The sky gradually darkened. As the carriage descended the mountain, the road became much smoother. After passing the porridge stall where the Qi family had been distributing food, Lu Tong fell silent. She didn’t speak a word for the rest of the journey, and Pei Yunying didn’t say anything either. As they sat quietly together, West Street appeared before them almost without notice.

It was already night, and all the shops along the street had closed their doors, with barely any pedestrians passing by in the silence. Qing Feng stopped the carriage at the entrance of Renxin Medical Center. Lu Tong thanked Pei Yunying and turned to get down from the carriage when he called out to her from behind.

“Doctor Lu.”

Lu Tong turned back to look at him, not understanding what he wanted to say.

“Yesterday you said that if I told you about the Qi family’s affairs, you would do something for me in return.”

Lu Tong was startled.

She had indeed said that.

However, at the time, he had maintained such a lofty attitude, appearing unwilling to make such a deal with her. Today’s kind escort, it seemed, was leading up to these final words.

There truly was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

Lu Tong asked, “What does Your Excellency want me to do?”

Pei Yunying lowered his head, took out a letter from his chest, and handed it to Lu Tong.

Lu Tong looked at him, puzzled.

“Do you think this is a list of people to kill?”

Pei Yunying smiled, “Don’t look so alarmed, Doctor Lu. Given your excellent medical skills, I want to ask you to examine if there are any problems with these prescriptions.”

Prescriptions?

This contained prescriptions?

The letter felt cold in her hand. Lu Tong unconsciously squeezed it once before looking at Pei Yunying: “Is this Your Excellency’s condition for our trade?”

“Correct.”

Lu Tong understood then.

“I understand.” She nodded, tucking the letter into her sleeve, and bowed to Pei Yunying: “Once I figure it out, I’ll come to the Commander’s mansion to find Your Excellency. Farewell.”

With those words, she gathered her skirts and descended from the carriage, entering through Renxin Medical Center’s main gate.

Yin Zheng had been waiting in the medical center for a long time. Hearing Lu Tong’s knock, she quickly opened the door. Before entering the shop, Lu Tong looked back once – the carriage curtain had already fallen, and Qing Feng had raised his whip to drive away, the sound of wheels gradually disappearing down the empty West Street.

Lu Tong closed the main door.

Yin Zheng held up an oil lamp and followed beside Lu Tong, speaking rapidly: “Miss has finally returned. Manager Du asked about your whereabouts eight hundred times today. If it weren’t for Master Miao speaking up for you, he would have nearly gone to report to the authorities. He made me so nervous. Miss, didn’t you say you were just going to the mountain tea garden for a while? Why did you return so late? Have you eaten? Did Young Lord Pei give you any trouble…”

Lu Tong answered each question one by one.

Yin Zheng no longer asked Lu Tong about the Qi family’s matters anymore, perhaps knowing that even if she asked, Lu Tong wouldn’t tell her. She simply focused her energy on the present instead.

After asking a few more questions, Yin Zheng noticed Lu Tong’s tired expression and guessed she was exhausted from the day’s journey. She put the oil lamp back on the table and left the room after Lu Tong had washed up, telling her to rest early.

After Yin Zheng left, Lu Tong didn’t immediately go to bed.

The lamp on the window-side table was still lit. Lu Tong put on her clothes and walked to sit at the table.

Today she followed Pei Yunying to Mangming Village on Tuoluo Mountain and learned about Old Man Yang’s family history. Though the details were hazy and both witness and physical evidence had long since vanished, Pei Yunying’s words had made things quite clear. The Yang family was another Lu family, wiped out by Qi Yutai because of a painted eyebrow bird.

Yang Dalang might have injured Qi Yutai during their dispute, leaving such a deep impression that in the following years, Qi Yutai developed an extreme aversion to birds. The Grand Tutor Qi, who had loved birds like his own life, consequently drove all the birds away from his mansion.

Unless the “painted eyebrow” could potentially affect Qi Yutai’s peaceful life, Qi Qing wouldn’t have made such a decision without reason.

Qi Yutai’s mother and maternal grandfather had suffered from mental illness, and Qi Yutai was very likely to develop the condition as well.

Any person or thing that might stimulate him could become that catalyst.

Now, she had found that catalyst.

Lu Tong stretched out her finger, slowly moving it closer to the flame of the oil lamp.

After staring at the flame for a long time, the originally distinct colors became murky, with a faint burning sensation coming from her fingertip as if one step closer would scorch her.

Lu Tong withdrew her hand.

What the painted eyebrow bird was to Qi Yutai was what the crow had been to herself.

The crow was already dead, but the painted eyebrow would become Qi Yutai’s crow, forever and ever hanging over his head until the downpour completely buried him.

The catalyst had been found.

Next… it was about how to perfectly integrate this catalyst into the medicine and slowly brew it.

Outside the window, a stray cat’s cry, like a melancholic night bell in the spring evening, awakened Lu Tong.

She came back to her senses and, after some thought, opened the drawer and took out a letter.

This was the letter Pei Yunying had given her when leaving today.

Pei Yunying said it contained prescriptions.

Prescriptions…

Lu Tong suddenly remembered that night at the Imperial Medical Academy when he had sneaked into the medical archives, holding a medical casebook. She hadn’t been able to see the records clearly before he covered her eyes, but that position where he had been searching…

The lamp burned quietly as Lu Tong lowered her eyes.

Never mind, whatever he wanted to do was none of her business. After all, this was just a transaction.

She lowered her head and opened the letter in her hand.

…

The lights in the Imperial Army Commander’s mansion burned later than usual.

In the mid-month breeze, among the clusters of green banana leaves by the window, intermittent cricket chirps gradually emerged.

When Xiao Zhufeng returned to the Commander’s mansion, the night was already very deep.

The mansion grounds were unusually quiet. In the thick darkness, only this area seemed to emit a dim yellow glow.

He pushed open the door and entered. Inside the room, the young man sat at the table, head lowered as he reviewed military documents before him. Beside him, the stack of documents was nearly half as tall as a person, almost burying him.

Xiao Zhufeng asked, “Why aren’t you going back so late?”

It was already past midnight. Usually at this hour, except for the night guard, there should be no one in the Commander’s mansion.

Pei Yunying didn’t raise his head: “Haven’t finished reviewing the documents.”

Xiao Zhufeng stepped back two paces and leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed as he watched him, drawing out his words: “Accompanying the lady sightseeing during the day, burning the midnight oil reviewing military documents at night, truly painstaking effort.”

Pei Yunying’s brush paused, and he looked at him: “What do you mean?”

Xiao Zhufeng maintained his cold expression, like an iceberg that would never melt, though his tone was full of sarcasm.

“Personally escorting her to Mangming Village, even if the Qi family discovers it, they would have reservations. Isn’t this painstaking enough?”

Pei Yunying sneered: “Am I that kind-hearted?”

Xiao Zhufeng nodded: “I want to ask that too.” He stared at the young man at the table, “Lu Tong’s dealings with the Grand Tutor’s mansion have nothing to do with you, why do you keep getting involved? Are you afraid there’s not enough trouble?”

This tone was somewhat aggressive, making it impossible for Pei Yunying to continue writing.

He simply put down his brush and thought for a moment before speaking: “I want to obtain something, and I need someone to clear the obstacles in my path.”

“She is the most suitable person.”

“Is that so?” Xiao Zhufeng spoke meaningfully: “But to me, you look more like the fool clearing obstacles for others, and without any complaints.”

Pei Yunying: “…”

The room fell into an eerie silence for a moment.

He let out a derisive laugh, not continuing this topic, only casually saying: “I gave Lu Tong the prescription found in the Medical Academy case files to look at.”

“Have you lost your mind?”

“Her medical skills are far better than those useless people at the Medical Academy. She might notice something wrong.”

Xiao Zhufeng frowned: “Aren’t you afraid she’ll leak the information?”

Pei Yunying turned a page of documents, “She keeps her word.”

“Who says so? Who will vouch for her?” Xiao Zhufeng disapproved, “Will you take responsibility if something goes wrong?”

“Fine. I’ll vouch for her.”

He picked up his brush again, his tone unconcerned: “If something goes wrong, I’ll take responsibility.”

…

The three-day break passed in an instant.

Miao Liangfang kept mentioning how Lu Tong had barely returned before having to go back to the Medical Academy. Ah Cheng and Du Changqing were already loading packages of dried fruits and snacks onto the carriage. Yin Zheng even managed to sneak in a basket of green-shelled eggs, despite Lu Tong’s repeated protests that the Medical Academy had no spare kitchen to prepare such things.

When Lu Tong returned to the Medical Academy with a carriage full of country goods and filled the tables and cabinets of her dormitory with apples, loquats, and apricots, Lin Danqing couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement.

“Sister Lu, I thought I’d brought back plenty when I went home, but you’re certainly no less generous!” She picked up a clean loquat, peeled it, and took a bite. “So sweet!”

Lu Tong smiled, “There’s more in the cabinet.”

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony,” Lin Danqing pulled a small basket of loquats toward herself, eating while she spoke with a smile: “You know, after your trip home, you look much better. I haven’t seen you this happy since you came here.”

These words weren’t an exaggeration.

Since entering the Medical Academy, Lu Tong has always been cold and distant. Though after the break she was still her usual self, somehow her smiles seemed more genuine, as if something good had happened.

Lin Danqing sighed, “Indeed, in life, all our joy comes from these breaks.” She sighed again, “It’s just too short. Three days isn’t enough – it should be at least ten days.”

Lu Tong smiled and was about to speak when she heard Lin Danqing continue: “With so many people in the Medical Academy, we only get these few days of break. As soon as we return, there’s a pile of work, as if the Medical Academy couldn’t function without us. I just got back today and Chief Physician Chang already asked if you’d returned, saying Deputy Minister Jin from the Ministry of Revenue has asked several times…”

“Deputy Minister Jin?”

“Yes,” Lin Danqing spat out a fruit pit, “It’s just a kidney abscess, not some terminal illness. Why such urgency…”

Jin Xianrong was naturally very anxious.

Ever since learning of his illness, he had been on tenterhooks daily, terrified of following in his father’s footsteps. He took his medicine on schedule and took meticulous care of himself, hoping only for recovery and a chance at revival.

However, in his younger years, he had been presumptuous, claiming all the beauties in his household. His long-term claims of illness inevitably aroused suspicion.

Jin Xianrong’s proud male dignity wouldn’t allow others to trample on it, so three days ago, he couldn’t resist and spent a night of passion with a concubine. When he woke the next day, he was immediately struck with horror.

Previously, when Lu Tong was treating him, she had repeatedly warned him not to engage in sexual activity during treatment. Now that he had broken this taboo, he didn’t know if all the previous treatment would be wasted. Jin Xianrong wanted to ask Lu Tong, but when he sent someone to the Medical Academy, he learned that Lu Tong had gone home for the break.

These three days felt like years.

Jin Xianrong had nightmares for three straight nights. Every night he dreamed of becoming a eunuch, stared at by a room full of contemptuous concubines, his already sparse eyebrows now nearly invisible.

Now that Lu Tong had returned from break, Jin Xianrong was almost moved to tears.

“Doctor Lu, do I… still have a chance?”

Jin Xianrong clasped his hands tightly as he stared at Lu Tong, nervous as a child.

The female physician frowned at him, her tone serious: “Sexual activity during treatment is strictly forbidden. Lord Jin has broken this taboo…”

She remained silent for quite a while, long enough for Jin Xianrong’s heart to climb into his throat. Just as he was about to cry, she slowly said: “The treatment’s effectiveness will slow down, but Lord Jin must remember not to engage in sexual activity again for the next few months.”

“Just slowed down?”

Jin Xianrong breathed a sigh of relief.

He thought Lu Tong was going to pronounce his death sentence. Unexpectedly, there was still hope. Feeling fortunate to have escaped disaster, he repeatedly nodded in agreement: “Yes, yes, absolutely not, absolutely not. I will certainly follow Doctor Lu’s instructions.”

Lu Tong stood up to organize her medical box. Walking past a doorway, her gaze swept inside. The purple sandalwood jewel-inlaid screen was still at the entrance, but there was no one on the purple sandalwood daybed deeper inside.

She asked as if casually: “Is Lord Qi not here?”

“Yutai?” Jin Xianrong waved his hand, “Ever since your last visit, whether it’s because he hadn’t recovered from his previous cold or something else, his spirits haven’t been good. There wasn’t much work at the Ministry of Revenue, so I told him to go home and rest.”

“I see.” Lu Tong nodded, then turned back: “Lord Jin, I have something to give you.”

Jin Xianrong was startled: “What?”

…

At the Grand Tutor’s mansion.

It was afternoon, and the sun was lazy. Two cleaning maids in the courtyard had finished sweeping and were resting in the shade of a tree.

The younger maid, wearing a blue comparison dress, had clear features and still retained some childlike innocence. She was lying by the rockery pond, looking down at the goldfish swimming back and forth.

“Su Qing, what are you doing leaning over the pond? Be careful not to fall in.”

The older maid sat to one side, warning her.

“Sister, this is the first time I’ve seen so many beautiful fish. Auntie wasn’t lying, the Grand Tutor’s mansion is wonderful!” The little maid giggled, her finger hovering above the water, startling the gathered fish, which scattered immediately.

The Grand Tutor’s mansion had strict criteria for selecting servants, requiring good looks, capability, and intelligence from respectable families. Su Qing was young, only fourteen this year. When the mansion’s steward went to select new servants, he saw her fair and pleasant appearance and chose her as well.

When this news arrived, Su Qing’s entire family was speechless with joy.

This was the mansion of the current Grand Tutor!

This official not only held a high position and great power but was also upright and honest, and was a great philanthropist with an especially kind heart. Every year he set up porridge stalls in the city to feed the hungry and built bridges and roads. Even a servant’s position in the Grand Tutor’s mansion was something many people couldn’t get even if they tried their hardest.

Su Qing’s family all worked as laborers on an estate, never imagining they would be chosen for the Grand Tutor’s mansion. Three days after entering the mansion, though she hadn’t even seen the masters yet, Su Qing was happy every day.

The Grand Tutor’s mansion had beautiful corridors and gardens, exquisite cups and dishes, and even the goldfish swimming in the pond by the rockery seemed more precious than those elsewhere.

Being young, Su Qing was in a playful mood and chased after the most beautiful fish with ink-black eyes, not even noticing when someone approached. Suddenly a human shadow appeared by the pond, its elongated form cutting across the path before her.

Su Qing froze, instinctively looking up to see an elderly man in black robes standing not far in front of her, watching her quietly.

The elderly man was probably past sixty, with white hair and beard, wearing a black Taoist robe, looking ethereal and elegant, with a somewhat aloof expression. Behind him stood a short steward, head bowed respectfully to one side.

From behind came the frightened voice of the older maid.

“…Master.”

Master?

In the entire Grand Tutor’s mansion, only Grand Tutor Qi Qing could be called “Master.”

Grand Tutor Qi usually took his afternoon rest at this time; she hadn’t expected anyone to come now. The mansion was always strict about servants’ conduct – her running and playing around in front of the master was already improper behavior deserving of the paddle.

Su Qing’s heart trembled, and she quickly knelt and kowtowed: “This servant was disrespectful, begging Master’s mercy.”

There was silence for a long while.

Just as Su Qing was becoming increasingly anxious, the elder’s calm voice came from above: “You may rise.”

Su Qing was startled and carefully raised her head to look at the person before her. The elder looked down at her, his expression not angry as she had feared, his tone even quite gentle.

“Are you new?”

“Yes,” Su Qing said softly, “This servant is Su Qing, entered the mansion three days ago.”

The elder nodded, “The pond’s edge is dangerous, be careful in the future.”

Su Qing was startled, then became somewhat excited.

The Grand Tutor hadn’t blamed her!

Not only had he not scolded her, but he had even warned her not to fall into the pond!

Ordinary wealthy families were always harsh with their servants, how could there be someone so easy to talk to? The rumors outside weren’t wrong – Grand Tutor Qi was truly a kind-hearted great man! She would have to write home to her parents about this, to help spread the word of Grand Tutor Qi’s virtuous reputation!

Su Qing lowered her head, hiding her joy, and obediently acknowledged his words.

Seeing her like this, the elder nodded and was about to leave without saying more. As he passed by, his gaze fell on the kneeling person. The young maid wore her hair in maiden’s double buns, her head bowed humbly, revealing a section of collar underneath. On the snow-white collar was embroidered a small pattern.

Wings bright, singing loudly.

It was a painted eyebrow bird.

He suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Su Qing remained kneeling and saw that the person who had been about to step away suddenly stopped, and the next moment, a hand as gnarled as tree bark reached out, suddenly gripping her collar, fingers like a pale dead branch, roughly grinding over the raised pattern on her collar.

Her heart suddenly panicked.

“What is this?” came the elder’s voice from above, his mood unreadable.

“It’s… it’s a painted eyebrow bird.”

The older maid behind her trembled, looking at her in terror. Su Qing didn’t see this.

“A painted eyebrow bird?”

Su Qing carefully said: “My childhood name is Painted Eyebrow, this was embroidered by my mother.”

Before entering the Grand Tutor’s mansion, though her family was happy for her, they were also worried. When leaving, Su Qing had brought her original undergarments. These clothes had the painted eyebrow bird embroidered by her mother; wearing them was like having family by her side, always providing some warmth.

There was a long silence from above.

For some reason, Su Qing’s heart began to pound, as if sensing some ominous event about to occur. Even the light clothes she wore seemed to become heavy, causing her to break out in a fine sweat without realizing it.

All around was deathly quiet.

Su Qing wanted to steal a glance at the master’s expression, so she gathered her courage and raised her head, and she saw—

That white-haired and bearded elder standing in the sunlight, the afternoon sun piercing through gaps in the tree shadows falling straight down, making it impossible to see the expression of the person under the tree, only covering him with a layer of shadow.

Like a merciful yet cold immortal.

After a long while, he raised his hand, stroked the Buddhist beads on his wrist, and spoke slowly.

“Drag her away.”

Young Lord Pei: I want to obtain something, and I need someone to clear the obstacles in my path.

Xiao Er: You can fool your brother but don’t fool yourself.