The fortieth year of Yongchang, third month, tenth day.

The weather was clear and fine, with all floating clouds retreating. In the imperial garden behind Xuanfeng Gate, within Picking Fragrance Garden, all flowers were budding, and red apricot blossoms cascaded like waterfalls.

Amidst this vast expanse of soft spring colors, two eunuchs walked through the garden, carefully selecting and picking fresh peach blossoms from the branches.

Consort Rou in the palace had recently gained great imperial favor and required several baskets of fresh peach blossom petals for her daily baths. The morning peach petals with dew were the finest – delicate and pink, like a flawless beauty.

As they were picking, the faint sound of footsteps came from ahead. Following the sound with their eyes, they saw a female official leading a group of people in blue robes walking toward the eastern corridor’s depths.

This group consisted of both men and women with unfamiliar faces. They looked around as they walked, their steps uneven, unlike the neat and orderly manner trained in the palace.

The young eunuch was puzzled and asked the person beside him: “Who are those people?”

“They’re newly appointed Hanlin Imperial Physicians entering the palace,” the elderly eunuch looked in their direction. “Today is the day for the Imperial Medical Academy to receive new people.”

“Imperial Physicians?”

This title was somewhat unfamiliar to the new eunuch. He scratched his head and looked at that group of people with envious eyes: “To become Imperial Physicians at such a young age… That elder sister is really beautiful!”

The woman at the back of the group appeared quite young, only sixteen or seventeen years old. The round-collared, narrow-waisted blue robe made her look even more slender and delicate. Her skin was very pale, her features beautiful but her expression cold, like a coldly blooming blue peach blossom – cold yet stunning. Walking among the crowd, it was hard not to notice her at first glance.

Truly captivating.

At the front, Lu Tong was following the leading female official forward.

The imperial city was magnificent. She had thought Judge Fan Zhengkuan’s residence was already extremely luxurious, but compared to what lay before her eyes, it was nothing.

Further along the eastern corridor, palace walls towered majestically with green tiles and vermillion eaves. The long corridors wound and meandered, everywhere adorned with carved railings and jade decorations. The pavilions’ bright green glazed tiles gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight, while the vermillion eaves featured coiling dragons with piercing expressions, resplendent in gold and jade.

A few steps away seemed to be a garden with a vast expanse of crimson peach blossoms covering the earth and sky. A line of imperial guards passed by – all tall and imposing with extraordinary martial bearing. The young imperial guard leading them wore deep crimson official robes, a silver sword at his waist, his posture straight as a cypress, with handsome and noble bearing.

“Handsome, isn’t he?” someone beside Lu Tong whispered in her ear: “That’s Commander Pei from the Palace Command. The most beautiful man in the capital – I crowned him that.”

Just as she finished speaking, this line of imperial guards walked toward them, meeting their group head-on.

The leading female official immediately bowed her head in respect, and the new Imperial Physicians hastily stepped aside.

The guards passed in front of Lu Tong’s group, their official robes stirring a subtle wind. As she lowered her head, Lu Tong looked up briefly. The young man walked past her side without a sideways glance, his bearing noble and lofty, unreachably high.

Like a lofty stranger who wouldn’t pause for those who crossed his path.

Only after the guards’ shadows gradually disappeared did the Imperial Physicians relax again.

Some younger Imperial Physicians, enchanted by the bearing of those guards just now, excitedly discussed the people who had passed in low voices.

The person who had spoken in Lu Tong’s ear also sighed with feeling: “Truly handsome indeed, though his eyes always look down on people from above – quite arrogant! Sister, what do you think?”

She turned to ask Lu Tong, her face wearing a bright smile, but it left Lu Tong momentarily speechless.

Lu Tong had encountered Lin Danqing at the palace gates.

Lin Danqing had arrived early, and upon spotting Lu Tong, she pulled Lu Tong aside to chat familiarly.

It was then that Lu Tong learned the young woman who had once defended her and argued with Cao Huai at the spring examination venue had also passed the examination and was among this year’s new Imperial Physicians.

Since Lu Tong was the only commoner physician among this batch of Imperial Physicians entering the palace, and had achieved first place on the red list, surpassing all the so-called prodigies from the Imperial Medical Bureau, the other Imperial Physicians harbored some hostility toward her.

Lin Danqing probably sensed this and took the initiative to talk with Lu Tong, trying to ease the tense atmosphere. However, from Lu Tong’s perspective, sometimes excessive enthusiasm made people even more uncomfortable.

“Sister, don’t worry. My father once worked at the Imperial Medical Academy, so I’m familiar with this place. If anything happens in the future, I’ll protect you and make sure you don’t get bullied,” Lin Danqing said righteously. “Look at you, so gentle and delicate. The palace is full of cunning people. A little white rabbit like you – I’m worried the wolves will eat you.”

Just as she was speaking, the female official ahead suddenly stopped and said to everyone: “We’ve arrived.”

Everyone looked up to see an official courtyard before them.

Above the main gate, a vermillion plaque bore the large characters “Hanlin Imperial Medical Academy.” Inside the courtyard was a main hall with five rooms, with the south hall to the left of the main hall serving as the physicians’ office. Further back, the medical temple housed statues of Fuxi and Shennong. It was said that beyond the medicine grove, there was also a medicine storehouse.

A short, fat supervising physician stood in front of the main hall, flipping through a roster in his hands. Beside him stood two other physicians holding official seals, waiting expectantly for Lu Tong’s group to enter.

The female official entered the main hall and bowed to the supervising physician: “Sir, everyone has arrived.”

The supervising physician squinted and looked at the crowd somewhat critically, handed the roster to a physician beside him, turned and walked into the hall, saying: “Record their names.”

The newly appointed Imperial Physicians lined up in order and came forward one by one, handing over the documents representing their identities to the recording physician. When it was Lu Tong’s turn, as soon as she handed over her document, the physician before her – meticulously dressed with every whisker clearly defined – looked at her strangely several times, squinting as if unable to believe it, carefully comparing Lu Tong’s name with the name on the roster several times.

Lin Danqing, waiting behind Lu Tong, grew impatient and asked: “Sir, is there any problem?”

“No, no problem,” Chang Jin came to his senses and gestured to Lu Tong: “Go in.”

Lu Tong complied and entered. Chang Jin raised his hand and crossed out Lu Tong’s name on the roster, still unable to hide his astonishment.

This was the Lu Tong who had achieved first place in the Examination of Evidence? How was she completely different from what he had imagined?

He had originally thought that since Lu Tong could cause the young master of the Dong family to quarrel with his mother, she must be frivolous and dissolute in manner, with an alluring appearance, or perhaps gloomy and ghostly – after all, this person had quite possibly studied under a coroner for some time.

What respectable family’s children would learn coroner’s examination work for no reason!

Chang Jin had been so curious that he hadn’t slept all night, wanting to see what this legendary extraordinary woman really looked like. Unexpectedly, upon meeting her, she was completely different from his expectations.

She was very young, plainly but beautifully featured, with clean and clear eyes. There wasn’t a trace of coquettishness in her demeanor; instead, she had a faint scholarly air that was quite suitable for a physician’s peaceful and gentle nature.

Completely inconsistent with her bold handwriting!

Indeed, people couldn’t be judged by appearances. Chang Jin thought this as he placed Lu Tong’s document in the bamboo basket beside him.

The registration quickly ended with all twenty new physicians accounted for. Next came arranging what these new physicians would do and which medical departments and quarters they would be assigned to.

New Imperial Physicians entering the Hanlin Imperial Medical Academy couldn’t immediately serve and treat patients, so they were called “Medical Scholars.” They had to be examined at the academy for a period, taking turns filling positions, confirming their understanding of medical principles before they could officially serve.

The imperial physicians would assign them to different departmental halls based on the medical specialties shown in their spring examination papers.

The Imperial Physicians stood respectfully in the hall, hoping to be assigned to a specialty they excelled in.

The supervising physician emerged from inside, holding a long scroll, and began slowly announcing the departmental assignments and quarters:

“Cao Huai, Major Internal Medicine and Minor Internal Medicine, South Hall Jade Clarity Room—”

“Zhao Qing, Ophthalmology and Dental Medicine, South Hall Supreme Goodness Room—”

“Chen Ming, Acupuncture…”

“Li Tong…”

“…”

“Lin Danqing, Women’s Medicine, North Hall West Longevity Room—”

Lin Danqing behind Lu Tong breathed a long sigh of relief. Women’s Medicine was exactly what she excelled at – adjusting the health of noble ladies would be sufficient. Getting her wish fulfilled, she couldn’t help but feel happy. Looking at Lu Tong beside her, Lin Danqing prayed in her heart, hoping Lu Tong would be assigned to Women’s Medicine with her so they could keep each other company.

However, as names were called one by one, the supervising physician never mentioned Lu Tong. Lin Danqing grew anxious waiting, yet Lu Tong appeared neither proud nor impatient, as if she didn’t care much about the result.

“Lu Tong—”

The supervising physician ahead suddenly called Lu Tong’s name.

Lin Danqing’s heart jumped, and she quietly tugged at Lu Tong’s sleeve, signaling her to listen carefully.

“Lu Tong, South Medicine Room.”

As soon as these words were spoken, not only Lin Danqing but all the other Imperial Physicians – no, they should be called Medical Scholars – in the hall were stunned.

The South Medicine Room didn’t belong to any medical specialty. It was where low-ranking Medical Scholars sorted medicinal materials and prepared medicines for the Imperial Pharmacy. Assigning the spring examination’s first-place winner to the South Medicine Room was tantamount to wasting talent. In fact, this work could be done by pharmacists – normally, physicians wouldn’t be involved at all.

Looking at all the Medical Scholars present today, each had their own specialty, yet only Lu Tong was assigned to the South Medicine Room.

Lu Tong looked calmly at the supervising physician while Lin Danqing behind her couldn’t help but speak: “Sir, could there be a mistake in the roster? How could a new Imperial Physician be sent to the South Medicine Room?”

The supervising physician seemed displeased by her interruption and glared at Lin Danqing: “How dare a mere Medical Scholar question the arrangements of superiors?” With that, he closed the scroll in his hands and walked into the hall with his hands behind his back: “Pack up your things and find your places.”

He paid no more attention to the crowd.

After the supervising physician left, the hall became lively again. Familiar Medical Scholars excitedly discussed their assigned medical specialties, while many looked toward Lu Tong with gazes of either sympathy or satisfaction.

Cao Huai, who had harassed her earlier at the examination hall, seeing this situation, felt quite schadenfreude and sighed with false regret: “Truly heaven’s jest! First place on the red list yet assigned to the South Medicine Room. I hear those who enter the South Medicine Room never come out. Could Miss Lu spend her whole life there sorting medicines for people?”

Lin Danqing angrily said: “Cao Huai, shut your mouth!” Then she turned to look at Lu Tong: “Don’t listen to his nonsense. Don’t worry, sister. Let me find a way to inquire – perhaps this is the Academy Director’s test for you.”

The young woman’s eyes were full of sincerity, genuinely worried for her. Lu Tong shook her head: “No need, I’m fine.”

Lin Danqing meant well, but even asking Cui Min wouldn’t change anything.

Lu Tong lowered her eyes. Cui Min was doing this deliberately.

He had placed her in first place on the red list yet despised her commoner status. Even if to give the Dong family an explanation, he wouldn’t let her have an easy time. Just sending her to sit on the bench at the South Medicine Room was already better than what Lu Tong had anticipated.

“But…”

“Don’t worry,” Lu Tong smiled, her expression very calm. “I’ll be back soon.”

…

Each department and courtyard in the palace had its own busy affairs.

When Pei Yunying returned to his office after his palace guard duty rotation, it was already late.

Lamps were lit inside and outside the rooms, creating bright illumination. Seeing Pei Yunying enter, Qing Feng quickly handed him a food basket he had just brought back: “Sir, refreshments sent by the young lady.”

Pei Yunying acknowledged and accepted it.

After the New Year, Pei Yunshu had moved out of the Pei family residence to live in a house adjacent to Pei Yunying’s. When Pei Yunying was on duty at the palace and often didn’t return home, Pei Yunshu would sometimes have someone send refreshments and meals to him, reminding him to eat properly.

Of course, these meals and pastries were all bought from restaurants since Pei Yunshu didn’t cook. Therefore, Pei Yunying hadn’t told her that the food from the small kitchen at the Commander’s residence tasted no different from restaurant food.

Pei Yunying carried the food into the hall where Xiao Zhufeng was reading. Hearing the commotion, he looked up, his gaze pausing on the exquisite food basket.

Pei Yunying opened the food basket, which was divided into several layers with meat, vegetables, and pastries – colorful and beautiful. He picked up a lotus-shaped pastry and, seeing Xiao Zhufeng’s look, smiled brilliantly: “Envious?”

Xiao Zhufeng restrained himself: “Just made by restaurant cooks.”

Pei Yunying nodded lazily: “Still none for you.”

Knowing his usual nature – talented and accomplished before outsiders but harboring some mischief with familiar people – Xiao Zhufeng was too lazy to deal with his childish games and simply said: “New Imperial Physicians entered the palace today.”

“Mm.”

“Lu Tong entered the palace.”

Pei Yunying: “I know.”

In fact, he not only knew but had even met Lu Tong briefly when she first entered the palace this morning.

However, that encounter could hardly be called pleasant.

Xiao Zhufeng observed his friend, seeing his relaxed expression with no apparent difference from usual.

After a pause, Xiao Zhufeng said: “Aren’t you concerned about which academy she was assigned to?”

New Imperial Physicians all had to be assigned to departments. In some ways, the medical specialty hall initially assigned could even determine these Medical Scholars’ future prospects.

Competition existed from the very beginning.

Pei Yunying smiled: “Which academy?”

“South Medicine Room.”

South Medicine Room?

Pei Yunying was stunned, his brow gradually furrowing.

The South Medicine Room was the most unpromising place in the entire Imperial Medical Academy. Only the least favored or those who had made mistakes would be assigned to the medicine room. Those who went to the South Medicine Room almost never had another chance to serve.

This was the worst possible start.

Xiao Zhufeng looked at the person across from him: “Cui Min was probably trying to curry favor with the Dong family. However, being banished to the medicine storehouse, your Dr. Lu should have no chance for revenge.”

He spoke teasingly, with several traces of imperceptible relief. For Xiao Zhufeng, Lu Tong was a restless piece that shouldn’t appear on the board. One careless move could affect the entire game. Now that she was out, it couldn’t be better.

“Two mistakes,” Pei Yunying said.

“Where’s the mistake?”

“First, she’s not ‘mine.'”

Xiao Zhufeng finally couldn’t restrain himself and rolled his eyes: “And the second?”

“Second.” Pei Yunying raised his hand. The exquisite pastry in his hand showed a pale pink color under the candlelight, like a truly blooming fresh lotus.

He stared at the beautiful lotus before him, and through the translucent petals, seemed to see some other shadow, his eyes gradually growing deeper.

“Second, you underestimate her too much.”

“Opportunities aren’t waited for. I guess this Dr. Lu will soon create her own opportunities,” he said.