Chapter Forty-Five: Arriving at the Medical Hall
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At the entrance of the Shengjing Medical Hall, Yan Heru immediately spotted Han Xingzhou attending to patients in the center of the main hall. As she attempted to step inside and greet him, she was stopped by a servant at the door.
“Wait a moment, do you have an appointment? Are you here to see a doctor?” The young attendant reached out to bar her way, sizing her up from head to toe.
This interrogation made Yan Heru frown in displeasure. This was not the same servant she had met before, but precisely because of that, it revealed an underlying issue: the servants at Shengjing Medical Hall were universally discourteous to guests.
“Why am I not allowed in? If I’m not here for treatment, I must have other business. What’s the point of stopping me?” Yan Heru replied calmly.
The exchange drew the attention of passersby; townsfolk gathered nearby, though none dared to approach.
“Why can’t you go in? Do you know what kind of people come here? Our doctors receive only high officials and nobles, or those wealthy and influential. If you’re just an ordinary citizen, you’d best seek another doctor elsewhere—don’t waste your time here.” The servant crossed his arms, regarding Yan Heru with disdain.
Yan Heru gave a cold laugh. “Then let your doctor inside come out to see me.”
“Doctor Han? He’s the worst among our physicians, but even so, it’s not his place to meet you. I advise you to leave at once, don’t cause trouble for our medical hall.” With that, the servant began sweeping the entrance.
He even used his broom to drive Yan Heru away, nearly striking her foot, forcing her to step back to avoid it.
The townsfolk witnessing this scene began to gossip amongst themselves.
“They’re so arrogant, just because they’re the largest medical hall in the capital, now they’re picky with their patients.”
“Don’t say such things aloud—if they hear you, you’ll be in real trouble! This is Shengjing Medical Hall, with the emperor backing them!”
“The emperor? No wonder they’re so overbearing—it’s because they have imperial support in Chengyang.”
“Exactly!”
“Why are we still watching this drama? Let’s disperse, hurry up and leave.”
Gradually, the crowd dispersed. Yan Heru overheard their conversations, feeling somewhat surprised. She hadn’t expected that the Shengjing Medical Hall was supported by the emperor himself.
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But so what if the emperor lent them his backing?
“You’re determined not to let me in today, aren’t you?” Yan Heru looked at the servant.
The servant didn’t pause his sweeping, waving her off indifferently. “You’d best leave now. There’s no way I’m letting you inside today. I’ve seen plenty of troublemakers before.”
He continued to usher her away.
Yan Heru didn’t leave, nor did she attempt to force her way in. She simply stood outside the hall. Seeing that she had given up on entering, the servant ignored her.
Inside the hall—
“These medicines, take them as instructed and you’ll recover within three days,” Han Xingzhou handed a prescription to the man before him.
The man took the prescription and the medicine, then said, “Doctor Han, I think the lady outside is here for you. Shouldn’t you see her?”
Han Xingzhou looked toward the entrance and saw a woman in violet gauze standing with her back to the hall.
That silhouette in violet seemed familiar, but he couldn’t recall who she was at the moment.
“Thank you, Doctor Han, I’ll take my leave.” The man stood and expressed his thanks.
Han Xingzhou smiled and nodded, watching the man depart. As the man passed the entrance, the violet-clad woman turned slightly, and Han Xingzhou finally recognized her.
“Miss Yan?!” Once he realized who she was, Han Xingzhou immediately went to the door to welcome her inside.
“Miss Yan, since you’re here, why not come in?” Yan Heru turned at the sound of his voice.
Han Xingzhou wore a pale blue robe and a scholar’s cap, appearing every bit the proper, conventional physician—almost excessively so.
Yet Yan Heru still remembered her first encounter with Han Xingzhou. He had remained calm even under pursuit; though he looked refined and gentle, he was not the typical fragile nobleman.
It seemed the capital truly concealed dragons and tigers—even a humble doctor at Shengjing Medical Hall might have another identity.
Yan Heru smiled inwardly, but did not dwell on it. Han Xingzhou’s background had nothing to do with her; her sole purpose now was to work at the medical hall.
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Shen Hezhi could not be her lifelong protector; only she could safeguard herself. She had to become strong, so that others would not bully her.
Just like that servant moments ago, who dared to bully her so easily simply because she had neither status nor reputation.
“I’m afraid I can’t enter this medical hall,” Yan Heru said with a faint smile.
Han Xingzhou frowned in confusion, about to inquire when the sweeping servant spoke up.
“Doctor Han, you know this lady? She tried to force her way in and cause trouble, but I stopped her.”
The servant meant to boast, but instead angered Han Xingzhou.
“Stopped her? Did you not even ask her identity before barring her entry?” Han Xingzhou spoke furiously.
The servant had never seen Han Xingzhou lose his temper. He was always the model of gentleness and courtesy, never angry.
“I…I…” The servant stammered, realizing he might have made a grave mistake, stopping someone he shouldn’t have.
“Miss Yan, this servant is ignorant. Please don’t hold it against him. Let’s discuss whatever business you have inside,” Han Xingzhou said with a gentle smile.
Yan Heru shook her head and spoke coldly, “This matter cannot be resolved so easily. Today, he didn’t just stop me—he stopped the common people, those of humble status.”
Her words made Han Xingzhou frown again. “I don’t understand what you mean by that, Miss Yan.”
“Why did he stop me? Naturally, because I am of low status—he said it himself: only officials, nobles, or the wealthy can seek treatment here. Does that mean ordinary, poor people have no right to be treated?” Yan Heru replied calmly.
Her words left Han Xingzhou astonished.