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Chapter 302 Uninvited Guest

Qiu Yu, possessing a pleasant disposition, nodded at Baisu. While greeting her, he was not bothered by the cold expression on her face at all.

He showed the parcel in his hand to Lin Mengya as if he was showing her some treasure.

“When I found out that you have just entered the palace, I knew you would not be used to the food and would not sleep well. This may not be delicacies, at least, you’d have something special to eat.”

Perhaps it was because Qiu Yu had a pleasant face in addition to how he always wore a friendly smile when he saw everyone that Lin Mengya always felt that this young physician was very approachable.

Waves of tempting aroma emitted from the table top.

Lin Mengya looked on as he took out a parcel from his bundle, and when she opened it carefully, there was a whole roasted duck, still steaming hot with oil.

“This is the imperial chef’s special dish, and he only made it for me after I pleaded with him for three days. How lucky and blessed you are to be able to enjoy this food.”

Apart from the roasted duck, there were braised duck webs and wings. When all the food was laid out on the table, it covered almost half of the table.

“Are you trying to prepare a get-together party for me?”

Lin Mengya burst out laughing while Qiu Yu merely looked stunned. While he obviously did not know the meaning of a get-together party, he was able to guess Lin Mengya’s intention because he was smart.

Qiu Yu smiled and finally took out a small wine bottle and a wine cup from his clothes, like he was performing some magic. He began pouring and drinking the wine. His action truly reflected his carefree personality.

“According to our usual practice, it is the first day of the New Year today. However, people like us do not have the luxury to celebrate it the usual way, so we can only seek joy amidst adversity.”

Qiu Yu was obviously mocking at himself, and Lin Mengya could empathize with him.

Indeed, they used to take leave for a few days during the New Year period no matter how busy they were.

Without further ado, Lin Mengya dragged Baisu along and sat down by the table, reached out to take hold of a piece of spicy duck wing, and began savoring every bit of it.

“Before I entered the palace, I even saw entire streets lined with red lanterns. I heard that there was going to be performances of dragon dance and lion dance through the night until daybreak.”

Lin Mengya sounded regretful as she spoke. She had agreed with her four maidservants earlier that they would let their hair down to have some fun during this period of time.

Now she could only stay in the palace quietly.

Even the coals in the stove seemed to have been suppressed by the air surrounding it as they burnt silently.

“What’s the use of being in a rich and powerful family? It is in fact worse than being in a regular family,” said Qiu Yu.

Qiu Yu’s words revealed his longing for a regular life.

Lin Mengya observed that the things Qiu Yu wore or used were not any regular quality, even though he was only a first-grade imperial physician. Nevertheless, the surname ‘Qiu’ was not among the noble and wealthy families in the capital city. Lin Mengya supposed he ought to be a rich man’s son from other states.

“The regular folks may not be living as comfortably as you think. Although there are many restrictions in large families, there was no worrying about food and shelter. You sound like a person moaning and groaning without any illness when you made the statement that you envied the lives of the regular and poor people. To obtain food from digging into the ground requires one to plant during spring and harvest during autumn. In times of famine and war, the people living in poverty would not even have clothes to wear or food to eat. In order to survive, they even sold their children. If even surviving is a luxury for them, could they even talk about living in bliss?”

Qiu Yu suddenly stopped eating the duck drumstick he was holding.

He cast an admiring look on the beautiful lady in splendid clothes.

Qiu Yu had the impression that this lady, who came from a rich and powerful family, who married into a prominent family, was a woman with just a little more experience and wisdom than regular women.

However, from how Lin Mengya had saved the soldiers in the army camp, to the painting she had left behind in the North Tower, Qiu Yu could see that Lin Mengya was not just a piece of flawless jade.

She was a real treasure. Lin Mengya was neither aloof nor arrogant. She was like the lotus that emerged from mirky waters but remained pure and undefiled. The words she had said did not sound like they were from the mouth of a lady who had grown up in a protective environment.

“Back home, my father and elder brothers always praised General Lin as a hero hard to come by. I didn’t think much of what they said, thinking that General Lin was merely a rough man. Today, my eyes are opened to how he was able to raise a daughter with an exceptional mind. This is enough for me to see that General Lin is definitely a wise and great hero. I’ve been such an ignorant fool, my apologies.”

After Qiu Yu finished speaking, he cupped his hands and bowed deeply to Lin Mengya.

Lin Mengya was surprised at his forthrightness, and her impression on this Physician Qiu was further improved.

At the same, her curiosity towards him was further aroused.

She wondered which outstanding place had raised such an unbridled and forthright young man.

“You are not to blame because of ignorance. I have an elder brother whom I believe will hit it off with you if you meet him.”

Qiu Yu’s eyes lit up at her words, and he immediately said, “Certainly. I could see he was very approachable when I saw you meeting up with the young General Lin at the army camp. I was unable to get acquainted with him because I was on a mission. I would gladly acquaint myself with him over a drink when opportunity arises.”

Qiu Yu was definitely a free spirit. Lin Mengya was sure he would drink until he got drunk if not for the tiny wine cup.

“Oh yes, there are many things that I’m unsure and unclear since I’m new to the Court of Imperial Physicians. Could you give me some pointers if it’s not too much to ask?”

Qiu Yu moaned and put down the cup he was holding.

For some reason, there was a look of disdain in his eyes.

“This place is not fit to be called the Court of Imperial Physicians. They are just a pack of wolves in sheep’s clothing. I may not be present for what happened today, but I could imagine their ugliness. These people whom you met today were merely the ones on duty during the New Year’s Eve. When you see all the people in the Court of Physician, you will understand the meaning of beasts in human form.”

It was not difficult for Lin Mengya to accept such an evaluation. In fact, her teacher had once given her earnest advice on this matter. Those physicians, who had managed to enter the palace to be imperial physicians, were neither lacking in ambition nor ruthlessness.

However, Lin Mengya was puzzled as to how her teacher would know exactly what happened in the Court of Imperial Physicians when he had never set foot in it.

“There’s doggerel in the palace which says that in the presence of these four main characters in the Court of Imperial Physicians, countless innocent lives were sacrificed in the palace each year.”

Never would she expect the Court of Physicians in the palace to be such a dark place.

Lin Mengya listened quietly as Qiu Yu spoke. Although Qiu Yu tried hard to suppress his emotions, Lin Mengya could sense the feeling of rage from the tone of his voice.

“You must have met Jiang Kai today. In fact, he is somehow related to you. He is part of Concubine De’s parents’ family. He had first come into the palace through Concubine De’s recommendation. It was said that he was the one who introduced the most-doted son of the Jiangs to a famous physician to be tutored by him. “For this reason, Jiang Kai was esteemed highly by the Jiang Family. He has a fiery temper but is honestly the easiest person to deal with among the four physicians. He would try ways and means to master the art of needle control he saw you performing, but given your status, he would not dare to lay a finger on you. Nevertheless, the other three will not be so easy to deal with.”

Lin Mengya was surprised to find that there was such a relationship in the midst.

“Vice President Cui Shi, Imperial Physician He Tianhe, Imperial Physician Ma Beiming and Jiang Kai are the four Yamas in the Court of Imperial Physicians. On the surface, they appear to be kind-hearted, but they are, in fact, ruthless and cruel. It would take more than three days and nights to talk about the atrocities they have done. Just bear in mind to keep away from them. They are people of influence in the palace, so you have to be vigilant even if you’re a princess. I’m a nobody here, and my teacher had been elbowed out. Even if I want to protect you, I don’t have the means.”

Qiu Yu’s expression told Lin Mengya that he was mocking at himself for his inability to help.

Lin Mengya shook her head and poured a cup of wine for him.

“This cup is to show my appreciation for Elder Brother Qiu. I am well aware that no one else would tell me these things, which I’d have never learn about, if not for you. You’ve done me a great favor by confiding in me. If you have any favors to ask of me in the future, rest assured I’ll try my best to help. You’re a real friend to me.”

Lin Mengya was a good judge of character. Qiu Yu would have run away long ago if he was any other imperial physician.

There could only be two reasons why he had rushed here this evening.

Firstly, he truly meant well for her. Otherwise, he would not have given her all the details, which resulted in him being ostracized by the others once someone found out about this. Secondly, he could really be someone of exceeding status given that the things he said revealed that he was grossly dissatisfied and totally fearless of the Court of Imperial Physicians. She could tell he did not think much of the Court of Imperial Physicians.

Little did she expect to meet with such an interesting character so soon after she had entered the palace.

“Since you called me Elder Brother Qiu, I will do my best to protect you. It’s getting dark, I’ll visit another time again. Oh yes, here’s some calming incense. Don’t misunderstand me. I’ve prepared this for the two girls in the side chamber. You may add this to the burning stove or the incense pot. Breathing it will cause drowsiness, but it’s not as strong as those that hypnotize or cause people to fall unconscious. It will only cause some fatigue and make people want to sleep for a while.”

Before he left, Qiu Yu took out a tiny delicate box from his sleeve and explained its content and use to Lin Mengya carefully as he stuffed it into the latter’s hands.

On top of that, he also instructed her to make use of a feather below a piece of red brick at the north-western corner of the courtyard to send for him whenever she needed help. He promised Lin Mengya that he would then find an opportunity to come and meet her.

After Lin Mengya accepted Qiu Yu’s kindness, he exited from the courtyard secretly.

Fortunately, it was because Lin Mengya had frightened Pearl and Agate so much that Qiu Yu was able to enter the courtyard with much ease.

Qiu Yu was an unexpected guest, and by the time Lin Mengya become conscious of the time, the moon was in the middle of the sky.

Lin Mengya washed her face and hands with some warm water, and together with Baisu, they made their beds and laid down and chatted.

“Master, I can see that you and Imperial Physician Qiu are quite close. However, Master, we ought to be on our toes and guard against everything.”

Baisu cautioned Lin Mengya with concern in her voice as she tried to warm Lin Mengya’s hands.