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

Chapter 77, Hu Meiren's Intensity and the Control of the Tide Demoness

The next day, Xu Qing, who hadn't slept all night, left home.

Because the fate of the vulture was unknown, he couldn't sleep all night, so he washed up early and went to the Imperial Hospital to ask for leave.

After briefly speaking to the physician in charge of roll call, Xu Qing left the Imperial Hospital and headed straight for the teahouse where he had met He Guanzi.

"Waiter, I've reserved the third room on the second floor for today. If anyone comes looking for me, please respectfully invite them up."

Xu Qing tossed a small bag of basil to the waiter who was wiping the table.
"You're the Imperial Physician? You have too much money," the waiter said with a smile.

"Consider this a reward. First, bring me a pot of good tea, and then some pastries," Xu Qing said.

"Alright, Imperial Physician, please come upstairs."

Led by the waiter, Xu Qing entered a room on the second floor.

Soon a pot of tea and three different dishes of pastries were placed on the table.

As the door closed, Xu Qing ate a couple of pastries and drank a few sips of tea before taking out a bamboo scroll from his medicine box.

"It's still early, let's wait patiently."

Xu Qing opened the bamboo slip and began to read it. This was one of the five bamboo slips he had taken from Qianlong Hall, and it was also a relic of Liezi.

A sense of crisis kept Xu Qing from relaxing in the slightest, and she returned to her previous diligent state.
While Xu Qing was waiting for He Guanzi, rumors about Xu Qing and Zi Nu began to spread, even reaching the royal palace.

In the palace of King Han, in the bedroom of Consort Hu.

King Han An entered the palace with a big smile on his face.

When Lady Hu, who was feeding the fish by the lake to pass the time, saw Han Wang An arrive, she handed the things in her hands to Ruo Tao. A hint of disgust flashed in her eyes, but she still maintained a smile and stepped forward to greet him.

"Your Majesty, what makes you so happy? Tell me so that I may share in your joy," said Consort Hu with a smile.

Han Wang An walked into the pavilion and sat down, looking at Hu Meiren with a smile.

"It's nothing serious. Someone reported today that the Imperial Physician was frequenting brothels and other brothels, and that I should punish him."

Before Han Wang An could finish speaking, Hu Meiren cried out in alarm.

"What!?"

"Why is the beauty so nervous?" King Han asked, looking at Consort Hu with a puzzled expression.

Hu Meiren realized she had lost her composure, her smile returning, and she said shyly.
"Your Majesty, I am merely somewhat surprised. This Imperial Physician is such a handsome and talented man, why would he go to a brothel?"

"The Imperial Physician is indeed a handsome and talented man, but he is young and upright, so such things are inevitable," said Han Wang An nonchalantly.

"Your Majesty, perhaps it's because the Imperial Physician has been gaining popularity recently, which has made others jealous. That's why some people are attacking him, trying to tarnish his reputation," Consort Hu said with a smile.

How could a kind and handsome imperial physician like her possibly go to a brothel?
This is absolutely impossible, absolutely impossible!
"This isn't a rumor, it's the truth. Apparently, it was witnessed by Lao Liu himself."

Han Wang'an then spoke about the rumors between Xu Qing and Zi Nu, the proprietress of Zi Lan Xuan.

Hu Meiren had no interest in listening to Han Wang'an's words; her mind was preoccupied with Xu Qing's visit to the brothel.

"Why did he go to a brothel? How could he go to a place like that?"

"It's also possible that he just went to listen to music. Someone outside must have slandered him. That must be it."

Hu Meiren quickly found a reason for Xu Qing to go to the brothel.

"Your Majesty, how do you plan to punish the Imperial Physician?" Consort Hu asked tentatively.

If King Han really intended to punish Xu Qing for this, she would definitely plead for him.

"What's the point of going to Zilan Pavilion? It's understandable for young people to be like this. If we punish a great talent like the Imperial Physician for such a trivial matter, wouldn't that discourage all the officials?"

"There are five officials who can have three concubines; such officials should be cultivated. Officials who have concubines but do not want them should not be employed."

Han Wang An smiled broadly, seemingly unconcerned about Xu Qing's visit to Zi Lan Xuan. Initially, he had no opinion of Xu Qing as the Imperial Physician and tacitly approved of some of Xu Qing's actions.

However, Han Yu had become too powerful and was no longer a tool for him to check the court. Instead, he had become someone that Han Yu needed to check. Therefore, he intended to cultivate Xu Qing into a new tool for checks and balances.

But as he heard more and more rumors, and Xu Qing's reputation grew, he couldn't help but feel wary.

How could he not have doubts about a young, powerful, highly respected imperial physician surrounded by officials and known for his integrity?

If Xu Qing is allowed to continue like this, and he decides to side with the Crown Prince or Han Yu, then the King of Han will likely become the retired king.

Now that news has spread that Xu Qing has gone to Zi Lan Xuan and has a close relationship with Zi Nu, he is overjoyed.

With such leverage and the weakness of lust, he could confidently control Xu Qing and continue to use him as a tool to maintain balance in the court.

"I see, Your Majesty is indeed wise."

Before Consort Hu could finish speaking, Eunuch Han hurriedly ran to King Han's side and whispered a few words.

"What!? Is that so?" King Han An stood up and said.

"My lady, I have urgent business to attend to, so I will be leaving now."

Han Wang An left anxiously, and Han the eunuch bowed slightly to Consort Hu before leaving with his entourage.

As Han Wang An left, the smile on Hu Meiren's face vanished.

"Ruotao, the Imperial Physician should be here to take your pulse by now. Go and see why he hasn't arrived yet," Hu Meiren said coldly.

“Yes,” Ruotao said.

"Going to a brothel, is that it? And having a close relationship with the brothel owner, is that it? If you don't have a good reason, don't blame me."

Hu Meiren sneered inwardly. She was so focused on protecting herself from the wicked woman, the Damp Demon, that she hadn't even considered that Xu Qing could still attract attention outside the Han King's Palace.

Even if you were dating a respectable young man from a powerful family, how could you possibly go to a brothel and flirt with someone who runs a brothel?

Before long, Ruotao returned looking nervous.

"How is it? Where is the imperial physician?" Hu Meiren asked, looking at Ruotao who had returned alone.

"My lady, the Imperial Medical Academy said that the Imperial Physician is on leave today and will not be able to come until tomorrow," Ruotao said nervously.

"Is that so?" Hu Meiren narrowed her eyes, a dangerous glint flashing in them.

She needs to increase Xu Qing's intensity again.

Mingzhu Palace.

"Madam, the Imperial Physician has taken leave and is not at the Imperial Hospital," the maid said nervously.

Lying on the small couch, the succubus narrowed her eyes, crossed her long, beautiful legs, and revealed a cold smile on her face.

"Is that so? Go to the Imperial Hospital first thing tomorrow morning and summon the Imperial Physician's Order to me," the Tide Demoness said coldly.

Upon hearing this, the maid's shoulders trembled slightly. Seeing the dangerous aura emanating from the Tide Demoness, she knew that Xu Qing was doomed.

"Yes, Madam." The maid bowed her head and quickly walked out of the bedchamber.

The succubus rose from the small couch, walked to the shelf beside her, picked up a black riding whip, and swung it twice heavily.

"Going to a brothel? Is this how you repay me?!"

Chao Nu Yao snorted coldly. She had thought Xu Qing was obedient and even rewarded him with a few scrolls of bamboo slips, but she never expected that Xu Qing would turn around and go to a brothel.

Is this Xu Qing's way of repaying her? She really needs to give Xu Qing a good talking-to.

P.S.: This humble adopted son is begging for monthly votes online!! Adoptive father, please use your lucky hands to cast a monthly vote.

(End of this chapter)