained the support of many ministers.
The court was originally in a balance of power among Prince Dai, Prince Jing, and Prince Chu, but since Prince Zheng’s return, this balance has been disrupted, leading to a situation of four Princes vying for power. As for Prince Wei, he was pushed to the sidelines after Prince Zheng’s return.
After Prince Zheng’s return, his momentum was quite fierce, with a tendency to surpass Prince Jing. However, compared to the Duke Zhen Country Mansion, the Duke Anyang Mansion was still lacking.
Even if Prince Zheng’s influence made him a match for Prince Chu and the others, the Princes did not take him seriously, considering him to be a fool.
In fact, Prince Zheng was not so foolish initially; he had some intellect. However, living a life of indulgence and debauchery in Jiaozhou for years had corrupted his mind, turning him completely into a fool.
The Emperor also harbored deep aversion towards this son, Prince Zheng. Because of this, the Emperor also despises Princess Consort Shu.
In the past, the Emperor would visit Princess Consort Shu once or twice a month. Nowadays, he does not visit her for several months. Thus, Princess Consort De often mocked and ridiculed Princess Consort Shu, causing her to develop several wrinkles at the corner of her eyes out of anger.
Today was the day for the concubines to pay their respects to the Empress. Upon seeing Princess Consort Shu, Princess Consort De once again ridiculed her, making Shu wish she could scratch her face.
Empress Xie was quite pleased to see Princess Consort De and Princess Consort Shu in conflict. She even occasionally added fuel to the fire, causing them to argue more fiercely.
When the argument between Princess Consort De and Princess Consort Shu became intense, Empress Xie finally intervened to break it up, dismissing them both.
Empress Xie’s headaches were becoming increasingly severe. Sometimes, the pain was so intense that she had to rest in bed for several days. Over the past few years, since Empress Xie was bedridden for half the year, Princess Consort De, Princess Consort Shu, and Princess Consort Li assisted in managing harem affairs.