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Chapter 80 - A New Era, a New Chapter; The Old Master Takes Care of His Health

The night had not yet completely faded, but the capital city was gradually awakening amid the hustle and bustle. The majestic walls of the Forbidden City exude an air of majesty in the haze. Inside the walls, the palace maids and eunuchs are in a hurry, their expressions filled with tension and anticipation. The enthronement ceremony of the new Emperor Li Muyang, a crucial moment concerning the fate of the dynasty, is about to begin.

The bedroom where Li Muyang was staying was brightly lit. Several experienced eunuchs and palace maids were surrounding him, carefully putting on the dragon robe for him. This dragon robe has a bright yellow base color, with nine golden dragons coiling around it. Every detail exudes the majesty and luxury of the royal family. The golden thread flickered in the candlelight, symbolizing the glorious reign that the new emperor was about to embark on.

Li Muyang stood in front of the bronze mirror, his posture upright, allowing everyone to put on the imperial diadem steadily. The jade beads hanging from the imperial diadem swayed gently, half-concealing his face but unable to hide the complex light in his eyes. It was his reverence for the throne, his anticipation for the future, and a hint of imperceptible unease.

The powerful bell suddenly rang out, reverberating for a long time in the capital city, announcing the official start of the enthronement ceremony. Surrounded by a group of ministers, Li Muyang slowly stepped out of the bedroom. On both sides of the long imperial road, the guards, dressed in thick armor and holding long spears, were neatly lined up, like a series of imposing statues.

The civil and military officials had long been waiting outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony. They were dressed in solemn court robes and had solemn expressions, standing in order of their official positions. When Li Muyang's figure appeared, everyone knelt down in unison, Shouting "Long live!" Their voices resounded through the clouds, as if they were going to convey this respect to every corner of the world.

Li Muyang steadily climbed up the high platform of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, gazing down at the magnificent scene of his Highness, his heart filled with countless emotions.

His thoughts involuntarily drifted back to those days of studying in the past. In that peaceful study, my respected teacher, Mr. Su, always held a scroll and patiently explained the classics, history, philosophy and literature to him. From the strategies for governing the country and maintaining its stability to the principles of being a person and getting along in the world, every word Mr. Su said was like a beacon, illuminating his path forward.

Nowadays, he stands at the peak of power, and the teachings of Teacher Su still echo in his ears. He is well aware that to create a prosperous new dynasty, Teacher Su's assistance is indispensable.

After the enthronement ceremony, Li Muyang went straight to the Ganqing Palace. He couldn't wait to summon Teacher Su. Teacher Su walked into the main hall with steady steps. He was still wearing that somewhat whitewashed Confucian robe, which formed a sharp contrast with the surrounding resplendent palaces.

But the wisdom and composure revealed in his eyes made him no less impressive in this solemn palace. Li Muyang quickly stepped forward, tightly grasping Teacher Su's hands with both hands and excitedly said, "Teacher, Muyang's ascension to the throne and the establishment of this new dynasty are all due to your years of meticulous guidance." Now I shoulder the heavy responsibility of the world. The governance of this country and its state all depends on you, my teacher.

Teacher Su nodded slightly, his eyes brimming with satisfaction, and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, this old subject will surely spare no effort to assist Your Majesty, live up to Your Majesty's trust, and not let down the people of the world." In the Changchun Palace of the harem, the late Empress Lin Yue was sitting by the window, lost in thought while gazing at the scenery outside. Her eyes were filled with worry and concern. Over the years, she had watched helplessly as the late Emperor Li Yi toiled day and night for state affairs, his health deteriorating day by day.

The ascension of the new emperor finally gave her the opportunity to focus all her energy on Li Yi. She secretly vowed that she would definitely make Li Yi's health better.

Lin Yue stood up, took a light step and walked into Li Yi's study. In the study, Li Yi was sitting at his desk, with a mountain of memorial documents almost overwhelming him. His brows were furrowed, and the red pen in his hand kept revising the memorial, sometimes pausing and lost in thought.

Lin Yue walked gently to his side, placed a steaming cup of ginseng tea on the table, and said in a soft yet firm voice, "Your Majesty, Mu Yang has ascended the throne. The affairs of the court will be handled by him and the other ministers. It's time for you to have a good rest and recuperate."

Li Yi slowly raised his head and looked at Lin Yue, his eyes filled with a mixture of exhaustion and relief: "Yue 'er, you're right." These years, I have devoted myself wholeheartedly to state affairs and have indeed neglected my own health.

Since then, Lin Yue has devoted herself wholeheartedly to the matter of taking care of Li Yi's health. First, she urgently summoned all the imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical College. In a spacious palace, the physicians came forward one by one and reported in detail Li Yi's physical condition.

Lin Yue listened attentively, not missing any detail. Then, she personally entered the library of the Imperial Medical College Hospital and browsed through the mountains of medical books and ancient books. She often stayed for a whole day, neglecting sleep and meals. She carefully studied every medical book, took dense notes, and combined the suggestions of the imperial physicians to formulate an extremely detailed health preservation plan for Li Yi.

When it comes to diet, Lin Yue has racked her brains. Every day, she gets up before dawn and goes to the imperial kitchen to personally check the ingredients delivered. She carefully selects the freshest vegetables and repeatedly examines each leaf to ensure there is not the slightest flaw. Select the finest meat, examine the texture and color of the meat, and ensure the quality of the ingredients. For breakfast, she instructed the imperial kitchen to cook a thick porridge with newly harvested millet, and then add carefully selected red dates, longans and yams. These ingredients were simmered over low heat. The porridge made was not only fragrant but also had excellent nourishing effects. It could not only replenish qi and blood but was also easy to digest.

For lunch and dinner, she carefully balanced the meat and vegetables. There was steamed tender sea bass, with a few cuts on the fish body, sprinkled with shredded scallions and ginger, and drizzled with hot oil, exuding a fresh and fragrant aroma. There is tender and soft mutton stewed, with Chinese medicinal herbs such as wolfberries and codonopsis pilosula added. The soup is rich and nutritious. There are also various fresh seasonal vegetables, which can be stir-fried or mixed cold to retain their original flavor.

Lin Yue also specifically reminded the imperial chef that when cooking, they must strictly control the amount of salt and oil used, and try to use healthy cooking methods such as steaming and stewing, with a focus on light and nourishing dishes.

The adjustment of the schedule is equally crucial. Lin Yue made a detailed schedule for Li Yi and stuck it on his bedside. Every night at 9 p.m., she would arrive punctually at Li Yi's bedroom, personally making his bed and drawing the curtain for him.

At first, Li Yi always had difficulty falling asleep. The disputes in the court and the major affairs of the country kept swirling in his mind. Lin Yue would sit by his bedside, softly telling him some interesting stories she had collected from the folk, or gently massaging his head and shoulders to help him relax both physically and mentally. Her voice was gentle and soothing, like a clear spring in the mountains, flowing in Li Yi's heart. Gradually, Li Yi could fall asleep peacefully with her company.

At the hour of MAO in the morning, as soon as the first ray of sunlight shone into the room, Lin Yue would gently wake up Li Yi and accompany him for a walk in the imperial garden. The air in the Imperial garden is fresh and pleasant. The flowers, plants and trees are glistening with dewdrops in the morning light, and birds are singing merrily on the branches. Li Yi and Lin Yue strolled along the winding path, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the beauty of nature. Their spirits for the day were lifted as well.

During the days of recuperating, Li Yi also began to calm down and reflect on his life.

He recalled his youth when he engaged in fierce open and covert struggles with his brothers for the throne. Those days were filled with political intrigue and calculation, and every step was taken with extreme caution.

After ascending the throne, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to state affairs. For the stability and prosperity of the country, he worked day and night, often neglecting sleep and meals. He reviewed memorials until late at night and discussed state affairs with his ministers until dawn, yet he neglected the people closest to him and the beauty in life. Now, he has finally come to deeply realize that only with a healthy body can he have more time to accompany Lin Yue and enjoy the tranquility and happiness of life.

In the imperial court, the new emperor Li Muyang and Teacher Su were also actively promoting various reforms. They delved into the folk, conducted undercover visits, and personally understood the hardships of the common people. They went into the fields and talked with farmers, listening to their views on land and taxes. They came to the market, communicated with the vendors and learned about the development of business. In response to the current problems faced by the country, they have formulated a series of practical and feasible policies. They reduced the heavy tax burden on the common people, enabling them to recuperate and thrive. Encourage farmers to reclaim wasteland, distribute farm tools and seeds, dispatch agricultural experts to guide farming, promote new planting techniques and increase grain production; Strengthening the management of business, rectifying the market order and reducing business taxes have promoted economic prosperity. Meanwhile, efforts were also made to rectify the administration of officials, formulate strict assessment systems for officials, select a group of talented and virtuous officials, and enrich them into governments at all levels, thus eliminating the corrupt practices in the officialdom.

With their efforts, the country gradually got on the right track and the lives of the people became better and better.

In the market, goods are abundant and diverse, business is booming, and people's faces are filled with happy smiles.

In the fields, the crops are growing vigorously, presenting a scene of bountiful harvest. The farmers are working hard, full of hope for the future. The common people were full of anticipation and praise for the new emperor's reign, and the entire country presented a scene of vigorous prosperity.

As time went by, Li Yi's health gradually improved significantly under Lin Yue's meticulous care. His complexion was no longer pale and haggard, but rosy and lustrous, and his spirit was getting better and better. He no longer gets tired as easily as before. He can take a leisurely walk in the imperial garden and even play chess, enjoy flowers and taste tea with Lin Yue.

One day, the sun was shining brightly and a gentle breeze was blowing. Li Yi and Lin Yue were taking a leisurely walk in the imperial garden.

The flowers in the imperial garden are in full bloom, presenting a riot of colors. The red ones are like fire, the pink ones like rosy clouds, and the white ones like snow. Their fragrance spreads everywhere, intoxicating people. Li Yi stopped, turned around, and looked at Lin Yue affectionately, his eyes brimming with love and gratitude: "Yue 'er, thank you." These days, if it weren't for your meticulous care by my side, I really wouldn't know how to get through them. Lin Yue smiled, her eyes glistening with tears of emotion. She gently held Li Yi's hand and said, "Your Majesty, this is all what I should do." As long as you are in good health, I will be content.

Just then, a series of footsteps and conversations came from afar. Li Yi and Lin Yue looked in the direction of the sound and saw the new emperor Li Muyang leading several ministers approaching them.

Li Muyang walked up to Li Yi, respectfully performed a grand bow and said, "Father, I have heard that your health has improved significantly and I have come to visit you." Li Yi smiled and helped Li Muyang up, his eyes brimming with tenderness and relief. "Muyang, seeing that you have governed the state so well, Father Emperor is very pleased." You must keep working hard and not let down the expectations of the people. Let all the people in this world lead a prosperous and peaceful life.

Li Muyang nodded in agreement, then looked at Lin Yue and said gratefully, "Mother, you have worked so hard these days." My son has heard that it is you who have been taking good care of Father the Emperor. My son is extremely grateful.

Lin Yue smiled and said, "Mu Yang, you are the ruler of a country and should prioritize the state affairs." Your father the Emperor and I are both fine. You don't need to worry. Just focus on governing the country with peace of mind. We will support you from the rear.

Everyone chatted for a while in the imperial garden, sharing interesting stories from the court and changes among the common people.

Subsequently, the ministers took their leave first, and Li Muyang also left in a hurry as he still had official affairs to handle. Li Yi and Lin Yue continued to take a walk in the garden, enjoying this rare tranquility and beauty. Although dynasties have changed, the feelings between them have become even deeper.

In this new era, they have all found their own happiness and jointly witnessed the prosperity and flourishing of the country. Their story, along with this new dynasty, will be remembered by time and become a beautiful tale.

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