The Martial Doctor

"Master, there’s someone outside claiming to be Mr. Zhao, requesting an audience. He says he’s your patient." Mr. Xie personally reported.

Previously at Qingping Town, although Mr. Xie had returned, he wasn’t familiar with Lin Miao’s business matters, and moreover, this Mr. Zhao had never visited the house before.

Not recognizing him was natural.

Lin Miao hadn’t deliberately given any specific instructions, after all, the Crown Prince’s secret visit to Dongshan was a big matter; the fewer people knew about it, the better. Handling it discreetly was most suitable.

He hadn’t even mentioned it to his senior sister, let alone Mr. Xie, a butler.

Currently, the only person who knew about the secret of the Crown Prince’s visit to Dongshan was Wen Ruyu. They knew each other but weren’t very familiar.

However, Wen Ruyu didn’t dare to appear in front of Zhao Yuanze, to avoid any awkward discovery. Of course, whether Wen Ruyu could keep it secret or had told Xia Zhu was unknown.

But it was unlikely, as from all appearances, Xia Zhu didn’t seem to know Mr. Zhao’s identity. But there was one person who might know.

That was the Prefect of Dongshan Prefecture, Pei Jian.

If he knew, he would certainly pretend not to know and even help cover it up, because he would be afraid of what he knew...

And he was equally afraid of the Crown Prince finding out that he knew.

Being a minister was indeed difficult, having to accompany the Crown Prince in playing roles. As for in Dongshan City itself, it was unclear if anyone else knew.

However, it was rather strange that Mr. Zhao suddenly came directly to visit instead of going to Yongning Hall, especially as he had just returned, and before even a few words were exchanged about household matters, he was already aware. Clearly, someone was watching this place.

Since he had returned, he would definitely visit Yongning Hall to sit in consultation. Even if he needed a follow-up consultation, he could go there, there was no need to come to his residence.

Many in Dongshan City knew his residence location; for seeing patients or follow-up consultations, one would usually go to consultation points or medical clinics.

Coming home was only an option in emergencies or for life-threatening situations.

The Crown Prince, although his health was a bit lacking, was not critical enough to require emergency care. Even if he required emergency care, he shouldn’t rush to a physician’s home.

This must be about something else.

Never mind, the visitor was the Crown Prince, and if turned away, there might be trouble later in the capital. What if he needed a favor from him someday?

There was no animosity between him and the Crown Prince; the Crown Prince came seeking treatment for certain ailments, and meeting him didn’t violate his principles.

"Invite the guest to the drawing-room and serve tea. Tell him I’ll be there shortly," Lin Miao thought quickly and instructed, "Remember, be polite in your speech, do not offend the guest."

"Yes, Master." Mr. Xie was a smart man; Lin Miao giving such instructions for receiving a guest clearly had special significance, hinting that Mr. Zhao’s identity was extraordinary, thinking to himself, lucky I didn’t act arrogantly and offend him.

Mr. Xie quickly walked off.

Lin Miao also considered in his mind the various reasons for the Crown Prince seeking him out, but it was unclear. He understood the Crown Prince’s demands; as a physician, he would assist where he could, but where he couldn’t, there was nothing to be done.

Infertility required efforts from the couple and was a matter of luck beyond medical intervention.

This Crown Prince was not exceedingly broad-minded, though not too narrow-minded either; at least, he was open to reason.

The front yard guest hall of the Lin residence.

This was where Lin Miao received important guests at home, seldom used, but every respectable household must have one.

It was difficult to enter the Lin household; visitors were either long-standing seniors like Yu Zhu or little girls like Ling Yu’er fostered within the residence.

Though young, these girls were grateful and diligent in work and study alike. Naturally, Lin Miao would not exploit child labor, only assigning tasks within their capabilities.

Simple tasks like serving tea required only good eyesight and steady hands.

Today’s task of serving tea in the main hall was given to young Lin Wen, aged ten, yet developing early. Over the past year, Lin Wen, having enough food and warm clothing, with proper nutrition, had grown at least half a head taller than when she first arrived.

The once thin and pale girl now appeared much more vibrant.

Lin Miao did not impose strict requirements on household members; as long as they were composed and dignified on significant occasions, that sufficed.

At other times, as long as they didn’t act excessively wild, he wasn’t concerned. Especially since children’s nature shouldn’t be constrained; as they grow, they’ll naturally learn the rules.

"Guest, please enjoy the tea!"

"Hmm." Zhao Yuanze had come alone; it was unseemly for the Crown Princess Consort to accompany him for today’s visit and conversation.

Feeling thirsty while waiting, Zhao Yuanze picked up the tea cup and took a sip, his eyes widened suddenly. It was Longxi from Yue Country before the rains, and the quality of the tea infusion rivaled the tribute teas given to Da Li.

Though Lin Miao was just a humble sixth-ranked Chengde Lang, the hospitality tea at his home could compare with tribute tea. It was rumored he was like a brother to the legitimate son of Lanzhou’s richest Su Family. This Mr. Su made a splash this year in Jinling, Yue Country’s capital.

He had acquired colorless glassware and sold it in Yue Country’s capital for millions of silver, offsetting the huge losses from the Su Family’s Horse Field plague.

As the Crown Prince, he naturally had his sources of intelligence; the origin of the Su Family’s Horse Field plague was suspicious, and it spread rapidly.

It’s obvious there are traces of human intervention, but when it comes to epidemics, it’s hard to say for sure. We can only suspect—we have no definitive proof.

The Su Family was close to facing total ruin, but then found an unexpected lifeline. Not only was the horse plague contained, but they also managed to cover the massive financial holes left by the epidemic’s impact from other sources.

Various signs indicate that the Su Family’s horse plague might have been resolved by Lin Miao. After Su Chen met Lin Miao, the Su Clan’s matriarch visited Dongshan on several occasions. Initially, it might have been for the marriage alliance between Su Chen and the Xu Family, but what about later?

Was it just to see her son?

And after Su Chen returned from Yue Country, he came straight to Dongshan to see Lin Miao instead of going back to his home in Lanzhou, which shows Lin Miao’s importance to him.

Moreover, Lin Miao has experts from the Snow Mountain Sect by his side...

The Inspection Department might not be entirely reliable at times, but their intelligence is quite sharp. Since Zhao Yuanze sought medical treatment from Lin Miao, there’s no way he wouldn’t conduct a thorough investigation on him.

This is a matter that concerns life and death.

Based on all the information so far, I judge Lin Miao to be a person worth allying with. Initially isolated in Dongshan City, he received help from my subordinate Pei Jian, holds animosity towards Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion, a substantial grudge at that, and has a good relationship with Su Chen, the legitimate son of Lanzhou’s richest family, the Su Family. The beneficiaries of the incident at the Su Family’s Horse Field were the Ye Family, controlled by Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion. Furthermore, Lin Miao has a good rapport with the Snow Mountain Sect, even having two stunning twins as bodyguards by arrangement from them...

Most importantly, now he has won the favor of Fu Qingzhu, and Wen Ruyu has been dispatched to Dongshan, evidently for his sake.

Fu Qingzhu is someone Father trusts the most, someone responsible for Father’s health, whereas the royal physician from the palace is rarely summoned.

This shows Fu Qingzhu’s standing in Father’s eyes.

While Wen Ruyu and Lin Miao might not currently have much influence on the court, who knows what the future holds?

Therefore, medical treatment is one part of it; another is to recruit this "medical" expert, who is yet to truly rise, into my fold.

Thus, I must have a candid conversation with Lin Miao before heading back to the capital.

This is also why I insist on waiting for Lin Miao’s return.

After about half a cup of tea’s time, Lin Miao changed into casual clothes and came out from the inner door. Upon seeing Lin Miao, Zhao Yuanze immediately got up from his seat.

He couldn’t reveal his identity as the Crown Prince, or he’d be recognized straight away.

He had to keep up the pretense, or how else could he have stayed in Dongshan without arousing suspicion about his identity?

"Mr. Zhao."

"Mr. Lin, I shouldn’t be bothering you just after you’ve returned, but I truly have important matters. I hope you won’t mind."

"You’re too polite, Mr. Zhao. Please sit. On my way back, I was thinking about seeing you for a follow-up to decide on the next steps for your treatment, but it seems you got here first." Lin Miao laughed graciously; after all, anyone can say polite words.

"Mr. Lin, your medicine has indeed made me feel much better recently, and my energy levels have improved significantly," Zhao Yuanze stated matter-of-factly.

"That’s good to hear, that’s good." Lin Miao nodded with a smile.

"With the end of the year approaching, I need to visit home for a while, and I’m here to bid farewell," Zhao Yuanze explained.

"I understand, I understand. When are you planning to leave Dongshan, Mr. Zhao?" Zhao Yuanze is, after all, the Crown Prince and has been away from the capital for too long, he naturally has to return.

Otherwise, it would arouse suspicion in the court and among the public.

"Tomorrow morning."

"So soon?" Lin Miao showed a slight hint of surprise. No wonder he insisted on visiting right after my return to Dongshan, under the cover of night.

"So, Mr. Zhao is here for a follow-up consultation from Lin?"

"The follow-up is just one part of it. Mr. Lin, could you perhaps arrange a quiet room? I have something important I wish to discuss with you." Zhao Yuanze clasped his hands in polite gesture.

"Very well, Mr. Zhao, please follow me!" Lin Miao’s expression changed slightly, seeming to surmise some of the situation, but at this point, he had no choice but to agree.

If he refused, it would mean he already knew the other’s identity, which would incite their suspicion. Although he wasn’t afraid, he was someone who dreaded trouble.

There was a quiet room adjacent to the sitting room, specially built with top-notch soundproofing, ensuring any conversation or activity inside wouldn’t be disturbed by the outside world.

This is also standard for major households.

"Mr. Lin, my real name is Zhao Yuanze!" Upon entering the quiet room, Zhao Yuanze’s demeanor underwent a stark transformation, with an aura of royal majesty radiating from him.

These royal offspring, unless they are foolish, are natural-born actors, and the Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze is no exception.

Lin Miao feigned a moment of surprise and then showed a look of astonishment, about to bend the knee in a bow: "Your humble servant greets His Highness, the Crown Prince. I was unaware of your identity, please forgive any previous indiscretions in speech..."

"You are too formal, loyal subject. Ignorance bears no guilt." Zhao Yuanze waved his hand, halting Lin Miao’s impending kneeling, to which Lin Miao complied and stood up.

As a soul from modern Blue Star, he really wasn’t used to the ritual of kneeling; apart from ancestors and sage forebears, he wasn’t willing to bow to any living person.