Chapter 542: Chapter 192: Stealing Someone Else’s Beauty
Two more days passed, and a significant event occurred in Shengjing.
After the fire at Fengle Building, the eldest son of the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, who had not appeared in public, reappeared.
Qi Yutai was seen at the entrance of the Board of Rites Office. Many people witnessed him passing through the gateway and said that apart from looking paler and thinner, his behavior and demeanor were normal.
Lu Tong had just arrived at the dormitory dining hall, sitting down with a bowl in hand, when he overheard the Medical Officers at the next table discussing.
"I said it, how could he possibly go mad out of the blue? It was probably because the Young Master Qi was shocked during the fire, and the rumors turned it into something else."
"The Grand Preceptor really has a good temper, not getting angry over such gossip. Just a few days ago, when I went home, even my uncle, who doesn’t care about these matters, asked me if the Grand Preceptor’s son had succumbed to lunacy? Indeed, rumors are frightening!"
Lu Tong kept his head down, stirring the rice porridge in his bowl with chopsticks. Lin Danqing put down his steamed bun, and looking skeptically at the speaker, he asked, "Is he really cured?"
"Could that be fake? Young Master Qi is, right now, in very good health. Moreover, the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion sent a gratitude gift to Envoy Cui early this morning. I think he must also be recovered!"
"Plop—"
Lu Tong set down his chopsticks.
Lin Danqing turned to look at her, "Younger Sister Lu?"
Lu Tong stood up, pushed the bowl of porridge away, and left without saying a word.
Lin Danqing hastily followed her with a steamed bun in mouth, speaking anxiously from behind: "I know you’re not happy, who knew he would recover so quickly... but can’t you be less obvious? There are many gossips in the Medical Officer Institute, be careful that someone sees you and talks behind your back—"
Lu Tong interrupted her, "Where is the prescription list sent from the Imperial Apothecary recently?"
Lin Danqing was taken aback, "In the medical case storage, why?"
Lu Tong turned her head and walked towards the medical case storage without looking back.
Lin Danqing quickly followed her.
When they entered the medical case storage, a stack of scrolls was placed on the outermost shelf. Lu Tong pulled out a scroll to look through it. Lin Danqing was completely confused, "Younger Sister Lu, what are you doing? Medical Officers are not allowed to look through these prescriptions, at least close the door..."
The Medical Officer Institute diagnoses and prescribes, and sometimes when there is a shortage of new medicines, they have to request supplies from the Imperial Apothecary. The allotted materials are all recorded in the books. However, without special reasons, Medical Officers are not permitted to view these records at will.
Lu Tong flipped through a few pages, then suddenly stopped moving, and immediately pulled out one of the prescription lists and turned to leave. Lin Danqing jumped in fright: "Hey, watch out..."
"Where is Envoy Cui right now?" she asked.
Lin Danqing replied, "In his room, he didn’t go to the palace today. He was seen by Medical Officers this morning, what are you going to do?"
Lu Tong clenched the prescription list, her expression revealing anger.
"To confront him."
...
Outside the study, Cui Min stood with his hands behind his back, watching servants from the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion carry a wooden box into the room.
The wooden box was heavy, and the lid was opened, allowing one to see the items inside at a glance—mostly unique paintings and books, along with fine ink and paper.
This was the thank-you gift from the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion.
It was not mere external wealth like gold and jewelry; these items reflected elegance, showcasing his noble spirit and benevolent heart, while also letting everyone in the Medical Officer Institute see how much the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion valued Cui Min, more important than wealth and gold.
The Medical Officers passing by discussed secretly, their eyes filled with envy. A confidant came up smiling and whispered flatteringly, "Congratulations to Envoy Cui, for being so highly regarded by the Grand Preceptor."
Regarded?
Cui Min looked ahead with a calm gaze, a hint of irony passing through his eyes.
He had been toiling every day for the past month, tossing and turning with little sleep. During the day, he went to the Qi Family to treat Qi Yutai; at night, he repeatedly adjusted prescriptions at the Medical Officer Institute. While Qi Yutai had become emaciated, he too had turned grey. And now, after all that, he was rewarded with this box of inconsequential items and a few lightweight words of thanks.
And yet, he had to appear as if he was deeply honored and grateful.
How sad, how laughable.
However, having been in the Medical Officer Institute for twenty years, it was not easy for someone of commoner status like him to get to this point. With rising star Ji Xun eyeing his position covetously, and Consort Yan, whom he had once relied upon, having already fallen out of favor, if it weren’t for the support from the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, perhaps he wouldn’t even be able to sit securely in his current position.
He had no choice.
After looking for a moment, Cui Min was about to turn and go back into the room when he suddenly heard someone calling, "Envoy!"
Turning around, he saw Lu Tong approaching quickly from outside the Institute.
She was walking fast, and her voice was slightly higher than usual. The surrounding Medical Officers, who had been watching the gifts from the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, all turned their gazes toward her.
Cui Min said, "Medical Officer Lu..."
Lu Tong reached him, interrupting him immediately: "Envoy Cui, did you steal my prescription?"
As the words fell, there was silence all around.
Lin Danqing, who had hurried over, was so startled that he momentarily forgot to speak.
Cui Min’s eyes flickered slightly as he looked at her with his usual calm tone, "Medical Officer Lu, why would you say that?"