A newly appointed female physician at the Imperial Medical Bureau was immediately assigned to the cold and desolate Southern Pharmacy upon entering the palace. Just as her career seemed to hit a dead end, fortune smiled upon her. Her excellent work in cleaning and organizing the Red Fragrant Silk caught the attention of Noble Consort Rou, who praised the Dream Pills she created. This led to the Head of the Imperial Pharmacy personally coming to request her transfer, though she only returned after much persistent urging from Director Cui of the Medical Bureau. In the blink of an eye, she had become a physician.

Her dramatic rise and fall within a short month was already legendary enough. When this gossip spread to various departments, the name of this new physician became known to all.

Early one morning, just as Lu Tong finished changing her clothes, Lin Danqing entered from outside and immediately said, “Your name is now heard everywhere, sister. Those days in the Southern Pharmacy weren’t wasted after all.”

As Lu Tong turned around from the mirror, Lin Danqing’s eyes lit up as she exclaimed, “Where did this celestial maiden come from!”

The coarse hemp clothing worn for gathering herbs in the Southern Pharmacy had been replaced with the water-blue robe of an imperial physician, with delicate orchid embroidery on the collar and sleeves, her long hair tied with a matching silk ribbon. Already naturally beautiful, the subtle and clean colors made her eyes appear even more radiant. Like autumn waters in a mountain stream, she possessed a crystalline beauty.

Lin Danqing circled Lu Tong twice, stroking her chin thoughtfully before speaking: “How is it that these ugly clothes from the Medical Bureau that no one wanted to look like they’ve become more valuable when you wear them?” She sighed again: “Indeed, clothes matter less than the face wearing them.”

This comment was somewhat exaggerated, as Lin Danqing herself was far from ugly. Not only was she not ugly, but she was also quite beautiful in her own right, possessing a different kind of bright and clean beauty, like summer roses, brilliantly radiant.

She took Lu Tong’s arm: “Let’s go, Sister Lu. Director Cui will assign your medical department today. I truly hope you’ll also be assigned to the women’s department.”

Having just returned to the Medical Bureau, Lu Tong had not yet begun her duties and needed to be assigned to a department first, after which she would serve according to her specialty. However, most female physicians in the palace were assigned to the women’s department, with a small portion going to either major or minor pulse diagnosis departments.

Lu Tong followed Lin Danqing out of the room to the main hall of the Medical Bureau, where many physicians were already standing. When Lu Tong appeared, they all secretly glanced at her.

It was hard not to notice someone who had risen from a common medical worker to become the top scorer in the spring examinations, then was assigned to the Southern Pharmacy upon entering the Medical Bureau, only to have the Head of the Imperial Pharmacy personally come to request her transfer less than a month later. Moreover, Lu Tong’s outstanding appearance made even Cao Huai, who didn’t get along with her, reveal a hint of amazement.

However, perhaps due to the rumors, none of the physicians actively approached Lu Tong to speak with her. Only Lin Danqing remained as warm as ever, carefully explaining to Lu Tong the relationships between various departments and divisions of the Medical Bureau.

After waiting about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Cui Min appeared.

He wore a gray robe today, with wide sleeves, moving unhurriedly forward with dignified bearing. At first glance, he looked less like a physician and more like one of those pure-minded civil officials from the court.

All the physicians bowed in greeting to Cui Min, who acknowledged them and stopped in front of Lu Tong.

“Physician Lu,” he began, his tone gentle, “now that you’ve returned to the Medical Bureau, you should begin your duties in various departments starting tomorrow.”

Lu Tong quietly listened to him speak.

“Given your qualifications shown in the spring examination, you should be assigned to serve in the women’s department of the Western Longevity Chamber in the North Hall…”

Nearby, Lin Danqing’s face lit up at these words. If Lu Tong were assigned to the Western Longevity Chamber, they could work together.

However, Cui Min suddenly changed his tone: “…but with your medical classics and pharmacology receiving high praise from Director Qiu, placing you in the North Longevity Hall would be a waste of talent.”

He asked: “Various departments have unresolved cases, and with Physician Lu’s outstanding medical skills, as a subject, shouldn’t you help ease His Majesty’s burdens, correct?”

Lu Tong looked up.

Cui Min appeared frail, but the official robe of the bureau director worn on his frame gave him the appearance of a pine or cypress, with the air of a proud and noble loyal minister. His gaze toward her was gentle as water, yet upon closer inspection, there was a sense of oppressive gloom, like the wooden bed in the Southern Pharmacy that had grown green with mold after being soaked by rain, damp and cold.

She said: “I await the Director’s orders.”

Cui Min smiled, his expression growing even gentler: “Last month, Left Assistant Minister Jin of the Ministry of Revenue fell ill. Cao Huai has been treating him for over a month without improvement. Now that Physician Lu has returned, you shall diagnose and treat him together with Cao Huai.”

Ministry of Revenue?

Lu Tong’s heart stirred.

Qi Yutai was precisely in the Ministry of Revenue.

For a moment, Lu Tong almost felt that heaven was taking pity on her difficult revenge, delivering such a great opportunity so easily before her eyes, so she replied without thinking: “Alright.”

“No!”

The one who spoke out was Lin Danqing.

Lu Tong turned her head in surprise and looked at those around her, all wore strange expressions. Even Cao Huai at the front, in her shock, revealed a smile, though that smile seemed to carry a sense of schadenfreude no matter how one looked at it.

Lin Danqing was so anxious her voice changed pitch: “Physician Lu cannot go diagnose Minister Jin!”

Lu Tong asked puzzled: “Why not?”

Lin Danqing looked at her, her face gradually turning red as if having difficulty speaking. After a while, she finally stammered: “…Minister Jin of the Ministry of Revenue’s urgent condition is… is a scrotal abscess, you’re a woman, how can you examine him!”

Scrotal abscess?

Lu Tong suddenly understood everything.

No wonder everyone around wore such indescribable expressions, no wonder Cao Huai’s smile was malicious… no wonder Cui Min had taken such a roundabout way, laying such extensive groundwork to lead her to this point.

All because the scrotal abscess was a male affliction!

This illness wasn’t particularly rare, but having a young female physician treat such an ailment was indeed uncommon.

Cui Min looked at Lin Danqing, and perhaps because of Lin’s father, did not rebuke her, only saying: “A physician knows no gender; this was the first lesson you learned when studying at the Imperial Medical College.”

Lin Danqing frowned: “But Director, people’s words are fearsome!”

Though physicians may not distinguish between genders, rumors certainly do!

This world was already difficult enough for women and female physicians faced many constraints. If a young female physician wasn’t careful, she had to be prepared to remain unmarried for life. They as female imperial physicians had it somewhat better, only serving the palace ladies. But everyone in the capital’s official circles knew about Minister Jin of the Ministry of Revenue’s condition, and if Lu Tong entered the Ministry’s doors today, tomorrow rumors would fly everywhere!

Scrotal abscess meant the physician would need to examine and touch the patient’s private areas during the examination. Moreover, Minister Jin was notorious for his lecherous behavior – even the palace ducks couldn’t escape his wandering hands. What more of a beautiful young woman like Lu Tong?

Lin Danqing could already imagine the terrible scene!

“Physician Lu,” Cui Min ignored Lin Danqing and turned to Lu Tong, asking gently in front of all the physicians, “Are you willing to diagnose him?”

Lu Tong’s eyelashes trembled slightly.

She had heard from Miao Liangfang that Director Cui was someone who would use any means necessary, which was why he could peacefully claim his friend’s family heirloom as his own, fishing for reputation and deceiving the world.

However, his despicable nature still exceeded Lu Tong’s imagination.

Refusing Cui Min might offend Minister Jin when word got out, and would also prove her medical skills were merely legendary, even causing Qiu He of the Imperial Pharmacy to face questioning.

As for accepting… just looking at Lin Danqing’s current expression showed that Minister Jin was not someone easy to deal with.

Pure jade fears being stained most – a female physician didn’t even need to do anything herself, just the other party acting inappropriately would be enough for rumors to drown her. People wouldn’t criticize a man for being lecherous, they would only condemn the woman for inviting trouble. In the end, even beauty became a sin.

Cui Min might not want her completely ruined, but he wanted her reputation tarnished. In the end, when people mentioned her, Lu Tong, they wouldn’t speak of her medical skills, but would only remember those romantic affairs and flower garden tales.

How vicious.

“Physician Lu?” Cui Min pressed.

The surrounding buzz of discussion grew, while Lin Danqing anxiously watched her.

Lu Tong took a deep breath, slowly raised her head, and was about to speak—

“Why so lively here?” someone spoke from outside.

That voice…

Lu Tong couldn’t help but start.

The crowd at the door suddenly parted, making way, as someone walked in.

The pharmacy hall was spacious, with long scrolls of medical classics and pharmacology hanging on all four walls. The silver sword at the young man’s waist seemed out of place in the elegant hall, yet he was extremely handsome, his crimson official uniform making all the other men in their physician robes appear as dull as dust.

“Commander Pei?” Cui Min was startled.

Pei Yunying, the Right Commander of the Palace Guard, rarely came to this place, his sudden appearance leaving everyone frozen in place.

The young man walked into the hall, tilting his head to look around, his gaze not lingering on Lu Tong, seemingly somewhat puzzled: “What is Director Cui doing?”

Cui Min bowed in greeting: “In response to the Commander, I am assigning duties to a new physician.”

He nodded: “I see.”

Seeing no others following behind him, Cui Min pondered for a moment before tentatively asking: “May I ask what brings the Commander here so suddenly?”

The Palace Guard and Medical Bureau had always kept to themselves, and there were no recent medical appointments scheduled.

Pei Yunying smiled faintly and spoke: “The Guard Division has been training too intensely lately, and with spring restlessness, the guards are all complaining of fatigue. I’ve come to request a physician to take a look.”

After speaking, he seemed to just notice Lu Tong standing to the side, and raised an eyebrow: “A new physician? She looks quite suitable, let’s have her.”

These words came so unexpectedly that everyone in the hall was stunned.

Lu Tong also paused.

She raised her eyes to look at Pei Yunying, who wore his usual smile, as if he had truly just casually picked a physician who caught his eye, without any other thoughts, appearing completely innocent.

Cui Min’s face, however, darkened.

Pei Yunying’s words not only meant sending Lu Tong to the Guard Division but also rescued her from her earlier predicament.

This way, Lu Tong could avoid both entanglement with Minister Jin and facing everyone’s doubts, with a perfectly reasonable explanation that no one could find fault with.

And it happened at precisely this moment…

Cui Min’s eyes grew gloomy as he vaguely recalled something.

After Lu Tong topped the spring examination rankings, he had asked someone to investigate her past. Besides creating two new medicines “Spring Water Life” and “Delicate,” this woman was most famous for discovering the “Child’s Sorrow” poison that the Princess Consort of Prince Wen had been given, saving the Princess Consort and consequently affecting the Palace Consort Yan, leading to the exposure of those who provided forbidden drugs in the Imperial Pharmacy. At the time, everyone in both the Medical Bureau and Imperial Pharmacy had feared for themselves.

Princess Consort Wen, Pei Yunyu, was Pei Yunying’s full sister.

If Lu Tong and Pei Yunying had already established a private connection then, this Commander’s sudden intervention might not have been simply on impulse.

While still pondering this, Pei Yunying’s voice came from beside him: “Considering for so long, is the Director finding this difficult?”

Cui Min startled back to awareness.

The young man before him wore a smile, the imperial guard uniform on him unlike the usual cold and rigid appearance of guards, instead appearing warm and bright due to the dimple at the corner of his mouth.

But his eyes were not warm at all.

Those beautiful black eyes sparkled like stars, yet resembled deep, still waters, causing a chill with just one glance.

Cui Min’s heart tightened, suddenly feeling a trace of fear.

He had little interaction with this Palace Guard Commander. Though young and capable, the man always appeared bright and smiling when seen, seemingly very approachable. However, how could someone so young in such a high position have simple thoughts? Over these years, those who opposed him either met with misfortune or were demoted…

Beneath that warm exterior seemed to hide another, ruthless heart.

People had an inexplicable intuition that whoever defied him would likely meet a tragic end.

Cui Min neither wished nor dared to oppose him.

Suppressing his unwillingness, Cui Min bowed: “The Commander jests. If the Commander’s guards have needs, we naturally should serve.” He turned to Lu Tong and instructed: “Physician Lu, you will go to the Commander’s residence. Minister Jin’s urgent condition will still be handled by Cao Huai.”

Whether or not Pei Yunying had intentionally intervened for Lu Tong, this statement was giving him face.

Cao Huai in the crowd showed disappointment upon hearing this, while Lin Danqing and Chang-Jin sighed in relief.

Lu Tong stood still without moving.

Pei Yunying glanced at her: “Physician Lu?”

Lu Tong lowered her eyes: “Yes.”

Cui Min smiled: “Good.”

However, in the next moment, Lu Tong raised her head: “But Director, regarding Minister Jin, this official still wishes to diagnose alongside Physician Cao.”

With these words, the hall suddenly fell silent.

Everyone’s gaze on her turned strange in an instant.

She had already escaped that troublesome situation, no longer needing to get involved with Jin Xianrong, yet why was she voluntarily putting herself forward? Was she a fool?

Lin Danqing frantically made eye signals at Lu Tong, but Lu Tong seemed not to notice, only calmly saying to Cui Min: “This official will arrange the time properly, ensuring neither the Commander’s residence nor Minister Jin’s treatment will be neglected. I hope the Director will approve.”

She spoke calmly and sincerely as if truly wanting this assignment wholeheartedly. Indeed, in the Imperial Medical Bureau, some new physicians would eagerly take on extra work to show their diligence and professional dedication to their superiors… but one had to be careful about which assignments to vie for.

For this particular assignment, other physicians wouldn’t be so eager.

After hearing Lu Tong’s words, Pei Yunying’s gaze fell on her face, carrying a hint of quiet scrutiny.

Lu Tong remained silent as Cui Min’s gaze circled between the two of them. After a long while, he slowly smiled.

He praised: “Physician Lu shows great compassion. Very good.”

“Since this is Physician Lu’s request…”

He deliberately emphasized the word “own,” his expression gentle and gratified, “Granted.”

…

The undercurrent in the hall passed by silently.

The physicians dispersed, each returning to their duties.

Lu Tong took the medicine prescription and entered the inner pharmacy.

The pharmacy wasn’t particularly spacious, with the floor full of newly arrived medicines yet to be organized, and a row of wooden cabinets against the wall storing commonly used medicines for the physicians.

Just as Lu Tong reached the medicine cabinet, there was a soft sound from the wooden door behind her.

She didn’t turn around.

The visitor closed the door and surveyed the surroundings. The accumulated dust on the piled medicines flew about with the door’s draft, making Pei Yunying frown slightly in apparent distaste. Only after the dust settled somewhat did he walk over.

Lu Tong took out a long porcelain bottle from the medicine cabinet and turned to place it on the table: “Appetite-inducing pills.”

Pei Yunying’s eyebrows twitched.

After the earlier scene in the hall, Pei Yunying hadn’t left immediately, saying the guard dogs at his residence had poor appetites lately and asking Lu Tong for some medicine.

The pharmacy stored common medicines used by physicians daily, and sharing a bottle of appetite-inducing pills meant for humans with dogs wasn’t particularly problematic.

However, this excuse for following her in was perfunctory, and Cui Min’s lack of reaction could only be attributed to fear of the other’s status.

He picked up the medicine bottle, tugging at his lips: “You’re going to follow Cui Min’s arrangement for treatment?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know what kind of person Jin Xianrong is?”

“I do.” She didn’t need to inquire; just seeing the expressions of everyone in the Medical Bureau today, she could guess.

“Yet you still dare.” Pei Yunying nodded, suddenly asking, “Because he’s from the Ministry of Revenue?”

Lu Tong’s heart stirred slightly.

Jin Xianrong was the Left Assistant Minister of Revenue, and Qi Taishi’s son Qi Yutai also held a position in the Ministry of Revenue. As just a physician, she had very few chances to get close to Qi Yutai, and she didn’t want to miss this heaven-sent opportunity.

So no matter what, she had to take this assignment.

As if seeing through her thoughts, Pei Yunying glanced at her: “Too risky.”

Lu Tong raised her eyes, her tone mocking: “Then why did Lord Pei intervene today? Given your status, being associated with me isn’t exactly beneficial.”

Pei Yunying’s hand playing with the bottle paused as he tilted his head to ask: “How so?”

“Cui Min is prejudiced against me. Your public intervention inevitably reminds people of Lady Pei’s matter. If Cui Min thinks we have a private connection, when word gets out, it probably won’t be good for you.” After a pause, Lu Tong continued: “You’ve always understood the principle of self-preservation better than I have, why are you being muddle-headed today?”

Pei Yunying’s intervention in the hall today surprised not only Cui Min but also Lu Tong.

He did not need to wade into these troubled waters.

Their friendship wasn’t even that deep.

Hearing this, he instead smiled mysteriously: “So this is how you see me?”

“Of course, I’ve always been very clear about the difference in our status.”

He then stood straight, gripping the medicine bottle in his palm, looking at Lu Tong with a sigh: “Didn’t I say? I just came for medicine today and happened to see Physician Lu being troubled, couldn’t stand by and watch, that’s all.”

Lu Tong pressed her lips together, not believing a single word he said, and replied flatly: “Thank you, Lord Pei.”

This thanks was somewhat forced, knowing that now she not only had to treat Jin Xianrong but also examine patients at the Commander’s residence, one person doing two jobs…

He had done her quite a disservice.

What terrible fate.

“Why do I feel like your expression is cursing me?” Pei Yunying lowered his gaze, examining her, “Consider it my meddling, but since you have your plans, I won’t interfere further, lest I ruin Physician Lu’s grand scheme.”

He tucked the medicine bottle into his robes and turned to leave, sword in hand. At the doorway, he paused, thought for a moment, and turned back to warn: “Physician Lu.”

Lu Tong looked at him.

“Qi Yutai is not like Fan Zhenglian.” The young man’s face was cast in the pharmacy’s dim light, his expression turning somewhat cold as he thought of something.

“Don’t underestimate him.”