The Ling family’s carriage departed quickly.

Lu Qian stood rooted to the spot, watching the carriage recede into the distance. Ling Jingshu’s words continued to echo and ring in his ears without end.

She had meant every word.

She hated his father, Lu An. She hated his elder brother, Lu Hong. She hated his mother, née Ling. Perhaps the person she hated most was him. She had said that even in death, she would not set foot in the Lu family’s house again.

With Ling Jingshu so resolute, did he truly still have any hope of moving her heart?

The obsession of his past life had carried into this one. He had thought that his rebirth might allow him to make amends for the regrets of that life. Looking at it now, that was nothing but a fool’s dream — as far-fetched as trying to reach the sky…

People came and went around him, and no small number cast curious glances his way.

But then, this was Huichun Hall — the number of patients who came here seeking treatment for all manner of rare and difficult ailments was beyond count. Lu Qian’s lost, hollow look was not particularly remarkable in this setting.

“So young, and already stricken with a delirium of the heart — how pitiful!”

“If he is here to seek treatment, why is there no family member with him, and why does he not enter Huichun Hall? Could he be simple-minded?”

Whispers drifted past his ears from time to time.

Lu Qian registered none of it. Like a wooden post, he stood there with his entire body stiff and rigid.

Time slipped quietly away, and noon arrived before long.

Eventually, even the attendants inside Huichun Hall became aware of the situation, and one quietly went to report to Han Yi: “Manager Han, there is a strange patient standing outside Huichun Hall. He has been standing there for more than half the day — they say he has not even eaten his midday meal. He has not moved an inch, and will neither come inside nor leave. Should someone go out to check on him?”

Han Yi considered briefly and said: “I will go take a look.”

Han Yi strode out of Huichun Hall.

The “strange patient” the attendant had described came into view.

Strange was indeed an apt description. He appeared to be no more than twelve or thirteen years old — his clothing clearly that of a young man from a wealthy family, yet he had no manservant or guard at his side. His expression was ashen and rigid, his gaze blank and vacant.

What grave affliction was this?

Han Yi stepped forward and called out gently: “Young gentleman, have you come to seek treatment? Please come inside Huichun Hall and wait a while. Imperial Physician Wei is presently occupied and has no time to see you. However, Huichun Hall has other physicians — let them take a look at you first.”

Imperial Physician Wei?

Those three words pierced through to Lu Qian’s ears.

A flicker of something unusual passed through Lu Qian’s ashen face, a glimmer of strange light surfacing in his eyes: “Is Imperial Physician Wei still at Huichun Hall?”

Han Yi nodded and patiently explained: “Imperial Physician Wei will be at Huichun Hall for the entire day. However, his patient appointments are already full. If you wish to seek treatment, you will need to take a numbered token and wait several days…”

“I wish to see Imperial Physician Wei.” Lu Qian repeated stubbornly: “I have something important to discuss with him.”

It was something important to discuss — not seeking treatment.

Han Yi’s thoughts stirred. He opened his mouth and asked: “Might I ask the young gentleman’s name, and for what purpose he seeks to meet with Imperial Physician Wei? I can convey the message on your behalf. Whether there will be time to receive you is entirely at Imperial Physician Wei’s discretion.”

Lu Qian said with a blank expression: “My surname is Lu, and my given name is Qian. I am Ling Jingshu’s younger cousin. I wish to see Imperial Physician Wei to ask about Cousin Sister Shu’s condition.”

……

Han Yi led Lu Qian into the outer hall and instructed an attendant to bring a pot of tea. He then proceeded to the inner hall himself.

Wei Yan was in the middle of applying acupuncture needles to a patient. It would not do to interrupt him in the middle of the procedure.

Han Yi waited for a while. Once Wei Yan had finished applying the needles, Han Yi leaned in and murmured a few words close to his ear: “…The young Lu gentleman is now waiting in the outer hall. Whether you wish to see him or not — if you do not, I will send him away.”

The ordinarily composed and steady Wei Yan, upon hearing the name Lu Qian, immediately changed his expression: “The person outside is truly Lu Qian?”

Han Yi was inwardly taken aback, and quickly replied: “Yes. He says he is from the Lu family — a younger cousin of Miss Ling. He says he wishes to see you and ask about Miss Ling’s condition.”

Wei Yan’s expression darkened, a flash of something resembling anger crossing his eyes.

Han Yi grew all the more astonished inwardly. Just who was this Lu Qian? Imperial Physician Wei had only heard his name, and it had already put him in a temper!

“Have him wait outside.” Wei Yan’s voice was cool: “Once I am done, let him come in.”

Han Yi assented and withdrew.

Lu Qian waited for well over an hour.

Not a single grain of rice nor a drop of water had passed his lips since that morning, and his stomach had long since been hollowed by hunger. Yet Lu Qian was completely oblivious to it, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on the door to the inner hall — as though Imperial Physician Wei might appear in the doorway at any moment.

After what felt like an eternity, Han Yi finally came: “Imperial Physician Wei will see you.”

Lu Qian roused himself and rose to his feet, following Han Yi into the inner hall.

……

The inner hall was spacious, and at this moment, there were no other patients.

Lu Qian’s gaze first fell on Tian Dong. This person was far too young — he could not possibly be Imperial Physician Wei. So the man seated with his back turned must be Imperial Physician Wei without question.

“Imperial Physician Wei, the young Lu gentleman is here.” Han Yi said pleasantly.

The man gave a sound of acknowledgment, rose, and turned around.

Tall and slender in build — the very first impression gave Lu Qian, who was not particularly tall himself, a sense of being looked down upon. Then came the face: Wei Yan’s strikingly handsome features came into view.

This Imperial Physician Wei was actually so young and so fine-looking!

In Lu Qian’s mind, his elder brother Lu Hong was refined and handsome, graceful in bearing — a rarely gifted beauty among young men, and also the person Lu Qian most envied and feared. Yet he had not expected that today, in a single chance encounter, he would meet someone who surpassed even Lu Hong.

Almost reflexively, Lu Qian felt a surge of wariness and guardedness, and the gaze he directed at Wei Yan carried a distinct edge of hostility: “You are Imperial Physician Wei?”

“I am.” Wei Yan gave a measured smile, his manner refined and composed: “I have kept you waiting, young Lu gentleman.”

Without any deliberate effort to project an air of authority, that refined and serene bearing alone was more than enough to make others feel they fell short by comparison.

How strange — this man was not his romantic rival! Why should he even mind?

Lu Qian pressed down the faint discomfort stirring within him and forced a smile: “I had nothing to do but wait — it was no trouble.”

Wei Yan asked pleasantly: “What brings young Lu gentleman here?”

“There is indeed something important I wish to ask of Imperial Physician Wei. I must first ask Imperial Physician Wei to send everyone out — there are some things I must speak of with you in private.” Lu Qian said.

Wei Yan gave a slight nod.

Han Yi and Tian Dong exchanged a glance, then withdrew together.

The inner hall was now left with only Wei Yan and Lu Qian.

Lu Qian knitted his brows, seemingly pondering how to begin.

Wei Yan said pleasantly: “There are only the two of us here now — young Lu gentleman may speak freely.”

Lu Qian steadied himself and said quietly: “I will not conceal my purpose from Imperial Physician Wei. I have come on account of Cousin Sister Shu’s condition. Imperial Physician Wei examined her today — might you be willing to tell me the details of her condition?”

Wei Yan’s brow furrowed slightly, and rather than answering, he replied with a question: “Young Lu gentleman — since you care so much about Miss Ling’s condition, why not simply ask her directly?”

An utterly ordinary question — yet to Lu Qian, it struck like a blade, cutting straight to his most vulnerable wound.