After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

Chapter 101 I quit!

Imperial Medical Academy.

The academy's magistrate, Xu Sheng, was leisurely leaning back in his chair, resting with his eyes closed.

Judge Chang Xing, Wang Pan, and others sat around, each holding a teacup, chatting idly.

Xue Xinfu pushed open the door and entered, his forehead still covered in sweat, clearly having rushed back.

"Professor Xu, esteemed judges, I have important matters to report!"

Xu Sheng opened his eyes, glanced at him, and asked, "It's Physician Xue. What can I do for you?"

Xue Xinfu took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Dean Xu, have you thoroughly investigated the matter of the Hundred Herbs Pill that I reported yesterday?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Sheng exchanged glances with the other judges and suddenly burst into laughter.

Chang Xing nearly spat out his tea with a chuckle, pointing at Xue Xinfu and saying, "Physician Xue, you—you don't actually think there's something wrong with that Hundred Herbs Pill, do you?"

Xue Xinfu frowned, his face darkening: "What do you all mean?"

Xu Sheng put down his teacup and said slowly, "Physician Xue, do you, a mere ninth-rank physician, doubt the competence of our Imperial Medical Academy?"

Chang Xing chimed in, "Exactly! When Sect Leader Qian presented the medicine, we all personally inspected it. The pills had a uniform color and a mild smell, how could there be a problem?"

Wang Pan also said, "Physician Xue, you are young and inexperienced, so it's normal for you to make mistakes occasionally. But you can't question us old guys just because you made a mistake."

Chang Xing then smiled and said, "It's understandable that Physician Xue is eager to make a contribution."

Wang Pan waved his hand, acting as a peacemaker: "Alright, alright, Physician Xue is only being loyal; he's just overthinking it. Physician Xue, go back and do your job well, don't worry about these things."

Xue Xinfu's face turned ashen. He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, I am not overthinking this, nor am I seeking merit. The Hundred Herbs Pill does indeed contain aconite, and in considerable quantities! Long-term use could be life-threatening!"

Xu Sheng's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal. He said calmly, "Are you saying that we old folks are too blind to recognize aconite?"

Xue Xinfu said urgently, "The pills you all verified back then are not the same as the ones we have now!"

Chang Xing's face darkened: "Physician Xue, what do you mean by that? Are you saying that our Imperial Hospital has been deceived?"

Xue Xinfu clasped his hands and said, "That's not what I meant, but the facts are undeniable—"

Wang Pan interrupted him, sneering, "Facts? What right do you, a mere ninth-rank medical officer, have to talk about facts? We've practiced medicine for decades, what kind of medicine haven't we seen? Are we inferior to you?"

Xue Xinfu took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said, word by word, "Gentlemen, I have just returned from Shuntian Prefecture. Today, someone complained that they almost lost their lives after taking Baicao Dan (a traditional Chinese medicine). I examined the pulses of seven or eight people in court, and they all showed symptoms of aconite poisoning! That Qian Xuzi has already been detained by the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture!"

Upon hearing this, the laughter of the several magistrates and judges abruptly ceased.

Xu Sheng's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and snorted coldly, "Even if someone complains, it doesn't prove there's something wrong with the medicine. Perhaps those people ate something else themselves and are deliberately framing me?"

Xue Xinfu stared at him, his eyes gleaming: "Academician Xu, I have personally witnessed and diagnosed these people. Their symptoms varied, but the cause was the same: aconite poisoning! Moreover, I have already pointed out in court that Qian Xuzi added aconite to his medicine! This matter has already been heard in Shuntian Prefecture, and Qian Xuzi has been detained!"

Chang Xing's face darkened, but he still forced a smile and said, "What right do you, a mere medical officer, have to identify the leader of the Medicine King Sect? Did you get our permission?"

Xue Xinfu trembled with rage and shouted, "I am but a lowly official, but my evidence is irrefutable! You, as the heads and judges of the Imperial Medical Academy, instead of investigating the truth, are here drinking tea and chatting idly, arrogant and conceited! Now the case has reached Shuntian Prefecture, Qian Xuzi has been arrested, and you are still here making sarcastic remarks! You have delayed important matters; can you bear the responsibility?"

Xu Sheng slammed his hand on the table, stood up abruptly, his face ashen: "Xue Xinfu! How dare you! You actually lecture this envoy?"

Chang Xing also stood up, pointing his finger at Xue Xinfu's nose: "Still delaying important matters? Aren't you afraid of biting your tongue!"

Looking at these despicable faces, Xue Xinfu said in a deep voice, "You don't care, do you? I'm going to see His Majesty!"

"stop!"

Xu Sheng suddenly stopped him, his face terribly gloomy.

Xue Xinfu stared at him coldly, creating an awkward atmosphere.

Xu Sheng took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and, maintaining the air of an imperial physician, said, word by word, "Xue Xinfu, this is the Imperial Medical Academy, not your backyard! If it weren't for your father Xue Kai's sake, would I allow you to act so recklessly?"

"I'm giving you one last chance. Go back to what you were doing. If you want to get ahead, you need to work diligently and honestly, not try to attract attention, and certainly not gamble with your future. If you continue to cause trouble, I will expel you from the Imperial Medical Academy!"

After listening, Xue Xinfu suddenly laughed.

He looked at Xu Sheng and the others, and slowly said, "Academician Xu, I have been in the Imperial Medical Academy for three years and have never thought of getting ahead. I only want to be worthy of this official robe and the reputation of the Xue family's generations of medical practice. Now the evidence is conclusive, and lives are at stake, yet you turn a blind eye and a deaf ear, and instead accuse me of seeking attention?"

"Are you determined to oppose this envoy?"

"I don't want to work at the Imperial Medical Academy anymore!"

Xu Sheng's face turned ashen, and he roared, "Fine! Submit your resignation right now, and I'll approve it!"

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Upon hearing the voice, everyone's expression changed drastically.

Xu Sheng hurriedly got up, preparing to go out to greet the emperor.

The Hongzhi Emperor had already strode across the threshold, followed by Zhu Houzhao, Yang Shen, and Li Chun, and then by the panting old ministers Wang Ao, Tu, and others.

"Your humble servant, Xu Sheng of the Imperial Medical Academy, respectfully welcomes Your Majesty!"

Chang Xing, Wang Pan, Xue Xinfu, and others bowed and kowtowed.

Get up.

The Hongzhi Emperor waved his hand and asked, "What did I just hear outside about resigning? Who wants to resign?"

Sweat beaded on Xu Sheng's forehead as he hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, it is—it is Xue Xinfu, a physician from the Imperial Medical Academy. He neglects his duties, causes trouble everywhere, and is even making a scene here with me. I am about to deal with him—"

Xue Xinfu suddenly raised his head and said loudly, "Your Majesty! I have something to report!"

Xu Sheng's expression changed, and he glared at him fiercely.

The Hongzhi Emperor, however, became interested and looked at Xue Xinfu: "Oh? What will you play?"

Xue Xinfu straightened his knees, speaking neither humbly nor arrogantly: "What I wish to report is precisely the Hundred Herbs Pill of the Medicine King Sect! I have discovered that this medicine contains a large amount of aconite, and I have already testified to this in court at the Shuntian Prefecture. Qian Xuzi has been detained by the Prefect! However, Xu Sheng, the Director of the Imperial Medical Academy, and the other academy judges, knowing this, have not bothered to investigate. Instead, they are here drinking tea and chatting idly, scoffing at my report! When I argued my case, they used their official positions to pressure me, even threatening to expel me from the Imperial Medical Academy!"

Xu Sheng's face turned deathly pale, and he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, he's spouting nonsense! What right does a mere ninth-rank physician have to accuse the Medicine King Sect? We—"

The Hongzhi Emperor raised his hand to interrupt him, his gaze falling on Xue Xinfu.

"You said you went to the Shuntian Prefecture court to testify?"

Xue Xinfu bowed his head and said, "I personally examined the pulses of several people, and they all showed symptoms of aconite poisoning! Qian Xuzi was unable to defend himself and has been detained by Prefect Han!"

The Hongzhi Emperor remained silent for a moment, then suddenly looked at Xu Sheng: "Minister Xu, what do you think?"