Another pleasure boat by Yuxian Tower was untied.

Pei Yunying helped Lu Tong board the boat.

Fearing Lu Tong would get seasick, they didn’t call for oarsmen, letting the pleasure boat simply drift by the shore. Even so, floating on the river was far more interesting than sitting dry in Yuxian Tower watching the rain.

The pleasure boats below Yuxian Tower came in various sizes. The larger ones were mostly for officials and nobles’ evening banquets and boat tours, while the smaller ones were for elegant scholars to brew wine aboard.

The boat Pei Yunying chose was somewhat smaller – a black flat boat with lotus carvings at the prow and blue curtains inside, along with a wine spread. Traveling on the water with countless drooping green willows and misty rain was enchanting.

Lu Tong steadied herself by the boat rail and sat down at the small table. Just as she settled, a bright red candied hawthorn stick was thrust before her eyes.

“Yuxian Tower’s candied hawthorn,” Pei Yunying smiled. “Though it’s years late, I’ve kept my word.”

Lu Tong was startled.

She seemed to remember that broken temple behind Sunan’s execution ground years ago, when she held that silver ring with a face full of disdain, listening to the black-clothed man by the fire promise: “Take this to find me at Yuxian Tower on Qinghe Street in the capital’s south district. I’ll treat you to Yuxian Tower’s candied hawthorn.”

Time had flashed by. The once-in-a-decade heavy snow in Sunan had long melted. She had thought his words were casual dismissal, never expecting them to come true so strangely years later. Though the circumstances of their meeting and recognition differed, the result was equally perfect.

Lu Tong lowered her head and bit into the fruit in her hand, sweet and sour flavors spreading from her teeth.

“How is it?” Pei Yunying sat down across from her.

“It has a certain…” Lu Tong thought for a moment, “taste of silver.”

Du Changqing had also bought candied hawthorn from Renhe Restaurant, but the taste couldn’t compare to the fresh sweetness in her hand. Or perhaps it wasn’t the candied hawthorn’s fault – after all, her current state of mind was completely different from when she first arrived in the capital.

Hearing this, Pei Yunying laughed: “You really know how to give compliments.”

Lu Tong leaned against the boat’s edge looking into the distance. Above the river water, qin music gradually drifted from the pleasure boats. In the deep spring flower fragrance, the sound was melancholy and touching, very moving.

She listened intently for a while. Pei Yunying didn’t disturb her, and when the piece ended, Lu Tong still felt unsatisfied.

Du Changqing had once mentioned that the qin ladies at Yuxian Tower had exceptional skills. Last time she came, her mind was focused on approaching Qi Yutai with no heart to appreciate music. This time, floating on the river, though she didn’t really understand qin music, she still found every note moving.

Lu Tong turned her head to look at the person across from her.

Pei Yunying was gazing out the window at the river. Noticing Lu Tong’s gaze, he turned back with some confusion: “What?”

“I heard from Sister Yunshu that you can play qin?”

Pei Yunying looked suspicious: “What are you planning?”

Lu Tong pointed to a qin placed on the boat: “I wonder how the Commander’s qin playing compares to that qin lady’s just now?”

He paused, nearly laughing in exasperation at Lu Tong’s words: “Isn’t that request a bit too much?”

Some wealthy merchants and noble ladies when entertaining guests often selected beautiful young men to serve, with singing, dancing, or playing qin and chess during the banquet to make it dignified and pleasing to listeners.

In certain specific circumstances, this was actually a request carrying implications of contempt.

Lu Tong rested her chin on her hand looking at him: “I just want to hear you play.”

“I can play for you privately,” Pei Yunying glanced at pleasure boats drifting past in the distance, clearing his throat softly, “but let’s skip it in public.”

Lu Tong was displeased: “Why are you being so coy? Even if you played, would someone come to snatch you away? If someone really tried to snatch you,” she said sarcastically, “I’m very skilled at killing and burying bodies – I’d definitely avenge you.”

Pei Yunying looked at her incredulously.

Lu Tong’s expression was frank and open, as if she clearly knew the implications of these words but deliberately avoided stating them clearly, acting innocent while intentionally being mischievous.

He stared at her for a long moment. She remained insistent. After a while, he finally surrendered, sighing: “Fine, so the Palace Command’s commander is here to do this for you.”

He rose and walked to the table on one side.

This boat was rented for people to tour and admire willows, with a seven-string qin placed on the long table.

He sat down before the qin and lowered his eyes to play.

Lu Tong didn’t understand music.

In the past when listening to Lu Rou play qin in Changwu County, she often just listened for pleasure. Now with Pei Yunying playing qin, she could only describe it as “pleasant.” Honestly speaking, she couldn’t distinguish between this and the qin lady’s playing earlier, so she simply rested her chin on her hand and quietly watched him.

This person had once wielded knives, yet hands that held knives were still slender and beautiful when stroking qin strings. When he played qin, he wasn’t as bright as when smiling normally, nor as distant as when cold, but calm and gentle, like distant mountains and quiet moon, light and serene.

It was now late evening, with fine rain on the river and wind lanterns brightly lit along the shore. The qin music drifted with the wind across the water. Perhaps attracted by this side, people in nearby pleasure boats lifted curtains to look this way.

Unconsciously, Lu Tong recalled Pei Yunshu’s words.

“Brother Ying, don’t look at him serving in the palace now, fighting and killing with that fierce appearance. When he was small, mother taught him music and painting – he learned very well. Honestly, I used to think he’d become an elegant young gentleman. Who knew he’d later enter the imperial city wielding knives daily… thinking about it is quite regrettable…”

At that time she was wary and disgusted with Pei Yunying, so Pei Yunshu’s exaggerated praise went in one ear and out the other. Now she had to admit Pei Yunshu was indeed right.

After all, even Yin Zheng privately praised Lu Tong: “Young Master Pei has money and looks, is understanding and considerate – in today’s capital, he’s truly a rare excellent marriage candidate.”

Lu Tong was lost in thought, not even noticing when the qin music stopped. Only when Pei Yunying finished and looked at her with raised eyebrows did she notice: “Were you listening in fascination?”

Lu Tong came back to her senses.

“How was it,” he rose, “compared to that qin lady’s playing earlier?”

“Actually didn’t understand it,” Lu Tong honestly replied. “But you’re closer, so it sounded clearer.”

Pei Yunying was speechless, walking to Lu Tong’s side to flick her forehead: “This was Little Stone Corner Nine’s ‘Joy in Spring Rain.'”

He sat down across from Lu Tong, smiling: “I’ve never played qin in public before. My first time was given to you – how does Physician Lu plan to repay me?”

“First time,” Lu Tong was dismissive, “hardly.”

“What do you mean?”

“Aren’t you a regular customer of Yuxian Tower?” Lu Tong said lightly. “Being a regular, you might have also played other things like ‘Joy in Autumn Rain’ or ‘Joy in Winter Rain.'”

This had the flavor of bringing up old grievances.

“Hey,” Pei Yunying frowned, “I didn’t go to Yuxian Tower for pleasure.”

“Hardly.”

He was helpless: “Hong Man is the emperor’s person.”

“Oh.” Lu Tong drew out the sound.

Pei Yunying glanced at Lu Tong, thinking of something that made his eyes sparkle: “You wouldn’t be jealous, would you?”

“No.” Lu Tong answered quickly.

He chuckled: “Didn’t I say? Once I have a wife, I won’t visit flower houses anymore.”

Lu Tong stared at him: “I remember I also said I’m not as magnanimous as the Commander – if my future husband visits flower houses, I’ll kill him.”

Pei Yunying: “…”

He sighed: “Physician Lu’s decisiveness in killing surpasses the entire Palace Command combined.”

Lu Tong calmly accepted this.

He glanced at her, saying leisurely: “Don’t worry. I like Physician Lu far more than Physician Lu likes me. But this is good too – I’m the one who worries, feels lost, and tosses and turns, so you don’t need so many troubles.”

Lu Tong frowned slightly: “What do you worry about?”

“Many things. For instance, Ji Xun.”

“Physician Ji?” Lu Tong was startled. “What does he have to do with anything?”

Pei Yunying snorted lightly: “Doesn’t he come daily to give you acupuncture?”

Chang Jin had previously arranged with Lu Tong that before her body fully recovered, Ji Xun would give her daily acupuncture. Now that she’d left the Medical Academy and returned to West Street, Ji Xun also decided to come to West Street daily to treat her.

Lu Tong initially felt this was too troublesome for Ji Xun, but Ji Xun was very insistent and couldn’t be refused.

But Ji Xun’s enthusiasm was because he was a gentleman who had been willing to lend a helping hand to a chance encounter on Sunan Bridge years ago, let alone now with their colleague relationship.

“Petty mind,” Lu Tong retorted. “Physician Ji cares for patients – don’t speak nonsense and damage his reputation.”

“Damage his reputation?” Pei Yunying looked at Lu Tong.

Lu Tong frowned slightly, seriously nodding. Her frank words made his statement seem completely unreasonable.

Pei Yunying lifted his eyelids to look at her for a while, confirming she truly thought this way. The corner of his mouth curved up, his tone somewhat gloating: “Honestly, if we weren’t on different sides, I’d almost feel sorry for him.”

Lu Tong was too lazy to discuss this with him: “Even setting that aside, Physician Ji and I are in the same profession but have different aspirations.”

“Oh?” Pei Yunying raised an eyebrow. “How are your aspirations different?”

“Don’t you know?” Lu Tong said. “I’ve already left the Medical Academy.”

Pei Yunying’s expression paused slightly, not speaking for a moment.

Lu Tong had left the Medical Academy.

Though he’d long guessed she had this plan, learning the news still surprised him somewhat.

It was simply too fast – he’d originally thought Lu Tong’s plan would come later.

“My purposes for entering the Medical Academy were impure from the start,” Lu Tong spoke of this matter quite frankly, her words completely letting go. “Now that my concerns are resolved, staying longer isn’t my wish. I’m different from Physician Ji – he has the world in his heart, while I only wish to guard one corner in peace. Rather than staying at the Medical Academy to treat people like Jin Xianrong, better to remain at West Street. At least there are no complex personnel evaluations.”

Pei Yunying looked at her.

She spoke of this calmly, clearly the result of deep consideration, though her excuse was quite clumsy.

He smiled: “You’re right. Compared to people in the imperial city, the common folk at West Street temple mouth clearly need Physician Lu more.”

Lu Tong was startled.

Pei Yunying looked at her with a smile.

She didn’t speak.

The Medical Academy had Chang Jin, Ji Xun, Lin Danqing, and many students from the Imperial Medical Bureau. There were many, many physicians like her.

But West Street had only one Renxin Medical Hall.

She liked being a physician, but preferred being a physician outside the imperial city.

The imperial city’s need for physicians was far less than outside the imperial city.

“However,” Pei Yunying’s voice reached her ears, “if you don’t like gentlemen like Ji Xun who have the world in their hearts, what kind do you like?”

Lu Tong looked up.

This person had his elbow propped up, looking at her with a teasing smile, dimples faintly visible at the corners of his mouth, as if deliberately charming her.

She spoke plainly: “I’m rather shallow – I like good-looking ones.”

Pei Yunying paused, feigning surprise: “That sounds like a confession.”

Lu Tong said seriously: “After all, the Palace Command selection has always relied on looks.”

He stared at Lu Tong and couldn’t help laughing.

Others always felt Lu Tong was cold and distant, yet that secret letter from Changwu County described Third Miss Lu as proud, willful, and mischievously clever. He’d once regretted she became the completely opposite type, but now was glad that in certain moments, she was gradually rediscovering her original self.

“Lu Tong,” Pei Yunying suddenly spoke, “let’s get married.”

Sudden silence fell around them.

Lu Tong was dazed: “What did you say?”

He lowered his eyes, taking out a green jade bracelet from his robes.

“This is the jade bracelet my mother left behind.” He took Lu Tong’s hand and slipped the bracelet onto her wrist.

“My maternal grandmother left this jade bracelet for my mother’s dowry. Later my mother left it to my sister, telling me that if I ever found someone I wanted to spend my life with, I should give this jade bracelet to her.”

The jade bracelet was the color of congealed jade, making her wrist appear white as frost and snow against it. Lu Tong looked up. Pei Yunying gazed quietly at her. In the dark rainy night, his black eyes were calm and gentle, flickering with tiny, dim yellow lamp light.

“I’m serious,” he said.

Lu Tong’s fingertips trembled, unable to speak for a moment.

She hadn’t expected Pei Yunying’s proposal to be so sudden yet so natural, leaving her completely unprepared. She’d previously thought she handled various unexpected situations well, yet this moment brought long-absent panic, bewilderment at how to react.

After a moment, Lu Tong steadied herself and spoke with forced lightness: “Ordinary people at your age wouldn’t necessarily discuss marriage so early. If you marry now, the capital will definitely say you’re marrying young.”

With the new emperor’s ascension, the imperial city’s situation was complex, yet this Palace Command commander sat as steadily as ever. Discerning people could see his current imperial favor was strong. Such a young and promising talented youth should take his time choosing marriage. Even in common families, there was no such urgency.

Pei Yunying only looked at her: “Sooner or later it’s the same. Lu Tong, I’m very certain – I only want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Something sour seemed to surge from her heart, like the candied hawthorn she’d just eaten – both sour and sweet.

Lu Tong spoke softly: “Aren’t you afraid I’m crazy?”

She was inherently obsessive and mad, both protective and possessively demanding. Sometimes even she found herself detestable. Throughout this journey, Pei Yunying should understand her character best. Holding hands, embracing, even kissing was fine, but speaking of a lifetime together, sharing a bed for decades to come – without infinite love, it would be difficult to endure long-term.

Pei Yunying chuckled.

“The person I love, I don’t think she’s crazy.”

He touched Lu Tong’s head, his tone gentle: “She’s clever and cunning, patient and strong, pressing forward for family without compromise, refusing to bow before the powerful.”

“If it were me, I couldn’t do better than her. I don’t think she’s crazy. If she thinks she’s crazy, I’ll be crazy with her.”

Lu Tong stared at him blankly.

“You are… the Palace Command commander,” after a long while, she found her voice, “I’m just an ordinary physician. Our statuses differ.”

“Who says?” He smiled. “Aren’t you the killer physician? I’m the assassin young master – now we’re well-matched.”

Outside the pleasure boat, spring rain fell thick as smoke. Lu Tong felt as if her heart had also been drenched by this spring rain. That little black boat floated up and down in the capital’s spring night drizzle, lamp shadows flickering bright and dim, while his gaze toward her burned hot and resolute.

She found herself unable to refuse.

“If you fear others’ gossip, I’ll ask His Majesty for an imperial marriage edict. Once the edict is issued, no one will dare say you’re unworthy.”

“Now you practice at West Street earning two taels monthly, which can’t compare to the Medical Academy. My residence has farms and shops – I’ll give you all my salary. Whether you want to open your own medical hall or do something else in the future is fine. In the Commander’s residence, you may command as you please.”

He’d considered everything thoroughly.

So thoroughly that Lu Tong burst out laughing.

In the distance, a pleasure boat’s qin lady sang clearly: “Flowers endless, moon infinite. Two hearts united. At this moment I wish to be like willow strands thousands long, entangling the spring wind…”

Lu Tong looked up: “Wouldn’t you lose out this way?”

“After all, you’re my creditor.”

“Old debts were long since repaid – why must the Commander dwell on them?”

He sighed: “It’s different. Romantic debts are hard to repay.”

Lu Tong looked at him.

Spring rain fine as smoke and dust, willow strands by the river bridge wind lanterns dampened by wind and rain, the boat’s blue cloth curtains soaking the night in a layer of light jade green. In the quiet window and still night, his handsome, spirited face was close at hand, yet his dark eyes held barely perceptible nervousness.

Lu Tong’s previously chaotic, bewildered heart gradually calmed in these eyes.

Regarding the person before her, she had always retreated, repeatedly avoided, desperately suppressed her own heart. But strangely, perhaps some fates cannot be severed – going round and round, those destined to meet will always return to the starting point.

She would ultimately be drawn to him.

Regardless of what the future held, she’d never been one to look ahead and behind, so there was no need to hesitate over this matter. Life was only a few short decades – it was worth being brave and seizing present happiness.

She smiled slightly.

Pei Yunying said softly: “I want to become Physician Lu’s bond.”

“No need.”

Hearing Lu Tong’s answer, he was startled. The next moment, he heard the person before him speak.

“You already are.”

In the deep spring night with pattering rain, love songs continued endlessly from the pleasure boats.

He paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled softly, leaning forward to gently kiss the person before him.