After wandering about inside the Huichun Hall for a short while, a young man with the bearing of a manager finally appeared.

This young man was not very old — roughly twenty-three or twenty-four — dressed in a blue short-hemmed jacket. He was tall and slender in build, yet his steps were remarkably steady and sure. His features were upright and well-defined, his gaze bright and keen, full of spirit, the kind of face that instilled a favorable impression in anyone who looked at him.

The young man’s gaze swept briefly over Ling Jingshu and the others in their veiled hats, then came to rest on the only male face present: “I am Han Yi, the head steward of the Huichun Hall. Might I ask, young sir, have you come seeking medical treatment?”

Ling Jingshu gave a quiet, inward nod of approval.

This head steward called Han Yi spoke with courtesy, knew precisely when to advance and when to hold back, and carried himself with neither deference nor arrogance.

The three of them were all wearing veiled hats, so their faces could not be seen clearly. The servant girls at their side were pretty and striking, each with her own charm and grace. Yet this Han Yi had not spared them a second glance — clearly, he was not the sort of frivolous and shallow person.

Ling Xiao had long grown accustomed to leaving all matters in Ling Jingshu’s hands. Being addressed so earnestly and formally by someone out of the blue left him momentarily at a loss.

“Yes, I have come seeking medical treatment,” Ling Xiao steadied himself and replied.

Those who came to the Huichun Hall — five out of every ten — were there to seek medical treatment.

Han Yi, as head steward, had no idea how many patients of varying backgrounds he encountered in a single day. He was not in the least surprised, and said with a composed smile: “May I ask the young sir’s honorable surname? And what illness troubles you? If it is an ordinary ailment, we have highly skilled physicians here at the Huichun Hall, and you need only queue for a short while before being seen. If you wish to be seen by Imperial Physician Wei himself, you would need to wait a few days and return on the fifteenth of the sixth month.”

Ling Xiao replied without hesitation: “Due to an accidental fall, I lost my sight and have been unable to see for six years now. I have made a special journey from Dingzhou to the capital for the express purpose of seeking Imperial Physician Wei’s treatment to restore my vision.”

The handsome and striking young man before him — yet his pair of eyes were shrouded as though veiled by a thin, pale mist. Like a bright pearl obscured by dust — it was a genuine pity.

Han Yi felt a quiet pang of regret in his heart, and reminded him with goodwill: “In that case, it would be best to register your name first and collect a numbered ticket in advance. The Huichun Hall’s reputation is well established, and every time the first and fifteenth of the month arrive, the number of patients seeking Imperial Physician Wei’s consultation is truly too great. I’m afraid you may have to wait some days…”

Ling Xiao instinctively glanced toward Ling Jingshu, and asked in a soft voice: “A’Shu, should we collect the numbered ticket first?”

“There is no need to take the numbered ticket just yet.”

Ling Jingshu’s gentle and melodious voice rang out. She raised her head and looked toward Han Yi: “Head Steward Han, we have come with a name card from His Highness the Crown Grandson, and we hoped to arrange an early meeting with Imperial Physician Wei. We wonder if you might be willing to make an accommodation.”

A name card from His Highness the Crown Grandson?

Han Yi’s brow creased almost imperceptibly, then quickly returned to its usual composure. His voice, however, cooled by a degree or two: “Imperial Physician Wei has long established a rule: no matter who it may be, every patient who comes seeking consultation is treated equally without exception. Every day there is a whole host of people arriving with name cards from noble personages. If the Huichun Hall were to operate that way, it would become another Imperial Medical Academy — which rather defeats the purpose of having it at all.”

Han Yi had likely heard these words from Imperial Physician Wei’s own lips so many times that he now instinctively imitated Imperial Physician Wei’s manner and bearing as he spoke them, taking on in that instant a few shades of cold and measured authority.

Ling Xiao began to lose his composure somewhat: “By what you are saying — even His Highness the Crown Grandson’s name card counts for nothing?”

“A’Xiao, do not be hasty.” Ling Jingshu gave a faint smile: “What Head Steward Han just said was simply to explain Imperial Physician Wei’s customary rules to us — he did not say that His Highness the Crown Grandson’s name card would be of no use.”

She paused for a moment, then continued: “I understand that acting in this way does not accord with Imperial Physician Wei’s rules. However, there are always exceptions to every matter. Imperial Physician Wei is a man of great compassion. A physician’s heart is a parent’s heart — if a patient’s long-standing and unhealed illness could be cured even one day sooner, he would surely feel a sense of relief and gladness in his heart as well. We ask that Head Steward Han make this accommodation for us. We will certainly repay the kindness handsomely.”

Han Yi raised an eyebrow in quiet surprise.

There was no shortage of people who came to the Huichun Hall bearing name cards from noble personages, but the vast majority of those were of no practical use. Only a small handful of individuals with truly exalted standing had ever managed to persuade Imperial Physician Wei to make a rare, reluctant exception.

The face of His Highness the Crown Grandson was clearly not one that could be ignored.

What he had said just moments ago had been deliberate. On one hand, it served to make clear Imperial Physician Wei’s rules; on the other, it also lent the occasion to further Imperial Physician Wei’s reputation.

Of those who were angered into humiliation and erupted in fury or turned hostile in response — there was no small number. On the rare occasions when someone swallowed their pride and said nothing, their tone was rarely much better. He had not expected that this young lady of good family, whose name and face remained unknown to him, would conduct herself with such composure, grace, and quiet cordiality.

“Have you brought His Highness the Crown Grandson’s name card with you?” Han Yi’s tone warmed by a considerable measure.

Ling Jingshu exhaled a breath of relief and turned to instruct Bai Yu: “Bai Yu, quickly bring the name card to Head Steward Han.”

It was fortunate that she had thought to bring the name card along today.

Bai Yu responded in acknowledgment, stepped forward several paces, and presented the name card in her hands to the Head Steward: “This is the name card — please receive it carefully, Head Steward Han.”

Han Yi quickly glanced at the composed and capable Bai Yu, then accepted the name card and examined it carefully for a moment before saying with measured courtesy: “I will accept this name card on Imperial Physician Wei’s behalf for the time being. There is no need to collect a numbered ticket — simply register the young sir’s name. On the day of the fifteenth, it would be best to arrive at first light and wait.”

He then turned to Ling Xiao and said: “Please follow me inside, young sir.”

As Ling Xiao could not see, he was supported by his manservant and followed the Head Steward inside.

After roughly the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Ling Xiao returned.

Han Yi sent the party off quite courteously as they left the Huichun Hall.

“I did not expect matters to go so smoothly.” Ling Xiao was pleased in his heart, and his face was full of joy: “A’Shu, just now Head Steward Han specifically reminded me to come early — so that the patients who arrived before me will not feel unsettled in their hearts if they see that someone who came later is seen before them.”

The tension in Ling Jingshu’s brow eased, and she smiled: “Very well. At that time we will set out at the fifth watch.”

The Ling Family residence was so far from the Huichun Hall that they would indeed have to depart before dawn broke in order to arrive early enough.

By now, the time was already drawing near midday.

Ling Jingyan had waited and longed the whole while for this moment, and at last it had come. She immediately lit up with energy and announced brightly: “My stomach has been growling with hunger for ages. Let us go to Dingxiang Tower right now!”

Ling Jingshu gave Ling Jingyan a meaningful look: “Very well.”

Ling Jingyan felt her heart give a small lurch at being looked at in that way.

Had Ling Jingshu noticed something?

No — that was impossible!

Those hidden thoughts she harbored had never been shared with a single soul. The true purpose behind her desire to go to Dingxiang Tower could never be detected. Ling Jingshu had looked at her like that just now simply because she was laughing at how greedy she was for food!

After boarding the carriage, Ling Jingyan promptly cast aside the faint unease in her heart and gave herself over entirely to eager anticipation of the Dingxiang Tower outing ahead.

Dingxiang Tower was situated at the very northern end of the South Market. Once they entered the South Market it would not be long before they arrived. The only trouble was that there were too many people on the streets, and the carriage could only slow its pace.

Seated inside the carriage, the party listened to the clamorous sounds from outside, and each of their hearts secretly quickened with excitement and anticipation. Even Madam Jiang, who had initially been most reluctant to go to Dingxiang Tower, could not help but lean over and peer outside.

She had long heard of Dingxiang Tower’s magnificent and storied reputation — and today, at last, she would be able to experience it for herself.