The two heroes glanced sideways
The palace banquet drew to a close in a subtle atmosphere. The music continued to play, and the dancers' sleeves still fluttered, but everyone's mind was no longer on the feast.
Su Qingyue sat quietly at the table, clearly feeling the gazes coming from all directions. Those gazes no longer carried contempt and pity, but were mixed with curiosity, scrutiny, and calculation. She picked up her jade teacup, using the rising steam to conceal a faint smile on her lips.
"Miss, why did you refuse to enter the Imperial Hospital just now?" Qingdai asked softly while pouring tea. "That's an opportunity that so many people would kill for."
"Qingdai, do you know what 'the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled' means?" Su Qingyue said softly. "We've already attracted enough attention today. If we enter the Imperial Hospital again, won't we become the target of everyone's criticism?"
She took a sip of tea and continued whispering, "Besides, once you enter the Imperial Hospital, you're subject to all sorts of rules. How could you possibly have the freedom you have now?"
Qingdai nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.
At this moment, a eunuch quietly approached Su Qingyue and whispered, "Third Miss, the Imperial Preceptor invites you to Guanyun Pavilion for a chat after the banquet."
As soon as he finished speaking, another guard dressed in the uniform of the Prince Rui's residence approached: "Third Miss, His Highness requests that you move to the waterside pavilion."
Receiving invitations from two influential figures almost simultaneously caused several noble ladies nearby, who had been keeping a close eye on Su Qingyue, to gasp in surprise. Su Qingxue was so angry that she twisted the handkerchief in her hand into a deformed shape.
Su Qingyue felt a chill run down her spine. Pei Jin and Xiao Jue, these two men at the pinnacle of power, were indeed not going to let go of her, this sudden "variable," so easily.
"Please inform the Imperial Advisor and the Prince," she said calmly, "that I will arrive shortly."
The Guanyun Pavilion is located at the highest point of the Imperial Garden, offering a panoramic view of the entire palace. As Su Qingyue ascended the pavilion with the eunuch, Pei Jin was gazing into the distance from the railing. His moon-white robe fluttered gently in the night breeze, making him appear like an immortal.
"The Third Miss has arrived." He turned and smiled, gesturing for her to sit down. "Try this tea; it's this year's newly harvested Yunwu tea."
Su Qingyue sat down as instructed, but did not rush to drink the tea: "The Imperial Preceptor summoned me; what brings you here?"
Pei Jin poured tea for her with fluid movements, saying, "Third Miss, there's no need to be nervous. I just feel a connection with you and would like to chat."
He looked up at her, his gaze gentle yet insightful: "Third Miss's medical skills seem quite different from the medical theories circulating today."
They've arrived. Alarm bells rang in Su Qingyue's mind, but her face remained calm: "What makes the Imperial Advisor say this?"
"Just now, when you took His Majesty's pulse, you mentioned 'liver stagnation transforming into fire, depleting yin fluids,'" Pei Jin said slowly and deliberately. "Although this theory is mentioned in the *Huangdi Neijing*, it is far less thorough than your analysis. Furthermore, your methods of treating wounds and the combinations of medicines... all demonstrate a unique precision."
Su Qingyue's fingers tightened slightly. This imperial advisor was indeed very observant.
"This humble woman merely relied on the medical books left by her maternal grandfather and pondered on her own..."
"Your maternal grandfather's surname is Lin?" Pei Jin suddenly interrupted, "Coincidentally, I happen to know a renowned doctor surnamed Lin. He was famous throughout the capital thirty years ago, but then suddenly retired and disappeared without a trace."
Su Qingyue's heart skipped a beat. Could the maternal grandfather she had casually made up actually exist?
Pei Jin observed her reaction and smiled slightly: "Third Miss, there's no need to worry. I mean no harm. I'm just curious how a sheltered young lady could possess such insight and courage."
He put down his teacup, his gaze becoming profound: "You are neither servile nor arrogant in front of His Majesty, calm and composed when facing difficult and complicated cases, and even fearless in front of Prince Rui... This is not the demeanor expected of a concubine's daughter from a prime minister's household."
Su Qingyue met his gaze: "What does the Imperial Advisor think a concubine's daughter in the Prime Minister's household should be like? Submissive and obsequious?
"No," Pei Jin shook her head, "I just feel that you seem like someone who has seen more of the world."
These words were like a sharp arrow, hitting the nail on the head. Su Qingyue suppressed the turmoil in her heart and said calmly, "You flatter me, Grand Preceptor. I simply understand one principle better than others—that in this life, one must have some principles to uphold."
Pei Jin gazed at her for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Well said. In this life, one must always have some principles to uphold."
He took out a jade token from his sleeve and handed it to her: "This is a pass to the Imperial Medical Academy. Although you refuse to enter the Imperial Hospital, you can use this pass to access all medical books and records of the Imperial Medical Academy if needed."
This time, Su Qingyue did not refuse. The Imperial Medical Academy's collection of books was indeed very attractive to her.
"Thank you, Imperial Preceptor."
"No need to thank me." Pei Jin's gaze was distant. "The medical profession of the Great Chu has been in decline for a long time. Perhaps you really can bring about some change."
After leaving Guanyun Pavilion, Su Qingyue met Xiao Jue at the waterside pavilion.
Unlike Pei Jin's gentle and refined demeanor, Xiao Jue exuded a cold and aloof aura. He stood with his hands behind his back in front of the railing, his black python robe almost blending into the night.
"Your Highness," Su Qingyue bowed.
Xiao Jue turned around, his sharp gaze sweeping over her like a blade: "Do you realize that your actions today have placed you in the eye of the storm?"
"This humble woman understands."
"Since you understand, why did you refuse the Imperial Hospital?" Xiao Jue took a step closer. "Having an official position will at least ensure your safety."
Su Qingyue looked up and met his gaze: "Does Your Highness really think that entering the Imperial Hospital guarantees safety?"
Xiao Jue's eyes flickered slightly.
"The Imperial Medical Academy is riddled with factions, constantly embroiled in open and covert struggles," Su Qingyue said slowly. "For a woman like me, without any connections, to rashly intrude would likely only hasten my demise."
"You're quite clear-headed." Xiao Jue's cold, hard lips seemed to soften slightly. "Then do you know how many people want to get rid of you without the protection of an official position?"
"I know," Su Qingyue said calmly, "but I fear a hidden arrow more than an open attack. At least in the open, I know where the enemy is."
These words startled Xiao Jue slightly. He looked at the girl in front of him again, as if he were truly getting to know her for the first time.
"You're very different from what people say," he said.
Su Qingyue smiled: "The prince is different from what has been said."
"oh?"
"The Prince Rui is rumored to be ruthless and decisive in killing," she said, looking directly into his eyes. "But today, Your Highness has spoken up for me twice, proving that the rumors may not be true."
Xiao Jue's gaze darkened: "You think I'm helping you?"
"No." Su Qingyue shook her head. "The Prince is testing me. You, like the Imperial Advisor, want to find out my background."
Having his secret exposed, Xiao Jue wasn't angry. Instead, a faint smile appeared on his face: "Interesting. Do you know how many eyes are watching you right now?"
"I know." Su Qingyue looked at the indistinct figures outside the waterside pavilion. "That's why I need 'backers' like Your Highness and the Imperial Advisor even more."
These words were so blunt that they surprised Xiao Jue: "You're quite frank."
"Trying to outsmart the prince is like showing off your limited skills before an expert," Su Qingyue said frankly. "It's better to be honest with him."
Xiao Jue was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Can you ride a horse?"
The question came abruptly, and Su Qingyue was slightly taken aback: "I know a little."
"Three days later, at the western suburbs horse ranch." Xiao Jue tossed out these words, turned, and left. "I want to see your true abilities."
Su Qingyue watched his departing figure and let out a soft breath. Her first formal confrontation with these two important figures had finally passed without serious incident.
The atmosphere on the carriage back to the mansion was so oppressive it was suffocating.
Prime Minister Su closed his eyes to rest, remaining silent throughout. Madam Wang's face was gloomy, and she frequently cast cold glances at Su Qingyue. Su Qingxue wore a dark expression the entire time, as if everyone owed her a fortune.
"Third Sister, you've really stolen the show today!" Su Qingxue finally couldn't help but speak, her tone almost dripping with sarcasm. "Even the Imperial Advisor and Prince Rui are looking at you with newfound respect."
Looking at the lights twinkling outside the car window, Su Qingyue said calmly, "Sister is joking; it was just a fluke."
"Just luck?" Su Qingxue sneered. "Third Sister's luck is truly extraordinary. I wonder if Mother knows when Third Sister acquired such excellent medical skills?"
Madam Wang finally spoke, her voice as cold as ice: "I'd also like to know. It seems our Prime Minister's residence truly harbors many hidden talents."
The threat in those words couldn't be clearer.
Su Qingyue turned back, her gaze calm as she looked at Madam Wang: "If Mother wishes to know, I can tell you in detail. However, I'm afraid it might bring up some old matters and disturb Mother."
She deliberately emphasized the words "old stories." Wang's expression changed immediately, clearly remembering something.
Silence fell over the car again, but this time, the atmosphere was even more eerie.
Upon returning to the Prime Minister's residence, Su Qingyue was surprised to find that the lights were on in her dilapidated little courtyard. Pushing open the door, she saw several unfamiliar maids and servants standing in the courtyard, and many chests and trunks piled on the table.
"What is this?" Qingdai asked in surprise.
A stewardess stepped forward and bowed: "Third Miss, Master has ordered that you move to Ningxiang Courtyard from today onwards. These are items bestowed by His Majesty, which have been inventoried and stored. Four maids and two servants have also been assigned to you."
Su Qingyue looked at everything before her, a cold smile playing on her lips. This was the power of authority—in just one day, her status in this mansion had undergone a complete upheaval.
"Thank you for your trouble." She nodded slightly. "Qingdai, pack up, we'll move tomorrow."
After seeing everyone off, Qingdai excitedly grabbed Su Qingyue's hand: "Miss, our hardships are finally over!"
Su Qingyue showed no joy, but instead her expression turned serious: "Qingdai, remember, this may not be a good thing."
"Why?" Qingdai asked, puzzled.
"We used to live a hard life, but nobody paid any attention to us," Su Qingyue said softly. "From now on, we'll live under everyone's watchful eyes. It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark."
She walked to the window and looked at the tenacious weed growing in the yard: "But since I've chosen this path, I won't regret it."
The moonlight shone on her serene profile, revealing a resolute expression.
In this unfamiliar era, she will live out her own wonderful life as Su Qingyue.
Tonight's meeting with Pei Jin and Xiao Jue further convinced her that this era was far more complex than she had imagined. And perhaps the knowledge she possessed could indeed change something.
The night breeze carried the faint sound of a night watchman's drum from afar.
Su Qingyue gently stroked the jade token from the Imperial Medical Bureau hidden in her sleeve, a glint of light flashing in her eyes.
The new journey has just begun.
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