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

Chapter 79, Madam Mingzhu's Punishment (Seeking monthly votes!)
Around dusk, Xu Qingcai bid farewell to He Guanzi and left the teahouse.

"It was definitely the right decision to become an apprentice. Having a teacher to guide me is much easier than trying to learn on my own," Xu Qing thought to himself.

Today, He Guanzi preached to him, which made him gain a lot. In the past, when he encountered something he didn't understand while studying on his own, He Guanzi's few words made him suddenly understand.

More importantly, He Guanzi planned to let him lay a solid foundation first. Once the foundation was in place, he would teach him Taoist techniques so that he would not be without the ability to protect himself during this period.

"No wonder they say that a teacher for a day is a father for life."

"Once the drawbacks of the cultivation method are resolved, I will study the Way of Heaven and Man with even greater intensity. I must not let down the teacher's good intentions and expectations."

Xu Qing felt a pang of guilt towards He Guanzi, but at the same time resolved to make He Guanzi's teachings famous throughout the world.

After returning home, Xu Qing did not rush to cultivate, but instead took out the three rare and precious herbs he had left.

"A snow lotus from the Tianshan Mountains, a rhinoceros horn, and a jade flower."

"None of these can be taken directly. Teacher is knowledgeable and is the head of the Heavenly Sect. He must know some prescriptions or pill formulas. Find an opportunity to get... I mean, learn them."

"Anyway, I am the heir, and I will inherit the Celestial Sect sooner or later. So it's not unreasonable for me to ask for some more treasures. They will all be mine sooner or later anyway."

"Besides, he didn't even give me the gift I was given during the apprenticeship ceremony. As his teacher, I can't be stingy. But for the next couple of days, I'll maintain my obedient disciple persona, and then give him a good whack later."

"Pah, things will be mine sooner or later, it's just getting ownership in advance."

Xu Qing put the three boxes back after thinking about it. He felt guilty for not being able to directly study He Guanzi's teachings.

But one thing is one thing, another. He is the only heir of the school. If he doesn't show some of the characteristics of a heir, people might think that He Guanzi is suppressing his disciples.

Xu Qing has never been a good person, but he is embarrassed because he has just become an apprentice and in order to secure his real estate in the Celestial Human School, he must maintain a good persona.

"I'll go to roll call as usual tomorrow. I'll be away all day, so I don't know what's going on at the Imperial Hospital."

Xu Qing cleared his mind of the jumbled thoughts, sat down at the table, and began to peruse the bamboo slips, reviewing He Guanzi's explanation from today.

The next morning, Xu Qing changed into his official robes as the Imperial Physician and headed to the Imperial Hospital.

Just as Xu Qing finished his roll call at the Imperial Hospital and was about to unleash the power of his Imperial Physician's Order, Chao Nu Yao's maid entered the Imperial Hospital.

"Imperial Physician, the Madam is unwell and requests your presence to examine her pulse," the maid said, bowing to Xu Qing.

"Is Madam feeling unwell? Now?"

Xu Qing frowned slightly. The timing was off. Shouldn't he be the one to take Hu Meiren's pulse first, and then go to Mingzhu Palace? Why was Chao Nu Yao suddenly trying to cut in line?

The surrounding physicians looked at Xu Qing with envy. The fact that the Imperial Physician had achieved such a position was unprecedented in Korea for over a century.

Despite their envy, they had to admit that there was a reason why Xu Qing was favored by Madam Mingzhu and Lady Hu.

Look at the imperial physician's furrowed brow; his concern for the patient is beyond what they could ever achieve.

“Yes, Madam requests your presence now,” the maid said.

"Okay, I'll get ready and be there right away." Xu Qing turned to the medical officers and said.

"Go about your business. If there are any matters at the Imperial Hospital, let Physician Zhang handle them for now. If he is unable to handle them, wait for my return, or send someone to Mingzhu Palace to find me."

"Yes, sir," the physicians said, bowing.

Xu Qing returned to her room, grabbed her medicine box, and left the Imperial Hospital with her maid.

Just as they were about to reach the Pearl Palace, Xu Qing stopped and whispered to the maid, "..."
"Why did Madam summon me so urgently? Is Madam really feeling unwell?" The maid glared at Xu Qing. Don't you have any idea why Madam summoned you?

She didn't know how the lady was feeling, but she knew that Xu Qing would have to worry about his own health next.

His wife practiced horseback riding yesterday, especially the technique of wielding the whip.
"I don't know the specifics of Madam's condition; I'm just following her orders," the maid said, shaking her head.

Xu Qing pondered for a moment, looking at the rising sun, and thought that the Tide Demoness could not possibly be so lonely as to exercise with him in the morning.

"Let's go," Xu Qing nodded and said.

The maid led Xu Qing onward toward Mingzhu Palace.

Upon entering Mingzhu Palace, Xu Qing noticed that everything was normal; the palace maids were all there, and several eunuchs were cleaning the floor.

"Imperial Physician, the Madam is waiting for you in her bedchamber." The maid pushed open the bedchamber door.

Xu Qing carried the medicine box and entered the bedroom without a second thought.

As Xu Qing entered the bedchamber, the maidservant turned around and closed the door, locking it behind her.

Hearing the sound of the door lock being locked, Xu Qing's heart skipped a beat. Before he could react, several ribbons shot out from all around, binding his limbs.

Xu Qing instinctively wanted to circulate his internal energy to break free from the restraints, but the figure of the Tide Demoness emerged from the boudoir, making him hesitant to act rashly. He prepared to see what tricks the Tide Demoness would play next.

Hearing the commotion inside, the maid outside waved to the other maids and eunuchs, signaling them to leave temporarily.

Without any hesitation, these people took what they were carrying and left the palace.

The maid standing at the door glanced at the bedroom gate and sighed inwardly.
"The Imperial Physician said, 'Take care. The Imperial Hospital has plenty of medicine to treat external injuries. Just bear with it.'"

Inside the bedchamber, Xu Qing stared blankly at the Chao Nu Yao walking out of her boudoir step by step.

The trendy woman had her hair half-loose, and instead of her usual black lace nightgown or gorgeous palace robe, she wore a black strapless short dress.

Two black straps pierced through her bare shoulders, lifting her short skirt and exposing her snow-white, delicate breasts, which rippled with each step.

Her long, shapely legs were encased in a pair of black suspender stockings, with red lace trim securing the right thigh, constricting her full, delicate thigh and slightly sinking into her skin.

A pair of black high-heeled boots clattered on the bluestone floor with each step.

The slender, jade-like fingers that once frequently unleashed their indestructible claws on him now tightly gripped a black riding whip, which occasionally lashed out.

A smile appeared on her alluring yet not seductive face as she looked at him with a beaming smile.

Seeing the smile on Chao Nu Yao's face and hearing the sharp crack of the whip in the air, Xu Qing felt a chill run down his spine and began to panic.

Why did he feel like something was wrong? Who had arranged things like this for his beloved wife? The way things were going on next gave him a sense of déjà vu.

In some educational films from my past life, wasn't this how many teachers started their lessons?
Although he enjoyed watching it at the time, it doesn't mean he was willing to actually be whipped!
"Isn't this my Imperial Physician's Order? Why didn't you go to Zilan Pavilion today?"

Thank you to Five-Star Dragon General for the 500 Qidian Coins reward. Thank you so much!

Thank you for your support with monthly votes. The editor will be back at work on the 6th, and the book is expected to be released on the 7th.

I will update at least five chapters on the day of release.

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(End of this chapter)