The height of summer was blazing hot, but stepping into the Northern Administrative Court's prison cells was like entering an ice cavern, sending chills through one's body.
Doctor Geng inadvertently stepped on something soft and couldn't help but let out a sharp scream, clinging tightly to the arm of Imperial Physician Jiang beside him.
Initially composed, Imperial Physician Jiang was startled by his reaction and nearly shouted as well.
The leading Jinyiwei turned around, his cold face openly mocking.
"Don't be afraid, there are quite a few rats around here," he said. "I thought doctors like you, accustomed to life and death, wouldn't be afraid of anything."
Feeling embarrassed, Imperial Physician Jiang glared fiercely at Doctor Geng.
Regaining his composure, Doctor Geng straightened up and gripped his medical kit properly.
By now, they had walked deeper into the prison. On both sides, the cells were dark and filled with moaning, yet no one could be seen.
How much further to go?
He wasn't scared of seeing the prisoners; he just disliked this environment.
Moreover, dealing with someone unpredictable like Lu Yunqi always felt slightly unsettling.
Just as Imperial Physician Jiang was about to speak, the Jinyiwei in front stopped and opened one of the cell doors.
"Doctor Jiang, this is the place," he announced.
Imperial Physician Jiang hummed in acknowledgment, standing at the door and peering inside. The dim light made it hard to see anything clearly; he could only make out a figure lying on the floor, lifeless.
Doctor Geng couldn't resist grabbing his arm again.
"Master, be careful," he added quickly, hoping to prevent any reprimand from Imperial Physician Jiang.
Ignoring him, Imperial Physician Jiang stepped inside.
"Please light the torch," he said.
The Jinyiwei did as asked, igniting a torch on the wall.
Light was a tool to dispel fear. Imperial Physician Jiang and Doctor Geng immediately felt more at ease and could see a person lying on the ground.
It was unclear how long this person had been confined, his hair unkempt, emitting a rotting smell.
Imperial Physician Jiang raised his hand to cover his nose before stepping forward to briefly inspect.
What illnesses could a prisoner of the Northern Administrative Court have? Apart from injuries from torture, it was the mental breakdown from harsh treatments, both of which could be fatal.
"Can this be cured?" Doctor Geng asked softly.
"Just apply some medicine to keep him from dying for now," Imperial Physician Jiang said nonchalantly, frowning. "Who would think about leaving this place alive once they're in?"
Doctor Geng nodded, turning to fetch the medical kit resting nearby, then suddenly shrieked.
Holding his nose, Imperial Physician Jiang turned back and glared at him irritably.
"What is it?" he demanded in a low voice.
This time, Doctor Geng did not quiet down; instead, his voice grew louder.
"Master, master, the door, the door is shut," he shouted.
The door?
Imperial Physician Jiang quickly stood and looked toward the cell entrance.
The accompanying Jinyiwei had disappeared at some point, and the cell door was shut, the iron chain gleaming coldly in the torchlight.
"What's going on?" Imperial Physician Jiang shouted as he rushed to the door, shaking it violently. "Is anyone there?"
His shouts echoed in the dark cell, answered only by faint moans that sent shivers down the spine.
No wonder he felt uneasy.
Could this damned Lu Yunqi have intended to lock him up?
But why?
Imperial Physician Jiang's face paled, and Doctor Geng was already kneeling on the ground, his shouts becoming distorted.
"Lu Yunqi, what is the meaning of this?" Imperial Physician Jiang shouted again. "How dare you imprison me on your own? Are you not afraid of the Empress Dowager's blame?"
No one responded.
Imperial Physician Jiang, furious, anxious, and scared, kicked the cell door violently, the chains rattling loudly.
Lu Yunqi, this madman, has gone mad. Was it just to outdo him? Damn, is he out of his mind?
"Are you a doctor?"
A harsh, grating voice suddenly erupted.
At the same time, a face as wrinkled as tree bark appeared before him, ghost-like.
Imperial Physician Jiang was taken aback and let out a shout, retreating a step, only then did he see clearly that the newcomer was an old man, hunched over, not wearing the uniform of the Jinyiwei, and under the torchlight, his shadow flickered.
It was a person, not a ghost.
Imperial Physician Jiang immediately stepped forward angrily.
"Quick, open the door, I need to see Lu Yunqi." he shouted.
The wrinkled old man shook his head.
"I don't deal with that." he said, staring at Imperial Physician Jiang, his eyes gleaming, "Are you a doctor? Are you an imperial physician? Are your medical skills very impressive?"
Imperial Physician Jiang glared at him with disdain.
"Yes, I am a doctor, I am the head of the Imperial Hospital, I am the personal physician to the Empress Dowager." he declared, "Who are you?"
The old man's face broke into a smile, like a blooming chrysanthemum.
"What a coincidence." he said, "I am also a doctor."
..................…..
"What did they say at the palace?"
Hundred-man commander Jiang asked in a low voice, carefully placing the official hat on Lu Yunqi.
"A prisoner fell ill, quite a tricky case, it needs Imperial Physician Jiang's attention." Lu Yunqi said, "Everyone knows Imperial Physician Jiang, always diligent and responsible, so he simply moved into the cell, vowing not to rest until the patient is cured."
Hundred-man commander Jiang laughed, then quickly stifled his laughter.
"Yes." he said solemnly, then huffed, "This old fool really doesn't know what's good for him, still hasn't learned his lesson after a beating, and dares to covet Miss Jun; Miss Jun is not someone he can aspire to."
Lu Yunqi hummed in agreement, straightening his already stern robe, his thin lips tightly pressed, like a curved blade.
"Yes." he said.
Yes, Imperial Physician Jiang doesn't know what's good for him, although everyone knows that Lu Yunqi makes life difficult for Miss Jun, but they all forget one thing, only Lu Yunqi can hassle her.
Anyone else who dares touch his target, will have their hands chopped off.
"What about the smallpox vaccine deaths in the western route of Hebei…" Hundred-man commander Jiang hesitated then asked.
"She will handle her vaccine herself." Lu Yunqi said.
Meaning, besides her, no one else is permitted to intervene in this matter, and this matter must not be disclosed.
Hundred-man commander Jiang bowed again in agreement.
Lu Yunqi strode towards the outside.
"Sir, are you going to the palace?" Hundred-man commander Jiang followed and asked, "Has the matter of the Duke of Chengguo's heir been settled?"
Lu Yunqi hummed.
"I didn't expect Ning Yan to side with the Duke of Chengguo." Hundred-man commander Jiang lamented.
"For his own sake." Lu Yunqi said.
His words were simple, but Hundred-man commander Jiang understood after pondering—the Grand Scholar Huang Cheng lost his son, and now old, maybe a spot in the Cabinet could open up, and by seniority, Ning Yan was the most hopeful.
"But Huang Cheng has significant connections." he said softly, "And more importantly, the emperor himself wants to..."
He didn't finish his sentence as a Jinyiwei quickly ran towards them from outside. Upon seeing the person, Hundred-man commander Jiang hurriedly stopped talking.
"Sir." The Jinyiwei approached and handed a small scroll to Lu Yunqi.
Lu Yunqi unrolled it and took a look, his thin lips suddenly curving.
"Ning Yan is lucky." he said, "Zhu Zan is lucky too."
Having said that, he crumpled the piece of paper in his hand.
What happened? Zhu Zan being lucky is not something good for Lu Yunqi.
Hundred-man commander Jiang's expression sobered.
********************************************
Thank you to the southern ice and the lying lover 2 for rewarding the He's Bi (*^__^*) hehe...
Thank you everyone, I'm off to work~