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

Chapter 44, Zi Nu Treats the Illness, Taoist Heavenly Sect
At this moment, Xu Qing was unaware that she was being watched.

In preparation for his clinic appointments the day after tomorrow, he devoted his evenings to studying medical books, allowing the Evergreen Technique to circulate on its own and refine the medicinal power within his body.

The night passed in the blink of an eye. The next day, Xu Qing went to the Imperial Hospital early in the morning as usual to report for duty, and then went to the Crown Prince's residence to examine Crown Prince Han's pulse.

After several days of treatment, Prince Han's high fever has subsided, and he has woken up from his coma. However, he is still weak and needs to recuperate.

After returning from the Crown Prince's residence, Xu Qing went to report to Consort Hu's palace as usual. After some intimate flirting, Consort Hu agreed to help Imperial Physician Wang transfer his son back from the capital.

After returning to the Imperial Medical Academy, Xu Qing began a period of intensive study, devoting all her time to reading medical books and consulting with Physician Wang.

The day passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was time to see the patients for the people of Xinzheng.

Outside the palace of the King of Han, in an open area.

Several armored soldiers were setting up tents to serve as a place for people to receive medical treatment, while a dozen other armored soldiers were moving tables, stools, and medicinal herbs.

Soon everything was ready, and Xu Qing, Physician Wang, and the other two medical officers who came to assist sat at two tables, waiting to treat the people.

However, after only half an hour, most of the people were just watching from a distance and did not dare to come forward to see the doctor.

Seeing this, Xu Qing could only sigh slightly.

"That's normal. Although the imperial physicians have no power, they are still officials, and moreover, they are physicians who serve the king. They are an unattainable existence for ordinary people. Even if the king has issued an edict, how dare they approach them easily?"

Physician Wang, however, remained calm, as if everything was within his expectations.

"Instead of expecting the people to take the initiative, we should think of other ways to motivate them," Xu Qing said helplessly.

Imperial Physician Wang and the other two physicians looked at Xu Qing, ready to see what solution he could come up with.

As Xu Qing looked at the crowd watching from a distance, pondering how to encourage them to come for treatment, the crowd suddenly became somewhat chaotic, gradually parting to make way for a beautiful figure who stepped out from the crowd and walked towards Xu Qing.

Xu Qing looked at the purple figure that had come to him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

The newcomer was adorned entirely in a mysterious and alluring purple hue, wearing a light purple long dress. The slightly loose, palace-style dress could not conceal her curvaceous and seductive figure.

Beneath the black lace mesh on her chest, her fair skin was faintly visible, her slender legs were encased in black stockings with blue patterns, and she wore a pair of deep purple high-heeled boots.

Her purple hair was piled high with several silver hairpins, and her captivating purple eyes held a hint of a smile, like a pair of pearls hidden deep in the sea, dark yet dazzling.

A butterfly wing-like pattern was painted under her left eye, adding an extraordinary noble air to her already captivating figure.

Although a thin veil covered her face, obscuring her true features, she resembled a rose blooming in the sunlight. Her figure and aura alone were enough to convince one that she was an absolute beauty.
The person who arrived was none other than Zi Nu.

Zi Nu looked at Xu Qing, who was standing under the tent in a daze, and her smile deepened, but there was a hint of apprehension in her eyes.

She came today to test Xu Qing, to see if he was just a somewhat capable imperial physician, or a pawn planted in Korea by the Taoist or Confucian schools.

Looking at the striking purple hair and unique pattern at the corner of her eyes, Xu Qing had already guessed the identity of the woman with purple hair.

What is she here to do?
Zi Nu is one of the most mysterious characters in the original work, and her identity, origin, and purpose in Korea have always been a mystery.

Zi Nu is not only incredibly beautiful and highly skilled in martial arts, but also proficient in strategy. She is skilled in perfumery, disguise, pharmacology, and metallurgy. Her ability to make and use poisons and her insight into people's hearts are unparalleled. Such a person's background is definitely not simple.

As the purple maiden drew closer, Xu Qing felt both puzzled and wary.

He didn't believe that someone with high martial arts skills and expertise in pharmacology would be the first to come to them for treatment in such a public place; the person must have other motives.

The people behind watched as the graceful figure in purple headed towards the tents where the imperial physicians were providing free medical care. They were both surprised and nervous.

Most of them were there to watch the spectacle, but some were genuinely ill and unable to afford treatment, so they came to Xu Qing seeking a way to survive.

Although King Han's edict had been issued, their fear of the officials and the king prevented them from approaching easily. They were afraid the other party would drive them away or demand money after the consultation, especially since the armored soldiers standing nearby looked formidable.

They are naturally happy that someone is taking the initiative to pave the way for them, but at the same time they are also a little uneasy.

Zi Nu walked to the tent and sat down directly in front of Xu Qing.

Looking at Xu Qing, Zi Nu couldn't help but show surprise.

Her intelligence report mentioned that Xu Qing, besides possessing unfathomable medical skills, was also handsome, no less so than Song Yu of Chu or Longyang Jun of Wei.

Zi Nu had been skeptical about this before, but now that she had seen such a handsome man with her own eyes, she couldn't help but be surprised.

While Zi Nu was sizing up Xu Qing, Xu Qing was also sizing up Zi Nu.

Although he didn't know why Zi Nu had come here, she had already sat down, and with so many people watching behind her, he had to take her seriously and examine her pulse to treat her illness.

Only in this way can the people behind relax and take the initiative to come forward for medical treatment.

"Young lady, may I ask if you are feeling unwell?" Xu Qing asked with a kind smile.

"I've been feeling weak lately and have a slight chest pain. I've seen some doctors before, but none of them have been able to cure me."

The purple-clad woman's red lips parted slightly behind her veil, her voice cold, deep, and magnetic. "I see. Please extend your hand so I can take your pulse." Xu Qing took out a pulse-taking pad and a thin veil.

Zi Nu smiled slightly, stretched out her hand and placed it on the pulse-taking pad, letting Xu Qing spread the thin gauze on it before placing her hand on it.

Feeling Zi Nu's pulse, a look of doubt flashed in Xu Qing's eyes.

Zi Nu's pulse rhythm was abnormal, like a taut bowstring with a gritty feel, which clearly indicated that she had suffered internal injury, leading to symptoms of blocked meridians, qi stagnation, and blood stasis.

Xu Qing wasn't surprised that Zi Nu had internal injuries; that had nothing to do with him. What puzzled him was that Zi Nu could clearly heal herself from such internal injuries, so there was no need for her to come to him for treatment.

This made Xu Qing even more certain that Zi Nu's purpose in coming here was not simple. Was she here to test him? Or was she simply here to see the level of him, the most prominent person in Xinzheng?

"Girl, what's your pulse?"

Xu Qing roughly told Zi Nu about his diagnosis, and the physician next to him quickly wrote down the pulse diagnosis and prescription on the bamboo slip.

Zi Nu listened to Xu Qing's explanation without any surprise. After all, it would be surprising if the future Imperial Physician couldn't even understand this kind of internal injury.

Looking at Xu Qing, who was recounting taboo matters, a strange look flashed in Zi Nu's eyes.

The physician handed the bamboo slip to Physician Wang, who examined it carefully and nodded to Xu Qing.

"Please wait a moment, young lady."

Xu Qing got up, took the bamboo strips, walked to the medicine shelf next to him, took out some medicinal herbs, and after proportioning them, wrapped them into six portions.

Zi Nu observed Xu Qing's movements and expressions with her beautiful eyes, trying to discern something from them.

"Have someone prepare this medicine after you get back. Take it twice a day after meals." Xu Qing placed the medicine in front of Zi Nu.

"Thank you, this is the consultation fee." Zi Nu said, taking out money to put on the table, but Xu Qing stopped her.

Xu Qing grasped Zi Nu's hand and stuffed the coins back into her hand.

When Xu Qing abruptly grabbed her hand, Zi Nu instinctively wanted to slap this frivolous man, but she ultimately held back.

"I apologize for my rudeness, young lady," Xu Qing said, bowing slightly to Zi Nu and then calling out to the people behind him.

"His Majesty is benevolent and loves his people like his own children. He is grateful for the hardships faced by the people and has specially ordered the physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy to provide free medical treatment for the people. No matter who comes to us, as long as the symptoms are suitable, we will do our best to treat them and will not charge a penny."

The people in the rear couldn't understand what was being said, but they did hear one thing: anyone could come to see a doctor, and it was truly free.

"Then thank you very much, Imperial Physician. May I ask your honorable name?" Zi Nu asked with a light smile.

"Treating the sick and saving lives is my duty, and I don't care about names," Xu Qing said with a faint smile.

"She's definitely an interesting person," Zi Nu thought to herself, her smile behind the veil widening.

Zi Nu stood up, bowed slightly to Xu Qing, and then left with the packed medicinal herbs.

They had all witnessed Xu Qing's diagnosis of Zi Nu, so the people no longer had any reservations and flocked forward to ask Xu Qing and his companions to treat them.

"Imperial Physician, my mother has been ill for many days and is bedridden. Please treat her."

"Imperial Physician, a few days ago..."

Seeing the crowd surge forward, the soldiers stepped forward to maintain order, and the four physicians, Xu Qing and Wang Taiyi, who had been leisurely, suddenly became busy, taking pulses, treating patients, and dispensing medicine. The four of them were busy all the time.

Every ordinary person who received the free medicine was incredibly excited. These medicines were commonplace for imperial physicians like Xu Qing, but for these ordinary people, they were life-saving medicines, and even the hope for their family's future survival.

The people were deeply grateful to Xu Qing and his companions, and they shouted praises of King Han An's benevolence.

Purple Orchid Pavilion, the top floor of the attic.

Wei Zhuang coldly looked at Xu Qing, who was surrounded by a huge crowd of people not far away, and put down the white jade wine cup in his hand.

"You injured yourself to get close to him. Did you figure anything out?" Wei Zhuang said coldly.

"This person is indeed an interesting individual. Although his background doesn't mention any connection to Taoism, his actions and demeanor vaguely bear traces of the Taoist Tianzong sect," said the Purple Goddess with a solemn expression.

"The Taoist Heavenly Sect? Interesting. The Heavenly Sect, which advocates seclusion, actually has people planted in the Imperial Hospital of Korea." Wei Zhuang's lips curled up slightly.

The two of them initially guessed that Xu Qing was a member of the Taoist Human Sect, since the Heavenly Sect had been living in seclusion for many years, while only the Human Sect would venture into the secular world.

However, Xu Qing had the shadow of the Taoist Heavenly Sect, which made the two of them treat him with caution, because these Taoist Heavenly Sect cultivators who were madmen in their pursuit of immortality could not be treated with common sense.

"It's still uncertain whether he's a spy planted in Korea by the Heavenly Sect, but for now, it seems he won't affect our plans. I'll have someone investigate. If the Heavenly Sect of Taoism really intends to interfere in Korea, we must proceed with extreme caution," Zi Shen said solemnly.

"I hope he won't affect our plans. I also want to see what kind of changes this sudden anomaly will bring to South Korea," Wei Zhuang said.

Zi Nu looked at Xu Qing, who was busy in the crowd in the distance, her eyes filled with solemnity.

Is it the Taoist Heavenly Sect?
(End of this chapter)