Chapter Forty-Six: The Director’s Attitude

As the Ninth Prince’s consort, Yan Heru was able to consider the plight of the poor, something few nobles or officials would ever contemplate.

“Did something unpleasant happen just now?” Han Xingzhou asked.

Yan Heru shrugged indifferently, but the attendant beside her was suddenly pale with fright. He could not forget how he had just treated this woman. Although her identity remained unknown, Han Xingzhou’s manner toward her made it clear she was no ordinary person.

“Miss... I... I didn’t know who you were just now, so I stopped you. Please, forgive my ignorance,” the attendant pleaded, dropping to his knees before her.

Yan Heru was displeased by this gesture. “Are you apologizing sincerely, or is it only because of my status? If your apology isn’t genuine, I won’t accept it.”

The attendant was stunned, quickly replying, “Of course, I truly wish to apologize to you, miss. I shouldn’t have stopped you without knowing the situation.”

“But no matter how you phrase it, it’s because of my status, isn’t it? If I were just an ordinary citizen, wouldn’t you still have stopped me? Now that you’ve discovered my identity, you’re apologizing only because it’s special,” Yan Heru retorted.

This time, the attendant truly panicked. The woman before him was sharp-tongued, and he had no idea how to appease her.

“What are you all gathered here for? Is the establishment not opening today? Who gave permission for this?”

An aged voice rang out suddenly. Everyone turned and saw the director. The attendant was even more terrified upon seeing him.

Yan Heru caught sight of the director and felt a pang of guilt—not for causing trouble today, but because she had delayed her visits for so many days. She feared the director might not allow her to stay, her greatest concern.

“Miss Yan?!” The director’s delighted exclamation drew everyone’s attention, and surprise flashed in their eyes. Their director had never been so happy, not even when seeing the emperor.

Seeing the director’s reaction, the attendant slumped to the ground in despair, certain he would lose his job today.

“Um... Director...” Yan Heru had not expected the director to be so pleased to see her. It was completely contrary to what she had imagined, leaving her uncertain how to respond.

---

“I’ve waited so long for you. Now that you’re here, why stand outside? Hurry inside, I have some questions for you,” the director said warmly, beckoning her in.

Yan Heru felt overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. She recalled their first meeting, when the director had looked fierce and had wanted to drive her away. Now, his enthusiasm made her uneasy.

She grew nervous again. Was the director planning to take her somewhere quiet to scold her, affording her some dignity? Could it be that he knew she was the Ninth Prince’s consort? It shouldn’t be...

But Han Xingzhou seemed to know her identity, and he had been to the prince’s residence to deliver a message! Oh! How could she have forgotten such an important detail?

“Miss Yan! Why are you still standing there? Come in!” the director urged again.

“Ah... Coming...” Yan Heru braced herself and followed him inside.

The issue with the attendant was set aside for now. He was surprised himself to have survived the director’s arrival unharmed.

Was this simply the calm before the storm?

Yan Heru was led by the director into the inner hall. Han Xingzhou followed, but was stopped by the guards.

“Doctor Han, don’t forget you’re only a third-ranked physician. You have no right to enter the inner hall,” the guard said calmly, without any contempt.

The director, just inside the door, overheard and turned back. “Today is special; let him in.”

“Yes, sir.”

With the director’s approval, the guard stepped aside. Han Xingzhou sighed helplessly but followed the director in.

---

Inside the inner hall, Yan Heru noticed there were few people present—just one physician, with the others being attendants or servants.

“Sit here. I’ll fetch some medicinal herbs. I have some questions for you,” the director said before hurrying off.

Yan Heru watched his animated departure, the old man almost skipping away, and couldn’t help but twitch her lips in amusement. She thought: The director is so energetic for his age... Truly remarkable.

Her thoughts made her chuckle silently, but looking up, she saw Han Xingzhou hadn’t sat down, but stood awkwardly to the side.

“Mr. Han... Are we not allowed to sit here?” Yan Heru asked, rising to her feet.

If the inner hall forbade guests from sitting, she didn’t want to anger the director. Perhaps his invitation to sit was merely polite.

Han Xingzhou saw her stand and quickly explained, “No, no, please sit. If the director sees you standing, he’ll scold me.”

“Hm?” Yan Heru was puzzled but sat down again as he asked. Her doubts remained. “Since I’m sitting, why don’t you sit too, Mr. Han?”

“Because I’m a third-ranked physician; even entering the inner hall is a rare honor. How could I shamelessly sit here?” Han Xingzhou replied.

His words made Yan Heru blush, though not enough for Han Xingzhou to notice. He hadn’t meant it personally, but to her ears, it sounded as if he was saying she was brazen to be sitting there.

Han Xingzhou’s position at Shengjing Medical Hall was only that of a third-ranked physician, while she was merely a newcomer, not even officially a physician yet. How could she have the nerve to sit there?