In the fourteenth year of Jianyuan, after An Ning repeatedly submitted her resignation, Emperor Jianyuan saw that her decision was firm and found it truly impossible to keep her. He sighed inwardly at her pure nature and reluctantly nodded in agreement. However, the words that came out of his mouth turned into: “My Prime Minister Chu is devoted to the people, willing to give up his high official salary and status to travel the lands on my behalf, to understand the people’s hardships, and thus stabilize the realm and the state…”

In short, the next day at court, the emperor personally penned a lengthy proclamation, the gist of which was that his Prime Minister did not intend to abandon his duties and run away, but wished to travel on the emperor’s behalf to inspect the affairs and sentiments of the populace.

In the end, An Ning did not actually leave the Prime Minister position but was instead appointed to a newly created Vice Prime Minister post at court, and was specially granted the prestigious rank of Grand Tutor of the First Rank, along with various rewards.

The emperor even declared before all the ministers that from now on, any subject of Great Qi who meets the Grand Tutor should regard him as if meeting the emperor himself!

If it weren’t for An Ning having previously declined the Chu family’s rewards and, after many years of acquaintance, Emperor Xiao Qi somewhat understanding the Prime Minister’s subtle attitude toward those people, otherwise even the stone lions at the Chu family gate might have been rewarded by now.

Looking at the double-dragon pendant in his hand, a symbol of imperial trust, even the system could not help but sigh: “Hah, this emperor is not just talk; he’s actually quite generous.”

“Yeah… truly very generous!” An Ning glanced at the room filled with farewell gifts, mostly practical items useful for travel rather than just for show.

She also nodded.

Although there must be some motives for reputation’s sake and unavoidable accusations of ‘discarding the miller after the grinding’ or forcing away a meritorious official, it must be said that the emperor’s heart still contained much goodwill at this moment.

Between sovereign and minister, the dance of step forward, step back, push and pull, is nothing new.

Of course, An Ning was aware that among these dynamics, there was no small part due to her always being alone…

Even so, despite all Emperor Jianyuan’s maneuvers, news of An Ning leaving court quickly stirred up a huge sensation both within the government and among the common people.

At the Prime Minister’s mansion, the first to arrive was Bai Zhi, now the head of the Medical Department.

Compared to the youthful and anxious girl from ten years ago, the Bai Zhi before her had undeniably matured greatly.

Wearing an official robe of stone-blue with jade belt and ribbons, her previously delicate brows now carried an unspoken aura of dignified authority after years in high office.

Having received the news, Bai Zhi hurried over without even changing her clothes from inspecting the research department, barely able to put down her experiments, panting heavily: “Sir, are you really leaving?” Seeing An Ning only smile and nod without denial, Bai Zhi bit her lip tightly and hesitated for a moment before finally asking: “Sir, is it because of your identity?”

The last sentence was nearly a whisper.

“As expected, you discovered it long ago, didn’t you!” An Ning’s expression remained mostly unchanged as she raised a hand, gesturing for Bai Zhi to sit.

Though still dressed as a man these years, she no longer tried to conceal her features excessively. At thirty, male and female facial traits inevitably showed some differences.

Bai Zhi’s medical skills had improved greatly over the past two years; a few years ago she even self-studied surgery, becoming familiar with human bones and various structures.

It was not surprising that she noticed.

What was surprising was that despite these flaws being visible, no one in the entire court seemed to have noticed, not even Xiao Qi, who frequently interacted with her.

Could it be because An Ning’s behavior was just too flawless?

Pushing a cup of warm milk tea to the visitor with slender hands, An Ning saw her frowning deeply and couldn’t help but shake her head with a faint smile: “You know, at this point, my identity might cause some trouble, but it’s nothing too serious.”

Nowadays, even in court and the army, female figures were not lacking.

When the new Great Qi dynasty was first established, with vast lands and sparse population, and powerful enemies lurking nearby, rapid development was needed to rival the neighboring Great Zhou. It was necessary to mobilize every possible resource, including manpower.

At this time, gender often was not that important.

With An Ning’s efforts, women now enlisted in the military, worked in workshops in groups, engaged in commerce, and even entered government positions—all no longer rare.

Some families even wagered on their daughters instead of incompetent sons to prevent the decline of their family fortunes.

Until today, with the changed economic system and the emergence of various tools, the social and economic value women could create became increasingly indispensable.

Having tasted enough benefits, these policies have seen little change until now. Of course, this includes the efforts of women like Bai Zhi who had already entered court.

So, to put it bluntly, even if she exposed her identity now, the worst she would face would be some trouble for herself, but no significant loss!

To say she resigned because of this was utterly baseless.

Seeing the ease and naturalness in An Ning’s brows, without any hint of reluctance, Bai Zhi finally breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

Yes, what was she thinking just now? This was the Prime Minister Chu, who singlehandedly developed the once barren Chu region, allowing tens of thousands of people to be fed and clothed, and who was deeply beloved by the common folk as a ‘true immortal.’

No matter what, if anyone foolishly spoke ill of him in taverns or alleys, not only the next day but even immediately, they would be beaten by the crowd into a pig’s head.

Within three days, the whole family, including the stone lions outside their house, would be cursed endlessly.

Such a man would never leave because of this…

Thinking of this, the tension between Bai Zhi’s brows eased, revealing a bright and cheerful smile.

She did not ask why An Ning wanted to leave, but drank down her hot tea in one gulp. The woman in the blue robe raised her cup heavily with a smile and said, “Sir, you have worked hard for many years. Now that peace reigns and the rivers and seas are calm, it is only fitting to leave these burdens behind and take a journey to appreciate the magnificent rivers and mountains under your governance.”

“I, Bai Zhi, wish you a smooth journey!”

Facing Bai Zhi’s bright smile, An Ning also raised her cup with a smile: “Chu also wishes Lady Bai success at every step!”

Success at every step, truly wonderful!

Until they returned to the office, Bai Zhi’s face no longer showed the earlier panic but held some faint smile. However, her subordinate beside her looked quite puzzled: “Sir, the Prime Minister really is leaving. Why are you not worried?”

Shouldn’t she be worried? The subordinate could not understand.

Although there were women like them serving in government, it was not the trend. Many conservatives who clung to old ways still existed in court.

Few could treat women fairly and give them opportunities for development like the Prime Minister did.

Thus, when news of Chu’s departure spread, besides the sighing commoners and the many followers in court, female officials like them were the most afraid.

Didn’t the lady act the same before? Otherwise, she wouldn’t have rushed out crazily upon hearing the news.

But now…

Aren’t you worried, sir? Yang Wan bit her lip.

Seeing her subordinate’s anxious expression, Bai Zhi’s gaze briefly faltered, then turned into a smile: “Awan, whether it is the Prime Minister or anyone else, no one is responsible for another person’s or group’s entire life… What difference does it make if one is male or female?

Moreover, for over a decade, the sir has paved the way for us. From now on, whether power or freedom, what we want, we must fight for ourselves, snatch for ourselves, even kill for it! Instead of foolishly hoping to forever rely on one person’s strength to shelter us, to protect us all our lives. What meaning does that kind of power have?”

Countless histories have already shown that everything gained by one person’s strength will vanish completely when that person leaves; power must be firmly held in one’s own hands…

Facing her subordinate’s stunned expression, Bai Zhi’s gaze lowered slightly.

Besides, the sir has already done enough for them. Thinking of the attire that had not been changed on her for a long time…

Facing the fiery red sunset outside the window, Bai Zhi clenched her fists tightly.

Her future would surely be, as the sir said, to lead the Medical Department she oversees to success step by step…

***

Autumn of the fifteenth year of Jianyuan

Before noon, the largest dock on the outskirts of the capital was already crowded with more than one wave of people, with the following procession stretching tens of miles long. Among them were many green-clad guards in armor.

After days of autumn rain, this day was blessed with rare cloudless blue skies. Emperor Jianyuan stood personally on the dock with his civil and military ministers. Before them was a large ship, several men tall, exquisitely decorated in a simple and ancient style.

The ship was personally overseen last year by Minister of Works Xu, and excelled in both comfort and speed.

Afraid that their Prime Minister would suffer hardship, Minister Xu racked his brains, and under Emperor Jianyuan’s instructions, although the ship was not large, its internal configuration was meticulously crafted.

They were determined to ensure that the Prime Minister would be as well taken care of outside as at home.

Even so, on this day of farewell, the ministers led by Minister Xu were tearful.

To be honest, over the years everyone had become accustomed to obeying the Prime Minister’s orders. Countless facts proved that the Prime Minister rarely erred in decision-making. Even though there were ambitious rivals who hoped to replace him, seeing the man in a green robe standing by the riverbank, his jade-like crown, wide sleeves fluttering in the morning breeze, they couldn’t help but sigh.

As the ancient texts say, such a person is truly a gifted soul nurtured by heaven and earth.

The autumn wind was bleak. Suddenly, someone in the crowd let out the first sob. Then, like a switch being flipped, loud weeping on both riverbanks rose to match the sound of the waves.

People whispered among themselves.

No one knew how much time passed until An Ning raised her sleeve and decisively drank the last cup of farewell wine. The sobbing from both banks did not lessen in the slightest.

At this moment, the hearts of the people were profoundly revealed.

Among the crowd, many newly appointed officials looked on with deep admiration. At this moment, their respect for this Prime Minister reached its peak.

No matter what the future held, at least at this moment, these new scholars sincerely wished to become a good official like Prime Minister Chu, revered by the world and remembered in history.

A gentle breeze brushed their cheeks. Despite all the farewells, An Ning had truly come to the moment of departure.

After respectfully bowing to everyone before her, she stepped onto the ship. The tsunami of cries on both sides once again rose like thunder drums.

The echoes lingered long and did not fade.

Seeing this scene with her own eyes, even someone as cold-hearted as An Ning could not help but feel a touch of emotion.

Though she knew that beyond admiration and reluctance, many cried out of fear—fear that after her departure, the earlier policies and other things, this ‘good’ life they now enjoyed would vanish like morning dew at dawn…

At this moment, An Ning finally understood why so many literati throughout history were obsessed with fame. There was no denying that being admired by others brought a profound sense of satisfaction.

The autumn river still carried a chill.

While An Ning was lost in thought, a moon-white cloak still warm from body heat was gently draped over her shoulder. Standing side by side on the deck, she heard the newcomer softly laugh:

“Recently, I, Xie, have obtained a fragment of a lost manual, but alas, I’m currently too weak to comprehend it. I wonder if Zi’an would be willing to help solve it?”

At the same time, inside the imperial city.

Having just finished reviewing several stacks of memorials, Xiao Qi learned from palace staff that Prime Minister Xie, who was supposed to be bedridden today, had also disappeared. His mansion was empty, and only a simple resignation letter remained in his room.

“That Zi Gu, huh!”

After a brief moment of loss, Emperor Jianyuan showed little surprise on his face. He stood silently on the high tower, as if from here he could faintly see the departing figures of his two friends.

Inside the study, traces of their previous discussions and laughter were everywhere.

Until a trembling eunuch cautiously reminded: “It’s windy outside, Your Majesty, please do not catch a chill!”

After the words, seeing his lord remained motionless, the eunuch thought he had not heard due to his ill health. Worried, he was about to hesitate whether to call Chief Steward Pang.

Suddenly, on the high platform, the emperor, wearing a bright yellow robe embroidered with nine dragons, sighed softly:

“Yes, the weather in the capital has indeed grown much colder!”

The eunuch sensed other meanings in those words and dared not raise his head.

Just then, a familiar voice came from outside the door: “Your Majesty, Third Prince requests an audience!”

“Let him in!”

As footsteps approached, the eunuch noticed the emperor instantly returning to his usual majestic and inscrutable demeanor.

The fleeting melancholy was gone without a trace…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep