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

The weather was fine, with clearing clouds. In the Xiefang Garden of the rear palace beyond Xuanfeng Gate, various flowers were budding, and the red apricot blossoms seemed to pour forth.

Among the vast expanse of velvety spring colors, two palace servants were walking through the garden, carefully selecting and picking fresh peach blossoms from the branches.

The palace’s Concubine Rou had recently gained much imperial favor, requiring several baskets of fresh peach blossom petals daily for her bath. The peach blossom petals still bearing morning dew were best, delicate, and pink like a flawless beauty.

As they were picking, footsteps faintly approached from ahead. Looking up toward the sound, they saw a female official leading a group of people wearing cyan robes walking toward the deep end of the east corridor.

This group included both men and women, with unfamiliar faces. As they walked, they looked around, their steps irregular, unlike the orderly manner trained in the palace.

The young palace servant wondered, asking the person beside him: “Who are those people?”

“They’re the new Imperial Medical Officials entering the palace,” the elderly servant looked in their direction, “Today is when the Medical Institute accepts new people.”

“Medical Officials?”

The term was unfamiliar to the new servant, who could only scratch his head while gazing at the group, his eyes filled with envy: “So young and already Medical Officials… that sister is really beautiful!”

The young woman at the back of the group appeared quite young, only around sixteen or seventeen. The round-collared, narrow-waisted cyan robe she wore made her appear even more slender and delicate. Her skin was fair, her features beautiful though her expression was cold, like a coldly blooming cyan peach blossom – cold yet stunning, walking among the crowd, impossible not to notice at first glance.

Truly captivating.

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

The imperial palace was magnificent. She had thought Minister Fan Zhenglian’s mansion was already extremely luxurious, but compared to what lay before her eyes now, it wasn’t worth mentioning.

Further down the east corridor, palace walls towered majestically, with emerald tiles and vermillion eaves, winding corridors stretching on, carved railings, and jade installations everywhere. The pavilions’ fresh blue glazed tiles gleamed brilliantly under the sunlight, while vivid dragons coiled around the vermillion eaves, resplendent in gold and jade.

A few steps away seemed to be gardens, with a vast expanse of bright red peach blossoms covering the sky. A group of imperial guards passed by, all tall and imposing, extraordinarily valiant. The young guard leading them wore deep crimson official robes, a silver sword at his waist, his bearing straight as a cypress, his bearing magnificent.

“Handsome, isn’t he?” someone whispered in Lu Tong’s ear: “That’s Commander Pei from the Palace Guard Department. The number one handsome man in the capital – that’s my ranking.”

Just as these words were spoken, the line of guards walked toward them, meeting their group face-to-face.

The guiding female official immediately lowered her head in greeting, and the new medical officials hurriedly stepped aside.

The guards passed in front of Lu Tong’s group, their official robes stirring a subtle breeze. As she lowered her head, Lu Tong glanced up. The young man passed by her side without a sideways glance, his bearing noble and unreachable.

Like a distant stranger high above, not pausing for those who crossed his path.

Only after the guards’ shadows had gradually disappeared did the medical officials relax again.

Some of the younger medical officials, enchanted by the guards’ bearing, enthusiastically discussed the people who had passed in hushed tones.

The person who had whispered in Lu Tong’s ear earlier also sighed: “He’s truly handsome, though his eyes always look down at people from above – so proud! Little sister, what do you think?”

She turned to ask Lu Tong, her face bright with smiles, leaving Lu Tong momentarily speechless.

Lu Tong had met Lin Danqing at the palace gate.

Lin Danqing had arrived early, and upon seeing Lu Tong, had immediately struck up a familiar conversation.

It was only then that Lu Tong learned the young woman who had helped her during the spring examination and argued with Cao Huai had also passed the examination and was among this year’s new medical officials.

Since Lu Tong was the only commoner doctor among this batch of new medical officials and had moreover surpassed all the so-called prodigies from the Medical Bureau to claim first place on the red list, the other medical officials harbored some hostility toward her.

Lin Danqing had probably realized this and actively sought to talk with Lu Tong, trying to ease the tense atmosphere. However, in Lu Tong’s view, sometimes excessive friendliness could make people even more uncomfortable.

“Little sister, don’t worry, my father used to work in the Medical Institute, I’m very familiar with this place. I’ll look after you in the future, make sure no one bullies you,” Lin Danqing said righteously. “Looking at how soft and weak you are, and with the palace full of cunning people, I worry that a little rabbit like you might get eaten by wolves.”

Just as she was speaking, the female official in front suddenly stopped and said to everyone: “We’re here.”

Everyone looked up to see an official compound before them.

Above the main gate, large characters reading “Imperial Medical Institute” were written on the vermillion plaque. Inside were five main halls, with the southern hall on the left side serving as the medical officials’ office. Further back was the medical temple enshrining statues of Fu Xi and Shennong. It was said that beyond the medicinal garden was the medicine storehouse.

A short, stout supervising medical official stood before the main hall, reviewing a register in his hands. At his side stood two medical officials holding official seals, craning their necks as they waited for Lu Tong’s group to enter.

The female official stepped into the hall and bowed to the supervising official: “Sir, everyone has arrived.”

The supervising official narrowed his eyes, giving the group a somewhat critical look, handed the register to the medical official beside him, and turned to walk into the hall, saying: “Register them.”

The new medical officials lined up to step forward one by one, handing over the documents representing their identities to the registering medical official. When it came to Lu Tong’s turn, as soon as she handed over her documents, the medical official before her, who was immaculately dressed down to his precisely groomed beard, gave her several strange looks, as if unable to believe it, squinting as he carefully compared Lu Tong’s name with the name on the register several times.

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

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

Lu Tong complied and entered. Chang Jin raised his hand to check off Lu Tong’s name on the register, still unable to hide his amazement.

This was Lu Tong who had gotten first place in diagnostics. How completely different from what he had imagined!

He had thought that since Lu Tong could cause the Minister’s young master to quarrel with his mother, she must be frivolous and unrestrained in behavior, seductively charming, or perhaps gloomy and ghostlike – after all, this person had likely studied under a coroner for some time.

What person from a good family would learn coroner’s diagnostics for no reason?

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

She was very young, with simple beauty, and clean and clear features, without a trace of flirtatiousness in her manner. Instead, she had a subtle scholarly air, quite fitting for a doctor’s calm and gentleness.

Completely at odds with her wild handwriting!

Truly can’t judge a book by its cover, Chang Jin thought to himself as he placed Lu Tong’s documents in the bamboo basket beside him.

The registration finished quickly, with all twenty new medical officials present. Next would be arranging their duties and assigned medical departments and residences.

New medical officials entering the Imperial Medical Institute were initially called “Medical Scholars” and couldn’t directly provide consultations and treatment. They had to undergo a period of verification in the Medical Institute, taking turns as substitutes, and confirming their understanding of medical principles before they could officially serve.

The senior medical officials would assign the new medical officials to different departments based on their specialties shown in the spring examination papers.

The medical officials stood respectfully in the hall, hoping to be assigned to departments matching their specialties.

The supervising official walked out from inside, holding a long scroll, and began announcing department and dormitory assignments in a measured voice—

“Cao Huai, Major and Minor Pulse Department, South Hall Yuqing Chamber—”

“Zhao Qing, Eye and Dental Department, South Hall Shangshan Chamber—”

“Chen Ming, Acupuncture Department…”

“Li Tong…”

“…”

“Lin Danqing, Women’s Department, North Hall West Longevity Chamber—”

Standing behind Lu Tong, Lin Danqing let out a long sigh of relief. Women’s medicine was her specialty, and treating noble ladies’ ailments would be well within her capabilities. Pleased with getting her wish, she glanced at Lu Tong beside her, silently praying that Lu Tong would be assigned to the Women’s Department with her for companionship.

However, as name after name was called, the supervising official didn’t mention Lu Tong. While Lin Danqing grew anxious waiting, Lu Tong maintained a calm demeanor, seemingly unconcerned about the outcome.

“Lu Tong—”

The supervising official 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 Storehouse.”

At these words, not just Lin Danqing but all the other medical officials—no, medical scholars—in the hall were stunned.

The South Medicine Storehouse didn’t belong to any department. It was where lower-ranked medical scholars sorted medicinal materials and prepared them for the Imperial Medicine Court. Sending the spring examination’s first-place winner to the South Medicine Storehouse was like throwing away a precious treasure. Such work could be done by pharmacists; medical officials normally wouldn’t be involved at all.

Among all the scholars present today, each had their specialized department, except Lu Tong alone was assigned to the South Medicine Storehouse.

Lu Tong gazed calmly at the supervising official while Lin Danqing behind her couldn’t help speaking up: “Sir, could there be a mistake in the register? How could a new medical official be sent to the South Medicine Storehouse?”

The supervising official seemed displeased with her interruption and glared at Lin Danqing: “How dare a mere medical scholar question the superior’s arrangements?” With that, he closed the scroll and walked into the hall with his hands behind his back: “Pack your things and find your places.”

He paid no more attention to the crowd.

After the supervising official left, the hall became lively again. Familiar scholars excitedly discussed their assigned departments, while many looked toward Lu Tong with gazes of either sympathy or joy.

Cao Huai, who had harassed her at the examination hall, showed schadenfreude and feigned regret: “How fate plays tricks! First place on the red list yet assigned to the South Medicine Storehouse. I heard no one who enters there ever comes out – Miss Lu, surely you won’t spend your whole life there sorting medicine?”

Lin Danqing angrily said: “Cao Huai, shut your mouth!” She turned to Lu Tong, “Don’t listen to that dog’s mouth that can’t produce ivory. Don’t worry, sister, let me try to find out what’s going on. Perhaps this is a test from the Director.”

The young woman’s eyes were sincere, genuinely concerned for her, but Lu Tong shook her head: “No need, I’m fine.”

Lin Danqing meant well, but even if they asked Cui Min, nothing would change.

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

He had made her first on the red list yet despised her commoner status. Even if just to give the Dong family an explanation, he wouldn’t let her have an easy time. Simply letting her sit idle in the South Medicine Storehouse was already better than what Lu Tong had expected.

“But…”

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

……

Each department in the palace had its busy affairs.

When Pei Yunying returned to his quarters after the palace guards’ shift change, it was already late.

Lamps were lit inside and outside, brightening everything. Seeing Pei Yunying enter, Qing Feng hurriedly handed him a recently delivered food basket: “Sir, snacks sent by the young miss.”

Pei Yunying acknowledged and took it.

After the New Year, Pei Yunxu had moved out of the Pei family home to live in a residence neighboring Pei Yunying’s. When Pei Yunying was on palace duty and often didn’t return home, Pei Yunxu would sometimes have people send him snacks and meals, urging him to eat properly.

Of course, these meals and pastries were all bought from restaurants; Pei Yunxu didn’t cook. Thus, Pei Yunying hadn’t told her that the food from the Commander’s mansion’s small kitchen tasted no different from restaurant fare.

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

Pei Yunying opened the basket, which had several layers containing meat dishes, vegetables, and pastries, a colorful sight. He picked up a lotus pastry, and seeing Xiao Zhufeng looking, smiled brilliantly: “Envious?”

Xiao Zhufeng held back: “It’s just made by restaurant cooks.”

Pei Yunying nodded lazily: “Then you won’t get any.”

Knowing his usual way – a talented civil and military official before others, but always hiding some mischief with familiar people – Xiao Zhufeng couldn’t be bothered with his childish tricks and just said: “The new medical officials entered the palace today.”

“Mm.”

“Lu Tong has entered the palace.”

Pei Yunying: “I know.”

He not only knew but had even met Lu Tong when she first entered the palace that morning.

Though that meeting could hardly be called pleasant.

Xiao Zhufeng studied his friend, seeing his expression relaxed, no different from usual.

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

The assignment of new medical officials to departments could, in some ways, determine these scholars’ future careers.

The competition existed from the very beginning.

Pei Yunying smiled: “Which department?”

“South Medicine Storehouse.”

South Medicine Storehouse?

Pei Yunying was startled, his brows gradually furrowing.

The South Medicine Storehouse was the most unpromising place in the entire Medical Institute. Each year, only the least promising officials or those who had made mistakes would be assigned there. Those who went to the South Medicine Storehouse rarely had another chance to serve.

This was the worst possible start.

Xiao Zhufeng watched the person opposite him: “Cui Min must be trying to please the Dong family. However, being relegated to the medicine storehouse, your Doctor Lu probably won’t have a chance for revenge anymore.”

He spoke teasingly, with a subtle hint of relief. To Xiao Zhufeng, Lu Tong was an unruly piece that shouldn’t have appeared on the game board; one wrong move could affect the entire situation. Her elimination now was for the best.

“Two mistakes,” Pei Yunying said.

“Where?”

“First, she isn’t ‘mine.'”

Xiao Zhufeng couldn’t help rolling his eyes: “And second?”

“Second.” Pei Yunying raised his hand, the delicate pastry in the candlelight showing a faint pink, like a real blooming lotus.

He stared at the beautiful lotus, seeming to see something else through the translucent petals, his eyes growing deep.

“Second, you underestimate her.”

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