Chapter 420

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "Hu Xiaotian, I never expected you to know medicine as well."

"I happened to learn it from an old servant in my household."

Zhou Ruiyuan didn't care where he had learned his medical skill, and softly said, "It seems many past rumors are false." He was referring to the matter of Hu Xiaotian being a fool; he had also heard that the Hu family's foolish son had suddenly become intelligent, but he felt this was truly too bizarre. Zhou Ruiyuan is an extremely rational and calm person; in his view, this might be a case of rumor spreading from rumor. After seeing Hu Xiaotian, he recalled past events and another thought arose in his mind: Could it be that the Hu family's son was never a fool? Perhaps Hu Wuwei deliberately released such false news. If that were true, then when I broke off the engagement earlier, I had fallen into Hu Wuwei's trap, or rather Hu Wuwei had deliberately designed it so that I would propose breaking off the engagement. However, this matter cannot be blamed on Zhou Ruiyuan; no one would want their daughter to marry a fool.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Sir Zhou is referring to……"

Zhou Ruiyuan laughed and said: "Nothing much, Hu Xiaotian, why have you come to the Imperial Medical Institute?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "To see a doctor."

"Oh? You can even cure the Emperor's illness, why do you also need to come here to see a doctor?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Sir, have you forgotten the principle that physicians cannot treat themselves?"

Zhou Ruiyuan chuckled, nodded, his eyes full of appreciation: "Since you're here, do your job well. You are young, smart, and capable; I believe the Emperor will surely value you."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I am merely a eunuch, clear about my identity and duty. I remain in the palace to atone for my sins. My heart only wishes to serve the Emperor well; aside from that, I have no other thoughts."

Just from Hu Xiaotian's words one can hear his wariness toward himself; in Zhou Ruiyuan's view this is quite normal, after all everyone knows he and Hu Wuwei are on bad terms. Seeing Hu Wuwei's precious son end up in his current state, Zhou Ruiyuan also couldn't help feeling a surge of emotion, and he said softly: "You may go. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can come to me."

"Thank you, Sir!"

Watching Hu Xiaotian's hurriedly retreating back, Zhou Ruiyuan couldn't help shaking his head; after Hu Xiaotian walked away, he then continued toward the Imperial Medical Institute.

Arriving at the gate of the Imperial Medical Institute, Zhou Ruiyuan showed some hesitation; this Left Secretary of Dakang, even when having an audience with the Emperor, had never displayed such unease, yet now he appeared unusually hesitant. Finally he pressed his lips together, made up his mind, and stepped inside.

The place Zhou Ruiyuan went to was exactly the small Ti-character-shaped examination room Hu Xiaotian had just left. Standing outside the door of the examination room, Zhou Ruiyuan hesitated again.

Inside, Qin Yutong had already heard the footsteps outside and softly said: "Come in!"

Zhou Ruiyuan's fists unconsciously clenched, then relaxed; he lifted his official robe, stepped over the threshold, and entered the room.

Qin Yutong's eyes remained fixed on the anatomical drawing Hu Xiaotian had left behind. Even now she was still immersed in the shock he had given her. She lifted her gaze; when she saw Zhou Ruiyuan, her usually tranquil beautiful eyes rippled slightly, but quickly returned to stillness, and she said softly: "Sir Zhou has arrived?"

Zhou Ruiyuan felt as if someone had dealt a heavy blow to his chest, yet his inner pain showed nothing on his face; he replied in the same flat, unremarkable tone: "Are you still well?"

"Thank you for your concern, Sir Zhou; I have always been fine."

Zhou Ruiyuan nodded, scanned the examination room, letting his gaze drift away from Qin Yutong. Meanwhile Qin Yutong's gaze remained steadily fixed on him: "Sir, are you here to see a doctor?"

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "Yes!"

Qin Yutong pointed to the chair opposite her.

Zhou Ruiyuan came to the chair, sat down, and extended his left wrist.

Qin Yutong extended her hand; her jade fingers, slender as spring scallions, lightly rested on Zhou Ruiyuan's pulse, then quickly withdrew: "Your health is excellent."

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "I am ill." He pointed to his chest: "Here!"

Qin Yutong said: "A heart ailment requires heart medicine; I am unable to help with your condition." She slowly rose, put away that anatomical drawing, then picked up the wooden box preparing to leave.

As she walked past Zhou Ruiyuan's side, Zhou Ruiyuan, filled with turmoil, said: "Qin Yutong!"

Qin Yutong's footsteps paused for a moment, her spine instinctively straightening: "Sir Zhou, do you have any further orders?"

Zhou Ruiyuan's hand clenched again: "Why won't you forgive me? Your mother's death……"

"Those are past events; Sir Zhou need not mention them again. Choosing to forget is good for you and for others." Qin Yutong said this and walked straight away, leaving Zhou Ruiyuan alone, foolishly sitting in the room, his whole person seeming to have suddenly aged greatly.

Hu Xiaotian returned to the Office of Sacrificial Affairs; the Emperor's close attendant, the little eunuch Yin Zheng, was already waiting there for him. This little eunuch was the one who followed behind Hu Xiaotian picking up gossip, and his skill at flattery was also considerable. Those who serve beside the Emperor are not ordinary people; these eunuchs are adept at reading expressions, and their skins are thicker than most people's.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian return, Yin Zheng beamed with smiles and came forward to greet him. Although he is only a little eunuch, he is in fact a close personal attendant of the Emperor, so his status is still somewhat higher than others'. If he were dealing with others, Yin Zheng might put on airs, but in front of Hu Xiaotian he dare not. First, Hu Xiaotian had just saved the Emperor and is a meritorious person; second, it is now rumored throughout the palace that Hu Xiaotian belongs to the Directorate of Eunuchs under Ji Feihua. To the eunuchs, Ji Feihua has already replaced Quan De'an as the supreme existence among eunuchs, and they all take pride in attaching themselves to Ji Feihua. Even if they cannot curry favor with Ji Feihua, currying favor with Ji Feihua's close associates is just as good.

From afar Yin Zheng clasped his hands in salute: "Greetings, Eunuch Hu! Greetings, Eunuch Hu!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Greetings, Eunuch Yin! Greetings, Eunuch Yin!"

Yin Zheng said: "Eunuch Hu, you're being polite; just call me Little Yin. Eunuch Hu, you are handsome and suave, of extraordinary bearing, like a jade tree in the wind, outstanding in appearance—truly you are the idol in my heart!"

Hu Xiaotian puffed out his chest, "Damn, this flattery is laid on a bit too thick; I'm somewhat unable to take it, but it still sounds rather pleasant. No wonder this little Yin can get by beside the Emperor."

Yin Zheng added: "My admiration for Eunuch Hu is like the Yangtze's waters, endless and flowing, and like the Yellow River's flood, bursting forth uncontrollably!"

Hu Xiaotian hehe laughed: "I'm playing with the leftover meme, and you kid actually still chew it with relish; I didn't expect there to be knockoffs these days, even among eunuchs there are imitators. Hu Xiaotian clasped his hands: "Nice to meet you! Nice to meet you!"

Yin Zheng said: "It is Little Yin's honor, indeed."

Since the other party has lowered his stance, Hu Xiaotian need not act overly humble; the eunuchs beside the Emperor are still eunuchs, that dog of an Emperor in front of Ji Feihua is just a spineless yes‑man, and his attendant eunuchs have nothing to brag about.

Hu Xiaotian invited Yin Zheng into his room; Xiao Zhuo brought up a pot of tea, and when he was about to pour it for them, Yin Zheng had already snatched the teapot: "Let me do it!" He then smiled at Xiao Zhuo: "Please step aside, Sir Eunuch; I have something I need to convey privately to Eunuch Hu."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; Xiao Zhuo turned and left, casually pulling the door shut behind him.

Yin Zheng poured the tea, respectfully presented one cup to Hu Xiaotian, and took one for himself; actually, as a guest he was already lowering himself, and this posture was somewhat obsequious.

Hu Xiaotian unhurriedly sipped his tea and asked: "Eunuch Yin, what brings you here?"

Yin Zheng laughed: "Eunuch Hu, please don't call me that; just call me Little Yin. If you think highly of me, call me brother."

Hu Xiaotian secretly laughed at this fellow's thick skin, slowly set down his teacup, and said softly: "Little Yin, what do you want from me?" If you want me to think highly of you, you need to show some ability; do you think I'll just casually take on any lackey? I am still quite discerning; in fact, as Hu Xiaotian's personal status rises, his standards for accepting confidants become ever higher. Better to lack than to excess; he does not want to make up numbers with useless people.

Yin Zheng said: "Right, Eunuch Hu, I came this time to ask the Emperor a question on his behalf: can the sutures on his body be changed to golden thread?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian found it both laughable and exasperating; that bird of an Emperor actually gets worked up over this. He laughed: "The Emperor's sutures certainly can't last a lifetime; after six or seven days, once the wound has healed, I will go over to help him remove the stitches."

Yin Zheng said: "You didn't say you'd be going tomorrow?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Yes, I need to go tomorrow to help the Emperor change his dressing."

Yin Zheng said: "The Emperor holds Eunuch Hu in high regard; Little Yin, while attending the Emperor, has heard him praise you countless times, and he holds you in high esteem as well."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I am humbled by the Emperor's praise; his grace is vast, and I feel both grateful and fearful."

Yin Zheng said: "In the future, I will still need to rely on Eunuch Hu for further support and promotion."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Those near the water get the moon first; I also hope to follow you and share in your glory."

Yin Zheng said: "Thanks to Eunuch Hu's favor, if there are any benefits from the Emperor's side, I will certainly inform Eunuch Hu at the earliest opportunity."

Hu Xiaotian felt a stir in his heart; having a spy planted beside the Emperor would be nice, but this fellow came forward on his own, making Hu Xiaotian somewhat hesitant. In a palace of deceit and trickery, everywhere are scams; a little carelessness could lead one into another's scheme. Moreover, he himself has no intention of monitoring the Emperor's movements; what he most wants is to quickly take Princess Anping and his own parents and flee Kangdu. Hu Xiaotian said: "Eunuch Yin, your words are off the mark; we servants cannot spend all day thinking about gaining benefits; serving the Emperor well is our duty."

Yin Zheng nodded repeatedly, though inside he did not think so; he also saw that Hu Xiaotian did not trust him, and holding his teacup he took a sip and said: "If someone were to speak ill of you before the Emperor, would you not want to know?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "The Zajia in the palace is merely an insignificant minor role; I don't know which Sir would value it so highly."

It's Monday again; the purpose of the midnight update is simply to beg for a few more recommendation votes, hoping to break into the weekly recommendation list! Thanks everyone! (To be continued~^~)