Ling Jingyan had no idea that she had already revealed herself, and she was secretly delighted in her heart.

Ling Jingshu did not expose Ling Jingyan either.

It was rare to have an outing, and Ling Jingyan’s heart was set on going to Dingxiang Tower — it was better not to dampen her spirits.

The probability of running into a particular person in a crowd was far too low anyway. Even if they did go to Dingxiang Tower, she might not necessarily encounter the person she wished to see.

At that moment, the carriage came to a slow stop.

The coachman’s respectful voice rang out: “May I inform Young Madam, the Huichun Hall is just ahead. Although there is an open space in front of the Huichun Hall, carriages are not permitted to stop there. I can only bring the carriage to a halt here.”

Madam Jiang gave a soft sound of acknowledgment, then smiled and said to Ling Jingshu and her younger siblings: “The Huichun Hall has the most rules of all. The open space outside the entrance is reserved for patients to queue with numbered tickets, and no carriage whatsoever is allowed to stop in front of the gate. If we wish to look around the Huichun Hall, we will have to walk a short distance.”

This Imperial Physician Wei truly had no shortage of rules.

But then again, who could blame him, given how remarkable his medical skills were and how extraordinary his standing was?

Anyone who wished to seek his diagnosis had no choice but to follow his rules.

Ling Jingshu responded with a smile. The three of them each put on a veiled hat before stepping down from the carriage one by one.

Jiashang Ward was situated near the South Market, and most of those who lived here were merchants and ordinary commoners.

The Huichun Hall had originally been quite small — only a single shopfront, with an ordinary courtyard connected to the back. Over time, however, the Huichun Hall’s reputation grew ever more resounding, and more and more people came seeking medical treatment and medicine. Many had heard of Imperial Physician Wei’s name and traveled from thousands of li away to reach Luoyang. The Huichun Hall could simply no longer accommodate so many patients.

Three years ago, the Emperor had personally issued a decree of imperial grace. The Imperial Medical Academy took the lead in purchasing several shopfronts and courtyards nearby. The Ministry of Finance provided the silver, and the Ministry of Works provided the craftsmen, and the Huichun Hall was rebuilt and restored to a grand new state.

Those who visited the Huichun Hall for the first time could not help but be struck with awe at its imposing grandeur.

Even from a considerable distance, one could see the thick, weighty plaque. The three characters for “Huichun Hall” were carved in a bold and vigorous ancient style.

The five shopfronts at the front had been opened up and connected into one vast space, where more than a dozen rows of medicine cabinets were arranged in orderly fashion. All manner of precious medicinal ingredients were stocked within, without exception.

There were roughly a dozen assistants responsible for dispensing medicine, each of them neatly dressed and wearing a smile on their face.

There were also several men with the bearing of physicians, each seated behind a wide wooden desk. Before each desk, a considerable number of patients stood in line waiting for their consultation. Once the physician had written out a prescription, an assistant would lead the patient away to collect the medicine.

The vast Huichun Hall was a constant flow of people coming and going, with sounds unceasing. Among them were the groans and laments of patients suffering in pain, yet each one strived to keep their voice suppressed — the hall never descended into clamor.

The patients who came to the Huichun Hall were men and women, old and young alike — impoverished commoners in tattered clothing, wealthy merchants dressed in silk and brocade, and no shortage of officials’ family members in fine, bright attire. People from entirely different walks of life mingled together here, and yet it did not seem the least bit out of place.

When Ling Jingshu and her party entered the Huichun Hall, they drew very little attention.

The physicians and assistants were all occupied with their duties, and no one stepped forward to greet them.

Ling Jingshu and Madam Jiang and the others wandered about inside the Huichun Hall for a while.

“Sister-in-law, does Imperial Physician Wei only come to the Huichun Hall twice a month?”

Ling Jingshu had originally expected to find a quiet Huichun Hall. Never had she anticipated seeing so many patients, and she couldn’t help but feel a wave of surprise. She lowered her voice and asked Madam Jiang: “It is not yet the fifteenth. How are there so many patients here?”

Madam Jiang smiled gently and explained with patience: “Imperial Physician Wei does indeed only come to the Huichun Hall on the first and the fifteenth of each month. However, the hall accepts patients on ordinary days as well. The resident physicians employed here may not be widely renowned, but their medical skills are quite remarkable. The consultation fees are very affordable, and the medicine prices are considerably lower than those at other apothecaries.”

“There are also slots for free consultations each day. Those destitute commoners who are so impoverished they cannot even afford medicine need not spend a single coin to come to the Huichun Hall for treatment and medicine. And so, when common folk fall ill, they would rather travel the extra distance than go anywhere else — they come to the Huichun Hall.”

“Imperial Physician Wei has earned the reputation of a divine healer not only because of his extraordinary medical skill, but also because of his compassionate and generous heart — always thinking of the well-being of the poor and destitute. The rule he established, that all must take a numbered ticket and queue without cutting in line, was set precisely to prevent anyone from using power and influence to bully others.”

When speaking of this Imperial Physician Wei, who had made such a name for himself throughout the capital, Madam Jiang’s tone was filled with admiration.

Ling Jingyan also chimed in with a smile: “Oh, that’s right, A’Shu, you probably don’t know this yet! Behind the Huichun Hall there are many empty rooms. Patients who are gravely ill and cannot be moved may stay there free of charge!”

Was there truly someone in this world with such a kind and generous heart, utterly without selfishness?

Ling Jingshu said instinctively: “Could it be that he is merely seeking fame — doing all of this just to earn himself a name…”

“Hush! You must not say such things carelessly.”

Madam Jiang immediately cut Ling Jingshu off in a hushed voice: “You have not been in the capital, so you do not know how great this Imperial Physician Wei’s reputation is. In the hearts of the common people, this Imperial Physician Wei is a living bodhisattva. If you dare to speak ill of Imperial Physician Wei in front of others, I’m afraid you will bring trouble upon yourself.”

“Something of that sort has happened before.”

Ling Jingyan picked up the thread and lowered her voice: “A son of an official from the Ministry of Personnel fell gravely ill and came to the Huichun Hall seeking treatment. Because he was not given any special treatment, he was deeply dissatisfied. After recovering from his illness, this young master sat in a teahouse and freely heaped insults upon Imperial Physician Wei. As it happened, the other patrons of the teahouse overheard him, and every one of them was outraged and indignant. The crowd surrounded the young master and refused to let him leave — and gave him a good beating.”

“The young master was beaten until his nose was bruised and his face was swollen — it was a wretched sight. He tried to send his manservant to report it to the authorities, but the manservant was beaten as well. The constables patrolling the streets clearly arrived on the scene, but after hearing the full account of what had happened, they simply ignored the matter and walked away.”

“Later, when the young master returned home and tearfully recounted his ordeal to his father, he received two hard slaps across the face and a severe tongue-lashing for his trouble. That official then personally brought his son, along with generous gifts, to offer Imperial Physician Wei an apology. Imperial Physician Wei merely laughed it off and bore no grudge. The story spread far and wide and became known to everyone.”

“After that, no one ever dared to openly criticize or insult Imperial Physician Wei again.”

A faint light flickered in Ling Jingshu’s eyes. She obediently held her tongue, yet the doubt in her heart only deepened.

Though she had yet to meet this Imperial Physician Wei in person, she had heard a great deal about him from the mouths of others. Without exception, every account was an unbroken stream of the highest praise.

Miraculous healing skills, a heart of compassion for the suffering of the world, the benevolent virtue of saving lives and tending to the wounded, and an unbowed pride that feared no authority.

And then there were the rumors of an unparalleled, matchless beauty of countenance.

Was there truly a man so utterly flawless in this world?

All beneath Heaven bustle in pursuit of gain; all beneath Heaven rush about in chase of profit.

This Imperial Physician Wei — his actions appeared to leave no trace behind, yet within the space of just a few short years, he had built the Huichun Hall. And in doing so, he had won the Emperor’s favor while also amassing an extraordinarily high prestige and reputation among the common people.

He was either a once-in-a-century sage, or a man who harbored far deeper schemes beneath the surface.