Bright future

"There's a right time to ask questions!" Su You argued. "Huai Shu's body is barely cold, and Senior Sister Qiu is seriously ill. Are you going to summon her to the prison at this time?"

"This is official business."

Bai Shu, already seething with suppressed anger, stepped forward and said, "This is slander!"

"Xiao Shu," Qiu Chuxin said weakly, supporting herself, "I'll go with them."

Pan Cheng stopped her, saying, "How can you do this in your health? I'll go and talk to Ruan Yeting."

Qiu Chuxin shook her head and pushed Pan Cheng away, "I am standing upright, there is no need to disturb Ruan Ling."

The officers from the military prison took Qiu Chuxin away, leaving a female physician in a room, resentful but unable to speak. Another official stepped forward, "We are ordered to search Physician Qiu's personal belongings. Please step aside for the time being."

They then "invited" Bai Zhu, Su You, and the others outside.

The sounds of rummaging through drawers and cabinets inside the house drifted into the courtyard. Su You clenched her fists, while Bai Shu's eyes reddened with anger, resentment, injustice, and...heartbreak.

It was the height of summer, under a clear blue sky, yet it felt as if I were in the depths of winter, my heart burning with an icy chill.

Bai Shu asked Pan Cheng, "Senior Sister, why?"

A young eunuch rushed in from outside. He was the eunuch from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices who usually came to fetch Qiu Chuxin to the Imperial Music Bureau. Seeing that the female imperial physicians were all in the courtyard, he ran towards Bai Shu and urged, "So you're here, my lord! I've been looking for you. Is Lord Qiu here? The carriages to the Imperial Music Bureau are ready. When shall we leave?"

Oh right, Bai Zhu remembered that today was also the day to go to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run medical institution) for a consultation.

On this day of the month, Senior Sister Qiu would usually take her and Huai Shu to the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) to get some fresh air outside the palace, have a meal of steamed buns with mutton, and even learn a musical instrument from the ladies of the Jiaofangsi during their leisure time.

Huai Shu is gone, and Senior Sister Qiu has also been taken to the Dusi prison.

Su You was annoyed and scolded the eunuch, "Where are you going? The people are all gone, what are you doing going to the brothel!"

The news of a female physician being beaten to death in the Yongxiang Palace was circulating in the palace, and even the eunuchs had heard about it, though they didn't know who had died. Hearing Su You's words, the eunuch assumed it was Qiu Chuxin and exclaimed in surprise, "Was it Lord Qiu who was murdered a few days ago? The officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices didn't explain either. What exactly happened?"

Su You was speechless for a moment. Bai Shu stepped forward and said, "It's not Senior Sister Qiu. Senior Sister has been busy lately and can't get away. I'll go with you to the Jiaofangsi."

"Can you manage?" Fang Lingshan asked worriedly. "You've been shaken up and have been in a daze these past few days. I'll go instead."

“I can do it. Apart from Senior Sister Qiu and Huai Shu, only I know the situation of the ladies of the Jiaofangsi.” Bai Shu reassured Fang Lingshan and said, “Senior Sister Qiu said that the poor and the rich, the noble and the lowly are all patients. I will go.”

The creaking carriage drove out of the palace gate, passed Xuande Square, headed towards Xuande Street, and stopped in front of the Ruanyulou signboard.

The head of the Imperial Music Academy came out to greet him, but seeing that only Bai Shu was there, he asked, "Where has Lord Qiu gone?"

Bai Shu glanced at him and said, "Senior Sister has something to attend to and won't be coming today."

"This..." The director of the music academy looked troubled. "Lord Bai, it's not that I don't trust you, but many people came because of Lady Qiu's reputation. If she suddenly says she's not coming, this... will be difficult to explain."

"I am here on orders from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to treat the lady of the Imperial Music Bureau. I have the order from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices," Bai Shu said. "As for others, if you trust me, I will treat you the same way I treat Senior Sister Qiu. If you don't trust me, then you can seek out a better doctor."

Bai Shu's tone was cold and hard as she strode into the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau). The Jiaofangsi followed behind her, grunting twice. He thought to himself, "What's wrong with me today? Only this little doctor, Bai Shu, has come, and he's acting like he's swallowed gunpowder."

There were many people seeking medical treatment. When it was Liu Niangzi's turn, she exclaimed "Eh!" and asked, "I was wondering why it was so slow today. Why is it just you, Lord Xiaobai? Where are Lord Qiu and the little divine doctor? Oh dear, I was just saying last time that the little divine doctor is only sixteen years old and I should teach her some new and interesting things. Did I scare the little divine doctor? Hahaha, that little girl is still so easily teased, like a child."

Yes, after Liu Niangzi mentioned it, Bai Shu also remembered that Yang Huaishu had just turned sixteen and was still... a young lady who would blush when Liu Niangzi and the others teased her.

Bai Zhu suddenly put down his pen and covered his eyes.

Madam Liu noticed something was wrong with Bai Shu and stopped joking. "What's wrong? What happened?"

"It's nothing," Bai Shu said, rubbing her eyes. "Huai Shu... she won't be coming again."

Liu Niangzi and the others were taken aback for a moment, and another woman asked, "Why?"

The Imperial Medical Bureau had issued an order forbidding any discussion of Yang Huaishu's death.

Bai Shu shook her head. "It's nothing, she doesn't have time to come."

The women, including Liu Niangzi, exchanged glances. One of the women in the back scoffed and muttered, "That's true. Who are we? The little divine doctor is a noble person. How could he condescend to come and treat us every month?"

Although the muttering was soft, Bai Shu heard it. Bai Shu was writing a prescription with his head down, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the jade pen, making it difficult for him to put pen to paper again.

"Say less," Madam Liu said, turning her head to scold the person behind her. She then chuckled awkwardly and said, "The young doctor's medical skills are superb. The sisters just missed her; there was nothing else to it. It's better that she's not coming. This isn't a place for her anyway. Please ask Master Xiaobai to pass on a message to the young doctor: thank you for your hard work in treating me this past year. My abdominal pain has improved a lot. We wish the young doctor continued success in her medical skills and a bright future."

"Hmm." Bai Shu didn't dare to look up, only saying, "Take the prescription, next patient."

...

After seeing off the last patient, a numb Bai Shu got up and began packing her medicine box. The music hall attendant came over mysteriously, closed the door, and handed Bai Shu an embroidered pouch.

Inside, there was a pile of gleaming silver.

Bai Shu did not answer, but asked, "What do you mean by this, sir?"

"It's a consultation fee." The director of the music academy didn't mince words and said frankly, "Many people came because of Lord Qiu's reputation, but Lord Qiu isn't here today. Some people have left, and some people stayed to be seen by you. This is your consultation fee, and it should be given to you."

Bai Shu's heart sank. She couldn't believe the rumors were true, and asked again, "Did Senior Sister Qiu also have it before?"

The music academy director laughed and said, "That's for sure."

Atractylodes macrocephala feels like a fishbone stuck in my throat.

"I don't want it," Bai Shu said. "I won't accept this money, and from now on I will only treat the ladies of the Jiaofangsi (a type of entertainment institution). I won't treat anyone else."

"That won't do," said Bai Shu, the head of the music academy. "Lord Bai, this isn't just your business. If you think the money is unclean, you can do what Lord Qiu did and keep it for the ladies of the music academy to buy medicine. But if you don't take this business, I'm afraid it won't work."

Bai Shu paused, "The cost of the medicine?"

The head of the Imperial Music Academy said, "A sick woman is like a medicine pot, taking in medicine every day but not giving out. Where does the Court of Imperial Sacrifices have so much money to support them for nothing? Lord Qiu said that whatever money is needed will be paid from the consultation fees she left behind." The head of the Imperial Music Academy sighed as she spoke, "Lord Qiu's medical skills and ethics are beyond reproach. I heard that with her qualifications, she should have been promoted to a high-ranking official long ago, but she just can't bear to give up this hard job."

"My lord!" Bai Shu called out to the music hall director who was about to leave, and asked, "My lord, could you please go to the Censorate and the Military Prison to explain things clearly for Senior Sister Qiu?"

The music and dance hall master was taken aback. Bai Shu looked at him earnestly and asked, "You mean, Lord Qiu..."

Bai Shu nodded slightly, straightened his sleeves, bowed to the music hall official, and said, "Bai Shu begs Your Excellency to clear Senior Sister Qiu's name."

“Lord Bai, please rise,” the director of the Imperial Music Bureau said, supporting Bai Shu with a troubled expression. “This… Lord Qiu is upright and honest, and the officials of the Censorate are discerning and will not wrong Lord Qiu. It’s getting late, I will arrange for carriages to take Lord Bai back to the palace.”

...

On a long summer day, Bai Shu returned to the palace before nightfall.

The golden light of the setting sun shone on the white jade steps that I had walked many times with Senior Sister Qiu and Yang Huaishu, making them appear as if they were shimmering with light.

Bai Zhu strolled leisurely past the Weiyang Palace, turned into the palace alley, and overheard several palace servants sweeping and discussing amongst themselves—

"I heard that a physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau was beaten to death a few days ago?"

"Yes, I heard that. She's a female physician."

"Why?"

"I heard that the doctor made the person worse and killed her because he didn't give her any money in private."

"Pah! A heart rotten to the core!"

"Yes, I heard that the Imperial Household Department went to the Imperial Medical Bureau to arrest someone today."

"Should!"

...

Overwhelmed with anger, Bai Shu took a deep breath, then another, finally unable to contain his rage. He strode over and said, "What do you know! Huai Shu didn't cure anyone badly, and Lord Qiu didn't embezzle money!..."

The whispering palace maids, recognizing Bai Shu's attire, knew she was a physician. Their gazes turned strange; they didn't argue with her, but instead pushed and shoved each other to gossip elsewhere.

"We didn't say anything to her, why is she so anxious?"

"I suppose we know each other."

"They might be birds of a feather, and not much cleaner themselves."

"Exactly, we don't need to argue with her."

A breath caught in his throat, and Bai Zhu felt a pain in his chest from anger.

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

A familiar and authoritative voice interrupted. Bai Shu turned his head and saw Taishi Yi walking over, followed by this apprentice-like female official.

The Grand Historian stood before the gossiping palace maids and said, "The matter in the Inner Palace is still unresolved, yet you few have already made judgments! How dare you slander forbidden palace affairs! Where do you work, what are your names, and who are your superiors? Speak up at once!"

The Imperial Historian, serving in the Bureau of Historical Records, was responsible for recording the words, actions, and daily lives of the empresses and concubines. She could also record palace affairs and report them to the Empress. None of the palace maids were afraid of the female officials of the Bureau of Historical Records' writing skills, and they all hurriedly admitted their mistakes.

“We were just talking nonsense,” the leader said, slapping himself in the face. “Please forgive us, sir, we will never do it again.”

"Yes, yes, I won't dare to do it again."

The Grand Historian told them to get out, and the palace servants scattered like birds and beasts.

Bai Shu suddenly felt his strength dissipate, and forced a smile that was more like a grimace, saying, "Grand Historian, what a grand official's arrogance!"

After dealing with the gossiping palace servants, the Imperial Astrologer strode towards Bai Shu. Hearing her words, he said, "What are you talking about? I heard something happened at your Imperial Medical Bureau, so I came to see you. Your colleagues said you had left the palace, and they've been waiting here for you for quite a while. Bai Xiaoshu, are you alright?"