Both the Imperial Medicine Academy and the Medical Academy had Shennong Shrines.

Medical officials would often go to the Shennong Shrine to pay respects during festivals, to be influenced by the virtue of the Medicine King.

However, this Shennong Shrine at the Southern Medicine House was far from being as bright and spacious as the one at the Imperial Medicine Academy. The small courtyard was located in a wasteland behind the storehouse. Though cleaned reasonably well, it faced away from the sun, making one feel cold and eerie upon entering the courtyard, even the light seemed dimmer.

He Xiu walked at the front, hurrying forward a few steps to unlock the lock hanging outside the door.

The heavy wooden door of the Shennong Shrine made a teeth-grinding sound as it slowly cracked open a thin gap. A shaft of light drilled in from outside the door, illuminating the dim shrine.

Directly facing everyone, beneath the tall Medicine King statue, a person knelt on a straw mat.

This person’s back was to the crowd, the silhouette particularly thin. Even hearing the commotion, they didn’t waver an inch. The Medicine King statue had kind eyebrows and gentle eyes, smiling down benevolently, making the shadow appear peaceful and serene, like a butterfly resting on a lotus platform, about to ride the wind away at any moment.

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

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

Shi Changpu was greatly surprised, and looking at Qiu He beside him, he too showed unexpected astonishment.

This was a young woman.

Although they had already known Lu Tong was a newly appointed Medical Official this year and wasn’t very old, in Shi Changpu’s mind, a commoner medical worker who could win first place on the red list in the spring examination should have been practicing medicine for some years. The so-called “young” should only be relative to those white-bearded old men in the Medical Academy. But the girl before them was at most seventeen or eighteen years old, looking more like a young lady from a boudoir who didn’t yet know the ways of the world.

She was the one who tampered with the Red Fragrant Catkins? Shi Changpu was half-believing, half-doubting.

“Lu Tong.” Behind them, Zhu Mao stood with a stern face at the shrine threshold, not entering, only glaring at her. “Director Qiu of the Imperial Medicine Academy has questions to ask. Come out to speak.”

Lu Tong nodded: “Yes.” She stood up as instructed, but as soon as she rose, she staggered heavily. He Xiu quickly reached out to support her, preventing a fall.

This was from kneeling too long and her knees going numb.

Shi Changpu’s look at Zhu Mao carried some reproach. Such a frail girl—Zhu Mao locking her in the shrine to kneel for three days was simply vicious.

Zhu Mao didn’t notice Shi Changpu’s expression, watching somewhat 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 shirt standing in the courtyard, with white beard and hair, round build, standing not far away squinting as he examined her.

Zhu Mao said: “This is Director Qiu of the Imperial Medicine Academy.” He pointed to the middle-aged man in stone-colored robes beside him: “This is Medical Supervisor Shi.”

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

Qiu He stroked his long beard, his seemingly senile old eyes sharp with insight: “I heard that this batch of Red Fragrant Catkins sent to the Imperial Medicine Academy was entirely cleaned and organized by you?”

“Yes.”

“Then tell me, how did you clean and organize this batch of Red Fragrant Catkins?”

Lu Tong looked up. In an instant, everyone’s gazes in the courtyard fell on her—some curious, some nervous, only He Xiu full of worry.

“I used black bean juice, perilla juice, indigo juice, blue juice, and centipede paste juice to boil water, soaking and cleaning the Red Fragrant Catkins.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the courtyard was stunned. Qiu He even frowned.

Zhu Mao scolded lightly: “Nonsense! Red Fragrant Catkins have always been cleaned and organized with warm clear water. Who gave you permission to act on your own?”

This wasn’t false. Before Lu Tong came to the Southern Medicine House, Red Fragrant Catkins had been processed this way for many years, and He Xiu had done the same.

Qiu He raised his hand, stopping Zhu Mao’s further questioning, and looked at Lu Tong: “Why did you process the Red Fragrant Catkins this way?”

Lu Tong thought for a moment, then lowered her head and knelt down.

She said: “Everyone knows Red Fragrant Catkins are highly toxic, but after being picked, within seven days at most, most of their toxicity fades. This is good for medicine makers, but exactly the opposite for preserving medicinal properties.”

“Red Fragrant Catkin flower catkins and fragrance are most poisonous, while their root stems, though without fragrance, are where the medicinal properties are strongest. But by using black bean juice, perilla juice, indigo juice, blue juice, and centipede paste juice to boil water and soaking for a day and night, one can preserve the root stem’s medicinal properties.”

“I checked the medicine catalog supplied to the Southern Medicine House and found that in the entire palace, only making Dream Pills requires Red Fragrant Catkin medicinal materials. As long as Red Fragrant Catkins are processed this way to preserve their medicinal properties while eliminating their fragrance, it won’t affect the medicine maker’s health while allowing Dream Pills to achieve their best effects.”

She finished speaking in one breath, then prostrated herself, her voice calm: “This subordinate acted on my own initiative, arbitrarily using other methods to clean and organize medicinal materials. Medical Worker He was unaware. Please, Director, see clearly—this subordinate is willing to bear all consequences alone.”

Zhu Mao opened his mouth but said nothing. Qiu He’s face was smiling, showing no trace of anger. After pondering slightly, he said: “Then how did you know about this processing method?”

The Imperial Medicine Academy and Medical Academy had existed for many years, with no lack of those proficient in medical theory, yet how to handle Red Fragrant Catkin toxicity had always been a difficult problem. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be scolded bloody by Consort Rou’s palace people every year.

Lu Tong remained kneeling, her expression humble: “In response to the Director, when this subordinate was young in my hometown, I was troubled by this poisonous herb. Thanks to a traveling physician who passed by and treated me, I recovered. This subordinate once saw her process Red Fragrant Catkins this way and remembered it.”

Qiu He quickly asked: “Where is that traveling physician now?”

“A rootless person who comes and goes without question. This subordinate doesn’t know where she is now.”

Qiu He was greatly disappointed, then looked at Lu Tong again, not knowing whether he believed her words or not.

He stepped forward, reaching out to help Lu Tong up, smiling: “Rise. Today this old man came not to trouble you. The Red Fragrant Catkins you processed made Dream Pills with pure medicinal properties. Consort Rou specifically gave a reward, so this old man thought to come find you.”

Lu Tong’s face showed appropriate surprise: “Thank you for Consort Rou’s favor.”

Qiu He looked at her with appreciative eyes: “I see Physician Lu is about the same age as my granddaughter, yet already proficient in pharmacology. Setting aside the Red Fragrant Catkins as chance encounter with a traveling physician, the ‘Spring Water Life’ that was praised throughout the city’s medical establishments came from your hand, didn’t it?”

Lu Tong was startled.

At that time, Bai Shouyi of Xinglin Hall had played dirty tricks, first bribing the pharmacy authorities to find fault, and when that failed, he got involved with the Imperial Medicine Academy, taking away the Spring Water Life formula under the pretext of collecting it as official medicine.

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

That made sense—Qiu He was Director of the Imperial Medicine Academy, so he should have seen every official medicine formula.

Lu Tong lowered her head: “This embarrasses the Director.”

Qiu He saw her expression was calm and her gaze frank. The more he looked, the more he liked her. He turned to Zhu Mao jokingly: “Medical Supervisor Zhu, you have such talent in your medicine house, why hide it and not let people know? If not for Changpu’s careful attention, we wouldn’t have known Red Fragrant Catkins had this aspect!”

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

His heart trembled. Before he could speak, he saw Lu Tong before him look over in confusion, her tone full of bewilderment: “Didn’t I already write the formula for Master Zhu? How is it that Master Zhu didn’t give the formula to the Imperial Medicine Academy?”

Zhu Mao was stunned: “When did you…”

“Wasn’t it because Master Zhu suspected I tampered with the Red Fragrant Catkins that I was punished to the shrine for reflection? On my first day in the shrine, I gave Master Zhu the Red Fragrant Catkin formula. Master Zhu said he would submit it to the Imperial Medicine Academy for judgment. How is it…” She looked at Qiu He: “Director, you seem unaware?”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the courtyard immediately looked at Zhu Mao, with Qiu He’s gaze being the sharpest.

Zhu Mao’s face instantly changed as he scolded: “Nonsense! When did you ever give me a formula!”

He was a Medical Academy supervisor, not a medical worker. Upon receiving a medicinal formula, he could only submit it to Medical Academy Director Cui Min or Imperial Medicine Academy Director Qiu He—there was absolutely no reason to keep it private. And Lu Tong saying this in front of Qiu He was essentially telling Qiu He that he had used the Imperial Medicine Academy’s name to demand medicinal formulas but then kept them private.

A Medical Supervisor privately hoarding medicinal formulas—that was a serious crime!

Zhu Mao’s face flushed red as he desperately argued: “Director, this woman is talking nonsense! I haven’t seen her at all these three days she’s been confined!”

Shi Changpu glanced at Qiu He, instantly understanding his superior’s expression. He smiled and forcibly dragged Zhu Mao outside, saying: “Medical Supervisor Zhu, why are you speaking so loudly? No one said anything about you. Come, come, let’s talk outside. Don’t disturb the Director and Physician Lu’s conversation…”

Zhu Mao struggled to turn back, wanting to explain further, but as a fat, corpulent man, how could he match the strength of Shi Changpu, who worked daily in the medicinal storage? In moments, he was dragged outside.

The courtyard became quiet again.

Qiu He looked at Lu Tong, seeming to pay no mind to the recent commotion, his gaze still gentle: “Physician Lu is proficient in pharmacology. Staying in the Southern Medicine House is beneath your talents.”

Lu Tong said nothing.

“How about coming to our Imperial Medicine Academy?”

As these words fell, He Xiu beside them looked up in surprise.

The Southern Medicine House had entry but no exit—unless one died, no one had been seen leaving the Southern Medicine House all these years. This was a place for abandoned people, for those who had offended the powerful, for those with no future.

And now the Director of the Imperial Medicine Academy personally invited her, clearly planning to value and promote Lu Tong. With such favor from a superior, Lu Tong’s future would only be bright. She would no longer need to squeeze into the narrow dormitory rooms of the Southern Medicine House, spending days with poisonous flowers and herbs.

No one would refuse such an offer.

Qiu He was confident.

“The Director’s favor humbles this subordinate.” Lu Tong said: “But forgive this subordinate for being unable to accept…”

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

He Xiu was also incredulous.

How could she refuse?

“This subordinate belongs to the Medical Academy. Director Cui personally assigned this subordinate to the Southern Medicine House for training.” She looked up, her expression both yearning and apprehensive, as if a beautiful dream was before her eyes, yet she dared not approach.

“If I were to go to the Imperial Medicine Academy, I’m afraid Director Cui would need to make the decision.”

…

In the Medical Academy, Cui Min sat at his desk looking through medical texts.

A servant beside him carefully ground ink for him. While watching, Cui Min remembered something and looked up to ask the person beside him: “How are things at the Southern Medicine House?”

The servant replied: “No news has come.”

Cui Min nodded slightly and put down the medical text in his hand.

Today was the third day Lu Tong had been locked in Shennong Shrine.

Being punished to kneel in Shennong Shrine was just the beginning. Zhu Mao’s probing had received no response from the Medical Academy in these three days, so soon he would make his move on Lu Tong.

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

The more prideful one was, the more thorough the destruction.

Mei Erniang had been exactly like this back then.

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

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

“In response to My Lord, none.”

Cui Min lowered his eyes.

No messages for three days—either being punished to kneel in the shrine wasn’t yet unbearable for Lu Tong, so she hadn’t thought to seek help from others. Or she was incompetent and foolish, having been in the Southern Medicine House so long without even finding someone to help pass messages.

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

It was still because the punishment wasn’t harsh enough.

Without reaching the abyss, everyone always felt they could climb out with their own abilities, not knowing that in a place like the Imperial City, having no one to lend a hand was a small matter—being stepped on when deeply mired was more common.

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

The servant’s expression became stern.

This was adding fuel to the fire.

It was almost clearly telling Zhu Mao that the Medical Academy had no objection to his treatment of Lu Tong, knowing about it but treating it as nothing. This way, Zhu Mao would be even more unscrupulous and unrestrained in tormenting Lu Tong.

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

“Yes, My Lord.”

Ink slowly spread a large black stain in the ink stone. Cui Min squinted at it.

He was waiting.

Waiting for Lu Tong to fall into the abyss, with no way to seek help, then appear before her as a savior.

At that time, he would be to Lu Tong like a lamp in a dark room, a boat at a desperate crossing, easily harvesting tearful gratitude.

Human nature was always thus—adding flowers to brocade was easy, sending charcoal in snow was difficult. This could also be considered a small lesson he was giving that young female physician, telling her that fighting alone in the Imperial City was insufficient.

Like the ink in this ink stone—white paper and black characters were always clearly distinct at first, but with just a light stroke, ink would contaminate the entire white scroll, the two becoming one, no longer distinguishable between black and white.

Going with the flow was easy, maintaining one’s integrity alone was difficult.

While watching, someone suddenly entered from outside—one of his medical officials, hesitating at the doorway, not daring to go further in, head lowered: “Director, Director Qiu of the Imperial Medicine Academy has come and is currently waiting at the entrance.”

Qiu He?

Cui Min was puzzled.

Though the Medical Academy and Imperial Medicine Academy had dealings, he and Qiu He weren’t particularly close, rarely meeting privately. The days Qiu He came to the Medical Academy in a year could be counted on one hand. Why would he suddenly come?

“What’s the matter?”

The servant hesitated before speaking: “Director Qiu says he’s come to ask you for someone.”

“Ask for someone?”

Cui Min frowned.

Medical officials from the Medical Academy with excellent pharmacological skills would be transferred to the Imperial Medicine Academy under various pretexts. This had happened before.

But this was the first time an Imperial Medicine Academy Director personally came to request someone. When had the Medical Academy had such a person that Qiu He valued so highly?

“Ask for whom?”

No one answered for a long while.

Meeting Cui Min’s increasingly suspicious gaze, the medical official buried his head and finally spoke hesitantly: “It’s… it’s Medical Official Lu from the Southern Medicine House.”