The Martial Doctor-Chapter 64: "Face-to-Face Diagnosis" Exam Begins

Chapter 64: Chapter 64: "Face-to-Face Diagnosis" Exam Begins

"Physician" examination, the main event, the face-to-face consultation test has finally begun.

Lin Miao got up early, offered incense to his master, had breakfast with his senior sister, under her concerned gaze, and left home.

Finally, he doesn’t have to drive himself anymore.

The driver has been replaced by Mr. Xie (Mr. Xie Shouchang), who used to be served by others, now turns to serve others.

Indeed, it takes some getting used to, and one has to endure it even if it’s uncomfortable.

"Master, we’re here."

At the entrance of the Xinglin Institute, Lin Miao encountered Su Chen, who surprisingly walked over, neither riding a horse nor taking a carriage.

After breaking through to the Blood Fusion Realm yesterday, today he looks just the same as usual, not showing any difference at all; is this "Concealing Breath Skill" really so amazing?

He hasn’t had the time to study it yet, but he must take a good look at it later.

"Good morning, Mr. Su."

"You’re here too, dear brother." Su Chen, upon seeing Lin Miao, was overjoyed. The two greeted each other and walked into the Xinglin Institute together.

Today, there were far fewer people at the entrance of the Xinglin Institute compared to the written exam day, at least more than half were missing, after all, only forty people could enter the face-to-face consultation test.

Even if you include these forty individuals’ personal guards, friends, and family, it’s only a few hundred people at most; the vast square of the Xinglin Institute is not even close to being filled.

Everyone gathered in groups of threes and fours, and familiar people chatted, mostly about the increased number of people allowed in the consultation, and who might have the opportunity...

There were also some discordant voices.

"That one in the sky-blue satin robe is the third young master of the Su Family, Su Chen, right? Quite a handsome figure, who would’ve thought he’d be that kind of person, tsk tsk..."

"The one next to him is Lin Miao, ranked third in this year’s written exam, supposedly not even seventeen yet. Did he cheat to get that score?"

"Exactly, scoring so high at seventeen, and from a small place, with a master who’s only a mid-level physician..."

"His attire is really quite shabby!"

"The matter with that child from Cuiyun Pavilion has spread, it’s Su Family colluding with Lang Shiyin to promote the third young master of the Su Family, and Lin Miao just happened to get lucky at the right time..."

"Too bad it was exposed and ruined!"

"I heard this kid wanted to climb up the social ladder by giving his senior sister to the young master of the Ye Family as a concubine..."

"Such sensational news, where did you hear it?"

"Let me tell you..."

Lin Miao’s hearing is quite sharp, with such conversations, especially rumors and gossip about him, he naturally heard them all, he was so angry that he nearly exploded on the spot.

He glanced back, memorizing the faces of those speaking, and resolved to keep his distance from such people who enjoy gossiping behind others’ backs, and to take the opportunity to give them a good thrashing later.

For now, the consultation test is of utmost importance; if he gets into a dispute, it could delay the test or even cost him his qualification; the loss would be substantial.

Claims that he cheated on the written exam or collaborated with Su Chen for showmanship don’t upset him; life is inherently mixed with both praise and criticism. Some will like you, others will dislike you, even the greatest person will have people who hate them; different stances are perfectly normal,

But with rumors involving his senior sister, he absolutely cannot tolerate it and must unmask the person behind these rumors.

"Dear brother, don’t be angry. Once you pass the consultation test, these rumors will naturally be dispelled." Su Chen, fearing Lin Miao’s youthful impulsiveness, cautioned against causing trouble at this critical moment, as being caught in any misconduct could directly disqualify him from the consultation.

...

"How come this kid wasn’t moved?"

"Yes, we spoke quite loudly, and as he and Su Family’s third young master walked by, they should have heard it..."

"It’s likely the third young master of the Su Family persuaded him, allowing him to get through this." The person speaking was Mr. Ye, the steward from Shengyuan Medical Hall.

The way Lin Miao treated him the other day made him deeply resentful, especially knowing the intentions of the young master, naturally wanting to help him.

The young master is seen by the Patriarch as the future of the Ye Family; currying favor with the young master secures his own future.

The steward, for his future, has been racking his brains.

...

"Mr. An, how shameless it is of the Ye Family to spread such rumors!" Xu An also came today; however, given his status, he had already entered the Jinxian Tower early on, and he was even one of today’s judges.

Xu Qixi was able to enter the Jinxian Tower by posing as his attendant, a detail everyone knowingly overlooked.

After all, every renowned physician has attendants, and if they are aged, surely you wouldn’t expect them to personally serve tea?

Of course, there are also staff from the Medical Bureau, but no outsider functions as better as one’s own kin.

This is a privilege of renowned physicians, others do not have this.

"The Ye Family’s conduct has become more and more despicable; I wonder if Ye Shengyuan knows about it, alas." Xu An lightly sighed.

"Mr. An, I’ve heard that the Ye Family wants to propose to my family to marry me," Xu Qixi said.

"Is that so? What did your father say?"

"My father didn’t agree, but he didn’t refuse either."

"Your father doesn’t want to offend Ye Shengyuan. In Baoan Hall, only your father and I are left as senior physicians, with the number of physicians below the middle level being the fewest among the four major medical halls, making us the weakest. The next generation of the Xu Family doesn’t have many promising members. Your eldest brother is bookish with average medical skills and only passed the medical officer exam after your father put in a great effort. Your second brother doesn’t like studying medicine. Your third brother, Xu Yao, is quite good, but in my opinion, his talent is average. If he can eventually become a junior physician, that would be commendable. Qixi, you’re quite good, but unfortunately, you’re a girl. The reason your father wants to recruit a son-in-law is to find someone from another family to support the Xu Family. Otherwise, once I’m gone, your father will be fighting alone, and the decline of Baoan Hall is imminent."

"Mr. An..."

"Qixi, what do you think of this young Mr. Lin?"

"Mr. An, what are you talking about!" Girls mature early, and Xu Qixi was long aware of the intricacies of marriage, so she responded with a shy voice.

"Mr. An wants to hear your true thoughts?"

"He seems very arrogant and may not be easy to get along with..." Xu Qixi thought seriously for a moment and said.

"Young people who are talented and capable naturally have some arrogance. Mr. An was also very proud when he was young, looking down on everyone, which is quite normal. With age, it will be different. Moreover, I see that this young Mr. Lin is not just arrogant, but possesses a proud backbone, speaking and doing things with stability and structure. It’s truly surprising that such talent can emerge from a small place like Baihe County."

"Perhaps he had a good teacher."

"That’s true. If his teacher hadn’t died, he probably wouldn’t need to take charge now."

"Mr. An, in any case, I won’t marry Ye Xizhao. I’ve heard people say he often spends nights at Qinlou and engages in very perverse activities..."

"How does a young maiden hear such nonsense?" a deep voice rebuked from behind.

"Father." Xu Qixi turned around quickly, bowing her head and obediently greeting him like a mouse encountering a cat.

The newcomer was indeed the Patriarch of the Xu Family, the head of Baoan Hall, Xu Zheng.

With thick eyebrows and a square face, he maintained a stern and serious expression, making it unsurprising that he was given the name "Zheng" at birth.

The choice of name was spot on.

"Mr. An, please don’t spoil her. She’s becoming increasingly unruly. The marriage of sons and daughters is a matter for the parents to decide. Can she simply refuse to marry if she doesn’t want to?" Xu Zheng said.

"Ah Zheng, Ye Xizhao from the Ye Family is truly no good. I won’t agree to pushing Qixi into the fire." Mr. An responded.

"Mr. An, how could I not know, but you’re well aware of Baoan Hall’s situation?"

"It’s just losing the title of one of the four great medical halls. What’s the big deal? Our family fought its way in before and can do so again in the future. Moreover, who says that the four great medical halls must include Baoan Hall of the Xu Family?" Mr. An replied with a carefree smile.

"But I’m the Patriarch of the Xu Family. If the title of the four great medical halls is lost in my hands, how can I face our ancestors after death?"

"Enough about that. The patient interviews are about to start..."

...

The buzzing of a few flies outside couldn’t affect Lin Miao’s mood, or maybe that was their intention.

However, their plans fell through.

Still at Jinxian Tower.

Aside from the examinees participating in the patient interview test, no one else was allowed to enter.

Of course, there was no need for a body search this time, as it wasn’t necessary. This test assessed one’s true ability.

The drawing of lots began.

According to ranking, groups of three would draw three numbered balls from a box, corresponding to the patients they’d face today.

Once a group finished drawing, their numbers were registered, and the balls were returned to the box for the next group until only one person remained, number forty, who drew alone.

This process was swiftly completed, taking less than an incense stick’s worth of time.

The patient interview test started from the last drawn and worked its way forward.

Begin with the last person in the draw, ten patients, with the one who drew the final number starting by entering their assigned room.

Enter through the front door, exit through the back, avoiding encounters with those behind them.

The top ten were undoubtedly at the end.

So they had to wait.

Forty people, each with three cases, amounted to one hundred and twenty consultations. With ten cases at a time, each patient would be questioned an average of twelve times.

This was an extremely consuming process for the patients, so their descriptions and conditions were likely to deteriorate as it progressed.

Thus, backup cases were prepared; exhausted patients might be replaced, creating room for maneuver.

Lin Miao drew patients number one, three, and six.

In the interview test, the time allocated for each patient’s consultation was the duration of one incense stick. Early completion was allowed, but exceeding the time was not.

This was an examination, not a medical hall consultation where time was at your discretion.

Based on the queue, Lin Miao was assigned by the Medical Bureau to wait in line outside room six, giving him a sense of a patient’s experience waiting for treatment, fostering empathy.

The three people ahead of him, one by one, entered the room, until it was finally Lin Miao’s turn.

He stood up, tidied his robe slightly, and walked in with calm and composed steps.