“Why would Cui Min keep you?”

In the medical hall, Miao Liangfang looked at Lu Tong before him, his gaze unable to hide his shock.

Night had fallen deep, and the sky had darkened. Du Changqing, after dealing with various neighbors who came to congratulate him during the day, was already exhausted with an aching back. He had returned home to rest with A’Cheng.

Yin Zheng closed the medical hall’s main door properly and adjusted the silver lamp on the inner table. Seeing the lamplight brighten, she lifted the felt curtain and entered the small courtyard first.

The inner room was quiet. Miao Liangfang looked toward Lu Tong and repeated again: “Little Lu, why exactly would Cui Min keep you?”

Miao Liangfang was completely puzzled.

This year’s newly added “Examination of Evidence” subject had everyone crying about its difficulty. Even if Lu Tong was a genius with extraordinary talent who truly shone brilliantly in the Examination of Evidence subject, making a stunning debut, for Cui Min as the Academy Director to personally place Lu Tong on the red list, and in first place no less, seemed strange no matter how you looked at it.

You should know that by placing Lu Tong in first place on the red list, Cui Min was offending the Grand Court of Judicial Review Minister. What was worth having Cui Min offend the Grand Court of Judicial Review Minister for Lu Tong’s sake?

“Could it be…” Miao Liangfang’s eyes shifted: “Because of the Heir of Duke Zhaoning?”

When Pei Yunying came to Renxin Medical Hall last time, he seemed particularly familiar with Lu Tong. Although Lu Tong had denied it, Miao Liangfang always felt their relationship wasn’t as distant as Lu Tong claimed.

Lu Tong said: “No.”

“Then what…”

“Because I wrote new prescriptions under the diagnostic and treatment questions in every subject’s exam paper,” Lu Tong said calmly. “Ten new prescriptions. Cui Min isn’t a saint – naturally he would be tempted.”

Ten new prescriptions?

She spoke so lightly of it, but it shocked Miao Liangfang greatly: “Are you joking with me?”

Miao Liangfang knew Lu Tong had many strange new prescriptions in her head. Those medicinal formulas couldn’t exactly be called wrong, but they all carried some toxicity. Knowing well the conservative habits of the Imperial Medical Academy, Miao Liangfang had daily reminded Lu Tong before the spring examination, telling her never to write those new prescriptions on a whim when answering questions, and Lu Tong had obediently agreed.

Yet now Lu Tong was saying she not only wrote them, but wrote ten all at once!

For a moment, Miao Liangfang didn’t know whether to be angry at this girl for being two-faced or shocked by her audacity.

Others had backbones of steel, but good lord, she had a spine of pure rebellion.

Miao Liangfang pressed his chest and took deep breaths to calm himself. Lu Tong glanced at him and took the initiative to explain.

“Years ago, Cui Min stole your ‘Miao’s Good Prescriptions’ and claimed them as his own, using this to gain fame and promotion to Academy Director of the Imperial Medical Academy. You once said that after Cui Min became Academy Director, he stopped developing new prescriptions these past years.”

“In other words, for these ten years, Cui Min has been unable to develop new medicinal formulas himself, nor steal others’ prescriptions.”

“I guessed it was because the Imperial Medical Academy’s new physicians were mostly Imperial Medical Bureau students, not background-less commoners, so Cui Min couldn’t easily target them.”

In the night, her expression was serene as she spoke unhurriedly.

“A person who covets fame and profit but hasn’t produced anything for many years, no matter how nonchalant he appears on the surface, likely harbors unease deep down, especially when his previous fame and profit came from theft.”

“So I wrote ten new prescriptions to lure him to take the bait.”

Miao Liangfang murmured: “Lure him to take the bait?”

“I’m just an ordinary person with no background who can write new prescriptions that others cannot. Out of caution, Cui Min would inevitably select a few to test. Once he discovers those medicinal formulas are real…”

“In his eyes, I become the next you.”

“I gambled that he would, for greater profit, place me on the red list.”

Miao Liangfang listened with his mind in turmoil: “But those are so many prescriptions!”

Miao Liangfang knew better than anyone how precious a medicinal formula was. If Cui Min was unwilling to offend the Dong family for Lu Tong’s sake, those prescriptions would be given to him for nothing.

Ordinary people who obtained a good medicinal formula couldn’t bear to give it away. Sometimes a good prescription could even secure a person’s wealth for half a lifetime. But Lu Tong – even Chinese cabbage wasn’t given away this freely.

“You can’t catch a wolf without sacrificing the child,” Lu Tong smiled. “Besides, I won the gamble, didn’t I?”

Miao Liangfang was speechless.

Examining his conscience, if it were him seeking revenge and needing to approach his enemy to such an extent, he probably wouldn’t have Lu Tong’s determination and courage. She was clearly still so young, appearing calm and rational, yet in certain matters had a kind of reckless persistence.

If he had possessed Lu Tong’s determination back then, perhaps during these years he wouldn’t have cowered like a mouse in that dark thatched hut, spending his days with yellow wine and weeds, living in a daze.

Suddenly feeling ashamed, after hesitating for a long while, Miao Liangfang clenched his trouser legs and spoke with difficulty: “I promised to help you pass the spring examination, and you would help me with revenge. However, I didn’t help much, so you needn’t take my previous words to heart.”

Steeling his heart, Miao Liangfang said: “Little Lu, let’s forget about our previous agreement.”

Lu Tong’s ability to pass the spring examination truly had nothing to do with him. Miao Liangfang still had some dignity and couldn’t do something like “extorting gratitude for past favors.”

After saying this, Miao Liangfang lowered his head, his emotions very complex.

On one hand, he didn’t want to drag Lu Tong into his personal grudges. On the other hand, seeing hope slip away once again, it was impossible to say he wasn’t disappointed.

After all, he wasn’t a saint – selfish thoughts were hard to extinguish.

“No. I will honor my agreement with Mr. Miao.”

Miao Liangfang looked up in surprise, a trace of secret joy immediately floating in his heart, but it was quickly suppressed by reason as he shook his head: “No, your making the red list has nothing to do with me…”

“How could it have nothing to do with you?” Lu Tong interrupted him.

Warm lamplight gently covered her face, yet reflected a few traces of mysterious coldness in those clear, distinct black eyes.

The woman smiled slightly.

“Mr. Miao.”

She spoke: “I have one more thing I’d like to ask for your help with.”

…

In the following days, Renxin Medical Hall became unprecedentedly lively.

When West Street neighbors learned that Lu Tong had made the spring examination list and would soon take office at the Hanlin Imperial Medical Academy, almost everyone except Bai Shouyi from Xinglin Hall came to congratulate her.

Yin Zheng received so much cured meat and salted fish it could hardly be stored. Widow Sun dragged Lu Tong to a corner behind Dai Sanlang’s back, asking Lu Tong to find her a handsome man of suitable age at the Imperial Medical Academy – no wealth or background required, just tall, handsome, and robust.

Even He Xiazi was invited to the medical hall by Master Hu to have Lu Tong draw a travel fortune stick for good luck.

The black fortune cylinder was shaken a few times, and the long sticks inside rattled.

He Xiazi groped and pushed the cylinder toward Lu Tong: “Young lady, please draw.”

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Lu Tong couldn’t refuse Master Hu’s kind intentions, so she randomly drew a stick from the cylinder.

The long stick was slender, with red characters on a black background forming two lines—

Yin Zheng, standing behind Lu Tong, read softly: “When chess meets an opponent, one must hide strategies; in the black and white board, the time is not yet perceived. What does this mean?”

“Oh my, the young lady actually drew a ‘Scheme’ fortune!” Before Lu Tong could speak, He Xiazi exclaimed first.

Lu Tong: “A ‘Scheme’ fortune?”

“Yes, this is somewhat strange,” He Xiazi stroked his long beard and shook his head. “The young lady is entering the Imperial Medical Academy to be a physician – how could she be confronting people and hiding strategies? This fortune has an aura of killing and conflict. Strange, strange indeed.”

Lu Tong’s expression shifted slightly.

Du Changqing on the side spoke irritably: “Old He, you’re not going to say Dr. Lu will have a bloody disaster after becoming an official, are you?” He was already half-skeptical of West Street’s fortune-telling blind man, thinking he was a swindling fraud. Hearing this made him even more displeased, and he didn’t give Master Hu a good look either. “Uncle, bringing this up on such a joyous day – isn’t it inauspicious?”

Master Hu quickly said: “Sir, please explain it properly.”

He Xiazi lightly stroked his long beard: “Though it’s a ‘Scheme’ fortune, it’s actually a most auspicious one, so there’s no major problem. However, this text serves as a reminder, and given the heavy killing aura on the fortune, Dr. Lu is young and should draw an evil-dispelling talisman to ensure turning misfortune into fortune and extreme adversity into great prosperity.”

Lu Tong stared at him: “Draw a talisman?”

He Xiazi nodded mysteriously and pulled a triangular yellow talisman from his chest, handing it over: “This is an evil-dispelling talisman personally drawn by this poor Daoist for the young lady. It has the protection of the Three Pure Ancestors. Evil spirits will scatter upon encountering it, and it can also help you meet noble protectors and form good relationships.”

Lu Tong hesitated, then accepted the yellow talisman: “Thank you, Mr. He.”

He Xiazi quickly extended his palm: “Two taels of silver, no credit.”

Everyone: “…”

After He Xiazi took the silver and left satisfied, Du Changqing was still cursing in the medical hall.

“I told you he was a fraud here to swindle silver! Two taels of silver… why doesn’t he just rob people! I only make two taels a month sitting at this medical hall – who’s really the blind one here!”

“Alright, alright,” Yin Zheng laughed and smoothed things over. “Spending money to ward off disaster. The young lady is entering the palace – putting up a yellow talisman for safety. The proprietor has always been generous, surely you wouldn’t begrudge two taels of silver?” She gave A’Cheng a meaningful look.

A’Cheng came to his senses and pulled Du Changqing toward the inner room: “Proprietor, didn’t you say you had something for Dr. Lu?”

Lu Tong: “What?”

Du Changqing coughed lightly, walked to the inner room, and pulled out a small box from the bottom drawer of the cabinet, placing it on the table with a thud: “For you.”

Lu Tong was slightly stunned.

The box wasn’t large but looked heavy. When opened, it was neatly filled with silver ingots, with a top layer of scattered silver pieces – quite a substantial amount.

“This is…”

“Aren’t you going to the Imperial Medical Academy tomorrow?” Du Changqing slumped into the reclining chair, crossing his arms with a slovenly appearance. “I asked my brothers in the palace – you physicians don’t get much salary, but you can’t avoid having to grease palms everywhere.”

“This young master was your proprietor for a year anyway. Consider these two hundred taels of silver a gift from me. You’re the first physician to leave West Street. You can’t lose face for Renxin Medical Hall. Be generous when you’re out there, and don’t let people look down on you.”

A’Cheng was surprised: “Proprietor, you have brothers in the palace too?”

“Go, go, go,” Du Changqing said irritably. “There are many things you don’t know. Stop prying.”

A’Cheng pouted. Seeing that Lu Tong hadn’t moved, Yin Zheng quickly grabbed the box and smiled: “The proprietor is truly handsome and kind-hearted. No wonder everyone says West Street’s proprietor is the most generous. How could others compare?”

Du Changqing was quite pleased with this flattery: “Naturally.”

Lu Tong pressed her lips together and said nothing. She got up and went into the small courtyard, returning shortly with a letter that she placed in Du Changqing’s hands.

“I’m leaving tomorrow,” Lu Tong said. “Before I go, this is for you.”

Du Changqing grimaced: “We don’t need to write those goosebump-inducing words between us, do we?”

“These are four prescriptions. Every three months, make one patent medicine according to the prescriptions. For Renxin Medical Hall to have a place in the medical profession, relying on ‘Jade Dragon Paste’ and ‘Slender’ alone isn’t enough.”

Du Changqing was stunned and suddenly sat up straight, exclaiming: “Prescriptions?”

If these were truly patent medicine prescriptions, their value would far exceed the hundred taels of silver he had given Lu Tong.

Miao Liangfang on the side was also quite surprised. Prescriptions were such precious things – why did Lu Tong always give them away so casually? Just how many unknown medical formulas did her mysterious master have? Seeing such a good disciple being so wasteful, wouldn’t he be heartbroken in the underworld?

Lu Tong ignored Du Changqing’s shock and looked at A’Cheng standing to the side, smiling: “When Proprietor Du has free time, he might as well teach A’Cheng reading and writing, and if possible, some pharmacology and medical classics would be even better.”

“Reading… is useful,” she said softly.

A’Cheng didn’t understand but instinctively nodded.

Miao Liangfang watched this scene and suddenly felt his eyes sting. Just as he was wondering if he was getting old and couldn’t bear these parting scenes, he heard Lu Tong call him: “Mr. Miao.”

He suddenly shivered and said warily: “I already gave my gift. I don’t have a single coin left on me now!”

Lu Tong said nothing and reached for the wine gourd at his waist.

“What, are you going to give me wine…”

Before he finished speaking, Lu Tong simply let go, and the wine gourd fell into the waste bucket in the room with a “thud.”

“Hey—” Miao Liangfang was startled and hurriedly reached to retrieve it. “Why are you throwing my gourd away?”

Lu Tong blocked his movement: “Practicing medicine at a clinic, one cannot drink alcohol.”

“What clinic am I sitting at…” Miao Liangfang was saying when his voice suddenly stopped, and he looked up in disbelief.

Lu Tong stood before him, speaking in an ordinary tone.

“I’ve already spoken with Proprietor Du. From now on, you’ll practice medicine at this clinic.”

Miao Liangfang was shocked and suddenly turned to look at Du Changqing.

The young man who looked utterly improper was lying sideways in the chair, his elevated leg shaking high, speaking in his usual insufferable tone: “Let’s be clear first – you look too old, and though you were once a physician, a hero doesn’t boast of past deeds. You’re also lame in one leg, so the monthly salary is halved. One tael of silver per month, including meals but not lodging. Oh, and you’ll teach me and A’Cheng when you have time.”

“If you do well, raising your monthly salary isn’t impossible. If you want to slack off, Xinglin Hall is right next door – turn left, no escort needed.”

“Also…”

Miao Liangfang didn’t hear clearly what Du Changqing said after that. His mind kept echoing only the first part.

They wanted him to practice medicine here at the clinic.

How could that be possible? Miao Liangfang thought in a daze.

Impossible. They must be toying with him.

He was a disgraced official expelled from the Hanlin Imperial Medical Academy, bearing a shameful reputation. If he practiced medicine at a clinic, his past would naturally show up in the medical profession’s documents. No medical hall would dare take the risk of hiring him to practice.

Or rather, no one would dare trust him.

So all these years, he could only hide in that broken thatched hut on West Street, tending to wildly growing medicinal herbs in front of his house to fulfill his aspirations.

But now they were saying they wanted him to practice medicine here.

Though the tone was joking, the words were serious.

Miao Liangfang curled his fingers, feeling that his silent, gray heart chamber had been startled open by spring thunder like tiny seeds, with something breaking through the soil and sprouting, coming back to vibrant life.

Du Changqing glanced at him and frowned: “I know my conditions are good, but you don’t need to cry from being moved, do you? Tsk, can you wipe your snot? It’s dripping on the floor!”

The middle-aged man was teary-eyed, frantically wiping his face with a handkerchief while not forgetting to angrily retort: “Woo… that’s saliva!”

Lu Tong: “…”

Du Changqing: “So are you doing it or not?”

“Yes!” Miao Liangfang said, then realizing he had shouted too forcefully, quickly added: “For Little Lu’s sake.”

Du Changqing rolled his eyes: “Heh.”

…

This day passed with settling affairs and packing luggage.

After dusk, Du Changqing went home with A’Cheng, and Miao Liangfang also left. Lu Tong closed the medical hall’s main door and lifted the felt curtain to enter the small courtyard.

It was March again. The spring night was cool and clear, but the small courtyard was much livelier than when she first arrived.

Six-cornered wind chimes bought by A’Cheng from the lantern market hung from all four corners of the eaves, making crisp sounds when the wind blew. A large emerald green toad flower lantern crouched under the plum tree by the window, its two bulging eyes comically staring at the person under the tree, illuminating the blue stone ground in serene light.

A breeze brought the faint soapberry fragrance from the washed clothes hanging to dry in the courtyard. In the corner were still piled the cured meat and goose eggs given by Song Sao and Widow Sun, with red cloth tied to gift baskets still undone, often attracting wild cats to sneak in along the walls at night to steal a piece or two.

There were also the camellias and spring orchids planted by Yin Zheng…

In just one short year, this place had become increasingly like the courtyard of the Lu family in Changwu County.

So much like it that leaving would create some reluctance in one’s heart.

Yin Zheng came in from outside, seeing Lu Tong standing lost in thought in the courtyard. She smiled and walked over, collecting the clothes that had dried in the courtyard back into the house, saying to Lu Tong: “There was sun today, so airing them before entering the Imperial Medical Academy is better. I don’t know if these clothes are enough – we should have had Tailor Ge make a few more…”

Lu Tong was going to the Imperial Medical Academy, so Yin Zheng had been making shoes, socks, and undergarments for her well in advance, making several extra sets for the season. Her needlework wasn’t particularly good, but she drew beautiful patterns that even Tailor Ge envied when he saw them.

Lu Tong entered the room. Yin Zheng was folding the collected clothes one by one and placing them in the bundle Lu Tong would take with her.

“Oh, young lady,” Yin Zheng said while folding clothes without looking up, “Guard Qing Feng from the Palace Command sent a wooden box. I don’t know what it is, but I put it on your table. Take a look later – it might be a congratulatory gift.”

Lu Tong looked behind her. On the table by the window, there was indeed a wooden box, not exquisite and even excessively plain.

After a moment of silence, Lu Tong turned around, walked to the table, and opened the cabinet at the table’s base, taking out a box – the two hundred taels of silver Du Changqing had given her today.

She took these two hundred taels of silver and walked to Yin Zheng, who was folding clothes.

Seeing her like this, Yin Zheng stopped her movements and said hesitantly: “Young lady, what are you doing?”

Lu Tong placed the box in her hands.

“I’m entering the Imperial Medical Academy,” Lu Tong said. “Du Changqing doesn’t pay you much monthly salary. If you don’t want to stay here, you can take this silver and leave.”

“…Leave?”

Yin Zheng was stunned, then shook her head: “I’ll just wait here for the young lady’s days off. If there’s anything I can help with…”

“No need to wait for me. My affairs after this have nothing to do with you,” Lu Tong said very calmly. “You and I were originally strangers who met by chance and traveled together for a while. When fate ends, we should part amicably.”

Yin Zheng’s eyes immediately reddened: “This servant’s life was saved by the young lady…”

“Your help this past year has already repaid the life-saving debt. You need not bear this burden.”

Yin Zheng bit her lip, somewhat struggling: “Is the young lady driving me away?”

Lu Tong said nothing.

Yin Zheng looked at the person before her.

The woman sat by the bed with a cold expression. Even the lamplight couldn’t add warmth to her beautiful features. From when Yin Zheng first knew Lu Tong, Lu Tong seemed to have always been like this, forever maintaining this distant aloofness from others.

But Yin Zheng knew Lu Tong wasn’t a cold-hearted person. A cold-hearted person wouldn’t have carried her back from the eerie, grim burial ground to the mountain, wouldn’t have carefully tended to her injuries, mixing ointments to apply to that body even the madam despised.

She had never looked down on her because of her background as a courtesan, instead showing extreme patience.

Yin Zheng wasn’t stupid. She understood that Lu Tong spoke so coldly because she feared dragging her down and delaying her. This talk of driving her away was hoping she wouldn’t bind herself with gratitude.

But understanding was one thing, and being hurt by the words was another.

Yin Zheng lowered her head and softly said “mm,” then stood up and said quietly: “I understand.”

She got up to leave, but just as she reached the door, Lu Tong called her back.

Yin Zheng’s eyes lit up with joy – had she changed her mind?

She turned back and saw Lu Tong walk up to her and stuff the heavy box into her arms: “You forgot the silver.”

Yin Zheng: “…”

Holding the box, she stamped her foot lightly in annoyance and turned to go out.

After Yin Zheng left, the room became quiet again.

Half-packed bundles were still spread on the bed. Lu Tong walked to the bedside and folded the remaining clothes to pack them.

Yin Zheng was very meticulous. Besides undergarments, shoes, and socks, she had made over ten velvet flowers and silk handkerchiefs in different colors and patterns. Those gorgeous, colorful flowers were exceptionally bright in the dim light, crowding warmly before one’s eyes.

The room felt even more desolate.

Lu Tong lowered her eyes and stared at those velvet flowers for a long time before slowly reaching out to carefully pack them one by one into her traveling bag.

She then got up and walked to the table, taking the box Yin Zheng had mentioned Qing Feng delivered to examine under the lamp.

With a “click,” the lid opened.

By the dim candlelight, four palm-sized porcelain jars were arranged in the wooden box. Lu Tong picked up one, her fingertips touching what seemed like indentations at the jar’s bottom. Looking closer, she discovered they were discreet family names.

All four porcelain jars were inscribed with family names.

Lu Tong’s grip on the porcelain jar tightened.

Pei Yunying hadn’t broken his word. As he had said, he had found her family’s grave soil again for her.

However…

The small Buddhist cabinet in the room was empty. Since that white porcelain Guanyin had broken, Lu Tong hadn’t bought a new Guanyin statue to worship. She was about to leave this place and wouldn’t need to continue offering incense here in the future.

The fortune stick that West Street’s fortune-teller He Xiazi had interpreted for her read: “When chess meets an opponent, one must hide strategies; in the black and white board, the time is not yet perceived.” Within lay thorns of killing and conflict, fearing strange changes would arise.

She wasn’t afraid, because no matter where she went, her family would always accompany her.

On this spring night in the capital, as the street drums first waned, gentle breezes scattered the cold.

The woman lowered her head, her fingers tenderly brushing the cool porcelain jars, her expression loving and reluctant, like a wanderer about to leave home listening to family instructions before departure, her features all peaceful.

“Father, Mother, Elder Sister, Second Brother, rest assured,” she answered seriously, as if making a promise, word by word.

“I will ‘scheme’ well.”

End of Volume One: Flower Time’s Regret

Volume One Complete! Celebration! \(≧▽≦)/

Volume Two’s pace will be slower. This book’s romantic tension period is quite long, really long! So anxious friends can wait a while before reading, or even wait until the ending to read (^o^)/ If nothing unexpected happens, it should be complete by summer vacation~

Finally, happy holidays to all the ladies! May you be happy every day (^з^)