In early September, after the third day of Cold Dew had passed.
A month had elapsed since Lu Tong got married.
At the start of a new marriage, there’s always an exceptional amount of busyness.
You must pay respects to your elders, return home, attend meetings, and after a month reaches the "full moon," the rituals may be simplified.
Lu Tong was inherently impatient with formalities, and Pei Yunmeng was certainly not inclined to provoke her displeasure actively, so with a casual mention, the processes post-marriage for the bride were all streamlined. During the days the Emperor specifically allowed for rest, they were either watering hibiscus flowers at home or taking a carriage to Danfeng Pavilion to admire the freshly turned red maple leaves, the couple spent a few carefree days together.
However, after the rest days were over, they each got busy with their own affairs.
After Yuan Lang ascended to the throne, he restored "Autumn Hunt," formerly "Xia Miao," as it had been during the previous Emperor’s reign. At that time, the light chariots and cavalry would conduct patrols, and the crossbowmen would come and go; all branches had to undergo inspection. Pei Yunmeng spent every day at the Martial Arts Field and sometimes was so busy that he only returned home late at night.
Lu Tong was also very busy.
With the arrival of autumn and the ensuing chill, the number of patients picking up medicine at the Renxin Medical Hall steadily increased. Perhaps because Lu Tong had once snatched the top spot in the spring examination of the Imperial Medical Bureau and had worked at the Medical Officer Institute for a period, there were far more patients seeking her out when she was there compared to when Miao Liangfang was—after all, the reputation of Hanlin Medical Institute always had its advantages.
Early in the morning, the Medical Bureau was bustling with activity.
Lin Danqing, half-slumped over the desk, was ardently disputing a medicinal ingredient with Ji Xun.
"Bupleurum, Scutellaria baicalensis, rehmannia root, Cornus officinalis, Moutan cortex, White Peony Root..." Lin Danqing pointed to the medical prescriptions on the table, "Adding this Prunella vulgaris is superfluous, no, take it out!"
Opposite her, Ji Xun’s brows were slightly furrowed, his tone calm yet firm, "Adding Prunella vulgaris is better."
Lin Danqing was unyielding, "This ailment belongs to the headache during menstruation, when the yin blood gathers below during the cycle, with the surging qi becoming overly strong, mingled with the rebellious ascent of liver qi... Doctor Ji, I am a woman, and the most knowledgeable about gynecology, of course it cannot be added!"
Ji Xun pressed his forehead.
Ever since the Medical Bureau was established, disputes like this occurred daily, and it was not only between Ji Xun and Lin Danqing. Everyone was compiling medical texts together without distinction between commoner medical workers and imperial physicians; each healer had their own medical habits, and the prescriptions they formulated differed greatly. When they encountered opposing views, intense arguments that turned faces red and necks thick were common, and occasionally passersby thought there was a fight happening inside.
As soon as Lu Tong entered, she saw Ji Xun and Lin Danqing confronting each other.
Seeing her enter, Lin Danqing’s eyes lit up, and she stepped forward quickly, grabbing Lu Tong’s arm, "Younger Sister Lu, come and see, isn’t this prescription better without Prunella vulgaris, just as I said?"
Lu Tong: "..."
This wasn’t about choosing prescriptions; it was clearly about playing the judge.
After looking over the two prescriptions, she measured her words, "Actually, both are fine; each has its benefits."
Upon hearing this, Lin Danqing was slightly dissatisfied, Ji Xun exhaled in relief, and sent a grateful look her way.
He really wasn’t very good at arguing.
"Forget it, let’s not talk about this," Lin Danqing didn’t dwell on the matter any further, instead she only asked Lu Tong, "What brings you here today? Didn’t you say you would be at the Renxin Medical Hall these few days?"
Lu Tong said, "Mr. Miao heard that the Medical Bureau is compiling medical texts and sorted out some old medical prescriptions for me to bring over." She set down her medical bag as she spoke and took out a roll of documents to hand over.
Ji Xun took it and said, "Thank you."
"Mr. Miao told me to inform you that this endeavor benefits the medical workers of the world; it’s a deed of great kindness, thanks are unnecessary," she relayed.
Ji Xun nodded, looking at Lu Tong.
Lu Tong’s visits to the Medical Bureau had become less frequent after her marriage, and a few times when he served in the palace, they missed each other. This was actually the first time Ji Xun and Lu Tong had seen each other since her marriage.
Compared to when she was at the Medical Officer Institute, Lu Tong looked more rosy and alive, her appearance was no longer pale as before; dressed in a pale blue Luo skirt, her black hair like clouds, bright eyes, white teeth, she was a breath of fresh air.
Suddenly he remembered that he had once given Lu Tong a willow-green dress in Su Nan, but unfortunately, while the dress was fresh in color, her life back then was harsh. Now, wearing a similar color, she finally resembled a vibrant and thriving young willow in early spring.
Ji Xun looked down for a moment then said, "Let me take your pulse."
Lu Tong extended her hand, allowing him to feel her pulse.
After a moment, Ji Xun withdrew his hand, his gaze toward Lu Tong somewhat astonished, "Your pulse is much better than before, steadier."
In truth, since Lu Tong returned to Shengjing from Su Nan half a year ago, she had fallen ill twice.
But these two occurrences weren’t as frightening as when she was previously in Su Nan; though she suffered some pain, fortunately, her life was not in danger. Ji Xun had seen it and thought it should be the poison from years ago slowly leaving her body, though the process might be somewhat arduous.
In the days to come, Lu Tong might fall ill again, but such future illnesses would not be a descent into the depths of despair but another kind of hope. It meant that her body was gradually recovering.
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