Chapter 551: Chapter 194 Lack of Morality_3
Miao Liangfang picked up the medicinal herbs, his face beaming as he said, "Xiao Lu is smart and reliable, how could he not be liked by everyone?"
"Didn’t you just hear Lady Lin? Even Master Ji treats Xiao Lu differently, showing a bit more concern for him than he does for other medical officers."
Doctor Ji Xun, known for his aloof and peculiar nature, was well-known in medical circles. This exceptional treatment was clear for all to see.
Du Changqing was displeased and said, "Unwarranted flattery is the mark of a scoundrel or a thief."
With her hands on her hips, Yin Zheng retorted, "It’s not about being a scoundrel or a thief. The girl is pretty, and it’s only natural for men to be attentive. Shopkeeper Du, you previously said the same thing about Lord Pei from the Palace Front Office, so why is it now Doctor Ji’s turn?"
"One can’t suspect every man they meet. By your logic, my daughter might as well go and stay in a nunnery to save all the trouble!"
"Hey!"
Ah Cheng also chimed in, "Exactly, if Master Ji really is as Lady Lin described and stands beside Doctor Lu, others would definitely remark on their compatible talents and looks!"
The chatter in the shop continued, causing Du Changqing’s expression to grow increasingly sour. Finally, in a huff, he lifted the felt curtain and entered the inner shop, unwilling to listen to any more of this ridiculous gossip.
He sat down at a stone table in the courtyard.
Though Lu Tong was neither kith nor kin to him, he had watched her grow up... no, watched her pass the examination to become a Hanlin Medical Officer.
His father had only one child; he treated Lu Tong like a dear sister, hoping she’d do well at the Medical Officer Institute and maybe one day become an Imperial Physician in the palace, bringing honor to their name.
But why were there so many detestable men in the world?
A fine girl making her way in the Medical Officer Institute, constantly pestered by one man after another - he was not running some kind of a match-making service like Widow Sun seeking a live-in son-in-law!
According to Doctor Lin, Doctor Ji would always hover around Lu Tong; now that she was no longer at the Medical Officer Institute, he even followed her to West Street. It was evident he had ulterior motives.
Pei Yunmeng knew better than to behave that way.
Pei Yunmeng?
A thought struck Du Changqing, and his eyes darted about. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly called out loudly to Ah Cheng in the front hall, "Ah Cheng, we’re out of blank invitation cards, bring me one!"
Not long after, the felt curtain parted, and someone entered.
Du Changqing bowed his head, grinding ink with earnest focus, as the person approached and placed a blank invitation in his hand. Snatching it, he penned a few characters with flourish.
"An invitation for Lord Pei?"
Yin Zheng, startled, spoke up, "Why is the boss sending an invitation to Lord Pei?"
Looking up, Du Changqing saw Yin Zheng and huffed, "For our medical hall’s fiftieth-anniversary banquet. Doctor Lu is well-liked; not inviting a few additional guests would just seem cheap."
"I’ve been thinking, Doctor Ji has a distinguished appearance and comes from a notable background. Marshal Pei from the Palace Front Office is equally handsome and holds great power and status. Since we’re inviting, one might as well invite both. Either way, it can be done."
"As for myself, I plan to send an invitation to the Palace Marshal’s Mansion."
His reasoning was baffling, but after pondering for a while, Yin Zheng had a revelation, "I get it!"
"Shopkeeper Du," she looked at Du Changqing, "do you also think that Marshal Pei is more compatible with the lady than Doctor Ji? Are you favoring Lord Pei more?"
"Not at all."
Du Changqing finished writing, his expression blank as he folded the invitation and handed it to Yin Zheng.
"I don’t favor him."
He smiled slightly, "But I am indeed shameless."
...
Evening had arrived, with crimson clouds sprawling across the sky.
The heat of the summer evening wa begin to wane, cooling down a bit, signaling that in half a month’s time, autumn would be upon them.
Inside Pei Mansion, Pei Yunmeng closed the book in front of him, his brows showing a trace of weariness.
The rebellion by Qi Shui’s rebel army had been reported in a dispatch to the Emperor’s desk, with urgent news of their uprising. Emperor Liang Ming, despite his intent, was inclined to send General Zhenwei with troops to quell the rebellion in Su Nan.
Chen Wei.
He looked at the name on the military register, a hint of scorn flickering across his eyes.
The man had been merely a military governor before, but after a significant victory over the enemy in a battle, his military achievements stood out, prompting Emperor Liang Ming to promote him exceptionally.
This wouldn’t have been an issue, but soon after, someone accused Chen Wei of killing innocent civilians to inflate his military merits, his methods brutal.
Emperor Liang Ming sent people to thoroughly investigate the accusation. However, the accuser met with a strange death, and afterward, no one could prove that Chen Wei had slaughtered civilians. The case ended without a conclusion. Yet at the time of the suppression, many civilians had indeed died, and Chen Wei attributed these deaths to the crimes of the rebel army. As for the truth...
No one knew.
When the Department of Military Affairs proposed that General Zhenwei lead the troops, Emperor Liang Ming agreed quickly.
General Zhenwei Chen Wei was a cousin to the Third Prince, the son of the elder brother of Empress Chen.
As Emperor Liang Ming’s health worsened, the appointment of his heir became an pressing issue. However, whether for the Crown Prince or the Third Prince, bestowing troops to the Chen family at such a time...