Chapter 274: Chapter 241: Wen Ruyu Takes Office

A dual-carriage chariot from Li Jing slowly merged into the queue entering the city.

The person sitting inside was Wen Ruyu, who came to Dongshan for a new appointment, bringing only two people with him.

A middle-aged servant and an accompanying young attendant.

Master Ruyu.

True to his name, he didn’t actually travel quickly this time. He wanted to take this opportunity to see the scenery outside of Li Jing.

After all, in his many years of life, this was his first journey away from home.

So, he arrived in Dongshan City four or five days later than planned. The Medical Bureau wasn’t especially crucial.

As long as he commenced his appointment within the stipulated time, there was no need to rush.

For the city where he was about to work and live, Wen Ruyu had many thoughts, after all, this was his first time leaving the capital where he had lived for thirty years, leaving behind the mentor who had taught him for over a decade, to independently assume the leadership of a local Medical Bureau.

Though his master had arranged someone to assist him, many matters he would have to confront on his own.

This would be a test for him.

If he failed the test, he would have to return to the Imperial Hospital as an Imperial Physician.

He harbored some fear towards officialdom.

...

"Junior brother, are you sure not to wait any longer?"

"Wait for what? He’s coming to take office, not for me. If he doesn’t assume office for a day, should I be stuck in Dongshan City all that while?"

"Whatever you say, he is the closed-door disciple of Mr. Fu, and Mr. Fu is kind to you," Sun Youwei advised.

"I know Mr. Fu is kind to me, but Mr. Fu is Mr. Fu, and he is he. He is coming to Dongshan for training, not for me. I cannot change my plans because of him," Lin Miao said, prepared to return to Qingping Town. He couldn’t delay just to wait for Wen Ruyu’s commencement, lest more matters become entangled later.

Mr. Fu’s kindness to him was known, but teacher is teacher, disciple is disciple; he never thought to depend on anyone.

So, everything proceeded according to his plan.

He had already waited three more days. According to the schedule, he should have arrived already, but he hasn’t, likely delayed by sightseeing.

Must I wait for him to reach Dongshan, then return to Qingping? The world doesn’t revolve around Wen Ruyu.

Moreover, the arrival of a new head at the Dongshan Medical Bureau had no direct relation to him. Even if he arrived, he would not visit of his own accord.

He lived by skill, not connections.

If he proactively attached himself, it would instead diminish his image.

Rather than wait idly, it’s better to follow one’s own steps.

If patience allows, he will wait for him to return from Qingping Town; if this results in resentment towards him, then such a person isn’t worth befriending. Seeing this clearly early is a good thing.

This return trip besides Lin Miao and Sun Youwei, also included Yun and Mr. Xie. Furthermore, he brought along the sisters Lianxin and Lianru.

The journey wasn’t necessarily safe, but the sisters’ martial skills could contend with masters at the Peak of the Blood Fusion Realm.

Additionally, Lin Mao was brought along, for the child was clever and could assist with matters.

Regarding household affairs, Lin Miao entrusted them to Liuli. Additionally, Su Chen had been in Dongshan recently, with Si Miaoxue secretly watching over matters, too.

Hence, the concern over Dongshan City was minimal for him.

Two carriages.

Lin Mao and Mr. Xie drove one each, while Lianxin and Lianru rode on horseback, as they were not accustomed to traveling by carriage.

Women of the Yue Country grew up on horseback, so riding was innate for them.

Discreet, their departure from Dongshan wasn’t widely announced, with only a notice posted at the clinic entrance stating that Mr. Lin returned to his hometown to pay respects to his teacher, with a return date pending further notice.

This kind of headstrong physician was rare.

Yet, his return to honor his teacher was significant, clearly permissible. Moreover, his temporary leave was beneficial for Dongshan’s clinics, as it diverted patients from all seeking him. What physician with patients would not differentiate clinics?

Especially, when word spread that this Mr. Lin could deliver babies, risking the unemployment of midwives at Xiuyue Square.

Although the distinction between genders dictates that men shouldn’t deliver babies, the Tong family claimed that Mr. Lin only instructed verbally, while actual deliveries were performed by Youwei.

This was acceptable. Though the entry of men into delivery rooms was considered unlucky, exceptions existed. Typically, it was unlucky, but as Lin Miao was a Physician, a healer, his presence was safeguarded by divine favor, warding off malevolence.

After all, speech consists of two lips, and words can be said in contrary ways. Finding a reason was not hard.

The fact was, Lin Miao delivered the Tong family twins.

Didn’t the previous three midwives fail?

Childbirth resembled warfare; a sustained push was needed, and failure to deliver initially only increased difficulty subsequently.

Unbeknownst to Lin Miao, he and Wen Ruyu nearly crossed paths at the city gate.

The inbound convoy required queuing, while leaving didn’t, so Lin Miao and Sun Youwei passed by Wen Ruyu’s chariot within their carriage.

Two carriages, followed by two dashing, exotic looking women, naturally drew much attention.

Some recognized the sisters Lianxin and Lianru, as they often appeared at the clinic.

Yet most people, besides showing envious eyes, were left with fanciful thoughts.

Even in the carriage, Wen Ruyu noticed Lianxin and Lianru; having come from Li Jing, his discernment and taste were notably superior. Regularly visiting princely and noble estates, even entering the palace, what hadn’t he witnessed before?

Therefore, aside from feeling refreshed, he wasn’t too amazed. However, encountering such beauty, especially twins, in a place like Dongshan City is indeed rare; even in the beauty-filled Li Jing, it isn’t common.

He wasn’t a lecherous person. If he had a fondness for beauty, why would he still be unmarried by now?

Because he was waiting to enter the city, he didn’t pay much attention.

...

After entering the city, he asked a passerby for directions and went straight to the Xinglin Institute.

Wen Ruyu had not yet taken office and hadn’t completed the handover. Mr. Sang had to continue administering the Medical Bureau, but he was more diligent than before.

He clearly understood that he was left to assist the new head. Upon knowing the identity of the new head,

he realized he was quite lucky. If he could help the new head do well, when heading to the capital, even if not getting a promotion, at least he’d have a good position.

This rekindled his ambition for fame and fortune, naturally making him work harder.

Previously, he was like a monk who only did daily rituals without bothering to take on unnecessary troubles, as long as nothing went wrong during his term.

He also knew the new head was arriving in the next few days, so he naturally needed to showcase his performance. Not only did he have the inside and outside of Xinglin Institute cleaned thoroughly, but he also repaired what needed repairing and replaced what needed replacing. In short, he wanted the new head to see his capabilities and achievements.

As long as Wen Ruyu mentioned him favorably to those above, it would be more useful than writing an elaborate report.

This is the power of having influential connections.

"Oh, yearning day and night, finally Mr. Wen has arrived, please come in!" Mr. Sang practically jogged to the entrance of Xinglin Institute, bowing deeply to Wen Ruyu who had just stepped off the carriage.

"Much obliged, Mr. Sang!" Wen Ruyu quickly returned the salute.

Seeing this, Mr. Sang noted Wen Ruyu, being Mr. Fu’s closed-door disciple, was indeed gentle and refined, just as his name suggested, smiling even more broadly: "Mr. Wen, weary from the journey, I have arranged a place for you to rest, please follow me."

"Thank you."

Knowing Wen Ruyu had no residence in Dongshan, Mr. Sang carefully set up a small courtyard in Xinglin Institute.

After all, Wen Ruyu didn’t bring many people, just three, which was enough.

It had been repaired and cleaned in advance, with new furniture added, considering nearly everything, allowing immediate settlement.

Soon, the people in Dongshan Xinglin circles all knew the new Medical Bureau head, Mr. Fu’s closed-door disciple Wen Ruyu, had arrived.

Naturally, they had to come pay their respects.

However, Wen Ruyu had arrived on the first day, weary from the journey, so it was clearly inappropriate to disturb him now, but there was one person who sent someone directly.

Pei Jian, the governor of Dongshan Prefecture.

Pei Jian’s eldest son Pei Ling and Wen Ruyu were of similar age, having met in Li Jing, maintaining decent relations.

Although the Wen Family’s influence in the officialdom wasn’t as strong as the Pei Family’s, they were deeply rooted in Li Jing, belonging to the middle echelon.

When Pei Jian was an official in the capital, Wen Ruyu had met him several times, considering Wen’s frequent visits to the East Palace, and Pei Jian was an official affiliated with the Crown Prince’s East Palace, moreover, being the father of a friend, he certainly couldn’t be unknown.

Pei Jian’s reception banquet was naturally something he couldn’t refuse.

In the evening, at De Yue Tower, Pei Jian hosted a reception for Wen Ruyu, with Mr. Sang, the former head, and his trusted advisor Zhuo Qingfeng as companions.

No others were invited.

This reception served as both a welcome for Wen Ruyu and a message to the Dongshan Xinglin community, highlighting the uncommon relationship between Wen Ruyu and Pei Jian, indicating it wasn’t a simple decision by the court to place Wen in Dongshan.

It also warned Mr. Sang that Wen Ruyu was in Dongshan, and he should teach him properly without withholding information, for if anything went wrong, Mr. Sang would be held accountable.

Mr. Sang was indeed surprised by the closeness between Wen Ruyu and Pei Jian, realizing Wen’s placement in Dongshan likely carried deeper intentions.

With Pei Jian’s protection, Wen Ruyu likely wouldn’t face as many obstacles in his position as head of the Dongshan Medical Bureau.

During the banquet, Lin Miao was inevitably mentioned, as he had been Dongshan City’s hottest topic for the past six months.

Pei Jian naturally offered ample praise for Lin Miao.

The emergence of such a character in Dongshan City reflects well on him as the governor; why don’t other places have similar talents?

This implies the good enlightenment in this area, creating talents, which must relate to the local parental officials.

He also had a collaborative relationship with Lin Miao, naturally speaking fondly of him, avoiding any hindrance.

Besides his primary job, Wen Ruyu’s assignment in Dongshan included meeting Lin Miao, to see what kind of person he truly was.

This was also the important task entrusted to him by his master, Mr. Fu.

However, upon proposing this requirement, Pei Jian smiled wryly and informed him, Lin Miao had departed for his hometown today.

To his hometown!

A candidate physician undergoing the "Path to Sainthood" trial unexpectedly left for his hometown during such a crucial moment, abandoning an important trial task.

What was he thinking?

"The trial case he needed to complete is already finished..."

"Finished?!"

Wen Ruyu was greatly astonished. Having participated in the trial himself, he had almost spent an entire year completing the trial task.

Even after completing the task, the trials continued; after all, this affected a trial ranking, which also held significant importance.

The higher the ranking, the richer the rewards, including court awards and guild rewards.

Some rewards were invisible, unable to be seen.