The wind made the shadows under the tree sway, but the person stood motionless as if nailed to the ground.

Lu Tong stepped back slightly and bowed her head: “Lord Pei.”

Pei Yunying smiled at Ji Xiun before saying: “Vice Minister Xiao suddenly developed a headache this evening. Would Medical Officer Lu come with me to examine him?”

Whether his reason was true or false, it was better than remaining here in this standoff with Ji Xiun, whose questioning had been too clear and unmasked. Her already diminished self-esteem would be further shredded by this righteous blade.

Lu Tong nodded: “Alright. I’ll get my medical box.” With that, she turned to leave with Pei Yunying.

“Wait.”

Ji Xiun’s voice came from behind.

Lu Tong’s steps faltered.

His voice remained cold and detached, devoid of emotion, as just as ever.

“Medical Officer Lu’s skills are inadequate. Commander Pei might want to choose another medical officer.”

Lu Tong’s movements stiffened slightly.

This was both a gentle suggestion and an outright questioning of her abilities.

He no longer viewed her as a medical officer—he truly believed she had “improper intentions unfit for medicine,” which was why he warned Pei Yunying to choose another, real medical officer instead.

Pei Yunying caught the warning in these words.

After a pause, he turned around with a smile, looking at the man before him.

“No need to change.”

“I find her quite suitable. The Palace Command isn’t so rigid with rules, and the guards quite like Medical Officer Lu.”

Ji Xiun was taken aback.

The young man before him stood in the bright lamplight, the warm glow reflecting in his pitch-black pupils, the smile in his eyes carrying a hint of coldness.

He had little interaction with this Palace Command Commander, barely exchanging words in private, mostly hearing about him through others. Though outsiders who didn’t know better saw Pei Yunying as a kind and courteous noble son, the imperial physicians inevitably heard more genuine assessments of him from others.

He wasn’t nearly as bright and warm as he appeared on the surface—it was all pretense.

Yet now, Ji Xiun glimpsed a trace of displeasure in the other’s eyes, not even bothering to hide it.

As if standing up for the person beside him.

After saying this, Pei Yunying ignored him and turned to gesture to Lu Tong: “Let’s go, Medical Officer Lu.”

Lu Tong came back to herself, retrieved her medical box, and followed his steps.

She truly didn’t want to stay here any longer.

Their shadows gradually receded with the pear blossom lantern, and the courtyard suddenly darkened again. The approaching footsteps were now very close, and a medical officer’s voice called out: “Medical Officer Ji.”

The medical officers returning from inventory at the medicine storehouse had arrived.

Ji Xiun nodded to them, gazed into the darkness for a long while, then finally withdrew his gaze and left as well.

…

Without the shelter of the Medical Academy’s trees, the night wind rushed through the streets much colder.

Lu Tong walked with Pei Yunying toward the carriage at the end of the alley.

Though they had already left the Medical Academy’s main gate, that vermillion door dividing the night into two incompatible worlds, Lu Tong still vaguely felt a sharp gaze pursuing her from behind, and unable to face it, she could only hurry away.

The person beside her noticed this silence was unusual for her.

Pei Yunying glanced at her and spoke casually: “Why didn’t you talk back earlier?”

Lu Tong paused.

“Usually you’re so confrontational with me at every turn, yet you’re so proper with this Ji Xiun. Seeing Medical Officer Lu standing there taking his scolding, I thought I had the wrong person.”

His teasing words dispersed some of Lu Tong’s earlier embarrassment from facing Ji Xiun. She raised her head to glare at him: “Were you eavesdropping on me?”

“Eavesdropping?” Pei Yunying laughed: “Am I that bored?”

“The Medical Academy’s gate wasn’t closed, you two were standing in plain sight, and Medical Officer Ji’s voice wasn’t exactly quiet.”

Lu Tong fell silent.

This was true.

If Pei Yunying hadn’t arrived in time, after another moment when the medical officers returned from the medicine storehouse, everyone would have witnessed Ji Xiun questioning her.

“Why didn’t you argue back just now?” he asked.

Lu Tong collected herself and said: “What was there to argue about? What he said was true. I do have improper intentions—you know that better than anyone, don’t you?”

Pei Yunying’s steps faltered slightly, finally sensing something amiss, and he looked down at her.

She walked beside him carrying her medical box, her expression neither cold nor warm, seemingly normal, but Pei Yunying felt she was more downcast today than before, just like when he had walked into the Medical Academy and saw her frozen in confrontation with Ji Xiun.

He knew Lu Tong was cunning and calm, never willing to be at a disadvantage in verbal exchanges. If she had wanted to, she could have easily countered Ji Xiun’s questioning with sarcasm, yet she had just stood quietly under the tree. The wind lantern was dim, the night making it impossible to see her expression clearly, but he inexplicably felt that at that moment, she had wanted to flee.

As if she couldn’t face herself.

He usually couldn’t be bothered with others’ affairs, always maintaining a safe distance, yet in that instant, he had felt a touch of pity for her. He couldn’t bear to see her like a child suddenly thrust into an awkward situation, showing vulnerability so different from her usual self.

So he had stepped forward, interrupting them.

She kept walking forward, the night wind lifting the hem of her skirt. Pei Yunying glanced at her and suddenly said: “That young master Ji is refined and elegant, cultivating virtue and propriety, unaware of human nature’s darkness. You needn’t take his words to heart.”

“Jin Xianrong has been lecherous and immoral for years—even if you used toxic herbs on him, it’s no matter, consider it doing a public service.”

His tone was casual as if making idle conversation.

Lu Tong remained silent.

She understood, of course.

Ji Xiun came from an extraordinary family, his household full of scholarly gentlemen. Principles of propriety and shame had been deeply instilled in him since childhood, and those around him respected and admired him. He had encountered too few evil people, which was why he was particularly disgusted when meeting someone as scheming as her.

Ice and fire cannot share the same vessel—it had always been so.

Seeing her quiet, Pei Yunying smiled again: “Why such a dejected look? Though Ji Xiun is decent-looking, Doctor Lu doesn’t seem the type to pine desperately over men, so why take it so hard?”

She stopped walking and turned impatiently: “Commander, why did you come looking for me so late at night?”

Pei Yunying had said Xiao Zhufeng suddenly had a headache, but if Xiao Zhufeng was truly unwell, how could he be so leisurely?

Even having the mood to chat idly with her.

Pei Yunying laughed: “I have a new prescription for Doctor Lu to look at, but to make the act complete, we needed an excuse.”

New prescription?

Lu Tong thought of the prescription Pei Yunying had shown her last time and couldn’t help feeling confused.

What was that prescription? He seemed to value it highly.

As she pondered this, Pei Yunying’s voice came again: “But did you use toxic herbs on Jin Xianrong?”

Lu Tong grew alert and turned to look at him.

“I heard those toxic herbs are very precious. I thought you would use them on Qi Yutai.”

He spoke casually, his emotions unreadable, but his gaze was sharp as if he had already seen through her thoughts.

Lu Tong’s heart skipped a beat.

Pei Yunying wasn’t Ji Xiun after all—he knew her true identity, knew who she was trying to deal with, and naturally could see through to her ultimate goal at a glance.

Lu Tong looked away: “Perhaps that’s exactly what will happen in the future.”

He nodded, as if casually reminding her: “Take it easy, Doctor Lu. Don’t make enemies too quickly, or even ten heads won’t be enough for the chopping block.”

Lu Tong retorted: “Commander should worry about himself first. Next time you go to assassinate someone, try not to get cut up and have to flee everywhere.”

Pei Yunying: “…”

The carriage waited quietly at the alley entrance. He didn’t argue with her further, just said: “Get in.”

Lu Tong held the carriage entrance and bent to enter. As she was about to step in, she suddenly paused and looked into the distance.

In the distant market street, lantern light illuminated the flow of carriages and horses, voices never ceasing.

Pei Yunying followed her gaze: “What is it?”

Lu Tong stared at the opposite side for a while.

She thought she had just seen the Grand Preceptor’s carriage pass by.

But that moment was too brief, and the crowd too dense. Before she could see, when she looked up again, there was only the flow of people.

She shook her head and bent to enter the carriage.

“Nothing.”

…

The carriage stopped at the mansion gates.

Servants surrounded the person descending gracefully from the carriage, and entering the luxurious residence.

The young woman in the middle removed her veil, revealing herself in a floor-length dress adorned with peonies in a pale smoky pattern. Her face was like peach and apricot blossoms, with skin glowing like jade. Her black hair was combed into an elegant side bun, revealing the pearl flower ornament on her forehead. The large peonies blooming magnificently on her dress made her appear even more elegant and noble, like a flower in full bloom, enchantingly beautiful in every way.

This was Qi Qing’s legitimate youngest daughter, Qi Huaying.

Grand Preceptor Qi Qing had two wives in total. His first wife passed away from illness without leaving any children. The second was considerably younger than Qi Qing, but after giving birth to a son and daughter, she too departed this world early.

Taking pity on these motherless children, Qi Qing never remarried, instead focusing on raising this pair of siblings well.

The legitimate eldest son, Qi Yutai, had always been respectful and proper in public. Though he hadn’t done anything particularly outstanding, he was considered well-behaved and hadn’t caused any major trouble.

As for this legitimate young lady, she was the focus of endless adoration. Not only was she beautiful, but she was also talented and refined. Since childhood, everything she used had been of the utmost luxury, surpassing even princesses. One year during the Lantern Festival, when the young lady of the Qi family went out, she had a new slingshot to play with, and the pellets she shot were made of silver. As the Qi family carriage passed by, countless poor people followed behind picking up the silver pellets she dropped—such was her grandeur and style.

Everyone praised her, and as her father’s pearl and heart’s beloved, common people in the capital often said it must have taken several lifetimes of good karma to be born as the young lady of the Qi family.

Such good fortune couldn’t be matched by others.

With such a blessed fate, she should have lived a life free of worries, yet today this peony flower was covered in frost. As soon as she entered the room, she collapsed into a chair without a word, staring blankly at the screen.

The maids around her stood in silence, none daring to speak. Just then, a voice called from outside, “Sister—”

Following this, the beaded curtain adorned with tiny jewels was lifted, and a man in brocade robes entered.

It was Qi Yutai.

The maids hurriedly bowed, but Qi Yutai didn’t notice the room’s strange atmosphere. He quickly walked to Qi Huaying’s side, sat down at the table, and said with a smile: “Sister, do you have any spare money? Lend me a thousand taels, I’ll return it in a few days.”

Qi Yutai had come to borrow money.

The Grand Preceptor’s birthday was approaching, and it coincided with the summer hunt. The Ministry of Revenue had little work these days, and his position there was largely ceremonial, so Jin Xianrong had granted him leave to prepare well for the summer hunt and his father’s birthday celebrations.

However, the birthday banquet arrangements were handled by the steward, requiring no involvement from him. Staying in the mansion, he found the strict rules oppressive, feeling like a bird trapped in a cage every day. Even with Lingxi’s incense burning, he still felt restless.

He wanted to find a way to relax.

His father had strictly forbidden him from taking Han Shi San, and after learning about the Ke family incident, had become even more stringent, requiring the steward to record every silver tael spent from the public accounts. Han Shi San was already a prohibited drug, and now it was extremely expensive—he couldn’t afford it with his salary. Unable to think of another solution, he could only come to Qi Huaying.

While their father was strict with him, he was very indulgent with his sister. Qi Huaying spent money like water—her monthly expenses for cosmetics, clothes, and snacks alone approached a thousand taels, yet Qi Qing never restricted her enjoyment. The siblings had been close since childhood, and whenever he asked Qi Huaying for help, she would agree without hesitation.

Today should have been the same.

Qi Yutai said: “Father’s been keeping me on an extremely tight leash lately, and I’ve already spent all my salary. Dear sister, I’ll pay you back as soon as I receive my next payment!”

Qi Huaying had always been generous with money, but today she remained silent. As Qi Yutai was finding this strange, he suddenly heard a sob. Looking up, he saw Qi Huaying turn away, tears streaming down her cheeks.

He was startled and quickly stood up: “What’s wrong, sister?”

Qi Huaying just continued crying softly, refusing to speak. Qi Yutai’s face darkened: “Who bullied you?”

Her maid Qiangwei spoke softly: “Today when the family carriage passed near the Medical Academy alley…”

“What about it?”

Qiangwei glanced at Qi Huaying, who was still silently weeping, swallowed, and carefully said: “The young lady was in the carriage and saw Commander Pei talking with another woman…”

Qi Yutai was stunned.

Qi Huaying turned away, thinking of what she had seen today, her tear-stained eyes growing even more swollen.

She hadn’t expected to encounter Pei Yunying there.

Ever since he had heroically saved her at Baoxiang Pavilion, she had developed feelings for this handsome and valiant Palace Command Commander.

When her father learned of her feelings, he didn’t object and even had the old steward send several invitations to Commander Pei’s residence, inviting him to visit for casual conversation.

Pei Yunying had declined every time.

The first time he used busy official duties as an excuse, and he used it every time after—even a fool could tell he was doing it deliberately.

Qi Huaying felt disappointment and frustration, confusion and grievance, along with a touch of anger and unwillingness at being rejected.

Perhaps people are always like this—the more unattainable something is, the more they want it. Because Pei Yunying showed no interest in her, she wanted nothing more than to tame him, to make this elegant commander another admirer under her skirts.

As a noble lady from a prestigious family, she couldn’t brazenly meet him like those lowborn commoners who showed their faces in public. Since he wouldn’t come to banquets, she could only wait for other opportunities.

Day after day of waiting had left her dispirited, but fate works in mysterious ways—today, as her carriage passed the street opposite the Medical Academy alley, she happened to encounter him.

Qi Huaying stared blankly at the screen.

The summer night street scene painted on the screen reminded her of what she had just witnessed.

On a summer night under the vast moonlight, official alleys on both sides were planted with blooming lilies, their fragrance carried by the cool night breeze. Qi Huaying immediately spotted the man she had been thinking of day and night.

The young man stood there, his face like fine jade, his bearing extraordinary, making everyone around him seem dim in comparison.

Her heart leaped with joy, and she quickly ordered the carriage to stop. But before her smile could reach her eyes, she saw the young man turn to speak with someone beside him.

He was tall and stood straight—from Qi Huaying’s position, she couldn’t see who he was talking to. She could only see pale blue robes and delicate brocade sleeves that seemed somehow familiar.

It appeared to be a young woman.

Qi Huaying stared across the street.

He was turned to the side, smiling as he looked at the other person. Though they were far apart, Qi Huaying seemed able to see through the crowd with his dark, clear eyes.

It was a serious posture, completely unguarded as he listened to the person beside him.

Qi Huaying felt dazed for a moment.

She had never seen Pei Yunying like this.

That brief glimpse at Baoxiang Pavilion—though Pei Yunying had seemed warm and approachable, he had been dangerous and cold when dealing with Lu Dashan. He was distant and aloof when walking in the palace, yet seemed to have no distance when occasionally speaking with palace servants, unlike some noble sons of the capital who always maintained their airs.

Such danger was like a whirlpool, attracting everyone closer, and she was no exception.

But only today did she glimpse another side of this young man beneath his distant exterior.

Warmer, softer.

Yet it was directed at another stranger.

The woman beside him seemed to sense something and was about to look their way, startling Qi Huaying into quickly ordering the driver to urge the horses forward, avoiding the other’s gaze.

The carriage swayed along the capital’s streets, and her heart swayed just as unsteadily. She wanted to lift the carriage curtain to let the night wind disperse her troubled thoughts, but when she saw the brilliant lanterns across the street, she suddenly paused, remembering something in a flash.

She remembered why that woman had seemed familiar.

Just after the New Year during the Lantern Festival, she thought she had glimpsed Pei Yunying with a woman at Jingde Gate, but when she looked again the figures had vanished, making her think she had been mistaken.

Until she saw that person today.

That woman was exceptionally slender and weak, frail to the extreme, clearly eight parts similar to the shadow from the Lantern Festival.

Qi Huaying suddenly understood—the person standing beside Pei Yunying on the day of the Lantern Festival and the woman laughing with him today were the same person!

She had been by Pei Yunying’s side all along!

Qi Huaying had a sudden revelation.

No wonder.

No wonder he had declined her father’s repeated invitations, citing busy official duties. She had thought it was because she hadn’t yet tamed this cold and dangerous beast, but the reality was far worse than she had imagined—without her knowledge, someone had already tamed him before her.

Tears rolled down her cheeks onto the carpet, their crystalline clarity becoming clouded.

After hearing the whole story from Qiangwei, Qi Yutai flew into a rage: “That Pei Yunying, how dare he make my sister so heartbroken! I’ll go settle accounts with him!”

Qi Huaying grabbed him.

“Brother, what are you doing? Haven’t I been embarrassed enough?”

She had always been proud—it was already improper for the Grand Preceptor’s daughter to actively show interest in a man, and now this love was worthless to him, making her feel even more ashamed and angry.

Qi Yutai quickly turned around and supported her: “That Pei Yunying is young and inexperienced. It’s normal for men to occasionally enjoy casual dalliances, sister, don’t worry. However—”

His tone changed: “How dare anyone touch the person my sister has set her eyes on? Who is that woman? Have you found out?”

Qi Huaying didn’t answer, so Qiangwei had to speak up: “Today we saw she was wearing the Medical Academy’s official robes…”

“It seems very likely she’s a female medical officer from the Medical Academy.”