Imperial Advisor's Answers
Emerging from the teahouse, the bright early summer sun shone on the bluestone slabs, yet Su Qingyue felt a heavy weight pressing on her heart. The black iron token in her sleeve pressed against her wrist, a reminder of the silent confrontation she had just witnessed.
"Miss, shall we return to the manor now?" Qingdai asked cautiously, clearly still caught up in the tension of facing Prince Rui.
Su Qingyue shook her head: "Let's take a walk on the street first."
She needed time to process what had just happened. Xiao Jue's domineering attitude, his probing, and that seemingly protective but actually restrictive "cooperation" all made her feel suffocated. This feeling of being controlled was even more unbearable than the difficulties she faced with Madam Wang and her daughter at the Prime Minister's residence.
The two strolled leisurely through the bustling streets. The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, carriages, and pedestrians chatting blended together, yet strangely, they gradually calmed Su Qingyue's chaotic mind. She carefully observed the shops on both sides of the street: pharmacies, cloth shops, restaurants... the commercial landscape of this era was far more developed than she had imagined.
"Miss, look over there..." Qingdai suddenly whispered a reminder.
Su Qingyue followed her gaze and saw a familiar figure standing in front of a calligraphy and painting stall not far away. A moon-white robe, hair tied up with a jade crown—who else could it be but Pei Jin?
He was bending over, selecting calligraphy and paintings from the stall, his profile appearing particularly gentle in the sunlight. As if sensing her gaze, Pei Jin looked up, paused slightly when their eyes met, and then gave her a warm smile.
"Third Miss, what a coincidence."
Su Qingyue curtsied and greeted, "Your Excellency, Imperial Preceptor."
Pei Jin put down the calligraphy and painting in his hand and walked over slowly: "I just saw the Third Miss coming out of Yipinxiang. Did she go to see Prince Rui?"
He asked directly, and Su Qingyue didn't hide anything: "Yes."
"It seems the conversation didn't go very well." Pei Jin observed her expression. "If Miss doesn't mind, there's a teahouse up ahead with some excellent tea. Would you do me the honor of joining us?"
Unlike Xiao Jue's forceful invitation, Pei Jin's invitation was gentle and polite, leaving room for refusal. But Su Qingyue knew that this was also a meeting she couldn't avoid.
"It is Qingyue's honor to be invited by the Imperial Preceptor."
The teahouse was on the street corner, small but very elegant. Pei Jin was clearly a regular customer, as the owner personally led them to a private room by the window on the second floor.
"This is freshly picked pre-rain Longjing tea from this year. Please have a taste, Miss." Pei Jin poured the tea with fluid, graceful movements.
Su Qingyue picked up the teacup. The tea soup was clear and the aroma was delicate. It was indeed better than the tea she had just drunk at Yipinxiang.
"The Imperial Advisor has quite the refined taste," she said, taking a sip of her drink. "To find such a delightful place amidst the bustling city."
"No matter how high you are in a position, you still need to stay grounded," Pei Jin smiled. "Otherwise, you'll eventually become a tree without roots, water without a source."
His words were pointed, and Su Qingyue couldn't help but look up at him.
Pei Jin's gaze was gentle yet insightful: "Just now, I noticed a troubled look on Third Miss's face. Are you worried about where you'll go in the future?"
Su Qingyue put down her teacup: "The Imperial Advisor has discerning eyes."
"It's not about having keen insight, it's about having experienced it." Pei Jin looked out the window at the bustling streets. "When I first arrived in the capital, I was just like you, Miss, standing at a crossroads, not knowing which way to go."
These words carried a hint of sincerity, which surprised Su Qingyue. She had originally thought that Pei Jin would, like Xiao Jue, directly extend an offer of recruitment.
"How did the Imperial Advisor make his choice?"
"I chose the path that's best for me," Pei Jin turned her gaze back, "not the path that others think is best."
He poured her more tea: "Third Miss, do you know how the various factions in the capital view you now?"
"I would like to hear the details."
"In some people's eyes, you're a pawn that suddenly appeared, useful or disposable," Pei Jin said calmly. "In others' eyes, you're a variable, someone who needs to be controlled, or... eliminated."
Su Qingyue's heart skipped a beat: "Which category does the Imperial Preceptor belong to?"
"Me?" Pei Jin chuckled. "I think you're like a breath of fresh air, perhaps able to dispel the stagnant atmosphere that has accumulated in this capital city for so long."
This answer surprised Su Qingyue.
"You flatter me, Imperial Advisor."
"It's no flattery," Pei Jin said seriously. "That day in the Imperial Garden when you treated the Grand Tutor, I could tell you were different from others. It wasn't for fame or fortune, nor for power, but simply out of a healer's conscience."
He paused for a moment: "Such purity is rarely seen in today's court."
Su Qingyue was silent for a moment: "But pure-hearted people often don't live long."
"That's right," Pei Jin nodded. "So you need to learn to protect yourself."
He took a thin booklet from his sleeve and pushed it in front of her: "This might be useful to you."
Su Qingyue took the booklet, opened it, and saw that it detailed the power networks of various forces in the capital, as well as the secrets of the inner quarters of each household. It was practically a survival guide to the capital!
Why is the Imperial Advisor helping me?
"I told you, I think you're like a breath of fresh air," Pei Jin smiled. "Besides, helping you is also helping myself."
"What's the meaning?"
"This game of chess in the imperial court has been going on for too long, so long that everyone has forgotten the original purpose," Pei Jin said with a profound gaze. "Perhaps we need a variable to break this deadlock."
Su Qingyue closed the booklet: "Isn't the Imperial Advisor afraid that I, as a variable, might disrupt your plans?"
"Strategy?" Pei Jin chuckled. "I never play chess; I only grow flowers."
"Plant flowers?"
"Yes," he said, gazing at the sky outside the window, "Plant a seed, give it sunshine and rain, and then wait for it to bloom. As for how it will bloom, that's its own destiny."
These words were full of hidden meaning, and Su Qingyue carefully pondered their implications.
"Does Miss Rui know why Prince Rui is so interested in you?" Pei Jin suddenly asked.
Su Qingyue shook her head.
"Because of your medical skills," Pei Jin said. "The soldiers on the border are constantly fighting, suffering countless injuries and illnesses. If they could receive the assistance of a divine physician, their morale would surely be greatly boosted."
So that's how it is. Su Qingyue suddenly realized why Xiao Jue cared so much about her, a "recluse."
"And what about the Imperial Advisor?" she countered. "Why does the Imperial Advisor treat Qingyue with such special favor?"
Pei Jin picked up her teacup, her gaze clear: "Because I see a greater possibility."
"What's possible?"
"The possibility of changing the medical system of the Great Chu." Pei Jin's tone was solemn. "The Imperial Medical Academy has been closed off for too long, and the quality of doctors in the private sector is uneven. If we could find someone with superb medical skills and a heart for the world, perhaps we could create a new situation."
This answer startled Su Qingyue. She hadn't expected that this was what Pei Jin valued.
"The Imperial Advisor also has expertise in medicine?"
"I only have a superficial understanding," Pei Jin said modestly, "but I deeply understand that the rise and fall of medicine is related to the fate of the nation. Only when the people are healthy can the country prosper."
These words made Su Qingyue look at him with new respect. In this era, there are very few people who have such insight.
"Does Miss San know what you need most right now?" Pei Jin asked again.
"Please enlighten me, Imperial Advisor."
"The foundation for your survival," Pei Jin said, emphasizing each word. "Whether it's the protection of Prince Rui or the background of the Prime Minister's mansion, those are external forces. What truly allows you to stand firm is your own value."
He pointed to the booklet: "These connections can help you avoid open attacks, but to guard against hidden dangers, you need real strength."
Su Qingyue nodded deeply: "The Imperial Advisor is right."
"Are you prepared for the meeting at the horse farm in three days?" Pei Jin suddenly asked.
Su Qingyue told her truthfully, "My eldest sister will go with me."
"Miss Su..." Pei Jin said thoughtfully, "She's been getting very close to the heir of the Marquis of Yongchang, were you aware of that?"
Su Qingyue was taken aback; she really didn't know that.
"The heir of the Marquis of Yongchang is the Crown Prince's study companion," Pei Jin said, stopping short of stating the obvious. "The connection between these two matters should be clear to the Third Miss."
Su Qingyue immediately understood. So Su Qingxue was backed by the Crown Prince! No wonder she dared to be so arrogant.
"Thank you for the reminder, Imperial Preceptor."
"It was nothing." Pei Jin stood up. "The tea's gone cold, let's go."
As they descended the stairs, Pei Jin casually remarked, "The Imperial Medical Academy's library is open to the public on the fifteenth of every month. If Miss San is interested, you might want to take a look. There are some rare medical books there that are seldom seen outside."
This was another important piece of information. Su Qingyue kept it in mind: "Thank you, Imperial Preceptor."
Stepping out of the teahouse, the sun was shining brightly. Unlike when she arrived, Su Qingyue felt much more relaxed now.
"Miss, the Imperial Preceptor is such a good person," Qingdai whispered.
Watching Pei Jin's departing figure, Su Qingyue gently shook her head: "There is no such thing as unearned kindness in this world."
But she had to admit that her conversation with Pei Jin had indeed benefited her greatly. Unlike Xiao Jue, he hadn't forcefully demanded that she take sides; instead, he had pointed her in the right direction and let her choose for herself.
I haven't felt this respected in a long time.
Back at the Prime Minister's residence, Su Qingyue immediately began studying the booklet Pei Jin had given her. The more she read, the more alarmed she became; the waters of the capital were indeed deeper than she had imagined.
"Miss, what's wrong?" Qingdai asked with concern when she saw her serious expression.
"It's nothing," Su Qingyue closed the booklet. "I was just thinking about the path I need to take from here on out."
She walked to the window and looked at the blooming crabapple tree in the courtyard.
Pei Jin is right; she needs a foundation. And medical skills are her best weapon.
But simply being able to heal and save lives isn't enough; she needs to build her own influence and cultivate her own network. Only in this way can she truly gain a foothold in this era.
"Qingdai, prepare paper and pen." She turned around. "I need to write a letter to my grandfather."
Since Pei Jin mentioned the legendary doctor surnamed Lin, let's follow this lead. Perhaps we can find a plausible "lineage" of his origins.
As night deepened, the candlelight cast flickering shadows on the paper. Su Qingyue hunched over her desk, writing furiously, occasionally pausing to ponder.
Although the road ahead is fraught with difficulties, at least for now, she has a clear direction.
Whether it's Xiao Jue's domineering nature or Pei Jin's gentleness, these are realities she must face. What she needs to do is find her place among these forces.
This position is not an appendage of anyone, but an independent and irreplaceable one.
The sound of the night watchman's gong came from outside the window. Su Qingyue put down her pen and gently blew the ink to dry.
Tomorrow will be another new day. And she is ready to face the challenges.
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