A commoner physician? Surnamed Lu?

After a brief moment of silence, the side hall erupted in a commotion like a boiling pot.

In the triennial spring examinations held in the capital, very few commoner physicians participated each time. This year there was only one person, and she was a young woman at that.

This young woman named Lu Tong was known in the Imperial Medical Academy for two reasons. First, she had unclear entanglements with the young master of the Grand Court of Judicial Review Minister’s household. Second, she had coincidentally discovered that the poison afflicting Princess Wen was the forbidden palace drug “Children’s Sorrow” when she was at Prince Wen’s mansion.

Princess Wen would regularly invite palace physicians to examine her pulse and check her health. For so long, the imperial physicians had failed to detect the poison, yet it was discovered by a folk female physician. Outsiders might not necessarily think this commoner physician’s medical skills were particularly brilliant, but they would openly and secretly regard the people in the Imperial Medical Academy as a bunch of incompetent quacks who had learned nothing.

Moreover, that dose of “Children’s Sorrow” had implicated many people. Not only did the highly favored Consort Yan fall from grace because of it, but it also brought trouble to numerous officials in the Imperial Medical Academy and Imperial Pharmacy. The matter had only been cleared up a few months ago.

Additionally, Princess Wen had divorced Prince Wen because of this incident.

This female physician had stirred up unrest everywhere before anyone had even seen her, clearly indicating she was a ruthless character with deep scheming. The imperial physicians were both wary and contemptuous of her. Those who graduated from the Imperial Medical Bureau always felt a subtle sense of superiority when looking at these market-born practicing physicians.

However, this examination paper now completely shattered everyone’s sense of superiority.

This exam paper surpassed all the Imperial Medical Bureau students!

A young imperial physician refused to accept this: “Perhaps she was formerly a coroner, otherwise how could she answer so skillfully? Everyone, tear off the name strips from the exam papers you’ve finished grading and look for this Lu Tong’s other medical subject papers. I don’t believe she can answer every subject this well!”

As if unwilling to accept that their carefully trained Imperial Medical Bureau students had been overshadowed by a commoner physician, the imperial physicians in the side hall all buried their heads in searching through the exam papers they had graded for Lu Tong’s papers.

Chang Jin stood in place, staring blankly at the exam paper on the table. The handwriting on the paper was bold and flowing. Through this careless and unrestrained penmanship, he seemed to see a young, beautiful woman standing before him. She must be a frivolous and dissolute flower, so even her writing exuded arrogance and contempt.

What had originally been a properly filled exam paper with a correct attitude now became evidence of provocation and defiance. Her image in his mind became increasingly terrifying.

He wondered what the Academy Director would think upon seeing such a person.

The Academy Director?

Chang Jin suddenly shivered.

He knew that Director Cui had always disliked commoner physicians. This time, he probably wouldn’t be too pleased.

…

Cui Min received the report from his subordinate physicians just after finishing examining Consort Rou’s pulse.

After Consort Yan was executed for the “Children’s Sorrow” case, the imperial harem became desolate, and His Majesty remembered the long-neglected Consort Rou. For a time, Consort Rou’s palace became lively again.

Night fell, and the entrance to the Imperial Medical Academy was quiet, with only a few faint frog calls. Looking from afar, he saw someone standing under the lantern at the academy gate. Only when he drew closer did he see clearly that it was the imperial physician Chang Jin.

“Academy Director,” Chang Jin held a stack of paper scrolls in his hands and spoke respectfully, “All spring examination papers have been graded. This subordinate has urgent matters to report.”

“Come in,” Cui Min walked straight ahead.

Entering the room, he lit the lamp, and the room brightened.

Chang Jin placed the exam papers in his hands on the table, stood to one side with his hands at his sides, and secretly glanced at the person sitting at the table.

Hanlin Imperial Medical Academy Director Cui Min was already past forty this year. He was thin and pale, with a beautiful beard, a peaceful expression, always dressed in blue robes, which made his bearing appear noble and refined.

To become the chief director of the Imperial Medical Academy at this age was no easy feat. Though young, Cui Min’s medical skills were quite favored by the noble people in the palace. Especially his leadership of the Imperial Medical Academy staff in compiling a book called “Cui’s Pharmacology,” which benefited countless people in the capital, was truly a gentleman’s great virtue with a heart for healing the world.

Chang Jin also greatly admired him.

Cui Min sat properly behind the table, only briefly flipping through the exam papers Chang Jin had brought, and asked, “What is it?”

“Reporting to the Academy Director, this year’s spring examination added a new subject called ‘Examination of Evidence.’ The students’ submitted papers were generally poor, with only one person’s paper being perfect without a single incorrect answer.”

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

“It was a commoner physician, Lu Tong.”

That students taught by imperial physicians couldn’t compare to a self-taught commoner – Chang Jin didn’t even dare lift his head to look at his superior’s expression, only steeling himself to continue.

“All exam papers have been graded. This subordinate found Lu Tong’s other medical subject papers and presents them all to the Academy Director for judgment.”

Upon hearing this, Cui Min’s eyes flashed: “Is there something wrong?”

If this person’s papers in all medical subjects were perfect, the imperial physicians wouldn’t need to go to such trouble to bring them to his attention.

“Yes,” Chang Jin raised his head, “This female physician probably never properly studied under anyone, relying entirely on her own exploration. Except for the Examination of Evidence subject which was flawless, all other subjects had problems.”

“When asked about pharmacology and medical classics, she could answer correctly, but when it came to diagnosing symptoms and prescribing treatments, the prescriptions she wrote were ones we had never heard of. Setting aside whether the prescriptions were genuine, just looking at the medication usage, it was quite bold and domineering, completely different from ordinary prescriptions.”

Chang Jin finished speaking in one breath, and seeing that Cui Min’s expression remained relatively calm, he felt somewhat relieved.

Immediately after, doubts arose in his heart.

The imperial physicians in the side hall had gathered all of Lu Tong’s exam papers together, and upon comparison, they immediately noticed how Lu Tong differed from other candidates.

She answered those medical classics and pharmacology questions skillfully and completely, but those prescriptions were unheard of. The Hanlin Imperial Medical Academy’s tradition had always been to seek stability. They didn’t require every imperial physician to be miraculous healers, but at least they couldn’t cause trouble that would implicate others. After all, they all treated noble people, and one careless mistake could result in bearing the blame.

Logically, taking the top twenty candidates, Lu Tong would definitely make the list, but looking at her prescription writing style, she might bring disaster again.

The grading physicians argued endlessly and couldn’t reach a conclusion in the end, so they simply had Chang Jin bring the papers to Cui Min, letting the Academy Director personally decide whether to keep or dismiss this female physician.

Cui Min placed that stack of exam papers aside without any intention of continuing to read them, only speaking indifferently: “Diagnosing symptoms and prescribing treatments requires caution. Since this person lacks reverence for practicing medicine, there’s no need to keep her.”

Not keep her?

Chang Jin was stunned. Though this was the expected result, for some reason, when he heard Cui Min’s answer, he inexplicably felt a trace of regret.

It was indeed quite regrettable. That Examination of Evidence paper could almost be called perfect and flawless.

Except the handwriting was rather unrestrained.

Just as he was thinking this, he heard Cui Min’s voice: “Is there anything else?”

Chang Jin came back to his senses and quickly said, “Nothing else. This subordinate will take his leave first.”

Cui Min waved his sleeve dismissively. Chang Jin bowed and retreated. As he left, his gaze swept over the Tao inkstone on Cui Min’s table.

The Tao inkstone was warm and lustrous like jade, with green hues ready to flow, emanating a clear radiance under the lamplight.

Chang Jin exited the room, thinking that the two Tao inkstones collected by Director Cui were truly extremely beautiful.

…

In the third month in the capital, fine rain gradually began to fall. The new willows at Falling Moon Bridge sprouted many green shoots.

It was in this first spring rain of the capital that the Imperial Medical Bureau spring examination results were announced.

Perhaps because there weren’t as many candidates as in the autumn imperial examinations, ten days was sufficient time to produce the spring examination results. However, there were very few people discussing it.

The common people were quite interested in who became the top scholar and who became third place, but had little curiosity about who made the spring examination honor roll and became Hanlin imperial physicians.

First, Hanlin imperial physicians were doctors who treated noble people in the palace or aristocratic families, too far removed from ordinary people’s lives. Second, every year it was always Imperial Medical Bureau students who made the list, so ultimately it had nothing to do with commoners. You should know that there was once a commoner physician who surpassed numerous Imperial Medical Bureau students to achieve third place in the spring examinations, but that was already twenty years ago!

Twenty years – the chives in the fields had been replaced countless times!

The red list under Dechun Pavilion hadn’t been posted yet, but those familiar with the Imperial Medical Academy had received the news first.

In Renxin Medical Hall, Lu Tong was sitting at the table wiping the porcelain jars piled together.

It was spring again, and the capital’s poplar flowers would bloom soon. The Imperial Pharmacy had accepted the prescription, so she couldn’t make ‘Spring Water Life’ this year and needed to prepare some other medicinal teas.

As she was wiping, the sound of horse hooves suddenly came from outside. Lu Tong looked up and saw a carriage stop in front of the medical hall.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and several familiar people jumped down, led by Mama Wang, a servant from beside Madam Dong, wife of the Grand Court of Judicial Review Minister.

The last time Mama Wang came to Renxin Medical Hall, it was to deliver a message for Madam Dong, reminding Lu Tong not to climb above her station. After that, she never came to Renxin Medical Hall again, and even stopped picking up Dong Lin’s medicine. However, Dong Lin’s lung disease had recovered about seventy to eighty percent, and the remaining recuperation could be handled by other physicians.

Perhaps precisely because of this, the Grand Court of Judicial Review Minister could so brazenly burn bridges after crossing.

“Mama Wang,” Lu Tong nodded.

Mama Wang entered the medical hall, looked Lu Tong up and down, and showed a not-so-warm smile.

“Today is the spring examination results announcement day. Madam is concerned about Dr. Lu’s spring examination results and specially sent this old slave to deliver congratulatory gifts.” She placed a large red gift basket on the counter, pushed it toward Lu Tong, then looked around left and right, pretending to be surprised: “Oh my, why don’t I see anyone delivering messages?”

Today Du Changqing and A’Cheng had gone to the south of the city to collect herbs, so only Miao Liangfang and Yin Zheng were in the medical hall. Yin Zheng was boiling water in the back courtyard, while Miao Liangfang, sitting nearby, sensed something was wrong. He stood up leaning on his walking stick and asked Lu Tong, “Little Lu, who is this?”

Before Lu Tong could answer, another voice rang out from outside the door: “What else could it be? Of course it’s because she didn’t pass!”

The speaker was Bai Shouyi from the neighboring Xinglin Hall.

Since Lu Tong came to Renxin Medical Hall and produced several excellent patent medicines, Renxin Medical Hall had flourished. Xinglin Hall had repeatedly tried to cause trouble, but each time ended up shooting themselves in the foot. Later, after Lu Tong received that gold brocade banner from Duke Zhaoning’s daughter, which was displayed prominently in the main hall of the medical hall every day, Xinglin Hall’s business plummeted. It looked like it was about to become what Renxin Medical Hall used to be – not far from closing down.

At precisely this moment, Lu Tong had offended the Grand Court of Judicial Review Minister and overestimated herself by participating in the Imperial Medical Bureau spring examinations.

Ha, this was simply seeking her own destruction!

Bai Shouyi wore a snow-white long robe, his neck almost blending with his clothing. He smiled with his eyes narrowed to slits, his fat face full of joy.

He was happy! While his own success was certainly delightful, his enemy’s defeat was even more joyful.

Mama Wang looked surprised: “That can’t be right! This old slave thought Dr. Lu was confident and assured of success!”

Lu Tong said nothing.

Bai Shouyi’s smile grew even broader as he deliberately went along with Mama Wang’s words: “How can we ordinary people dare to compare with those young masters and misses from the Imperial Medical Bureau? People must have self-awareness. What a pity…”

A crowd gradually gathered in front of the medical hall. The Grand Court of Judicial Review Minister’s carriage stood at the entrance, but this time no one dared to speak up for Renxin Medical Hall.

If Lu Tong couldn’t enter the Imperial Medical Academy, she would remain just a small practicing physician on West Street. The common people’s fear of officials seemed innate.

“The results aren’t even out yet, so how can you start pitying our young lady?” Yin Zheng heard the commotion outside, lifted the felt curtain and hurried out, standing in front of Lu Tong.

She didn’t forget to maintain a dignified posture, keeping a smile on her face. But this smile, in the eyes of Bai Shouyi and the others, seemed like stubborn bravado in desperate straits.

Miao Liangfang also muttered: “Whether she passes or not is none of others’ business. Really like ‘the emperor choosing county magistrates from heaven’ – such broad management.”

This muttering was heard by Bai Shouyi.

Bai Shouyi glanced at Miao Liangfang and deliberately sighed: “Speaking of Dr. Lu, she’s also like a desperate patient trying any doctor. She dares to bring any random person to be her teacher. If it really doesn’t work, we’re all neighbors – I’ll go to the medical guild and invite an old physician to instruct her in medical principles. Having unclear people teach medical principles, aren’t you afraid of going astray?”

These words were devastating. Miao Liangfang’s face turned green: “Who are you calling unclear?”

More and more onlookers gathered. Lu Tong placed the porcelain jar in her hand firmly on the table.

It was a very light sound, but it gradually quieted the surroundings.

She looked at the woman before her: “Has Mama Wang already seen the red list?”

Mama Wang was startled.

She had come to West Street early this morning after receiving news from Madam Dong, so naturally she hadn’t seen the red list. But whether she saw it or not didn’t matter, because even before this, a familiar physician from the Imperial Medical Academy had already seen this year’s twenty selected spring examination slots and told Madam Dong that Lu Tong’s name wasn’t among them.

“Since you haven’t seen it, wait until the results come out before delivering gifts.” Lu Tong said this while pushing the red gift basket back in front of Mama Wang.

The female physician’s reaction was cold, showing no discomfort from the surrounding crowd. The gleaming gold brocade banner hung behind her on the medical hall wall, while she stood in plain clothes, ethereal as a ink painting in this spring medical hall, transparent just right.

Clearly having failed, yet putting on an air of nonchalant indifference.

Inexplicably, Mama Wang felt somewhat annoyed.

A commoner woman putting on airs and being pretentiously affected – no matter how aloof she pretended to be, she couldn’t change the fact that she was mired in mud.

A down-and-out household on West Street like this – in normal times she wouldn’t even glance at it, yet now she had to make repeated trips to this place because of her young master.

Hanlin Imperial Medical Academy? Female imperial physician?

Just based on her? And these dubious people in this medical hall?

Mama Wang felt contemptuous and was about to make more sarcastic remarks.

“Dr. Lu! Dr. Lu!”

Suddenly, a cheerful voice came from far to near.

Lu Tong looked up and saw someone struggling to push through the crowd toward the medical hall. This person wore the official uniform of a patrol office, with a face full of smiles – it was actually Shen Fengying from the military training patrol office.

“Official Shen,” Yin Zheng looked surprised, “How did you come?”

“I came to congratulate Dr. Lu!” Shen Fengying glanced around, then spotted the particularly bright gift basket on the counter and said with beaming joy: “So many people – looks like I’m not the first to congratulate!”

“Congratulate?” Mama Wang didn’t recognize Shen Fengying, but she instinctively sensed trouble from his words and quickly asked, “Congratulate for what?”

“Congratulate Dr. Lu for placing first on the spring examination red list!”

The surroundings fell silent as death.

Shen Fengying looked confused: “What’s wrong? Aren’t you all here to congratulate Dr. Lu on making the list?”

Shen Fengying: Family, who understands? The stocks I bought shot up overnight!