A newly appointed female medical officer at the Imperial Medical Bureau had just entered the palace only to be assigned to the cold and neglected South Pharmacy, seemingly destined for a stagnant career. However, fate presented an opportunity when her exceptional work in cleaning and organizing the Red Aromatic Floss earned praise from Consort Rou for the Dream Pills she produced. This caught the attention of the Director of the Imperial Pharmacy, who personally came to the Imperial Medical Bureau to request her transfer. It took three urgent requests and four pleas from Director Cui of the Imperial Medical Bureau to finally bring her back, and she was immediately promoted to medical officer.

In just one month, she experienced such dramatic ups and downs that her life story was quite legendary indeed.

When this rumor spread to various departments, the name of this newly appointed medical officer became widely known.

Early in the morning, Lu Tong had just finished changing her clothes when Lin Danqing entered from outside. As soon as she stepped into the room, she said, “Now wherever I go, I hear your name, sister. Those days spent at the South Pharmacy weren’t in vain after all.”

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

Lu Tong had already removed the coarse hemp garments worn for herb collection at the South Pharmacy and changed into the water-blue robes of a medical officer, with delicate orchid patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs, her long hair bound with silk ribbon of the same color. She was naturally beautiful, and the elegant, clean colors made her eyes appear even more radiant, like autumn waters among streams and mountains, possessing a kind of clear, pure beauty.

Lin Danqing circled around Lu Tong twice, stroking her chin thoughtfully before speaking: “These ugly clothes from the Imperial Medical Bureau that nobody wanted to wear – how is it that when you put them on, they suddenly seem worth more money?” She sighed again, “It really does come down to looks in the end.”

This was actually an overstatement, because Lin Danqing herself was not ugly at all. In fact, she was quite beautiful, possessing a different kind of bright and spirited beauty, like summer roses in full bloom, brilliant and radiant.

She reached out to link arms with Lu Tong: “Come on, Sister Lu, Director Cui is going to assign you to a medical department today. I really hope you’ll be assigned to the Women’s Department like me.”

Having just returned to the Imperial Medical Bureau, Lu Tong had not yet been assigned duties. She first needed to be placed in a medical department, then assigned to serve in various chambers according to her specialty. However, most female medical officers in the palace were assigned to the Women’s Department, with a small number going to the General Medicine or Pediatric Departments.

Lu Tong followed Lin Danqing out of the room and went to the main hall of the Imperial Medical Bureau. The hall was already filled with many medical officers who stole glances at Lu Tong when she appeared.

From being a commoner medical worker to leaping to first place on the spring examination red list, then being assigned to the South Pharmacy upon entering the Imperial Medical Bureau, only to have the Director of the Imperial Pharmacy eagerly come to request her within a month – such a person at the center of attention was hard to ignore. Moreover, Lu Tong was remarkably beautiful, and even Cao Huai, who was at odds with her, couldn’t help but show a flash of amazement upon seeing her.

However, probably due to the rumors, this group of medical officers did not actively approach Lu Tong to speak with her. Lin Danqing remained as enthusiastic as always, carefully explaining to Lu Tong the relationships between the various departments and chambers of the Imperial Medical Bureau.

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

Today he wore a gray robe with wide sleeves, walking neither hurriedly nor slowly with considerable bearing. At first glance, he didn’t look like a medical officer, but rather like one of those upright civil officials in the court.

All the medical officers bowed respectfully to Cui Min, who acknowledged them and stopped in front of Lu Tong.

“Medical Officer Lu,” he began, his tone gentle, “now that you have returned to the Imperial Medical Bureau, you should begin serving in the various chambers starting tomorrow.”

Lu Tong listened quietly to his words.

“With your qualifications from the spring examination papers, you should properly be assigned to serve in the Women’s Department at the West Longevity Chamber in the North Hall…”

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

However, Cui Min suddenly changed direction: “…but your medical classics and pharmaceutical knowledge have earned high praise from Director Qiu. Assigning you to the North Longevity Hall would be a waste of your talents.”

He asked, “When the various ministries and bureaus have difficult cases that remain unsolved, Medical Officer Lu, with your exceptional medical skills, as a minister you should naturally share His Majesty’s burdens, shouldn’t you?”

Lu Tong looked up.

Cui Min had a thin build, and the director’s official robes worn on him truly gave him the bearing of a pine or cypress, the appearance of a solitary and noble virtuous minister. His gaze upon her was gentle as water, yet when examined closely, one could suddenly feel an oppressive gloominess, like that wooden bed in the South Pharmacy that had been soaked by rainwater and grown green mold – damp and cold.

She said, “I await the Director’s assignment.”

Cui Min smiled, his expression becoming even more gentle: “Last month, Master Jin, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, fell ill. Cao Huai has been treating him for over a month with no improvement yet. Since Medical Officer Lu has returned, let her work together with Cao Huai on this case.”

Ministry of Revenue?

Lu Tong’s heart stirred.

Qi Yutai was precisely in the Ministry of Revenue.

For a moment, Lu Tong almost believed that Heaven was taking pity on the difficulty of her revenge, delivering such a golden opportunity so easily before her eyes. Without thinking, she said, “Very well.”

“No!”

The voice belonged to Lin Danqing.

Lu Tong turned in surprise, and looking around at the others, they all had strange expressions. Cao Huai at the front even showed a smile in her shock, though that smile clearly carried a sense of schadenfreude.

Lin Danqing’s voice changed pitch in her urgency: “Medical Officer Lu cannot go treat Master Jin!”

Lu Tong looked puzzled: “Why not?”

Lin Danqing looked at her, her face gradually turning red as if finding it difficult to speak. After a while, she stammered: “…Master Jin of the Ministry of Revenue suffers from scrotal carbuncle. You are a woman – how can you examine him!”

Scrotal carbuncle?

Lu Tong suddenly understood completely.

No wonder the people around had such indescribable expressions, no wonder Cao Huai’s smile was malicious… no wonder Cui Min had made such elaborate preparations, laying groundwork for so long to bring her to this point.

Because scrotal carbuncle was a male private ailment!

This disease was not uncommon, yet having a young woman treat such an illness was indeed unusual.

Cui Min looked toward Lin Danqing. Perhaps due to her father’s relationship, he did not scold her, merely saying, “Medicine recognizes no gender distinction. This was the very first lesson you learned when studying at the Imperial Medical Academy.”

Lin Danqing frowned: “But Director, gossip can be deadly!”

Medicine might not distinguish between men and women, but rumors certainly did!

This world was already difficult for women, and female physicians faced many restrictions. If younger women practiced medicine, they had to be prepared for lifelong spinsterhood if things went wrong. These female medical officers were better off, only serving the various palace consorts. But that Master Jin of the Ministry of Revenue – his condition was known to everyone in the capital’s official circles. If Lu Tong entered the Ministry of Revenue today, rumors would be flying everywhere tomorrow!

Scrotal carbuncle meant that the medical officer would have to examine the body and touch the patient’s private areas. Moreover, aside from others, that Master Jin was famously lustful. Even the palace ducks would be groped and taken advantage of by him, let alone Lu Tong, such a beautiful young lady!

Lin Danqing could already imagine the terrible scene!

“Medical Officer Lu,” Cui Min ignored Lin Danqing and looked at Lu Tong with his hands behind his back. In front of all the medical officers, he gently inquired, “Are you willing to take this case?”

Lu Tong’s eyelashes trembled slightly.

She had long heard from Miao Liangfang that this Director Cui was someone who would use any means necessary, which was why he could so calmly claim his friend’s ancestral possessions as his own, seeking fame and deceiving the world.

However, his despicableness still exceeded Lu Tong’s imagination.

If she refused Cui Min, word might get out and offend that Master Jin, and it would also prove that her medical skills were merely legendary, causing Director Qiu of the Imperial Pharmacy to face questioning as well.

If she accepted the treatment… one need only look at Lin Danqing’s expression to know that Master Jin was not someone easy to deal with.

White jade most fears staining. For a female medical officer, she need not do anything herself – if the other party made any improper moves, the saliva of gossip alone could drown her. Outsiders would not say the man was lustful, but would condemn the woman for bringing trouble. In the end, even beauty would become a sin.

Cui Min might not want her reputation completely ruined, but he definitely wanted her virtue questioned. In the end, when people mentioned Lu Tong, they would not speak of her medical skills and pharmaceutical knowledge, but would think of those romantic affairs and scandalous stories.

How vicious indeed.

“Medical Officer Lu?” Cui Min pressed insistently.

Murmuring discussions gradually arose around them, and Lin Danqing looked at her nervously.

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

“Why is it so lively here?” someone said from outside the door.

This voice…

Lu Tong couldn’t help but pause.

The crowd at the doorway suddenly parted, making way, and someone walked in.

The medicine hall was spacious, with long scrolls of medical classics and pharmaceutical theories hanging on all four walls. The young man’s silver sword at his waist seemed rather out of place in this elegant hall, adding several degrees of fierce aura, yet the person himself was extremely handsome. His scarlet official robes made all the other men in medical officer robes seem dull as dust in comparison.

“Commander Pei?” Cui Min was startled.

Right Army Commander of the Palace Guard Pei Yunying rarely came to this place. His sudden appearance left everyone standing frozen.

The young man walked into the hall, tilted his head to survey the surroundings, his gaze not lingering on Lu Tong, seeming somewhat puzzled: “Director Cui, what are you doing here?”

Cui Min bowed respectfully: “Reporting to the Commander, I am assigning duties to newly appointed medical officers.”

He nodded: “I see.”

Seeing that no one else followed behind him, Cui Min pondered for a moment and tentatively asked: “May I ask what brings the Commander here so suddenly?”

The Palace Guard and the Imperial Medical Bureau had nothing to do with each other, and there were no scheduled medical examinations recently.

Pei Yunying smiled lightly and spoke: “The guards at the Guard Station have been training too intensively lately, and with spring restlessness, they’re all complaining of fatigue. I’ve come to request a medical officer to come and examine them.”

After saying this, he seemed to just notice Lu Tong standing to the side, raised an eyebrow: “A new medical officer? I think she looks quite suitable. Let’s have her.”

This statement came so unexpectedly that everyone in the hall was stunned.

Lu Tong was also taken aback.

She looked up at Pei Yunying, whose face wore its usual smile, as if he had truly just casually selected a medical officer who caught his eye, without any other thoughts, looking completely innocent.

Cui Min’s expression, however, became unpleasant.

Pei Yunying’s words meant that Lu Tong should go to the Guard Station, which also rescued Lu Tong from her previous predicament.

This way, Lu Tong could avoid entanglement with that Jin fellow and not have to face everyone’s doubts. The reasonable excuse left no room for criticism.

And it just happened to be at this moment…

Cui Min’s eyes darkened, vaguely recalling something.

After Lu Tong’s success on the spring examination red list, he had asked people to inquire about this woman’s past. Apart from creating the new medicines “Spring Water Life” and “Slender Grace,” this woman was most famous for discovering the poison “Children’s Sorrow” that had afflicted Princess Wen and saving her life. This had implicated Consort Yan in the palace, and those in the Imperial Pharmacy who provided the forbidden drugs were also exposed. At that time, everyone in both the Imperial Medical Bureau and Imperial Pharmacy was in constant fear.

Princess Wen Pei Yunshu was Pei Yunying’s legitimate elder sister.

If Lu Tong and Pei Yunying had already established a private relationship at that time, then this commander’s sudden action today was probably not on a whim.

While he was lost in thought, Pei Yunying’s voice came from beside him: “Considering for so long – is the Director finding this difficult?”

Cui Min snapped back to attention with a start.

The young man before him had a smile playing at his lips, and the guard’s official robes looked different on him than on ordinary guards – instead of the usual cold severity, the dimples at the corners of his mouth made him appear approachable and handsome.

But his eyes were not kind at all.

Those beautiful black eyes were brilliant as stars, yet like still water in a deep pool – one glance was enough to send chills through a person.

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

He had little interaction with this Palace Guard Commander. This person was young and accomplished, and usually appeared bright and cheerful when encountered, seeming very approachable. Yet who could have simple thoughts while holding such a high position at such a young age? Over the years, those who had opposed him either met with accidents or were demoted…

Beneath that warm exterior seemed to hide another perverse heart.

It gave people an inexplicable intuition that anyone who defied or opposed him would likely meet a miserable end.

Cui Min was unwilling and did not dare to oppose him.

Suppressing his inner resentment, Cui Min bowed: “The Commander jests. When the Commander’s guards are in need, we should naturally provide service.” He turned to Lu Tong and instructed: “Medical Officer Lu, you go to the Commander’s residence. Master Jin’s urgent condition will still be treated by Cao Huai.”

Regardless of whether Pei Yunying had deliberately rescued Lu Tong, these words could be considered as giving Pei Yunying face.

Cao Huai in the crowd immediately showed disappointment upon hearing this. Lin Danqing and Chang Jin, however, breathed sighs of relief.

Lu Tong stood in place without moving.

Pei Yunying glanced at her: “Medical Officer Lu?”

Lu Tong lowered her eyes: “Yes.”

Cui Min smiled: “Good.”

However, the next moment, Lu Tong raised her head: “But Director, regarding Master Jin’s case, I still wish to work together with Medical Officer Cao on the treatment.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall suddenly fell silent.

Everyone’s gazes upon her immediately became strange.

She had clearly already escaped from such troublesome affairs and need not get involved with Jin Xianrong, so why was she still eagerly pushing forward? Was this person an idiot?

Lin Danqing frantically made eye signals at Lu Tong, but Lu Tong seemed oblivious, only saying calmly to Cui Min: “I will arrange my time to handle both treating at the Commander’s residence and Master Jin’s treatment without conflict. I hope the Director will approve.”

She spoke calmly and sincerely, as if she truly genuinely wanted to secure this assignment. Indeed, there were new medical officers at the Imperial Medical Bureau who, in order to make an impression before their superiors and appear diligent and dedicated, would compete to take on extra work… but one had to see clearly what kind of work they were competing for.

Other medical officers would not be so enthusiastic about this particular assignment.

After hearing Lu Tong finish speaking, Pei Yunying’s gaze settled on her face, carrying a measure of quiet scrutiny.

Lu Tong remained silent. Cui Min’s eyes moved between the two of them, and after a long while, he slowly began to smile.

He praised: “Medical Officer Lu has a benevolent heart. Very good.”

“Since it is Medical Officer Lu’s own request…”

He deliberately emphasized the words “own request,” his expression gentle and pleased, “Granted.”

…

The undercurrents in the hall flowed by silently like this.

The medical officers dispersed to attend to their own affairs.

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

The medicine hall was not particularly spacious, with piles of newly arrived, unsorted medicines on the floor. Against the wall was a row of wooden cabinets containing commonly used medicines for the medical officers.

Lu Tong had just walked to the medicine cabinet when the wooden door behind her made a soft sound.

She didn’t turn around.

The newcomer closed the door and looked around the room. The accumulated medicines in the room had gathered dust, which was stirred up and scattered everywhere by the door’s breeze. Pei Yunying frowned, seeming somewhat disgusted. Only after the dust had settled somewhat did he walk over.

Lu Tong took out a slender porcelain bottle from the medicine cabinet, turned around, and placed it on the table: “Appetite stimulant pills.”

Pei Yunying’s eyebrows twitched.

After the scene in the main hall, Pei Yunying had not left immediately, saying that the hunting dogs at the Commander’s residence had poor appetites recently and asking Lu Tong to get some medicine for them.

The Imperial Medical Bureau’s medicine hall stored common medicines used by medical officers daily. Giving a bottle of appetite stimulant pills meant for humans to a dog was naturally no problem.

However, this reason for following her in was truly filled with obvious insincerity. Cui Min’s lack of objection could only be due to fear of the other’s status.

He picked up the medicine bottle and curled his lips: “You want to follow Cui Min’s arrangement for treatment?”

“Yes.”

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

“I know.” Actually, she didn’t need to inquire – just from the expressions of everyone at the Imperial Medical Bureau today, she could guess.

“You know and still dare.” Pei Yunying nodded, then suddenly asked, “Because he’s from the Ministry of Revenue?”

Lu Tong’s heart stirred slightly.

Jin Xianrong was the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, while Grand Tutor Qi’s son Qi Yutai also held a position in the Ministry of Revenue. As merely a medical officer, she had very few opportunities to get close to Qi Yutai. This heaven-sent opportunity was truly not to be missed.

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

As if reading her thoughts, Pei Yunying looked at her: “Too risky.”

Lu Tong raised her eyes, her tone mocking: “Then why did Master Pei intervene today? Given Master Pei’s status, being associated with me is hardly a good thing.”

Pei Yunying paused in his fidgeting with the medicine bottle and turned his head to ask: “How so?”

“Cui Min has prejudice against me. Master Pei’s public intervention will inevitably remind people of Miss Pei’s case. If Cui Min thinks you and I have a private relationship, spreading such news would not be good for you, Master.” She paused before continuing: “Master has always understood the principle of protecting oneself wisely better than I do. How did you become confused today?”

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

He really had no need to wade into this muddy water.

Their relationship was not deep enough for such action.

Upon hearing this, he inexplicably smiled: “So this is how you see me?”

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

He straightened up, gripped the medicine bottle in his palm, and looked at Lu Tong with a sigh: “Didn’t I say? I only came today to get medicine and happened to encounter Dr. Lu being bullied, so I couldn’t stand by and watch.”

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

This thanks sounded rather forced, considering that now she not only had to treat Jin Xianrong but also go to the Commander’s residence to examine patients – one person doing two jobs…

He had really been such a great help indeed.

What a troublesome fate.

“Why do I feel like your expression suggests you’re cursing me.” Pei Yunying lowered his eyes to study her, “Consider it my meddling then. However, since you have your own plans, I won’t interfere anymore, lest I ruin Dr. Lu’s grand strategy.”

He tucked the medicine bottle into his robes, turned to walk out with his sword, but stopped at the door. After thinking for a moment, he turned back to remind her: “Dr. Lu.”

Lu Tong looked at him.

“Qi Yutai is different from Fan Zhenglian.” The young man’s face was cast in the dim light of the medicine room, and thinking of something, his expression seemed somewhat cold.

“Don’t underestimate him.”