The Martial Doctor-Chapter 43: Mr. Xu’s Unexpected Visit

Clang!

This was the sound of a tile being struck.

The distribution of the exam papers began.

The exam papers were all copied by hand, but the handwriting was quite neat, almost like print. Fortunately, there were only a bit over four hundred papers, and the questions didn’t contain many words, so hiring people to copy them wasn’t much trouble.

Those who copied the exam papers were summoned last night, and they would be released only after the exam began the next day. Each earned a tael of silver for their night’s work.

Paid by the Medical Bureau.

The government taxed medical clinics, but the tax rate was much lower than ordinary taxes. Even so, a significant amount was collected annually.

Seeking medical treatment is essential in everyone’s life activities.

The first step upon receiving the exam paper was to write one’s name, place of origin, and desk number. Some candidates were too excited.

When handing in the paper, realizing their name wasn’t written, yet the "tile" sound for submission had rung, the exam was nullified, resulting in zero points.

Therefore, every year there were candidates entering the exam hall joyfully and leaving in tears.

Lin Miao wouldn’t make such a mistake.

In the blank space at the beginning of the paper, following the instructions, he wrote his name, place of origin, and the number of the exam desk. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

At this time, answering questions was not allowed.

But reviewing questions was, just like the college entrance exam in his previous life.

There were twenty questions in total, with each question worth a maximum of five points. Combined with the paper score, also five points, the total score was one hundred and five points.

Anyhow, the score wasn’t important, what mattered was the ranking. The top forty would be selected based on ranks.

The rest, however well they scored, didn’t matter.

This was similar to a civil service exam. If you didn’t rank high enough, you were cut, not making it to the interview.

So, luck played a part in this.

Some said, what if the scores were tied, but the ranking remained the same? There was still the face-to-face assessment, and passing together was fine.

There weren’t usually many tied rankings, at most two or three.

Lin Miao scanned the twenty questions. Most were similar to what he’d practiced, only phrased differently, and there were one or two he hadn’t seen before, but he wasn’t afraid; the exam lasted a full three hours.

Because writing with a brush took longer.

With two clangs sounding.

The answering began.

In exam area C, there were five invigilators, four stationed at each corner, and one patrolling, constantly rotating.

The first question involved the great achievements of the "Three Saints," a standard topic, frequently examined.

It depended on whether the examiner could find a new angle or bring something novel.

One year, the examiner even asked candidates to list the names, birthdates, and achievements of Mr. Zhong’s children.

That year, almost no candidate scored full marks on that question.

Just as Lin Miao was focused on the questions, two unexpected visitors arrived at Xiuyue Square’s house—an old man and his grandson.

"Mr. An, this is the house, next to Huaye Tower." The servant said with a hint of disdain, those living next to Qin’s Tower, what decent family could they be?

"Mr. An, slow down." An elderly man with gray hair and beard slowly got off the carriage, followed by a young servant.

The servant was not tall, with big, twinkling eyes, looking quite mischievous.

Although the carriage was ordinary, it was custom-made, with an extraordinary emblem—belonging to the Xu family of Dongshan City.

There were many Xu families in Dongshan City, but only one had a custom-made carriage, the Xu Family owning Baoan Hall.

"Qixi, knock on the door." The old man placed his hands behind his back and ordered softly. Despite his age, he looked rosy, in good spirit, with his back straight, not at all like someone in their sixties.

During the day, the Lin house’s main gate remained closed, as the tofu workshop had moved to a larger one.

Where dozens of people were employed.

Yun would go there in the morning and return at night. At the residence, besides the addition of two maids and the cook Mrs. Luu,

there was also Shi Yin, convalescing at Lin’s house.

Liuli would occasionally visit, sometimes staying overnight, keeping Shi Yin company, and Mrs. Qin next door didn’t insist on Shi Yin returning.

After all, Shi Yin was now free, no longer bound by an indenture, and Mrs. Qin couldn’t possibly come and take her back forcibly.

"It’s probably Liuli coming, Mrs. Luu, please open the door." With Lin Miao not home, only Sun Youwei and Shi Yin were there, feeling uneasy and agitated.

When Lin Miao was at home, even if he locked himself in the study doing nothing, it was like a stabilizing force, making everyone feel incredibly at ease.

Once he left, it seemed as if the backbone was missing, and Yun went off to the tofu shop...

Liuli, being older than the others, would serve as a person to discuss things with if she were here.

Who would have thought that upon opening the door, an elderly man with a rosy-cheeked young boy appeared, though the boy was strikingly handsome at first glance.

"Greetings to you, madam. May I ask if a young lady named Shi Yin resides here?" the old man asked courteously, clasping his hands in a salute.

"How did the elder come to know that Miss Shi Yin is temporarily staying here?" Luu Wan asked in surprise. Though she was merely a cook, she knew that Shi Yin was a courtesan at the neighboring Huaye Tower and was only recuperating temporarily at the Lin residence. She dared not ask more.

"Please announce us, stating that Physician Xu An from Baoan Hall has come to visit and requests an audience with your master!" the young boy beside him spoke directly.

The voice was somewhat proud but as clear and pleasant as a yellow oriole’s song.

Famed Physician Xu An!

Luu Wan was taken aback, hurriedly bowed, agreed, and ran back eagerly to report.

Sun Youwei, upon hearing the news, was also troubled. Renowned Physician Xu An was an extraordinary figure in Dongshan City; many desired to meet him but had never had the chance. Today, he had personally come to visit their home. She understood that it was likely for her junior apprentice brother.

But her junior was not at home, and as a girl, how could she step out to welcome guests?

"Mrs. Luu, go and tell him that the master is not home today and invite him to come another day." Refusing entry to the famed Physician Xu An required a certain amount of courage, but she decided to do just that.

"Yes, ma’am."

"The master not at home, is that any reason?" Xu An and the young boy looked at each other, puzzled whether the residence was occupied entirely by women?

That would indeed be inconvenient, being a man, even though he was nearing seventy, he was still a man.

"Mr. Xu, this residence is occupied entirely by women, making it inconvenient to entertain you and the young gentleman; we ask for your understanding!" Luu Wan bowed and explained.

Just as Xu An was about to speak, the young boy beside him suddenly untied his bun, letting long black hair fall like a waterfall: "Please report again, saying, Xu Qi Xi of the Xu Family and grandfather Xu An have come to visit your esteemed lady and Miss Shi Yin."

Luu Wan was startled, but she recognized it now; the young gentleman was dressed as a man, and since it was a woman meeting with women, the problem was solved. She quickly agreed and went to report again.

"Qi Xi, we are here to visit and seek wisdom, and you are forcing the host to see us like this," Xu An reproached softly.

"Grandpa An, since we’ve finally managed to venture out, are you willing to return empty-handed?" Xu Qixi playfully caught Xu An’s arm, shaking it twice, slightly coy.

Xu An shook his head. For such a renowned physician to take the trouble to come out incognito was indeed not easy, given his precious time and the many patients waiting for him to save.

"Miss Xu of the Xu Family?" Sun Youwei understood upon hearing the report. They had come as grandfather and granddaughter, and indeed it was the granddaughter, so she immediately instructed them to be invited into the living room and served tea.

At the same time, she commanded her maid to fetch Shi Yin from the back courtyard chamber. This grandfather and granddaughter pair came for Shi Yin, so naturally, she should be called over.

After greeting and exchanging courtesies, the grandfather and granddaughter were taken aback upon seeing Shi Yin as if they had seen a ghost.

They had seen Shi Yin before, and at that time, he had diagnosed her, stating that this woman’s pulse showed no hope of recovery, inevitably leading to death, and thus had not prescribed her any medicine.

And now, she was alive and walking right before their eyes. Could anything be more startling?

"How, how are you still alive?"

Shi Yin was full of confusion: "Mr. Xu Physician, what do you mean by that? I do not quite understand."

"I mean, having overdosed on Xiaoyao Powder, you missed the best treatment time. I had diagnosed you with no signs of life; how can you be alive?" Xu An nearly pulled his beard in disbelief. He did not believe that someone he diagnosed as doomed to die could still be alive. Thinking it was merely a rumor, he had thus sought some information, bringing his granddaughter Xu Qixi to see for himself.

With these words, not only was Shi Yin stunned, but Sun Youwei also felt a shock as if her skull was about to burst.

The reason Shi Yin was alive was thanks to Junior Brother’s intervention.

And for the junior brother to be able to pull a ’doomed person’ back from the Ghost Gate more than once, what kind of technique, what kind of medicine is this?

"Miss Shi Yin, can you tell me how you managed to survive?"

Shi Yin swallowed a bit nervously, looking towards Sun Youwei. Liuli had told her never to mention to anyone about Lin Miao saving her, or Mr. Lin would face great disaster.

"I, I don’t know either..."

"You don’t know?" This answer left Xu An and Xu Qixi dumbfounded.

"May I diagnose Miss Shi Yin’s pulse again?" Xu An tugged at his beard fiercely. The resurrection from death was indeed amazing but not unheard of. Many things in this world defy explanation.

Yet, people always wish to explore and uncover these unknown circumstances. As a physician, Xu An naturally did not wish to miss this opportunity.

Shi Yin seemed to realize she couldn’t refuse.

After all, the visitor was Dongshan City’s renowned physician offering to diagnose her pulse. How foolish would it be to refuse?

"Hmm, your pulse... could it be that after escaping disaster, fortune follows?" Xu An placed two fingers on her wrist.

Yet, Sun Youwei, observing this scene, furrowed her brows slightly. The pulse-diagnosing method her Junior Brother taught her utilized three fingers, completely different from Mr. Xu’s approach?

This had to wait for Junior Brother’s return before she could inquire further.