Lu Tong was supported by Yin Zheng as they walked to a rouge shop not far from Treasure Fragrance Tower.

The shop owner was a plump woman who had been terrified when Lü Dashan burst out earlier and had hidden behind the shop door, witnessing the entire process. Now seeing Lu Tong covered in blood, the female shopkeeper felt sympathy and had someone bring a basin of hot water, letting the two of them clean up in the back room.

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

“It’s fine,” Lu Tong comforted her. “The wound isn’t deep. We’ll just apply some medicinal powder when we return to the inn.”

As Yin Zheng looked and cleaned, she spoke angrily: “That fugitive was clearly charging toward the lady beside us at first. If her family’s guard hadn’t acted, how would Miss have ended up like this? What a vicious heart!”

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

Lu Tong lowered her eyes.

It seemed that when Lü Dashan fled to this place, he had spotted the Grand Tutor’s carriage and decided to take hostages. If he had kidnapped the Grand Tutor’s daughter today, he might have actually escaped successfully.

Unfortunately, through a twist of fate, he had kidnapped her—a worthless commoner.

While wringing out the handkerchief, Yin Zheng asked Lu Tong: “But Miss, why did you suddenly act just now? You gave me quite a fright.” Speaking of the recent scene, Yin Zheng still felt lingering fear. “Miss is usually so calm, but today you were somewhat reckless. Although that fugitive was fierce, quite a few officers had come. Even if Miss hadn’t acted, they would have rescued you.”

Lu Tong smiled mockingly in her heart.

Lei Yuan would rescue her?

She had clearly seen the archer behind Lei Yuan already nocking his bowstring tight, showing no sign of caring about her life or death.

Moreover, from what Commander Pei had implied earlier, Lei Yuan seemed to want to kill Lü Dashan to silence him.

She was the most insignificant link in this official conflict—her death would be of no consequence.

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

Yin Zheng was stunned: “Miss?”

“They were determined to get that fugitive. I was afraid they would use me as a target to catch him.” Lu Tong’s voice was calm. “I’m not a wealthy young lady, just a commoner. In the eyes of these official households 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 dazed and didn’t speak for a moment.

In the silence, a voice suddenly rang out.

“It sounds like Doctor Lu harbors quite a grudge against the capital’s nobility. Could there have been some past grievance?”

Lu Tong suddenly looked up.

The rouge shop was filled with the sweet fragrance of cosmetics and powders. The back room had no windows, only dim oil lamps. A large screen painted with several newly bloomed hibiscus flowers—powder-condensed fragrant leaves with budding dark fragrance. In the swaying lamplight, someone emerged from behind the screen.

The young man’s bright red arrow-decorated jacket was brilliant, with a black lacquered leather belt at his waist that gleamed coldly, making his tall and upright figure even more striking. He also had a face handsome as beautiful jade, with first-rate features and bone structure. Standing there, he brightened the dim room by several degrees, like a drunken dream among flowers.

Lu Tong’s eyes 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 this person was brilliant in conversation, with luxurious clothing and accessories. Recalling his earlier verbal sparring with that officer, with the other repeatedly calling him “Commander,” though this young man appeared to be only in his early twenties, he had already reached a high position at such a young age—his family background must be considerable.

A clever and ruthless noble offspring—she should keep as far away as possible.

As Lu Tong thought this, she saw him smile and place something in his hand on the small table in front of her, saying unhurriedly: “Doctor Lu, you dropped something.”

Lu Tong’s heart skipped a beat.

The blue sparrow silk flower lay on the table, gleaming with cold-colored blood under the lamplight, appearing somewhat sinister.

She steadied herself, then spoke in a light tone: “Thank you, sir.” She reached out to pick up the silk flower.

A hand pressed down on the silk flower.

Lu Tong looked up.

The young man’s finger joints were slender, pressing on the dark blue silk flower, making his hand appear white as jade.

His finger lightly tapped the silk flower, as if pondering. Though he was smiling, his eyes were dark and deep, as if trying to see through a person.

Pei Yunying said: “There’s one thing I don’t understand. I’d like Doctor Lu to clarify it for me.”

Lu Tong looked at him coldly.

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

Ordinary silk flowers only had one flower pin, but Lu Tong’s had a full three needles.

Yin Zheng stood to the side, showing nervousness on her face.

Lu Tong said flatly: “My hair is thick and dense. A single flower pin would easily slip out, so I used three.”

Pei Yunying raised his eyebrows slightly while Lu Tong’s expression remained composed.

His gaze lingered for a moment on Lu Tong’s cloud-like cascade of hair, then quickly moved away: “I see.”

Before Lu Tong could speak, she heard him continue casually: “Then Doctor Lu, why did you sharpen the silk flower pins so much?” He reminded Lu Tong with a half-smile, “The wound on Lü Dashan’s face couldn’t have been made by an ordinary flower pin.”

Lu Tong’s heart sank slightly. This man was truly difficult to deal with.

When women of this era wore flowers in their hair, whether pearl flowers or silk flowers, the pins behind them were always ground smooth and round to avoid hurting people. But the blue sparrow flower that Lu Tong wore had sharp and fierce pins that would likely leave fine marks on skin even with a light brush, let alone a heavy scratch.

She had sharpened these pins herself.

The rouge shop was filled with sweet fragrance that suffused the surroundings with rosy colors. Lu Tong’s gaze followed his hand upward, catching sight of the exquisite silver dark patterns on his wrist guard. After pausing for a moment, she raised her head and spoke calmly: “Sir, as far as I know, there’s no law in the capital that prohibits women from having sharp flower pins, is there?”

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

A flash of surprise passed through Pei Yunying’s eyes, then he smiled inexplicably and nodded: “True enough.”

His expression became relaxed again. He released his hand from the silk flower and took out a palm-sized porcelain bottle from his jacket, placing it on the table: “Doctor Lu’s wound still needs proper treatment—it wouldn’t do to leave a scar. The Tianwu Right Army’s scar-removal medicine is quite effective. Doctor Lu might try it.”

Lu Tong didn’t move, only looked at him and said: “Thank you.”

Someone outside called to him: “Sir, people from the Grand Tutor’s manor request an audience.”

He acknowledged them, smiled at Lu Tong once more, then turned and left.

Only after this person’s figure completely disappeared behind the screen did Lu Tong breathe a sigh of relief in her heart.

She didn’t know why, but although this man was clearly smiling and his tone could be called gentle, he made her involuntarily feel danger.

Fortunately, it was just a chance meeting during a disturbance. The two of them should have no opportunity to meet again in the future.

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

“Pack our luggage,” Lu Tong withdrew her gaze. “We’ll leave the Incoming Guest Inn tonight.”