Chapter 309: Chapter 276: A Gentleman Like Ruyu

Lin Miao is now a sixth-ranked Chengde Lang. According to the court regulations, he wears a deep green official robe, paired with a silver belt, and a green tassel hat. The material differs between summer and winter: summer is airy and cool, while winter is thick and warm.

The official attire system of the Da Li Dynasty largely inherited the previous dynasty’s guidelines with only minor changes. After all, some customary rules have been widely accepted, and abrupt changes might lead to confusion.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do." There was no need to wear official attire every day.

"Dong Fei, go park the car. Suo, come with me." As he got off at the entrance of Xinglin Institute, Lin Miao instructed.

"Yes, master."

Though Lin Miao didn’t frequent Xinglin Institute often, he was still familiar with the path here and headed directly to where the Medical Bureau operated.

Besides, who in the Dongshan Medical Bureau wouldn’t recognize him?

Currently, he is still the deputy of the Medical Bureau. Anyone who doesn’t recognize him would be foolish to come and stop him. It’s unlikely to see such a young deputy official in less developed medical areas.

Dongshan Prefecture, after all, is a top-tier prefecture with many physicians. Having someone who hasn’t achieved the "Physician" title as vice-official is indeed surprising.

But the appointment of Medical Bureau officials is decided by the court; the guild has no say at all.

If Lin Miao were to take an official position, he couldn’t open his own medical clinic, but could serve as a consulting physician at the court-run Benefit People Pharmacy.

This is also a measure to supervise and limit officials. Once in power, they can easily exploit it for personal gain. If he were to open a clinic, it would be easy to indulge in malpractice.

But Lin Miao’s situation was unprecedented in the Da Li Dynasty. He hadn’t yet obtained the "Nationally Selected Physician" title and only practiced at the Convenient Medical Diagnosis Point. According to the current passing standards, he would have passed long ago.

However, the trial period must be neither more nor less than the specified time, and one must wait until it’s completed. This is a rule.

This is to provide a final evaluation and ranking of the trial personnel’s performance.

Lin Miao didn’t mind much about opening his own clinic. These things can be flexible. Anning Hall can be registered under his senior sister’s name, and he could serve as a contract consulting physician. What’s the problem with that?

As long as he can heal and save people, whose clinic it is doesn’t matter. The main thing he needs is freedom.

As long as freedom isn’t restricted, he can accept anything.

He never intended to rely on practicing medicine to get rich. That would go against the original intention of learning medicine. Practicing medicine to save lives and earning a reasonable consultation fee can indeed allow one to live a comfortable and stable life. But if one wants to live a life of great wealth, they must resort to unscrupulous means, which he will never do.

"Sir, Mr. Lin has already reached the second gate."

"Oh, quick, quick, welcome him!" Wen Ruyu hurriedly called out, swiftly heading towards the second gate.

Lin Miao wasn’t walking fast. In this hot weather, even if the sun wasn’t too scorching, walking quickly could still make one sweat.

Walking slower also gave others time to prepare.

From afar, Lin Miao saw a tall, jade-faced young man in a blue official robe walking towards him.

Following behind was Mr. Sang in casual attire. No need to guess, this young man was the esteemed disciple of Mr. Fu, Wen Ruyu.

"Lin Miao greets Mr. Wen, Mr. Sang," Lin Miao quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully.

This is the official bureau, and even though his rank was high, his official title was still lower than theirs.

Therefore, he had to greet them according to ranks.

"Mr. Lin, my respects, please!" Wen Ruyu, uncertain what to call Lin Miao in an official setting, used "Sir" as a safe option.

"Thank you."

All three returned to the main hall of the Medical Bureau, where the main official managed guests and conducted affairs.

"Mr. Lin, please."

"Mr. Wen, Mr. Sang, please."

All three sat down, and Wen Ruyu gestured for an attendant to serve the already prepared refreshing plum drink.

After a few pleasantries, it counted as an official meeting.

When Wen Ruyu looked closely, he noticed he was half a head taller than Lin Miao. Being thirty years old, his height was fixed, but Lin Miao still had potential to grow and might match his height in the future.

However, his current height was already sufficient, at least above average.

Though in official garb, he exuded a gentle, scholarly aura. His sword-like brows and starry eyes, with clear facial features, exuded a sense of heroism and calm confidence.

No wonder Xia Zhu fell for him. Such a man would attract any woman like a moth to a flame.

Having a handsome appearance indeed makes a difference.

"Mr. Wen, firstly, I must apologize to you. I took my fiancée back home to pay respects to the family ancestors, and then took some leisure time. I didn’t know the court had appointed me to a post, and I got delayed at home, only arriving today," Lin Miao explained.

"Mr. Lin, please pardon my ignorance, as I have been learning and exploring this past month. I owe much to Mr. Sang for his guidance, otherwise, I fear I would have made many blunders."

"Mr. Wen, you’re being too polite. I was merely assisting from the sidelines, hardly deserving of any credit." Mr. Sang replied with a slight smile.

He got along quite well with Wen Ruyu, primarily because Wen Ruyu lacked the arrogance typical of those from powerful families. On the contrary, he was even-tempered and well-spoken, willing to listen to others’ opinions.

Since taking office, he had granted face to whom it was due, getting along harmoniously with everyone. Throughout Dongshan Prefecture, the new head of the Medical Bureau was highly regarded.

The position of head of the Medical Bureau mostly involves overseeing local healthcare, unless there’s a major disaster or epidemic, or conducting the examinations for "physicians and pharmacists." Otherwise, it deals with medical evaluations and routine official duties. Under normal circumstances, the presence is quite low-key.

But healthcare concerns livelihood, so one can’t say it’s unimportant; it just doesn’t directly face the public.

"Mr. Wen, my interest in officialdom is rather lacking, so I probably won’t frequent the Medical Bureau. Unless necessary, I prefer not to get involved in its affairs," Lin Miao said.

"Mr. Lin, according to the Medical Bureau’s regulations, the two deputy heads are to also serve as deputy presidents of either the Physicians’ or Pharmacists’ Association. You are appointed by the court as deputy head and rank above Mr. Jian. Therefore, you should rightfully serve as the deputy president of the Physicians’ Association!" Mr. Sang glanced at Wen Ruyu. He felt it was necessary to voice this concern.

"That’s not appropriate. I am quite young and inexperienced, and besides, I have no interest in being an official. If defying an edict weren’t punishable by death, I wouldn’t even want to hold this deputy head position," Lin Miao said.

"This doesn’t follow protocol. If upper management investigates, they might think we in Dongshan’s medical community are deliberately making things difficult for Mr. Lin."

"How about this, I’ll recommend someone to take on the deputy president role for me. What do you think?" Lin Miao considered it, determined not to be ensnared by such tedious responsibilities.

"Well..." Mr. Sang looked at Wen Ruyu, seated at the head of the table.

Without hesitation, Wen Ruyu agreed, "Alright, let’s proceed as Mr. Lin suggested. When will the recommendation list be submitted?"

"If Mr. Wen is in a hurry, by tomorrow," Lin Miao replied.

"Good."

"Mr. Sang, I have some personal matters to discuss with Mr. Wen. Could you please excuse us for a moment?" Lin Miao directly addressed Mr. Sang.

"Alright, alright, I’ll step out, step out..." Mr. Sang left with an embarrassed smile, getting up and walking outside.

"Mr. Lin, whatever you have to say, please feel free to express it," Wen Ruyu said, feeling a slight nervousness facing Lin Miao alone.

Though not very strong, he could sense it.

"Mr. Wen, there are some questions to which I hope you’ll truly respond." Lin Miao looked directly at Wen Ruyu’s pale face.

"Mr. Lin, please ask." Wen Ruyu smiled faintly, the corners of his eyes lifting slightly, demonstrating his composure and calmness.

"What is your relationship with my apprentice Xia Zhu?"

"Ahem, ahem..." The previously elegant and warm demeanor of Wen Ruyu suddenly gave way to a fit of coughs.

He hadn’t at all expected Lin Miao to suddenly pose such a question.

"Mr. Lin, I really admire Xia Zhu’s talent and knowledge, we consider each other friends." After a moment of thought, Wen Ruyu replied.

"Mr. Wen, please think twice before answering." Lin Miao said calmly, "I am about to meet Xia Zhu’s parents, and as her teacher, I can still make some impact."

Upon hearing this, Wen Ruyu’s cheeks flushed red. Though he was a true gentleman, he wasn’t a fool.

If he couldn’t decipher this, might as well buy a piece of tofu and knock himself out with it.

Did Xia Zhu figure it out? Did she...

Inwardly, Wen Ruyu felt a surge of emotion, but he wasn’t sure. Given Xia Zhu’s steady character, she wouldn’t likely share it with others.

However, as a man, he knew that certain matters, once missed, would pass him by for life. He never liked being proactive, and in Li Jing, many girls liked him, but he shared a common language with hardly any.

Facing a woman with whom he couldn’t converse was unbearable and he’d rather marry someone for continuity’s sake.

But now, he finally met a kindred spirit, and hesitating due to pride might lead to lifelong regret.

"Mr. Lin, I like Xia Zhu. We even have mutual feelings, but she is already engaged, so..." Wen Ruyu didn’t know what to say. This was a budding emotion for him, neither of them having overstepped the boundaries by confessing.

Because once spoken, if there were no result, it would be disastrous for both, with unpredictable consequences once disclosed.

His and Xia Zhu’s reputations...

"Mr. Wen, we are both men, I can understand your feelings. If it’s merely impulsive, I will pretend I neither asked nor heard. But if you are serious, as Xia Zhu’s teacher, I must think of her future. What can you offer her for a happy life?" Lin Miao asked.

"I, I..." Wen Ruyu was caught off guard; he hadn’t considered this before.

Had Wen Ruyu given a long lecture about how he would treat Xia Zhu well, Lin Miao might not have believed him.

Yet this unsettled and introspective demeanor was a genuine response, unable to provide an answer when asked deeply.