This time Xinlin Hall’s development of Chunyang Sheng was intended to take advantage of the situation to strike at Renxin Medical Hall, but unexpectedly things went against their wishes, and in the end they lifted a rock only to drop it on their own feet.

Ever since those scholars and common people caused a commotion at Xinlin Hall’s entrance, for eight or nine consecutive days, Xinlin Hall hadn’t reopened.

A’Cheng went to gather information and returned saying that Bai Shouyi had been hiding in the Bai residence these past days, not stepping out the main door or the second door, afraid of being spat on in the face again.

Hearing this good news, Du Changqing was so delighted that he swept away the gloom of the previous few days, and even his voice when speaking was several notches louder than usual.

He walked in from outside and happened to see Lu Tong sorting new medicines, so he cleared his throat lightly: “This time Xinlin Hall has reaped what they sowed, thanks to Doctor Lu’s deep scheming… I mean intelligence. You helping our Renxin Medical Hall vent this anger has moved this owner greatly. The owner won’t forget your kindness – when the month ends, I’ll raise your monthly salary.”

Hearing this, Yin Zheng immediately pulled A’Cheng aside and said: “A’Cheng and I both heard this – Manager can’t deceive us.”

“Don’t worry.” Du Changqing waved his hand grandly, then looked at Lu Tong and asked somewhat curiously: “However, Doctor Lu, though this matter arose because that old fool tried to copy others, you’re no easy opponent either. Just by having a few people fan the flames, you made Bai Shouyi swallow a bellyful of grievances. Bai Shouyi isn’t easy to deal with, yet you responded so calmly – these methods don’t seem like something an ordinary family’s young lady could employ.”

He moved closer to Lu Tong and said with sudden realization: “Could it be that you’re some wealthy family’s young miss who secretly ran away from home to experience common people’s life?”

Lu Tong’s movements paused.

Yin Zheng desperately made eye signals at Du Changqing.

Du Changqing didn’t see Yin Zheng’s hints. Seeing Lu Tong not answering, he continued guessing on his own: “Speaking of which, when you and Yin Zheng came to the capital, how come your parents weren’t worried at all? I haven’t seen you write letters either, so they…”

Lu Tong interrupted his words: “My parents are no longer here.”

Du Changqing was startled.

Yin Zheng couldn’t bear to watch anymore.

Du Changqing’s expression became awkward as he spoke stammering: “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to… I didn’t know…”

“It’s alright.” Lu Tong continued sorting the medicinal tea, her movements skilled, not affected in the slightest.

Du Changqing watched and scratched his eyebrows, asking carefully: “Since both your honored mother and father are no longer here, why did Doctor Lu still come to the capital alone? You should know that it’s truly difficult for you two young ladies to make a living on your own. Since you have medical skills, why not find a medical hall in your hometown to make and sell medicine? Gaining fame in the capital is not an easy matter.”

What he said was indeed true.

Lu Tong’s eyelashes moved slightly.

This Du Changqing sometimes seemed foolish, but other times was exceptionally shrewd. The matter of carrying on her master’s legacy might fool others, but Du Changqing probably wouldn’t believe it.

She thought for a moment, then said: “I came to the capital to find someone.”

“Find someone?” Du Changqing’s expression stirred: “Find who? A sweetheart?”

Yin Zheng rolled her eyes and was about to speak when she heard Lu Tong say: “That’s right.”

Now even A’Cheng was shocked.

“Impossible.” Du Changqing spoke without thinking: “Doctor Lu, though your temperament isn’t gentle enough, you don’t know how to act coquettish, don’t like to smile, and often make people feel unsettled, your appearance is quite intimidating. Just speaking of looks, you’re also a slender, delicate, and pitiable beauty. What heartless man would be so lacking in judgment as to make such a beautiful young lady travel a thousand li to find him?” He was startled: “You weren’t deceived, were you?”

“No.” Lu Tong’s expression was composed: “I have a token.”

“What use is a token? It’s not as practical as property deeds or shop fronts.” Du Changqing was very concerned about this matter and said urgently: “Tell me what the name of the person you’re looking for is. I know quite a few friends in the capital – I’ll have them help you find him. Once we find him, we’ll settle accounts with that heartless one.”

Yin Zheng looked at Lu Tong somewhat bewildered.

Lu Tong thought for a moment and said casually: “I don’t know his surname or given name. He just happened to rescue me on the road. He said he was a young master from a wealthy family in the capital, left me a token, and said that when I came to the capital in the future, he would naturally come find me.”

Du Changqing listened in a daze: “So you insisted on working as a doctor in my medical hall just to gain fame in the capital, so that man would hear your name and actively come find you?”

He had even thought up the reason for Lu Tong, so Lu Tong had even less reason to deny it, and thus nodded frankly.

Du Changqing sighed deeply: “I knew you were deceived! Doctor Lu, you must have read too many drama scripts. When rescuing someone on the road, nine out of ten claim to be wealthy young masters, and the remaining one is an official’s illegitimate son living in exile. If that man truly intended to find you, why didn’t he directly tell you his name and family background, instead making you travel a thousand li to search for him? I estimate that token he gave you is either fake jade or a worthless broken ring.”

Lu Tong said nothing, seeming to acquiesce.

Du Changqing looked at Lu Tong with the expression of iron not becoming steel: “I see that you usually have an intelligent appearance – how could you be so foolish in this matter? That person must be some powder-faced, red-lipped pretty boy with nothing but a face, who managed to bewitch you so thoroughly.

“Let me tell you, handsome young men like me are all good-looking but useless embroidered pillows, specializing in deceiving little girls like you!”

His words tarred everyone with the same brush. Yin Zheng couldn’t listen anymore and retorted: “You can’t say that. Last time we saw that Marshal, he had outstanding appearance, extraordinary bearing, and formidable skills – he couldn’t be an embroidered pillow.”

Hearing this, Lu Tong’s expression stirred as she thought of that person’s aggressive questioning in the rouge shop, and her movements involuntarily paused.

Du Changqing snorted with laughter: “He’s the heir of Duke Zhaoning – how can others compare to him?”

Lu Tong asked: “The heir of Duke Zhaoning?”

“Yes, Duke Zhaoning was also a famous handsome man in the capital back then, and his late wife also had celestial beauty. With outstanding parents, their son would naturally have distinguished appearance.” Speaking of this, Du Changqing’s expression became somewhat indignant: “He was born into a noble and wealthy family, so at a young age he could rise rapidly through the ranks, becoming Palace Front Division Commander at just over twenty. Even if he were an embroidered pillow, it would be embroidered with precious stones, and the pillow would be a gold silk taotie-patterned jade ruyi pillow. How can we ordinary mortals compare?”

Yin Zheng looked at him: “Manager Du, why do I hear your words are sour – are you jealous?”

“Who’s jealous?” Du Changqing’s face changed and he retorted angrily: “Apart from my birth being a bit inferior, my appearance is comparable to his! It’s a pity I wasn’t born in Duke Zhaoning’s mansion, otherwise the Palace Front Division Commander position should have changed hands by now.”

Yin Zheng laughed reluctantly: “…You’re really confident.”

Du Changqing, having been embarrassed by Yin Zheng like this, couldn’t keep face, so he hurriedly lectured Lu Tong a few more sentences about not being deceived by men, then went into the inner room with A’Cheng to inventory medicinal materials as if to cover his embarrassment.

After Du Changqing left, Yin Zheng approached Lu Tong: “Miss, that talk about finding someone just now was so outrageous, yet Manager Du believed it so completely – could he be a fool?”

Lu Tong said: “Three parts true, seven parts false – naturally he can’t distinguish clearly.”

Yin Zheng was startled: “Could it be that what Miss said is true? Is there really such a wealthy young master whose life you saved?”

Lu Tong smiled and didn’t answer.

Seeing her like this, Yin Zheng didn’t continue asking, only looked up at the sky and sighed: “If it’s true, I really hope he’s a young master from a marquis’s mansion. He doesn’t need to pledge himself to you – just giving more reward silver would be enough.” She was quite practical: “Best if he has status like Duke Zhaoning’s heir. Last time we saw that Commander, his brocade fox fur robe looked extremely valuable at a glance. To repay a life-saving debt, he would surely give thousands in gold.”

As she spoke, she began laughing herself: “Then we could add several more jeweled hairpins to Miss’s dowry.”