Inside the right-wing gate of the palace’s southern wall, heading east along the back corridor was the Privy Council. Lu Tong followed a man wearing green official robes and stopped under the corridor. The man said, “Medical Official Lu, we’ve arrived.”

Lu Tong raised her eyes.

This was an imposing official residence, with two majestic stone lions placed before the main entrance, exuding power and authority. This was where Privy Council officials entered through the right-wing gate for court business and official duties, opposite the Central Secretariat.

The man in green official robes flashed his token to the guards at the door. The guards stepped aside, and Lu Tong followed behind him inside. The residence was extremely large – though not as ornate as the Court of Imperial Ceremonials, it was more spacious than the Palace Command headquarters. The man led Lu Tong through long corridors, around inner chambers, and into a large room. Beneath this room was a stone staircase, half-sunken underground. Lu Tong followed him down the steps, and after passing through the narrow stairway, her vision suddenly brightened.

Torches hung dimly on the walls, with no windows in sight. A long passageway extended into the darkness ahead, its end obscured by deeper shadows, concealing what lay beyond.

It appeared to be a secret chamber.

There was a rustling sound, like something heavy being dragged, accompanied by an overwhelming smell of blood.

The frontman took an unlit torch from the wall and lit it with a fire striker. Lu Tong’s surroundings were suddenly illuminated, and in the next moment, her pupils constricted.

Not far from her feet lay five or six corpses arranged neatly, covered with white cloth stained with patches of blood. Through the cloth, one could faintly see the broken and twisted bodies underneath, emanating an aura of death.

In the silence, a voice suddenly spoke from behind: “You’re here?”

The voice in the dark chamber where only breathing could be heard was like a ghost’s whisper, cold and eerie. Lu Tong suddenly turned around.

At some point, a person had silently appeared behind her.

It was a middle-aged man wearing black clothes, with a lean build and deep, sinister eyes that were coldly staring at her.

Lu Tong looked at him.

This was Privy Councillor Yan Xu.

At the Huangmao Hill hunting grounds, Lu Tong had seen this man before. He had confronted Pei Yunying on the shaded path below the hunting grounds, and many people had witnessed it.

Regarding Yan Xu, apart from his past connection with the late Duke Zhaoning’s wife, Lu Tong knew very little. Even Miao Liangfang wasn’t familiar with him, only knowing that the Privy Council and Palace Command were at odds and that Yan Xu and Pei Yunying viewed each other as thorns in their sides, each eager to eliminate the other.

She slightly bowed her head: “Your Excellency.”

A scrutinizing gaze fell upon her.

Lu Tong calmly allowed him to examine her while also observing him in return.

The previous glimpse at Huangmao Hill had been brief; only now did she have the chance to see his appearance. The man’s features were ordinary, and his build wasn’t robust but rather lean. Only his eyes were sharp and fierce like a hawk’s, carrying a bloodthirsty aura.

Between his brows was a one-inch-long sword scar that crossed his eye corner. In the dim yellow light of the secret chamber, it appeared even more fierce and terrifying.

For some reason, an absurd thought crossed Lu Tong’s mind. She had heard from Lin Danqing that the Palace Command considered appearance in selecting talent. Looking at the Privy Councillor’s appearance now, it seemed the Privy Council had no such rule.

No wonder Duke Zhaoning’s wife had refused the marriage.

As these irrelevant thoughts crossed her mind, her earlier nervousness largely dissipated.

Yan Xu also noticed the change in her expression.

After a moment, he spoke grimly: “Medical Official Lu shows considerable courage, maintaining composure even at the sight of corpses.”

Lu Tong replied: “These dead were once patients when alive.”

She raised her eyes to look at Yan Xu: “May I ask where the patient is now, Your Excellency?”

Yan Xu showed slight surprise but quickly looked toward the green-robed official beside Lu Tong. The man understood and lowered his head as he walked into the passageway. Shortly after, he returned dragging a body.

To call it a body wasn’t entirely accurate – this person was still alive, but only half a body remained. Everything below the waist and groin had been cleanly severed, yet hadn’t received proper medical treatment. The body was like it had been pulled from a pool of blood, without a patch of uninjured flesh visible.

As the person was dragged, the silence was broken by a “rustling” sound – the sound of severed legs scraping against the ground, chilling to hear. In the torchlight, a long trail of dragged blood marks was left behind, winding to stop before Lu Tong.

The man released his grip, and the mutilated body fell with a “thud” at Lu Tong’s feet, causing her heart to tighten as she instinctively looked down.

The person’s pupils were dilated – clearly near death.

“They say Medical Official Lu’s medical skills are exceptional, capable of growing flesh on bare bones.”

Yan Xu stared intently at Lu Tong’s expression, slowly uttering three words.

“Save him.”

……

In the summer heat, under the trees at the entrance of the Palace Command headquarters, Zhizi and several small black dogs were curled up together, seeking shade to escape the heat.

When Pei Yunying returned, Xiao Zhufeng was pouring ice sugar plum, and perilla drink from a pot.

Made by brewing plums, kudzu root, and perilla leaves with water, it was refreshing and thirst-quenching in summer, with a sweet and sour taste that was Duan Xiaoyan’s favorite.

Xiao Zhufeng poured a cup and took a sip, then frowned: “Why is it so sweet? How much sugar did Duan Xiaoyan add?”

Pei Yunying also took a cup and tasted it: “I think it’s fine.”

Xiao Zhufeng moved his cup further away: “How has your taste become increasingly sweet lately?”

In the past, Pei Yunying had been the one in the Palace Command who least enjoyed sweets. Now he not only occasionally ordered the kitchen to make sweet desserts but also had Duan Xiaoyan buy sweet honey cakes from Qinghe Street.

As if possessed.

“Really?” Pei Yunying said indifferently, “Perhaps you’re too bitter.”

Xiao Zhufeng choked slightly and said expressionlessly: “Life is indeed bitter.”

Pei Yunying glanced at him, “Why say that? The Palace Command hasn’t mistreated you.”

Xiao Zhufeng looked at him, “Did His Highness see you?”

At these words, the smile on Pei Yunying’s face faded.

After the Huangmao Hill hunting ground incident, the conflict between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince intensified daily. The Qi family became involved, and although the Palace Command hadn’t directly participated, it gained a place in these rumors due to the romantic gossip with Lu Tong.

For Pei Yunying personally, this wasn’t a good thing.

He had many subsequent troubles to handle.

Xiao Zhufeng’s voice reached his ears: “Was His Highness fairly calm?”

Pei Yunying came back to his senses and smiled wryly: “More than calm.”

Not just calm, but even somewhat gleefully watching the drama unfold. He recalled the other sitting in the chair, looking at him with curious eyes: “Yunying, what does that Medical Official Lu look like? Is she beautiful? More beautiful than the Qi family’s eldest daughter?”

He suddenly felt a headache coming on.

Xiao Zhufeng glanced at him: “That’s good then. Lu Tong returned to the Medical Officials’ Institute early this morning.”

Pei Yunying nodded, picking up the pile of official documents on the table: “I know.”

“Aren’t you going to see her?”

“She just returned and must be busy. Later perhaps. I also have official duties to handle.”

Xiao Zhufeng nodded, picked up the documents from the table, and stood to leave. At the doorway, he paused, looking back at the person at the desk with hesitation.

“Are you not going to check on her?” he reminded, “I thought you’d be watching over her protectively twelve hours a day.”

Pei Yunying scoffed: “I’m not a stalker.”

Xiao Zhufeng made an “mm” sound, still standing at the door, not leaving.

Pei Yunying sensed something and suddenly raised his head, staring at him: “What happened?”

The room fell silent.

Xiao Zhufeng coughed lightly, turning his head to avoid Pei Yunying’s gaze: “There’s something… I should tell you… stay calm first.”

“Speak.”

“Early this morning, Lu Tong went out to examine a patient.”

“Who?”

Xiao Zhufeng looked away: “…Someone from the Privy Council.”

……

In the cold, dark chamber, the torch flickered dimly.

The heavy smell of blood lingered in the narrow space. Lu Tong kept her head down, carefully cleaning the wounds covering the person before her.

To call them a “person” was somewhat of a stretch. Before cleaning, the extent of the injuries hadn’t been apparent, but after wiping with cloth, she realized how horrifying the wounds truly were.

There wasn’t a single patch of uninjured flesh left on this person’s body. Both hands were broken, legs severed, all ten fingers mangled beyond recognition, and countless marks from hot iron hooks covered the body. Most terrifying of all, despite such severe injuries, this person was still alive – though they wouldn’t remain so for much longer.

These injuries were impossible to survive.

Lu Tong didn’t know this person’s identity or what they had done to deserve such treatment. Yan Xu ordered her to save them, so she would try, without asking about anything else.

The green-robed official beside her followed her instructions, bringing clean hot water. Yan Xu sat in a chair in the corner of the dark room, coldly watching her every move.

Lu Tong could feel his scrutinizing gaze upon her, but she had no time to worry about that now. The person’s injuries were too severe; she could only use acupuncture to temporarily sustain their life. Gradually, sweat dampened her hair.

After removing the final needle from the patient’s hair, Lu Tong wiped away the blood seeping from their lips and placed a medicinal pill under their tongue.

The person still lay on the ground, but their chest rose and fell more steadily than before. They opened their mouth, letting out their first groan since being brought here.

They were awake.

Yan Xu stood up, walked to Lu Tong’s side, and looked down at the person: “Saved?”

“Three hours.”

“What?”

Lu Tong washed her hands in the water, now tinged red with blood, dried them with a cloth, then stood up and addressed Yan Xu: “This person’s injuries are too severe. I’ve used the Guiyuan pill to sustain my life. They will live for three more hours.”

The man’s expression flickered between dark and light: “Did Medical Official Lu not understand my words? I told you to save them.”

Lu Tong remained unmoved, responding calmly: “Your Excellency, I am a doctor, not the King of Hell. I cannot command who lives and who dies.”

This retort was bold; even the green-robed subordinate couldn’t help but glance at Lu Tong.

Yan Xu’s hawk-like eyes fixed on Lu Tong for a long moment. After a while, he gave a cold laugh and said: “You make a fair point. Someone—”

He glanced at the barely breathing person on the ground, “Take them back.” Then he turned to Lu Tong with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes: “After working so hard, Medical Official Lu must be tired. Stay for a cup of tea before leaving.”

Lu Tong’s heart sank.

Not letting her leave immediately meant Yan Xu intended to keep her here.

The green-robed man didn’t wait for Lu Tong’s response before walking in front of her, gesturing for her to follow.

Lu Tong paused briefly, secured her medical box on her back, then turned and said softly: “Yes, Your Excellency.”

……

The chill of the dark chamber gradually fell behind as they ascended the stairs. Outside, the sun was at its peak.

Yan Xu’s subordinate led Lu Tong to a tea room and then left.

Lu Tong sat at the table, looking around.

This appeared to be Yan Xu’s study, or perhaps a tea room.

There were no decorations. Behind her stood dark wooden bookshelves and an ink-black desk. The chairs and couches were all perfectly square, in dull and austere colors. Not even a potted plant or antique adorned the space.

Jin Xianrong, a mere Left Assistant Director of the Ministry of Revenue, had renovated the Court of Imperial Ceremonials lavishly, not to mention Qi Yutai. Yet Yan Xu, a Commander of the Privy Council with his high position and authority over the Great Liang military affairs, kept surprisingly plain and old-fashioned quarters.

As these thoughts crossed Lu Tong’s mind, her gaze swept across the wall behind her and suddenly paused.

In this somber study, hanging on the wall opposite the bookshelf, was a silk painting.

It depicted evening clouds over mountains.

After the rain, the sky cleared, with fresh wind and clear waters. A patch of red clouds dyed the river crimson, startling a pair of white egrets into flight.

The artist’s brush strokes were both delicate and magnificent, splashing brilliant gold and red that caught the eye. This bright splash of color illuminated the austere study, adding a touch of tenderness to the stern, deep colors.

As Lu Tong was absorbed in the painting, footsteps sounded behind her as Yan Xu entered.

The man had changed into a black robe embroidered with a qilin, making him appear even more cold and gloomy. He sat at the table, and his subordinate came in, bowing to serve two cups of hot tea before silently withdrawing and closing the door.

The room was completely silent except for the faint birdsong from outside the window.

Lu Tong calmly observed the person before her.

Without the darkness of the dungeon, his features were clearer. The long scar at the corner of his eye appeared even more fierce in the daylight, seemingly missing his eye by a hair’s breadth.

Terrifying indeed.

“I had heard that the new Medical Official of the Hanlin Medical Institute possessed exceptional medical skills. Today’s demonstration proves the reputation well-earned,” he broke the room’s silence.

Lu Tong lowered her eyes: “Your Excellency’s praise is excessive. Lu Tong doesn’t deserve such compliments.”

Yan Xu lifted his tea and took a sip, smiling faintly: “A commoner, running a clinic on West Street, without connections or support, winning the spring examinations through personal merit alone to enter the Medical Institute…”

“Medical Official Lu is quite remarkable.”

Lu Tong watched the tea before her.

The tea was clear and bright, leaves sinking and floating as they unfurled like a flower slowly blooming.

She smiled: “Just luck.”

“Luck?”

Yan Xu narrowed his eyes slightly: “Director of the Imperial Treasury Board Dong Changming, Princess Consort Pei Yunxiu of Wen Commandery, Assistant Director Jin Xianrong of the Ministry of Revenue…”

“The noble people Medical Official Lu has saved – that’s not something luck alone can achieve.”

The wind blew in through the window, making flower shadows dance. The tea’s fragrance filled the entire room, masking the earlier smell of blood from the dungeon.

After a moment of silence, Lu Tong spoke softly: “We make our fate and seek our fortune. I come from humble origins; only by dedicating myself to the study of medicine could I catch the eye of the noble. I must seem amusing to Your Excellency.”

“‘We make our fate and seek our fortune’ – well said.”

Yan Xu lifted his tea and took another unhurried sip. “So, Palace Command Commander Pei’s public protection – was that also something Medical Official Lu sought for herself?”

At these words, Lu Tong’s brows furrowed slightly.

Behind the rising steam of the tea, Yan Xu’s dark eyes watched her inscrutably.

Lu Tong remained silent, her mind racing.

The Palace Command and Privy Council were mortal enemies. Yan Xu suddenly summoned her here to probe with words that seemed related to Pei Yunying.

With palace rumors about her improper relationship with Pei Yunying, perhaps in Yan Xu’s eyes, their relationship was indeed questionable. If he wanted to move against Pei Yunying, he could start with her—

But this attitude seemed somewhat intriguing.

Perhaps she had been silent too long. Yan Xu took another sip of tea, set down his cup, and spoke quietly: “Why isn’t Medical Official Lu drinking her tea?”

Lu Tong startled slightly.

The hot tea sat in the celadon cup, the liquid a deep green with floating leaves like lotus leaves unfurling in a pond. She couldn’t identify the type of tea, but its fragrance was so rich it made one’s heart tremble.

“This is excellent tea. Don’t waste it.”

Yan Xu said: “Try it, Medical Official Lu.”

All around became very quiet.

Lu Tong looked down. The tea was no longer steaming hot as before but had cooled to just the right temperature.

After a long moment, she reached out, lifted the cup, and brought it to her lips, about to drink—

“BANG—”

At that instant, a tremendous crash came from behind as the study door was kicked open from outside. Lu Tong whirled around to see the green-robed man somehow sprawled on the ground, clutching his stomach in pain.

Pei Yunying strode in from outside.

Still wearing his silver sword, his face cold as ice, he took large steps to Lu Tong’s side and snatched the teacup from her hand, throwing it behind him—

“CRASH”

The teacup shattered against the wall, tea splashing across the carpet.

Gone was Pei Yunying’s usual warm smile as he placed his long sword on the table, fixing Yan Xu with a piercing cold stare.

“Lord Yan.”

He said coldly: “What are you trying to do?”