“Why are you afraid of Pei Yunying?”

The medical texts and booklets scattered by the wind on the table were collected and set aside. Miao Liangfang leaned his walking stick against the wall and sat down at the table’s edge.

Lu Tong waited for him to speak.

After a long while, Miao Liangfang rubbed his nose and spoke awkwardly: “Actually, this matter, when you get down to it, is old business from many years ago.”

“Twenty years ago, I took the Imperial Medical Bureau spring examination and became the only commoner medical worker to pass that year. At that time I was only twenty-two years old—about the same age as your young boss.”

“I ranked third in the entire spring examination, beating all those students at the Imperial Medical Bureau. Later I entered the Hanlin Medical Officer Academy, and shortly after serving as an attendant, I was promoted to medical officer. The Academy Director valued me highly, and nobles in the palace would consult me about pulse diagnosis and medicinal meals.”

“Young people, you know, can’t withstand being praised. In my prime, I inevitably became somewhat arrogant. Being young, I was also straightforward, and sometimes when I offended people, I relied on being favored by the nobles to get by safely. As time went on, I even forgot my own surname.”

As Miao Liangfang spoke of old times, he was initially uncomfortable, but gradually became moved by past events, his expression growing wistful.

Lu Tong listened quietly.

“That Pei family boy—the first time I saw him, he was only eight or nine years old, entering the palace with his father. His father was Duke Zhaoning, and he was the heir to Duke Zhaoning. He was beautiful and intelligent, likable even as a child.”

Miao Liangfang remembered the first time he saw Pei Yunying—a brief glimpse in the palace hall. Though the child was still young, he was already outstanding, wearing a purple sandalwood-colored brocade robe with vermillion bird patterns. With red lips and white teeth, his eyes sparkled like stars, already hinting at his future magnificence.

Such noble sons had their lives laid out like smooth, broad roads. They could live in luxury and rise through the ranks without doing anything. Unlike people like him who struggled for food in the mud as children, unable even to afford shoes.

Miao Liangfang felt a subtle jealousy.

“Originally, there was no connection between him and me. Later, one night, people from Duke Zhaoning’s mansion brought a calling card requesting a Hanlin Medical Officer Academy physician for an emergency house call, saying there was an urgent case at the mansion. I was on duty that night and casually asked what it was—turns out the young Pei heir’s beloved foal had mistakenly eaten poisonous grass and was in mortal danger.”

Lu Tong looked up: “You couldn’t save it?”

“If it were just a matter of not saving it, that would be fine,” Miao Liangfang laughed dryly. “I didn’t go on the house call at all.”

Lu Tong was slightly stunned.

“I was young and hot-headed then, busy compiling medical texts. When I was irritated and heard it was about treating a horse, I felt the Pei family was insulting me by relying on their noble status. So I told the Pei family messenger that I was a medical officer, not a veterinarian—I only treated people, not animals—and casually sent another newly arrived medical officer to the Pei mansion instead.”

Lu Tong was surprised: “Master Miao had such moments?”

Such arrogant words were hard to associate with today’s Miao Liangfang, who cowered before Pei Yunying and fled in panic.

Miao Liangfang covered his face and wailed: “…I must have had water in my brain then! Either that or I was possessed. Truly a newborn calf unafraid of tigers—I thought I didn’t have enough enemies!”

“What happened next?”

“Later… later I heard his horse couldn’t be saved and died.”

Lu Tong nodded: “So he took revenge on you for this?”

“Not at all!” Miao Liangfang quickly waved his hands. “I heard he was dejected for a while because of this, but the Medical Officer Academy was busy with affairs then, and the palace ladies would summon me for pulse diagnosis from time to time, so I put the matter out of mind.”

Miao Liangfang sighed: “Later, something happened at the Medical Officer Academy and I was expelled. I never saw him again.”

“If that’s the case, why are you afraid of him?”

Miao Liangfang looked helpless: “It’s been over ten years. I heard Duke Zhaoning’s mansion had some troubles later—Duke Zhaoning’s wife passed away. But Pei Yunying has now become the Imperial Guard Commander and is deeply favored by the emperor. When I was wandering around, I saw him on the streets and heard many rumors about him. This person is very protective of his own. He appears kind and modest, but strikes without mercy—he’s a smiling tiger.”

“Look at how venomous his eyes are. Even though I’ve become like this—fat, balding, and lame in one leg—he could still recognize me at a glance. This shows he thinks of me day and night to curse me.”

Lu Tong was speechless.

From her understanding of Pei Yunying, she felt he didn’t have such idle concerns.

“That was over ten years ago, after all. Moreover, even if you had gone on the house call that day, you might not have been able to save his horse. Perhaps Pei Yunying has long forgotten the old matter.”

“Though you say that, meeting again is still somewhat awkward.” Miao Liangfang looked down guiltily, picking at a hole in his trouser leg. “Back then I was full of arrogance in front of his family servants, acting self-important. Now he’s doing very well while I’ve fallen to this state. Even if he doesn’t take revenge on me, I have no face to see people. He’s probably cursing me behind my back right now.”

Lu Tong: “…You’re overthinking, sir.”

“However,” Miao Liangfang paused in picking at the hole and looked at Lu Tong with confusion, “I noticed today that when he spoke to you, his tone and manner were quite familiar. Are you two very close?”

Although everyone on West Street knew about Lu Tong’s previous rescue of Princess Wen and her daughter, it was normal for Pei Yunying, as Pei Yunshu’s brother, to visit and express gratitude. But once was enough—for medicine for the young Pei lady, he could easily have sent Pei family servants to collect it. Why make the trip personally?

Moreover…

Lu Tong’s tone when speaking to Pei Yunying didn’t show any deference due to status differences. She could even be called impolite, quite reminiscent of his own former spirit and integrity.

“We’ve only met a few times,” Lu Tong said. “We’re not familiar.”

…

“You saw Miao Liangfang?”

In the Imperial Guard offices, Xiao Zhufeng spoke in surprise.

Pei Yunying put down his silver knife: “Surprising?”

“Very surprising.” Xiao Zhufeng said: “When Miao Liangfang left the Medical Officer Academy years ago, he disappeared for ten years. Everyone outside said he was dead. I didn’t expect he’d been hiding on West Street in Shengjing all along.”

“What should surprise you is that he’s willing to instruct Lu Tong for the Imperial Medical Bureau spring examination.” Pei Yunying sat by the window.

“True.” Xiao Zhufeng nodded. “Not everyone can make Miao Liangfang return to his old profession. This Doctor Lu is not simple.”

Pei Yunying smiled slightly but didn’t speak.

“It seems that Doctor Lu is your nemesis. Everything she does, everyone she takes in, somehow interferes with you.” Xiao Zhufeng maintained his wooden expression, but his eyes showed a hint of schadenfreude.

Pei Yunying’s smile faded, showing some impatience.

On the table sat a plate of winter dates, green and fresh. Xiao Zhufeng picked up a date: “Since that’s the case, there’s something I want to tell you.”

“Speak.”

“The Grand Tutor’s mansion has been acting strangely recently.”

Pei Yunying looked up.

Since the imperial examination fraud case, Fan Zhenglian had committed suicide in prison out of fear of punishment. But before that, rumors had circulated about Fan Zhenglian colluding with the Grand Tutor’s mansion. Though these rumors were quickly suppressed and didn’t cause waves at court, Pei Yunying still had people monitor the Grand Tutor’s mansion.

The Ke family, the Fan family, the examination fraud case, the Grand Tutor’s mansion… each coincidentally showed traces of Lu Tong’s involvement.

He had a vague premonition that everything Lu Tong did was aimed at the Grand Tutor’s mansion. But he didn’t know who was behind Lu Tong or what their purpose was. Qing Feng had secretly investigated Lu Tong’s background—she was like an outsider who appeared in Shengjing out of nowhere, practicing medicine daily with no connections to others, just like any ordinary physician with a clean background.

No flaws could be found.

So he had people watch the Grand Tutor’s mansion. Since cause and effect were interconnected, if Lu Tong’s side couldn’t be approached, it was better to look for clues from the Grand Tutor’s mansion.

Pei Yunying asked: “What’s strange about it?”

Xiao Zhufeng pondered: “The Grand Tutor’s mansion has recently been asking people to inquire about a commoner woman.”

“Who?”

“Ke Chengxing’s deceased wife, Lu Rou.”

Hearing this, Pei Yunying’s eyes moved: “Ke Chengxing’s wife?”

Regarding the Ke family matter, after the incident at Wan’en Temple, he had had it investigated. The Ke family’s sudden downfall ultimately stemmed from Ke Chengxing’s death, leaving the family without support.

Later on Mid-Autumn night, Lu Tong saved Pei Yunshu and her daughter. To fulfill his promise to her, Pei Yunying agreed not to investigate Ke Chengxing’s death further, and the matter ended there.

The examination fraud case, the Fan family’s downfall, rumors about the Grand Tutor’s mansion—among all these subsequent events, the Ke family was just a small merchant household, and Ke Chengxing’s long-deceased wife was like a speck of dust accidentally fallen on a complex tapestry, casually brushed away and leaving no trace.

Ke Chengxing’s wife had been dead for a long time, yet only now did everyone notice that the early-deceased woman’s real name was Lu Rou.

“Lu?”

Xiao Zhufeng said coldly: “People from the Grand Tutor’s mansion secretly investigated Lu Rou, so I went to the Imperial City Bureau first. Their information is faster than ours. Do you remember the Liu brothers from the examination fraud case?”

“I remember.”

Though the Liu brothers had humble backgrounds, they appeared on the list of examination fraud and connected with Fan Zhenglian—this was truly unusual.

“The father of these Liu brothers, Liu Kun, several years ago served as an accuser in a case. The defendant he accused was Lu Rou’s younger brother, Lu Qian.”

Pei Yunying suddenly looked up: “What?”

“Lu Qian was later executed. Probably because of this, Liu Kun was able to connect with the Court of Judicial Review. As for the Grand Tutor’s mansion, it’s mostly related to this case—otherwise, rumors wouldn’t arise from nothing. As for the Ke family… they also once provided banquet porcelain for Old Madam Qi’s birthday feast.” Xiao Zhufeng’s expression was calm. “This is what you asked me to find out.”

Pei Yunying’s expression grew cold, and he didn’t speak for a moment.

The Ke family’s former mistress was named Lu Rou. Lu Rou died of illness shortly after marriage, and later the Ke family fell.

Accuser Liu Kun sent Lu Qian to prison, and later Liu Kun died miserably at the foot of Wangchun Mountain.

Court of Judicial Review detailed judge Fan Zhenglian convicted and executed Lu Qian, and later Fan Zhenglian was imprisoned and committed suicide in jail.

One by one, each person related to this matter met a miserable end.

The next one… the Grand Tutor’s mansion.

No wonder she disguised herself to infiltrate Yuxian Tower. That night was Qi Yutai’s birthday, with very few distinguished guests on the third floor. He had been suspicious from the start but couldn’t figure out why. Now everything became clear.

Lu Tong’s target from the beginning was the Qi family.

Pei Yunying sat by the window, his eyes showing complex emotions.

He had imagined many possible purposes for Lu Tong, but he hadn’t expected revenge.

Such reckless, mad, yet meticulous and precise revenge.

Xiao Zhufeng said: “Are you suspecting…”

“Her surname is Lu.” Pei Yunying interrupted his friend’s words.

The reason the Grand Tutor’s mansion people hadn’t found any clues was because Lu Tong had always maintained the identity of an outsider in this game. She cleverly kept herself outside the situation, piecing together and arranging seemingly unrelated coincidences to achieve the final result.

The Qi family didn’t know Lu Tong existed, so naturally they had no way to investigate.

But Pei Yunying had noticed Lu Tong from the beginning, even before her revenge plan started. With the same surname, it was easy to make the connection.

“She’s just an ordinary female physician. It would be difficult for her alone to accomplish this.” Xiao Zhufeng reminded him. “Perhaps there are others behind her.”

To achieve this much single-handedly would be difficult even for them, let alone with her next target being the Grand Tutor’s mansion.

For a small clinic physician to want to deal with the Grand Tutor’s mansion was like a fool’s dream. Unless Lu Tong was insane, there must be someone backing her.

Pei Yunying didn’t speak. After a while, he asked: “What is the Qi family investigating now?”

“They’re investigating the Lu family’s relatives. Lu Rou was from Changwu County. The family was small—besides Lu Rou and Lu Qian, there are currently no other siblings.”

“Currently?”

“Investigators found there was once a young daughter who disappeared seven or eight years ago, whether she died or got lost—no news has been heard.”

Pei Yunying thought for a moment, then called to the door: “Qing Feng.”

Qing Feng entered: “Sir.”

He said: “Go to Changwu County personally. Don’t miss a single piece of information about the Lu family. That missing Lu family daughter’s whereabouts over the years, her past appearance and habits—investigate everything thoroughly.”

“Yes, sir.”

Qing Feng left with his orders. Xiao Zhufeng looked at Pei Yunying: “You suspect she’s the Lu family’s missing daughter?”

“Why not?” Pei Yunying asked back.

“A girl missing for many years would be lucky just to survive. Moreover, even if she really is a Lu family daughter, after being away from home for years, to come to Shengjing alone to kill—ordinary people wouldn’t have such a vengeful heart. In my opinion, unless someone wants to deal with the Grand Tutor’s mansion and is using her as a weapon.”

Pei Yunying smiled noncommittally.

Ordinary people couldn’t, but Lu Tong very well could.

After several encounters with her, he had never gotten the better of her. That Doctor Lu’s vindictiveness was extraordinarily strong.

“Speaking of vindictiveness,” Xiao Zhufeng asked him: “Don’t you plan to get revenge on Miao Liangfang? That was your most beloved foal.”

Hearing this, the young man’s smile faded.

He thought of that beloved red foal—his grandfather had personally selected it from among many spirited horses as a gift. That little red horse was beautiful and proud. The brothers at home had even fought privately over the foal. But in just one month, the red horse had collapsed under the night sky after eating poisonous grass.

He didn’t remember if he had cried, but he still remembered holding the foal, feeling the red horse’s body temperature gradually cooling in his palm. It was the first time in his smooth life that he felt powerless, not knowing that there would be many such powerless moments in the years to come.

He lowered his eyes and scoffed: “I don’t have that kind of leisure.”

“Oh,” Xiao Zhufeng said expressionlessly, though with some mockery in his tone, “You’ve really grown up and become broad-minded. I thought you’d hold a grudge and kick someone when they’re down. Turns out you don’t hold grudges.”

Pei Yunying looked at him.

Xiao Zhufeng appeared completely serious.

After a long moment, the young man laughed coldly: “No, I hold grudges very much.”