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

Chapter 41, Xu Qing's Request, Han Wang'an: Hu Meiren is now in your hands.
Early the next morning, Xu Qing arrived at the Imperial Hospital.

He had just finished his roll call and returned to his room when the servants who had come to ask him to take their pulse the day before started coming in droves.

The servants first expressed their gratitude, then offered various reasons to thank them, but their words all conveyed the same message: Xu Qing no longer needed to take his pulse.

Xu Qing was naturally pleased with this, and said with a smile.
"Since you are all well, I will naturally not bother you."

Seeing that Xu Qing was so sensible, the servants smiled and agreed, and only left one by one after watching Xu Qing cross out their master's name on the bamboo slip.

After the servants left, Xu Qing's smile faded, and his expression turned serious.

"These people gave up in just one night. It seems someone is pushing this behind the scenes," Xu Qing thought to himself.

Yesterday, he went to examine Anping Jun's pulse. Under the guise of discussing health preservation with Anping Jun, he inadvertently brought up his alchemy techniques and naturally revealed the various precious medicinal materials needed to refine allicin.

He watched as Anping Jun's longing for the "elixir of immortality" gradually turned into disappointment and regret, and in the end, he could only discuss the way of health preservation with Xu Qing again.

The powerful and influential people of Xinzheng are all eyeing him and the "elixir" in his hands. After he leaves Anping Jun's residence, these people will definitely come to inquire about the news. After learning about the cost of refining the elixir, they will naturally give up.

The outcome was as he had expected, but the news had spread far too quickly, making Xu Qing suspicious.

He then thought of the divination slip that said he would receive help from a benefactor, but he didn't know who this benefactor was.

"It should be Lady Hu."

Xu Qing felt that the only person in the vast country of Korea who could help him was Hu Meiren. Han Yu urgently needed to find allies in the harem to deal with Ji Wuye.

Although he didn't know how Hu Meiren had helped him, Xu Qing knew he was safe for the time being.

"To become stronger, we must continue to become stronger."

A fighting spirit ignited in Xu Qing's eyes. He could rely on Hu Meiren to get through this ordeal, but what about the future? What if Han Yu attacked him again?
His current strength is simply insufficient to defeat Han Yu; even an assassination attempt would be suicide.

Before he has the strength to win in one blow, he must be patient and improve his strength as soon as possible.

Han Yu cultivates an image of an upright gentleman, so it's impossible for him to openly attack him. If Han Yu still wants to deal with him, he will do it in the same way, by tampering with his medical treatment and saving lives.

"It seems we must improve our medical skills as quickly as possible. With the medical books from the Imperial Medical Academy and Physician Wang, the theoretical aspects are not a problem. But the practical skills..."

Xu Qing had a headache. If he were a rural doctor, it would be fine; he could treat people at will and accumulate experience.

But he was a royal physician, and the people he treated were either concubines in the imperial harem or powerful nobles in Korea. If anything went wrong, he would lose his life.

"It seems we have no choice but to take the risk."

After much deliberation, Xu Qing had made up his mind. He had to take advantage of his merit in saving Prince Han to make his demands.

After making his plans, Xu Qing picked up his medicine box and went to the Crown Prince's residence to continue treating Crown Prince Han.

Upon arriving at the Crown Prince's residence, Xu Qing did not see Prince Han An. After inquiring, she learned that after the Crown Prince was out of danger, Prince Han An had returned to the inner palace.

After examining the prince's pulse and administering the medicine, Xu Qing bid farewell to the royal physician and returned to the Han Palace to find Consort Hu.

King An of Han, outside the palace of Consort Hu.

"Miss Ruotao, after examining the beauty's pulse yesterday, I went back and wrote a prescription for her to recuperate. There are also a few words I need to tell her in person, so please inform her," Xu Qing said to Ruotao.

"Imperial Physician Xu, His Majesty is currently in the palace, and a beautiful woman is playing the zither with him," Ruotao said softly.

Upon hearing that Han Wang'an was also present, Xu Qing's eyes gleamed, and he immediately spoke.
“I can wait outside.”

Ruotao hesitated for a moment before saying "this."

The music in the palace stopped, and Consort Hu's voice rang out.
"Ruotao, what's going on outside?"

Ruotao nodded to Xu Qing, then turned and returned to her palace.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, it's Physician Xu. He has written a prescription to help you recover and has a few words to tell you," Ruotao said, bowing to Consort Hu and King Han An.

When Han Wang An heard that Consort Hu's health had deteriorated again, he looked at Consort Hu, who was sitting in front of the zither, with some concern.

"My beauty, where do you feel unwell?" King Han asked.

"I've just been feeling a bit weak lately, but there's nothing else wrong. Physician Xu took my pulse yesterday, but he still doesn't know the cause of my illness," Consort Hu said with a smile.

Yesterday, she was so busy enjoying Xu Qing's massage and teasing him that she didn't mention anything about the cause of her illness.

"In that case, quickly summon the Imperial Physician and have him examine the beauty's pulse again," said King Han An.

Although Xu Qing has not yet officially become the Imperial Physician, his orders have already been issued, and in his eyes, Xu Qing is already the Imperial Physician.

"promise."

Ruotao went out and brought Xu Qing in. Seeing Han Wang'an looking worried and Hu Meiren smiling at him from the side, Xu Qing respectfully bowed.

"Greetings, Your Majesty and Your Highness."

"No need for formalities, Imperial Physician. Please examine the beauty's pulse again and find the cause of her illness," said King Han An.

"Yes."

Xu Qing carried the medicine box and walked to the opposite side of Hu Meiren, with his back to Han Wang'an.

Hu Meiren looked at Xu Qing with a smile, her red lips slightly parted, her charming eyes full of tenderness.
Wait, when did this woman become so bold? Is Han Wang'an still here? Xu Qing couldn't help but steal a glance at Han Wang'an, and only breathed a sigh of relief when she realized that Han Wang'an hadn't noticed.

Hu Meiren stretched out her arm, and Ruotao covered Hu Meiren's wrist with a white gauze.

Xu Qing reached out to take Hu Meiren's pulse, and began to examine her pulse with a serious expression.

"Imperial Physician, I have been feeling weak lately. You must help me find the cause of my illness."

Hu Meiren's voice, as always, carried a gentle and charming quality, stimulating the protective instincts in people's hearts.

"Rest assured, my beauty, I will do my utmost to find the cause of the illness," Xu Qing said solemnly.

Looking at the serious-looking Xu Qing, Hu Meiren couldn't help but have the urge to tease him again, so she hooked her slender jade fingers and ran them across Xu Qing's palm.

A hint of shock flashed in Xu Qing's eyes, but how could Hu Meiren's little tricks be so simple?
Hu Meiren's small feet under the table had already reached towards Xu Qing. Her delicate little feet, wrapped in black stockings, gently pressed against Xu Qing's legs, moving up and down continuously, with her thumb occasionally tapping Xu Qing lightly.

Because of the cover provided by the zither table, King An of Han did not notice anything unusual.

"Don't worry, my beauty. The Imperial Physician was able to save even the Crown Prince, so he will surely be able to find the cause of your illness and help you recover."

Han Wang An looked confident, completely unaware that his beloved beauty was giving Xu Qing a foot massage.

After the incident with the Crown Prince, he had great faith in Xu Qing's medical skills.

Feeling the strange sensations in his palms and thighs, Xu Qing felt as if someone was constantly brushing his palms and thighs with feathers, making him feel itchy and unable to resist the urge to get an erection.

Xu Qing's serious expression was starting to crumble, but she forced herself to maintain it, giving Hu Meiren a warning look that she should tone it down.

Seeing Xu Qing's forced composure, Hu Meiren's smile deepened, and she kicked under the table even more brazenly.

Just as Xu Qing was about to speak, Hu Meiren stopped him with a look.

The thought that she still needed the other party's help made Xu Qing suppress her desire to take off and continue treating Hu Meiren.

Hu Meiren looked at Xu Qing's forced composure and saw a smug look in her eyes. Feeling a slight ache in her feet, she withdrew her small feet and sat up straight again.

Xu Qing breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at Han Wang'an.

"Your Majesty, the beauty's illness is likely a lingering effect of her previous anorexia. She hasn't eaten or drunk anything for many days, leaving her weak, and the recent hot weather has exacerbated the situation."

Xu Qing spoke a series of profound words, leaving Han Wang An somewhat bewildered.

"Therefore, a long period of recuperation is needed to gradually make up for the deficiency."

Han Wang An didn't understand the first part of what was said, but he understood the last part.

"I see. How long will it take?" King An of Han asked.

“It could take anywhere from a few months to one or two years,” Xu Qing said.

"From now on, my beauty must pay more attention to her health and take good care of herself as advised by the Imperial Physician," Han Wang An said, turning to Xu Qing.

"Imperial Physician, I entrust Consort Hu's care and recovery to you. Tell her what she needs, and I will arrange for someone to fulfill it."

What?! You're handing me over to train you? Oh, I mean to recuperate you.

Xu Qing felt that it must have been Hu Meiren's teasing earlier that made him lose his focus and mishear, and that this was definitely not his true thought.

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I will certainly live up to your expectations," Xu Qing said, bowing.

Hu Meiren watched Xu Qing's retreating figure and said softly.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Physician has been so dedicated to his duties that I would feel uneasy if I did not reward him with something."

Hearing Hu Meiren's coquettish voice, Han Wang'an nodded in agreement.

"When the imperial physician cured the crown prince, I was prepared to reward him. However, the fourth prince said that the crown prince had not yet fully recovered and it was not appropriate to bestow rewards, so I thought we should wait."

"The Imperial Physician has done a great service in helping the beauty recover her health, so let's reward him accordingly. What does the Imperial Physician want?"

"I am merely fulfilling my duty and dare not ask for any reward," Xu Qing said.

"Merit must be rewarded. Am I someone who doesn't know how to reward and punish? Just say what you want, and I will grant it without hesitation," King Han An said with a smile, seemingly quite satisfied with Xu Qing's attitude.

“Since that is the case, I will speak frankly. Your Majesty has entrusted me with an important task, appointing me as the Chief Physician, but I am young and my experience in treating patients is not as extensive as that of the other physicians. I fear that I will not be able to properly serve Your Majesty in the future.”

Xu Qing began to speak at length about how anxious and worried she was, fearing that her medical skills were inadequate and she would be unable to serve King Han An and the other concubines in the harem.

"Alright, alright, Imperial Physician, just say what you want to say," Han Wang An said impatiently. He hated these long-winded speeches the most.

"Your Majesty wishes to allow me to practice medicine in Xinzheng City and gain experience."

After Xu Qing finished speaking, he became nervous and waited anxiously for Han Wang'an's orders.

Upon hearing Xu Qing's words, Han Wang'an's face darkened, and his eyes turned somewhat unfriendly.

Xu Qing is the Imperial Physician, responsible for treating him and the concubines in the harem. Now he has to treat the lowly people in the city. Isn't this a disgrace to him?
Seeing Han Wang'an's attitude, Hu Meiren couldn't help but resent Xu Qing's rash words. She thought that such matters could be discussed with her privately, and that she should go and talk to Han Wang'an.

What's wrong with talking to her privately? Is she going to eat him? At most, I'll massage her slightly sore calves.

Although she didn't understand what Xu Qing was going to do, she still prepared to help him. There was no other reason than to repay a debt of gratitude.

(End of this chapter)