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

Chapter 45, Madam Mingzhu Invites You!
"Ladies and gentlemen, your consultations are now over. Your next appointment is at the end of the month, and you can come back then."

Xu Qing shouted at the crowded people, and the armored soldiers maintaining order began to clear the crowd.

The people waiting to have their pulses checked and see the doctor showed disappointment, but they had no choice but to leave. They all remembered the end of the month and prepared to come earlier.

Watching the departing crowd, Xu Qing slumped into his seat, grabbed the teapot, and poured water into his mouth without a care for his image.

The imperial physician and the other two medical officers also looked exhausted and were covered in sweat.

Throughout the day, the four of them saw countless patients, wrote countless prescriptions, and collected countless medicinal herbs.

With Zi Nu leading the way, the previously hesitant people rushed forward. After receiving their treatment and medicine, the patients naturally showered her with praise.

Those who initially scoffed at the King of Han's edict were now seeing that the imperial physicians were indeed providing free medical care and medicine, so more and more people from Xinzheng headed towards Xu Qing's clinic tent.

In an instant, the entire town of Xinzheng was deserted as everyone gathered around Xu Qing and his group.

"It was tiring, but the gains were also significant."

Xu Qing looked at the pile of bamboo strips in front of him, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. After a day of seeing patients, he had gained considerable experience and a clearer understanding of his own medical skills.

Of course, he was bound to make mistakes during the consultation, but fortunately, Physician Wang was there to help Xu Qing correct his errors and gave him a lot of guidance.

In addition, he naturally gained a lot of prestige, and this prestige will grow and increase over time.

Besides improving his medical skills, Xu Qing's biggest goal in treating patients was to gain prestige.

Xu Qing dared not forget the existence of Han Yu as an enemy. Although Hu Meiren's help made Han Yu wary and hesitant to make a move.

However, the help of others is ultimately not as strong as one's own strength, and reputation is also a kind of strength.

As long as he had a certain reputation and influence among the people of Xinzheng, Han Yu, for the sake of his image as an upright gentleman, dared not easily touch him.

Otherwise, it would be like handing Ji Wuye a sword to cut himself, which could destroy the image and reputation he has built up over the years.

"Physician Wang, my colleagues, thank you for your help." Xu Qing stood up and bowed to the three of them.

"Physician Xu, you are too kind. It was His Majesty's order, and we were just doing our duty. We don't deserve your thanks."

The two medical officers quickly returned the greeting to Xu Qing. Although they were exhausted, they were willing to go.

Everyone in the Imperial Medical Academy knew that Xu Qing was the next Imperial Physician, and would be their superior from now on.

The harder they worked today, the stronger the impression they left on Xu Qing, making their future path in the Imperial Medical Academy easier.

"Although His Majesty has decreed that we receive free medical care, we cannot let everyone's hard work go unrewarded." Xu Qing said, taking out two small bags and stuffing them into the hands of the two men.

The two medical officers were somewhat alarmed when they saw the three gold coins in the bag.

Although they were also physicians in the Imperial Medical Academy, they were the lowest-ranking physicians. They were never allowed to treat the concubines in the harem on a regular basis, so they did not receive any rewards and could only live on meager salaries.

Xu Qing gave them three gold ingots, equivalent to half a year's salary, which made them feel flattered.

"Physician Xu, this is far too precious."

Xu Qing interrupted the physician before he could finish speaking.

"It's just some money for tea, a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it," Xu Qing said.

"Then I thank Physician Xu for the generous gift."

The two looked at Xu Qing with gratitude in their eyes, and for the first time, they felt affection and respect for her.

Xu Qing patted the two men on the shoulder, then turned and walked towards the soldiers who had helped maintain order earlier that day. He gave each of them half a gold coin, which drew gratitude from the dozen or so soldiers.

The reason Xu Qing was so generous was not because he had too much money to spend, but because he wanted to establish a good image for himself, since he would inevitably need to use these armored soldiers in the future.

Soon, he will become the Imperial Physician, but taking the position and securing it are two different things. Establishing a promising and magnanimous image will help him win over the hearts of the Imperial Medical Academy and gain control of the institution.

After receiving Xu Qing's money, the two medical officers and soldiers felt their fatigue vanish and began to diligently pack their belongings.

Xu Qing and Physician Wang sat to the side to rest.

"Imperial Physician Wang, Consort Hu has agreed, and you and your son will be reunited soon," Xu Qing said.

A glint flashed in the eyes of Physician Wang, and his gaze toward Xu Qing was filled with gratitude.

"Thank you so much, Xiao Xiao. If you encounter any difficulties in your medical practice in the future, please feel free to contact me as soon as possible," Physician Wang said gratefully.

"This is our agreement, and I will naturally not go back on my word."

Xu Qing and Physician Wang watched as everyone worked while discussing medical techniques.

As dusk fell, the soldiers finished packing up. Xu Qing bid farewell to the royal physician and the two medical officers, and then returned to the palace with the soldiers.

Xu Qing, who is on duty at the Imperial Hospital tonight, must stay there.

After returning to the Imperial Hospital, Xu Qing ate some food casually and then began his shift.

Xu Qing sat in the courtyard of the Imperial Hospital, looking at the bright moon in the sky, and made plans for the night.

"Tonight, let's review the mistakes that happened during the day, and then practice the Evergreen Technique in the second half of the night."

Having finalized the plan, Xu Qing returned to her house to begin reviewing the events.

Just as Xu Qing took out the bamboo slips and a medical book to read, there was a knock on the door.

"Who?" Xu Qing asked in confusion.

"Imperial Physician Xu, Madam Mingzhu is suddenly feeling unwell. Please come over." Madam Mingzhu's maid called out from outside the door.

"Huh!?" Xu Qing was somewhat surprised.

The last time the Tide Demoness came to him at this time, she almost drained him dry. Now it's happening at this time again, which makes Xu Qing feel a little uneasy.

More importantly, Xu Qing couldn't figure out what Chao Nu Yao thought about what happened last time.

Even if he says it's a misunderstanding, what if the Fairy Queen regrets it and tries to silence him to cover up the truth?

"Physician Xu, Physician Xu! Please hurry."

The maid's urging voice kept ringing out, so Xu Qing could only put away the bamboo slips and bamboo pieces and open the door.

"Why is Madam suddenly feeling unwell?" Xu Qing asked.

"I don't know either, but Madam said she's not feeling well and asked you to come and take her pulse," the maid said to Xu Qing.

Xu Qing looked at the maid, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded.

"Wait a moment, let me get ready."

"Please hurry."

The maid stood outside the door waiting. Xu Qing returned to the room, picked up the medicine box, and followed the maid toward Mingzhu Palace.

Before long, Xu Qing followed the maid into the Mingzhu Palace.

Looking at the palace where there were no maids or eunuchs to attend to her, Xu Qing couldn't help but feel a little panicked.

He's probably in deep trouble tonight; he'll either suffer a major or minor setback.

(End of this chapter)