Chapter 397: Chapter 148 Black Dog

Lu Tong pondered as he looked at him.

Jin Xianrong clutched the hem of his garment, his back drenched with sweat from nervousness.

It wasn’t that he had reformed and changed his ways, but rather that every time this girl sized someone up, her gaze was unnervingly steeped in scrutiny.

Whether Jin Xianrong’s perception was off or not, every time Lu Tong glanced at his waist, that cold, piercing, judgmental scrutiny always made him feel as though he was being viewed as a piece of dead pork, with her contemplating how to carve it up.

The self-esteem that Jin Xianrong had always prided himself on in the presence of women crumbled to dust before her.

He dared not let Lu Tong apply medicine to him personally, and didn’t even dare to loosen his belt for Lu Tong to take a look, fearing that those chilly eyes would settle on his waist. He was concerned that even if his physical ailment were cured, a psychological one might take its place.

The loss would outweigh the gain.

Lu Tong set the bowl used to apply the medicine aside, "All right."

Jin Xianrong breathed a sigh of relief.

She glanced at the water clock, "Lord Jin, please sit properly, the lesser official is about to perform acupuncture."

Jin Xianrong trembled, hurriedly sat up straight, and instructed the servant in the room to remove his outer garment so that his back was exposed for Lu Tong to administer the needles.

Indeed, since Lu Tong had administered acupuncture to him several times, Jin Xianrong’s condition had improved.

Although he could not engage in marital relations at the moment, his epididymitis had eased considerably, and this was why Jin Xianrong was so compliant with Lu Tong’s suggestions.

The entire Hanlin Medical Institute was useless, and if she truly had the skills, if she could truly cure his hidden ailment, what harm would there be in treating her with a bit of courtesy?

After all, this might affect his happiness for the rest of his life.

While Jin Xianrong was contemplating this, he heard Lu Tong’s voice behind him, "Lord Jin, the lesser official has a favor to ask."

Jin Xianrong was startled and then felt a slight pain at the back of his neck as a golden needle was slowly inserted into his skin; he didn’t dare to move and thus asked, "What favor do you wish to ask, Doctor Lu?"

"Without concealment, as a medical officer, there are still duties to tend to at the Medical Officer Institute. Besides treating Lord Jin here, I must also visit the Capital Marshal’s Mansion to consult the Imperial Guards..."

Lu Tong drew another needle from the velvet cloth, aimed at an acupoint, and slowly inserted it before continuing at an unhurried pace.

"Constantly traveling back and forth is truly inconvenient. I’ve heard that near the Ministry of Revenue, there is the Board of Rites Office, where ordinary officials also handle official business, and it is very close to the Palace Marshal’s Mansion, only a street away...."

"...The lesser official was thinking, could I directly visit the Board of Rites Office in the future to treat Lord Jin? It would avoid the hassle of traveling and save time."

"Just that?"

After hearing this, Jin Xianrong said, "Sure, they all know I’m being treated for epididymitis anyway. From now on, you can visit the Board of Rites Office to carry out consultations."

He had braced himself for Lu Tong to make extravagant demands based on her current merit, thinking she would pose a difficult condition, but all she requested was this convenience.

The people from the Medical Officer Institute often made their rounds in various imperial guards’ and marshals’ mansions, and although his case was a bit disgraceful, almost everyone at court knew of it by now.

Might as well resign oneself to one’s fate.

Lu Tong hesitated a bit, "However, there will be other people in the Board of Rites Office. Will it not be inconvenient? If it delays the public affairs of the lords or affects them... "

"What public affairs? Except for me, they’re all idle posts. They spend their days drinking tea and daydreaming."

"Besides, if it were a big man, one would have to consider the dangers and whether they could be allowed entry. But what impact could a frail woman like you have?"

Jin Xianrong, intent on pleasing Lu Tong, also thought that this female medical officer from commoner origins seemed overly apprehensive over a small matter, so his battered male ego surfaced a little, and he thumped his chest, "It’s a small matter, Doctor Lu needn’t worry. From now on, you can directly visit the Board of Rites Office."

Lu Tong softly acknowledged.

Having assisted the other party once, showing his generosity and ability, Jin Xianrong’s previously extinguished desires began to stir again.

A needle after needle penetrated his skin, causing a numbing tingling sensation, like ants crawling over him, making his heart itch as well.

He then said, "Doctor Lu, the day is still young. How about we dine together at noon?"

The response he got was Lu Tong’s slightly indifferent voice.

"There’s no need. The lesser official still has to deliver medicine to the Marshal’s mansion. If I go too late, Marshal Pei might not be pleased."

Upon hearing the words "Marshal Pei," Jin Xianrong fell silent.

After a while, he huffed and murmured softly, "Pei Yunmeng, eh..."

Lu Tong’s eyes flickered slightly, continuing her actions, and intentionally said, "Marshal Pei holds a high position, not as approachable and amicable as Lord Jin. Being of low rank and having little influence, I dare not offend him easily."

Jin Xianrong, out of fear for Pei Yun’s power, didn’t dare say much, but his fleeting male pride was instantly squashed again, leaving him somewhat unable to save face. He huffed twice in disdain, "What’s the use of being powerful? When it comes to high positions..."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read