The onlookers weren’t blind either, and quickly noticed something was amiss.
Someone bold enough spoke up loudly, pretending to mutter to himself, “Putting on such a grand show, and it turns out it’s all just for a servant. I really don’t know which household’s young lady this is, but how ‘kind-hearted’ of her.”
“Kind-hearted, my foot — her real interest clearly isn’t in the wine!” someone hiding in a corner called out. “She’s just using the excuse of treating an illness to get a glimpse of Imperial Physician Wei.”
As soon as these words were spoken, people began pointing and whispering among themselves.
Being looked at and talked about like this, the young lady in the pale pink dress felt embarrassed and uneasy. Even though she knew the veiled hat kept her face hidden from view, she still lowered her head.
The middle-aged woman beside her immediately stepped forward, sweeping the crowd with a fierce glare. “Who was it just now, running their mouth and daring to speak ill of our young lady? Our young lady has the heart of a Bodhisattva — she couldn’t bear to see a servant suffer, which is why she specially brought Liu Laoshi here for treatment after his sudden illness. Whoever dares to gossip recklessly, I’ll tear their mouth apart!”
What a fierce and vicious woman.
The idle chatter around them did indeed quiet down considerably.
By now Ling Jingshu had also understood the situation, and couldn’t help a quiet, amused smile.
So that was it — her true intent lay not in the wine after all!
Jiang Shi also chuckled softly, leaning in to whisper in Ling Jingshu’s ear. “I’ve seen this young lady once or twice before, and I have some impression of her. Her surname is Liu, and she’s the third child in her family. Her father is Censor Liu of the Censorate.”
The Censorate had fifteen officials in total.
An Investigating Censor held only a low seventh rank, yet their authority was extensive. Over all officials, both civil and military, a censor bore the duty of monitoring and reporting, and could even submit petitions based on mere rumor or hearsay. By court convention, an official impeached in a censor’s petition was not permitted to submit a counter-petition in their own defense, and could only await the Emperor’s judgment.
This was a typical case of a low-ranking post wielding heavy power. Even the heads of the Six Ministries and the meritorious nobles of Dazhou mostly went out of their way to stay on good terms with the Investigating Censors in secret, lest they carelessly end up with yet another impeachment petition against themselves. This alone was enough to show just how formidable the Investigating Censors truly were.
In just a few words, Jiang Shi had laid out the duties and importance of the Investigating Censors.
Ling Jingshu understood at once and nodded lightly.
Third Miss Liu had clearly set her heart on Imperial Physician Wei, and having had no opportunity to get close to him in ordinary circumstances, had come up with this scheme to approach him instead. One had to admit, it took a fair amount of nerve.
Judging from the middle-aged woman’s tone, Imperial Physician Wei apparently had a practice of treating those on the verge of death first. It seemed Ling Xiao would have to wait a little longer.
A steady, forceful set of footsteps sounded nearby.
Ling Jingshu looked up, and the upright, resolute face of a young man came into view.
It was Han Yi, the chief steward of Huichun Hall!
Han Yi stood at the entrance of Huichun Hall. A single sweeping glance was enough for him to roughly guess what was going on.
Huichun Hall’s reputation was already considerable, but Imperial Physician Wei’s renown as a miracle-working physician was even more illustrious — especially among the young ladies of well-bred families, on whose lips his name was constantly mentioned. The reason was, of course, plain to see: Imperial Physician Wei was young, kept his distance from women, remained unmarried, and was a handsome man the likes of whom one might not find in a thousand miles…
The Crown Grandson Prince Yan was of too exalted a status — any young lady with self-awareness knew not to entertain extravagant hopes there. Imperial Physician Wei, however, was different. His medical skill was superb, he enjoyed deep imperial favor, and though his status was elevated, it wasn’t so high as to be entirely out of reach. On top of that, he was unmatched in handsomeness, strict and disciplined in conduct, and held an excellent reputation.
He was, quite simply, every young lady’s ideal choice for a husband.
For this very reason, on the first and fifteenth of every month, Huichun Hall would always see the appearance of some rather strange patients and their equally strange “family members.”
Seeing Han Yi appear, the middle-aged woman hurried forward at once. “Steward Han, Liu Laoshi is a servant of our Liu household. Since early this morning he’s been foaming at the mouth and convulsing all over, and it looks as though he’s about to go. When Imperial Physician Wei arrives, please ask him to examine this man first.”
Fearing that Han Yi might refuse, she immediately added, “This is also a rule Imperial Physician Wei himself set — that anyone on the verge of death is to be treated first. Liu Laoshi may be a servant, but a life is still a life!”
This “life” was indeed foaming at the mouth and on the brink of death.
Yet however fine the middle-aged woman’s words sounded, her face showed not the slightest trace of anxiety.
A flicker of mockery passed through Han Yi’s eyes. He said evenly, “I’ll have someone carry the patient into the back hall right away.”
With that, he turned and gave an instruction, and immediately two sharp, capable assistants carried the still-convulsing Liu Laoshi inside.
A flash of delight passed through the middle-aged woman’s eyes, and she immediately moved to support Third Miss Liu, intending to follow inside as well.
Han Yi, without changing expression, stopped the group. “The patient has already been carried inside. You may wait here for word — there’s no need for you to go in.”
Third Miss Liu: “…”
The middle-aged woman froze for a moment, then said angrily, “What kind of sense does that make? We need to go in and watch over him before we can feel at ease.”
Han Yi replied with considerable courtesy, “When Imperial Physician Wei treats a patient, he never allows unrelated people nearby. If you’d rather not wait, you’re welcome to leave for now and send someone to collect the patient this evening instead.”
The middle-aged woman was left speechless, staring wide-eyed.
A few less than kind-hearted onlookers had already begun snickering quietly.
Ling Jingshu’s lips curved up slightly as well.
This Han Yi carried himself with the bearing of a young master from some great clan, and seemed to have martial training as well. That such a man would willingly serve as a steward at Huichun Hall was rather curious.
Well, never mind — now wasn’t the time to dwell on such things.
Ling Jingshu steadied herself and spoke up. “Steward Han, we came by a few days ago and had our names recorded. I wonder if you might remember?”
Han Yi turned to look at her. “Of course I remember. Please, all of you, this way.”
Ling Jingshu nodded readily and, taking Ling Xiao’s hand, stepped inside together with him.
“Wait!”
Third Miss Liu, who had remained silent all this while, suddenly spoke up. Her voice was crisp and delicate, and rather pleasant to the ear. “Steward Han just said that only patients may go in, and everyone else must wait outside Huichun Hall. What gives you the right to be an exception?”
Her gaze, through the thin veil, fixed directly on Ling Jingshu, as though trying to make out her features.
Unfortunately, both of them wore veiled hats, and even the sharpest gaze could not pierce through two layers of gauze.
Ling Jingshu caught the faint hostility in Third Miss Liu’s tone and couldn’t help a quiet, inward smile. This Third Miss Liu had clearly mistaken her for another “drunkard with ulterior motives.”
“This young lady — the one here for treatment is my twin brother.” Unwilling to quibble with a girl so consumed by her own infatuation, Ling Jingshu explained gently, “He cannot see, and walking is difficult for him, so naturally I must accompany him inside.”
Her voice, clear, gentle, and refined, was like a babbling stream quietly flowing into everyone’s hearts.
With a voice this lovely, what kind of beauty must lie hidden beneath that thin veil!
The thought occurred to everyone there, without a word exchanged.
A flicker of envy crossed Third Miss Liu’s eyes, and she said coolly, “My family’s servant was carried in lying down. Shouldn’t I be even more worried than you?”