After the tapestry Pei Yunying sent was hung up, whether it was merely her imagination or not, more people came to Renxin Medical Hall to get medicine and see the doctor.

Not all of them came for medicine—the vast majority of new patients came primarily to look at that tapestry.

Shop owners from the entire West Street came to pay their respects. After gaining Du Changqing’s permission, everyone came to touch the golden characters on the tapestry to absorb some good fortune. He Xiazi calculated at the entrance and only said that this place already had excellent feng shui, the plum tree at the door grew auspiciously, and now with this tapestry added, their fortune would rise like bamboo shoots breaking through soil, climbing joint by joint.

This made Bai Shouyi, the shopkeeper of Xinglin Hall, so angry that several large blisters appeared at the corners of his mouth overnight.

While neighbors envied and felt jealous, Renxin Medical Hall was filled with joy. Only Du Changqing wore a long face all day, complaining that this glittering golden tapestry hanging on the wall was like a grasshopper’s chest and wasp’s waist—inappropriate and unseemly.

Yin Zheng accompanied A’Cheng around the small table peeling oranges for making orange lanterns. Lu Tong had just seen off another neighbor who came to “absorb good fortune.” When she turned around, she met Du Changqing’s resentful gaze.

Lu Tong walked around him to the medicine cabinet to sort medicines.

Du Changqing followed behind her with displeasure written all over his face. “Doctor Lu, look at this—we’re a medical hall, not a Taoist temple. Everyone comes to worship this broken tapestry. Are we still going to do proper business?” He looked at Lu Tong tentatively. “Why don’t you make another new medicine to remind everyone?”

As the season grew colder and winter approached, people wore layer upon layer of clothing, making waists barely visible, so far fewer people came to buy “Xianxian.”

Usually, neighbors from West Street who came for medical consultation were ordinary common folk, and consultation fees were low, so Renxin Medical Hall’s income was not as good as before. Du Changqing was thinking of having Lu Tong make another patent medicine like “Xianxian” or “Spring Water Life” to supplement the medical hall’s finances.

Lu Tong said, “I haven’t thought of a formula.”

“You’re lying, aren’t you?” Du Changqing suspected. “When you first tricked me into hiring you to sit in the hall, didn’t you say something like ‘I can make nasal congestion medicine tea, so surely I can make other medicine teas’? How have you run out of talent now?”

A’Cheng really couldn’t stand listening and helped persuade: “Boss, making new medicine isn’t like going to the outhouse—you can’t just squat down and have something come out. That requires thinking.”

“Vulgar!” Du Changqing pointed at him, then looked at the tapestry on the wall and sighed. “I think we should put a basin under this tapestry with a sign saying ‘Ten wen per touch’—we’d probably earn more than running a medical hall.”

Lu Tong counted the arctium seeds in her hand and asked, “Shopkeeper Du, if I wanted to become famous—famous enough that high officials and wealthy households would invite me to their homes for consultation—what level would I need to reach?”

Du Changqing was stunned, then scoffed: “Aren’t you famous enough now? High officials like the Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud and Prince’s Manor aren’t enough?”

“Not enough.”

Du Changqing: “…”

He said impatiently, “Then pray tell, what kind of high officials would satisfy Doctor Lu?”

Lu Tong thought for a moment: “Currently, the most powerful in the capital is the Grand Tutor Manor. What if it were a household like the Grand Tutor Manor?”

Du Changqing made several “tsk tsk tsk” sounds, looking at her admiringly. “I didn’t expect you to have such ambition.” The next moment, he wore an expression of utter hopelessness. “But don’t even think about it—it’s impossible. When people at the Grand Tutor Manor have headaches or fevers, the Director of the Hanlin Imperial Medical Academy personally provides treatment. Forget about wild medical halls like ours—even physicians from the Hanlin Imperial Medical Academy don’t all qualify to provide treatment there—”

Seeing Lu Tong remain silent, he glanced at her and continued explaining voluntarily, “These high official families treasure their lives like gold. Even if they have illnesses, they won’t let outsiders know. People of our status would at most examine their servants. No wait, we don’t even qualify to enter their mansions—their servants probably seek out physicians from well-established large medical halls they’re familiar with.”

Lu Tong’s heart sank slightly.

What Du Changqing said was exactly the same as what she had inquired about.

Grand Tutor Qi’s residence was located east of Imperial Street, with guards stationed at the front and back gates, making it difficult for ordinary people to enter. When family members fell ill, they requested the Hanlin Imperial Medical Academy to provide door-to-door treatment. Grand Tutor Qi had one son and one daughter. His younger daughter was eighteen this year and still unmarried. As for his only legitimate son, Qi Yutai, he currently held a nominal position in the Ministry of Revenue as Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs.

All three were difficult to approach. Setting aside Qi Qing, Miss Qi and Young Master Qi always traveled with large groups of guards, and the people around them were also hard to influence.

The situation seemed to have reached a deadlock.

As for Happy Tower, concerning the Grand Tutor Manor, the shrewd Master Cao would certainly not be willing to take risks for a little silver. He might even become suspicious and instead arouse doubt.

This path was blocked.

Du Changqing continued complaining: “That Qi Yutai just relies on having a Grand Tutor father—his eyes practically grow on top of his head. This year for his birthday, who knows how grand a display he’ll put on at Yuxian Tower again. Who cares to see it?”

Lu Tong’s eyes flickered, catching the key point in his words: “Birthday?”

“October first—just a few days away.” He remembered Qi Yutai’s birthday particularly clearly. “That wastrel celebrates his birthday at Yuxian Tower every year, spending over a thousand taels of silver just on cups and tea sets.”

Yin Zheng couldn’t help asking: “Being so extravagant, isn’t he afraid of attracting attention and causing people to resent the Grand Tutor Manor?”

“Qi Yutai’s maternal grandfather’s family were imperial merchants in earlier years, claiming it’s family wealth—who knows?” Du Changqing snorted. “Without evidence, no one can speak carelessly.”

By the end of his words, the sourness in his tone overflowed.

Lu Tong remained silent.

Du Changqing sighed and spoke to her earnestly: “So Doctor Lu, people should be practical and not think of reaching heaven in one step from the beginning. What’s so good about the Grand Tutor Manor? Apart from having more money, higher status, and greater power, I think it’s not as comfortable as our little medical hall.”

“Don’t you think so?”

“Yes.”

Du Changqing was stunned.

“You’re absolutely right.”

Lu Tong looked up with a somewhat strange expression: “People should indeed be practical and not think of reaching heaven in one step from the beginning.”

…

In the Grand Tutor Manor, Grand Tutor Qi Qing was having his meal.

Grand Tutor Qi valued health preservation. Nearly seventy years old, he ate little but with refinement. He enjoyed fish and meat, among which “Golden Relish and Jade Sashimi” was his favorite dish.

The so-called “Golden Relish and Jade Sashimi” was made with garlic, ginger, salt, white plums, orange peel, cooked chestnut meat, and glutinous rice as seasoning. Fresh, plump sea bass was selected, deboned, skinned, dried of moisture, sliced thin, and enjoyed dipped in “golden relish.”

Grand Tutor Qi ate very quietly, methodically picking up a piece of fish sashimi covered in dipping sauce and placing it in his mouth to chew carefully. Meanwhile, the steward poured him light tea and spoke: “Master, in a few days it will be the young master’s birthday.”

Qi Yutai was still being punished with confinement and couldn’t leave home. After nearly a month, he was almost going stir-crazy. With October first approaching, Qi Yutai could no longer contain himself and wanted to take this opportunity to go out and relax, so he pleaded with the steward.

“Continue the confinement.” Qi Qing lifted his sleeve to drink tea. His black gauze robe was loose and wide, his bones gaunt and thin. Sitting by the window drinking alone, he resembled an old Taoist with immortal bearing.

The steward bowed his head: “Yes.” He then brought up another matter: “By the way, Master, regarding the virtuous woman matter you had investigated before—there are leads.”

Qi Qing perked up: “Speak.”

“The virtuous woman’s husband’s family was surnamed Ke, running a porcelain kiln business in the capital. Previously, due to the young master’s connections, the old lady’s birthday celebration at the manor used cups and dishes all supplied by the Ke family.”

“However, the Ke family is gone.”

Qi Qing paused in his chewing: “Gone?”

“Yes.” The steward kept his head lowered: “On April first this year, Master Ke, the virtuous woman’s husband Ke Chengxing, was found drowned in the release pond at Wan’en Temple. The coroner concluded it was accidental drowning due to intoxication. Because he was discovered to have worshipped former dynasty idols when his body was found, the matter had no follow-up.”

“After Ke Chengxing’s death, his wife returned to her maternal home, his mother died of illness, and the Ke family had no more descendants.”

Qi Qing put down his bamboo chopsticks and remained silent.

The steward said: “Master, this matter is suspicious—someone must be manipulating things behind the scenes.”

Qi Yutai unintentionally causing the virtuous woman’s death was just a small matter. But now it seemed that Fan Zhenglian, who helped handle the aftermath, had an incident, the Ke family had an incident, and Fan Zhenglian even brought up rumors about the Qi family before his death.

Those rumors appeared suddenly, spreading everywhere overnight. When the Qi family dealt with Fan Zhenglian in prison, it wasn’t that no one suspected the Grand Tutor Manor of killing to silence witnesses. It was because Grand Tutor Qi dragged his old bones to court and tearfully pleaded his case, saying such actions would be like covering one’s ears while stealing a bell. With no real evidence found, the emperor half-believed and didn’t pursue the matter further.

But this didn’t mean the matter was settled.

Someone must be targeting the Grand Tutor Manor from behind the scenes, but who this person was, what forces backed them—there were still no clues.

After a long while, Qi Qing suddenly spoke: “What was the dead virtuous woman’s name?”

“Replying to Master, her surname was Lu. She was a woman from Changwu County who married far from home.”

That virtuous woman had been dead for a long time. As the wife of a mere merchant, her status was lowly, and even in death she wasn’t worth having her name remembered.

Qi Qing said: “Go investigate that virtuous woman’s family.” He added: “Her family members before marriage, their current situation, what people remain in her maternal home.”

“Master suspects…” the steward’s eyes flickered.

“‘Managing the inner chambers with deep propriety, treating relatives with kindness and meaning, harmony inside and out—the family way is established.'”

The old Grand Tutor picked up fish sashimi again and said indifferently: “Family members inevitably help each other.”

…

In mid-September, the air was crisp and condensed, dew forming frost.

The grass under the courtyard window was covered with a layer of snow-white thin frost by night. Yin Zheng gathered the half-finished orange lanterns in a basket and brought them back inside.

Lu Tong sat at the table combing out her loosened braid, wearing only a thin inner garment that was made too large, making her entire person appear even more delicate and frail.

Yin Zheng felt distressed watching her: “Why do I feel Miss has lost weight again recently? It must be from being too busy and tired these days. Already so thin, now you look like you could be blown away by a gust of wind.” She muttered to herself, “Tomorrow I’ll have Dai Sanlang select some meaty bones for stewing.”

She always paid attention to Lu Tong’s clothing, food, and daily needs. Lu Tong looked up at the person in the mirror.

The woman in the mirror had a slender neck, hair black as a waterfall hanging over her shoulders, her entire face smaller than a palm, excessively delicate, with a pair of cool, distant eyes quietly gazing at her.

Perhaps because she rarely looked in mirrors during those years at Luomei Peak, now facing the mirror, staring at that familiar face, she felt somewhat strange.

Yin Zheng was still fretting over her thinness, saying from behind: “Your daily meals are clearly the same as ours… Miss, did you not like eating when you were small, and that’s why you won’t grow now?”

Not liking to eat when small?

Lu Tong shook her head: “No, I always ate a lot when I was little.”

Yin Zheng looked doubtful: “Really?”

“Really.”

The refined woman in the mirror looked at her, that beautiful, elegant face blurred by the lamplight, gradually becoming another chubby, childish round face.

It was a little girl’s face.

The little girl had double hair buns, each decorated with a black gold butterfly, looking as adorable as a white dumpling. Lu Tong smiled, and the little girl in the mirror smiled back at her, her smile carrying some cunning satisfaction.

Lu Tong’s gaze grew distant.

She hadn’t lied.

In childhood, she was greedy and always ate a lot. Before leaving Changwu County, Lu Tong had been a chubby girl.

Among the three children in the family, Lu Rou was born graceful and beautiful, Lu Qian handsome and intelligent. Perhaps heaven had given too much favor to the first two Lu children’s appearances, so when it came to Lu Tong, it seemed rather careless.

She was greedy. When the family bought fruits and sweets, she always grabbed the most, and she got hungry quickly, often crying about being hungry before meals were ready. Everyone in Changwu County’s neighborhood knew her. Seeing her round and cute appearance as a child, neighbors often gave her peanuts and preserved fruits. Gradually, her cheeks became fuller and fuller, like a white dumpling.

Dumplings were certainly auspicious, but childhood auspiciousness, when one grew up, didn’t look very smart—especially compared to her sister, the first beauty of Changwu County.

Liu Kun’s sons Liu Zide and Liu Zixian mocked her behind her back: “Fat pig, be careful you won’t be able to marry in the future!”

She heard this from others and cried all the way home, only to be seen by Lu Qian returning from school. After learning the whole story, he went to fight the Liu brothers.

The fight was fierce. When their father returned home, he made Lu Qian go to the Liu family to apologize, and even punished Lu Rou and Lu Tong to copy characters together. The Lu family tradition was that when one person made a mistake, all three were punished.

Lu Tong had already felt wronged, and this made her even more upset. While cursing the Liu brothers and copying books, she swore she would definitely become as slender and graceful as her sister within half a year, starting from today by halving her daily food intake.

She couldn’t last even half a day.

By night, she was so hungry her eyes saw stars. After her parents were fast asleep, she couldn’t stand it anymore and secretly crawled out of bed to find leftover rice in the kitchen. After searching everywhere without finding any, Lu Rou and Lu Qian came in from outside.

Lu Tong looked miserable: “Why is there no leftover rice?”

“Who told you to say you wouldn’t eat during the day? Father gave it all to me,” Lu Qian deliberately teased her.

“You!”

“Shh, keep your voice down.” Lu Rou patted Lu Qian. “Stop teasing her.”

Lu Qian pulled out several sweet potatoes from behind: “It’s too late to cook rice and would wake Father and Mother. Then Father would make you copy books for several more days.”

At the thought of copying books, Lu Tong got a headache and quickly said: “Fine, fine, sweet potatoes it is.”

Starting a fire in the kitchen stove was troublesome, so Lu Qian found the charcoal brazier used for warmth, lit it at the door, and buried several sweet potatoes in the charcoal ash.

The kitchen gradually filled with the sweet potato’s fragrance.

Lu Qian used iron tongs to dig them out of the fire. Lu Rou peeled the skin and handed it to Lu Tong. Lu Tong sat against the wall on the ground, took a bite of the hot sweet potato, and felt warm all over.

Lu Rou said: “Eat slowly, don’t burn yourself.”

Lu Qian picked out the others to cool for her.

After finishing a whole one and reaching for the second, Lu Tong glanced at Lu Qian’s bruised and swollen face and suddenly paused, feeling inexplicably dejected.

Seeing her look at him once then stop eating, Lu Qian was puzzled: “What’s wrong?”

“Your face is too ugly…”

The young man was furious: “Lu San, don’t forget who I got this face for!”

Lu Tong said dejectedly: “I was thinking, if I get hungry after missing just one meal, am I destined to be a fat pig my whole life?”

Lu Rou frowned: “Tong Tong, you’re growing—how can you not eat? Don’t listen to Liu Zide and Liu Zixian’s nonsense.”

“But they said I won’t be able to marry in the future…”

“Who asked them to mind our business?” Lu Qian said impatiently. “They’re not eating our rice—who cares what they say.”

Lu Tong felt overwhelmed with sadness: “But neither of you are like me… Could I not be Father and Mother’s real child?”

Lu Qian: “…Do you want Father to beat you?”

Lu Rou sighed and also picked up a sweet potato: “Then let’s eat together and all become little pigs, okay?”

Lu Qian laughed: “Then the Lu family would have three little pigs? Fine, I’ll eat one too… So fragrant!”

Her siblings sat on either side of her. The hot sweet potatoes drove away winter’s harsh cold. In the kitchen filled with sweet fragrance, Lu Tong wiped away her tears. For some reason, her heart didn’t feel so sad anymore.

The next morning, when their mother went to the kitchen and discovered the burned charcoal ash and sweet potato peels in the corner, she was both amused and exasperated. Pointing at Lu Tong’s forehead, she scolded: “Such wild thoughts—just eat your meals properly. Don’t worry, all Lu family children are beauties and won’t be ugly.”

“In the future, you’ll grow up to be as beautiful as your sister!”

At that time, Lu Tong always thought those were her mother’s comforting words.

Later…

Later, she was taken up Luomei Peak by Yunniang. Gathering herbs all over the mountains, testing medicines—perhaps from exhaustion, hunger, or simply because it was time to grow taller—she didn’t know how much time passed. One day while washing clothes by the stream, through the stream water, she saw a strange young woman’s face reflected.

Peach cheeks and apricot face, youthful beauty and elegant appearance, completely different from that round, soft dumpling girl.

She lay by the stream looking for a long time.

It turned out her mother had spoken the truth—she really had grown slender and graceful like her sister, becoming a beautiful young lady.

It turned out… without realizing it, she had grown up.

A soft sound—Yin Zheng closing the window—interrupted Lu Tong’s thoughts. The autumn night was desolate and cold. The smiling little girl in the mirror gradually faded, becoming another thin, plainly dressed woman gazing at her indifferently.

Lu Tong’s eyes moved slightly.

She had grown up, from an innocent, carefree little girl into a graceful, elegant young lady. Unfortunately, none of her parents or siblings—no one from the Lu family—had seen it.

They hadn’t been able to see how she looked when she grew up.

Those reunions she had imagined countless times, the embraces and tears, joy and care in her dreams—all came to an abrupt end, like the charcoal fire in that little kitchen years ago, forever extinguished in the cold winter night.

Never to live again.

But the fire in her heart blazed up, growing fiercer and fiercer.

The window was closed; the deep autumn night was very cold.

“I want to go to Yuxian Tower.” In the silence, Lu Tong suddenly spoke.

Yin Zheng, who was walking to the door, was stunned and instinctively turned back, looking at Lu Tong in amazement.

Lu Tong extended her finger, gently tracing the mirror image’s eyebrows.

The person in the mirror had eyes calm as still water, yet within that still water, invisible undercurrents surged.

She withdrew her hand.

“October first, on Qi Yutai’s birthday…”

“I want to go to Yuxian Tower,” she said.