Shen Fengying’s vision went dark.

All his confusion and suspicions were suddenly resolved in this moment. He finally understood why Pei Yunying had insisted on making this unnecessary trip to the patrol post to personally handle this case—so that was it!

The person behind the assassin was actually Side Consort Meng from Prince Wen’s Manor!

Side Consort Meng—Shen Fengying’s head was spinning.

Since becoming the patrol post leader, he had kept a special booklet recording the complex web of family relationships among the capital’s official families, fearing he might inadvertently offend someone. So when the criminal spoke the words “Prince Wen’s Manor” and “Side Consort Meng,” Shen Fengying immediately recalled the marriage alliance between Prince Wen’s Manor and Duke Zhaoning’s Manor—Pei Yunying’s sister had married Prince Wen to become the Princess Consort, while Meng Xiyan was naturally the side consort!

Pei Yunying’s captured assassin had conveniently confessed that the mastermind was Side Consort Meng—if there wasn’t something fishy about this, he wouldn’t believe it even if beaten to death!

However, the stage had already been set up in the patrol post, and he, as patrol leader, could only bite the bullet and continue the performance.

Shen Fengying spoke with a numb expression: “Nonsense! Side Consort Meng has no grudge against Doctor Lu—why would she order you to attack?”

The man on the ground said: “I don’t know.”

Pei Yunying turned to look at Lu Tong. Lu Tong appeared thoughtful, so he asked with a smile: “What insights does Doctor Lu have?”

Lu Tong looked troubled.

“Speak freely, don’t be afraid.”

Lu Tong nodded: “I’ve only met Side Consort Meng once. When the Princess Consort went into premature labor that day, I helped her deliver the baby. But actually, according to timing, the Princess Consort’s pregnancy term hadn’t yet arrived. Fortunately, the Princess Consort and little miss were blessed, and everything went smoothly.”

“The Princess Consort once told me that the premature labor came suddenly and seemed suspicious…” Lu Tong frowned. “I wonder if it’s related to this matter.”

Shen Fengying really wanted to roll his eyes.

Lu Tong had all but written “Side Consort Meng sought revenge and wanted to silence witnesses” on her face.

He looked tentatively at Pei Yunying: “Sir, this…”

Pei Yunying sighed: “Since it concerns the Princess Consort, it’s half a family matter, so I shouldn’t interfere.” His fingertip brushed the hollow silver ornament on his sword hilt. “Let’s first hand this person over to Officer Shen. If the mastermind really is Side Consort Meng, there will naturally be other evidence. However…” He smiled, “Before that, I trouble Officer Shen to watch over him—don’t let him die.”

Shen Fengying: “…”

So this hot potato was being tossed to him?

That Side Consort Meng was said to be much favored by the Prince. Getting involved in such high-ranking family affairs would bring no benefit. If he pleased Pei Yunying but offended Prince Wen, wouldn’t he be equally out of luck?

Shen Fengying was about to find an excuse to politely refuse when he heard Lu Tong speak: “That’s fine. When we brought this person to the patrol post just now, many people saw us along the way. I imagine word will spread throughout the city soon. Perhaps this person’s accomplices might make a move—Officer Shen must be very careful.”

Shen Fengying: “…”

People had witnessed them all along the way—he wouldn’t believe this wasn’t intentional. They were determined to drag him into this mess!

What vicious scheming!

Hearing these two sing in harmony, Shen Fengying’s brief excitement had long since evaporated. This case was clearly trouble—no matter what, someone would be offended, and he had stumbled into it.

Shen Fengying’s smile couldn’t help but turn bitter.

When he first entered the capital’s patrol post, a senior colleague told him that officialdom was just that—as long as you knew how to flatter, rising up wasn’t a problem. His name was “Fengying”—”to serve and respond,” flattery. Shen Fengying thought he was quite good at flattering and had relied on it to become patrol post leader. He had intended to push forward and climb higher, but since last month, he seemed cursed with bad luck, always encountering such matters.

It was just like what that poor scholar who came back from the dead had said—what mountain scallions, what ground sprouts. These scallions like them had no status and were always sacrificial offerings for these wealthy nobles.

Official life was so difficult!

The spicy stuffed lungs in his stomach were now churning and bloating. Shen Fengying took a deep breath and reluctantly said: “Yes, sir, rest assured. This subordinate will definitely handle this matter fairly and keep a close eye on this person.”

Watch my ass. I’m resigning—I won’t do this job tomorrow!

…

After leaving the patrol post, the streets lit up.

The capital had no curfew, and at night it actually looked even livelier than during the day. In the wine shops under Luoyue Bridge, people often drank through the night. Crowds gathered before various performers, and carriages filled the markets.

Lu Tong walked with Pei Yunying toward the alley entrance, ignoring the bustling crowds and lights across the river, her expression completely calm.

Pei Yunying turned to ask her: “You weren’t hurt, were you?”

Lu Tong shook her head.

Ever since she returned to Renxin Medical Clinic from the Prince’s Manor, Pei Yunying’s guard Qing Feng had been following her, waiting for any danger that might appear. After ten or twenty days passed peacefully, even Lu Tong herself thought danger wouldn’t come, when tonight she encountered the assassin.

It seemed that her attending the “washing ceremony” at the Prince’s Manor during the day had ultimately provoked Meng Xiyan.

That Side Consort Meng’s patience wasn’t quite up to par.

Qing Feng had appeared timely, and she hadn’t been injured. Capturing the man had gone smoothly too. She had used herself as bait, caught this person, and could be said to have given Pei Yunying a great gift.

The person beside her spoke: “It’s still early—would Doctor Lu like to stroll around?”

Lu Tong came back to herself and said calmly: “No need, I still have to return to make medicine.”

Pei Yunying stopped walking.

Lu Tong looked up.

The young man stood in the capital’s night, illuminated by the colorful flowing lights of the streets, appearing exceptionally handsome and elegant. He stared at Lu Tong and spoke thoughtfully: “Doctor Lu always seems very busy.”

Lu Tong remained silent.

In the distance, wind lanterns tied to the railings of Luoyue Bridge cast their light onto the river below, rippling with snowy reflections like a fifteenth-day full moon that had shattered and been scattered into the flowing water.

On the fifteenth, when she had helped Pei Yunshu with induced labor and talked late into the night with Pei Yunying under the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, the moon had been fuller than today.

That night, she had said to Pei Yunying: “Commander, let me give you a gift.”

Pei Yunying under the tree had smiled at her: “What gift?”

“The ‘Child’s Sorrow’ that poisoned the Princess Consort should be rare in the capital. The poisoner must be hiding in the manor, but now that the matter is exposed, they’re prepared. If you want to root out the mastermind, you might face considerable trouble, and the final outcome might not be entirely satisfactory.”

That was what she had said then.

Pei Yunying had responded with interest: “What brilliant idea does Doctor Lu have?”

“If Young Master Pei intervenes, they won’t dare act rashly. But since I detoxified the Princess Consort and induced her labor, they will surely see me as a thorn in their side, wanting nothing more than to eliminate me. I’m also not some precious noble daughter—just a commoner, not worth fearing. With just a little provocation, they’ll likely move against me. If you lend me a few people for secret protection, perhaps we can catch the mastermind.”

After hearing her suggestion, Pei Yunying hadn’t commented on her idea. He had looked at her once, his expression unreadable, and only asked: “Doctor Lu seems to harbor deep resentment about the divide between commoners and officials.”

She had answered: “Just speaking truthfully.”

He had leaned back, nodding with casual indifference: “Deal.”

Later, during the ten or twenty days from returning from the Prince’s Manor to the clinic, she had continued her daily routine of seeing patients and making medicine as usual, quietly waiting for danger that might appear at any time. However, everything remained peaceful—she saw neither assassins nor the hidden guards Pei Yunying had arranged, until today.

She didn’t know what he had done to Meng Xiyan, but after enduring for so many days, Meng Xiyan had finally couldn’t resist attacking her today.

During all those previous days, she and Pei Yunying hadn’t met, had no correspondence. Today, as soon as Qing Feng caught the man, she took him to the patrol post and Pei Yunying arrived right after. Without needing to coordinate their stories privately or understand each other’s arrangements, clearly just recently he had been confronting her, mutually exposing and framing each other, threatening one another—yet in this matter, they had an inexplicable understanding like co-conspirators.

Their cooperation was seamless.

The moon beneath Luoyue Bridge was cut into countless sparkling fragments by the pleasure boats crossing the water surface. A voice reached her ears: “What is Doctor Lu thinking about?”

Lu Tong came back to herself and looked toward the carriage at the street entrance, where Qing Feng stood waiting for them both.

“I was thinking I should go back.” She walked forward.

Pei Yunying nodded: “Shall I escort you?”

“No need. It’s too late—it might cause misunderstandings.”

Though the shops on West Street were all closed, she might still encounter nearby vendors. Pei Yunying was strikingly handsome—if someone saw them together at night, rumors would fly by tomorrow.

Lu Tong didn’t want to create trouble for herself.

Hearing this, Pei Yunying smiled inexplicably: “I didn’t expect Doctor Lu to be someone who treasures her reputation so much.” After a pause, he continued: “If that’s the case, when Madam Dong from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices misunderstood our relationship, why didn’t you explain?”

Lu Tong was startled.

The young man raised his eyebrows, waiting leisurely for her answer.

Under such questioning gaze, Lu Tong rarely felt somewhat guilty.

Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister Dong’s wife had misunderstood her relationship with Pei Yunying as romantic and had befriended her. Lu Tong herself had intended to use Madam Dong to approach the capital’s official families, so she had gone with the flow, tacitly accepting Madam Dong’s assumption, even acting shy to push this boat further along.

But she had overlooked that Madam Dong loved excitement, was well-connected, and rarely missed the banquets and gatherings of the capital’s official wives. Word might spread and eventually reach Princess Consort Pei Yunshu’s ears. After all, Madam Dong had been present at Prince Wen’s Manor’s Mid-Autumn feast that day.

Pei Yunshu and Pei Yunying were siblings, so it was only a matter of time before it reached Pei Yunying’s ears.

With crowds coming and going around them, the bustle made the atmosphere here seem even more stagnant. Lu Tong suppressed her guilt and spoke calmly: “Tongues belong to others. When people misunderstand, explanations don’t always work. Since I don’t care, the Commander needn’t take it to heart either.”

“Is that so?”

Pei Yunying nodded with a smile, his dimples particularly alluring: “But I heard it was Doctor Lu herself who hinted at our deep relationship.” His tone was teasing as he looked at her playfully: “Doctor Lu, going around ruining people’s reputations like this—does your fiancé know?”

This man was absolutely detestable!

Lu Tong composed herself and simply looked up at him with a smile: “The Commander needn’t worry—my fiancé is very magnanimous.”

He crossed his arms and laughed: “Magnanimous indeed.”

Lu Tong didn’t want to continue this conversation. Seeing they were getting closer to the carriage, she reminded him: “Regardless, I helped the Commander catch someone today. How this person is dealt with in the future depends entirely on the Commander. You just need to remember you owe me a favor.”

She wasn’t some bleeding-heart saint—she wouldn’t risk herself to catch people for Pei Yunying out of kindness. Her original suggestion was simply to make Pei Yunying owe her a favor. Combined with saving Pei Yunshu and her daughter’s lives, given Pei Yunying’s nature, for a short time, as long as it didn’t involve his interests, he should be able to turn a blind eye to her activities in the capital.

She just needed him not to interfere.

“I certainly remember.” Pei Yunying sighed, looking down at her: “Such a big favor—tell me, who do you want to kill next? I can help you.”

This offer was quite tempting, but Lu Tong said: “Thank you, Commander, but I haven’t killed anyone in the past and don’t plan to kill anyone in the future.”

He sighed: “Doctor Lu is truly watertight.”

Lu Tong said indifferently: “Young Master Pei is very good at finding opportunities.”

“Fine.” He wasn’t angry, only smiled: “What reward do you want?”

Lu Tong was silent for a moment before speaking: “I don’t need the Commander to repay me now. When I think of something later, I’ll ask for it.”

Pei Yunying frowned: “You’re not planning to extort me, are you?”

“The Commander should keep his word, shouldn’t he?”

Pei Yunying nodded: “Looks like you really do plan to extort me.” He stared at Lu Tong, his tone becoming light again: “I hope Doctor Lu’s request won’t be too shocking, otherwise wouldn’t I be at a great loss?”

Lu Tong nodded slightly: “I’ll try my best.”

By the time they finished talking, they had reached the street entrance. Qing Feng stood by the carriage, and Pei Yunying said: “Go ahead, Qing Feng will escort you.”

Lu Tong nodded to him and walked toward the carriage. Just as she reached it, she heard Pei Yunying call from behind: “Doctor Lu.”

Lu Tong paused in her movement to board the carriage and turned to look at him.

He stood at the street entrance, with bustling crowds flowing past brilliant lanterns in the distance. Under Luoyue Bridge, the moon shone bright and clear. The young man in brocade robes with his silver sword stood tall and elegant, perfectly complementing this prosperous mortal world.

Pei Yunying smiled and spoke: “This matter is settled, but I can’t guarantee future peace. Doctor Lu, do you need Qing Feng to continue protecting you?”

Lu Tong’s gaze shifted.

Honestly, having such a person nearby would indeed be safer. If she were truly just an ordinary clinic doctor at Renxin Medical Clinic, she would naturally accept his kind offer without hesitation.

But she ultimately wasn’t.

What she was doing now, apart from Yin Zheng, could not be known by outsiders.

“Thank you for your kind offer, but it’s unnecessary.” Lu Tong looked at him, her tone calm: “I practice medicine and prepare drugs. The clinic has many poisonous insects, snakes, and ants. If someone unfamiliar with the situation enters rashly, I’m afraid there might be casualties.”

Pei Yunying was startled. After Lu Tong finished speaking, she directly boarded the carriage. The carriage curtain fell, obscuring the woman’s face, and there was no way to see what expression accompanied this near-threatening statement.

Qing Feng looked toward him, and Pei Yunying waved his hand. The carriage drove into the capital’s prosperous night and gradually disappeared.

He shook his head with a smile, and when he looked up again, his expression had changed to indifference as he turned and left in another direction.

…

Pei Yunying returned to the Commander’s Manor.

In the small courtyard of the Commander’s Manor, Zhizi was sleeping under a tree. Light streamed from inside the door, and as soon as he entered, Xiao Zhufeng came out.

The usually cold and taciturn man’s face rarely showed some anxiety as he asked: “How did it go?”

“Caught him.” Pei Yunying went straight inside: “Come in and talk.”

A plate of red oranges sat on the table, and the austere room seemed to have more lively cheerfulness with this touch of bright color.

Xiao Zhufeng turned and closed the door. When he turned back, Pei Yunying had already sat down and casually picked up an orange to toss up and down in his hand: “Thanks for your hard work tonight—you moved really fast.”

Wang Shan, the assassin who attacked Lu Tong, had been investigated by Xiao Zhufeng’s people. In fact, as soon as Lu Tong left the Prince’s Manor today, Meng Xiyan had made her move. Xiao Zhufeng had people closely monitoring activities outside the Prince’s Manor, and before Wang Shan could act, Xiao Zhufeng had already investigated his background thoroughly.

Whether to call Meng Xiyan stupid or not, the assassin she hired actually had a family. People with weaknesses were always easier to break.

This was good—future arrangements would go more smoothly.

Xiao Zhufeng sat sideways against the table edge and also picked up an orange. The orange peel was fragrant with a slightly sour and refreshing citrus scent. After a moment of silence, he asked: “Why did you insist on involving the military patrol post?”

The patrol post didn’t have many people and usually handled fires and thefts—murder cases were indeed beyond their experience.

“Otherwise send it to the Criminal Justice Department? Within one incense stick’s burning time, the Prince’s Manor would get word. Do you think we could still keep it secret?” Pei Yunying’s tone was mocking.

Xiao Zhufeng said nothing. That was true—these capital officials had their own networks. Afraid of offending people, when something happened, they’d tip each other off first.

Pei Yunying said: “Don’t worry, this time it will definitely be cut clean.” He glanced at Xiao Zhufeng and tossed a red orange over, which Xiao Zhufeng caught: “Really not planning to compete to be my brother-in-law?”

Xiao Zhufeng remained silent.

He snorted: “Coward.”

Xiao Zhufeng was about to speak when someone knocked outside. Pei Yunying responded, and Duan Xiaoyan entered carrying military rosters, placing them on the wooden rack.

Pei Yunying then continued the previous topic, encouraging him: “If you have someone you care for, you should fight for her.”

Xiao Zhufeng glanced at him: “Do you have someone you care for?”

“Not currently.”

Duan Xiaoyan came over: “Speaking of this topic, when I was on duty today, the palace maids outside Huanhua Pavilion were still asking about you, sir. This plate of oranges is what they gave me.” Having received benefits, he earnestly sought answers: “Brother, what kind of girl do you like? Tell us.”

Xiao Zhufeng also looked at him.

“Why is everyone asking me this question today?” Pei Yunying found it amusing.

He thought for a moment and slowly spoke: “Someone with more courage.”

Xiao Zhufeng: “What do you mean by courageous?”

Pei Yunying leaned back in his chair and said leisurely: “Being a guard inevitably involves blades and danger. If I had to find someone, I’d hope she’d be someone who wouldn’t be afraid when seeing me injured and would bandage my wounds.”

“Preferably someone a bit heartless too—if I died one day, she wouldn’t be too sad.”

Xiao Zhufeng commented: “I understand—you want someone to collect your corpse.”

Pei Yunying looked down and smiled: “Perhaps.”

Duan Xiaoyan’s eyes widened: “From what you’re saying, Doctor Lu would be perfect! She could not only collect your corpse but also avenge you!”

Pei Yunying shot him a look, and Duan Xiaoyan coughed lightly: “I didn’t mean to curse you.”

Xiao Zhufeng put down the orange in his hand and silently went to the platform to get paper and brush, placing them before Pei Yunying.

Duan Xiaoyan was confused: “What’s this for?”

Pei Yunying picked up the brush.

“To write a memorial, of course—to file a complaint,” he said.