Lamp Flower Smile

When Lu Zhen arrived at the dormitory, the sky was already dark.

During the day, I sorted out names at the Medical Officer's Hospital and stayed there for half a day. In the second half of the day, Chang Jin, the medical officer, led everyone to give lectures in the hall and informed them about the rotation. By the time everyone dispersed, it was dusk.

The female officer who led the way pointed the way for her at the entrance of the medicine garden and left. Lu Zhuo walked in with the medical box and luggage. Medical officers do not need to be on duty on the first day they enter the hospital. They only need to get familiar with the hospital and the doctors in the same department, and they can only start working officially on the second day.

There was no doctor accompanying him, so Lu Zhu followed the direction pointed by the female officer. The medicine garden is very large, with lush vegetation at first glance, some of which are neatly trimmed, and it seems that they have been carefully cared for. Others grow randomly like weeds and shrubs.

Behind the long stretch of wild grass, a large sea of ​​rose-colored flowers blooms faintly. Under the sunset, its color is delicate and beautiful. From a distance, it looks like a piece of bright crimson clouds, with a faint fragrance blowing along the wind.

Lu Zhuo only glanced at it and then withdrew his gaze. He carefully walked around the medicinal fields and walked for about half a stick of incense. The medicinal fields gradually became smaller and smaller until they disappeared. A row of courtyards appeared in front of them.

The last ray of sunset disappeared from the ground, and only a few dim lanterns were lit in the dark courtyard, illuminating the ground sadly.

The courtyard is divided into left and right ends. On the left is the medicine storehouse, with only the dark door locked. On the right is the dormitory, with the door open. The courtyard is very old. It has rained, and some roof tiles on the eaves have been washed away. There are thick layers on the corners. cobweb.

Before Lu Chen came, he had passed by the dormitory of the Medical Officer's Hospital. It looked clean and tidy on the outside, and the courtyard was spacious, which was completely different from the dilapidated place in front of him.

I had known that Nan Pharmacy was the place that medical officers least wanted to be assigned to, and now it seems that is indeed the case. If the entire Imperial Medical College is compared to a royal palace, and each hall is a harem, then Nan Pharmacy looks like a cold palace that no one cares about.

Lu Yan walked to the door and knocked a few times. No one answered, so he opened the door and walked in.

As soon as I entered the house, a damp and rotten smell hit my face.

The house is not big, and there is a large old wooden cabinet by the window. The dirt walls are splattered with blood, stains, or mildew spots that grew due to excessive moisture. When you look closer, you can see that they are so dense that it is shocking. .

There are wooden beds placed one after another against the wall. The wooden beds are narrow and very close together. They are covered with mattresses, which is a sign that someone has slept here.

Lu Zhuo looked back and counted a total of twelve beds, making a calculation in his mind.

She put the medical kit on an empty bed and planned to take a handkerchief from the bundle to wipe the dust on the bed, but she was stunned when she opened the clothes under the bundle.

Under the neatly folded clothes, I don’t know when to hide ingot after ingot of silver. The top is a grey-brown linen sachet. It has been washed white and looks very inconspicuous and heavy. Lu Tong When I opened it, I saw that there were scattered silver horns inside, each one cut very finely.

Lu Zhuo's fingertips holding the cloth bag trembled.

When she left West Street, everyone in the medical clinic came to see her off. Against the background of Du Changqing's chatter, Yin Zheng seemed much quieter than before. She thought Yinzheng was angry at the harsh words she said last night, but she never thought that Yinzheng had secretly sent the money back again.

He even added a bag of scattered silver.

She didn't know how long it would take Yin Zheng to save this bag of broken silver, but it was not easy after all.

While he was stunned, someone was talking and laughing behind him. With quick eyes and hands, Lu Zhu pulled the furoshiki and tied it up to cover the silver hidden in the clothes.

The laughter stopped suddenly and Lu Chen turned around.

There was a group of women standing at the door. These women were all quite young. The medical officers' robes they wore were different from those of the medical officers in the Medical Officer's Hospital during the day. The color was dark brown, and there were unknown stains on them. . Everyone looked anxious, with dark complexions, and no energy.

The leading woman was about thirty years old, with thin eyebrows and phoenix eyes, a white and narrow face, and her black hair was tied high on the back of her head. She looked a bit mean. She was standing in the shadow of the door and looking at her unkindly.

She didn't speak, and neither did the people around her. The room was already dark and damp, and she was looked at indifferently by the group of people. Their eyes were like large mold spots on the wall, clinging to the person, making them cold and sticky.

Lu Yan looked back at them indifferently, not caring.

As if she was a little surprised by how calm she was, the leading woman frowned slightly, then walked towards Lu Zhu and asked, "What's the new guy's name?"

"Lu Xu."

The woman nodded, walked to Lu Zhen, picked up Lu Zhen's baggage and threw it aside, and said Yin Zhen: "Where is your bed."

She pointed to a bed at the end of the room.

The bed was very old and was located in the deepest part of the house, without any sunlight. The most important thing is that there is a hole in the wall directly above the bed, and residual rainwater falls down bit by bit from above, accumulating a small wet stain on the wooden bed.

It didn't rain today. If it rained, this bed would be unlivable.

Lu Yan raised his eyes and looked at the woman.

The woman faced her with an imposing manner. Her narrow white face was like an exaggerated mask. Only a pair of dead eyes behind the mask stared at her, as if staring at someone who was about to fall into the quagmire. They were inexplicably shining with excitement. .

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense.

After a moment of silence, Lu Zhu bent down to pick up the baggage thrown to the ground, turned around and walked towards the wooden bed in the corner.

She could feel the eyes staring at her behind her becoming disappointed for a moment, but soon, after this scene, the deathly silence just now was suddenly broken, and the room became noisy again.

There was chattering and laughter, and there were voices cursing and cursing the unfinished work in the medicine warehouse. The women went to bed one after another, but the noise was also lifeless, like a forgotten ditch that had rotten and smelly, being buried. The wind occasionally caused a few ripples.

It's so suffocating that one can't breathe.

Lu Chen walked to the wooden bed and picked up the quilt to make the bed. Although the areas that were originally wet from the rain were wiped clean with a handkerchief, they would inevitably become damp when sleeping at night. The baggage was filled with clothes that Yin Zheng had prepared herself, and she was reluctant to put them under her body.

While he was frowning, a piece of dark gray linen suddenly appeared in front of his eyes. The hand threw the linen onto Lu Chen's bed and quickly retracted it.

Lu Tong was stunned and looked sideways, only to see the woman on the bed next to him turning her back as if nothing had happened and getting under the quilt.

After a moment of silence, Lu Zhu folded the square of gray linen carefully, spread it on the wet stains, and then made the mattress. After everything was done, the noise in the room gradually quieted down.

Someone blew out the lamp, and the little bit of dim light was swallowed up, and the whole room fell into deathly silence, like a huge tomb.

The wooden bed is narrow and hard, and can only accommodate one person. The quilt I was assigned was also very thin and exuded a faint moisture.

Lu Zhuo curled up sideways on the bed, holding a bundle in his arms. There was a medical box next to his pillow. The darkness blocked out the malicious gazes around him, which made him feel reassured.

This was her first night after entering the medical hospital, where she lived like a dark cell. Before coming, Miao Liangfang had given her many warnings, telling her to be careful in the medical hospital. Life outside was not easy, and it was not as glamorous as ordinary people saw.

But Miao Liangfang probably didn't expect that it would be so "difficult" for her.

He failed to see Qi Yutai, and failed to find a chance for revenge. He was thrown far away to Nanyang Pharmacy, and he couldn't even touch the corners of his enemy's robe.

Slight snores gradually sounded around, accompanied by whispers in sleep. In a narrow room, dreams are also stingy.

Lu Chen listened quietly for a while and closed his eyes.

…

Early the next morning, when the genius was revealed, Lu Yan was called up.

The woman who asked her to change beds yesterday stood in front of her bed, her lips were very brightly painted, and she said coldly: "Newcomer, get up and work."

Lu Zhuo got up and quickly washed up. As soon as he walked out of the room, he saw a group of people standing in a neat manner in the yard in front of him. In addition to women, there are men. These men are also wearing brown robes. Most of them are elderly, with droopy eyebrows and sallow complexions. They are all listless.

Standing directly in front was a man with a big belly, wearing silk and silk, with a fat appearance and a layer of oil on his face. When he saw Lu Zhuo walking out of the house, the man's eyes lit up, and his eyes wandered around Lu Zhuo's body unscrupulously.

The woman who made things difficult for Lu Zhuo yesterday saw her face darken.

After the obese man took his name, he asked everyone to go to the medicine store to sort out the medicinal materials, leaving Lu Zhu alone.

Before leaving, the woman glared at Lu Huan again, and then left quickly.

"Lu Chen." The man beside him called Lu Chen's name.

Lu Xu lowered his head: "Sir."

This man is the medical supervisor of Nan Pharmacy, his name is Zhu Mao. All the medicinal materials picked and sorted must be inspected by this man. He is also in charge of the inspection of Nan Pharmacy all year round, and he has a high status in Nan Pharmacy. Lu Chen noticed that even the domineering woman yesterday was very respectful in front of Zhu Mao.

Zhu Mao glanced at Lu Zhu: "You are new here, go to Luoying Garden to pick and sort 'Hongfang Xu' these days."

Hongfangxu?

Lu Zhen's heart moved.

She has followed Yun Niang for many years and has heard of most medicinal herbs, but she has never heard of the name 'Hongfangxu'.

"Hongfang catkins are precious," Zhu Mao said with a charitable expression and a smiling face, but his tone could not hide his scorn, "He Xiu will pick it with you. Be careful not to damage the petals when picking. One red flower catkins will produce a flower. There are records in the garden, if there are any missing pieces, you won’t be able to afford the compensation if you sell them.”

After saying that, the man stretched out his fat palm again and rubbed Lu Er's shoulder quietly a few times before leaving with a smile.

There seemed to be some kind of smooth touch remaining on his shoulders. Lu Yan raised his eyes and saw the woman who gave her linen cloth yesterday and slept on the wooden bed next to her standing not far in front, waving to her calmly.

Lu Chen knew clearly. It seemed that this was He Xiu who was going to pick the "Red Fragrant Catkins" with her.

She walked over to the woman.

He Xiu raised his head, revealing a sallow and thin face, smiled dryly at Lu Shun, pushed the wooden cart in his hand forward, and whispered: "Follow me."

…

The medicine garden is some distance away from the dormitory.

He Xiu walked in front pushing the wooden cart.

Lu Chen stared silently at the slightly hunched back in front of him, seeming to notice Lu Chen's gaze. The woman turned back, pursed her lips uncomfortably, and took the initiative to talk to her.

"The Hongfang Garden is in the deepest part of the medicine garden, and you still have to walk a long way. After picking, the picked Hongfang catkins need to be cleaned, sorted out the stems and leaves, sent to the medicine warehouse, and transported to the Imperial Medicine Institute."

"The Imperial Pharmacy will use the medicinal materials to make medicines."

He Xiu glanced at Lu Chen cautiously, and seeing that Lu Chen did not show any rejection, he said: "Every day you pick red fragrant catkins, you must record it in the book. You have just arrived at Nan Pharmacy, and you are not skilled in the technique. If you don't pick enough at night, you may be injured." Being scolded by Master Zhu...you must seize the moment after entering the medicine garden."

Lu Yan asked: "You and I are also responsible for cleaning and sorting?"

He Xiu nodded.

Lu Chen understood. This is probably not an easy job. Zhu Mao may have received Cui Min's instructions, or maybe he just wanted to kill her first, so he left this hard job to her.

"What will happen if we fail to complete it?" Lu Zhuangruo asked unintentionally, "What is the punishment?"

Hearing this, He Xiu shuddered: "...if you can't finish it, you won't have food to eat, and you won't be able to sleep...and you will be scolded by Lord Zhu."

It didn't sound like it was a big deal, but He Xiu looked very nervous. Lu Chen was thoughtful and didn't say anything else.

The two walked together, passing by medicinal fields along the way, and occasionally some healers bent down to pick. The further you go, the sparser the medicinal fields become. There are unkempt weeds growing everywhere, and you no longer see any other healers.

While thinking about it, He Xiu stopped and said, "We're here."

Lu Zhuo looked up and couldn't help but be startled.

After the scattered weeds, a large pink cloud suddenly appeared. It was actually a field of rose-red flowers. There are large expanses of lush flowers growing among them. The flowers are delicate and stunningly rich. When a gust of wind blows, pink haze slowly floats across the field, along with a rich fragrance that hits your nostrils.

Lu Zhuo's eyes froze.

Yesterday when she was looking for a place to stay in the courtyard, she passed by this place and saw a sea of ​​crimson flowers in the distance. She didn't expect that this was Hongfang Garden.

These flowers grow so luxuriantly that it is not easy to pick them one by one.

Lu Yan didn't hesitate anymore, took the handle of the wooden cart and was about to walk in, but was stopped by He Xiu.

"etc!"

Lu Yan turned around: "What's wrong?"

He Xiu took something out of his arms and stuffed it into Lu Huan's hand: "The scented pollen of red fragrant catkins is poisonous. It will be better to cover your mouth and nose with this."

Lu Chen lowered his head and saw that it was a wrinkled face towel. The fabric was rough and had been used for an unknown period of time. The corners were even torn by washing.

Lu Yan asked her: "What about you?"

"I don't need it." He Xiu smiled awkwardly: "I only knew you were coming this morning, and I didn't have time to get an extra face towel. It's the same thing when you pull a cloth back."

That's what she said, but such a rough veil was carefully hidden in her arms. It seems that He Xiu's "pulling the cloth" was not as easy as she said.

Lu Zhuo's eyes lingered on the dense red spots under her eyes for a while. The red spots were dim and brown in color, like the large moldy spots on the wall of the dormitory room, making the sallow face even more withered.

Seeing that Lu Chen didn't answer, He Xiu became more and more at a loss, looking at her as she wanted to speak but didn't dare.

Lu Yan put the face towel into her hand: "I don't need this." Then he pulled the handle of the wooden cart and turned around to step into the sea of ​​crimson flowers.

He Xiu was startled and said hurriedly: "No! Hongfangxu is poisonous, you will die!"

The person she called did not answer. He just pushed the heavy-looking wooden cart and walked calmly deeper into the haze.

Not a trace of hesitation.

…

On the other side, there is a warm pavilion deep in the courtyard of Nanhua Pharmacy, with incense lingering in the room.

There was a "creaking" sound of the bed tent shaking, faintly mixed with the gasps and sighs of men and women.

After an unknown amount of time, the swaying curtain stopped. Someone opened the curtain, revealing a long, white leg.

The woman sat up from the couch with her clothes on, and there were red marks on her neck.

If Lu Zhen were here, he would find that the woman with spring eyes in front of him is none other than the person who threw her bag and asked her to change beds when Lu Zhen first arrived at the pharmacy.

"Second mother..."

A man's vague low voice came from behind, as if he was gluttonous with the aftertaste. Mei Erniang frowned in disgust, then turned around, with an angry look: "Your Excellency, you haven't come to see me for a long time. I thought... Your Excellency, you like the new and are tired of the old."

The voice was three-quarters aggrieved and seven-quarters charming. The question made Zhu Mao's heart tremble, so he pulled her back into his arms and said with a smile: "My dear, you are the most beautiful in the Nanyang Pharmacy. Where did you get the new ones?"

"Why are there no new ones?" Mei Erniang raised her chin, "The new one arrived yesterday. Your Excellency has looked at her many times this morning. She has an outstanding appearance, is young and beautiful, and it is very common for Your Excellency to like her."

Zhu Mao was stunned for a moment, and it took him a while to realize that Mei Erniang was talking about Lu Yun.

He put his arm around Mei Erniang's shoulders and smiled disapprovingly: "She, how can she compare with you? She offended people when she first entered the hospital, and she will have a hard life in the future."

"Have you offended someone?" Mei Erniang's eyes moved, "Who is it?"

Zhu Mao smiled silently, with a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes.

It must be said that the female doctor named Lu is indeed beautiful, and her frail appearance makes people feel itchy. If it had been in the past, he would have found a way to get her on the day Lu Chen came to the pharmacy.

It's a pity that it happened to be the person assigned by the envoy of the hospital.

Zhu Mao felt a little regretful.

I don't know who this young medical woman has offended. It was almost the first time that the new medical officer was sent to the South Pharmacy as soon as she entered the palace. Cui Yuan's words euphemistically stated that he wanted to sharpen the woman's spirit, so Zhu Mao had no choice but to do so. Therefore, he handed over the picking of red fragrant catkins that everyone avoided to Lu Yun.

That's a terrible job.

Mei Erniang said: "Hongfangxu is poisonous. She won't be able to survive for long before she begs for mercy. Presumably, adults will also show mercy to her by then."

Zhu Mao came back to his senses and touched the face of the beauty in front of him: "No matter how much you pity her, you have to find out who she is. After all, you can't make her feel better."

He had the intention of taking advantage. The women who went to Hongfang Garden to pick the food would not last long anyway. It was so easy to torture a helpless and weak woman. If she took the initiative to show her kindness, he would not be able to refuse. But...

"But I see that Doctor Lu is arrogant and wants to leave Nan Pharmacy." Mei Erniang said.

"Leave?" Zhu Mao couldn't help laughing: "After entering the gate of Nanyang Pharmacy, there is no reason to leave. Besides, she will stay in the medicine garden for the rest of her life, and don't have sweet dreams."

Mei Erniang's eyelashes trembled, and a chill slowly rose from her heart.

Zhu Mao glanced at her, smiled and pulled her down on the couch, buried his head in her neck and mumbled: "Don't worry, you are different from her..."