Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

Madam Hua reclined on the carved bed, fingertips fiddling with jade Buddhist beads, her gaze fixed on the crabapple blossoms swaying in the breeze outside the window. Li Ruoliu was trimming branches with golden scissors, a half-cut mutton-fat jade bracelet slipping from her pink silk sleeve. "Mother, my sister's Qihuang Pavilion is raking in cash now. Even the Imperial Hospital is beholden to her..."

"Shut up!" Madam Hua suddenly threw her Buddhist beads onto the huanghuali table, the jade pendant scratching the title page of "Da Yue Guo Zhi". "Your father said the other day that the emperor wanted to grant her a marriage!" She sat up straight, the pearl hairpins in her hair trembling. "I will never let that bastard get the upper hand over us!"

Li Ruoliu's eyes flashed with cunning. "My daughter has an idea." She leaned close to her mother's ear and whispered, "Liu Qi, the only son of Mr. Liu from the east city, is known as 'Liuli Tai Sui'..."

Three days later, the back garden of the Marquis's residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful lights. Li Ruoyue, dressed in a plain gauze skirt, stood in the corridor, watching the "flower viewing banquet" meticulously arranged by Madam Hua. The tinkling of crystal bells hanging from the eaves contrasted sharply with the aroma of medicinal herbs wafting from the distant Qihuang Pavilion.

"Ruoyue is here?" Madam Hua walked over gracefully, the gold and jade belt on her waist making a crisp sound. "Come and meet this Mr. Liu. He is the perfect husband I have found especially for you."

Li Ruoyue looked up and saw Liu Qi leaning against a Taihu rock, a jade pendant on her waist dangling an obscene erotic painting. He straightened up suddenly, the scent of alcohol mixed with rouge hitting him in the face: "Miss Li, I have admired you for a long time..."

"Mr. Liu, you're too polite." Li Ruoyue took a half step back, the silver needle in her sleeve already pressed against her palm. "Ruoyue has devoted herself to the pharmacy, and I'm afraid I'll let Madam down." She suddenly noticed the onychomycosis on Liu Qi's fingertips. "Mr. Liu, have you had ringworm on your hands for years?"

Liu Qi hurriedly retracted his hand: "How do you know..."

"Your father asked the butler to buy some ginseng bark tincture last month." Li Ruoyue smiled faintly, "I heard that the young master was lingering in brothels and contracted this disease..."

"Shut up!" Madam Hua suddenly slammed her hands on the table, knocking the teacup over. "I see you're not going to accept my offer!" She snapped her Buddhist beads, sending them tumbling to the floor. "Your father has already agreed to this marriage and will propose in three days!"

Li Ruoyue's fingertips brushed the Imperial Hospital token on her waist, and she suddenly chuckled, "Madam, do you know why Young Master Liu hasn't married yet?" She pulled out Zhang's pulse record from her sleeve, "The Imperial Hospital examined his pulse last month and said..."

"Ruoyue!" Li Ruoliu suddenly lunged at her, her nails piercing her face. "How dare you ruin my plan!" Li Ruoyue dodged to the side, but the silver needle scratched a red mark on Li Ruoliu's neck. The girl screamed and fell, the golden hairpin in her hair shattering.

"This is outrageous!" Madam Hua picked up her peacock feather fan and was about to hit someone, but was interrupted by the sound of horse hooves coming from outside the courtyard. Eunuch Wang Xi, dressed in the uniform of a fourth-rank eunuch, stepped into the garden holding a bright yellow imperial edict: "Li Ruoyue, accept the order--"

The moment the imperial edict was unrolled, Madam Hua's jade bracelet clanged to the ground. Li Ruoliu snatched it up and looked at it, screaming, "How could this be a marriage to Zhang Yuanpan, the Imperial Hospital Director?"

As Li Ruoyue knelt to receive the decree, she caught a glimpse of the golden peony embroidered on Eunuch Wang Xi's sleeve—the very gift of thanks she had sent the previous night. The cinnabar seal on the decree still smelt of medicine, evidently fresh from the Imperial Hospital.

"Don't worry, sister." Li Ruoyue stood up and straightened her clothes. "I will take Master Liu to the Imperial Hospital for treatment." She suddenly leaned close to Madam Hua's ear and said, "Mother, do you know what disease Liu Qi has? Is it..."

Madam Hua's face suddenly changed, and she staggered to hold on to the stone table: "Impossible... I clearly accepted five thousand taels from him..."

Li Ruoyue chuckled and turned, a packet of powder slipping from her sleeve. It was none other than the "Duan Zi Jue Sun Powder" (a medicine that sterilizes men). As she left the garden, she heard the sound of shattering porcelain and Li Ruoliu's cries behind her. She saw Lu Zixuan waiting at the street corner, leading a horse, her medicine bag hanging from the saddle.

"Sister, Mr. Chen has prepared a boat in the south of the city." The young man lowered his voice, "Eunuch Wang Xi said..."

"No need." Li Ruoyue jumped on her horse, pointing the whip towards the palace. "I want to see the emperor." She suddenly remembered something and took out half a jade pendant from her bosom. "Go give this to the new girl in Qihuang Pavilion and tell her..."

The sound of horse hooves faded, and the vermilion lacquered gate of the Marquis's mansion slammed shut in the twilight. Trembling, Madam Hua picked up the pulse chart from the ground. Seeing the words "eunuch" gleaming coldly in the twilight, she suddenly let out a shrill scream. Li Ruoliu huddled in a corner, rubbing the red mark on his neck, a glint of resentment in his eyes.

The aroma of medicine from Qihuang Pavilion still lingered over the capital, but this time, Li Ruoyue's fate was turning in a completely different direction.

Lu Zixuan watched Li Ruoyue's retreating figure, his heart filled with worry, but he knew that the young lady was always decisive and independent, so he didn't ask any more questions. He carefully put away the half jade pendant that Li Ruoyue had given him, jumped on his horse, and galloped towards Qihuang Pavilion.

At this time, the Qihuang Pavilion was still bustling with people. A constant stream of people came to get medicine and consult doctors. The pharmacists bustled between the counters, and the air was filled with the rich aroma of medicine. Lu Zixuan dismounted at the entrance of the Qihuang Pavilion and walked straight into the shop.

The new girl was standing behind the counter, carefully watching the old pharmacist identify the herbs. Lu Zixuan walked up to her and called softly, "Young lady." The girl looked up and saw that it was Lu Zixuan, a hint of curiosity and confusion flashed in her eyes.

Lu Zixuan pulled out half a jade pendant from his bosom and handed it to the little girl, saying, "This is what my young lady asked me to give you. She told me to take good care of it, as it will be useful in the future." The little girl took the jade pendant and examined it carefully. The half jade pendant was warm, translucent, and soft in color, with a faint aura of mystery. She raised her head, her eyes full of questions: "Master Lu, what is the origin of this jade pendant? Why did my senior sister give it to me?"

Lu Zixuan shook his head slightly and said, "The young lady didn't say much, but just asked me to make sure to hand the jade pendant to you. Perhaps, when senior sister returns, everything will be clear." The little girl nodded as if she understood, and carefully put away the jade pendant.

Meanwhile, Li Ruoyue galloped towards the palace on her horse. Along the way, her mind raced. She was deeply disgusted by the actions of Madam Hua and Li Ruoliu, and she realized that her efforts at the Qihuang Pavilion alone would not completely resolve these troubles. She knew that only by meeting the Emperor Qian and confessing the evil deeds of Madam Hua and the others, as well as her own grievances, could she finally resolve the situation and secure a more stable future for herself, where she could better practice her medical skills and save lives.

The palace stood majestically, its walls high and thick, and the gates heavily guarded. Li Ruoyue arrived at the palace gate, dismounted, and holding the Imperial Hospital token, explained her purpose to the guards. Seeing her with the token, the guards dared not neglect her and immediately sent someone to the palace to inform her.

Soon, a young eunuch hurried over and led Li Ruoyue into the palace. Li Ruoyue followed the young eunuch and walked along the long palace road. On both sides of the palace road, red walls and yellow tiles, carved beams and painted buildings, fully demonstrated the majesty of the royal family.

Finally, Li Ruoyue was brought to the outside of the imperial study. The young eunuch said softly, "Miss Li, please wait a moment. The Emperor Qian is reviewing the memorials. I will pass the message on." After that, he walked into the imperial study.

After a while, the young eunuch came out and motioned Li Ruoyue to go in. Li Ruoyue took a deep breath, straightened her clothes, and walked into the imperial study with firm steps.

Qian sat at his desk, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, his face dignified. He raised his head, his gaze fixed on Li Ruoyue, and asked, "Are you Li Ruoyue from the Imperial Hospital? What brings you here?"

Li Ruoyue knelt and saluted, explaining to the emperor in detail how Madam Hua and others had plotted her marriage to Liu Qi, as well as Madam Hua's acceptance of bribes and Liu Qi's serious illness. Her words were sincere and clear, each one revealing deep indignation and helplessness.

Emperor Qian's expression darkened upon hearing this. What he hated most was the collusion and corruption between officials and the imperial family. Li Ruoyue's words filled him with deep anger.

Emperor Qian pondered for a moment and said slowly: "I will send people to investigate this matter thoroughly. If it is true, I will not let you off easily. You have devoted yourself to medicine and treated the people. You are a meritorious person and should not be framed like this." After hearing this, Li Ruoyue was delighted and quickly thanked the emperor for his grace.

Leaving the Imperial Study, Li Ruoyue felt a sense of relief. She knew that since Emperor Qian had declared his stance, Madam Hua and the others would be punished accordingly. Finally, she could escape these unwarranted troubles and continue practicing her medical skills at the Qihuang Pavilion, benefiting the people.

By the time Li Ruoyue left the palace, it was already completely dark. The streets of the capital were ablaze with lights, bustling with people. Li Ruoyue mounted her horse and slowly made her way towards the Qihuang Pavilion. At that moment, her heart was filled with longing and anticipation for the future. She knew that the gears of her destiny had begun to turn, and this time, it would surely lead to a brighter future.

Back at Qihuang Pavilion, Lu Zixuan and the little girl were anxiously waiting for her at the door. Seeing Li Ruoyue's return, both of them smiled with relief. Li Ruoyue looked at them, a warm feeling welling up in her heart. She knew that no matter what difficulties she faced in the future, with these like-minded companions by her side, she would be fearless.

In the days that followed, Li Ruoyue continued to practice medicine at the Qihuang Pavilion, her skills becoming increasingly refined and her reputation spreading far and wide. Madam Hua and Li Ruoliu, however, received due punishment due to Emperor Qian's thorough investigation, and the Marquisate's vitality was severely damaged. The people of the capital continued to enjoy the convenience provided by the Qihuang Pavilion, and the familiar aroma of medicine lingered over the capital, becoming a unique aroma of the city.