People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 102, Nian Duan: What do you intend to do?

Xu Qing looked at Nian Duan, who was sitting upright, and felt very puzzled.

Nian Duan is the head of a family of physicians. Besides his superb medical skills, which are highly praised, what is most talked about is his unpredictable way of doing things.

Nian Duan is a physician, but he has three ironclad rules for not treating patients: he will not treat those who need to come down the mountain to make house calls; he will not treat those who come up the mountain to seek treatment; and he will not treat those whose surname is Duanmu.
The first two conditions almost blocked anyone from seeking his medical help, but Nian Duan himself was not in Jinghu for most of the year; instead, he traveled the world treating and saving lives.

This makes the first two points basically meaningless. As for not saving the one surnamed Duanmu, she herself took in a disciple surnamed Duanmu.

These contradictory events left everyone puzzled as to what Mr. Nian Duan was thinking.

Moreover, Nian Duan is the leader of the unorthodox school of medicine, and his appearance in a powerful family like the Zhang residence is something that deserves serious consideration.

“Mr. Nian Duan is an old friend of mine. He came to Korea to practice medicine and made donations. He only came to visit me after learning that I was ill,” Zhang Kai explained.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing and Zhang Liang dispelled their doubts and stood up to bow to Nian Duan.

"I have met Mr. Nianduan."

“We are country folk, we don’t care about such formalities. Imperial Physician, please continue to tell me how to treat the Prime Minister’s illness,” Nian Duan said.

Xu Qing glanced at Nian Duan, then looked at Zhang Kaidi and said...

"I made it very clear just now that I can treat colds, but I'm afraid I can't help with anything else."

Zhang Liang looked at Zhang Kaidi nervously, vaguely guessing what was going on. His expression was solemn, and a flash of resentment appeared in his eyes.

Zhang Kai looked at Xu Qing and nodded slightly. Xu Qing's words were already very clear: the cold was just a symptom, and what truly hurt him was power.

It is a story of the turbulent power struggles in the Korean court. Now, a new force called Xu Qing has emerged in the court, and the old order is beginning to change. Before a new order is established, a bloody storm is inevitable.

Having stood firm in the imperial court for decades, he naturally understood the reasons behind it.

Xu Qing's willingness to risk speaking frankly about his health issues, rather than choosing to protect himself, already showed that he had done his utmost, which changed his opinion of Xu Qing considerably.

He was furious about Xu Qingxing's previous involvement in buying official positions through brokers, believing that another despicable person had emerged in the Korean court.

But Xu Qing's performance today truly deserves the title of a miracle doctor. His medical skills are hard to say, but his medical ethics are absolutely commendable.

"Master, the medicinal herbs are all prepared."

A pretty voice came from the doorway, breaking the somewhat dull atmosphere in the room.

Xu Qing looked in the direction of the sound and saw a pretty girl with a thin ponytail, wearing a purple and white headscarf and a dark blue long dress standing at the door.

Since the girl calls Nian Duan "Master," she must be Duanmu Rong, the future Immortal Physician of Mirror Lake and one of the leaders of the Mo family.

As Xu Qing looked at Duanmu Rong, Duanmu Rong was also secretly observing Xu Qing.

For no other reason than that Xu Qing's reputation has become so great that even her master changed his itinerary and came to Xinzheng, South Korea, to meet her.

Looking at Xu Qing's handsome face and his calm and leisurely demeanor with a hint of indifference, little Duanmu Rong had a lot of questions in her mind.

"Is this really the Imperial Physician of Korea? Why does he look just like those senior physicians on Mount Taeeul?"

"Rong'er, there's no need to decoct the medicine for now. The Imperial Physician has come up with a better prescription; prepare it again according to this one."

Nian Duan told Duanmu Rong the prescription for Da Qinglong Tang.

After repeating herself, Duanmu Rong glanced at Xu Qing again before leaving.

Duanmu Rong's gaze made Xu Qing look at himself. There was nothing wrong with his clothes, and there was nothing dirty on his face.

"A strange master and disciple. No wonder such a cute little girl could turn into a 'strange woman' later. Like master, like disciple. Neither of them is normal."

Xu Qing thought to himself. “Mr. Nian Duan, Imperial Physician, thank you both for taking the time out of your busy schedules to treat my illness. Zifang, please entertain them for me.”

A look of fatigue appeared on Zhang Kai's face.

"It's my grandfather."

Upon seeing this, Xu Qing and Nian Duan bowed slightly to Zhang Kaidi and then followed Zhang Liang away.

Zhang Liang led the two to a guest room to rest.

Looking at the two who had been settled, Zhang Liang hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands and asked.
"Mr. Nian Duan, Imperial Physician, is my grandfather's condition very serious?"

Xu Qing looked at Nian Duan beside him. Although he knew that Zhang Kaidi's condition was problematic, he didn't know the specifics.

As the head of a family of physicians and a true master of medicine, Nian Duan would surely be able to see something.

If she can't see it either, then Zhang Liang can consider inheriting the position of Zhang clan leader ahead of schedule.

Before Nian Duan could speak, there was a knock on the door, and the voice of a servant could be heard from outside.

"Young Master, the Prime Minister requests your presence, saying he has something to discuss with you."

Zhang Liang hesitated for a moment, then said to Xu Qing and Nian Duan

"Please forgive my rudeness, Zifang. I will entertain you both after I have dealt with things on my grandfather's side."

"Young Master, there's no need for such formalities. Go and take care of the Prime Minister."

Zhang Liang turned and left the room, leaving only Xu Qing and Nian Duan in the guest room.

Looking at Nian Duan beside him with a calm expression, Xu Qing was a little worried. Although he had changed his allegiance to the Taoist Heavenly Sect, he was still a member of the medical family in public.

Facing a true master of medicine, he couldn't help but feel nervous, worried that Nian Duan would see through his true skill level.

"Imperial Physician, there's no need to be alarmed. When I was in Zhao, I heard about your free medical care for the people in Xinzheng."

"Treating the sick and saving lives, rescuing the dying and helping the endangered, is what our medical profession advocates. You are in the imperial court, yet you still care about the common people. This compassionate heart of a physician is truly rare," Nian Duan said with a smile.

"Mr. Nian Duan, you flatter me. I was just doing what I should do."

"On the contrary, it is you who travel the world, practice medicine and save lives, and protect all living beings. You have truly practiced the mission of a physician. You are the role model for us physicians to learn from."

Xu Qing returned the compliment politely, but inwardly she became more vigilant.

Although he didn't know Nian Duan's personality clearly, she seemed to be a cold and aloof person. Her unusual enthusiasm towards him made him suspicious of her motives.

Hearing Xu Qing's praise, Nian Duan's expression dimmed, and he shook his head.

"It's nothing but self-deception. What I've done is far removed from the principles of medicine."

"Hmm? Mr. Nian Duan, why belittle yourself? If even you haven't practiced the principles of medicine, then who in the world hasn't truly done so?" Xu Qing said sincerely.

Leaving aside Nian Duan's own contradictions, his actions of traveling the world, practicing medicine, saving lives, and helping those in distress are enough to earn him praise from the world.

A wise person judges by actions, not intentions. Regardless of one's initial thoughts or motivations, if something is done in the end, it may benefit countless people and save countless families.

In terms of contributions to the people of this world, Nian Duan can be considered among the top, or even the number one, of all.

Seeing Xu Qing's genuine approval, Nian Duan's smile vanished, and he looked at Xu Qing with a serious expression, asking...
"Does the Imperial Physician believe that physicians should act this way? Or rather, what kind of physician do you envision?"

Seeing Nian Duan's serious expression, Xu Qing nervously clenched her hands and subconsciously shrank back.

(End of this chapter)