Chapter 548: Chapter 193: Store Anniversary_3
"Speaking of that newly appointed Imperial Medical Officer Doctor Lu, the other day, Zhu Ling inadvertently learned that Doctor Lu was actually the poor girl whom Young Master had accidentally saved on his journey through Su Nan years ago, quite to his surprise."
"To have such a story!"
"Not only did Doctor Lu recognize the Young Master, but she also returned the jade pendant he had left behind. Zhu Ling watched the scene with great emotion."
"A life-saving favor, old acquaintances, a talented man and a beautiful woman, truly a match... and now both working together at the Medical Officer Institute. If something doesn’t develop between them, it would seem a waste of such a perfectly arranged coincidence by fate."
Zhu Ling quietly awaited something good to happen."
But Ji Xun’s actions were entirely beyond Zhu Ling’s expectations."
Perhaps it was the guilt from a prior misunderstanding with Lu Tong, or maybe the past events in Su Nan made Ji Xun feel closer to Lu Tong. Regardless, Zhu Ling could sense that the Young Master was exceptionally considerate and caring toward Doctor Lu; at least she was the only one who could stir his emotions so profoundly, apart from discussions on medical records and pharmacology."
Ji Xun began searching for medical texts to give to Lu Tong."
"Every so often, he would have Lu Tong come to his medicine chamber to exchange pharmacological ideas."
Zhu Ling was on the verge of collapsing."
"Isn’t this just like a pre-assessment for the Official Examiners?"
"Even if there could have been the chance for a romantic and gentle relationship between these two, in such a situation, one would think it would vanish in an instant."
"How is this any different from studying in the Imperial Medical Bureau?"
"The Young Master doesn’t really think that Doctor Lu enjoys this, does he?"
He sighed and then heard Ji Xun’s voice: "Why hasn’t Doctor Lu arrived yet?"
"Today is the day for Lu Tong to collect her new medical texts. Ji Xun had gone to the trouble of finding several volumes not even available in the Imperial Medical Bureau, complete with his own annotations."
"But the appointed time had passed, and Lu Tong was nowhere to be seen."
Ji Xun said, "Go to the medicine hall and inquire."
Zhu Ling acknowledged the task."
About the time it takes to drink a half cup of tea later, Zhu Ling ran back, out of breath, and started calling out just as he reached the door of the medicine chamber: "Young Master, something has happened!"
"What is it?"
"I just went looking for Doctor Lu and couldn’t find her anywhere. An officer in the front hall told me that Doctor Lu was accused of slandering the Envoy, looking at medicinal records in private, and has been suspended for three months. She left the Medical Officer Institute in the afternoon!"
Ji Xun suddenly stood up."
"What?"
...
"What? Doctor Lu has been suspended?"
In the Palace Marshal’s Mansion, someone raised their head in astonishment."
Duan Xiaoyan’s eyes widened, incredulous: "You’re not joking, are you?"
"Lu Tong was always meticulous, Yama himself was no match for her; it’s hard to believe she would accept the Medical Officer Institute’s suspension without question – it just doesn’t seem realistic."
While discussing this, there were a few cheerful calls from Zhizi in the courtyard."
Pei Yunmeng lifted the door curtain and walked in."
"Brother—"
Duan Xiaoyan quickly stood up."
Pei Yunmeng had been very busy these days."
"The locust plague in Su Nan, rebel soldiers in Qi Shui neighboring Su Nan, and the open and covert struggles between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince... All these state affairs piled up at once, at times Pei Yunmeng wouldn’t return from the palace until late into the night. Duan Xiaoyan hadn’t seen him for several days as well."
Pei Yunmeng put down his Silver Knife and glanced at Qingfeng standing in the room before sitting down at the table."
"Why are you standing there like a fool?"
"Master, something has happened."
Pei Yunmeng looked at him."
Qingfeng bowed his head: "Doctor Lu left the Medical Officer Institute today and went back to West Street."
There was a pause and then his eyes flashed fiercely: "What happened?"
Qingfeng then recounted all that had occurred at the Medical Officer Institute that day."
After listening, before Pei Yunmeng could speak, Duan Xiaoyan burst out: "That Cui Min is clearly guilty of his own crimes!"
Pei Yunmeng glanced at him, and Duan Xiaoyan quickly lowered his voice: "Qi Yutai is already a madman, and that Cui isn’t more capable. It’s quite possible he stole Doctor Lu’s prescription to curry favor with the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion."
"I think Doctor Lu is not slandering; what she said is the truth. It’s just that her words carry little weight, and nobody believes her."
Pei Yunmeng’s gaze darkened, and he abruptly stood up, reaching for the Silver Knife on the table as if to leave."
"Brother, are you planning to stand up for Doctor Lu?"
Duan Xiaoyan was brimming with excitement, rubbing his hands with anticipation: "Take me with you. Doctor Lu has made so many Appetite Pills for me; I’m someone who knows gratitude."
Pei Yunmeng ignored him and was about to make a move, then seemed to think of something and stopped in his tracks."
After a moment, he put down the Silver Knife and sat back down in his chair."
"Eh?" Duan Xiaoyan, puzzled, asked, "Why aren’t we going?"
Pei Yunmeng did not respond, and after a while, he finally spoke, "And you don’t go either."
Lu Tong always had her own plans for things, and this move might be part of a larger scheme."
Without clarity on her plans, it’s better not to act rashly and risk making matters worse."
His fingers traced over the Silver Knife’s sheath, the intricate cold and sharp patterns reflecting in the eyes of the young man looking downward."
Better to wait until they have met to discuss."