Don't disturb me, I won't be a concubine

After seeing off Envoy Chen, Tan Hao could no longer hide his joy.

"I am not dreaming, am I really admitted to the Imperial Hospital?"

Several apprentices congratulated in unison, "Congratulations, Senior Brother, Congratulations, Master."

Doctor Tan said solemnly, "My family has been practicing medicine for generations. In the past, we only thought about curing illnesses and saving lives to support our family. But now we have come to the capital from Linqing County, and we have received a plaque written by the emperor himself. Now the emperor has promoted you to the Imperial Hospital. This is an honor, but also a test for us."

"Let me ask you, are you willing to work in the Imperial Hospital?" Doctor Tan asked.

Tan Hao nodded seriously, "Dad, I am willing. It is my lifelong wish to be able to improve my medical skills in the Imperial Hospital."

"You have to think carefully. The Imperial Hospital is not like our Hui'an Hall. When you go there, you will not only learn medical skills, but also the ways of being an official. You can't do things as you please as before."

"I understand what Dad said. There are gains and losses in everything. When I arrive at the Imperial Hospital, I will be careful with my words and actions and not bring shame to Dad."

"Now that you've thought it through, go ahead."

Tan Kai patted Tan Hao on the shoulder and said, "You are the first person in our family to serve as an official in the imperial court. I am very happy for you."

"Thank you, big brother. From now on, the clinic will have to rely on you to help dad."

"Don't worry, I'm here at the clinic."

Dong Jiafu smiled and said, "Congratulations, Senior Brother, for fulfilling your long-cherished wish."

Tan Hao chuckled, "It's only by going to Xizhou with you that I can have this opportunity. It will be difficult to go out and collect herbs again in the future."

"Brother, don't feel sorry. The palace has all kinds of precious herbs from all over the world. You can see them without going outside. Isn't that better?"

"Yes, why didn't I think of it?" Tan Hao immediately became more excited.

In the lobby of the Ministry of Justice, Zhou's case continued to be heard.

Han Shangshu said to Zhou in the hall: "According to the confession of the two stewards Huo and Fei who came with you as a bride, you ordered them to strangle Qingyan and bury her body in the woods. Qingyan's body was found yesterday, and the cause of death was consistent with what they confessed."

"According to your mother Wang, she saw Lu Wenchen coming out of his brother Lu Siheng's yard at night, and she told you about the close relationship between Lu Wenchen and Qingyan, which made you want to kill him."

"And she also confessed that she had replaced the medicine that Fu drank at that time according to your instructions. Now there are witnesses and evidences. It is you who killed Fu and Qingyan. What else do you have to say about this?"

Zhou was kneeling on the ground, her hair disheveled, laughing in a trance.

"I killed them because they both deserved to die. One of them seduced my husband, and the other seduced my son. They deserve to die. They all deserve to die! Hahahaha——"

Minister Han took Zhou's signed confession and showed it to Lord Cheng and Lord Wei. He said, "The case is now closed. Take Zhou and the others away and wait for the verdict."

After Lu Siheng thanked the three judges, he came out of the Ministry of Justice. He had waited for this day for twenty years, but he was not as happy as he had imagined. He finally got justice for his mother, but the price he paid was too high.

He looked around blankly, not knowing where to go for a moment, so he walked aimlessly on the street.

Dong Jiafu came out of the clinic and saw a familiar figure.

She followed him and said, "It's really you. I thought I was seeing things."

When Lu Siheng heard the voice, he turned around, his eyes confused for a moment, as if he didn't recognize her.

Dong Jiafu was also shocked by his appearance. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked very haggard. Having known him for several years, she was used to his cynical appearance, but she had never seen him so vulnerable.

"are you OK?"

Lu Siheng forced a smile and said, "You're back. Did you find the Snow Spirit Grass?"

"Found it. I found it a few days after you left."

"That's good."

"Where are you going?"

"I don't know either. I just walk around and see where I end up."

"I happen to be free right now, can I accompany you?"

"Okay."

The two continued walking forward. Lu Siheng didn't say anything and Dong Jiafu didn't ask any questions.

Dong Jiafu stopped by a small stall and said, "I remember you like the wontons here. Do you want to go over and have a bowl?"

Lu Siheng looked over and saw the place where he had pestered her to treat him to dinner before.

"I didn't expect you to remember, but I don't have much appetite right now."

He must not have had a good meal these days. Dong Jiafu said in a relaxed tone, "Before, you asked me to eat with you. Now I want to eat. I wonder if Lord Lu can do me the honor?"

"What do you want to eat? I'll treat you." Lu Siheng walked towards the stall.

"Then I won't be polite." Dong Jiafu went over and ordered some food.

The two found a table and sat down, and the food they ordered came out quickly.

"Enjoy your meal, both of you." The stall owner put down the food they had ordered and quickly went back to his busy work.

It was still early and the sun had not yet set, so most of the tables here were empty.

"Come on, don't just watch me eat, eat too." Dong Jiafu handed the spoon to Lu Siheng.

Lu Siheng took it and stirred the wontons in the bowl in front of him.

"Hmm, it still tastes the same. Come and eat it quickly." Dong Jiafu said after taking a bite.

Only when she saw him lower his head and start eating did she secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

Seeing that he had almost finished eating, Dong Jiafu said, "By the way, Miss Du came to the capital with us."

Lu Siheng raised his head and asked, "Did she go to Xizhou without telling General Du?"

Dong Jiafu was surprised. "You are amazing. How did you guess that?"

"She doesn't like the capital, right? The reason she's willing to come here must be to avoid something more serious."

"That's exactly what happened. General Du sent people to look for her, and she was so scared that she hid in my carriage. She also said that General Du knew she was going to the capital, and I believed it."

"She definitely can't hide it from Cui Qi Yan." Lu Siheng finished a bowl of wontons and put down the spoon.

Dong Jiafu opened her eyes wide, "Tell me, did you have someone secretly following us? Otherwise, how do you know everything?"

Lu Siheng couldn't help but smile, "If Cui Qiyan doesn't know what I can guess, then he has been known as one of the 'Four Young Masters of the Capital' for so many years in vain."

Hearing this long-lost title, Dong Jiafu couldn't help but laugh, "You are one of the four young masters."

"They rely on their talent and knowledge, but I rely on my face," Lu Siheng said self-deprecatingly.

"So what? Good looks are also your advantage."

I don’t know if it was because of the bowl of wontons or what Dong Jiafu said, but Lu Siheng’s complexion looked much better.

After a moment of silence, he said, "I know you are deliberately trying to make me happy."

Dong Jiafu ate half of the wontons in her bowl, put down her spoon and looked at him.

"I heard about your redress for your mother and Qingyan's story."

"I buried her with my own hands this morning. The case was just concluded, and Zhou admitted to killing my mother and her."

Dong Jiafu was silent for a moment. "Now that their grievances have been redressed, they can rest assured. Don't blame yourself too much. Qingyan definitely doesn't want to see you like this."

"Tian'er." Lu Siheng said suddenly.

"What?" Dong Jiafu was puzzled.

"Her real name is Xiao Tian'er."

Dong Jiafu was stunned for a moment, then said, "Xiao Tianer, what a nice name."

"It's a pity that her life was too bitter, not sweet at all. It was my carelessness that killed her." Lu Siheng's veins bulged as he gripped the edge of the table.

Dong Jiafu looked away from his hand, "I think she must have done all this for you willingly. The person is gone, and the living are like this. You should take good care of yourself."