It was the height of summer, with blazing sun and scorching heat.

West Street had few pedestrians in the afternoon, but under the plum tree in front of Renxin Medical Clinic, it was quite bustling.

A pile of old miscellaneous items was gathered in front of the door. Du Changqing held a rough sketch, fanning himself while discussing with Yin Zheng where to place the new medicine cabinet in front of the door.

The cobbler’s family next door had moved away from West Street, leaving their shop empty.

Ever since Xinlin Hall closed down, only Renxin Medical Clinic remained as a pharmacy on West Street. Miao Liangfang’s medical skills were much better than Zhou Ji, who used to practice at Xinlin Hall. He was also considerate of people’s hardships, choosing affordable medicinal materials, curing diseases effectively, and charging reasonable consultation fees. More and more patients came to Renxin Medical Clinic each month. Sometimes when there were many people, they formed long queues at the door, making the original small clinic seem cramped.

When the cobbler happened to move away, Du Changqing rented the neighboring shop and connected it through, making Renxin Medical Clinic immediately much more spacious.

A’Cheng was carrying several tubes of ginger honey water from a distance when he saw a horse carriage stop in front of Renxin Medical Clinic. The carriage curtain was lifted, and A’Cheng looked closely and shouted: “Doctor Lu!”

Several people in the clinic turned their heads simultaneously.

Lu Tong jumped down from the carriage.

Just as she steadied herself, before she could speak, a bright figure flashed before her eyes. Yin Zheng hugged her, jumping and laughing: “Miss, why did you suddenly come back without telling us in advance!”

“Little Lu is back?” Miao Liangfang stopped fanning himself with his palm fan and hurriedly walked out from the inner shop, leaning on his walking stick.

Lu Tong got off the carriage, and the coachman also got down to help unload the things from the cart.

Du Changqing was stunned for a while before reacting, asking in surprise: “…It’s not a rest day yet. Did the Medical Officers’ Academy give you leave?”

Lu Tong vaguely nodded.

So that was it. The shopkeeper folded the sketch in his hands and put it in his chest, following them into the inner shop while humming: “You’re quite good at giving people surprises… Come in and drink some water first, look how hot it is!”

Lu Tong entered as suggested, with everyone following her in. Only Miao Liangfang’s gaze fell on the luggage being unloaded from the carriage outside, and a trace of doubt flashed across his expression.

Once inside, A’Cheng handed Lu Tong a tube of sweet syrup he had just bought back. Lu Tong sat down at the table in the inner shop, where it was much cooler than outside, and the strong medicinal fragrance was soothing to the mind.

Miao Liangfang leaned against the medicine cabinet, fanning her while saying: “Little Lu, you brought more bundles back this time than last time. Did the Medical Officers’ Academy give you official leave?”

Yin Zheng’s eyes lit up: “Miss, are you staying at the clinic for several more days this time?”

Lu Tong took a sip of the sweet syrup. The cool, sugary water dispelled the summer heat’s irritation. She lowered her head: “I’ll be staying at the clinic for three months.”

Everyone was stunned.

Miao Liangfang stopped fanning and tentatively spoke: “But this leave…”

“It’s not a rest. I’ve been suspended.”

The room suddenly fell quiet.

After a long moment, Du Changqing picked at his ear, asking A’Cheng in confusion: “Did I mishear? What did Doctor Lu just say?”

“I’ve been suspended.” Lu Tong emphasized again.

This time it was heard clearly. Yin Zheng put down the bamboo tube in her hand and asked blankly: “…Why?”

Lu Tong was silent for a moment, her tone remaining calm: “I privately examined the medicine lists sent from the Medical Officers’ Academy to the Imperial Pharmacy. My actions violated orders, so I was punished with a three-month suspension.”

Du Changqing turned to look at Miao Liangfang: “There’s such a rule?”

Miao Liangfang stroked his beard thoughtfully: “Vaguely… it seems… apparently… there indeed is such a regulation.”

“No way.” Du Changqing looked at Lu Tong with annoyance: “Then why did you look at those things for no reason? Were you bored?”

“Just curious.”

“Where does all this curiosity come from…” He was about to nag a few more sentences when A’Cheng interrupted: “Doctor Lu, will you return to the Medical Officers’ Academy after three months? They only suspended you without other punishments, right? I heard that those who make mistakes in the imperial city get beaten with boards. Did they beat you?”

Lu Tong smiled: “No, just suspension.”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Yin Zheng thought for a moment: “Suspension is suspension then. It’s just three months’ salary. Later we’ll have Shopkeeper Du make it up. Actually, even if Miss hadn’t returned, in a few days we were planning to send word to the Medical Officers’ Academy asking Miss to come back for a trip.”

“Why?”

“In five more days, it will be Renxin Medical Clinic’s fiftieth anniversary. Shopkeeper Du rented the neighboring shop and connected it through. These days he’s been busy arranging things, just waiting for that day to open. Miss, you’ve returned at just the right time. The clinic has reached where it is today thanks largely to Miss’s contributions. Since we’re celebrating, how could we be missing the hero?”

Du Changqing listened coldly and snorted twice: “What? From what I’m hearing, it sounds like Doctor Lu is the real owner?”

Yin Zheng put her hands on her hips: “Without Miss, Shopkeeper Du’s clinic could at most only hold a forty-nine-year celebration banquet.”

“Hey!”

“Alright, stop arguing.” Miao Liangfang raised his hand to stop their quarrel. “Since Little Lu has returned, let her settle down peacefully. I sometimes feel too busy managing the clinic alone, so this is perfect timing to help me. That back room still needs to be tidied up. Since you’ll be staying longer this time, see what Little Lu needs and we’ll get it ready in the next few days.”

Hearing this, Yin Zheng clapped her hands: “That’s right. Then I’ll go tidy up Miss’s room first. Miss,” she lifted the felt curtain while instructing Lu Tong, “you just returned, so rest in the shop first. I’ll come get you after I’ve made the bed.”

Lu Tong agreed.

Du Changqing asked a few more questions, and seeing Lu Tong’s low spirits, didn’t pursue further. He took A’Cheng to tidy up next door—the cobbler’s shop had just been vacated and needed new arrangements for medicine cabinets and tables and chairs.

Lu Tong sat at the table, slowly drinking the sweet syrup in her hand. There were no patients for consultation in the inner shop at the moment. Miao Liangfang took two steps toward the chair by the medicine cabinet, then suddenly turned back and limped over to sit across from Lu Tong.

“Little Lu,” he looked at Lu Tong and lowered his voice: “Tell me honestly, is your suspension related to me?”

Lu Tong paused.

Miao Liangfang stared at her nervously.

He felt something was wrong.

Lu Tong was always cautious and careful in her actions, not an impulsive person. For no reason, how could she privately examine Imperial Pharmacy medicine lists? There must be some hidden circumstances.

Du Changqing and Yin Zheng didn’t ask because they knew that even if they asked, Lu Tong wouldn’t explain in detail. She rarely spoke about her own affairs.

But how could matters occurring in the imperial city be easily inquired about by a small clinic on West Street?

The Director of the Medical Officers’ Academy was Cui Min, and it was also Cui Min who could suspend Lu Tong for three months…

He could only think of this connection.

The bamboo tube of sweet syrup with crushed ice felt cold in her palm, making her palm cold as well. Lu Tong said: “It has nothing to do with Master Miao.”

“Little Lu, don’t deceive me.”

“It’s true.”

She smiled: “I just accidentally made a small mistake and was therefore suspended for three months. Master Miao also understands that if I had truly committed some unforgivable crime, with my commoner status, it wouldn’t be as simple as just suspension.”

Miao Liangfang was speechless.

These words were indeed true.

“The Medical Officers’ Academy is currently busy with affairs and short-staffed. Master Miao needn’t worry. I’m just staying temporarily for some time. Perhaps before three months are up, someone from the Medical Officers’ Academy will come to invite me back.”

“Nonsense,” Miao Liangfang was amused by her, and his earlier worries dissipated considerably. “Those people have eyes on top of their heads. How could they possibly lower themselves to actively invite you back?”

Lu Tong remained silent, lowering her head to take a sip of the sweet syrup before her.

After causing such a scene at the Medical Officers’ Academy, regardless of whether anyone believed her, she had already struck at Cui Min’s most hidden secret.

In normal circumstances, Cui Min would never let her off lightly.

However, it happened to be now.

Qi Yutai’s epilepsy had just been cured, and Cui Min himself wasn’t confident whether Qi Yutai would relapse or whether the previous prescription could still be used if he did relapse again.

If it couldn’t be used, who would he find to clean up this mess?

Ji Xun came from a noble family and had exceptional talent. Cui Min felt both inferior and superior in front of him, so he definitely wouldn’t bow to Ji Xun. He could only use a commoner like himself.

Only with someone of the same background could he have a strong sense of superiority and control.

As an unexpected backup plan, Cui Min would never easily dismiss her. Even after three months, he wouldn’t dare expel her from the Medical Officers’ Academy.

A mediocre person without real talent or learning who had used schemes to reach his current high position—no matter how nonchalant he appeared on the surface, deep down he was guilty and without foundation.

High-flying birds die from fine food; deep-spring fish die from fragrant bait.

He was particularly greedy for false reputation…

She set down the bamboo tube in her hand: “Did the sweet syrup shop up front change owners?”

“Yes.” Miao Liangfang was startled. “How did you know?”

Lu Tong lowered her head, looking at the clear syrup in the bamboo tube, and smiled slightly.

“It’s sweeter than before.”

…

Bamboo swayed with clear shadows in the yellow evening sunset.

When Ji Xun returned to the Medical Officers’ Academy, it was already evening.

At this time, the medical officers had all gone to eat dinner, and the small grove was completely empty without a single person.

Ji Xun entered the medicine room and picked up an iron box from the bookshelf.

Calling it an iron box, it was actually more like an iron chest, not too large. The chest lid was open, containing five or six volumes of medical texts, all somewhat damaged.

He reached out and carefully placed several volumes of medical texts from the table into the chest along with the others, closed the lid, and hung a small lock on it. Behind him, the medicine boy Zhu Ling sat on a small stool, resting his chin on his hands and shaking his head repeatedly as he watched.

His young master had an upright character and kind heart. Anyone who saw him would say he was a very good person. But why did his thinking become so unusual when it came to interpersonal relationships?

Take his relationship with the new medical officer, Medical Officer Lu. A few days ago, Zhu Ling accidentally learned that this Medical Officer Lu was actually the poor girl his young master had inadvertently saved years ago when passing through Sunan. He was quite shocked.

To think there was such a connection!

Not only did Medical Officer Lu recognize the young master, she also returned the personal jade pendant the young master had left behind back then. Zhu Ling was very excited watching this.

Life-saving grace, years of old friendship, talented man and beautiful woman, evenly matched… and they worked together at the Medical Officers’ Academy. If something didn’t develop between them, it would seem to waste this wonderful coincidence arranged by heaven.

Zhu Ling quietly waited for good things to happen.

Who knew Ji Xun’s actions would be completely beyond Zhu Ling’s expectations.

Perhaps it was guilt from previously misunderstanding Lu Tong, or perhaps the past in Sunan made Ji Xun feel closer to Lu Tong. In any case, Zhu Ling could sense that the young master was very considerate and special toward this Medical Officer Lu. At least besides medical texts and pharmaceutical principles, this Medical Officer Lu could influence the young master’s emotions.

Ji Xun began searching for medical texts to give to Lu Tong.

Every so often, he would have Lu Tong come to his medicine room to exchange pharmaceutical knowledge.

Zhu Ling was simply devastated.

Wasn’t this really just an advance administrative evaluation?

Even if these two could have originally developed some romantic and tender times together, under these circumstances, it would all disappear in an instant.

How was this different from entering the Imperial Medical Bureau for study?

Did his young master think Medical Officer Lu really enjoyed this?

He sighed and heard Ji Xun’s voice nearby: “Why hasn’t Medical Officer Lu come yet?”

Today was supposed to be the day Lu Tong came to collect new medical texts. Ji Xun had specifically found several books that even the Imperial Medical Bureau didn’t have, with his own handwritten notes on them.

But the appointed time had passed, and Lu Tong still hadn’t appeared.

Ji Xun said: “Go ask at the medicine hall.”

Zhu Ling acknowledged the order.

After about half a cup of tea’s time, Zhu Ling came running back breathlessly. As soon as he reached the medicine room door, he shouted: “Young Master, something’s happened!”

“What happened?”

“This servant just went to find Medical Officer Lu and searched everywhere but couldn’t find her. The medical officers in the front hall told me that Medical Officer Lu falsely accused the Director, privately examined medicine lists, was suspended for three months, and left the Medical Officers’ Academy this afternoon!”

Ji Xun suddenly stood up.

“What?”

…

“What? Medical Officer Lu was suspended?”

In the Commander’s Manor, someone looked up in surprise.

Duan Xiaoyan’s eyes opened wide: “That can’t be a lie, can it?”

Lu Tong was always meticulous—even the King of Hell was no match for her. Yet she just obediently accepted suspension from the Medical Officers’ Academy. No matter how you heard it, it didn’t seem real.

Just then, Zhizi called out a few times in the courtyard, her voice cheerful.

Pei Yunying lifted the door curtain and walked in.

“Brother—”

Duan Xiaoyan quickly stood up.

Pei Yunying had been very busy these days.

The locust disaster in Sunan, rebellious soldiers causing chaos in Qishui near Sunan, open and covert struggles between the Third Prince and Crown Prince… all court affairs piled up together. Sometimes when Pei Yunying entered the palace, he wouldn’t return until deep into the night. Duan Xiaoyan hadn’t seen him for several days.

Pei Yunying put down his silver saber and glanced at Qing Feng standing in the room, then sat down at the table.

“Why are you standing here stupidly?”

“Master, something’s happened.”

Pei Yunying looked at him.

Qing Feng lowered his head: “Medical Officer Lu left the Medical Officers’ Academy today and returned to West Street.”

He paused, his gaze suddenly becoming sharp: “What happened?”

Qing Feng then recounted everything that had occurred at the Medical Officers’ Academy during the day.

After hearing everything, before Pei Yunying could speak, Duan Xiaoyan started shouting: “So that’s it! This Cui Min is clearly guilty with a bad conscience!”

Pei Yunying glanced at him, and Duan Xiaoyan quickly lowered his voice: “Qi Yutai was originally a madman, and that surnamed Cui isn’t necessarily that capable. Stealing Medical Officer Lu’s prescription to curry favor with the Grand Tutor Manor isn’t impossible.”

“I think Medical Officer Lu wasn’t making false accusations—she was telling the truth. It’s just that she has little influence, so no one believes her.”

Pei Yunying’s eyes were dark and deep. He suddenly stood up, picked up the silver saber from the table, as if planning to go out.

“Brother, are you planning to stand up for Medical Officer Lu?”

Duan Xiaoyan’s face was full of excitement as he rubbed his fists together eagerly: “Take me along. Medical Officer Lu made so many digestive pills for me—I’m also someone who repays kindness.”

Pei Yunying ignored him and was about to move when he thought of something and stopped.

After a while, he put down the silver saber and sat back down in the chair.

“Huh?” Duan Xiaoyan was puzzled. “Why aren’t you going?”

Pei Yunying didn’t speak. After a long moment, he said: “You shouldn’t go either.”

Lu Tong always had her own plans when doing things. This action might have other intentions.

Before understanding her plan, it was best not to act rashly, lest they create more problems than they solved.

His fingertips stroked the silver saber’s sheath. The sheath’s patterns were cold, hard, and sharp, reflecting in the young man’s slightly lowered eyes.

Better to wait until after meeting her face to face.