Chapter 493 - The Five Chief Elders (1/2)

The so-called venue was really the field just outside the Pavilion of Herbs temporarily cordoned out for the occasion.

Although it was only for temporary use, the set up was in no way haphazard.

The preliminary rounds were a competition of the basic and the spectator stand took up more space than the competition ground.

Apart from Lin Mengya and Zuo Qiuyu, who were seated at the second tier of the spectator tower, the rest of the officials were simply seated below the competition platform.

Under the watchful eyes of all the people, Lin Mengya, accompanied by Zuo Qiuyu, finally seated herself at her seat.

From this angle, she was able to clearly see everything that was happening on the grounds. On the other hand, having been blocked by a curtain of beads, the view of the people was obscured and they would not be able to see her clearly.

“Please go ahead, the prince and princess do not wish to be disturbed.”

Yu An, who was dressed entirely in black, had become the most effective assistant by Lin Mengya’s side.

He had dismissed all the servants and let down the curtain of beads all around.

The pair of cousins finally found a relatively safe enclosed space for themselves for the time being.

“Do you see the Zhus?”

Lin Mengya was not familiar with the officials who came as spectators and she was glad to have the know-all Yu An.

“Yes, I spotted them. Lord Zhu is just down there. The guy next to him is his nephew, who was the person the Zhus chosen this time.”

Yu An pointed out where the Zhus were located to Lin Mengya.

Given that they were not very far away, Lin Mengya was able to make out the appearances of Zhu Qiyun and his nephew rather well.

It was undeniable that Zhu Qiyun was a skilled actor.

While his son had just passed away, he was still able to converse naturally with the people around him. He did not reveal any signs of abnormity on his face.

On the other hand, it was the refined-looking young man sitting beside him who appeared rather unsettled.

“Instruct someone to watch them for me.”

It was impossible for Lin Mengya not to be worried and anxious about Long Tianyu.

However, she was very clear that Zhu Qiyun must have an extensive scheme to lay his hands on Long Tianyu.

All of a sudden, a series of salvos sounded in the midst of a drum roll. The medical competition had officially begun.

The Pavilion of Herbs, like a gigantic building located in the old capital, would open its mysterious door for the impending change of power.

There was once Lin Mengya asked Zuo Qiuyu the reason for the past emperors to allow a grander and more exquisite Pavilion of Herb to be built next to the palace.

In comparison with the palace’s red and green bricks and tiles, white and emerald was the theme of the building of the Pavilion of Herbs.

The style of the building was also a little more spirited and graceful than the solemn palace.

From afar, the palace in the old capital was like a coiled up flying dragon.

The building of the Pavilion of Herbs was like a stalk of miracle-working herb growing in the world.

While there was the absence of splendor and majesty, there was an air of simple but out-of-the-world elegance and refinement.

According to Cousin Chen, it was a mysterious man who designed the building of the Pavilion of Herbs.

For hundreds of years, no one had dared renovate or make any changes to the building without permission.

The designer had to be a person with unusual abilities. Nevertheless, the purpose of designing the Pavilion of Herbs in this way was likely to remind all the people not to covet after power.

He must have wished that people here would be devoted to the research of medicinal herbs with one heart.

Unfortunately, the people who came after had defiled the Pavilion of Herbs because of their selfish desires.

Lin Mengya thought it was such a pity and wished that Cousin Yu would successfully take over the position of the Chief Elder of the Pavilion of Herbs.

If he became the Chief Elder, the Pavilion of Herbs, which was supposed to be the place to save all men, would enjoy peace in the coming decade or so years.

“The selective trial for the Chief Elder of the Pavilion of Herbs in the form of a medical competition begins now!”

A rich and mellow voice echoed through the air from the scarlet platform that had been temporarily put up.

Thereafter, a number of important personnel of the Pavilion of Herbs settled down in their seats.

Lin Mengya looked at the medical scholars dressed in white and lightly shook her head.

As the host, it was understandable that they were the last to appear and be seated.

Nevertheless, the drum roll and gun salutes just now were much more ceremonious than that when she and Zuo Qiuyu arrived.

Doing so would be overstepping their authority because Zuo Qiuyu was not simply a competitor.

Most importantly, he was a prince of the Nation of Lintian and on this occasion, he was representing the will of the king of Lintian.

In this light, his identity was extraordinary.

This might seem like a trivial matter but Lin Mengya and Zuo Qiuyu could sense something abnormal.

“Those few men must be the most authoritative elders of the Pavilion of Herbs. Not to mention they appeared to be flaunting their seniority, they making disciples of all nations is actually leading the young people astray.”

Zuo Qiuyu said with disdain in his voice.

In reality, the elders in the Pavilion of Herbs might not be the most skillful physicians.

For example, Zuo Qiuyu’s teacher, who was a legendary physician, was only an elder by name in the Pavilion of Herbs just because he lacked power and authority and did not have any powerful backings.

For this reason, he felt strongly against these elders who resorted to unscrupulous means to fish for fame and compliments.

“Don’t be anxious. The fun had just started, so let’s watch.”

Lin Mengya was not worried at all although Zuo Qiuyu’s participation had brought great pressure on them unknowingly.

However, the Pavilion of Herbs was no longer an unmovable authority. For many years now, Cousin Chen had not been passing his time leisurely.

Although he was unable to destroy it, Zuo Qiuchen was doing everything he could to stop the disunity and division within the Pavilion of Herbs.