A civilian medical practitioner? Surname Lu?

After a brief silence, the side hall erupted in chaos.

In the capital’s triennial spring examination, there were always very few civilian medical practitioners participating, and this year there was only one – a young woman at that.

This young woman called Lu Tong was known in the Medical Officials Academy for two reasons. First, because of her unclear entanglement with the son of the Minister of Imperial Households. Second, she had previously discovered at the Wen Commandery Prince’s mansion that the poison afflicting the Princess Consort was the palace-forbidden drug “Child’s Anxiety.”

The Wen Commandery Princess Consort had regular pulse readings and examinations by palace physicians, yet in all that time, the poison that the officials couldn’t detect was discovered by a civilian female doctor. Outsiders might not necessarily think this civilian medical practitioner’s skills were that remarkable, but they would openly or privately consider the Medical Academy officials to be incompetent quacks.

Moreover, that “Child’s Anxiety” case had implicated many people – not only did the favored Concubine Yan fall from grace, but it also brought out various cases involving the Medical Academy and Imperial Pharmacy, which were only cleaned up a few months ago.

Additionally, the Wen Commandery Princess Consort had divorced the Prince.

This female doctor had caused such widespread unrest before anyone had even met her – a deeply calculating character. The medical officials both feared and looked down on her, as those trained at the Imperial Medical Bureau always had a subtle sense of superiority over these clinic doctors from common origins.

However, this answer sheet before them now completely shattered their sense of superiority.

This paper surpassed all the Imperial Medical Bureau students!

A young medical official refused to accept this: “Perhaps she was originally a coroner, otherwise how could she answer so proficiently? Everyone, look through your graded papers and find Lu Tong’s other subject papers – I don’t believe she could answer all subjects this well!”

As if unwilling to accept that their carefully trained Imperial Medical Bureau students could be outdone by a civilian medical practitioner, the officials in the side hall all began searching through their graded papers for Lu Tong’s submissions.

Chang Jin stood motionless, staring blankly at the answer sheet on the table. Through the wild, unrestrained handwriting, he seemed to see a beautiful young woman standing before him. She must be an arrogant, unruly flower, for her writing exuded such presumption and pride.

What had initially seemed like a properly filled answer sheet now became evidence of defiance and provocation. Her image in his mind grew increasingly frightening.

He wondered how the Academy Head would react to such a person.

Academy Head?

Chang Jin suddenly shuddered.

It was well known that Academy Head Cui disliked civilian medical officials – surely he wouldn’t be pleased about this.

…

When Cui Min received the report from his subordinate officials, he had just finished checking the pulse of Noble Consort Rou.

After Concubine Yan was executed in the “Child’s Anxiety” case, the inner palace felt empty, and His Majesty remembered the long-neglected Noble Consort Rou. Suddenly, Noble Consort Rou’s palace became lively.

As dusk fell, the Medical Academy gates were quiet except for a few faint frog croaks. From afar, a figure could be seen standing by the lanterns at the gate – upon approaching, it became clear it was Medical Official Chang Jin.

“Academy Head.” Chang Jin held a stack of papers respectfully and spoke, “All spring examination papers have been graded, and your subordinate has important matters to report.”

“Come in.” Cui Min walked straight ahead.

After entering and lighting the lamps, the room brightened.

Chang Jin placed the papers on the table and stood to the side, secretly observing the man seated at the desk.

Medical Academy Head Cui Min had passed his fortieth year, with a thin, fair appearance and a fine beard. His expression was peaceful, and he always wore cyan robes that gave him a noble bearing.

To become the head of the Medical Academy at this age was quite an achievement. Though young, Cui Min’s medical skills were highly favored by palace nobles, especially after he led the academy officials in compiling the “Cui’s Pharmacology,” which benefited countless capital citizens – he was truly a gentleman with a heart for helping the world.

Chang Jin admired him greatly.

Cui Min sat behind the desk, barely glancing at the papers Chang Jin brought, and asked: “Well?”

“Reporting to Academy Head, this year’s spring examination added a new ‘Death Investigation’ subject. The students’ papers were poor, except for one person whose paper could be called perfect, without a single error.”

“Oh? Who is it?” Cui Min seemed somewhat interested.

“A civilian medical practitioner, Lu Tong.”

That Imperial Medical Bureau students with official training could be outperformed by a self-taught civilian – Chang Jin didn’t dare look at his superior’s expression, only forcing himself to continue.

“All papers have been graded, and your subordinate has found Lu Tong’s papers for other subjects to present for your judgment.”

Hearing this, Cui Min’s gaze flickered: “Is something wrong?”

If all this person’s subject papers were perfect, the officials wouldn’t need to trouble him to look at them.

“Yes,” Chang Jin raised his head, “This female doctor never had proper training, relying only on self-study. Except for the Death Investigation subject where no flaws could be found, there were problems with other subjects.”

“When asked about medical theory and classics, she could answer correctly, but for diagnostic and prescription questions, her prescriptions were ones we’d never heard of. Not to mention whether these prescriptions are genuine, but looking at her use of medicines, it’s extremely bold and aggressive, completely different from conventional prescriptions.”

Chang Jin finished in one breath, and seeing Cui Min’s expression remained calm, felt slightly relieved.

Then doubt arose in his mind.

When the officials in the side hall gathered all of Lu Tong’s papers together and compared them, they immediately noticed how different she was from other candidates.

She answered questions about medical classics and theory thoroughly and skillfully, but those prescriptions were unheard of. The Medical Academy’s tradition had always been to be conservative. They didn’t expect every medical official to be a miracle workers, but at least they shouldn’t make mistakes that harm others – after all, they treated noble persons, and one small error would bring punishment.

By logic, selecting twenty from top to bottom, Lu Tong should make the list, but looking at her bold prescribing style, it might invite disaster.

The grading officials argued without concluding, finally having Chang Jin take the papers to Cui Min, letting the Academy Head personally decide whether to accept or reject this female doctor.

Cui Min put the stack of papers aside, showing no intention of continuing to read, and spoke plainly: “Diagnosis and prescription require caution. Since this person lacks reverence for medical practice, there’s no need to keep her.”

Reject her?

Chang Jin was stunned. Though this was the expected result, somehow, hearing Cui Min’s answer, an inexplicable sense of regret arose in his heart.

It was indeed a pity – that the Death Investigation paper could almost be called flawless.

Except for the wild handwriting.

As he was thinking, Cui Min’s voice reached his ears: “Anything else?”

Chang Jin came to his senses and hurriedly said: “No, your subordinate will take his leave.”

Cui Min waved his sleeve, and Chang-Jin bowed and retreated. As he was leaving, his gaze swept across the Tao inkstones on Cui Min’s desk.

The Tao inkstones were smooth as jade, seemingly flowing with green, giving off a clear radiance in the lamplight.

As Chang Jin left the room, he thought that the two Tao inkstones Academy Head Cui had received were truly beautiful.

…

In the capital’s third month, fine rain began to fall. New green shoots appeared on the willows at Falling Moon Bridge.

In the capital’s first spring rain, the Imperial Medical Bureau posted its spring examination results.

Perhaps because there weren’t as many candidates as in the autumn examinations, ten days was sufficient to release the spring examination results. However, few people discussed them.

While common people were interested in who became the top scholar or who ranked third in the imperial examinations, they had little curiosity about who made the spring examination list to become Imperial Medical Officials. First, Imperial Medical Officials treated nobles in the palace or aristocratic families – far removed from ordinary people’s lives. Second, every year it was Imperial Medical Bureau students who passed, so it had nothing to do with commoners anyway. True, once a civilian medical practitioner had outranked all Imperial Medical Bureau students to place third in the spring examination, but that was twenty years ago!

Twenty years – the chives in the fields had been replanted countless times since then!

Before the red notice board was posted on the Dechun Platform, those familiar with the Medical Academy had already received the news.

At Renxin Clinic, Lu Tong sat at a table wiping porcelain jars.

Another spring had come, and the poplar flowers in the capital were about to bloom. The Imperial Pharmacy had collected their prescriptions, so they couldn’t make ‘Spring Water Life’ this year – she needed to prepare other medicinal teas.

As she was wiping, suddenly horse hooves sounded outside. Lu Tong looked up to see a carriage stopping in front of the clinic.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and several familiar people jumped down, led by Madam Wang, the servant from Minister of Imperial Households Madam Dong’s household.

The last time Madam Wang came to Renxin Clinic, she had brought a message from Madam Dong warning Lu Tong not to reach above her station. She hadn’t returned since and even stopped collecting Dong Lin’s medicine. But Dong Lin’s lung disease was mostly cured anyway, and any doctor could handle the remaining recovery care.

Perhaps this was why the Minister of Imperial Households felt so unrestrained in burning bridges.

“Madam Wang.” Lu Tong nodded.

Madam Wang entered the clinic, looking Lu Tong up and down before showing an unfriendly smile.

“Today is when the spring examination results are posted. Madam is concerned about Doctor Lu’s results and especially sent this old servant to deliver congratulatory gifts.” She placed a large red gift basket on the counter, pushing it toward Lu Tong, then looked around in feigned surprise: “Oh? How come I don’t see any messenger?”

Today Du Changqing and A-Cheng had gone to the south city to collect medicines. Only Miao Liangfang and Yinzheng were at the clinic. Yinzheng was boiling water in the back courtyard, while Miao Liangfang, who was sitting to the side, sensed something wrong and stood up with his cane, asking Lu Tong: “Little Lu, who is this?”

Before Lu Tong could speak, another voice came from outside: “Why else? Because she didn’t pass!”

The speaker was Bai Shouyi from neighboring Xinglin Hall.

Since Lu Tong had come to Renxin Clinic and produced several excellent medicines, the clinic had flourished. Xinglin Hall had tried several times to trip them up, but each time ended up hurting themselves instead. Moreover, after Lu Tong received that gold-embroidered banner from Miss Zhaoning, which was prominently displayed in the clinic’s main hall every day, Xinglin Hall’s business plummeted. They were becoming like what Renxin Clinic used to be – not far from closing down.

Yet at this time, Lu Tong had offended the Minister of Imperial Households and presumptuously participated in the Imperial Medical Bureau’s spring examination.

Ha, this was simply seeking death!

Bai Shouyi wore a snow-white robe, his neck almost merging with his clothes, his eyes creased in delight, his fat face full of joy.

He was happy indeed – while one’s success brings joy, an enemy’s defeat brings even more pleasure.

Madam Wang exclaimed in surprise: “Impossible! This old servant saw Doctor Lu’s confidence and thought she was certain to succeed!”

Lu Tong remained silent.

Bai Shouyi’s smile deepened as he deliberately played along with Madam Wang’s words: “How could we common folk dare compare ourselves to those young lords and ladies of the Imperial Medical Bureau? One must know one’s place. What a pity…”

A crowd gradually gathered in front of the clinic. Though the Minister of Imperial Households’ carriage stood at the door, this time no one dared speak up for Renxin Clinic.

If Lu Tong couldn’t enter the Medical Academy, she would remain just a small clinic doctor on West Street. Commoners’ fear of officials seemed innate.

“The results aren’t even out yet, why are you already expressing pity for my miss?” Yinzheng heard the commotion outside and hurriedly ran out from behind the felt curtain, standing in front of Lu Tong.

She maintained a dignified expression, wearing a smile. But in Bai Shouyi’s and the other’s eyes, this smile seemed like mere stubbornness from someone at their wit’s end.

Miao Liangfang also muttered: “What business is it of others whether she passes or not? Like choosing a county magistrate from heaven – meddling too much.”

Bai Shouyi heard this muttering.

He glanced at Miao Liangfang and deliberately sighed: “Doctor Lu must be desperate, daring to bring in all sorts of questionable people as teachers. If things don’t work out, as neighbors, I could go to the medical community and invite a proper old doctor to teach her medical theory. Learning from unclear sources, aren’t you afraid of going astray?”

These words cut to the bone. Miao Liangfang’s face turned pale: “Who are you calling unclear?”

As more and more people gathered to watch, Lu Tong set down the porcelain jar in her hand on the table.

Though gentle, the sound gradually quieted everyone.

She looked at the woman before her: “Has Madam Wang seen the red notice board?”

Madam Wang was stunned.

She had come to West Street early this morning after receiving Madam Dong’s message, naturally not having seen the red notice board. But seeing it didn’t matter because beforehand, a familiar medical official from the Medical Academy had already seen this year’s list of twenty successful candidates and told Madam Dong that Lu Tong’s name wasn’t among them.

“If you haven’t seen it, wait for the results before bringing gifts.” Lu Tong pushed the red gift basket back in front of Madam Wang.

The female doctor’s reaction was cold, showing no discomfort at all from the gathered crowd. The gold-gleaming embroidered tapestry hung on the clinic wall behind her, while she stood in plain clothes, her features like an ink painting in the spring clinic, perfectly translucent.

Though failing, she still maintained an air of indifference.

Inexplicably, Madam Wang felt irritated.

A common female putting on airs and acting affected – no matter how aloof she pretended to be, it couldn’t change the fact that she belonged in the mud.

Normally she wouldn’t even glance at such down-and-out places as West Street, yet now because of her young master, she had to come here repeatedly.

Imperial Medical Academy? Female Medical Official?

Her? With these dubious people in this clinic?

As contempt filled Madam Wang’s heart and she prepared to make more sarcastic remarks—

“Doctor Lu! Doctor Lu!”

Suddenly, a cheerful voice came from afar.

Lu Tong looked up to see someone eagerly pushing through the crowd toward the clinic, wearing a patrol office uniform and a broad smile – it was Shen Fengying from the Military Training Office.

“Lord Shen,” Yinzheng exclaimed in surprise, “Why are you here?”

“I’ve come to congratulate Doctor Lu!” Shen Fengying looked around, noticed the bright red gift basket on the counter, and said with a beaming smile: “So many people – looks like I’m not the first to offer congratulations!”

“Congratulations?” Madam Wang didn’t know Shen Fengying but sensed something was wrong from his words and hurriedly asked, “Congratulations for what?”

“Congratulations to Doctor Lu for placing first on the spring examination red notice board!”

The crowd fell silent.

Shen Fengying was puzzled: “What’s wrong? Aren’t you all here to congratulate Doctor Lu on passing?”

[Shen Fengying: Who else understands? The stock I bought soared overnight!]