"I know that."
Hai Ling naturally knew this. Just now, if the pharmacy hadn't belonged to the west family, she would have ordered it sealed off. However, because the Empress Dowager was behind it, she couldn't make things too difficult for them.
Speaking of pharmacies, Hailing thought of those who couldn't afford medical treatment and couldn't help but have an idea.
“Xi Liang, why don’t I open a clinic to help those who can’t afford medical care?”
"Great idea!"
Xi Liang also became interested. Poor people can't afford to see a doctor or go to the hospital. If they could open such a clinic, they would not only help others but also bring glory to the royal family.
"What are you planning to do? Let me see if I can help you."
Xi Liang was very interested, and the two walked and talked. Hai Ling smiled and had an idea.
"Tomorrow I will host a flower-viewing banquet and invite all the prominent ladies of Beilu to come and enjoy the flowers. At that time, I will have them fund the establishment of a charity hall in my name. What do you think?"
"Great, not bad. I'll definitely cooperate with you tomorrow and squeeze some money out of those people."
"Okay, it's settled then."
The two agreed and then said goodbye and went their separate ways.
Hailing led Shilan and the others back to the palace. As soon as they entered the palace, they heard a eunuch report that the emperor had decreed that the empress had returned and that they should go to the imperial study to see the emperor.
Hai Ling then led the people to the Imperial Study. She thought Ye Lingfeng had something to see her about, but when she saw him, she realized that he was just worried about her and wanted to see if she was alright before he could feel at ease. Hai Ling was both annoyed and amused, but she took the opportunity to tell Ye Lingfeng about setting up Baoji Hall, and Ye Lingfeng naturally agreed.
When Hailing finally spoke of what the West Mansion had done, his expression turned somewhat cold and menacing.
"You should spend more time with me; you're always busy with this and that."
Ye Lingfeng held Hai Ling on his lap, playfully biting her little mouth, reminding her to focus on her duties and spend more time with her imperial husband, instead of being busier than him all the time.
Are you jealous?
Hai Ling reached out and wrapped her arms around Ye Lingfeng's neck, winking mischievously, looking both playful and adorable.
Ye Lingfeng didn't stand on ceremony and nodded directly: "Yes, I'm jealous. You'll have to spend more time with me in the future."
"Yes, ma'am."
Hai Ling made a funny gesture, which amused Ye Lingfeng, who then stole a sweet kiss from her. Afterward, Hai Ling rested in his study for a while. Once Ye Lingfeng had finished his official business, the two returned to Qingqian Palace together and spent the night being intimate.
The next day, Hailing got up early, feeling refreshed. She instructed the eunuch to send a message inviting the noblewomen to the palace for a flower-viewing banquet.
Inside the palace, the back garden was newly decorated, with temporary platforms displaying various foods, fruits, and other items.
It is dazzling and beautiful.
By the time those noblewomen entered the palace, it was already quite late, almost noon.
Holding a flower-viewing banquet in the palace was a common practice in previous years, so the noble ladies were not surprised at all. The Empress's invitation to people to enjoy the flowers was a favor, and they would naturally not be absent whether they wanted to or not.
In an instant, the garden was filled with the fragrance of flowers and the green of willows.
Once everyone had arrived, Hailin also appeared, and the palace's back garden became lively.
The Emperor's series of actions made these noblewomen no longer as arrogant as before. On the contrary, many of them became cautious. Therefore, after Hailing appeared, these people did not dare to be careless and all acted with caution.
While admiring the flowers and chatting about everyday things, everyone had the same thought: Her Majesty the Empress didn't seem to like holding banquets. Could there be something going on with this flower-viewing banquet she's hosting today?
As everyone was speculating, Hailin spoke up with a beaming smile.
"Yesterday, General Ji escorted the grain supplies to Dengzhou, and I went to see him off. On the way back to the city, I discovered something, so I'm holding a flower-viewing banquet today to discuss it with everyone."
The discussion was rather alarming. The noble ladies who had been chatting happily at the lower level all stopped what they were doing and looked at the Empress speaking at the upper level, wondering what they were going to discuss. They waited together, wondering what it was all about.
There was not a sound in the back garden; it was completely quiet.
Hailin was very satisfied with the results and continued speaking.
"I never imagined that in the vast city of Bianliang, not only were there people who couldn't get enough to eat or wear, but they also couldn't even see a doctor."
Hai Ling paused here, and the people of the West Mansion naturally knew what was going on. Several noblewomen looked uncomfortable, but they didn't say anything. Hai Ling continued, "As the Empress of Bei Lu, I am heartbroken to see this. I thought about it all night last night and finally decided that I would take the lead and raise funds with everyone to build a free clinic, Baoji Hall, for those who cannot afford medical treatment."
"A free clinic?"
These words sparked a great debate. Many of the noblewomen present owned shops, including quite a few pharmacies. If the Empress built a free pharmacy, where would their pharmacies earn money? There was much discussion, but no one expressed their opinion.
Hailin wasn't in a hurry. She sipped her tea while listening to the discussion below.
Soon, someone couldn't help but stand up and say, "It's good that Her Majesty the Empress is kind-hearted, but if Baojitang is built, how will other pharmacies be able to open?"
"I said it was for those who can't afford medical treatment. If it is found that someone who can afford medical treatment is trying to take advantage of the situation at Baojitang, they will be severely punished."
When she said the last sentence, her voice was sinister, and her expression was cold and menacing.
Baojitang is for people who can't afford medical treatment. If there are any troublemakers, she doesn't mind dealing with them properly.
"There are plenty of places in the Ministry of Justice's prison for troublemakers."
She spoke coldly, and the people who had been gossiping fell silent. Hai Ling glanced around and finally said slowly, "The flower-viewing banquet I'm hosting today is to raise funds from everyone."
Now everyone finally realized the problem: the Empress had come to ask them for money.
Previously, they were only concerned about their own shops and forgot the Empress's original intention.
In the back garden, no one spoke. They looked at each other, not because they didn't want to donate money, but because they didn't know how much to donate. Since the Empress had spoken, it was impossible for them not to donate. If they donated too much, they would feel bad; if they donated too little, they would be criticized. So no one dared to be the first to speak.