The sky gradually darkened.

After the carriage descended the mountain, the road became much smoother.

After passing the porridge stall where the Qi family was distributing relief, Lu Tong fell silent, not speaking a word the entire way. Pei Yunying also didn’t speak again. The two sat quietly like this, and before they knew it, West Street was already in sight.

It was already night, and all the shops on the street had closed their doors. It was quiet with few pedestrians passing by. Qing Feng stopped the carriage in front of Renxin Medical Hall. Lu Tong thanked Pei Yunying and turned to get off the carriage, but he called out to her from behind.

“Doctor Lu.”

Lu Tong turned to look at him, not understanding what he wanted to say.

“Yesterday you said that if I told you about the Qi family matter, you would also do things for me.”

Lu Tong paused.

She had indeed said that at the time.

However, at that moment this person had acted very aloof, appearing unwilling to do this business with her. Today’s kind escort apparently had its purpose revealed here.

There truly was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

Lu Tong asked: “What does Master want me to do?”

Pei Yunying lowered his head, took out a letter from his bosom, and handed it to Lu Tong.

Lu Tong looked at him uncomprehendingly.

“Do you think this is a list of people for you to kill?”

Pei Yunying found it amusing: “Don’t look so alarmed. Doctor Lu’s medical skills are excellent. I’d like you to help me examine whether there are any problems with these prescriptions.”

Prescriptions?

This contained prescriptions?

The letter in her hand was cold. Lu Tong instinctively squeezed it once, then looked at Pei Yunying: “This is Master’s condition for the trade with me?”

“Correct.”

Lu Tong understood.

“I understand.” She nodded, put the letter in her sleeve, and bowed to Pei Yunying: “Once I figure it out, I’ll come to the Marshal’s residence to find Master. Farewell.”

Having said this, she lifted her skirt and got off the carriage, entering the main door of Renxin Medical Hall.

Yin Zheng had been waiting in the medical hall for a long time. Hearing Lu Tong knock, she quickly opened the door. Before entering the shop, Lu Tong looked back once – the carriage curtain had already fallen, Qing Feng raised his whip to drive the carriage, and the sound of wheels gradually disappeared on the empty streets of West Street.

Lu Tong closed the main door.

Yin Zheng held an oil lamp and followed beside Lu Tong, chattering: “Miss has finally returned. Shopkeeper Du asked eight hundred times today where you had gone. If Master Miao hadn’t helped speak for you, he almost would have reported to the authorities. He made me so nervous. Didn’t Miss say you were going to the mountain tea garden for a look? Why did you come back so late? Have you eaten? Did Young Master Pei give you any trouble…”

Lu Tong answered each question.

Yin Zheng didn’t ask much about Lu Tong’s Qi family affairs anymore, perhaps knowing that even if she asked, Lu Tong wouldn’t tell her, so she simply focused all her energy on the present.

After asking a few more questions, seeing Lu Tong’s tired expression, Yin Zheng guessed she was exhausted from traveling all day. She placed the oil lamp back on the table and, after Lu Tong had washed, left the room, instructing her to rest early.

After Yin Zheng left, Lu Tong didn’t immediately go to bed.

The lamp on the table by the window was lit. Lu Tong put on her outer clothes and sat down at the table.

Today she had followed Pei Yunying to Tuoluo Mountain’s Mangming Township and learned about Old Yang’s family history. Though the details were vague and all witnesses and evidence had long since disappeared, Pei Yunying’s words had made it quite clear. The Yang family was another Lu family, annihilated by Qi Yutai because of a thrush bird.

Yang Dalang had perhaps injured Qi Yutai during their altercation, leaving such a deep impression on Qi Yutai that he extremely detested birds for years afterward, causing Grand Tutor Qi, who loved birds like his life, to drive away all the birds kept in the residence.

Unless “thrushes” could possibly affect Qi Yutai’s peaceful life, Qi Qing wouldn’t have made this decision for no reason.

Qi Yutai’s mother and maternal relatives had suffered from madness, and Qi Yutai very likely could also develop the condition.

All people or things that might stimulate him could potentially become that medicinal catalyst.

Now, she had found that catalyst.

Lu Tong extended her finger, slowly approaching the flame burning in the oil lamp.

After staring at the flame for too long, even originally distinct colors became chaotic. A faint burning sensation came from her fingertip – it seemed one step closer would burn her.

Lu Tong withdrew her hand.

The thrush to Qi Yutai was like Wu Yun to herself.

Wu Yun was already dead, but the thrush would become Qi Yutai’s Wu Yun, forever and ever hanging over Qi Yutai’s head until the storm completely buried him.

The medicinal catalyst had been found.

Next… was how to perfectly integrate this catalyst into the medicine and slowly brew it.

Outside the window, a wild cat called out, like a mournful night bell in the spring night, awakening Lu Tong.

She came to her senses, thought for a moment, opened the table drawer, and pulled out a letter.

This was the letter Pei Yunying had given her when leaving today.

Pei Yunying said this contained prescriptions.

Prescriptions…

Lu Tong suddenly remembered that night at the Hanlin Imperial Medical Academy when he had infiltrated the medical storehouse with a medical record in his hand. She hadn’t been able to see clearly what was recorded in the medical case before he covered her eyes, but the position he had been searching through at that time…

The lamp burned quietly, and Lu Tong lowered her eyes.

Fine, whatever he wanted to do was none of her business. It was just a transaction anyway.

She lowered her head and opened the letter in her hand.

…

The lights in the Marshal’s residence burned later than usual tonight.

With the moon half-full and wind gentle, among the clusters of green banana plants by the window, cicadas began their intermittent low chirping.

When Xiao Zhufeng returned to the Marshal’s residence, the night was already very deep.

The area around the military compound was exceptionally quiet. In the heavy night, it seemed only this place emitted a dim yellowish light.

He pushed the door and entered. Inside the room, the young man sat at the table with his head lowered, reviewing military documents before him. Beside his hand, the stacked documents were almost half a person’s height, nearly burying him.

Xiao Zhufeng asked: “Why aren’t you going back so late?”

It was already past midnight. Usually at this time, apart from the rotating guards, the Marshal’s residence should be empty.

Pei Yunying didn’t lift his head: “Haven’t finished reading the official documents.”

Xiao Zhufeng stepped back two paces, leaned against the door frame with crossed arms watching him, and drawled: “Spending the day accompanying a young lady on mountain tours and water excursions, then burning the midnight oil reading military records at night – truly painstaking effort.”

Pei Yunying’s pen-lifting motion paused as he looked at him: “What do you mean?”

Xiao Zhufeng still maintained his cold expression like an eternally frozen iceberg, but his tone was utterly sarcastic:

“Personally escorting her to Mangming Township – even if the Qi family discovered it, they’d have to show some restraint. Isn’t this painstaking effort?”

Pei Yunying chuckled: “Am I that kind-hearted?”

Xiao Zhufeng nodded: “That’s exactly what I want to ask.” He stared at the young man at the table. “Lu Tong dealing with the Grand Tutor’s residence has nothing to do with you. Why do you keep interfering? Do you think there isn’t enough trouble?”

This tone was somewhat aggressive, making it impossible for Pei Yunying to continue writing.

He simply set down his pen and, after thinking, spoke: “I want to obtain something and need someone to remove obstacles along the way.”

“She’s the most suitable person.”

“Is that so?” Xiao Zhufeng spoke meaningfully: “But I see you more like the fool clearing obstacles for others, without complaint or regret.”

Pei Yunying: “…”

The room fell eerily quiet for a moment.

He laughed coldly, didn’t continue this topic, and casually said: “I showed Lu Tong the prescription from the medical records found at the Imperial Medical Academy.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Her medical skills are much better than those useless people at the Imperial Medical Academy. Maybe she can spot something wrong.”

Xiao Zhufeng frowned: “Aren’t you afraid she’ll leak secrets?”

Pei Yunying turned a page of documents: “She’s very trustworthy.”

“Who says so? Who vouches for her?” Xiao Zhufeng disagreed. “Will you take responsibility if problems arise?”

“Fine. I’ll vouch for her.”

He picked up his pen again, his tone unconcerned: “If problems arise, I’ll take responsibility.”

…

The three-day rest period passed in a flash.

Miao Liangfang lamented that Lu Tong had to return to the Imperial Medical Academy so soon after coming back. A’Cheng and Du Changqing had already loaded packages of dried fruits and snacks onto the carriage. Yin Zheng also seized the opportunity to stuff in a basket of blue-shelled eggs, despite Lu Tong’s repeated explanations that the Imperial Medical Academy had no extra kitchen to prepare these things.

When Lu Tong returned to the Imperial Medical Academy with this carriage full of local products and piled these apples, loquats, and apricots on all the tables and cabinets in her dormitory room, even Lin Danqing couldn’t help but marvel.

“Sister Lu, I originally thought I brought enough things back from my family visit, but I didn’t expect you to be just as generous.” She picked up a clean loquat, peeled it, and took a bite. “So sweet!”

Lu Tong smiled: “There’s more in the cabinet.”

“Then I won’t be polite,” Lin Danqing pulled a small basket of loquats toward herself, eating while laughing: “Speaking of which, after your trip home, you look much better. I haven’t seen you this happy in all the time you’ve been here.”

This wasn’t an exaggeration.

Since entering the Imperial Medical Academy, Lu Tong had always been cold and distant. However, after this rest period, though she still looked the same, her smiles seemed more genuine, as if something good had happened.

Lin Danqing sighed: “Indeed, people live for rest periods.” Then she sighed again: “It’s just too short – three days isn’t nearly enough. At least ten days would be proper.”

Lu Tong smiled and was about to speak when she heard Lin Danqing continue: “With so many people at the Imperial Medical Academy, we only get these few rest days. As soon as we return, there’s a pile of work, as if the Imperial Medical Academy can’t function without us. Today when I came back, Chief Medical Officer Chang immediately asked if you’d returned, saying Minister Jin from the Ministry of Revenue had urged several times…”

“Minister Jin?”

“Yes,” Lin Danqing spat out a pit, “just a scrotal abscess – it’s not some terminal illness, no need to be so anxious…”

Jin Xianrong was naturally very anxious.

Ever since learning of his condition, he lived in daily fear, terrified of following in his father’s footsteps. He took medicine on time and maintained careful health practices, hoping for recovery and restoration.

However, having claimed illness in his youth to monopolize the household’s beauties, prolonged illness inevitably aroused suspicion.

Jin Xianrong’s proud masculine dignity wouldn’t allow others to trample on it, so three days ago he couldn’t resist and had intimate relations with a concubine in his household. When he woke up the next day, he was horrified.

Lu Tong had repeatedly warned him during treatment not to engage in intimate relations during the treatment period. Having broken this rule, he didn’t know if all his previous efforts would be wasted. Jin Xianrong wanted to ask Lu Tong about it, but when he sent someone to the Imperial Medical Academy, he learned that Lu Tong had gone home for rest period.

These three days felt like years.

Jin Xianrong had nightmares for three straight days, dreaming every night that he had become a eunuch, watched by a roomful of beloved concubines with contemptuous eyes. His already sparse eyebrows had now fallen out so much they were barely visible.

Now that Lu Tong had returned from rest period, Jin Xianrong was nearly moved to tears.

“Doctor Lu, do you think I… still have a chance?”

Jin Xianrong clenched his fists and stared at Lu Tong, nervous as a child.

The female physician frowned at him, her tone serious: “Intimate relations during treatment is a great taboo. Minister Jin has violated this taboo…”

Her silence lasted rather long – long enough for Jin Xianrong’s heart to rise to his throat and he was about to cry when she slowly said: “Future treatment effects will be slower, but Minister Jin must remember not to engage in intimate relations again these coming months.”

“Just slower?”

Jin Xianrong breathed a sigh of relief.

He thought Lu Tong was going to pronounce his death sentence, never expecting there was still hope. For a moment he felt the relief of surviving disaster, nodding repeatedly: “Yes, yes, absolutely not, absolutely not. I’ll definitely follow Doctor Lu’s instructions carefully.”

Lu Tong rose to organize her medical box. Walking past a room door, her gaze glanced inside. The rosewood and gemstone screen at the entrance was still there, but there was no one on the rosewood couch deeper inside.

She asked seemingly casually: “Is Minister Qi not here?”

“Yutai?” Jin Xianrong waved his hand. “Since your last visit, he hasn’t been feeling well – don’t know if it’s from catching cold earlier or what, but his spirits aren’t good. Since the Ministry of Revenue doesn’t have much business, we told him to go home and recuperate.”

“I see.” Lu Tong nodded and turned back: “Minister Jin, I have something to give you.”

Jin Xianrong was puzzled: “What?”

…

At the Grand Tutor’s residence.

It was afternoon, with the sun drowsy. Two sweeping maids in the courtyard had cleaned up and were now hiding in the tree shade to cool off.

The younger maid wore a blue jacket and skirt, had clear eyes and delicate features, with a somewhat childish appearance. She was lying by the artificial mountain pond, looking down at the goldfish swimming back and forth in the pool.

“Su Qing, what are you doing lying by the pond? Be careful not to fall in.”

The older maid sitting to one side reminded her.

“Sister, this is my first time seeing so many beautiful fish. Aunt didn’t lie to me – the Grand Tutor’s residence is truly wonderful!” The little maid giggled, pointing her finger above the pool water, startling the gathered fish and making them scatter suddenly.

The Grand Tutor’s residence had strict conditions for selecting servants – they needed to be good-looking, capable, clever children from decent families. Su Qing was young, only fourteen this year. When the Qi family steward went to select servants, seeing her fair and adorable appearance, he selected her as well.

When this news came, Su Qing’s entire family was too happy to speak.

That was the residence of the current Grand Tutor!

This lord was not only high in position and powerful, but also upright and loyal, and especially kindhearted – a great benefactor who set up porridge stalls in the city every year to feed the hungry, and built bridges and roads. Even a servant position in the Grand Tutor’s residence was something many people would break their heads trying to obtain.

Su Qing’s family all worked for others on estates and never expected she would be chosen for the Grand Tutor’s residence. Though she’d been in the residence for three days without even seeing the master, Su Qing was delighted every day.

The Grand Tutor’s residence had beautiful corridors and gardens, with exquisite cups and dishes, and even the goldfish swimming in the artificial mountain pond seemed more precious than elsewhere.

Being young after all, Su Qing became playful, chasing the prettiest black-eyed fish and not even noticing someone approaching. It wasn’t until a human shadow suddenly appeared beside the pond, its long shadow cutting across the path in front of her, that she noticed.

Su Qing was startled and instinctively looked up to see a black-robed elder standing not far in front of her, looking at her indifferently.

The elder was probably past sixty, with white hair and beard, wearing black Taoist robes, having an immortal bearing with somewhat lofty features. Behind him followed a short steward, head bowed respectfully.

From behind came the older maid’s fearful voice.

“…Master.”

Master?

In the entire Grand Tutor’s residence, only Grand Tutor Qi Qing could be called “Master.”

Grand Tutor Qi usually took afternoon naps at this time. She hadn’t expected anyone to come now. The household always emphasized servant rules, and her running and playing in front of the master like this was already improper behavior worthy of beating.

Su Qing’s heart lurched as she quickly knelt and kowtowed: “This servant was improper, please have mercy, Master.”

Long silence.

Just as Su Qing’s heart was filled with anxiety, a calm voice came from above: “Get up.”

Su Qing was startled and carefully looked up at the person in front of her. The elder looked down at her, his expression not angry as she had expected, his tone even quite gentle.

“New arrival?”

“Yes.” Su Qing said quietly: “This servant is Su Qing, entered the residence three days ago.”

The elder nodded: “The poolside is dangerous – be careful in the future.”

Su Qing was stunned, then somewhat excited.

The Grand Tutor didn’t blame her!

Not only didn’t he scold her, he even reminded her not to fall into the pool!

Ordinary wealthy families were always harsh with servants – who would be so easy to talk to? The outside rumors weren’t lies – Grand Tutor Qi was indeed a compassionate, kindhearted great man! She must send word to her parents about this, to spread Grand Tutor Qi’s good reputation!

Su Qing lowered her head, hiding her inner joy, and obediently agreed.

Seeing her like this, the elder nodded and was about to leave. As he passed by, his gaze fell on the kneeling person. The little maid wore maiden’s twin buns, humbly lowering her head, revealing a section of collar inside – on the snow-white collar was embroidered a small pattern.

Bright wings, singing proudly.

It was a thrush.

He suddenly stopped.

Su Qing knelt there, seeing that the person who had already started walking suddenly stopped again. The next moment, a hand as withered as tree bark reached out, suddenly grasping her collar, fingers like pale dead wood, roughly grinding over the raised pattern on the collar.

Her heart suddenly panicked.

“What is this?” The elder’s voice came from above, indiscernible in joy or anger.

“It’s… it’s a thrush.”

Behind her, the older maid’s body shook as she looked at her in terror. Su Qing didn’t see this.

“A thrush?”

Su Qing said carefully: “This servant’s pet name is Thrush – Mother embroidered this.”

Before entering the Grand Tutor’s residence, though her family was happy for her, they also worried. When leaving, Su Qing had brought her original undergarments. This clothing had a thrush embroidered by her mother – wearing it felt like having family beside her, adding some warmth.

There was no movement from above for a long time.

For some reason, Su Qing’s heart began pounding, as if sensing something ominous about to happen. The light shirt and skirt on her body seemed to become heavy, making her break out in a fine sweat without realizing it.

All around was silent.

Su Qing wanted to secretly look at the master’s expression, so she gathered courage to raise her head. She saw—

That white-haired and bearded elder stood in the sunlight. The afternoon sun fell straight down through gaps in the tree shadows, making it impossible to see clearly the expression of the person under the trees, only covering him with a layer of shadow.

Like a compassionate yet indifferent immortal.

After a long while, he raised his hand, touched the prayer beads on his wrist, and slowly spoke.

“Drag her away.”

Young Master Pei: I want to obtain something and need someone to remove obstacles along the way.

Xiao Second: You can fool your buddies, but don’t fool yourself (.