Lin Qingyu was slightly startled â Just now, that wasnât what Gu Fuzhou had said. Chu Zhengde was also at a loss as to why the generalâs attitude changed so quickly. Father Lin was already used to General Guâs inconsistencies during his time in Yongliang;Â he had long since stopped seeing it as strange. âQingyu, serve the general his medicine.â
Lin Qingyu stepped forward. Holding up the medicine bowl, he handed it to Gu Fuzhou: âGeneral, please take this medicine.â
The two were a little too close. Gu Fuzhou glanced at him quickly and then immediately turned his head away, his breathing becoming unsteady.
It seemed to Lin Qingyu that Gu Fuzhou was a little nervous. He didnât know what was there to be nervous about drinking his antidote, so he asked, âIs there anything the general finds improper?â
Gu Fuzhou muttered, ââŚYouâre too close.â
Lin Qingyu heard him. He put the medicine bowl on the table and retreated.
âAi, thatâs not what I meant⌠Forget it.â Gu Fuzhou seemed ashamed of his behavior but there was nothing he could do about it. So he picked up the medicine bowl and drank it clean.
Chu Zhengde said, âThe antidote must be taken once a day and any residual poison will be eliminated in one month. Every day starting from tomorrow, the Imperial Medical Office will deliver the antidote to the generalâs mansion. I ask that the general take it on time.â
In other words, Gu Fuzhou could only stay in the capital for one month. After his detoxification was finished, he would need to return to the Northwest frontier.
âThen the question is, who will come to deliver the medicine to me every day?â Gu Fuzhou looked around and set his eyes on Lin Qingyu, âImperial Physician Lin, can you be the one to do it?â
Without waiting for Lin Qingyuâs answer, Chu Zhengde said, âImperial Physician Lin was late in delivering the medicine today. Were it to happen another time, would this not cause harm to the generalâs health?â
Father Lin knew that his eldest son was not such a careless person; there must be a reason for the incident. He asked Lin Qingyu, âNews of the generalâs arrival in the capital today was sent to the Imperial Medical Office early this morning. Why were you late?â
Lin Qingyu said, âI was told that the general would arrive tomorrow.â
Chu Zhengde furrowed his brows tightly, âBy who?â
âHong Changfeng.â
Gu Fuzhou quickly cast down his decision. âThen itâs that Hong Changfengâs fault. What wrong has Imperial Physician Lin done? And even if he has, he is this generalâs adopted brother. I am more than willing to wait for him.â
Father Lin was helpless. âSince the general has said so, Qingyu, from today on, it will be up to you to come to the generalâs mansion every day to deliver his medicine.â
Lin Qingyu nodded in agreement. He didnât have the patience to run errands, but Gu Fuzhou had been kind to him and he ought to return that kindness.
It was getting late. It was time for most ordinary people to be going to bed. Father Lin said, âGeneral, this official wishes to visit the Lin Residence.â
Gu Fuzhou smiled and said, âAs it should be. I have made my adopted father work hard during this journey. Head home and reunite with your family.â
Lin Qingyu withdrew together with his father. When he reached the door, Gu Fuzhou suddenly called him, âQing-⌠Imperial Physician Lin.â
Lin Qingyu turned around. âDoes the general have any other instructions?â
Gu Fuzhou hesitated to speak. Finally, he glanced at the Tianji Camp guards beside him, and said slowly, âIt is nothing. I would just like to thank you for your hard work.â
Lin Qingyu said politely, âIt was this officialâs honor to be able to serve the general.â
Gu Fuzhou said with a smile, âIt was this general who was honored.â
Lin Qingyu followed his father back home. Mother Lin had not received any news of her husbandâs return. Upon seeing her husband, she burst into tears. Father Lin and Mother Lin have been together for many years, they were a couple very much in love. At this moment, their silence surpassed even a thousand words.
âFather!â Lin Qinghe ran towards Father Lin and threw himself into his fatherâs arms. Father Lin leaned down to catch his youngest son. He then lifted him up high. âQinghe has gained weight.â
After a very long time, their family of four finally gathered together to eat. During the six months that Father Lin was away from the capital, too many things have happened. Lu Wancheng died of illness and Lin Qingyu separated from the Nanâan Houâs Mansion; he then became a medical officer of the Imperial Hospital. In the future, father and son would be working in the Imperial Hospital together; they could be regarded as colleagues.
Speaking of Lu Wancheng, Father Lin couldnât help sighing. âIn the end, Young Master Hou was unable to survive past weak crown. It is a pity.â
Lin Qingyu didnât feel that it was a pity. Being able to be rid of that weak and sickly body was a good thing for that person.
When Mother Lin took the sleepy Lin Qinghe to bed, Lin Qingyu asked, âFather, do you know of that phrase â âIf odd, change; if even remain the sameâ?â
Father Lin nodded. âThis phrase was widely circulated among the Zhengxi Army. It is said that it came from a secret Xixia letter that General Gu intercepted. The general remained puzzled despite much pondering. He relayed this phrase to the Crown Prince, wishing that he would summon the masters in the capital to resolve his confusion. However, even until now that weâve been allowed to return to the capital, still no one has figured it out.â
Lin Qingyu was lost in thought.
So, was that person really in Xixia?
Having been reunited after a long parting, they shared some wine. Father Lin told him a few more things, âGeneral Gu is truly a wonderful person.â
Lin Qingyu asked, âWhy do say this?â
Father Lin smiled and shook his head. âYouâll know after you spend a few more days with him.â
Lin Qingyu also smiled. âI was really surprised when Father recognized General Gu as his adopted son.â
âThe general is an official of the highest rank serving our country. I am but a fifth-rank Yuan Pan of the Imperial Hospital. How could I possibly dare to be his adoptive father? At first, I refused in every possible way. Later, the general said, if I recognize him as my adopted son, the status of the Lin Residence in the capital will be substantially different from before. It will be very beneficial to your career. It was only then that I felt relieved.â
Lin Qingyu nodded and said, âThe general truly has helped me a lot.â
The next day, Father Lin returned to the Imperial Hospital. The first thing he did was to find out all the details regarding the delayed delivery of the antidote. He asked Lin Qingyu and Hong Changfeng to confront each other. Hong Changfeng insisted that he was not wrong, but that Lin Qingyu had misunderstood. They only had each otherâs verbal statements to go by. There hadnât been a third person present at the time. Father Lin has always been fair in his dealings. Even if he believed in his eldest son, he would not make a decision without evidence. Fortunately, the general did not pursue the matter and Father Lin punished the two with a small penalty, fining the two of them of a monthâs salary.
Hu Ji said, âHong Changfeng must have been instigated by Chu Yuan Pan. Who doesnât know that these two are blood-related master and apprentice?â
âNot necessarily. It hasnât been just a day or two since Chu Zhengde has found me disagreeable. He is pedantic and stubborn and it is clear that he is targeting me.â Lin Qingyu said, âIt seems that he isnât the only one who dislikes me in the Imperial Hospital and the Imperial Medical Office.â
Hu Ji sighed. âThey say that a tall tree attracts the wind. You came up with the cure for the epidemic. Youâre the youngest doctor in the Imperial Hospital. Youâre related in some way to both the Empress and General Gu. Whatâs more, your father is the head Yuan Pan of the Imperial Hospital. Naturally, you would attract peopleâs jealousy. Regardless, they should learn to draw in their claws in normal times.â
Lin Qingyu said coldly, âI donât need for them to draw in their claws. I need for those idiots to provoke me less.â
After the evening meal, Lin Qingyu prepared the Sky Spider antidote at the Imperial Medical Office and delivered it to the generalâs mansion. The housekeeper of the generalâs mansion was named Yuan Yin. Gu Fuzhou was away from home most of the year. With no parents or wife, Yuan Yin was usually left to take care of everything in the house.
Yuan Yin knew that Lin Qingyu would come to deliver medicine and was ordered to wait at the door early on. âThe general is enjoying the shade in the backyard,â Yuan Yin said respectfully. âImperial Physician Lin, please come with me.â
The summer heat was scorching and the cicadas were chirping. The handsome, tall and imposing man lay on the rocking chair. His eyes were closed and he was rocking back and forth slowly. He was extremely tall of stature and there was hardly any room to stretch out his long legs; he could only let them hang where they lay. Two pages were positioned on either side of him, holding long fans and fanning the wind for him.
Gu Fuzhouâs lazy and indolent appearance seemed very familiar to Lin Qingyu. Behind him stood two imperial guards with swords by their waists. Their temperament did not resemble that of a military officer used to fighting and marching; rather, their temperaments were similar to Shen Huaishiâs. If he guessed correctly, these should be the people from Tianji Camp. Xiao Cheng had ordered the people from Tianji Camp to follow Gu Fuzhou. Nominally, they were there to guard the general but everyone knew what they were actually there for.
Yuan Yin stepped forward and said, âGeneral, Imperial Physician Lin has come to deliver the medicine.â
The rocking chair stopped and Gu Fuzhou stood up. Compared to last time, he no longer seemed so nervous. He walked to face Lin Qingyu, lowered his head and said, âYouâre here.â
Lin Qingyu was not short but standing in front of Gu Fuzhou, he unexpectedly seemed as petite as a woman. His chin didnât even reach Gu Fuzhouâs shoulder. They only thing that could be said was that Gu Fuzhou was certainly worthy of being the fierce general known as the Dayuâs god of war.
âGeneral, itâs time to drink your medicine.â
Gu Fuzhou drank the medicine, raised his head and sighed, âThe moonlight is so beautiful tonight. If Imperial Physician Lin has nothing else to do, why not accompany this general to drink some wine, eat some snacks and admire the moon?â
Lin Qingyu hesitated for a moment, then nodded: âThank you for the invitation, General.â
Gu Fuzhou revealed a smile. When he wasnât smiling, his face appeared grave and stern. When he smiled, it seemed to fit his face, making him look a lot younger. Gu Fuzhou ordered Yuan Yin to serve them a late-night snack. Lin Qingyu reminded him, âIt would be better for the general to refrain from drinking alcohol.â
âI wonât drink but you should.â Gu Fuzhou poured a cup of wine for Lin Qingyu. He looked on with a smile as Lin Qingyu took a sip, his eyes seemed to fill with moonlight.
Lin Qingyu frowned. He had this nagging feeling that this situation seemed familiar. âWhy is the general looking at me like that?â
Gu Fuzhou coughed lightly and said, âI heard that Imperial Physician Lin has just recently gone through the pain of bereavement. Now, it seems that you are not particularly grieved?â
Lin Qingyu said lightly, âHe has already passed away. Those left behind should learn to look forward.â
âIt is only right that you should not grieve. Grieving harms the body.â Gu Fuzhou paused and said, âHas Imperial Physician Lin ever heard the phrase, âIf odd, change; if even remain the same?â
As soon as he said these words, the two guards turned to look at them.
Xiao Cheng hadnât made this matter public. Naturally, he couldnât reveal the cloven foot. âI have never heard of it.â
Gu Fuzhou raised his eyebrows and said with a smile, âIs that so. Thatâs interesting.â He glanced at the two guards and said vaguely, âNevermind, now is not a good time.â
Lin Qingyu asked, âWhat does the general mean?â
Gu Fuzhou changed the subject, âBy the way, were you able to get down to the bottom of the late delivery yesterday?â
Lin Qingyu briefly explained the matter. When Gu Fuzhou learned that he had been fined a monthâs salary, he smiled and said, âThen you must remember this animosity and pay it back tenfold in the future.â
The subtle feeling of familiarity grew stronger. Lin Qingyu stared at Gu Fuzhou for a long time then said simply, âI will.â
After admiring the moon for about an hour, Lin Qingyu got up to say goodbye. Gu Fuzhou rubbed his lower abdomen and sighed, âIâll get up too and move around a bit, work up a sweat.â
That sense of familiarity instantly disappeared. If it were that person, he definitely wouldnât move about in the middle of summer, working up a sweat.
Lin Qingyu said, âThe residual poison has yet to clear form the generalâs body. Please remember not to practice excessively.â
Gu Fuzhouâs face sank. âIâm older now. Iâm no longer seventeen or eighteen when no matter what I ate or how much I slept, I wouldnât gain weight. I donât want to move, but I want to get fat in my middle years even less.â Gu Fuzhou seems to be thinking of something. His lips curved into a smile. âAdopted brother, would you like to see how I usually practice?â
To be honest, he didnât really want to. But thinking of the help Gu Fuzhou had extended to him, Lin Qingyu nodded anyway.
Gu Fuzhouâs heroic manner was suddenly reaching for the clouds. âItâs time for you to see my true strength. Letâs go, Iâll take you to the military drill grounds.â
Torches were lit around the military drill grounds. However, it still wasnât as bright as it was during the daytime. Lin Qingyu asked, âWhy doesnât the general practice during the day?â
âItâs too sunny in the day. Only fools would train then.â
Lin Qingyu was puzzled. Were people who engaged in fighting all year round still afraid of the sun?
Gu Fuzhou walked to a stone padlock and said, âThis stone lock should be about the same weight as you.â
Lin Qingyu: ââŚOh.â
âPlease, watch closely.â Gu Fuzhou did some light stretches, squatted down, and lifted the stone padlock with one hand.
Lin Qingyu did him the honor of praising him, âThe general is mighty.â
âLook, look.â Gu Fuzhou took a deep breath and raised the stone lock above his head again, âHow about now?â
âAmazing.â
Gu Fuzhou smiled and dropped the stone padlock down with a boom. âIs this general better than your deceased husband?â
âEn.â
âCompared to him, do you admire this generalâs figure more?â
Lin Qingyuâs tone became somewhat lighter. âThe general has his good points but I prefer my deceased husbandâs type.â
Gu Fuzhouâs smile froze. âNo, whatâs so good about a sick seedling like him?â
Lin Qingyu lowered his eyes and said, âIf the general has no other instructions, then this official shall withdraw.â
Gu Fuzhou laughed again, âHey, adopted brother, what are you doing? Why are you so angry? We wonât talk about him anymore. How about I show you how I chop these bricks barehanded as an apology?â
Lin Qingyu: ââŚâ
In this way, for half a month, Lin Qingyu went to the generalâs mansion to deliver medicine every day. He understood why his father said that Gu Fuzhou was a wonderful person. But he felt that the word âweirdâ would be more appropriate to describe him.
For the past few days, the Imperial Medical Office has welcomed a distinguished guest â a world-famous genius doctor from the southern border.
Doctors at the southern border were experts at the use of gu and this genius doctor could be said to be the king of gu. Most of the people in central continent regard the cultivation of gu as sorcery, but the truth of the matter was different from the stories. Drugs could be divided into medicine and poison and likewise, gu could also be divided into good gu and poisonous gu. Poisonous gu could harm people and so, good gu could save people. Father Lin knew the benefits, so he wrote to the genius doctor of the southern border many times, finally managing to invite him to the Imperial Medical Office to teach his gu technique to many of the students. Father Lin hoped that the students of the Imperial Medical Office would not only learn how to use Gu to save people but also learn how to detoxify poisonous gu.
Although Lin Qingyu has read medical books, his understanding of the gu technique was limited to the theoretical. This time, the genius doctor from the southern border was going to hold a class at the Imperial Medical Office, naturally, he would not miss it.
After this dayâs class, Lin Qingyu, medical books in hand, walked out of the classroom. He suddenly heard a whistle. Looking towards the sound, he saw Gu Fuzhou leaning against the railing, waving at him with a smile, still followed by the guards of the Tianji Camp.
Lin Qingyu hurriedly stepped forward and said, âHas the general come the Imperial Medical Office because there has been a flare up of the Sky Spider Poison?â
âNo, I went to the palace to report to the Crown Prince and have happened to pass by the Imperial Medical Office. I just thoughtâŚâ Gu Fuzhou gave an embarrassed smiled. He raised his hand and scratched the corner of his eye, âWell, Iâll should drop by and pick you up after your class.â
Lin Qingyu was startled â pick him up from class? He wasnât a child on his first day at school. Does he need for someone to come pick him up? And from the generalâs mansion to the Imperial Palace, how could he have possibly just passed by the Imperial Medical Office?
Before Lin Qingyu could answer, he found his hands suddenly empty. Gu Fuzhou had taken the medical books he was holding. His movements are so natural, as though it was books and not the Qingyun Jiuzhou Spear that he usually held.
Lin Qingyu said: âGeneral, there is no need for you to bother.â
âItâs alright. Iâm stronger than you. The strong should work harder.â Gu Fuzhou casually flipped through his book, âSo, what did Imperial Physician Lin learn in school today?â
Lin Qingyu said, âIt canât be that the general is interest in medical studies.â
Gu Fuzhou smiled and said, âNo but Iâm interested in everything Imperial Physician Lin has to say.â
âSouthern Border Gu poisons.â
âGu? Gu is good. Great beauties should use Gu.â
Lin Qingyu paused in his steps. He looked at Gu Fuzhou, a meaningful and probing look in his eyes.
Gu Fuzhou didnât notice at all or maybe he noticed it but pretended not to. âSpeaking of which, Iâve always wanted to light some incense sticks for your deceased husband. It is only right as your adopted brother.â
Lin Qingyu withdrew his gaze. âThe general can go to Nanâan Houâs Mansion to pay his respects to Young Master Hou.â
âForget going to the Nanâan Houâs Mansion.â Gu Fuzhou said, âWhy donât we go to your residence?â
âMy residence?â
âYou should have a tablet enshrined in your houseâŚâ Gu Fuzhou paused, verifying uncertainly, âYou do have it, yes?â
Yes, he did. But that wasnât Lu Wanchengâs tablet.
Gu Fuzhou saw that Lin Qingyuâs expression showed a hint of complexity that could not be understood by outsiders. His mood too became complicated. He teased, âArenât you ashamed to say that you like his type better when you didnât even set up a tablet for him? Actually, I can understand. It was a marriage bestowed by the Emperor and you, my adopted brother, donât really care much about my poor brother-in-law.â
Brother-in-law, what kind of strange form of address is that?
Reason told Lin Qingyu that he ought to ignore words like these that were meant to provoke. But somehow, when Gu Fuzhou spoke to him in this tone, he couldnât help but want to respond. âI do have one.â
âWho knows whether that is true or not?â Gu Fuzhou raised the corner of his lips, âThen take me there and prove it to me.â
Thinking of the words âJiang Dazhuangâ engraved on the tablet, Lin Qingyu said calmly, âIt is not very convenient to do so.â
Gu Fuzhou was puzzled. âWhy would it be inconvenient?â