Impotence?

What impotence?

Who was impotent?!

Jin Xianrong’s mind went blank for a moment, and he instinctively said: “What nonsense are you talking about…”

The female medical officer, as if afraid he couldn’t understand clearly, looked at him and said: “Master Jin doesn’t know? Your illness isn’t scrotal carbuncle – it’s impotence.”

“Nonsense—”

Her words were so shocking that his dark yellow face turned somewhat pale, his two broken eyebrows nearly flew to the sky, and even his voice changed pitch.

“Stop talking nonsense!”

The servant at the door heard the commotion and ran in panic to ask: “Master, what’s wrong?”

Jin Xianrong roared: “Get out!” The servant was frightened away again, closing the door tightly.

Lu Tong leaned against her medical kit and said calmly: “Master Jin, haven’t you felt weakened yang energy, insufficient vitality, and inability to perform in bed these past days?”

“…That’s because of scrotal carbuncle!”

“Depleted yin and blood isn’t a symptom of scrotal carbuncle,” she glanced at the lotus-patterned blue and white bowl on the table, picked it up and sniffed it lightly near her nose, then shook her head: “Master already has yin deficiency. Taking kidney-warming and yang-strengthening medicine will only further deplete yin and blood, making the impotence worse.”

“How do you know this is kidney-warming and yang-strengthening medicine?” As soon as the words left his mouth, Jin Xianrong suddenly realized: “No, what gives you the right to claim that this official has impotence? The Imperial Medical Bureau has sent several medical officers to treat my illness, and they all said it was scrotal carbuncle. You, a little woman with inadequate training, dare to speak so boldly? Do you believe that this official can have you removed from the Imperial Medical Bureau?”

As he spoke, he gradually regained confidence.

How could it be impotence? So many medical officers before had all said it was scrotal carbuncle, and this female medical officer had only taken his pulse, hadn’t even examined his body… Those symptoms she mentioned were probably just lucky guesses by a blind cat catching a dead mouse!

Lu Tong frowned: “The previous medical officers all said it was scrotal carbuncle?”

“Exactly!” At this point, he had no mind for flirting with beauties, focused entirely on proving her words wrong – he was still that virile Minister Jin.

The female medical officer pondered for a moment, showing a slightly enlightened expression: “I see.” But she didn’t continue.

The more she acted this way, the more Jin Xianrong’s heart itched, and he couldn’t help asking: “I see what?”

“I was going to say, no wonder Master Jin’s scrotal carbuncle hasn’t improved for so long. I see.”

“Speak clearly!”

The female medical officer paused, looked at him again, her tone flat: “Master keeps saying that I lack proper training, insisting on believing the previous medical officers’ diagnosis of scrotal carbuncle. May I ask, Master, after these medical officers treated you for so many days, have you shown any improvement?”

Jin Xianrong was speechless.

Not only was there no improvement, in fact, he felt the situation was getting even worse.

“Because Master’s problem isn’t scrotal carbuncle at all. Using methods to treat scrotal carbuncle naturally won’t cure it.”

Jin Xianrong gritted his teeth, still wanting to struggle: “Then why did they deceive me?”

Lu Tong looked at him with pity. Those quiet, cold eyes under her long lashes were like moving autumn waters, yet her words were colder than winter snow.

“Because they didn’t dare.”

“Master holds a high position and is in your prime. Speaking the truth would not only damage Master’s pride but also make future meetings awkward.” She spoke calmly, as if unaware of the mockery in her words: “Moreover, impotence is difficult to treat. Since the medical officers can’t cure it, they simply call it scrotal carbuncle to give Master hope while continuing to earn their consultation fees.”

These words were so blunt they seemed cruel.

Jin Xianrong didn’t want to believe it.

But…

He had asked people before – ordinary people with scrotal carbuncle would recover in just a month or so. Yet over these two months, he had taken medicine, received prescriptions, and seen medical officers, but shown no improvement whatsoever.

Although he constantly cursed the Imperial Medical Bureau as a bunch of quacks, they were still Imperial Medical Officers with some skill. How could they be stumped by a simple scrotal carbuncle?

But if it was impotence…

He looked up at the person before him, his expression uncertain: “You say those medical officers deceived me, but you’re also a medical officer. Why do you dare speak the truth?”

“Me?” Lu Tong thought for a moment: “Probably because I’m a commoner.”

“I’m a commoner with no background in the palace, and no one told me about this matter beforehand. If I had known, perhaps I would have kept quiet to protect myself. Furthermore, the medical officers can hide the truth temporarily but not forever. Perhaps they had already decided to choose a scapegoat, so they selected me to tell Master the truth.”

Jin Xianrong was stunned.

The woman before him spoke calmly without any resentment. Being in officialdom himself, how could he not understand these machinations? The Imperial Medical Bureau pushing forward a commoner female medical officer as a scapegoat was simply to avoid trouble. But for their own protection, they actually concealed his condition from him, not caring if it delayed his entire future life… These shameless people!

Impotence… impotence!

He suddenly thought of his deceased father, who after passing forty gradually became unable to perform in bed, suffering mockery from the household women behind his back. Living in depression day after day, he accumulated melancholy and died early within a few years.

But he wouldn’t turn thirty-five for another two months!

Jin Xianrong collapsed powerlessly into his chair, no longer showing the vigor he had when Lu Tong first entered. Like an eggplant beaten by frost, his face pale as he spoke: “So you’re saying this official’s… this illness is really impotence?”

Impotence had always been difficult to treat. The downward path was always harder than the upward path. Over the years, people he knew, including his own father, once they developed yang deficiency, were like rivers retreating a thousand li – never to see prosperity again.

Moreover… he knew his own body’s condition in his heart.

“Master’s condition differs from other cases of impotence. Its manifestation somewhat resembles scrotal carbuncle. If not treated promptly, as time passes, Master’s organ will gradually become more red, swollen, painful, and itchy until it festers. In the end, to preserve your life, it will be necessary to…” She turned around, her gaze like bone-chilling ice and snow, slowly passing over his waist as she spoke word by word: “Cut away the necrotic flesh—”

As she finished her last sentence, Jin Xianrong felt a chill in his lower body, as if seeing someone taking a thin blade to slowly scrape away the dead flesh below. He immediately jumped up from his chair: “How can this be acceptable?”

He covered his lower half as if already castrated, running around the room like a headless fly: “Find someone! This official must find the best medical officer to treat me! No matter how much silver it costs!”

Lu Tong lowered her head to pack her medical kit, saying leisurely: “The medical officers assigned by the Imperial Medical Bureau would rather lie than tell Master the truth, showing this illness is very troublesome for them. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have changed so many people for treatment.”

Jin Xianrong’s frantic shouting halted, his heart turning ice cold: “So you’re saying this official’s illness cannot be cured?”

He was only thirty-five – must he follow his father’s path?

He hadn’t lived enough yet!

“It can be cured.”

Suddenly, he heard a voice like celestial music.

Jin Xianrong looked up sharply to see the beautiful female medical officer standing before him, smiling slightly: “What’s troublesome for them is manageable for me… Though impotence is bothersome, it’s not unsolvable.”

“Really?”

“Of course. After all, I was first place on this year’s Imperial Medical Academy spring examination red list.”

Like returning from hell to the human world, in an instant, Jin Xianrong looked at this young female medical officer as if she were a fairy from the celestial palaces above the nine heavens, her entire being radiating golden light.

If not for his dignity, he would have knelt before this woman.

He slumped in his chair, looking at her with trembling voice: “Medical Officer Lu, if you can truly cure me, gold, silver, and treasures – choose whatever you want.”

The woman nodded, her expression gentle and composed, like a merciful Guanyin come to save the suffering, looking down from on high at a helpless believer, showing extraordinary radiance in the darkness.

“Very well.”

She said softly: “However, Master must do as I say.”

…

When leaving the Jin residence, Jin Xianrong specially had someone prepare a new carriage for Lu Tong and respectfully escorted her out personally. His respectful manner nearly made the doorkeeper’s eyes fall out.

Lu Tong boarded the carriage with her medical kit, and it drove onto the street.

She had two places to visit for medical consultations today – besides Jin Xianrong, there were also the Imperial Guards of the Palace Guard.

Fortunately, the Imperial Medical Bureau wasn’t far from either the Jin residence or the Commander’s residence in the capital garrison, so there was enough time.

The carriage swayed as it passed through the capital’s streets and alleys. Outside came the noisy sounds of the marketplace, and Lu Tong’s gaze gradually became distant.

Jin Xianrong indeed had impotence, though it wasn’t as serious as she had described. It wouldn’t really reach the point of cutting away dead flesh – she had said that merely to frighten him.

When the spring examination results came out, before departing, she had promised to help Miao Liangfang take revenge on Cui Min and also asked Miao Liangfang for a favor.

She had asked Miao Liangfang to record in detail the circumstances, temperaments, and even past illnesses of all the people in the palace he knew and was familiar with.

Miao Liangfang had been a medical officer in the palace for many years and had once been a director. He knew most people in the palace to some degree. Ten years had passed, some old friends were no longer there, but for those who remained, understanding their circumstances would certainly save much effort.

Jin Xianrong…

Miao Liangfang had told her that this person was lustful without restraint, dissolute by nature, obsessed with aphrodisiac arts from a young age, and frequently took kidney-warming and strengthening supplements. Lu Tong still remembered Miao Liangfang’s disdain when speaking of this person: “I dare say, if he continues his debauchery, within fifteen years he’ll certainly become impotent and useless, just like his father!”

Miao Liangfang’s words proved correct – it hadn’t even taken fifteen years before Jin Xianrong was already failing.

He particularly valued his masculine pride and, because of his father’s situation, was extremely fearful of this matter. Lu Tong only needed to frighten him slightly with a mixture of truth and falsehood to easily manipulate him.

As long as she could control this person, she would have opportunities to approach the Ministry of Revenue…

To approach Qi Yutai.

The noise outside had somehow quieted, and the surroundings became peaceful. The carriage slowly stopped, and the driver’s voice came from outside: “Miss, we’ve arrived at the Commander’s residence.”

The Commander’s residence had arrived.

Lu Tong lifted the carriage curtain and got down.

Walking inside, a large open space gradually appeared before her.

Whether it was a martial arts training ground or something else, the weapon racks in the corners were filled with weapons. Further back was a small courtyard planted full of Chinese parasol trees, with a wisteria flower frame planted directly in front of the gate. Night rain had scattered fallen flowers all over the ground, creating a fragrant scene.

She had just reached the doorway when she encountered a young man in guard uniform coming toward her. Not knowing if he was a Palace Guard, he was also startled to see her: “You…”

Lu Tong said: “I am Lu Tong from the Imperial Medical Bureau, here on duty for medical consultation.”

The guard scratched his head, seeming to finally see Lu Tong’s face clearly. Without saying anything, he turned and strode inside, shouting loudly: “Brothers, come out! A medical officer from the Imperial Medical Bureau is here for consultation!”

Hearing the commotion, groups of people emerged from inside. When they saw Lu Tong, they all paused, then “whoosh” – they all surrounded her, their enthusiasm almost overwhelming.

“Hey, is this a new medical officer? How come we’ve never seen her before?”

“My surname is Li. What’s your honorable surname?” This was a cheerful one introducing himself.

“Surname Lu.”

Another person pushed forward, squeezing aside the previous questioner, smiling broadly: “So it’s Medical Officer Lu… You’re so young, how did you get into the Imperial Medical Bureau? You look even younger than my sister… Are you engaged?”

“Go away, go away! Medical Officer Lu, look at me!” The speaker had already rolled up his sleeves, deliberately or unconsciously exposing his strong, powerful forearms, raising them high in front of Lu Tong: “I haven’t been feeling well these past few days. Please take my pulse – am I sick?”

The usually quiet Commander’s residence suddenly became lively. The Palace Guards were all at the peak of their youthful vigor, but they usually only saw men all day. Suddenly seeing such a young and pretty girl, they all competed like peacocks spreading their feathers. The shy ones stood far away stealing glances, while the bold ones were numerous. This group surrounded Lu Tong in the middle, inquiring about her well-being. She was born slender and delicate, and looking over the crowd, one simply couldn’t find where she was.

Only chattering noise could be heard.

When Pei Yunying entered, this was the scene he encountered. He frowned and asked Xiao Zhufeng, who was standing in the corner drinking tea: “What are they doing?”

Xiao Zhufeng jerked his chin toward the crowd: “Your Medical Officer Lu came for consultation.”

Pei Yunying was startled.

“Thanks to her, this is the first time I’ve learned what it feels like to raise ducks in the Commander’s residence.” After mocking, Xiao Zhufeng put down his teacup and left.

Pei Yunying: “…”

He walked to the center of the main hall. The guards were enthusiastically offering their attentions, and no one noticed he had returned. Lu Tong sat in the middle, head lowered taking pulses. Before her stretched dozens of bare arms, each deliberately flexed to show powerful lines. As for those faces grinning foolishly, they looked exactly like the dog Gardenia when it begged Duan Xiaoyan for bones, crowding forward to lick his fingers.

Truly an eyesore.

Unable to watch any longer, Pei Yunying stepped forward and tapped the table with his sword sheath: “Quiet down.”

If this continued, others hearing it would really think the Commander’s residence had changed to raising ducks.

“My lord?”

Only then did the guards notice him. They quickly stood up and stepped aside. Someone seemed afraid he didn’t understand and actively explained: “My lord, the new Medical Officer Lu from the Imperial Medical Bureau came to examine us.”

He looked toward the person at the table.

Lu Tong sat in the main hall of the Commander’s residence. The long wooden table was large and the chairs heavy. She sat there appearing incongruously delicate, yet her expression remained as calm as always, very composed.

She made the group of guards look rather foolish in comparison.

Pei Yunying supported his forehead and sighed.

“Come in, Medical Officer Lu,” he said, “I have something to tell you.”

…

Lu Tong followed Pei Yunying into the inner room.

The inner room was empty.

This seemed to be Pei Yunying’s office for handling documents. The furnishing was extremely simple – under the window sat a large rosewood lacquered desk with a chair upholstered with brocade cushions on each side.

On the desk were an ink stone, a pen stand with several purple brushes, a black pixiu paperweight, and a white-glazed plum vase. The vase was completely empty without a single flower, standing forlornly in the corner.

Lu Tong placed her medical kit on the desk. Seeing white paper on the long table, she walked over and sat in the chair, reaching for paper and brush.

Seeing her sit in his seat, Pei Yunying paused.

Lu Tong didn’t notice his expression, only lowered her head to write.

“I’ve examined their pulses. It’s just spring dryness and blood deficiency. I’ll prescribe a few nourishing formulas to be decocted – one bowl morning and evening for gentle nourishment. I’ll come again in a few days to change the prescription. My lord need not worry.”

After Lu Tong finished speaking and heard no response, she looked up to see Pei Yunying standing not far away with crossed arms, observing her.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he smiled carelessly, pulled out the opposite chair to sit down, and looked at her thoughtfully: “You look well, and you arrived earlier than the agreed time. Jin Xianrong didn’t give you trouble?”

So it was about this.

Lu Tong put away her brush, lifted the written prescription to let it dry, and said: “I’m afraid I must disappoint Master Pei.”

The ink on the white paper wasn’t yet dry. The handwriting appeared scrawled and wild, not much different from ghostly scribbles. Pei Yunying glanced at it and smiled: “Jin Xianrong is lustful and immoral. Even if he’s physically unwell, he couldn’t possibly change his nature.”

He stared at Lu Tong, looking curious: “How did you persuade him?”

Lu Tong placed the dried prescription aside and looked up at Pei Yunying.

He sat across from her. Having often seen him out and about before, seeing him sitting in this room showed a more serious side. The scarlet official robes also lost some of their bright color, gaining more solemnity.

It seemed this was where he usually handled official documents.

After a moment of silence, Lu Tong spoke: “Because I promised to keep his secret.”

“Secret?” Pei Yunying casually picked up the teapot on the table, poured a cup of tea and pushed it toward Lu Tong, then poured one for himself, asking: “What secret?”

He asked quite naturally, as if certain she would tell him.

Lu Tong remained silent.

The young man picked up his teacup, gently blowing away the floating leaves on the tea’s surface. From their first meeting, regardless of the circumstances, even when injured and needing help, he always maintained this eternally relaxed demeanor.

It was really quite irritating to look at.

Seeing Lu Tong’s silence, he glanced at her and smiled: “Inconvenient to say?”

After thinking, Lu Tong said: “Nothing inconvenient about it.”

Her fingertips lightly brushed the pixiu paperweight on the table. The paperweight was exquisite, smooth and dark. Lightly turned, it reflected deep, bright light like a small mass of condensed dark cloud.

“One and a half inches,” she said.

Pei Yunying lowered his head to drink tea, smiling as he asked: “What one and a half inches?”

Lu Tong withdrew her hand.

She looked up, using a cold, matter-of-fact tone as if discussing the weather.

“I told him that if he does as I say, I’ll keep the secret that his member is altogether one and a half inches long.”

“Pfft—”

Pei Yunying choked on his tea.