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

Chapter 164, Han Fei Treats the Patient, Xu Qing's Medical Ethics (Bonus Chapter! Bonus Chapter!)

Han Fei shrugged helplessly as he watched Honglian sulking.

He regularly corresponded with Honglian and was aware of her hostility towards all of his father's concubines, especially towards the two most favored concubines, Hu Meiren and Mingzhu.

As they walked and talked, they arrived at the queue. Upon seeing this, Han Fei took the initiative to walk towards the back of the queue.

Honglian looked at the queue forming in front of her and waved to the imperial guard beside her, saying...
"You guys, go and talk to the people in front and ask them to let my brother see a doctor first."

The head of the guards looked troubled, glanced hesitantly at the ranks, and stepped forward to speak.
“Princess Honglian, His Majesty previously decreed that when the Imperial Physician is out seeing patients, everyone must wait in line and no one is allowed to abuse their power.”

"I didn't order you to drive them away. Don't you obey my orders? Believe me or not, I'll tell my father." Honglian pointed at the captain of the guards and threatened him without any politeness.

"This this."

The captain of the imperial guards stood there awkwardly. He couldn't afford to offend Honglian, who was a princess, but he also couldn't afford to offend Xu Qing, who was a rising star in the court.

If he really cut in line, Honglian would at most get a few mild words of criticism from Han Wang'an, and he would definitely be the one to take the blame.

The surrounding people were drawn to the argument between Honglian and the imperial guards. Seeing the richly dressed Honglian and the obsequious imperial guards, they all took a few steps back, their faces filled with fear and vigilance.

"Alright, Honglian, Father has already given the order, so we must obey."

"The Imperial Physician proposed to my father to hold consultations, his intention being to treat the people. How can we, as members of the royal family, compete with the people for profit?"

Han Fei stepped forward, grabbed Honglian's wrist, and waved to the captain of the Imperial Guard.

Honglian, who was about to lose her temper, glanced at Han Fei, who had a serious expression, and could only suppress her temper.

"Alright, I'll let it go this time for my brother's sake, but go find me a seat," Honglian said.

"Okay, I'll go right away."

The captain of the guards gave Han Fei a grateful look, then turned and quickly went to find a seat.

"Honglian, if you're tired, you can go back to the palace first. I'll come find you after I've finished seeing the patients," Han Fei said.

“No need. Going back to the palace is pointless. I’d rather spend more time with you, brother.” Honglian said with a bright smile, her arms around Han Fei’s.

Seeing this, Han Fei couldn't say anything, and could only offer some advice.

"Okay, you can stay, but you have to stay by my side and don't cause trouble."

"Where did you see me causing trouble? I've been very well-behaved, okay?" Honglian asked Han Fei, hands on her hips.

Han Fei had no choice but to raise his hands and beg Honglian for mercy. He knew that Honglian was sometimes too willful, but he could only do nothing about it.

Honglian, as her father's most beloved daughter, was the most noble princess in Korea, born into a life of luxury and privilege.

This also led to Honglian developing a willful and arrogant personality, never taking anyone else seriously except for Han Wang'an and him.

Han Fei and Honglian's quarrel naturally attracted the attention of the guards maintaining order, but when they saw that the person who came was Princess Honglian, they all felt their scalps tingle and could only tell Xu Qing the news.

Xu Qing had just handed the prescription to the patient, who left gratefully, when the guards approached and told Xu Qing what had happened.

"Princess Honglian is queuing up here?"

Xu Qing stared at the imperial guard in astonishment, doubting whether the guard had seen wrong.

"Reporting to the Imperial Physician, it is indeed Princess Honglian, but she is not alone. According to her guards, she came with Ninth Prince Han Fei," the guard said in a low voice.

"Ninth Prince Han Fei!?" Xu Qing exclaimed in surprise, turning to look at the back of the group. He immediately spotted the dazzling Hong Lian. As the most noble princess of Han, Hong Lian stood out far above the ordinary people.

Xu Qing didn't pay much attention to Honglian, but instead looked at Han Fei, who was dressed in a scholar's robe and looked helpless.

"It seems Han Fei has just returned to Xinzheng. He came to see me as soon as he got back. Aren't you just making trouble for me?"

Xu Qing gave Han Fei a deep look. A few days ago, Han Wang'an's words of admonition made Ji Wuye and Han Yu suspect that he was a member of Han Wang'an's inner circle left for Han Fei.

Now that Han Fei has returned to the country, the first thing he does is to take the initiative to find him. Doesn't this confirm Han Wang An's intentions?

Xu Qing wanted to get up and leave, but looking at the anxious patients waiting in front of him, he felt as if his buttocks were glued to the seat and he couldn't move an inch.

"Forget it. If Han Fei really wants to make contact, I can avoid him this time, but next time we might meet in private, which would be more likely to cause misunderstandings."

Xu Qing sighed helplessly and waved his hand at the imperial guards, saying...
"As long as they don't cause trouble or affect other patients, you don't need to worry about them. If they do cause trouble, notify me immediately, and don't go looking for trouble."

"Yes."

The guard nodded to Xu Qing, but couldn't help feeling a sense of reverence for him.

For a lowly guard like him, having a superior who could put himself in his shoes and think from his perspective was something he could only dream of.

"Next person."

Xu Qing continued to treat the people, but his mind was once again occupied by various illnesses, and he gradually forgot about Han Fei and Hong Lian.

Half an hour later, Xu Qing wiped the sweat from his forehead and called out with his head down.

"Next person!"

Two figures approached, and a refreshing, pleasant fragrance wafted over. Xu Qing looked up and saw Han Fei and Hong Lian.

"Imperial Physician," Han Fei said with a smile and a cupped-hand salute.

Han Fei looked at Xu Qing with a hint of excitement in his eyes. He had long admired Xu Qing, a kindred spirit he had never met, and now that he had met her, he could not hide his excitement.

Honglian also looked at Xu Qing with some surprise. Her focus was different from Han Fei's appreciation of Xu Qing's inner qualities; she was simply surprised by Xu Qing's appearance.

Over the past six months, she had often heard news about Xu Qing from the maids, most of which was about how handsome Xu Qing was.

She didn't really believe the rumors at first, thinking that the maid was just ignorant and spreading falsehoods. But now that she has seen Xu Qing with her own eyes, she knows that the rumors are true.

Xu Qing glanced at Han Fei, then stood up and bowed to the two of them.

"Ninth Young Master, Princess Honglian. Is there anything I can do for you two?"

"Imperial Physician, there's no need for such formalities. I've come to see you for a medical consultation. I caught a cold on my way back and heard from Honglian that you are skilled in treating colds, so I came here specifically to have a look."

After Han Fei finished speaking, he sat down and stretched out his hand.

The guards nearby moved the seat that had been found for Honglian aside and let her sit down.

"In that case, I will take a look at Ninth Young Master."

Xu Qing knew she couldn't refuse, so she could only start treating Han Fei's illness.

Just as Xu Qing was treating Han Fei, Ji Wuye and Han Yu, who were secretly watching Xu Qing, quickly left the scene, preparing to report the news of Han Fei's contact with Xu Qing.

(End of this chapter)