Duke of Zhenguan

May had quietly arrived, and Chang'an was like a giant furnace during the day. Lin Chuan, who had spent six days in prison, was covered in a foul stench.

After being picked up from the prison by Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao, Lin Chuan looked at the sun hanging far in the west and felt as if he had been in another world.

Upon arriving at the entrance of Dali Temple, they saw Li Shi, Er Ya, and the two Zhao brothers waiting there.

Seeing Li Shi and Er Ya with tears in their eyes, Lin Chuan smiled and comforted them:

"Mother, Er Ya, everything's alright!"

Li nodded, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and said softly:

"go home!"

The title and the official position were gone, but the house in Tonghua Ward was not taken back.

Back home, Li looked at her disheveled son with a face full of heartache, and softly instructed Meixiang, who was standing beside her:

"Meixiang, quickly prepare hot water so that Dalang can have a good bath!"

Lin Chuan really needed to take a good shower. He first went to the front yard to check on Lin Jiu, who was lying in bed, before returning to the east wing.

Seeing Meixiang struggling to carry a wooden bucket, which was half her height, into the house, Lin Chuan walked over, took the bucket from her, and carried it into the house.

Meixiang followed closely behind, and seeing Lin Chuan pour water into the bathtub and walk out, she quickly curtsied and said:

"My lord, I shall go!"

Lin Chuan glanced at Mei Xiang, who was dressed in plain clothes. Compared to the charming appearance he had seen at Qunfang Pavilion, Mei Xiang, who had washed away her makeup and was dressed in plain clothes, had lost her worldly air and looked like a girl next door.

The only change is that he hasn't changed his cautious demeanor in words and actions.

"By the time you fill the bucket with water, it will be dark!"

Lin Chuan smiled and said something, then carried a bucket to the well in the yard to fetch water.

Just as Lin Chuan was about to go find the soapberries after the bathtub was filled with water, Mei Xiang came over with a cloth bag containing soapberries and said softly:

"I will serve my lord!"

Lin Chuan nodded. Washing hair is a big project, and having someone help would definitely make it faster.

After finally finishing washing his hair, Lin Chuan looked at Mei Xiang, who was still standing beside him, and joked with a smile:

"Serving you even while you bathe?"

"Serving my lord is my duty..." Meixiang said, blushing.

"Alright, I was just kidding. Go and rest, I'll wash myself!" Lin Chuan shook his head.

Mei Xiang knelt down in front of Lin Chuan with a thud and whispered:

"My lord, I am a virgin. That day was the first time my mother arranged for me to entertain guests..."

"It's not that I look down on you, it's just that you're too young. Let's talk about it again in a couple of years!" Lin Chuan waved his hand dismissively.

Although he had no power or influence, none of the people who went that day—Cheng Chumo, Qin Huaidao, and Yuchi Baolin—were people Chen Qi could afford to offend. She would never dare send a withered woman to Lin Chuan…

Although Mei Xiang in front of him was mature in her words and deeds, she had been forced into that state in the Qunfang Pavilion. She looked to be at most fourteen or fifteen years old, and Lin Chuan really couldn't bring himself to do it.

Meixiang misunderstood. She glanced down at her unremarkable chest, her fair face turning bright red. She silently got up and left the room.

I soaked in the large bathtub and scrubbed my body again and again, but the soap's cleaning power was still a bit lacking, and I still felt like I wasn't clean enough.

Soap is indeed available for sale, and the Lin family can afford it at present, but as the name suggests, soap is made from pig pancreas, which Lin Chuan does not like to use.

Now that I'm free from official duties, why don't I start by making some soap to improve my life and maybe earn a little money on the side? And what about floral water, perfume…?

Having lived two lives, this was his first time being an official, and he was being held back by a mere assistant minister in the Ministry of Works.

Looking back now, what was the point of just loafing around at the Ministry of Works every day?

During dinner, Lin Chuan asked Li Shi in a low voice:

"Mother, how are Uncle Wang and the others doing now?"

"Life is tough. There are more and more refugees outside the city now, it's hard to find work, and food is getting more and more expensive. How can blacksmithing and weaving make enough money?" Li sighed.

"Here's what we'll do, Mother, tomorrow you and Aunt Jiu go to Tiechi Lane and invite Uncle Wang and the others to our house. Call all the reliable ones; I need their help with something!" Lin Chuan said.

"good!"

Li readily agreed, but then hesitated and asked Lin Chuan:

"But, brother, although our family has some spare money, there are so many people..."

"Mother, it's alright. I invited them because I really have something I need them to do, and they can make a lot of money!" Lin Chuan comforted her.

"good!"

The next morning, Lin Chuan didn't wake up until the sun was high in the sky. Just as he got out of bed, Mei Xiang, who was sleeping in the outer room, gently knocked on the door:

"My lord, you're awake?"

Knowing that Lin Chuan didn't mind her, Mei Xiang took it upon herself to move to the outer room of Lin Chuan's bedroom, a room originally prepared for maids.

"Come in!" Lin Chuan said.

Meixiang then carried the basin inside and helped Lin Chuan get dressed and wash up.

Lin Chuan, who had been serving others since elementary school, looked at Mei Xiang and could only sigh that professional tasks should indeed be done by professionals.

After washing up, the family gathered together for breakfast, and then Li took Er Ya and the guards back to Tiechi Lane to look for someone.

After glancing at Lin Jiu, Lin Chuan took Mei Xiang back to the east wing, moved a chair to sit in the courtyard and basked in the sun. Having spent several days in the dimly lit Dali Temple prison, he now found even seeing the sun a rare treat.

After a full meal, the sun's rays make my eyelids droop.

Just as she was feeling dazed, Meixiang walked over quickly and whispered:

"My lord, Imperial Physician Liu from the Imperial Medical Bureau is here!"

Lin Chuan nodded and led Mei Xiang to the main hall in the front yard.

"My beloved teacher!"

As soon as he entered, Liu Zhengqi stood up from his chair and bowed to Lin Chuan.

"Um, Zhengqi, no need for formalities... And who are these two?"

Lin Chuan waved his hand and looked at the two elderly men with gray hair and beards standing to the side.

"Master, this is Physician Zhen Quan, and this is Physician Zhen Liyan. I was taught by these two physicians when I was young, and I have invited them to witness this today!" Liu Zhengqi quickly introduced.

"I've met the two legendary doctors!"

Lin Chuan quickly bowed and greeted them. Although these two were not as famous as Sun Simiao, they were still well-known physicians of the time, and they treated Li Shimin, the imperial family, and powerful nobles. Even Cheng Yaojin would have to treat them with utmost respect.

How did Liu Zhengqi manage to invite this person...?

Zhen Quan, nearly ninety years old, bowed slightly to Lin Chuan with trembling hands:

"The external injury treatment techniques that Zheng Qi learned from Young Master Lin are remarkably effective in preventing serious illnesses and are truly a model for treating external injuries. On behalf of all medical practitioners, I thank Young Master Lin!"

"You're too kind, old doctor!" Lin Chuan quickly stepped aside.

Zhen Liyan, standing to the side, cupped his hands in greeting and said with a smile:

"Everyone has their own expertise, and everyone learns the Way at different times. Although what Young Master Lin has learned is different from what we have learned, it is a good method as long as it can save people. Although Zheng Qi is not as talented, he is sincere. Young Master Lin has accepted him as a disciple, so there is no need to worry that he will tarnish his reputation."

My elder brother and I have only lived a few more years, and in terms of external injuries, we are no match for Young Master Lin. I hope Young Master Lin will not hesitate to offer his guidance!

"You flatter me, sir. I will tell you everything I know!" Lin Chuan said with a wry smile.

Liu Zhengqi invited a highly respected witness and brought a fee with him.

Lin Chuan was also unfamiliar with the etiquette of becoming an apprentice. Under Zhen Quan's guidance, he accepted Liu Zhengqi's three bows and nine kowtows like a wooden doll, officially becoming the master of the imperial physician Liu Zhengqi.