The night was deep and dark. William Carter, both physically and mentally exhausted, allowed himself to sink into dreams.

Dayu placed great importance on medicine. In addition to the Imperial Medical Institute and the Imperial Pharmacy within the palace, there was also the Imperial Medical Bureau outside the palace, dedicated to training and selecting outstanding medical talents. Much like the imperial examination, the Imperial Medical Bureau held an exam every three years. Regardless of family background or mentorship, anyone who could pass the assessment could enter the Bureau, read rare books from across the land, appreciate precious medicinal materials, and work alongside renowned physicians from both inside and outside the court; they might enter the palace, write books, or travel to other countries for study.

The Imperial Medical Bureau was a sacred place for physicians, with countless people vying to get in. The selection process was extremely rigorous—calling it one in ten thousand would not be an exaggeration. William Carter was exceptionally gifted and talented; his mentor had once predicted he would pass the exam on his first try. Yet he dared not slack off, and had devoted himself wholeheartedly to preparing for this exam for three years.

Finally, the day of the exam arrived. He and several classmates waited outside the examination hall. Youthful and confident, they chatted and laughed with ease. There was not a trace of nervousness or anxiety on him, unlike the others.

The vermilion doors of the examination hall slowly opened, and a light shone in William Carter's eyes. Step by step, he ascended the stairs, walking toward his ideal sanctuary. Just as he was about to reach that beam of light, a strange voice called out to him.

It was a man dressed in a eunuch’s robe. William Carter couldn’t see his face clearly; all he could see was the bright yellow imperial edict held in the man’s hands.

“Imperial edict! William Carter, receive the decree—”

William Carter knelt to receive the edict. The other candidates seemed completely unconcerned by this sudden turn of events, entering the examination hall one after another, leaving behind only faint shadows behind William Carter.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The son of the Marquis of Nan’an, Henry Clark, is of noble character and outstanding appearance, soon to come of age. The son of Lin Zhaoxing, Deputy Director of the Imperial Medical Institute, William Carter, is filial and dignified. The two are hereby granted marriage, and a fortunate date shall be chosen for the wedding. Thus decreed.”

William Carter looked up in shock, the bright yellow light so dazzling he could barely open his eyes.

With a bang, the doors of the Imperial Medical Bureau slammed shut.

……

William Carter jolted awake from his dream. In the silence, only the sound of his own breathing could be heard.

His heartbeat gradually calmed, but the frustration and unwillingness in his heart lingered like thick, inky inkstone, refusing to dissipate.

Dreams and reality are not the same. In reality, the eunuch who delivered the edict went straight to the Lin residence, and William Carter’s exam qualification was revoked. Before the day of the exam even arrived, he had become the male spouse of the Marquis of Nan’an’s household.

There was still an hour before dawn, and William Carter was wide awake. He got off the soft couch, intending to pour himself a cup of tea, when he suddenly heard a deliberately muffled groan.

It was Henry Clark’s voice.

William Carter lit a lamp and quickly walked to the bedside. “Young Marquis?”

Henry Clark was curled up on the bed, his body slightly arched, eyes tightly shut, face twisted in pain, long hair stuck to his face with cold sweat.

William Carter called again, “Henry Clark?”

Henry Clark opened his eyes, his gaze unfocused. “Doctor Lin?”

“It’s me.”

“Doctor Lin, I’m not feeling well.”

William Carter checked Henry Clark’s pulse and confirmed that he was having a bout of palpitations.

“I know,” William Carter said, uncharacteristically gentle. “Your chest feels uncomfortable, doesn’t it?”

Henry Clark nodded.

“Hang in there, I’ll be right back.”

Henry Clark said weakly, “Are you going to get a knife?”

William Carter was baffled. “Why would I get a knife?”

“To finish me off?”

William Carter’s tone returned to its usual coldness. “…I have no interest in killing people.”

Though, before the wedding, he had indeed considered drugging Henry Clark to make him impotent. If Henry Clark hadn’t behaved well on their wedding night and been the first to suggest not taking the marriage seriously, Henry Clark might already be half a eunuch by now.

William Carter took a wooden medical box from his chest of clothes. Inside were many of his proud creations—mostly poisons, but also some effective medicines.

Returning to the bedside, William Carter now held a porcelain bottle and an acupuncture kit. “This is a calming pill. It can ease your palpitations. Do you want to take it?”

Henry Clark said, “I’ll make do.”

William Carter resisted the urge to turn and leave, helped Henry Clark up, and fed him the calming pill. “Just in case, I’ll give you a couple of acupuncture needles.”

Henry Clark seemed to recall some childhood trauma and propped himself up. “Needles?” “Just acupuncture!”

“Oh.” Henry Clark lay back down. “Then be gentle.”

William Carter: “I’m going to use force.”

Henry Clark: “…”

William Carter took a deep breath. Acupuncture was a delicate task; he had to concentrate fully.

“Doctor Lin, am I going to die again? Save me if you can, but don’t force it if you can’t.” Henry Clark sighed deeply. “I’ve only just had a few days of natural sleep…”

“Shut up.” A thin sheen of sweat appeared on William Carter’s forehead, his eyes shining as he focused on inserting the first needle. “I won’t let you die—at least not tonight.”

After taking the medicine and receiving acupuncture, Henry Clark’s symptoms eased, and he soon fell asleep. William Carter let out a sigh of relief and looked up at the window. The sky was already turning pale.