Lu Tong remained unaware of the minor turmoil at the Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister’s mansion.

The weather grew increasingly cold. The plum tree branches outside the courtyard window were gradually swelling with buds, suggesting that before long, the plum tree would bloom.

After a snowfall, West Street was covered with frost and snow. A’Cheng swept the accumulated snow from the medical clinic entrance into a pile, making a snow lion.

The snow lion was crudely made—lumpy limbs, a big head, with two black dates stuffed in as eyeballs, crouching with bared teeth and claws at the clinic entrance.

Master Hu had poor eyesight and didn’t see clearly when entering, taking a solid tumble. This frightened Du Changqing, who hurriedly helped him into the clinic to sit down, fearing the old man might be seriously hurt.

Yin Zheng came out from the back room carrying a fruit plate, handed Master Hu a frozen pear, and asked with a smile, “How come Old Master Hu is here?”

The frozen pear was fresh. Yin Zheng had put the pears in an ice bucket in the courtyard overnight. By morning they would form an ice shell, then she’d take them out for four or five hours and freeze them again. After repeating this for several days, when the pear skin turned dark black, they could be eaten.

Frozen pears tasted cool and sweet, full of juice. A’Cheng could eat several at once.

Master Hu took out his handkerchief, wiped the frozen pear’s surface, sucked on it, shivered from the cold, and after a while said, “Nothing major, just came to see you.”

Renxin Medical Clinic was now very different from before, with considerable monthly income. He, as an old customer, no longer needed to visit every few days to support his old friend’s orphan’s business as he had before. Though he felt a faint loss, he was more relieved.

Du Changqing could now support himself.

After eating a few bites of pear, Master Hu remembered something and said to Du Changqing, “By the way, Youcai is no longer on West Street—he’s staying at his employer’s mansion outside the city. The room at the fish market is entrusted to me to rent to others. You’re close to the fish market, so when you have time, go check on it. Don’t let people mess up Youcai’s room.”

Wu Youcai hadn’t appeared on West Street since their meeting after Mid-Autumn Festival. Lu Tong came out carrying a medicine jar, just in time to hear Master Hu instructing Du Changqing, and asked, “How is he doing now?”

Master Hu wiped the pear juice from his beard, “Doing very well. The family that hired him as a tutor is generous, paying him well and treating him kindly. I saw him once last month—he looked much more spirited.”

Lu Tong nodded, “That’s good.”

It sounded like Scholar Wu was doing well.

As they were talking, the sound of a carriage came from outside.

West Street was narrow, mostly filled with common people’s shops. Except for people like Master Hu whose legs weren’t convenient and had to ride carriages, carriages rarely came here on normal days.

The carriage stopped in front of the plum tree, and several matrons got off, walking toward the medical clinic.

The leading matron wore a bright cotton silk long jacket, had a married woman’s hairstyle, was quick and efficient, and looked somewhat formidable. She stopped at the clinic entrance and called out “Doctor Lu” from outside.

Lu Tong looked up, “Mama Wang?”

The visitor was Mama Wang from the Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister’s mansion.

During her previous visits to the Dong mansion, Madam Dong had always had Mama Wang escort Lu Tong back to West Street. Mama Wang was shrewd and capable, Madam Dong’s right-hand woman. Lu Tong had dealt with her several times, and Mama Wang had always been polite.

But today seemed different somehow.

Mama Wang stood at the entrance with several burly matrons behind her, looking like they were here to settle accounts. This was quite a formation, and the Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister’s carriage was too conspicuous. For a moment, the shopkeepers on West Street who had been listless from the early morning perked up, their gazes burning as they looked this way.

Lu Tong walked up to Mama Wang and said softly, “How come Mama Wang is here?”

Mama Wang sized up the person before her.

After the heavy snow, the long street was like jade. Lu Tong stood under the deep red eaves, wearing a dark blue plain jacket with a milk-white fleece skirt, a frost-white silk flower by her temple. Without powder or rouge, her dark hair looked like clouds, her brows and eyes elegant and beautiful. In this icy weather, she was like a cold, elegant plum blossom blooming alone, particularly moving.

Mama Wang thought to herself that no wonder she had caught Pei Yunying’s eye before and later made their young master dizzy with infatuation. In terms of beauty alone, Lu Tong truly stood out among the capital’s noble ladies.

What a pity—high aspirations with a lowly fate. A clinic doctor who wanted to fly up to the branches and become a phoenix.

Setting aside her inner disdain, Mama Wang looked at Lu Tong with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, “This old slave came today on Madam’s orders to bring Doctor Lu a message.”

“Please speak, Mama Wang.”

Mama Wang paused, deliberately raising her voice, “The matter of Doctor Lu previously asking our young master to recommend you to the medical guild for this year’s spring examination probably won’t work out.”

Lu Tong was startled.

Du Changqing was completely confused, “Spring examination? What spring examination?”

The nearby shopkeepers also craned their necks.

Mama Wang smiled, as if afraid the surrounding onlookers wouldn’t understand, and explained slowly and deliberately.

“Doctor Lu asked our young master to seek a favor from the medical guild, allowing her to participate in this year’s spring examination. Our young master is simple-minded and most kind-hearted, so he agreed readily.”

“When our madam learned of this, she said it was improper. The young master doesn’t understand these things. The medical guild has its own candidates for annual recommendations. If our Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister rashly interferes, and word gets out, wouldn’t people say we’re abusing official power?”

“Doctor Lu,” Mama Wang sighed, her tone very troubled, “you also know about what happened at this year’s imperial examination hall. At this juncture, who would dare privately help others? So our madam sent this old slave to explain to Doctor Lu, lest Doctor Lu wait in vain.”

She spoke earnestly and with particular care, and the surrounding people gradually understood.

Master Hu looked at Lu Tong in confusion, “Doctor Lu, you want to participate in the Imperial Medical Bureau spring examination?”

Each year in the Imperial Medical Bureau spring examination, never mind the Imperial Medical Bureau students, but among the ordinary doctors recommended by medical guilds, very few had passed the spring examination to become medical officials in recent years.

Lu Tong stood at the clinic entrance, her gaze sweeping over the mess in front of the clinic.

This group of matrons had come aggressively, trampling the already crude snow lion into chaos, leaving only two dark dates buried in the snow, their original shape indiscernible.

Lu Tong raised her eyes and spoke calmly, “I see, I understand.”

The reason she hadn’t asked Madam Dong for help initially but had approached Dong Lin instead was because Madam Dong was shrewd. If she inexplicably proposed wanting to take the spring examination, given Madam Dong’s caution, complications might arise.

But she hadn’t expected Dong Lin to be discovered by Madam Dong.

Lu Tong wasn’t unaware that Madam Dong would be displeased upon learning of this matter. But she also hadn’t anticipated that Madam Dong would be so aggressive as to send Mama Wang to make trouble at the clinic entrance.

Even considering Pei Yunying, this shouldn’t happen…

After all, Madam Dong had always thought she and Pei Yunying had already had a secret affair.

Now to tear off all pretenses like this—she wondered what it was for.

Lu Tong was lost in thought when this indifferent expression fell in Mama Wang’s eyes as meaningless provocation.

Mama Wang’s expression became somewhat unpleasant.

She should know that yesterday, after Madam Dong quarreled with Dong Lin, she was so angered by this usually obedient son’s rebellious behavior that she nearly fainted, then took to her bed. Yet Lu Tong could remain so calm—wasn’t this because she was certain their young master would definitely break with his family for her sake?

Mama Wang curled her lips, her tone somewhat mocking.

“Speaking of which, Doctor Lu’s high aspirations are admirable, but people sometimes shouldn’t just look up at the sky—they should also look down at their feet. Those who can pass the spring examination are all Imperial Medical Bureau students. Why does Doctor Lu bother joining this commotion?”

Before Lu Tong could respond, Du Changqing frowned, “What do you mean?”

Mama Wang smiled without warmth, “I mean people should do things befitting their status and recognize their place.”

Du Changqing had been holding back for a long time. Hearing this was like adding fuel to fire, and he immediately rushed forward cursing, “Who are you telling to recognize their place?” But Yin Zheng grabbed him back.

Mama Wang ignored the fuming Du Changqing and only looked at Lu Tong, smiling, “Speaking of which, don’t blame this old woman for being talkative, but Miss Lu had better not privately seek out our young master for conversation in the future. Miss Lu lost her parents early and lacks some proper training. Men and women should be separate—if word of this spreads, it won’t be good for the young lady’s reputation.”

At these words, Yin Zheng’s expression changed.

The implication was clearly that Lu Tong lacked parental upbringing and shamelessly threw herself at Dong Lin. With so many people at the clinic entrance today, and society already being harsh toward women, plus Lu Tong practicing medicine in public, if this dirty water was splashed on her, how would the West Street neighbors and outsiders view Lu Tong in the future?

Mama Wang was deliberately ruining her reputation!

Lu Tong looked coldly at the person before her.

She didn’t really care about reputation or fame.

But to specifically mention her parents…

She stepped forward, about to retaliate, when suddenly a voice came from the crowd, “Young Master Dong? Who’s that? Have I seen him?”

Widow Sun clutched a handful of sunflower seeds, squeezing into the crowd of onlookers and munching happily.

Sister-in-law Song helpfully answered, “The young master from the Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister’s mansion. I pointed him out to you last time he came to the clinic—not tall, a bit chubby, with a good temper.”

Widow Sun thought for a moment, her eyes lighting up, “Oh, that one!” Then she looked at Lu Tong in confusion, “But he’s not handsome—what would Doctor Lu want with him?”

The beautiful widow wore a bright water-green dress with gorgeous gold ornaments, speaking in a soft voice that drew many people’s attention.

Seeing everyone looking at her, Widow Sun paused in her seed-cracking, opening her mouth innocently, “What? What did I say wrong? Doctor Lu sees all kinds of handsome men at her clinic. That Young Master Dong isn’t even as handsome as my Saburo, let alone that handsome Captain Pei, or even Shopkeeper Du isn’t bad.”

Du Changqing: “…”

“Doctor Lu is beautiful and skilled in medicine. How could she possibly be interested in Young Master Dong? That’s ridiculous.”

Mama Wang angrily said, “You!”

Widow Sun nonchalantly smoothed her hair, pretending not to see the murderous look from the matron before her.

She always judged people by their looks. That Young Master Dong was far inferior to Captain Pei. Even she, a widow, wouldn’t look twice at him, let alone young Doctor Lu.

Moreover, though her husband died early, she wasn’t stupid and knew something about the twists and turns of wealthy households. This matron running to the clinic entrance early in the morning to put on such a show was clearly trying to ruin Lu Tong’s reputation.

As a neighbor, Lu Tong had previously helped Saburo transform from a nobody into “Pork Adonis” with “Xianxian,” and she also had such a handsome young friend as Pei Yunying. Even if just for the sake of her own eyes, she had to help Lu Tong, didn’t she?

Widow Sun sighed, “What’s so great about noble status? When women choose husbands, naturally they should pick handsome ones first. That way if they have equally handsome children, it’s pleasing to look at.”

“But if they have ugly ones, oh my, that would ruin the offspring for life!”

“Right, right,” Sister-in-law Song timely picked up the conversation, “Men being short just won’t do…”

Listening to the group of women chattering and making insinuations, Mama Wang’s face turned livid.

She had originally just wanted to embarrass Lu Tong at the clinic entrance to vent her madam’s anger, but who knew this group of West Street people would be so impervious to reason.

What status was their young master? In these crazy women’s mouths, he had become the despised party. She wanted to say more but worried that arguing with these gossips would spread and damage the Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister’s dignity.

If Madam learned of today’s words, she’d probably be so angry her illness would worsen.

Mama Wang glared viciously at the speakers, suppressed her anger, and looked at Lu Tong.

“Miss Lu has good relationships—many people speak for you, and this old slave can’t compete. I’ve delivered all the messages I was supposed to. Miss Lu should take care of herself.” She didn’t forget to add mockingly, “As for the spring examination, Miss Lu should seek other help. With your abilities, passing the spring examination is only a matter of time.”

“This old slave congratulates you in advance.”

With that, she turned around coldly and called to the matrons behind her to get in the carriage, “Let’s go!”

Du Changqing cursed behind them, “Those bastards…”

The carriage left the clinic rolling over snow, leaving long wheel tracks in the snow.

The crowd outside hadn’t completely dispersed yet.

Widow Sun and Sister-in-law Song squeezed forward. Sister-in-law Song patted Lu Tong’s shoulder, “It’s just a Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister—what right do they have to look down on people? Miss Lu, don’t be afraid. You’re a young lady with thin skin who can’t speak up, but I’m an old woman who speaks her mind.”

“Yes,” Widow Sun also comforted, “I’ve seen plenty of this type. Just because they have some family wealth, they think their sons are wanted by everyone in the world. They don’t look at whether West Street lacks handsome men or what. So what if he’s the Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister’s son? Being suppressed by his mother like that, you can tell he’s useless—not even as valiant as Saburo!”

Du Changqing irritably stood at the entrance, pushing people out, “Haven’t you all said enough? This is a medical clinic, not a teahouse. Go, go, go—don’t interfere with our business!”

Master Hu watched the gradually dispersing crowd and asked Lu Tong, “Does Doctor Lu really want to take the spring examination?”

Lu Tong nodded.

The old scholar thought for a moment, “I do know people at the medical guild…”

Lu Tong’s expression stirred, “Master Hu has a way?”

Master Hu waved his hand, “I dare not promise anything, but if Doctor Lu truly wants to participate, this old man can do his best to help. However…” He glanced behind Lu Tong and coughed lightly, “Let’s talk after Doctor Lu has thought it through. It’s getting late, and my wife is waiting at home. This old man should go back.”

With that, he cupped his hands toward Lu Tong and left the clinic as if fleeing.

After Master Hu left, Lu Tong stood at the entrance. Turning around, she met Du Changqing’s questioning gaze.

Yin Zheng and A’Cheng stood in the corner, not daring to breathe loudly.

After a pause, Lu Tong walked around Du Changqing toward the back room. Du Changqing followed behind her persistently, “Tell me, when did you secretly approach Dong Lin behind my back?”

His gaze was furious, his tone resentful, exactly like a husband who had suddenly been cuckolded.

Seeing Lu Tong didn’t answer, he raised his voice and demanded loudly, “Why did you secretly seek someone to participate in this year’s spring examination?”

“Because I want to enter the Hanlin Medical Academy,” Lu Tong said.

Du Changqing was startled.

Lu Tong turned around and spoke to him calmly, “Isn’t that what you said? Broaden your perspective, go earn those rich people’s silver. I thought about it—staying at the West Street clinic forever makes it hard to get ahead. When I enter the Hanlin Medical Academy and become a medical official, I’ll serve high-ranking officials and nobles. If I can save one or two of them, perhaps I can achieve success and fame.”

These words sounded quite callous and cold.

“You’re lying,” Du Changqing sneered contemptuously. “To get ahead by entering the Hanlin Medical Academy—you think I’d believe that?”

He stared intently at Lu Tong, his usually lazy eyes showing some sharpness.

“Tell me, why do you absolutely have to enter the Hanlin Medical Academy?”

Lu Tong remained silent.

Yin Zheng came over with a smile to smooth things over, “Shopkeeper Du knows that our young lady came to the capital to find her fiancé.” She made up some story, “Our young lady’s fiancé is serving in the palace. Only by entering the palace is there opportunity!”

Du Changqing ignored her, still staring at Lu Tong. Lu Tong calmly met his gaze. After a while, she said, “I…”

“Forget it!” Du Changqing suddenly interrupted, his expression full of irritation. “You and I are just shopkeeper and clinic doctor. Whether you’re looking for a fiancé or trying to get ahead has nothing to do with me. I don’t want to hear it!”

He flicked his sleeve and turned to leave, “What bad luck this early morning. I’m leaving!”

Seeing him exit the clinic, A’Cheng quickly glanced at Lu Tong and Yin Zheng, then chased after him, shouting, “Boss, wait for me—”

Yin Zheng walked to Lu Tong’s side, watching the two figures disappear in the distance, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes, “Miss, Shopkeeper Du is angry.”

Lu Tong lowered her eyes halfway and said nothing.

She had come to the capital at the beginning of spring, met Du Changqing right after arriving, and had been practicing at the West Street Renxin Medical Clinic ever since. She had personally watched the clinic transform from a run-down, shabby little medical clinic to one that could now maintain all its expenses.

People always develop deeper feelings for those who share hardships than they normally would.

Moreover, Du Changqing had always treated her with a sort of protective instinct.

If she really passed the spring examination, Renxin Medical Clinic would lose its practicing doctor, leaving Du Changqing without recourse for the time being. Even if he found a new doctor to replace her, in Du Changqing’s eyes, her action would be no different from betrayal.

So he was angry.

Yin Zheng asked, “Is Miss determined to take the spring examination?”

After a long while, Lu Tong softly hummed in agreement.

The Grand Tutor’s mansion was difficult to approach, sealed tight as an iron bucket. The small clinic on West Street couldn’t provide the ladder she needed to approach those in power.

But the Hanlin Medical Academy was different.

Those medical officials treated various official families—the Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of War, Privy Council… there would always be opportunities for her to approach them. Once she could get close, she could find chances to act.

This was the most direct method.

Lu Tong raised her hand, her fingertips slowly brushing over her heart, where vague and indistinct old pain seemed to gradually spread outward.

She couldn’t keep waiting passively.

She didn’t have much time to waste.

…

Du Changqing didn’t return to the medical clinic all day.

The news brought by the Grand Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister seemed to have truly angered him this time—he wouldn’t even let A’Cheng return to the clinic with messages.

After Lu Tong and Yin Zheng finished their busy day and the clinic closed, it began snowing again at night.

Snow gradually accumulated in the small courtyard, footsteps making soft sounds on the ground. The lanterns hanging under the eaves cast the snowy ground in a faint red glow. Yin Zheng arranged the orange lanterns A’Cheng had entrusted her to make on the window ledge.

The finished orange lanterns lined up in a row, their peels round and smooth. With oil added inside and lit, they glowed brightly in the snowy night like jade lotuses breathing flames and golden pearls containing crystals, finally adding some liveliness to the cold, lonely winter night.

Lu Tong stood by the window, raising her eyes to look into the distance.

Snow fell continuously in the courtyard, the north wind sharp. White flakes spiraled down from the sky, and one or two drifted into the room, dissolving into dewdrops before reaching her fingertips, vanishing like smoke.

Lu Tong withdrew her palm.

Yin Zheng came in from outside, shaking off snow particles, and said with a smile, “The capital’s snow is really heavy. In our Jiangnan, we rarely see snow all year round. I remember the last time it snowed in Jiangnan was many years ago.”

Lu Tong also smiled.

Jiangnan was in the south and indeed rarely snowed. But Luomei Peak was different. The mountain was high, and in winter, it was covered in jade white. Overnight, when you opened the door in the morning, you’d see nothing but white vastness.

“I wonder if Shopkeeper Du will come to the clinic tomorrow morning,” Yin Zheng sighed. “I hope he won’t sulk too long—the day to distribute monthly wages is coming up.”

Lu Tong’s smile faded.

Actually, when she first found Renxin Medical Clinic to practice at, she had never intended to stay there long-term. It was just a bridge on her path of revenge—it could be Renxin Medical Clinic or Apricot Grove Hall. As long as she could reach her destination, which bridge made no difference.

But unexpectedly, without realizing it, she had stayed on West Street too long—so long that now when she suddenly wanted to leave, Du Changqing would sulk and A’Cheng would feel regret.

The connections between people were always wonderful, but sometimes, bonds were burdens.

And she didn’t need burdens.

Yin Zheng closed the window, and Lu Tong picked up the oil lamp from the table, preparing to go to her bed. Just as she moved, she suddenly heard sounds from outside.

Bang bang!

Someone was knocking on the clinic’s main door.

Yin Zheng was startled and exchanged glances with Lu Tong, her expression gradually becoming tense, “Who would suddenly come so late at night?”

Ever since Meng Xiyan had sent people to assassinate Lu Tong, Yin Zheng always felt apprehensive. After all, two women living alone, though there were patrol soldiers guarding the streets, were ultimately outnumbered.

“Could it be Shopkeeper Du?” Yin Zheng speculated.

Du Changqing had run off in anger during the day—perhaps he had thought things through now, or maybe he couldn’t figure it out at all, so he came to the clinic in the middle of the night to vent?

Lu Tong reached out and took a hair ornament from the dressing table, walking toward the door.

“I’ll go see.”

Yin Zheng instinctively grabbed her sleeve corner. Lu Tong shook her head at her, “It’s fine.”

The two carefully walked to the front of the clinic. The knocking suddenly stopped. Yin Zheng raised her voice and called toward the door, “Who is it?”

No one answered.

Lu Tong paused, gripping the hair ornament tightly in one hand while pulling the door open a crack with the other.

Instantly, cold wind carrying snow particles rushed in.

The north wind danced, snow filled the long street. Under the red eaves, a row of red lanterns swayed in the wind and snow, their faint warm color almost frozen solid.

There was no one outside the door, only the soft sound of the north wind breaking tree branches.

Yin Zheng looked outside and said in confusion, “Eh, how is there no one?”

Lu Tong frowned and closed the door again.

There was no one outside, but the knocking earlier wasn’t her imagination…

As she was thinking, she suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder. Yin Zheng cried out in alarm beside her. Lu Tong’s heart sank, and without thinking, she thrust the hair ornament in her hand backward without hesitation!

“Hiss—”

The next moment, her hand was caught, and someone pressed her arm from behind, making her unable to move.

“Shh—”

A familiar voice sounded by her ear.

“Don’t move. It’s me.”