Both the Imperial Pharmacy and Medical Officials Bureau had shrines dedicated to Shennong, the Divine Farmer.

The medical officials would often visit the Shennong shrine during festivals to receive the medicinal king’s virtuous influence.

However, the Shennong shrine at the Southern Medicine Chamber was far less bright and spacious than the one at the Imperial Pharmacy. The small courtyard was located in an abandoned area behind the storehouse. Though kept relatively clean, it faced away from the sun, making anyone who entered feel a cold, gloomy atmosphere, with even the light seeming dimmer.

He Xiu walked to the front, hurriedly stepping forward to unlock the padlock hanging on the door.

The heavy wooden doors of the Shennong shrine made a teeth-grinding sound as they slowly opened to reveal a narrow gap. A sliver of light from outside crept in, illuminating the dark shrine hall.

Directly facing everyone, beneath the tall statue of the Medicine King, someone was kneeling on the straw mat.

This person had their back to the crowd, their figure particularly thin. Even hearing the commotion, they didn’t move an inch. The Medicine King statue’s kind eyes and gentle smile cast down, making the shadow appear peaceful and serene, like a butterfly perched on a lotus platform, ready to take flight at any moment.

Shi Changpu couldn’t help but soften his voice: “Medical Officer Lu?”

Hearing the sound, the figure paused, then slowly turned around, revealing a delicate face.

Shi Changpu was greatly shocked, and looking at Qiu He beside him, his eyes also showed surprise.

This was a young woman.

Although they had known Lu Tong was a newly appointed medical official this year and not very old, in Shi Changpu’s mind, a commoner medical practitioner who could top the spring examination should have at least practiced medicine for some years. When they said young, it should have been relative to those white-bearded old men in the Medical Officials Bureau. However, the young woman before them was at most seventeen or eighteen years old, looking more like an innocent young lady from a sheltered household.

Was she the one who had tampered with the Hong Fang Xu? Shi Changpu was half-doubting.

“Lu Tong.” Behind them, Zhu Mao maintained a stern face, standing outside the shrine’s threshold without entering, just glaring at her, “Imperial Pharmacy’s Director Qiu has questions, come out to talk.”

Lu Tong nodded: “Yes.” She complied and stood up, but as soon as she rose, she staggered violently. He Xiu quickly reached out to support her, preventing her from falling.

Her knees had gone numb from kneeling too long.

Shi Changpu’s gaze toward Zhu Mao carried some reproach – it was cruel to make such a frail young woman kneel in the shrine for three days.

Zhu Mao hadn’t noticed Shi Changpu’s look, watching nervously as He Xiu helped Lu Tong to the courtyard.

Qiu He was waiting in the courtyard.

As soon as Lu Tong left the shrine, she saw an elderly man in a sandalwood-colored round-collared brocade robe standing in the courtyard. His beard and temples were snow-white, his figure rounded, and he stood not far away, squinting as he observed her.

Zhu Mao said: “This is Director Qiu from the Imperial Pharmacy.” Then pointing to the middle-aged man in a stone-colored long robe, “This is Medical Officer Shi.”

Lu Tong curtsied: “Director Qiu, Medical Officer Shi.”

Qiu He stroked his long beard, his seemingly muddy old eyes sharp: “I hear this batch of Hong Fang Xu sent to the Imperial Pharmacy was all cleaned and processed by you?”

“Yes.”

“Then tell me, how did you clean and process this batch of Hong Fang Xu?”

Lu Tong raised her head, and instantly everyone’s gazes in the courtyard fell on her, some curious, some tense, only He Xiu’s full of worry.

“I used water boiled with black bean juice, perilla juice, indigo juice, blue dye juice, and centipede extract to soak and clean the Hong Fang Xu.”

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the courtyard was stunned, and Qiu He’s brow furrowed even more.

Zhu Mao lightly rebuked: “Nonsense, Hong Fang Xu has always been cleaned and processed with warm clear water, who told you to act on your own?”

This was true. Before Lu Tong came to the Southern Medicine Chamber, for many years the Hong Fang Xu had always been processed this way, and He Xiu had done it the same way.

Qiu He raised his hand, stopping Zhu Mao’s coming questioning, and looked at Lu Tong: “Why did you process the Hong Fang Xu this way?”

Lu Tong thought for a moment, then knelt.

She said: “As everyone knows, Hong Fang Xu has strong toxicity, but after being picked, within seven days at most, the toxicity fades by more than half. This is good for the medicine makers, but exactly the opposite for preserving medicinal properties.”

“The Hong Fang Xu’s flowers and fluff are most poisonous in their fragrance, while its roots and stems, though lacking fragrance, contain the most potent medicinal properties. However, if you use water boiled with black bean juice, perilla juice, indigo juice, blue dye juice, and centipede extract to soak it for a day and night, you can preserve the medicinal properties of the roots and stems.”

“I checked the medicine registry supplying the Southern Medicine Chamber and found that in the entire palace, only Yi Meng Dan requires Hong Fang Xu as an ingredient. By processing Hong Fang Xu this way, preserving its medicinal properties while eliminating its fragrance, it can both protect the medicine makers’ health and allow Yi Meng Dan to achieve its best efficacy.”

She finished in one breath, prostrating herself, her voice calm: “This official acted on her authority, arbitrarily using other methods to clean and process the medicine. Medical Officer He knew nothing of it. Please consider this, Director. I am willing to bear all consequences alone.”

Zhu Mao opened his mouth but said nothing. Qiu He’s face showed a smiling expression without any trace of anger. After a brief contemplation, he asked: “Then how did you come to know of this processing method?”

The Imperial Pharmacy and Medical Officials Bureau had existed for many years, with no shortage of those proficient in medical principles, yet how to handle Hong Fang Xu’s toxicity had always been a difficult problem. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been cursed by the people from Consort Rou’s palace year after year.

Lu Tong remained kneeling, her expression respectful: “In response to the Director, when this official was young in my hometown, I suffered from this poisonous plant. Fortunately, a passing Bell Doctor treated and cured me. This official saw her process Hong Fang Xu this way and remembered it.”

Qiu He hurriedly asked: “Where is that Bell Doctor now?”

“A rootless person doesn’t speak of comings and goings. This official doesn’t know where she is now.”

Qiu He was greatly disappointed, then looked at Lu Tong again, though it wasn’t clear whether he believed her previous words or not.

He stepped forward, reaching out to help Lu Tong up, smiling as he said: “Get up. Today I didn’t come to cause you trouble. The Hong Fang Xu processed by you, when made into Yi Meng Dan, had pure medicinal properties. Consort Rou specifically bestowed rewards, which is why I thought to come to find you.”

Lu Tong’s face then showed a timely hint of surprise: “Thank you for Consort Rou’s favor.”

Qiu He looked at her, his eyes showing admiring smiles: “I see Medical Officer Lu is about the same age as my granddaughter, yet already proficient in medical principles. The Hong Fang Xu matter aside as perhaps learned from a passing Bell Doctor, but the ‘Spring Water Life’ that the city’s medical community praised earlier was indeed from your hand, wasn’t it?”

Lu Tong was startled.

At that time, Bai Shouyi from Xinglin Hall had played dirty, first bribing the Raw Medicine Office to find fault, and when that failed, he connected with the Imperial Pharmacy to collect the Spring Water Life formula under the name of official medicine.

She hadn’t expected to hear Qiu He mention it here.

Of course, as the Director of the Imperial Pharmacy, Qiu He should have seen every official medicine formula.

Lu Tong lowered her head: “I’m embarrassed by the Director’s praise.”

Seeing her serene expression and forthright gaze, Qiu He grew increasingly fond of her. He turned to joke with Zhu Mao: “Supervisor Zhu, you have such a talent in your medicine chamber, why are you hiding and concealing her from others? If it weren’t for Changpu’s attentiveness, we wouldn’t have known about this aspect of Hong Fang Xu!”

Zhu Mao’s expression stiffened, just about to smile along. Suddenly he heard Lu Tong exclaim in surprise: “Didn’t know?”

His heart sank, and before he could speak, he saw Lu Tong looking at him in confusion, her tone full of bewilderment: “Didn’t I already give the formula to Chief Zhu? How come Chief Zhu didn’t pass the formula to the Imperial Pharmacy?”

Zhu Mao was stunned: “When did you…”

“Wasn’t it because Chief Zhu suspected I had tampered with the Hong Fang Xu that you punished me to reflect in the shrine? On my first day in the shrine, I gave the Hong Fang Xu formula to Chief Zhu. Chief Zhu said it would be submitted to the Imperial Pharmacy for review. How…” she looked at Qiu He: “Director seems unaware?”

At these words, everyone in the courtyard turned to look at Zhu Mao, with Qiu He’s gaze being the sharpest.

Zhu Mao’s face changed instantly, he shouted: “Nonsense, when did you ever give me a formula!”

As a Medical Supervisor of the Medical Officials Bureau rather than a Medical Officer, if he received a formula, he could only submit it to either Director Cui Min of the Medical Officials Bureau or Director Qiu He of the Imperial Pharmacy. There was no reason to keep it private. Lu Tong saying this in front of Qiu He was essentially telling him that Zhu Mao had used the Imperial Pharmacy’s name to request the formula, yet kept it private.

A Medical Supervisor privately keeping formulas was a serious crime!

Zhu Mao’s face reddened as he desperately argued: “Director, this woman is talking nonsense. During these three days of confinement, I haven’t even seen her!”

Shi Changpu glanced at Qiu He, instantly understanding his superior’s eye signal, smiled and forcibly pulled Zhu Mao out, saying: “Why is Supervisor Zhu raising his voice? No one’s accusing you of anything. Come, come, let’s talk outside, don’t disturb the Director and Medical Officer Lu’s conversation…”

Zhu Mao struggled to look back, still wanting to explain a few more words, but how could a fat man like him match the strength of Shi Changpu who worked daily in the medicine storehouse? In a moment, he was pulled away.

The courtyard became quiet again.

Qiu He looked at Lu Tong, seemingly unconcerned about the previous commotion, his gaze still gentle: “Medical Officer Lu is proficient in medical principles, staying in the Southern Medicine Chamber is truly a waste of talent.”

Lu Tong remained silent.

“How about coming to our Imperial Pharmacy?”

As the words fell, He Xiu beside them raised his head in surprise.

The Southern Medicine Chamber was a one-way street – once in, never out, unless dead. In all these years, no one had ever been seen leaving the Southern Medicine Chamber. This was a place for the abandoned, for those who had offended the powerful, for those without a future.

And now the Director of the Imperial Pharmacy personally inviting her meant he intended to value and promote Lu Tong. With superior favor, Lu Tong’s future would only be bright, they no longer have to squeeze into the small dormitory of the Southern Medicine Chamber, spending days with poisonous flowers and plants.

No one would refuse such a proposal.

Qiu He was confident.

“The Director’s favor makes this official fearful.” Lu Tong said: “But please forgive this official’s inability to accept…”

Qiu He paused, hardly believing his ears: “Why?”

He Xiu was also incredulous.

How could she refuse?

“This official belongs to the Medical Officials Bureau, Director Cui personally assigned this official to the Southern Medicine Chamber for training.” She raised her head, her expression both yearning and anxious, as if a beautiful dream was before her eyes, yet she dared not approach it.

“If I were to go to the Imperial Pharmacy, I’m afraid it would require Director Cui’s decision.”

……

In the Medical Officials Bureau, Cui Min sat at his desk reviewing medical books.

A servant carefully ground ink beside him. As he read, Cui Min thought of something and raised his eyes to ask the person beside him: “How is the Southern Medicine Chamber?”

The servant answered: “No news has come.”

Cui Min nodded slightly, putting down the medical book in his hand.

Today was Lu Tong’s third day confined in the Shennong shrine.

Kneeling in punishment at the Shennong shrine was just the beginning. Zhu Mao’s probing had received no response from the Medical Officials Bureau during these three days, so he would soon take action against Lu Tong.

A young woman, no matter how proud and tenacious, once fallen into such a miserable situation, would quickly be destroyed.

The more proud they were, the more thoroughly they would be destroyed.

Just like Mei Erniang back then.

But Lu Tong was luckier than Mei Erniang because she had value, so he would mercifully rescue her from purgatory, becoming her deeply grateful benefactor.

“During these three days, has Lu Tong sent any messages?” Cui Min asked.

“No, sir.”

Cui Min lowered his gaze.

No messages in three days meant that the punishment of kneeling in the shrine hadn’t reached an unbearable point for Lu Tong, so she hadn’t thought to seek help. Or, she was incompetent and foolish, having been in the Southern Medicine Chamber for so long without finding anyone to help pass messages.

However, based on her previous performance, Cui Min didn’t believe it was the latter.

It was because the punishment wasn’t harsh enough.

Before reaching rock bottom, everyone always thinks they can climb out by their abilities, not knowing that in a place like the imperial city, not getting a helping hand is a small matter – being stepped on when deeply mired in the mud is more common.

Cui Min shook his head, took the ink stone, and began grinding ink himself, saying: “Go to the Southern Medicine Chamber and ask Zhu Mao a few questions about Lu Tong, don’t do anything extra.”

The servant’s expression became alert.

This was adding fuel to the fire.

It was practically telling Zhu Mao clearly that the Medical Officials Bureau had no objection to his treatment of Lu Tong, and would treat it as if nothing had happened even if they knew. This way, Zhu Mao would be more unscrupulous and uninhibited in tormenting Lu Tong.

Lu Tong’s good days were coming to an end.

“Yes, sir.”

The ink color slowly spread into a large black stain in the inkstone, and Cui Min squinted at it.

He was waiting.

Waiting for Lu Tong to fall into the abyss, with nowhere to turn for help, then appear before her as a savior.

At that time, he would be like a lamp in a dark room to Lu Tong, like a boat at an impossible crossing, easily gaining tears of gratitude.

Human nature was always like this – it’s easy to add flowers to brocade, but hard to send charcoal in snowy weather. This was also a small lesson he was giving to that young female medical official, telling her that fighting alone in the imperial city wasn’t enough.

Just like the ink in the inkstone, black and white were initially distinct, but with just a light stroke, the ink would seep through the entire white paper, the two merging into one, making it impossible to distinguish black from black, white from white.

It was easy to go along with the flow, but hard to maintain one’s integrity.

Just then, someone suddenly came in from outside. It was one of his subordinate medical officials, who hesitated at the doorway, not daring to walk further in, and said with lowered head: “Director, Director Qiu from the Imperial Pharmacy is here, currently waiting at the entrance.”

Qiu He?

Cui Min was puzzled.

Although the Medical Officials Bureau and Imperial Pharmacy had dealings, he and Qiu He were not particularly close, rarely meeting in private. Qiu He’s visits to the Medical Officials Bureau throughout the year could be counted on one hand. Why would he suddenly come?

“What for?”

The subordinate hesitated for a moment before speaking: “Director Qiu said he’s here to request someone from you.”

“Request someone?”

Cui Min frowned.

Medical officials from the Medical Officials Bureau with excellent knowledge of medicine would sometimes be transferred to the Imperial Pharmacy under various pretexts – such things had happened before.

But this was the first time the Imperial Pharmacy Director had come personally to request someone. Since when did the Medical Officials Bureau have someone who gained such regard from Qiu He?

“Who does he want?”

There was no answer for a long while.

Meeting Cui Min’s increasingly suspicious gaze, the medical official lowered his head and finally stammered: “It’s… it’s Medical Officer Lu from the Southern Medicine Chamber.”