Chapter 246: Chapter 106: Spring Exam Quota_1

Ever since the day Pei Yunmeng came to Renxin Medical Hall to fetch medicine, many days had gone by without Lu Tong seeing him again.

After the start of winter, Shengjing became colder by the day. Yin Zheng, seeing that it might snow, had Taylor Ge from across the street gather some thicker skins and set two aside to make a cloak for Lu Tong.

One day, as Lu Tong was sitting at the counter flipping through medical books, someone came in and stopped at the desk, calling softly, "Doctor Lu."

Lu Tong looked up and stood up when she recognized the visitor, "Young Master Dong."

The visitor was Dong Lin from the Minister of Imperial Treasury’s residence.

Since the contribution case, Dong Lin had seldom come to the medical hall. Firstly, his lung disease had improved greatly, and he did not require medicine as frequently as before. Secondly, the incident at the examination site a few months ago had terrified Lady Dong. Lady Dong, who already cherished this son like a jewel, watched over Dong Lin even more closely after the incident. Each time he went out, he was surrounded by a multitude of guards, making it rather inconvenient for him to visit West Street.

Today, Dong Lin wore a brand-new honey-blended silk-lined robe. After his lung disease had improved, his complexion looked much rosier, and he wasn’t as sickly swollen as before. He seemed much livelier than when he had first met at Wan’en Temple. Seeing Lu Tong stand up, Dong Lin hurriedly said, "Doctor Lu, I’m sorry to disturb you... I... I’ve come to get medicine today."

In front of Lu Tong, he always seemed a bit tongue-tied. Du Changqing, with a meaningful glance at him, graciously took Ah Cheng to the back room.

Lu Tong invited Dong Lin to sit down and reached out to take his pulse.

Sitting close by, her natural delicate frame was evident, wearing a narrow-waisted dress in stone blue for winter, with a collar lined with fluffy rabbit fur. It made her face appear even smaller, the size of a palm, with her bright eyes captivating.

Dong Lin’s heart pounded like a drum, feeling a burning sensation where the beauty’s fingers touched his wrist. He quickly lowered his head, not daring to look any longer.

Lu Tong withdrew her hand, "Young Master Dong’s pulse is fine. If there are no symptoms, there’s no need to continue taking medicine. I’ll prescribe some warming tonics for you to drink occasionally. It’s sufficient to pay attention to your diet on a daily basis."

"Thank you, Doctor Lu," Dong Lin said gratefully, "It’s kind of you to attend to my illness while managing the medical hall..."

Dong Lin had come to the medical hall after receiving a message.

A servant by his side had said that a maid from Renxin Medical Hall had visited Dong Residence, mentioning that Dong Lin hadn’t been to the medical hall for a checkup in a while. If he had time, she asked that he please visit the medical hall so that Lu Tong could examine his condition.

At that moment, a secret joy sprouted in Dong Lin’s heart.

This Doctor Lu was aloof by nature. She had visited the Minister of Imperial Treasury several times but never sought to ingratiate herself; she was even more distant than others. It was precisely because of this that the more Lu Tong stayed aloof, the more Dong Lin’s affection for her grew.

What one can’t obtain is always the most desirable.

However, it seemed the situation was not as hopeless as he had imagined.

Doctor Lu was busy with the affairs of the medical hall, yet she still cared about his health. That meant... she must have him in her heart as well, right?

Dong Lin pulled his thoughts back and spoke earnestly, "My illness has improved so much thanks to Doctor Lu. Honestly, I don’t know how to express my gratitude. If there is anything you need in the future, Doctor Lu, please tell me. If I can help in any way, I will spare no effort."

These were meant to be mere pleasantries, but as he spoke, Lu Tong’s gaze stirred, and her brows gradually knitted, as if she was in great difficulty.

Dong Lin was surprised and tentatively asked, "Doctor Lu... have you encountered any trouble?"

"It’s not exactly trouble," the beauty sighed softly, a hint of sorrow between her brows, which easily enveloped him like a fine thread. She said, "There is something I want to do, but I can’t find anyone to help." She glanced at Dong Lin again and looked down silently, "Never mind."

The words "Never mind" hung Dong Lin’s heart in suspense. He suppressed the urge to smooth the frown between the beauty’s brows and asked eagerly, "If you trust me, Doctor Lu, please speak frankly. I will not tell anyone else."

Lu Tong showed a troubled expression.

Dong Lin’s expression grew more earnest.

After a long while, Lu Tong sighed and looked at him before saying softly, "Young Master Dong, are you aware of the Imperial Medical Bureau’s spring exams?"

"The spring exams?" Dong Lin was startled.

As the son of the Minister of Imperial Treasury, he was certainly aware of the spring exams.

The Imperial Medical Bureau was an academy for training medical officers.

Students of the Liang Dynasty’s Imperial Medical Bureau, after completing studies in the nine fields of major and minor pulse diagnosis, wind diseases, ophthalmology, ulcer treatment, diseases of the mouth, throat, and teeth, acupuncture, and the prohibited subjects of metal-based and pharmaceutical prescriptions, had to pass the spring exams, held once every three years, to take up a position at the Hanlin Medical Institute.

Dong Lin hesitated before looking at Lu Tong, "Doctor Lu, you mean to say..."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read