The meaning of this Imperial Decree was very clear: the Empress valued her strength and was handing over a medical clinic belonging to the royal family’s Private Imperial Treasury — named Mu’en Hall — to Shen Yu to manage.
However, according to the description in the Imperial Decree, Mu’en Hall had likely been suffering losses for a long time.
In fact, the Empress had even intended to abandon it completely.
But Shen Yu’s appearance had changed the Empress’s mind.
She turned over Mu’en Hall to Shen Yu and promoted her three levels within 2 days.
This was not a treatment just anyone could enjoy.
Such an exceptional promotion of three levels was extremely rare, usually requiring extraordinary merit, such as war merit or major river management achievements.
Or, it required a special decree from the Emperor, which was equally difficult.
Out of so many people in the country, the chance of the Emperor’s gaze being focused on you alone was statistically minuscule.
Furthermore, Shen Yu’s status had undergone a qualitative change from Liuwai to Liunei.
Although Follow 9th Rank was already an official, the Eighth Rank was conceptually the clear beginning of a mid-level official within the ranks.
Social status and influence were qualitatively different.
Moreover, Shen Yu had moved from an administrative official to an attendant official.
Her new position, Imperial Court Medical Attendant, carried the nature of being an advisor and a close official to the Emperor.
This was significantly more prestigious and held much greater political potential than a common eighth-rank administrative official, such as a local assistant county magistrate.
This sent a clear signal: the Empress was using this method to slowly absorb Shen Yu into the royal circle.
She was grooming Shen Yu to be an inner official of the Emperor, rather than one of those court officials who shouted about serving for their salary.
There was a fundamental difference between the two in terms of status and function.
In other words… the Empress was doing everything possible to win Shen Yu over.
It wasn’t just the three-level promotion; Mu’en Hall was equally eye-catching.
Funded by the Emperor’s Private Imperial Treasury and backed by the great mountain of the royal family, it had the right to turn a profit and never lacked resources.
With just a word, all sorts of Imperial Merchants would rush to spend money to provide Shen Yu with various rare medicinal materials.
At this level, what the royal family sought was not profit, but finding any way to get one step closer to the Emperor to receive even more imperial grace.
However, even with such advantages, Mu’en Hall still managed to suffer losses.
This made Shen Yu wonder exactly why that was.
“Medical Attendant Shen?”
“Oh, Eunuch Li, I apologize. I was lost in thought just now. After all, having received such imperial grace again in just a few short days, I, Shen Yu, am truly overwhelmed with both fear and gratitude.”
Shen Yu finally realized that Eunuch Li was still holding the Imperial Decree, waiting for her.
“Yes, yes. Medical Attendant Shen, the speed of your promotion is so fast that even I find it hard to believe. But you are a person of great destiny and have won His Majesty’s favor. These three levels are just an appetizer.”
“His Majesty said that as long as you work hard, there will be more graces waiting for you in the future. Perhaps that one unique opportunity to treat the Princess will fall into your hands!”
“This is a great opportunity to bring honor to your ancestors and could even merit a separate page in the Shen Family genealogy. You might even leave your name in history!”
Eunuch Li was no fool.
He had delivered both Imperial Decrees, and he knew something of Shen Yu’s abilities.
For her to be promoted so quickly in such a short time, her future was certainly bright.
Thinking of this, Eunuch Li took out two banknotes worth 100 silver each and stuffed them into Shen Yu’s hand with a flattering smile.
“I came in a hurry and didn’t prepare a gift to congratulate you, Medical Attendant Shen.”
“You’ve just arrived in the Capital City and have many expenses. Take these 200 silver for now to settle yourself in.”
“You don’t have a place to stay yet, right? This inn isn’t worthy of your status. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone send over a deed to a house and arrange for a few charming maids to serve you. I’ll make sure you’re satisfied!”
The tables had turned.
Previously, it was Shen Yu stuffing money into Eunuch Li’s hands, but now it was Eunuch Li’s turn to curry favor with her…
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