Ever since the day Pei Yunying came to the medical clinic to pick up medicine, Lu Tong hadn’t seen him for many consecutive days.

After the beginning of winter, the capital grew colder by the day. Seeing that the weather might bring snow, Yin Zheng asked the tailor shop across the street to set aside two pieces of thicker fur to make Lu Tong a cloak.

On this day, Lu Tong was sitting at the counter reading through medical texts when someone entered from outside, stopping at the medicine counter and softly calling out, “Doctor Lu.”

Lu Tong looked up, and upon recognizing the visitor, stood up. “Young Master Dong.”

The visitor was Dong Lin from the Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister’s mansion.

Ever since the imperial examination incident, Dong Lin had rarely come to the medical clinic. Firstly, his lung ailment had improved considerably, so he didn’t need medicine as frequently as before. Secondly, the scene that occurred at the imperial examination hall several months ago had frightened Madam Dong terribly. Madam Dong already treasured this son like a precious jewel, and after this incident, she watched him even more closely. Every time he went out, he was surrounded by guards front and back, making it rather inconvenient to come to West Street.

Today Dong Lin wore a brand-new honey-colored silk robe. Since his lung condition had improved, his complexion had become much rosier, and he was no longer as bloated as before, appearing much more spirited than when they first met at Wan’en Temple. Seeing Lu Tong stand up, Dong Lin hurriedly said, “Doctor Lu, forgive the intrusion… I… I came today to collect medicine.”

He had always been somewhat tongue-tied in front of Lu Tong. Du Changqing glanced at him meaningfully and tactfully pulled A’Cheng to the back room.

Lu Tong invited Dong Lin to sit down and reached out to check his pulse.

She sat close to him. She had always been delicately built, and in winter she wore a stone-blue fitted jacket and skirt with a circle of fluffy rabbit fur embroidered around the collar, which made her face appear even more palm-sized, her bright eyes captivating.

Dong Lin’s heart pounded like a drum. He felt that the wrist where the beautiful woman’s fingers rested also became burning hot, so he quickly lowered his head, not daring to look too much.

Lu Tong withdrew her hand. “Young Master Dong’s pulse shows no problems. If there are no symptoms in the future, you won’t need to continue taking medicine. I’ll prescribe some nourishing tonics for you to drink occasionally. Just pay attention to your diet normally.”

“Thank you, Doctor Lu.” Dong Lin was grateful. “It’s troubling that while Doctor Lu runs the clinic, she still takes my condition to heart…”

Dong Lin had come to the medical clinic after receiving a message.

A servant beside him said that a maid from Renxin Medical Clinic had come to the Dong mansion once, saying that Dong Lin hadn’t been to the medical clinic for examination in quite some time, and if he had time, he was invited to visit the clinic so Doctor Lu could check on his condition.

At that time, a secret joy had welled up in Dong Lin’s heart.

This Doctor Lu had a cool temperament. She had come to the Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister several times without any attempt to curry favor, and was even more distant than others. It was precisely because of this that the more distant Lu Tong was, the more Dong Lin’s admiration for her grew.

What one cannot obtain is always what one desires most.

However, the situation seemed not as hopeless as he had thought.

Doctor Lu was busy with clinic affairs every day, yet still had the heart to worry about his health. This meant… she also had him in her heart, didn’t she?

Dong Lin set aside his wandering thoughts and said seriously, “My illness being able to improve to this extent is entirely thanks to Doctor Lu’s gift. Speaking of it, I truly don’t know how to thank you properly. In the future, if Doctor Lu has any needs, please feel free to tell me. If I can help, I will spare no effort.”

This was originally just a polite remark, but unexpectedly, after hearing his words, Lu Tong’s gaze flickered, her brow gradually furrowing as if she were very troubled.

Dong Lin was startled and tentatively asked, “Doctor Lu… have you encountered some difficulty?”

“It’s not exactly a difficulty.” The beautiful woman sighed softly, the trace of melancholy between her brows like fine silk, easily enveloping him. She said, “There’s something I want to do, but I can’t find anyone to help me.” She glanced at Dong Lin again and silently lowered her eyes. “Never mind.”

This single “never mind” made Dong Lin’s heart hang in suspense. He suppressed the urge to reach out and smooth the worry from the beautiful woman’s brow, asking urgently, “If Doctor Lu trusts me, please speak plainly. I absolutely won’t tell anyone else.”

Lu Tong showed a troubled expression.

Dong Lin’s expression was earnest.

After a long while, Lu Tong sighed and looked at him, saying softly, “Young Master Dong, do you know about the Imperial Medical Bureau’s spring examination?”

“Spring examination?” Dong Lin was startled.

As the young master of the Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister, he naturally knew about the spring examination.

The Imperial Medical Bureau was an academy for training medical officials.

Students of the Liang Dynasty’s Imperial Medical Bureau, after completing the nine subjects of major prescriptions, minor prescriptions, wind diseases, ophthalmology, sores and swellings, oral and dental throat diseases, acupuncture, metal arrowheads and forbidden techniques, could enter the Hanlin Medical Academy to serve as officials as long as they passed the triennial spring examination.

Dong Lin looked at Lu Tong hesitantly, “Doctor Lu, this is…”

“I want to participate in this year’s Imperial Medical Bureau spring examination.” Lu Tong looked at him.

Dong Lin was stunned.

As the name suggested, participants in the Imperial Medical Bureau spring examination were all Imperial Medical Bureau students. Students who could enter the Imperial Medical Bureau mostly had family connections, if not all from high-ranking families, at least descendants of minor officials.

Admittedly, to show fairness, each year the Liang Dynasty medical guild would also recommend some civilian doctors who were not Imperial Medical Bureau students. These doctors were mostly experienced and elderly, with medical skills widely trusted in the capital. The Hanlin Medical Academy would make exceptions to give these doctors the opportunity to participate in the spring examination, allowing them the possibility of entering the Hanlin Medical Academy.

However… Lu Tong wanted to participate in the spring examination?

Dong Lin opened his mouth in confusion, “Doctor Lu, do you perhaps want to enter the Hanlin Medical Academy?”

Lu Tong nodded.

Dong Lin was even more puzzled. The Hanlin Medical Academy wasn’t without female medical officials, but Lu Tong was doing well at Renxin Medical Clinic. If she really entered the Hanlin Medical Academy, while it might seem more prestigious on the surface, it wouldn’t be as free as staying outside. Moreover, those medical officials in the Hanlin Medical Academy were mostly Imperial Medical Bureau students who had always looked down on “wild doctors” from outside medical practices. Outsiders who entered would surely be bullied by them.

Furthermore…

Dong Lin looked at Lu Tong. He didn’t think Lu Tong could pass the Imperial Medical Bureau’s spring examination.

Although Lu Tong had saved him and recently saved the Princess Consort of Wen and her daughter, and the previous “Spring Water Birth” and “Xianxian” medicines had sold very well in the capital, the teachers at the Imperial Medical Bureau were all original medical officials from the Hanlin Medical Academy. Lu Tong hadn’t even properly studied formal medical subjects, so how could she pass the nine-subject spring examination? At least in recent years, very few of the civilian old doctors recommended by the medical guild who participated in the spring examination had passed.

“Doctor Lu, why is this so?” Dong Lin kindly advised, “Being a medical official only means a bit more silver than here, but the palace has many more rules than outside. If Doctor Lu lacks silver, I can…”

“Young Master Dong,” Lu Tong interrupted him and smiled at him, “When I originally came to the capital, I was carrying out my master’s dying wish to enter the Hanlin Medical Academy…”

Dong Lin was dazzled by the beautiful woman’s smile, his heart burning with heat. Hearing her mention her “master’s dying wish,” he immediately felt admiration and pity. All his words of dissuasion could no longer be spoken, and he only asked carefully, “In this matter, how might I be of help?”

“I think, since Lord Dong is the Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister, he should have quite good relations with the medical guild. If he could mention to the medical guild to add me to this year’s list of recommended examination candidates…”

Hearing this, Dong Lin secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He had thought Lu Tong wanted him to help manipulate the final results of the spring examination. You know, several months ago because of the imperial examination case, all examinations in the Liang Dynasty were stricter than in previous years, and no one dared to take risks at this juncture. If Lu Tong had really made such a request, he would have found it difficult to agree. He hadn’t expected it was just for a spot to take the examination.

“What difficulty is there in this?” Dong Lin smiled, “Every year the medical guild’s recommended doctors can’t even fill up their quota. It’s just a small matter. Doctor Lu can rest assured and leave it to me.”

Lu Tong’s expression relaxed slightly, and she said gratefully, “In that case, thank you very much for Young Master Dong’s assistance.”

Having played the role of a hero rescuing a beauty before his beloved, Dong Lin felt delighted, and even his voice became spirited. After speaking a few more words with Lu Tong, until patients came to the medical clinic seeking treatment and Lu Tong became busy, Dong Lin finally stood up to take his leave, departing reluctantly.

Du Changqing, who had been hiding behind the felt curtain eating melon seeds, watched Dong Lin’s distant figure, spat out a melon seed hull into his cloth pouch, and muttered quietly, “Don’t know what they were talking about for so long, his face was all smiles. He’s supposed to be the young master of the Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister, but look at this worthless appearance.”

Yin Zheng came in carrying a dustpan of white thorns. Seeing this, she looked at Du Changqing curiously and said, “Shopkeeper Du, you’re being a bit strange.”

“Strange how?”

“They’re both harboring designs on the young lady, yet you’re strictly guarding against Captain Pei, but I don’t see you stopping Young Master Dong?”

Every few days Du Changqing would say a few bad words about Pei Yunying in front of Lu Tong, as if afraid that Lu Tong might be carelessly abducted by Pei Yunying. But this Dong Lin’s eyes were practically glued to Lu Tong, yet Du Changqing didn’t say a single unnecessary word.

“How can that be the same?” Du Changqing rolled his eyes, “Pei Yunying looks like that, Dong Lin looks like this. Young girls all love handsome men. Doctor Lu might very well be mesmerized by that surname Pei’s face, but that surname Dong? She won’t fancy him, so why should I worry needlessly?”

Yin Zheng thought for a moment, “You’re worried the young lady will be mesmerized by Captain Pei, so you react this way. Shopkeeper Du, are you infatuated with our young lady and feeling jealous?”

“Cough cough cough—”

Du Changqing nearly choked on a melon seed hull. After finally spitting it out, he angrily said, “How is that possible?”

“Then why do you never have a good expression whenever you mention Captain Pei?”

“If I don’t stop him, should I wait for him to sweet-talk Doctor Lu into the Pei family gates?” Du Changqing said irritably, “Once a woman marries, she loses her freedom. Especially those official family gates like theirs.”

“If Doctor Lu really goes with that surname Pei, would he still let her come out to run my clinic in the future? My clinic has finally gotten better. After a few more years I could even buy a shop in the southern part of the city. If that surname Pei wants to seduce Doctor Lu, he’s scraping away my silver. Cutting off someone’s wealth is like killing their parents. When I see my father’s killer, can I give him a good face?”

Yin Zheng hadn’t expected Du Changqing’s thinking to be so peculiar. After being speechless for a moment, she finally said, “I see, I underestimated Shopkeeper Du.”

Du Changqing stuffed the melon seeds into his pouch, “I told you long ago to read less of those romantic stories and broaden your perspective.”

He lifted the felt curtain and sighed, “This golden phoenix Doctor Lu can’t be taken away by just any random thing. She should stay in our broken chicken coop and properly gild this broken chicken coop!”

Yin Zheng: “…”

He went outside, his back view wild and unrestrained. Yin Zheng pursed her lips, looking at him with some sympathy, saying quietly, “That’s not necessarily so.”

…

While Du Changqing was still thinking about keeping the golden phoenix Lu Tong at Renxin Medical Clinic as a treasure of the establishment, Young Master Dong, who had received Lu Tong’s request, went to the medical guild that very afternoon.

The medical administrator had been lying on his couch these past few days drafting the list of civilian doctors recommended for this year’s Imperial Medical Bureau spring examination. Seeing the young master of the Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister’s family suddenly arrive, he immediately threw aside the hand warmer in his hands and came out barefoot to greet him.

Dong Lin was escorted by a group of people through the medical guild’s main gate. After the door was closed and he had explained his purpose, the presiding medical administrator readily patted his chest, “Such a small matter, why did Young Master Dong personally make this trip? You could have just sent someone with a message.” He then approached the rosters sent by various medical clinics, opening his mouth in confusion, “The person Young Master Dong mentioned is… is…”

“Doctor Lu Tong from Renxin Medical Clinic.”

Hearing this, the medical administrator suddenly understood, and his look toward Dong Lin immediately changed, “So it’s that Doctor Lu!”

Renxin Medical Clinic had gained some fame in the capital’s medical guild over the past half year, though not because the unknown foreign female doctor had created two new patent medicines. Rather, it was because previously Lou Si from the pharmaceutical bureau had taken people’s money intending to give Renxin Medical Clinic some trouble, but that very day he was harassed by the Dong family guards who came to back them up, leaving him in a disheveled and embarrassed state. This incident soon spread throughout the medical guild.

The small Renxin Medical Clinic actually had the backing of the Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister.

The medical guild had originally been skeptical about this rumor, but today the Dong family’s young master had personally come to seek favors for this Doctor Lu, so the rumor was apparently true.

The medical administrator mentally added another note about that small medical clinic on West Street, but verbally he agreed, “Young Master Dong can rest assured. The medical guild can never fill its quota of recommended spring examination doctors each year. Your mention of this actually solves an urgent problem for us. When I submit the roster later, I definitely won’t delay Doctor Lu’s spring examination this year.”

Dong Lin smiled and thanked him, then listened to the medical administrator’s flattering words for a while before taking his leave.

After he left, the medicine apprentice beside the medical administrator asked, “Sir, what background does this Doctor Lu have that made Young Master Dong personally seek favors for her?”

Even though she had treated Dong Lin, she was essentially just an ordinary citizen. The son of the Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister wouldn’t need to run around for her like this. Dong Lin’s behavior clearly showed he cared greatly about this matter.

The medical administrator snorted, “Who knows?”

He tucked his hands into his sleeves, “Find an opportunity to mention this matter to Madam Dong.”

“Eh? Why tell Madam Dong too?”

The medical administrator knocked the medicine apprentice on the head and walked away shaking his head.

“Silly boy, we don’t help for nothing.”

Outside, a servant helped Dong Lin into the carriage. The cold wind was bitter, freezing hands and feet. Dong Lin sneezed, and the servant quickly handed him a hand warmer.

The carriage turned a corner and gradually drove away from the main street. The servant couldn’t help but speak up, “Young master, are you really going to help Doctor Lu enter the palace?”

To personally seek favors for a mere spring examination, when had their young master ever suffered such hardship?

Dong Lin smiled as he held the hand warmer, the slightly hot warmth spreading from his palm, reminding him of that small patch of skin that Lu Tong’s fingers had touched at the clinic, which had also been so burning hot.

He said distractedly, “I’m just letting her participate in the spring examination. She might not necessarily pass the examination and enter the palace.”

Over the years, besides Imperial Medical Bureau students, how many of the old doctors recommended by the medical guild for the spring examination had passed? Admittedly, those old doctors’ medical skills weren’t mediocre, but examinations and practicing medicine were sometimes two different things, let alone Lu Tong being so young.

Dong Lin was clear in his heart that even if Lu Tong participated in the spring examination, the final result would most likely be unsatisfactory.

But such actions could win him the beautiful woman’s favor.

Actually, all along, compared to his mother’s opposition, what he cared more about was Lu Tong’s distance from him. But today was different. She had actively shown concern for his condition, and he had run errands for her wishes. Dong Lin believed he could see Lu Tong’s attitude toward him softening. Perhaps, toward him, Doctor Lu wasn’t entirely without feeling.

The servant asked, “What if Doctor Lu doesn’t pass the spring examination?”

“That would be even better.”

The servant was startled.

The carriage wheels rolled over scattered stones, jolting the carriage once. Dong Lin lowered his head and gripped the hand warmer that had nearly rolled away, a smile flashing in his eyes.

“Then I’ll directly go to her door to seek permission and bring her into my Dong family gates.”

Little Du: You’re thinking too much!