With her deceased husband as her dowry, would Your Highness dare to marry her?

Pei Jinxuan watched as Dr. Xu, his back bent, hesitated to take the medicine from his hand.

Judge Xu, carrying the medicine tray, had his old arms aching from stretching them out, and his fingertips trembled slightly before he finally mustered the courage to raise his eyes.

Pei Jinxuan smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble."

But his hand didn't move.

Seeing that the medicine was steaming hot, Lin Ci knew it was the perfect time to swallow it; if she left it any longer, its medicinal properties would be diminished. She gently touched the edge of Pei Jinxuan's boot with her toe.

Pei Jinxuan understood and nodded slightly.

The young eunuch was very attentive and quickly stepped forward to take the medicine.

Unexpectedly, Lin Ci was one step ahead of him. She reached out and took the medicine bowl, first bringing it to her nose to smell it, then shaking it a couple of times, checking the color of the soup by the light, and only after confirming that it was correct did she hand it to Pei Jinxuan.

Pei Jinxuan took the medicine bowl, tilted his head back and gulped it down in one go, feeling as refreshed as if he had drunk a bowl of wine.

Judge Xu breathed a sigh of relief and was about to straighten up when Pei Jinxuan spoke.

"The weather has been unpredictable these past few days, making it easy to catch a cold. Dr. Xu, please take care of yourself."

Pei Jinxuan placed the empty bowl on the table, speaking very politely and putting on a good show.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness." Imperial Physician Xu bowed, his back bending low again. "These past few days have been freezing cold, and Your Majesty has also caught a cold. I have been taking Your Majesty's pulse every day, and the prescriptions have been adjusted according to the pulse, without daring to be negligent in the slightest."

"Since we adjust the prescription daily, won't the medications interact negatively?"

"Of course not."

"Words are no proof, are they?" Pei Jinpei raised her eyes, looking coldly at Judge Xu. "You've refused to hand over the prescription time and time again. Are you perhaps hiding something you're ashamed of?"

"Your Highness!" Imperial Physician Xu bowed deeply. "This humble subject would never dare to neglect his duty. This prescription concerns His Majesty's health and safety; it cannot be shown to others lightly!"

"It shouldn't be shown to others easily... What, are you afraid I'll tamper with it?"

"Of course not! Your Highness's loyalty is as clear as day! How could I doubt it? It is simply the rule established by our ancestors. As the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, I dare not disobey!"

"Ancestral rules?" Pei Jinxuan scoffed, casually leaning back against the pillow.

He seemed casual, but fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Lin Ci knew he must be feeling unwell; even his voice sounded weaker than it had been in the morning.

She brought out the hot water, but Pei Jinxuan waved her hand to decline, then turned her gaze to Xu Yuanpan's face.

"Judge Xu, you've upheld these rules for so long, has His Majesty shown any appreciation?"

Judge Xu's Adam's apple twitched slightly, and he lowered his head.

Pei Jinxuan's eyes sharpened, and he said again, "His Majesty's health has yet to improve. Is this due to your dereliction of duty, or the incompetence of the Imperial Medical Academy?!"

Pei Jinxuan slammed his hand on the armrest, startling Judge Xu into trembling.

Although old, Physician Xu was still very strong. He straightened his chest and said solemnly, "Does Your Highness not trust my medical skills? My family has been doctors for four generations, and the medical profession is renowned. I dare not speak for others, but when it comes to treating Your Majesty's illness, no one in the Imperial Medical Academy except me can handle it! If Your Highness feels that my medical skills are not good enough, or that there is even the slightest mistake..."

He raised his hand and removed the black gauze from his head. "Your Highness may take my head at any time!"

Pei Jinxuan remained silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "Judge Xu, you flatter me. We both work for His Majesty. The only one who could take your head is His Majesty. Put your official hat back on quickly, or others will laugh at you."

Judge Xu's initial enthusiasm cooled, and he realized that his behavior just now had been somewhat inappropriate. Looking ashamed, he straightened his official hat and bowed deeply, saying, "Your subject was rude."

Pei Jinxuan waved his hand, casually dismissing the matter.

"You have your reasons, so I won't make things difficult for you. Today, I would like to recommend someone for a position in the Imperial Medical Academy. Is that alright?"

Imperial Physician Xu bowed and said, "A physician with superb medical skills and a benevolent heart is someone I could not possibly find. I wonder who Your Highness wishes to recommend?"

"she."

Pei Jinxuan was pointing in the direction of Lin Ci.

Judge Xu raised his head, narrowed his eyes slightly, and scrutinized him for a long time. He could only make out that the man was a small eunuch with fair skin and a slender figure.

After pondering for a long time, Xu Yuanpan said, "Those who can serve in the Imperial Medical Academy must have extraordinary medical skills. The Imperial Medical Academy is responsible for everyone from His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine to all the civil and military officials. If there is even the slightest mistake, I cannot bear the responsibility."

"Does Judge Xu think my men are not qualified?"

"Your subject dares not. However, as a mere court official, I have the duty to judge people. The Imperial Medical Academy is not an ordinary place; not just anyone can step over its threshold..." He turned to Lin Ci, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe and then from toe to head once more.

"Let me test you."

This was exactly what Judge Xu wanted.

Pei Jinxuan smiled and said, "Please go ahead."

Judge Xu strolled up to Lin Ci, stood with his hands behind his back, and looked quite proud.

"May I ask who your teacher was?"

Lin Ci lowered her eyes, cupped her hands in greeting, and replied, "Self-taught."

Judge Xu narrowed his old eyes. Self-taught? Are you deliberately trying to make fun of this old man?

"Stretch out your hand."

Lin Ciyi stretched out her hands as instructed.

Her fingers were long and slender with distinct knuckles, making them an exceptionally beautiful pair of hands. Unfortunately, there were thin calluses on her fingertips, and half of her nails were slightly yellow, making them look quite dirty.

Judge Xu nodded repeatedly at the hands, his eyes full of admiration.

"Hmm, I can tell you've put in a lot of effort and made quite a few pills."

As he spoke, he grabbed Lin Ci's hand, wanting to examine the calluses on her fingertips again.

The touch felt off. His old eyesight was failing; he had been so focused on examining the man's robe that he hadn't considered anything else.

Judge Xu squeezed the hands in disbelief, exclaiming, "You're a woman?!"

Lin Ci nodded calmly.

Judge Xu snapped out of his daze, abruptly releasing her hand, his old face turning bright red.

He suddenly turned around, strode up to Pei Jinxuan, and flicked his official sleeve.

"Absurd! Utterly absurd!" Judge Xu roared. Suddenly, his old leg pain was gone, and his back was no longer bent. He paced back and forth in front of Pei Jinxuan, his official boots clattering on the floor tiles.

"What are Your Highness's intentions? How could you allow a mere woman to serve in the Imperial Hospital!"

"Why not?"

"Since the founding of the Yan Dynasty, there has been no precedent for a woman to serve in the palace! Your Highness's decision to appoint her to the Imperial Hospital is a violation of ancestral rules and regulations, and you intend to make me a sinner for all time!"

Pei Jinxuan sneered, "You old-fashioned fool. Medical skill is judged by ability, not by gender."

The Imperial Physician Xu raised his voice, saying, "She can't even say who her teacher is! I bear the lives and safety of the entire court on my shoulders; how dare I summon such a wild woman to the Imperial Hospital? Your Highness, you are trying to frame me as an unrighteous, disloyal, and immoral person!"

As Judge Xu spoke, he became increasingly agitated, his face turning red and his neck thickening.

Pei Jinxuan was even calmer than before. He leaned back in his chair and spoke slowly.

"What if I told you she was taught by Ghost Hand?"

Judge Xu was stunned.

"Ghost Hand? Is Your Highness referring to the reclusive Xiaoyaozi from back then?"

"Exactly."

Judge Xu's expression changed slightly. He turned to look at Lin Ci, stared at her for a moment, and then suddenly threw his head back and laughed.

"Hahahaha... Just now you said you were self-taught, and now you've become the successor of the Ghost Hand."

He stroked his beard and said sarcastically, "Your Highness, if I may be so bold, I've encountered at least four or five of Ghost Hand's disciples every year. Every one of them who comes to pay me respects claims to be a disciple of Ghost Hand. Your Highness, please don't be fooled by this woman!"

It was within Pei Jinxuan's expectations that Judge Xu did not believe Lin Ci. However, whether Lin Ci was truly Ghost Hand's disciple or not could not be verified except through her oral account.

But Pei Jinxuan believed her. He couldn't explain why, he just trusted her completely.

Lin Ci took a step forward unhurriedly and said softly, "Judge Xu, didn't you say you were going to test me? You only tested half of it, what about the other half?"

Judge Xu sneered, looking down on her from the bottom of his heart.

"No need. The Imperial Medical Academy does not accept women."

"I don't want to join your Imperial Hospital," she smiled gently. "I just want to see if you are capable enough to deserve the title of 'President of the Imperial Hospital'."