Supported by Yin Zheng, Lu Tong walked to the rouge shop not far from Baoxiang Tower.

The shop owner was a plump woman who had been frightened earlier when Lu Dashan burst out, watching the whole incident while hiding behind the shop door. Now, seeing Lu Tong covered in blood, the female shopkeeper felt sympathetic and called for someone to bring a basin of hot water, letting the two women clean up in the back room.

Yin Zheng soaked a handkerchief in the water, carefully wiping the blood from Lu Tong’s face, her voice full of worry: “I wonder if this knife wound will leave a scar…”

“It’s nothing,” Lu Tong comforted her, “the wound isn’t deep, just need to apply some medicine powder when we get back to the inn.”

As Yin Zheng continued looking, she spoke angrily: “That fugitive was going after that other lady at first. If it weren’t for her guard’s actions, Miss wouldn’t be in this state. How vicious!”

She was referring to the Grand Tutor’s young lady.

Lu Tong lowered her eyes.

It seemed Lu Dashan, upon reaching this place, had only attempted to take a hostage after seeing the Grand Tutor’s carriage. If he had managed to take the Grand Tutor’s daughter hostage today, he might have escaped.

Unfortunately, by a twist of fate, he had seized her instead – a worthless commoner.

While wringing out the handkerchief, Yin Zheng asked Lu Tong: “But Miss, why did you suddenly attack just then? You startled me.” Speaking of the earlier scene, Yin Zheng was still shaken, “Miss is usually so calm, but today seemed somewhat rash. Though the fugitive was fierce, there were many officials present. Even if Miss hadn’t acted, they would have rescued you.”

Lu Tong laughed mockingly in her heart.

Lei Yuan would save her?

She had seen the archer behind Lei Yuan with a bow drawn taut, showing no concern whatsoever for her life.

Moreover, from Commander Pei’s words earlier, it seemed Lei Yuan wanted to silence Lu Dashan by killing him.

She was the most insignificant part of this affair – her death would mean nothing.

Lu Tong said: “Because I don’t trust them.”

Yin Zheng was startled: “Miss?”

“They were determined to catch the fugitive. I feared they would use me as a target to catch him,” Lu Tong’s voice was calm. “I’m not some precious young lady, just a commoner. In the eyes of these officials and nobles, I’m less than an ant.”

“I didn’t want to put my life in their hands. I only trust myself.”

Yin Zheng was stunned into silence.

Amid this silence, suddenly a voice spoke up.

“From what I hear, Doctor Lu seems to harbor quite a grudge against Shengjing’s nobility. Perhaps there’s some past grievance?”

Lu Tong suddenly looked up.

The rouge shop was filled with the sweet fragrance of cosmetics. The back room had no windows, only dim oil lamps lit. A large screen painted with newly bloomed hibiscus flowers, their pink petals, and fragrant leaves just beginning to bloom. In the flickering lamplight, someone walked out from behind the screen.

The young man’s crimson archer’s robe was brilliant, his black leather belt gleaming coldly at his waist, accentuating his tall and handsome figure. He had a face as beautiful as fine jade, both his features and bone structure first-rate. Standing there, he seemed to brighten even the dim room, like a dream among flowers.

Lu Tong’s gaze flickered slightly.

This was the “Commander Pei” that Lei Yuan had mentioned.

In the earlier chaos, she hadn’t looked closely at his face. Now she could see that he was radiant when speaking and laughing, his attire luxurious. Thinking of his earlier verbal sparring with the official who had repeatedly called him “Commander,” this youth appeared to be only in his early twenties, yet already held a high position – his family background must be considerable.

A clever and ruthless noble’s son – she should stay far away from him.

As Lu Tong was thinking this, she saw him smilingly place something on the small table before her, saying unhurriedly: “Doctor Lu, you dropped this.”

Lu Tong’s heart skipped a beat.

The blue delphinium velvet flower lay on the table, its cold-colored bloodstains looking somewhat eerie in the lamplight.

She steadied herself, then spoke softly: “Thank you, sir.” She reached out to take the flower.

A hand pressed down on the flower.

Lu Tong looked up.

The young man’s fingers were long and elegant, pressing on the deep blue velvet flower, making his hand appear like white jade.

His fingers lightly tapped the flower as if in thought. Though he was smiling, his eyes were dark and deep, as if trying to see through her.

Pei Yunying said: “There’s one thing I’m curious about, I hope Doctor Lu can enlighten me.”

Lu Tong stared at him coldly.

He smiled: “Why does Doctor Lu’s velvet flower have three silver needles?”

Ordinary ornamental flowers only had one pin, but Lu Tong had three.

Yin Zheng stood to the side, looking nervous.

Lu Tong said flatly: “My hair is thick and dense. One ordinary pin tends to slip out, so I use three.”

Pei Yunying raised an eyebrow slightly, while Lu Tong maintained her composure.

His gaze lingered for a moment on Lu Tong’s mist-like cascade of hair before quickly moving away: “I see.”

Before Lu Tong could speak, she heard him casually continue: “Then, Doctor Lu, why are your flower pins sharpened so keenly?” He smiled meaningfully as he reminded Lu Tong, “An ordinary flower pin couldn’t have made that wound on Lu Dashan’s face.”

Lu Tong’s heart sank slightly – this person was truly difficult to deal with.

Currently, when women wore ornamental flowers, whether pearl or velvet, the pins were always rounded to avoid injury. But the pins on Lu Tong’s blue delphinium were sharp and fierce – forget about a heavy strike, even a light graze would leave a fine mark on the skin.

She had sharpened these pins herself.

The sweet fragrance of rouge in the shop surrounded them in a rosy haze. Lu Tong’s gaze followed his hand upward, noting the delicate silver patterns on his wrist guard. After a moment’s pause, she looked up and spoke calmly: “Sir, as far as I know, there’s no law in Shengjing that prohibits women from having sharp flower pins, is there?”

Her tone was flat, but her gaze held an unyielding confrontation.

A flash of surprise crossed Pei Yunying’s eyes, then he smiled mysteriously and nodded: “Indeed.”

His expression became relaxed again as he removed his hand from the flower. He took out a palm-sized porcelain bottle from his robes and placed it on the table: “Doctor Lu’s wound still needs proper treatment – it would be a shame to leave a scar. The Right Military’s scar-removing medicine is quite effective; Doctor Lu might want to try it.”

Lu Tong didn’t move, only looking at him as she said: “Thank you.”

Someone called from outside: “Sir, the people from the Grand Tutor’s mansion request to see you.”

He acknowledged the call, gave Lu Tong one more smiling glance, then turned to leave.

Only after his figure had completely disappeared behind the screen did Lu Tong finally breathe a sigh of relief.

For some reason, though this person was smiling and his tone could be called warm, he made her instinctively feel danger.

Fortunately, this was just a chance encounter during a moment of chaos – the two of them likely wouldn’t have the opportunity to meet again.

As she thought this, Yin Zheng stood to the side and carefully asked: “Miss, shall we return now?”

“Pack our belongings,” Lu Tong withdrew her gaze, “we’ll leave Laiyi Inn tonight.”