What does it mean when the apprentice teaches the master so well that the master starves?

At this moment, Wei Caiwei had at least ten thousand words of insights to share on this topic. Very good—this little rascal had learned to treat others the way they treated him.

Seeing Wei Caiwei rendered speechless, Wang Daxia finally scored one back and became even happier.

“Hmph, childish,” Wei Caiwei said.

Wang Daxia said, “You deceived me first.” Then he coiled closer, leaning in to examine her carefully. “Let me see where you’ve hidden your nine tails.”

Wei Caiwei was exasperated and embarrassed. “If you keep this up, I’ll cut off that middle tail of yours.”

Wang Xiaoxia trembled with fear and immediately settled down.

Indeed, one becomes like those they associate with. After spending time with Wang Daxia, she too had become infected by his youthfulness, as if returning to her childhood, playing such childish games with him.

She changed his life, and he was also subtly influencing her. Both she and he were gradually becoming different from who they used to be.

The carriage grew quiet. Wei Caiwei picked up a brush to write herself a prescription for tonifying qi and replenishing blood, asking Wang Daxia to find a pharmacy along the street to fill it.

Wang Daxia took the prescription and saw her handwriting was weak and sloppy, unlike her usual flowing and graceful script. Only then did he realize how severely her blood and qi were depleted, that her physical strength was insufficient. He no longer dared to tease her and quickly told her to lie down, taking off his outer robe to cover her.

As they neared the Lu residence, Lu Ying was waiting at the intersection. Wang Daxia jumped down from the carriage. “Commander Lu manages countless affairs daily—why have you come from headquarters? Don’t you trust me to protect Doctor Wei?”

Lu Ying said, “This is my home. I’m inviting Doctor Wei to stay as a guest, so naturally I should personally escort her in. There are many people in the house of all kinds. When I welcome Doctor Wei through the door, no one will dare slight her.”

Lu Ying seemed cold-blooded and ruthless, like an emotionless work machine, but she actually had tender and delicate aspects to her heart. What Wang Daxia hadn’t even thought of, she had considered.

Wang Daxia switched to horseback and rode alongside Lu Ying, entering the Lu residence through the left side gate.

Lu Ying specifically arranged for Wei Caiwei to stay in her own study and martial arts practice courtyard. It was spacious and luxurious, at least a hundred times more magnificent than Wang Daxia’s guest room.

Lu Ying’s action once again caused a sensation in the Lu residence.

Three days ago, she brought home an injured man, and their behavior and glances were ambiguous, going in and out together every day.

Three days later, she brought home an injured woman! After Wei Caiwei got off the carriage, Lu Ying saw her face was pale as paper with colorless lips, and ordered someone to bring a soft sedan chair to receive her.

Lu Ying’s study was in the inner residence where outside men were forbidden. Wang Daxia handed the filled prescription to a servant to brew.

The soft sedan was carried directly to the study door. Wei Caiwei got off the chair, her body weak and legs soft. Lu Ying personally supported her into the room, and once inside, Wei Caiwei lay down immediately.

Lu Ying went out and instructed the maids and servants, “Doctor Wei is my good friend. Take those autumn clothes I’ve had made but haven’t worn yet and bring them for her to wear. We must not neglect our distinguished guest.”

She also found the head of the inner kitchen and asked, “What foods replenish blood?”

The manager said, “Naturally, like replenishes like, color replenishes color. Dried red dates, goji berries, fresh pig liver, lean meat, pig blood, duck blood, and so on. Those expensive ingredients like abalone, shark fin, bird’s nest, and dried scallops are actually less effective than these simple red foods.”

Lu Ying said, “Then arrange the menu according to what you’ve said.”

Lu Ying’s concern for Wei Caiwei astonished the entire Lu residence, especially Lu Bing, who had suffered a stroke, who sighed, “When I was ill, you weren’t even this thoughtful and comprehensive.”

Lu Ying said, “She doesn’t know martial arts, lost a lot of blood, and is all alone. I feel her kidnapping is still related to our Embroidered Uniform Guard, so we have a responsibility to protect her.”

Lu Bing probed, “Her relationship with Wang Daxia seems unusual. You… don’t mind?”

Lu Ying came out with, “Even I feel pity for her—how much more so Wang Daxia?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Bing immediately spat out a mouthful of ginseng tea. “Outrageous! Before even marrying, you’re thinking of embracing left and right! Enjoying the fortune of齐人!”

Lu Ying said, “Father, you know that nothing between me and Doctor Wei about miscarriage rumors is true.”

Lu Bing felt his stroke was about to recur. “I’m not talking about you! I’m talking about Wang Daxia! What virtue and ability does Wang Daxia have to have both you and her simultaneously? A son-in-law who comes to live with the wife’s family, yet dares to bring outside women home—what kind of behavior is this!”

Lu Ying said, “I personally brought Doctor Wei in—it has nothing to do with Wang Daxia. Moreover, those uninformed people all think she and I are a pair. By bringing both of them to my home, I’m the one bullying men and dominating women. The young masters of the capital wouldn’t be embarrassed to call themselves young masters if they didn’t do such things. I’m just committing the same mistakes all young masters would commit.”

“Doctor Wei is currently favored by Beauty Shang. Those in the know, like Prince Jing and Yan Shifan, will think I’m deliberately befriending Doctor Wei for future prospects and good connections. We’re all women, so it’s easier to talk.”

“You—” Lu Bing set down his teacup. “You’re still a woman after all. These tangled and complicated relationships will affect your reputation. In the future—”

“In the future, it will be hard to find a good marriage,” Lu Ying finished her father’s sentence. “This is exactly what I want. Must my entire life be about finding a good marriage? I’d rather choose to achieve merit and establish a career.”

Lu Bing asked, “What kind of man would you be willing to marry? Give me a straight answer. Your marriage troubles me more than my stroke now.” I’ll search the bottom of the sea to find him for you!

Lu Ying thought of Ding Wu’s words, “If I don’t destroy the White Lotus, I won’t return.” She said, “It’s not about meeting what person, but achieving what kind of accomplishment. Father has already entrusted me with the White Lotus Sect matter. When I completely eradicate the White Lotus Sect and achieve merit, accomplish something significant in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, I’ll willingly retire successfully and consider marriage.”

Lu Bing asked, “What if you can’t destroy the White Lotus Sect?”

Lu Ying said, “It’s impossible not to accomplish it. I have complete confidence in myself and my people. Before then, don’t pressure me—pressuring me won’t help.”

Seeing his daughter’s determined eyes, Lu Bing consoled himself: At least there’s a definite answer now, much better than her previous insistence on never marrying.

Lu Ying withdrew, busy searching for the carriage driver who kidnapped Wei Caiwei. She had the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s artists go to Shuntian Prefecture to find Captain Wu who had spoken with the driver, to draw a detailed portrait of the man. These were posted everywhere, with a city-wide manhunt and a high reward of five hundred taels.

After dealing with her father, that evening Lu Ying’s mother Li Yiren and fifth sister came to find her. Li Yiren asked, “Bringing home a man is one thing, but what’s this about bringing home a woman?”

Lu Ying patiently explained, “It’s needed for the case. Mother, don’t worry unnecessarily.”

Lu Fifth Sister was somewhat jealous. “Fourth Sister’s study—normally even I’m not allowed in, yet Sister lets a female doctor enter so easily. Is she closer to you or am I?”

“Of course you’re closer, Sister.” Lu Ying said, “My previous case implicated her, so naturally I must take responsibility to the end. Otherwise, who would dare work with me in the future?”

Lu Fifth Sister said, “But I heard from the servants that Wang Daxia and she have an unclear relationship. How can Sister rush to put a green hat on her own head?”

Lu Ying and Wang Daxia had acted so well that the innocent Lu Fifth Sister already regarded Wang Daxia as her prospective brother-in-law.

Lu Ying said, “Rumors can’t be trusted. Rumors also say Doctor Wei miscarried for me—how many people firmly believe this? Don’t you trust me?”

Li Yiren and Lu Fifth Sister could only choose to believe Lu Ying.

Thus Wei Caiwei openly stayed at the Lu residence to recuperate. During this time, Beauty Shang from Yude Palace summoned her once through the Ceremonial Directorate. The Ceremonial Directorate people first went to Sweet Water Alley and naturally found nothing, then learned that Wei Caiwei had nearly been kidnapped on the street and was now staying at the Lu residence.

When the Ceremonial Directorate people went to the Lu residence to request her, they saw Wei Caiwei’s listless, sickly appearance and dared not request her, fearing she might pass illness to Beauty Shang. Now the Emperor wanted Beauty Shang to accompany him to the West Garden almost daily—she couldn’t fall ill and spoil the Emperor’s mood.

The Ceremonial Directorate people returned empty-handed. When Shang Qinglan heard Wei Caiwei was injured, she bestowed a pile of precious medicinal materials and a box of winter furs.

The gifts from Beauty Shang were delivered to the Lu residence in grand fashion. Wei Caiwei publicly knelt to thank for the rewards, and only then did the Lu residence people realize how respected she was with the new palace favorite Beauty Shang.

Wei Caiwei recuperated at the Lu residence for half a month and recovered considerably. Ding Wu’s carrier pigeon message also arrived at the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters. Lu Ying decoded the cipher into normal language and got the answer.

After suffering heavy losses, White Lotus Sect Leader Zhao Quan had recently kept a low profile, mainly conducting miraculous healing scams in Fengcheng to defraud believers of money. He had not sent anyone to kill Wei Caiwei.

Additionally, the sect leader was very busy recently because An Da Khan was taking a third wife, marrying his granddaughter—formerly the White Lotus Sect’s Saint Jin Ying. The sect leader had been fasting and performing rituals, praying for Jin Ying’s blessing and hoping she would bear noble sons early. The sect leader’s schemes were vast—he couldn’t possibly mobilize forces and harm his own interests over a small figure like Wei Caiwei.

Moreover, White Lotus Sect treasure scrolls in the Central Plains were basically passed down orally, rarely printed, because believers were basically illiterate. Even when there were books and scrolls, they basically used Buddhist scripture covers to hide the scroll content—they couldn’t possibly use “Complete Tang Poetry.”

Finally, Ding Wu repeatedly urged them to protect Wei Caiwei well and find the real culprit quickly.

Lu Ying showed the secret letter to Wang Daxia and Lu Bing.

Seeing Jin Ying’s fate, Wang Daxia immediately cursed, “An Da Khan is truly shameless. At his age, still coveting his own granddaughter.”

Lu Bing coughed lightly. “I’m fortunate I brought this troublemaker out of the Forbidden City, otherwise just that sentence could get you beheaded. Beauty Shang is currently favored.”

Lu Ying said, “Ding Wu has ruled out the White Lotus Sect, so someone used the White Lotus Sect’s name to confuse matters. We’ve issued wanted notices but still can’t find the kidnapper—someone must be providing shelter. Only two people could make such thorough plans: either Prince Jing or Minister Yan. But Minister Yan has no sufficient reason to target Doctor Wei, especially since she’s a favorite of the new palace darling Beauty Shang.”

“Yan Shifan has always been good at pleasing and obeying the Emperor. Since the Emperor likes Beauty Shang, Yan Shifan would be too busy flattering and献媚 to make Beauty Shang dislike him. The logic doesn’t work, so I think Prince Jing is most suspicious.”

Lu Bing reminded, “But Prince Jing is far away in Anlu, Hubei.”

Lu Ying said, “Prince Jing’s residence still has properties, fields, imperial shops, forests, and grasslands in the capital. These are all managed by the prince’s people, and these places are convenient for hiding people. A centipede dies but doesn’t fall over. We can stake out these places to see if anyone matching the driver’s appearance appears.”

Wang Daxia volunteered, “This subordinate will investigate. I believe Commander Lu’s judgment is correct.”

Lu Ying said, “You were the one who sent Prince Jing to his fief. The entire Prince Jing residence probably recognizes you and hates you deeply. Remember to disguise yourself well and don’t alert the enemy.”

“No problem.” Wang Daxia agreed and immediately went to change clothes.

Lu Bing said, “Although we’ve ruled out the White Lotus Sect, you should still continue spreading rumors that it was the White Lotus Sect causing trouble in the marketplace, to paralyze the real masterminds and make them think the Embroidered Uniform Guard has been fooled.”

Lu Ying said, “I understand—openly search for the White Lotus Sect while secretly investigating Prince Jing.”

Lu Bing sighed: Alas, such high comprehension—why must it be a girl?

Wang Daxia put on Lu Ying’s women’s clothing, disguised as a charming, lively young lady with a bright smile. His walking posture was more feminine than Lu Ying’s. He even spun in circles before Lu Bing and Lu Ying, “You can’t recognize me now, right?”

Lu Bing simply couldn’t bear to look and began his countless self-reflection: What strange creature have I recruited to the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

Wang Daxia continued his previous life’s terrible aesthetic sense. Lu Ying pointed at his hair ornaments, “Remove the flowers.”

Wang Daxia complied, removing a rose.

Lu Ying: “Keep removing.”

Wang Daxia removed an epiphyllum flower.

Lu Ying simply stood up and pulled away eight or nine-tenths of the gauze flowers and pearl ornaments from Wang Daxia’s head, leaving only a pair of seasonal dogwood ornaments, “Don’t treat your head like a flower vase, inserting every kind of flower. Don’t you feel your head is heavy?”

Dressed like this, one indeed couldn’t recognize him as Wang Daxia—but wasn’t he too eye-catching?

Author’s Note: Ding Wu: If I don’t destroy the White Lotus, I swear not to return.

Lu Ying: If I don’t destroy the White Lotus, I won’t marry.

Celebrating the successful formation of the parrot CP! Sending 100 red envelopes to celebrate!