Fang Er's flattery left Li Shimin feeling refreshed. After a while, Fang Er bowed and took his leave.
As soon as he left the Hundred Herbs Residence, he saw Butler Zhang approaching.
"Master!"
"Butler Zhang, is something the matter?"
"I've just returned from the new district, Master. The hospital and school are completely finished and will be usable in a few more days. Would you like to move our expectant mothers from home to the new location?"
In folk tradition, pregnant women are only supposed to recuperate at home, and it's considered taboo to visit others, bringing bad luck.
This was why Fang Er had taken in these pregnant women to give birth and recuperate in his residence. Although Butler Zhang didn't express it openly, he had been urging the construction of the new district to speed up.
All for the sake of moving these expectant mothers out sooner.
"Then let's move them. You find a propitious day with True Master Yuan, and formally open the hospital and school together. Also, have Ma Zhou gather some scholars. The school can start enrolling students. While the Emperor is here, invite him to make an appearance."
Since the hospital was ready, Fang Er was also happy for the expectant mothers to move out. Being in the hospital would surely be better than being crowded at home.
Butler Zhang's face lit up with joy, and he quickly replied.
"Master, the day has already been chosen. Three days from now is an auspicious date. Mr. Ma has also invited many scholars, and the people of Shenyang City have long eagerly awaited the school, ready to send their children to attend classes at any time."
Fang Er was momentarily taken aback. This was what they meant by having an elder in the family being like a treasure.
Butler Zhang, as expected of an old steward, had already arranged these matters meticulously.
"Then let it be so. Go and inform the expectant mothers to move in three days. Also, ensure the accommodation at the hospital is dry and clean. We must not let these pregnant women develop any lingering illnesses during their stay. If they develop chronic conditions during their confinement, they will be difficult to cure later."
"Rest assured, Master. Every room is equipped with a stove and quicklime, ensuring not a trace of dampness remains." Butler Zhang's old face crinkled into a smile as he patted his chest in assurance.
"Very well, it's settled then. I will go and inform the Emperor. You notify everyone who needs to be notified. In three days, we will open the hospital and school."
After instructing Butler Zhang, Fang Er turned and returned to the Hundred Herbs Residence.
Yuan Mengjia yielded her seat to Li Shimin. Old Li unceremoniously called for a game of "Landlord" and dealt out three packs of spicy strips: "This hand of Landlord is mine!"
Grabbing his three hole cards, he took a quick glance and immediately exclaimed.
"I am the Landlord! I have twenty cards in total: four 2s, four Aces, four Kings, and a straight from 3 to 10."
"Damn it! Hahahaha, none of you stand a chance this hand! Watch how I beat you with a 'spring'!" With that, he tossed out the straight. "Three through ten!"
Li Tai, with a smile, looked at his father. "Father, let's agree beforehand, no hitting if you lose."
Li Shimin rolled his eyes. "Try winning first!"
Li Tai suddenly threw out two cards: "Bomb!"
Li Ke, sitting beside them, looked at his own cards and trembled. "Fourth brother is too fierce!"
"Come on, continue your performance!" Li Shimin said dismissively to his son, looking at the three bombs remaining in his hand.
"Hehehehehe, three 8s, three 9s, three 10s, plus two 2s, two 3s, two 4s. I'm sorry, hand over the spicy strips, your son wins!"
Li Tai threw down his remaining fifteen cards and unceremoniously swept all the spicy strips from in front of Li Shimin towards himself. After counting, he divided them into two piles, a large one and a small one. He pushed the larger portion towards Li Ke, keeping only five packs for himself. Then, he extended his hand to his father. "Father, it's not enough!"
"One bomb, one 'spring', four times the points. That's twelve packs each, and you only had seventeen packs in total."
Li Shimin, still staring at the three bombs in his hand, hadn't even reacted yet, and all the spicy strips he had managed to win were gone.
"Damn it!"
"I was actually 'springed' back?"
As Fang Er entered the courtyard, he saw Li Shimin staring blankly at the cards in his hand, his expression shifting from green to white, looking very frightening.
"Is this guy having an episode? Playing cards with his eyes open in broad daylight and having nightmares?"
"Is this terminal dream cancer?"
He walked over curiously, reached out, and waved his hand between Li Shimin's eyes and the poker cards, asking with concern.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
Tossing the cards onto the table, Li Shimin stood up, patted Fang Er's shoulder, and said dejectedly, "Let's go, let's talk inside."
Once inside the room, the two sat opposite each other. After a while, Li Shimin finally spoke.
"Come, young man, flatter me again, to help me relieve my mood."
Fang Er: ...
He pulled himself into the room just to hear another round of flattery? This was ridiculous. If you want to hear it, fine, but did he still have any pride?
"Your Majesty, what are you saying? I never flatter. I am an honest person and only speak the truth. Therefore, you can forget about me flattering you. Although I don't know why you are in a bad mood, there is good news now, which might improve your mood a little."
Li Shimin's interest was piqued. He lifted his backside and pulled his chair closer to Fang Er.
"Quick, tell me, what good news is it!"
Seeing that he had successfully redirected his attention, Fang Er told him about the school and the hospital.
Li Shimin became more and more excited as he listened. Finally, he slapped his thigh and declared, "Excellent! In three days, I will personally unveil the plaque! Send your soldiers back to Chang'an and bring Duke Fang, Duke Du, and Duke Wei over! This is a matter of great importance concerning people's livelihood and education, and they should also come and participate. Also, the weather is dry, and Chang'an should be quite hot by now. Your aunt's health is not very good, and Shenyang is still relatively cool. Bring her over to escape the heat, along with Changle and Zhi'er!"
"Wait, let me think."
"That girl Gaoyang should also start fostering feelings with Fang Xin early. Let's bring her along too..."
"Your Majesty, please, absolutely not—"
Fang Er felt a herd of mythical beasts passing through his heart at that moment. Why couldn't this Old Li forget about this matter?
"Your Majesty, in terms of seniority, Xin'er would have to call Gaoyang 'auntie', which goes against human ethics!"
Li Shimin was displeased and directly retorted, "Nonsense! What seniority for women! If I say it's okay, it's okay!"
Fang Er was speechless, but it seemed to fit the persona of his Old Li family. After all, he had a quarter of nomadic blood. Succession through father and son, or brother to brother, was common among the nomadic people.
"Your Majesty, this isn't just about seniority; it also involves issues of species evolution and genetics. In terms of bloodline, Fang Xin has one-eighth of the former Emperor's bloodline, that's certain. And Gaoyang has one-quarter of the former Emperor's bloodline. Their relationship is too close. They really cannot get married. Otherwise, they would either have a foolish child or a short-lived one."
"I have worked hard over the years. If not for my merits, at least I have effort. You can't just trap me like this!"
The logic in these words, understood by almost everyone in later generations, sounded like heavenly scripture to Old Li, who couldn't understand it at all.
He immediately glared at Fang Er, puffing out his beard and glaring.
"What is this one-eighth, one-quarter? I don't care. They aren't married yet, how do you know they will have a foolish child? What, you think I don't have a daughter?"
Fang Er was speechless. This guy was practically engaging in forced sales.
"Why don't you come with me? I'll show you something concrete! Then you'll understand what I mean."