On a deep winter morning, the sky remained cloaked in darkness. The biting wind rampaged through the streets and alleys like a wild beast unleashed, howling shrilly as if it intended to drag everything in the world into its icy embrace. The plain cloth curtain at the entrance of the medical hall flapped wildly in the wind, making a loud cracking sound, like a fearless warrior defiantly resisting the severe cold.
Lin Yue sat quietly at the somewhat worn - out desk in the medical hall. Inside, the charcoal fire in the stove flickered on and off, casting a faint glow that illuminated her focused and determined face. Her hand gently caressed a yellowed ancient book. The paper was so brittle that it seemed as if the slightest touch would reduce it to powder. Each touch was like a dialogue across time and space with the wisdom of the past and the benevolence of ancient doctors. Her eyes revealed a complex mix of emotions: nostalgia for the bygone years and firmness in her future mission.
Decades of medical practice unfolded in her mind like a magnificent and eventful historical scroll. Countless silent late nights, she was jolted awake from her sleep by urgent knocking at the door. Without even having time to put on a thick cotton coat, she rushed to assist women in childbirth. In those dimly lit rooms, she watched intently as new life arrived, bearing witness to the first cries that came with pain and hope. Those cries were like the tolling of the dawn bell, bringing new life and hope to the world. There were also countless days and nights when she sat quietly by the bedside of critically ill patients, watching as they endured the relentless torment of illness, their eyes filled with despair and a desperate yearning for life. Those pained groans and helpless glances pierced her heart like sharp needles, strengthening her resolve to contribute to the field of medicine. These experiences, like the chisel of time, deeply engraved countless stories in her heart about the fragility and tenacity of life, the cruelty of illness, and the preciousness of hope.
An idea took root in her heart like a bright light ignited in the darkness, growing stronger with each passing day. She made up her mind to compile a medical book, recording without reservation all that she had learned and understood over the years, as well as her experiences in treating both common and difficult medical cases. She was well aware that in an era when medical knowledge was not fully disseminated and many doctors were still groping in the dark, every single medical case and treatment method of hers could serve as a guiding light for others lost in confusion, a beacon of hope for saving more lives struggling in the abyss of illness.
As night fell and the city lights came on, the entire capital was bathed in a gentle glow, as if wrapped in a dreamy veil that softly concealed the hustle and bustle of the day. Lin Yue found Li Yi in the backyard, who was attentively organizing medicinal herbs. She paused for a moment, her heart filled with anticipation and a hint of apprehension. After a moment of hesitation, she took a deep breath and said slowly, "Your Majesty, I want to compile a medical book and record all my experiences over the years. What do you think..." Before she could finish, Li Yi suddenly looked up, his eyes instantly lighting up with surprise and undisguised admiration. Without hesitation, he strode forward, grasped her hands firmly, and said in a resolute and forceful tone, "This is a wonderful idea! It's not only the crystallization of your years of hard work but also a feat that can benefit countless people! I will fully support you! No matter what difficulties we encounter, we'll face them together!" His hands were warm and strong, conveying unwavering support and encouragement, instantly calming Lin Yue's nervous heart.
The next morning, before the first light of dawn had fully illuminated the land, Li Yi began taking action to support Lin Yue's medical book compilation. New notices appeared at various notice - posting locations in the capital. Curious onlookers who loved to hear the latest news spread the word among each other. Before long, elderly scholars and medical experts from all over the city gathered in the capital. It was said that there was a highly respected elderly scholar. After much
inquiry, Lin Yue found his residence, which was hidden away in a serene courtyard. Ancient trees towered within the courtyard, their thick trunks and lush branches seemingly narrating the stories of the passage of time. As the gentle breeze blew, the leaves rustled, and the occasional clear chirping of birds added to the tranquility. With great respect, Lin Yue sat opposite the elderly scholar in his study. Leaning slightly forward, she respectfully and detailedly shared her vision, each word brimming with enthusiasm and anticipation. The elderly scholar listened quietly, then gently put down his tea cup, nodded slightly, and his eyes were filled with approval. "The heart of a benevolent doctor is truly admirable. Although I am not well - versed in medicine, organizing ancient books and compiling texts are my specialties. I will do my utmost to live up to your trust." His voice was calm and gentle, like the warm sun in spring, filling Li Yi's heart with a warm glow.
Subsequently, Li Yi accompanied Lin Yue on a non - stop journey to a secluded mountain academy. The mountain road leading to the academy was winding and shrouded in clouds and mist, resembling a celestial realm. They struggled to climb the steep path, the cold wind lashing their faces like a knife. Every step was arduous. Their clothes were soaked in sweat, which quickly turned cold in the frigid air and clung to their skin, making them shiver. Li Yi thoughtfully put an extra coat on Lin Yue and held her hand as they pressed on. When they finally reached the academy and met the scholars engrossed in studying medical theories, they were out of breath and disheveled. In the quaint lecture hall, Li Yi took a moment to catch his breath, then looked at everyone earnestly and said sincerely, "In this world, diseases run rampant, and the common people suffer greatly from their afflictions. Doctor Lin Yue, with a heart full of compassion for the people, wishes to gather the efforts of many to compile a medical book. If successful, it will be a great undertaking that benefits the people and future generations." The scholars looked at each other, and for a moment, the only sound in the hall was the rustling of leaves outside the window. After a while, an elderly scholar was the first to nod, his eyes glistening with emotion. "For such a noble cause, how could we not offer our support?" Soon after, the other scholars echoed his sentiments, deeply moved by Li Yi and Lin Yue's sincere dedication. Their eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and anticipation, as if they could already envision the benefits that the medical book would bring to the world once it was completed.
Back in the capital, without taking a break, Li Yi began contacting painters skilled in illustration. In a dimly lit studio, the walls were adorned with various exquisite paintings, and the smell of paint filled the air, as if telling the allure of art. The painters gathered around, their eyes lighting up with excitement as they looked at the sketches Li Yi had brought. A young painter exclaimed, "What an honor it is to illustrate a medical book! We will spare no effort, consult a wide range of materials, and deliberate carefully to ensure that each illustration is accurate and perfectly presents the content of the medical book!" His words were full of passion and pride, and the other painters nodded in agreement, vowing to do their best to add luster to this medical book.
After a long and meticulous preparation process, everything was finally ready. In the main hall of the medical hall, a group of people sat around a long table, their faces beaming with anticipation and excitement. Lin Yue slowly stood up, her gaze steady and resolute as she swept it over everyone present. Then she said slowly, "I plan to divide the book into chapters according to the types of diseases, recording in detail the symptoms, causes, diagnostic methods, and treatment plans for everything from the most common colds to extremely difficult and complicated cases, striving for comprehensiveness and accuracy." Everyone nodded in agreement and then launched into a lively discussion.
"I think we should include some ancient medical cases as references. Learning from history, we might find new inspiration from the wisdom of the ancients and gain more insights," said a scholar, adjusting his glasses seriously. His eyes showed reverence for the history of medicine and a thirst for knowledge, hoping to draw nourishment from the experiences of the ancients and infuse more wisdom into this medical book.
"Folk remedies should not be overlooked either. These are the experiences summed up by the common people through long - term life practice. After rigorous verification, if they are indeed effective, recording them can give the people more hope of overcoming illness," added another scholar, his voice filled with respect for folk wisdom. He knew that although folk remedies might seem simple, they contained the life wisdom of the people and their pursuit of health, and could perhaps play an unexpected role at crucial moments.
In the days that followed, Lin Yue seemed tireless. Every day before dawn, while the city was still asleep, she would rise and sit by the dim candlelight, intently poring over ancient books. Every useful piece of information she discovered was like a precious treasure, and she carefully excerpted it, as if collecting the most valuable treasures in the world. Whenever she encountered something confusing, she would immediately gather the scholars for a heated discussion. Everyone aired their opinions, often arguing heatedly and unwilling to back down. But it was precisely through these clashes of ideas that difficult problems were gradually solved. Sometimes, the discussions would last from morning until evening, and everyone would forget to eat or keep track of time, driven only by their pursuit of knowledge and love for medicine.
Li Yi silently assisted Lin Yue from the sidelines. He took on the trivial yet important tasks of organizing materials and arranging work, handling every detail meticulously. Once, as the materials piled up, the overwhelming amount of books and manuscripts threw the organization work into chaos, leaving everyone at a loss. Li Yi furrowed his brows and paced back and forth in the room for a long time, racking his brain for a solution. Suddenly, his eyes lit up as if he had an epiphany. He quickly picked up a pen and paper and devised a detailed classification method. Under his leadership, everyone reorganized the materials according to the new method, and the work finally got back on track. He was like a silent behind - the - scenes hero, using his wisdom and efforts to ensure the smooth progress of the medical book compilation.
Meanwhile, the painters were hard at work on the illustrations. To accurately depict the diagrams of human meridians and herbal illustrations, they consulted a vast number of medical classics and related materials, carefully considering and constantly revising every stroke. Sometimes, to determine the form and details of a particular herb, they would even venture into the deep mountains and forests to observe and collect samples on - site. In the dense forests, they braved the hardships, making their way through thorns, carefully observing the growth environment and morphological characteristics of each herb, striving to present the most authentic and accurate images in the medical book.
Time flew by, and several months passed in the blink of an eye. On a sunny afternoon, warm sunlight streamed through the windows into the main hall of the medical hall, casting a golden glow over the entire space. Everyone gathered around, looking at the thick stack of manuscripts, filled with a myriad of emotions. Some had tears of excitement in their eyes, a testament to the joy and emotion of reaping the fruits of their countless efforts. Others let out a long sigh of relief, as if finally shedding a heavy burden from their hearts. This medical book, a culmination of everyone's hard work, carried their love for medicine, their pursuit of knowledge, and their deep concern for the people. It was about to embark on its legendary journey in the field of medicine. Lin Yue, Li Yi, and all those involved in its compilation would leave their indelible mark in the history of medicine. Their story would serve as a source of inspiration for future generations, encouraging them to continuously explore the mysteries of medicine, heal the sick, and save the dying, and to strive unceChapter 32 The Turmoil of Spies
After successfully quelling the border rebellion amidst countless difficulties and dangers, the capital city was once again enveloped in liveliness and prosperity. In the streets and alleys, the traffic was bustling, and pedestrians were thronging, rubbing shoulders with each other. The successive cries of vendors intertwined to form a bustling symphony of the marketplace, lingering leisurely in the streets and lanes. In the marketplace, a dazzling array of goods filled the stalls. The colorful silk fabrics fluttered gently in the breeze, just like the magnificent flowing clouds in the sky; the exquisite porcelain wares glistened with a gentle luster, and each piece seemed to be silently telling the painstaking efforts and inheritance of the craftsmen; the fresh fruits and vegetables exuded an alluring aroma, attracting the common people to stop and choose. The sounds of bargaining and laughter rose one after another and never ceased. In the restaurants, it was extremely lively. People clinked their glasses, talked freely, and there were continuous bursts of laughter and cheerful voices, everywhere brimming with the peace and tranquility after surviving the disaster. However, beneath this seemingly peaceful appearance, there were actually undercurrents surging and dangers lurking everywhere. Beneath the calm surface of the sea, there were turbulent undercurrents that might erupt at any moment.
The enemy country suffered a crushing defeat in the battle at the border, losing a large number of soldiers and suffering heavy losses, greatly weakening its vitality and losing all its dignity. The flames of anger burned fiercely in their hearts, and their hatred was hard to quell. With their evil intentions still intact, they meticulously planned a more insidious, cunning and heinous conspiracy in the dark, damp and rarely visited corners. They cast their greedy eyes on the imperial palace, that sacred place symbolizing the core of national power and majesty, and dispatched the most cunning, ruthless, well-trained and heartless spy – the Night Owl. The Night Owl was tasked with the secret mission of stealing important intelligence related to the lifeblood of the country, hoping to turn the tables with this and regain everything they had lost on the battlefield, and restore their former prestige and advantage.
The name of the Night Owl resounded throughout the dark world and struck fear into the hearts of people at the mere mention of it. He was agile and vigorous, as powerful and swift as a cheetah. When he moved, he was like a ghost in the dark night, silent and almost impossible to be detected. His eyes were as sharp as those of a falcon, as if he could see through all the darkness. They constantly sparkled with a vigilant light, remaining highly alert to every slightest movement around him and not missing any tiny abnormality. In order to successfully infiltrate the imperial palace, his cruel nature was fully revealed, just like a beast that had lost its mind.
On a dark and windy night, the sky was shrouded in thick dark clouds, and the moonlight could not penetrate. In a dark and narrow alley near the imperial palace, a damp and rotten smell filled the air, as if the smell of death was spreading. The Night Owl lurked in the darkness, like a hunter hiding in the shadows, quietly waiting for his prey to appear. He set his eyes on a little eunuch whose figure was similar to his own. The little eunuch was humming an out-of-tune ditty, walking slowly with a somewhat naive smile on his face, completely unaware that danger was approaching step by step. The Night Owl seized the opportunity and pounced like a wolf on its prey. A powerful hand clamped tightly over the little eunuch's mouth like a pair of pincers, and the other hand held a sharp dagger and stabbed it into the little eunuch's abdomen without hesitation. The sound of the dagger piercing the flesh was dull and terrifying. The little eunuch's eyes widened in horror, and a "gurgling" sound came from his throat, which was the sound of life fading away. Before he could let out the slightest cry for help, he slowly collapsed, and his life vanished in an instant. The Night Owl quickly changed into the little eunuch's clothes and carefully arranged his appearance, not missing any detail, making himself look as usual. Then he walked towards the imperial palace as if nothing had happened, as if the bloody scene that had just taken place had never existed. There was not a trace of emotion in his eyes, as if killing someone was just an ordinary thing for him.
After entering the imperial palace, the Night Owl became even more ruthless, like an enraged beast that had completely lost its mind. Whenever he encountered anyone who might hinder him, whether it was a guard patrolling in the dark corners of the imperial palace or a palace maid who accidentally caught sight of his suspicious behavior, he would not hesitate to kill them. His killing techniques were extremely proficient, and every movement was smooth and fatal, silent, not giving the other party any chance to resist or cry for help. After each murder, he would quickly clean up the scene, wipe away all the bloodstains, and hide the bodies in hidden corners, leaving no trace. In the dark corners of the imperial palace, several more cold corpses of innocent people quietly appeared. They wordlessly told of the Night Owl's heinous crimes, while the imperial palace still remained immersed in its superficial peace. No one knew about the bloody killings taking place in the dark, and people still lived their seemingly peaceful lives, unaware that danger was right beside them.
On this day, the warm sunlight shone through the carved windows and fell on the floor of the imperial study, forming patches of golden spots, just like pieces of golden fish scales that gently swayed in the breeze. Li Yi was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe embroidered with lifelike golden dragons. Each dragon seemed to be about to soar into the sky, showcasing the majesty of the emperor. He sat upright in front of the large desk, concentrating on reviewing the memorials on the reconstruction of the border area after the war. His brows were furrowed, and his expression was focused and solemn, his face full of worry and concern for the people in the border area. The vermilion brush in his hand occasionally circled and dotted on the memorials, and in his mind, he was thinking about how to allocate resources, appease the people, and how to make the border area that had been baptized by the war quickly recover and return to its former prosperity. He knew well the sufferings of the people in the border area, and every decision was related to the fate of countless people, and the sense of responsibility in his heart was extremely heavy.
Lin Yue was dressed in a light pink palace dress embroidered with delicate flowers. Each flower was embroidered so vividly that it seemed to exude a faint fragrance of flowers. Her figure was graceful and light, just like a delicate flower in full bloom in spring, exuding a gentle and charming aura that made people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze. She held a delicate tray in her hand, on which there was a steaming cup of ginseng tea, and slowly walked into the imperial study. Her eyes were full of tenderness and concern, and she said softly, "Your Majesty, you have been toiling for a long time. Have a sip of ginseng tea and take a short rest." Just as she put down the tea cup, out of the corner of her eye, she inadvertently caught a glimpse that the position of a confidential letter on Li Yi's desk seemed to be different from before. Her heart tightened suddenly, and an ominous premonition welled up in her heart. Her heart began to beat uncontrollably faster, like a frightened fawn dashing around. However, she still maintained her calm on the surface and did not reveal the slightest bit of abnormality, just like the turbulent undercurrent hidden beneath the calm surface of a lake. Her hands trembled slightly, but she cleverly concealed it.
Lin Yue gave Li Yi a subtle look without showing any sign of alarm, and the look conveyed vigilance and unease, as if telling of the impending danger. Li Yi understood her meaning and nodded slightly to signal her not to make a sound. Both of them were extremely intelligent and instantly sensed that the imperial study might have been spied on secretly. Li Yi pretended to continue focusing on the memorials, and the vermilion brush in his hand kept writing on the paper, but his eyes would occasionally scan around the study. He seemed to be thinking about state affairs, but in fact, he was observing the surrounding movements, not missing any detail, and every corner was within his field of vision. And Lin Yue began to walk around the study seemingly casually. Her steps were light. Sometimes she stopped to admire the calligraphy and paintings on the wall, and her fingers gently glided over those exquisite strokes, as if feeling the charm of history; sometimes she gently stroked the books on the bookshelf, as if having a conversation with them, but in fact, she was carefully observing every corner secretly, trying to find any hidden clues. Her eyes revealed determination and focus, not missing any suspicious place.
Suddenly, Lin Yue's eyes fell on a hidden compartment behind the bookshelf. She found that the gap of the hidden compartment seemed to be a little wider than usual. If it weren't for her
carefulness on weekdays and her thorough knowledge of everything in the imperial study, it would have been almost impossible to detect this subtle change. She was certain in her heart that someone must have sneaked into the imperial study, and the other party was likely after the confidential letter. Thinking of this, a chill ran down her spine, and she realized the seriousness of the matter. Various possible consequences flashed rapidly through her mind, and her heart was filled with worry.
Li Yi and Lin Yue were well aware of the seriousness of this matter. If the important intelligence were stolen by the enemy, the country would once again be plunged into crisis, and the people would face great hardships. Countless families would be torn apart. They looked at each other, and their eyes revealed a firm determination, as if passing strength to each other. They decided to act calmly and use the enemy's plan against them, launching a thrilling anti-spy operation. They knew that this was a war without gunpowder smoke, and they had to go all out to protect the country and its people.
In the imperial court, Li Yi looked calm and composed, just like usual, discussing state affairs with the ministers. His every gesture showed the demeanor of an emperor, majestic and solemn. He pretended to casually reveal a piece of false confidential intelligence, his voice clear and steady, with an unquestionable majesty: "Recently, I have made proper arrangements. A batch of important military funds will be transported to the border area to support the reconstruction work there. The amount of these military funds is huge and is related to the livelihood of the people in the border area. It is necessary to ensure that everything goes smoothly." His tone was somewhat serious, as if this intelligence were absolutely true, making the ministers present believe it without a doubt. They all nodded in agreement. In fact, this batch of military funds did not exist at all. It was just a clever bait he set, a carefully laid trap. At the same time, he secretly arranged his trusted followers, those loyal and well-trained guards, to be like hunters hiding in the dark, closely monitoring every move in the imperial palace, especially those whose behavior was slightly abnormal. He whispered to his trusted followers, "This matter is related to the safety of the country. Don't take it lightly. Once you find any suspicious person, report to me immediately." The trusted followers all nodded, and their eyes revealed firmness and loyalty. They knew well that they were shouldering a great responsibility and would surely go all out.
The Night Owl had placed an informant in the palace. This informant was like a mouse hiding in the dark, constantly keeping an eye on the news in the palace. The informant sneaked around every corner of the palace, like a cunning fox, collecting intelligence and then secretly passing it on to the Night Owl. Soon, this "important intelligence" reached the ears of the Night Owl. The Night Owl secretly rejoiced in his heart and a faint sneer appeared on his face, as if victory was already beckoning to him. His eyes revealed greed and complacency. He thought to himself, "This mission is finally about to be accomplished. As long as I get the news about this batch of military funds, I will surely be handsomely rewarded when I go back." He did not realize at all that he had already stepped into the carefully laid trap set by Li Yi and Lin Yue step by step, and danger was approaching step by step.
However, every move of the Night Owl did not escape the eyes of Li Yi and Lin Yue. Lin Yue, relying on the connections she had accumulated in the palace over the years, often chatted with the palace maids and eunuchs, like a hardworking bee, obtaining all kinds of information from them. On this day, she learned from an old palace maid that a newly entered little eunuch had been behaving very strangely recently. He always went out alone late at night, and his whereabouts were a mystery. Lin Yue's heart skipped a beat. She immediately realized that this little eunuch might very well be the spy they were looking for. The figure of the Night Owl quickly flashed through her mind, and her heart rate increased. A feeling of nervousness spread in her heart, and her palms began to sweat slightly, but she forced herself to remain calm. asingly for the health and well - being of humanity.