This all started six nights ago, when Emperor Aiden Qin was enjoying the company of Consort Jade, newly admitted to the palace.
But halfway through, he suddenly lost control and finished early, with no warning at all.
He was a bit surprised, but didn’t think much of it. When he tried to go for a second round, he found he just couldn’t—no matter what Consort Jade did, he couldn’t get interested at all.
He’d trained in martial arts since childhood, so he was strong and full of energy. How could he suddenly be out of commission?
This made him a little anxious, but he comforted himself that it was probably just temporary, and decided to rest for a bit before trying again.
So, the next night, he tried with a different consort.
But the result only made him even more anxious.
He’d always been extremely lustful—just five years after ascending the throne, he’d already taken in hundreds of concubines.
Now, he’d lost his manhood. With hundreds of beautiful concubines in the harem, he could only look, not touch—it was worse than death.
He summoned the Imperial Medical Bureau’s doctors overnight to diagnose him, but their verdict was unanimous: he was perfectly healthy, with no sign of illness.
Hearing this diagnosis, he nearly had the whole Imperial Medical Bureau executed on the spot.
Helpless, the doctors could only prescribe him some tonics.
Five days went by, but his condition didn’t improve—in fact, it got worse. Even the prettiest consort couldn’t spark the slightest interest.
"Your Ladyship, His Majesty is reviewing memorials. Please return to your palace!"
Hearing the young eunuch’s words, Consort Jade—dressed to the nines—couldn’t help showing her disappointment, and a strong hint of worry flashed across her face.
That night, His Majesty’s problem had started in her palace. If the emperor couldn’t be cured, would he blame her?
Even if His Majesty didn’t hold her responsible, the other consorts competing for favor would surely seize the chance to attack.
The harem was always a brutal battleground. If she wanted to survive this crisis, she had to get the emperor back to health.
Back in her own chambers, Consort Jade summoned her personal eunuch attendant.
"Little Dex, do you know which doctor in Sunvale has the best skills?" Consort Jade asked, looking at the rather handsome young eunuch kneeling before her.
The reason Consort Jade asked Little Dex was simple: Little Dex was a native of Sunvale, and his family was one of the city’s big clans. But because he was born to a concubine, he’d always been bullied by his siblings. In a fit of anger, he castrated himself and entered the palace as a eunuch.
After becoming her personal attendant, his clan started courting him—showering him with money and gifts. Under this barrage of flattery, Little Dex quickly forgot all his past grievances and let himself get swept up in the praise.
"Your Ladyship, a few days ago I went home to visit, and happened to hear my brothers talking about a rumor. They said there’s a brilliant doctor in Sunvale, and on his opening day, Doctor Song handed out thousands of red envelopes…!"
After listening to Little Dex’s description of Doctor Song, Consort Jade’s eyes lit up.
"When His Majesty posted the imperial notice summoning all doctors in Sunvale to the palace, did he come?"
"That I don’t know, Your Ladyship!"
"Go find out right away. If he’s already been to the palace, get your family to help track down a skilled doctor. If he hasn’t, go invite him yourself!"
"Yes, Your Ladyship!"
That day, the weather was clear and the sun blazing.
By noon, the Song Family Clinic had quieted down.
Just then, a lavishly decorated carriage pulled up in front of the clinic, followed by four burly bodyguards.
"Dex, we’re here. Let’s get out," Gavin Gong said.
Inside the carriage, Gavin Gong—dressed in brocade robes, every inch the refined young master—spoke to Little Dex, who was also dressed up. Gavin’s tone was polite, but his eyes betrayed a hint of disdain. He thought, If you weren’t Consort Jade’s personal eunuch, and if she weren’t favored by the emperor, I wouldn’t bother with a rootless eunuch like you.
Gavin Gong was the eldest son of the Gong Clan, and its future head.
Little Dex, by contrast, was just a concubine’s son. Seeing Gavin Gong treat him so respectfully, he felt quite pleased with himself, nodded, and got off the carriage.
Seeing this little eunuch so lacking in courtesy, a cold glint flashed in Gavin Gong’s eyes.
"Ahem!"
Little Dex strode into the clinic, swept his gaze around with an air of authority, and said, "Which one of you is Doctor Song?"
"That would be me. Are you here for treatment, young man?" Ian, in his middle-aged disguise, replied with a smile.
Little Dex answered reflexively, "I’m not here for treatment. My household… Er, why are you asking so many questions? Just pack up and come with me!"
Little Dex’s posturing was more laughable than intimidating. Ian Song found it amusing, and noticed right away he was a eunuch—likely from the palace. But was he sent by the emperor, or someone else?
"Sorry, young man, but I never make house calls," Ian said.
"No house calls? That won’t do—you have to come with me!" Little Dex said, blushing with embarrassment.
Gavin Gong shot Little Dex a look of contempt, then stepped forward. "Greetings, Doctor Song. I am Gavin Gong of the Gong Clan. Please come with us to treat a patient. Here’s a small token of appreciation. If you cure them, our clan will reward you handsomely!"
As he spoke, Gavin Gong offered a ten-tael silver ingot with both hands.
"You’re quite the diplomat, young master. But I never make house calls. If you want treatment, bring the patient here!" Ian replied with a smile, completely unmoved by the silver.
Gavin Gong frowned, then pulled out another ten-tael silver ingot from his sleeve. "Doctor Song, please!"
"Gentlemen, please leave!" Ian waved them off, his attitude firm.
"You refuse a polite offer—do you want things to get ugly?" Little Dex was furious at the doctor’s stubbornness and shouted loudly.
Ian just laughed. "Polite or not, if I don’t want to drink, no one can force me. Gentlemen, I still have patients to treat—so I won’t be entertaining you!"
Seeing Ian Song trying to send them away again, Gavin Gong’s expression soured.
"Name your price, Doctor Song. As long as you come with us, we’ll agree to anything!"
Ian glanced at him indifferently and ignored the offer.
"Bastard! How dare a nobody doctor put on airs in front of the Gong Clan! You four, grab him!" Little Dex shouted, jumping in anger.
The four bodyguards didn’t say a word—they just moved to seize Ian Song.
But as soon as their hands touched Ian, they recoiled—each one felt as if dozens of steel needles had stabbed into their palms.