Zhou Ruiyuan said, "Hu Xiaotian, I never expected you to know medicine, too."
"I happened to learn it from an old family servant."
Zhou Ruiyuan was not interested in where he had learned his medical skills. He said softly, "It seems many of the rumors in the past were false."
He meant the story that Hu Xiaotian was an idiot. He had also heard that the Hu Family's foolish son had suddenly become intelligent, but found such a thing utterly beyond belief. Zhou Ruiyuan was an extremely rational, composed man. In his view, it might simply have been a rumor distorted in the telling. After meeting Hu Xiaotian, however, he recalled old grievances, and another possibility arose in his mind. Could the Hu Family's son never have been an idiot at all? Had Hu Buwei deliberately spread that false story? If so, I fell into Hu Buwei's trap when I broke off the engagement. He deliberately maneuvered me into proposing its cancellation. Still, Zhou Ruiyuan could hardly be blamed for that. Nobody wanted his daughter to marry an idiot.
Hu Xiaotian said, "Lord Zhou, you mean...?"
Zhou Ruiyuan smiled. "Nothing. Hu Xiaotian, what brings you to the Imperial Medical Academy?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "To see a doctor."
"Oh? You could cure His Majesty's illness, yet you need to come here to see a doctor?"
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "Have you forgotten the saying that a physician cannot treat himself, my lord?"
Zhou Ruiyuan chuckled and nodded, his eyes full of appreciation. "Since you are here, do your work well. You are young, clever, and capable. I believe His Majesty will certainly entrust you with important duties."
Hu Xiaotian said, "I am merely a eunuch. I understand my position and responsibilities. I remain in the palace to atone for my sins, and