Dingbei Hou's doctor brother

The lobby of the Imperial Hospital is spacious, with neatly arranged low tables and chairs on both sides, and precious bonsai placed in the corners.

On the wall directly in front hang three portraits of the Ancestor of Medicine, the God of Medicine, and the Saint of Medicine.

Judge Gou led Lu Ziqing into the office, where tall bookcases stood against the walls and in the center were dozens of long and wide tables.

Seven or eight imperial physicians in green official uniforms were busy writing prescriptions and pulse diagnosis records. When they saw the judge, they immediately put down their brushes and stood up.

"Let me first meet the imperial physicians."

Judge Gou put one hand behind his back and pointed to several places with the other hand, introducing them to Lu Ziqing.

"This is Imperial Physician Li, Imperial Physician Wang, and over there are Imperial Physicians Lu and Sun... These Imperial Physicians are all experienced seniors in the medical field. I will ask for their advice more often in the future."

Each of these old doctors had a medium-length beard, with calm and cold features, and their seniority seemed to have a kind of nobility and majesty that was difficult to approach.

Lu Ziqing took a few steps forward, bowed, and spoke with a slight bow.

"Student Lu Ziqing greets you all."

Several imperial physicians walked out of their workstations with smiles on their faces. Without stopping, they brushed past him and collectively shouted to the people behind him.

"Your Majesty the Judge!"

Lu Ziqing's face darkened slightly. When he turned around, he saw Judge Gou saying "hmm" as if it was a matter of course.

"This is a new intern doctor. Please give him more guidance in the future."

Everyone said in unison, "Of course, Your Excellency, please rest assured."

They exchanged brief compliments before turning around, and an imperial physician looked Lu Ziqing up and down.

"I wonder which noble family the young master's ancestors came from?"

This first question stumped Lu Ziqing. He didn't know how to answer for a moment. He didn't say anything, but just shook his head slightly.

Another imperial physician asked, "Isn't he from a family of doctors? Then may I ask which minister in the court your father is?"

Lu Ziqing said: "Neither. A student has only one master."

This answer didn't seem to be well received, and the joy on the faces of the imperial doctors diminished by two points compared to before.

An imperial physician said "Oh" indifferently.

"You're a latecomer, but you're still young enough to be admitted to our Imperial Hospital. Your master must be a famous doctor."

Famous doctor? What is a famous doctor?

The profound meaning of these two words is very broad.

For the wealthy and powerful, it is the reputation of those who are born into a high-class family, have a good reputation, hold a high position and are admired by the world.

On the other hand, for those poor people living at the bottom of society.

As long as you can alleviate their pain, save a family or a group of people, and bring hope, you will be famous.

Lu Ziqing said calmly, "My master is just an ordinary doctor who sells herbal medicine among the people and helps his fellow villagers. He is not the famous doctor that adults talk about."

When these words were spoken, several imperial doctors looked at each other in surprise.

"Selling medicine and treating patients among the common people?" The old doctor was surprised and lowered his eyes in thought. "Is that... a traveling doctor?"

Lu Ziqing remained calm and said bluntly, "Yes."

The imperial doctors: "This..."

"Alright, alright, you can go about your business." Court Judge Gou said, "Lu Ziqing, follow me."

Lu Ziqing followed behind Court Judge Gou and looked around. Inside the Imperial Hospital, all the gatehouses, big and small, were busy with people coming in and out.

Wherever you walk, you can smell a faint scent of herbs, and the voice of Court Judge Gou's endless introduction is always in your ears.

"Serving in the palace is different from serving the common people. You must abide by the palace rules in everything you do. You must be extremely careful and cautious in everything you do. You cannot make even the slightest mistake. Otherwise, you will lose your head."

As he walked, he said, "The internship lasts for three months. After a month, you will take the assessment. If you pass, you can get the Imperial Hospital badge and become a formal medical practitioner."

"During these three months, students have three chances to try and make mistakes. If you make three mistakes, no matter which minister recommended you, you will be expelled from the palace and never employed again. So, you only have three months. Do you understand?"

"understand!"

After Lu Ziqing followed Judge Gou to visit various service offices, he began to familiarize himself with a large number of complicated palace rules and etiquette.

From the palace courtyards and forbidden areas to the behavior and attendance of palace guards, he heard about everything, big or small.

It was past three quarters past noon when we returned to the Imperial Hospital.

I had a millet cake for breakfast on the road before dawn. I have been wandering around the Imperial Hospital for several hours and now I am so hungry that I am sweating coldly.

Before Lu Ziqing and Gou Yuanpan entered the room, they heard a conversation coming from inside the house.

"This Lu Ziqing looks so impressive, but I didn't expect him to be a charlatan. What's most surprising is that he... was actually recommended by Marquis Dingbei."

"What liar? Who are you talking about?"

"Doctor Shen doesn't know yet, but this morning, the judge brought in an intern doctor. He's a quack who sells medicine and does medical consultations."

"What kind of nonsense is this? The Imperial Hospital isn't a private clinic, so how can anyone enter?

"Yes, he's only about 20 years old. What real skills can he have at such a young age? In the past, those who came from the common people were all students of famous medical families. Even if they were from a slightly less fortunate family, they were at least admitted by a reputable family and graduated from a professional school. But this guy has an unknown background and is a traveling doctor and fraud. We are working with him? It's really beneath our dignity, alas."

"I never thought that Xiao Yan, a first-rank military marquis, could actually promote such a lowly person?"

Lu Ziqing's heart suddenly shook.

He had anticipated gossip long before entering the palace.

Although he was mentally prepared, he still couldn't help feeling a tightness in his chest when he heard these contemptuous remarks.

Lu Ziqing clenched his sleeves, took a deep breath to steady himself, and followed Judge Gou into the house.

Judge Gou put his hands behind his back, coughed dryly, and scolded, "You have nothing to do? Or do you think the salary is too high?"

The shout startled the chatterboxes and they scattered to do their own things.

Judge Gou glanced at him with a dark face, then turned back to look at Lu Ziqing.

"The Imperial Hospital is full of experienced elders. They may joke around occasionally, so don't take it to heart."

Lu Ziqing forced a smile, "Not really."

Judge Gou nodded and said, "Then you should first look at the previous pulse cases to familiarize yourself with them, and then follow..."

He looked around at everyone in the hall, raised his hand and pointed to the corner, "Doctor Li, go ahead."

Lu Ziqing said, "Yes."

Not long after the two separated, a eunuch came in from outside the palace and said, "Master Gou."

Judge Gou went forward and asked, "Which lady is ill?"

"It's Noble Lady Mei who's asking for a consultation."

Judge Gou nodded and walked to the side corner where Doctor Li was standing. "Li Limu, please go over there."

"Yes!"

"and many more!"

When the man reached the door, he stopped, turned his gaze to Lu Ziqing, and said, "You, go and take a look too."