A few more days passed, and the weather grew increasingly hot. The nanmu wood screen wall in front of the Ministry of Rites, carved with a giant elephant symbolizing “peaceful prosperity,” seemed to wilt under the fierce sun of recent days, losing its usual majesty.

Jin Xianrong was the least tolerant of heat. He had ordered ice to be bought and placed in the corners of his rooms early on. In the stifling summer afternoon, there wasn’t a trace of heat in the room. The incense burner on the table diffused a sweet fragrance. Jin Xianrong sat in a reclining chair by the window, lazily fanning himself, occasionally popping ice-soaked purple grapes into his mouth—a comfort surpassing that of immortals.

He was half-closing his eyes to rest, so he didn’t notice when someone arrived at the Ministry of Rites until a servant reminded him at his side: “Sir, someone has come.” Jin Xianrong opened his eyes and sat up, only to see a young man wearing a snow-white gauze robe standing at the entrance of the Ministry of Rites.

The young man was tall and thin, his snow-white gauze robe billowing in the breeze, making his delicate face appear even more aloof and proud. Jin Xianrong stared enviously at the other’s face for a while before coming to his senses and asking the person beside him: “This is…?”

It was an unfamiliar face, but judging by his clothing material and jade ornaments, he didn’t seem to be from an ordinary family.

The servant bowed: “Sir, this is Medical Official Ji Xun from the Hanlin Medical Office.” Seeing Jin Xianrong still frowning, he lowered his voice to remind him again, “The son of Scholar Ji’s family.”

At these words, Jin Xianrong’s two broken eyebrows shot up.

Oh, so this was that Ji Xun!

Besides Director Cui Min and Lu Tong, he couldn’t remember the other medical officials from the Medical Office very clearly. After all, his health was good, and he hadn’t seen many medical officials in the years before this, so he wasn’t particularly sensitive to the name Ji Xun.

But when it came to Scholar Ji, that was very clear.

The Ji family was full of scholars, each one learned and accomplished. When Old Master Ji was alive, he had been a Hanlin Scholar and had the honor of teaching the former Crown Prince.

After the former Crown Prince passed away, Old Master Ji soon fell ill and died as well. When the current Emperor ascended the throne, he still treated the Ji family with great favor, and the Ji family’s position in court was indeed not low.

However, the Ji family, being scholarly officials, didn’t participate in court factions from the beginning, and after the former Crown Prince’s death, they focused even more single-mindedly on compiling classics, not concerning themselves with external affairs. And Ji Xun, the Ji family’s only legitimate son, didn’t even want to be a civil official, choosing instead to become an imperial physician. Many noble families in Sheng Jing secretly mocked this—even though Ji Xun’s medical skills were superb, even though he could practically stand as an equal with the Director in the Hanlin Medical Office, but when you said it out loud, how could being an imperial physician sound as prestigious as being a high official?

Moreover, there was the risk of losing one’s head.

Jin Xianrong thought the same way.

His children could never be so unambitious in the future. If they went to study medicine, he would break their legs.

Thinking this way in his heart, but wearing a smile on his face, Jin Xianrong stood up and invited the other person into the room, also ordering servants to quickly pour tea, respectfully opening with: “So it’s Medical Official Ji. May I ask what brings Medical Official Ji here suddenly?”

A lean camel is still bigger than a horse—even though Ji Xun was now just an imperial physician, the Ji family behind him still made Jin Xianrong dare not be negligent.

He was just puzzled—what was Ji Xun doing here out of the blue?

Ji Xun glanced at the luxurious furnishings inside the Ministry of Rites, his eyes sweeping over the jade couches, fragrant small tables, painting desks, and golden platforms for a moment before withdrawing his gaze, “I heard that Assistant Minister Jin was unwell some days ago.”

“Yes, yes, yes, I didn’t expect Medical Official Ji to know about this as well.”

Ji Xun looked at him: “How has Assistant Minister Jin been feeling lately?”

Feeling?

Jin Xianrong was stunned for a moment.

He hadn’t expected Ji Xun to suddenly ask this.

He had no previous interactions with Ji Xun and no relationship, so why this sudden concern? Moreover, everyone in Sheng Jing knew that this Young Master Ji didn’t like socializing with people—politely put, he was aloof; put, he was antisocial and unsociable. When an unsociable person suddenly showed concern for him, Jin Xianrong immediately became wary.

He carefully chose his words, “At first it wasn’t very good, but later when Medical Official Lu came to treat me, I felt much better. These days I can occasionally have relations once or twice, even better than before I was ill. Speaking of which, Medical Official Lu’s medical skills are excellent, much better than that medical official who was assigned to me before…”

As he was speaking, he was unexpectedly interrupted by the person beside him: “You trust Medical Official Lu very much?”

“Medical Official Lu is very good indeed, young, and beautiful too…”

He thought for a moment about mutual support in official circles—Lu Tong had given him what she called a “second life,” and in the future, he still wanted to ask Lu Tong for more of that Spring Dream Fragrance—so he praised Lu Tong a few more times.

The servant brought tea out and placed a cup gently in front of Ji Xun. Ji Xun looked down at it—the tea was clear and bright, its fragrance diluting the overly sweet scent in the room, yet his expression grew increasingly cold.

He interrupted Jin Xianrong’s praise: “I know about Assistant Minister Jin’s condition, but there are some questions I don’t quite understand, so I had someone retrieve the used herbs from the medicine Medical Official Lu prepared for Assistant Minister Jin. I hope Assistant Minister Jin won’t mind.”

Jin Xianrong looked at him, not quite understanding what he meant.

“In the used herbs, I found traces of red fang xu. Assistant Minister Jin, Medical Official Lu used a small amount of red fang xu in the medicinal materials she prescribed for you.”

Jin Xianrong was completely confused.

This herb’s name was too unfamiliar to him, and he didn’t understand medical principles at all, so he could only laugh awkwardly in bewilderment.

As if knowing his confusion, Ji Xun paused before continuing: “Red fang xu is poisonous. Using it in the prescription is inappropriate and will harm the body with long-term use. Years later, as the Assistant Minister ages, the aftereffects will gradually appear, causing forgetfulness and headaches—these are the consequences of poisoning.”

“Using this poison as a medicine conductor for the Assistant Minister’s illness is not worth the cost.”

The room fell silent.

After Ji Xun finished speaking, seeing that the person opposite still stared at him blankly, showing none of the expected shock and anger, he was somewhat surprised and frowned, saying: “Assistant Minister Jin, do you understand what I just said?”

Jin Xianrong hurriedly nodded, then shook his head.

“Medical Official Ji,” he chose his words carefully, “this whatever red fang xu green fang xu you just mentioned, I don’t study medicine, so I don’t understand. But…”

He swallowed, “About this prescription being poisonous and harmful with long-term use, I already know.”

Ji Xun suddenly raised his head: “What?”

Jin Xianrong was stunned for a moment, carefully replying: “Doctor Lu told me about this long ago.”

…

The sun was gradually setting.

As the last bit of evening glow faded, the stuffiness in the courtyard hadn’t retreated. The cicada sounds coming through the branches made the summer evening feel even more quiet.

Under the long corridor outside the medicine preparation room, a shadow paced on the ground.

The small medicine apprentice beside him couldn’t help but suggest: “Young Master, perhaps we should come back later.”

Ji Xun shook his head.

During the day, he had gone to the Ministry of Rites.

Since bringing up the red Fang Xu matter with Lu Tong outside the Medical Office a few days ago, Ji Xun has been considering whether to report this to the Director. But after thinking it over for a night, he still decided to first go to the Ministry of Rites to find Jin Xianrong.

What Lu Tong had said that day at the gate about only using Red Fang Xu’s broken branches and leaves indeed didn’t violate the Imperial Medicine Office’s regulations, because broken branches and leaves were ultimately “waste materials” that medical workers could handle on their own.

But if there was a problem with the prescription Lu Tong gave to Jin Xianrong, that would violate the Medical Office’s rules—at best suspension, at worst punishment.

Ji Xun planned to go to the Ministry of Rites to check Jin Xianrong’s symptoms and determine exactly how much red fang Xu Lu Tong had used based on the symptoms.

However, what he hadn’t expected was that Jin Xianrong, Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, would tell him that he knew about the red Fang Xu matter.

That broken-browed Assistant Minister sat before him, holding his tea and chuckling.

“Medical Official Lu told me about the consequences long ago, that using it for too long would cause some brain problems after several decades. It’s fine, I can bear these aftereffects. Well, my little brother is much more important than my brain, and future matters can be dealt with in the future. Besides, my brain is originally smart with plenty to spare, even losing some more would still be better than ordinary people.”

Ji Xun’s brows furrowed slightly.

Jin Xianrong was fully aware of the pros and cons, and under this premise agreed to Lu Tong’s treatment method—Lu Tong’s actions were therefore by the rules. All his accusations against Lu Tong were groundless.

He had been prejudiced and aggressive.

The evening breeze blew through the courtyard. The small apprentice beside him glanced up at him, seeing the young man staring at the door of the medicine preparation room, and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

His young master was born refined and scholarly, learned and good with words, but his personality was as rigid and upright as stone.

Upon learning he had misunderstood the young lady, he immediately wanted to come apologize in person. However, Lu Tong, as a Hanlin Medical Official, was even busier than the Director every day, and after lunch had buried herself in the medicine preparation room, not coming out until now.

He was so hungry his stomach was growling.

But his young master was stubborn and wouldn’t give up until he saw her. With such a serious expression, who could tell he was here to apologize? Those who didn’t know might think he was here to reprimand someone.

Just as he was thinking this, the door in front of them opened with a “creak,” and Lu Tong walked out carrying her medical box.

The small apprentice quickly tugged at Ji Xun’s robe.

Lu Tong had just come out when she saw the two people standing at the door, and her steps faltered.

The cool breeze rustled the trees, cicada sounds intermittent. Ji Xun stood at the door, blocking her way.

“Medical Official Lu.”

She only paused for a moment before nodding to Ji Xun: “Medical Official Ji.”

Her tone was calm and cold as if the questioning outside the Medical Office a few days ago had been an illusion.

Ji Xun pressed his lips together and lowered his voice: “Today I went to the Ministry of Rites and saw Jin Xianrong.”

“Mm.”

“Assistant Minister Jin said you had already told him about the use of red fang xu in the prescription and explained its toxic properties.”

“Yes.”

He looked at Lu Tong: “If that’s the case, why didn’t you explain the other day outside the Medical Office?”

Explain?

He spoke so seriously and as if it was so natural that if she had explained he would have believed her, it made Lu Tong feel a sort of absurd amusement.

After a long silence, she finally spoke.

“There’s no need to explain. An ordinary medical official wouldn’t have added red fang xu to Assistant Minister Jin’s prescription—Medical Official Ji wasn’t wrong to say I was seeking quick results.”

She raised her head, her tone somewhat cold.

“It’s just that Assistant Minister Jin was even more eager for quick results than I was.”

Jin Xianrong’s illness—using red fang xu as a medicine conductor was more potent than using the gentle medicines from the Medical Office. She had clearly explained the pros and cons early on, knowing full well that this official whose brain was located in his waistband would become hopelessly addicted once he got a taste of the benefits.

Asking a person who indulges in pleasure to think about troubles that might appear decades later was perhaps asking too much—after all, Jin Xianrong’s father had died in bed.

Some things needed no concealment.

Ji Xun shook his head disapprovingly: “What about those rumors then?”

Madam Dong had once stopped his carriage on his way home to speak with him, implying throughout their conversation that he had ranked Lu Tong first on the red list and had a close relationship with her. Director Cui Min had also made subtle inquiries, suggesting in conversation that it seemed to have come from Lu Tong herself.

He understood that commoners had it difficult and could comprehend wanting to find a patron in the Medical Office for support, so he hadn’t deliberately exposed it, but in his heart, he still disliked such opportunistic behavior.

However, after the Red Fang Xu incident, Ji Xun gradually became less certain.

He asked Lu Tong: “Were those rumors spread by Medical Official Lu?”

“Pfft.”

The woman before him seemed to find his words quite amusing and laughed, though the laughter appeared cold.

“The rumors say Medical Official Ji has a close relationship with me, personally ranking me first in the spring examination. Yet as soon as I entered the Medical Office, I was banished to the Southern Medicine Room, then assigned to treat Official Jin.”

She looked at Ji Xun, her eyes showing mockery.

“They say power corrupts, but it seems Medical Official Ji’s influence isn’t very useful.”

These words were so sharp they were jarring. Ji Xun frowned as he heard them—it was his first time being mocked so impolitely, and he felt somewhat at a loss.

The woman before him maintained a composed expression and calm tone. He wasn’t good at social interactions and usually saw people simply, but he felt this person before him was quite complex.

The evening dew grew heavy, and the grass in the courtyard rustled in the night breeze.

After a long while, Ji Xun shook his head slightly and said softly: “I apologize.”

Regardless of what kind of person Lu Tong was, it was wrong to make arbitrary assumptions and slander others. He had condemned Lu Tong without verification, which was unbecoming of a gentleman.

Lu Tong’s heart trembled.

After a moment of silence, she shook her head, as if mocking herself: “I’ve long forgotten about those previous words.”

“Medical Official Ji,” she stepped back, looking at him politely, “I don’t care about others’ comments, nor will I take this matter to heart. So you don’t need to apologize to me.”

“In this world, some practice medicine to save lives and help others, benefiting all under heaven, but some practice medicine just to feed themselves, wanting to earn some silver to climb up.”

“I am that kind of person.”

With these words and a slight nod, she left carrying her medical box.

The lamp’s shadow under the eaves returned to showing two figures.

Ji Xun stood for a while, then picked up his lantern to leave.

The small medicine apprentice beside him couldn’t help but say: “Is that it?”

“What else?”

“Young Master, shouldn’t you buy something for Medical Official Lu to apologize?”

Ji Xun was confused: “Didn’t she say she doesn’t care about others’ comments and has long forgotten about the previous matter?”

The young apprentice stared at him for a long while before finally clutching his head in exasperation.

“You didn’t believe what a young lady said, did you!”

…

Leaving the medicine preparation room, Lu Tong returned to the dormitory.

The room lit up, and she sat down at the table, taking out several medical texts from the drawer. Thinking of what had just happened, she still felt unsettled.

Lin Danqing came in from outside, placing some preserved plums and ginger she’d bought on the table, and calling Lu Tong to eat.

After the awkwardness of getting drunk a few days ago had passed, Lin Danqing had returned to her former self, even more so than before. Previously, she had maintained a bright and generous appearance to keep up appearances, but now after the lights went out, she didn’t even try to hide when cursing the Director and colleagues.

Like a broken pot that couldn’t be mended further.

Lu Tong didn’t want to eat, so Lin Danqing ate by herself, saying: “I just saw Medical Official Ji talking to you outside the medicine preparation room. Why has he been talking to you so often lately?”

Ji Xun rarely came to the Medical Office, and when he did come, he never actively spoke to anyone, being extremely aloof. Lin Danqing had caught him with Lu Tong twice in a row, and couldn’t help but suspect: “Could it be that he also has other intentions toward you?”

“‘Also’?”

Lin Danqing laughed: “I’m just joking.” Then she sighed: “Speaking of the most handsome faces in Sheng Jing City, there’s Commander Pei from the Palace Guards and Medical Official Ji from our Medical Office—both without any flaws. Too bad one has a personality problem, can’t say more than one sentence in three days, very gloomy. And the other, well, he’s got connections with the Grand Tutor’s mansion.”

Lu Tong’s eyes flickered slightly as she asked: “Will the Pei family form a marriage alliance with the Grand Tutor’s mansion?”

“Do you want to hear the truth?”

Lu Tong nodded.

Lin Danqing shook her head: “From my wise eyes’ perspective, although the Grand Tutor’s daughter is like a golden branch and jade leaf, it doesn’t look like it will work out. Don’t let Pei Yunying’s outward appearance of being cordial fool you—he doesn’t even bend his waist when talking to people, he’s very proud inside. The Qi family’s young lady is used to being coddled daily, where would he have that patience?”

“I think it’s unlikely.”

Lu Tong thought that was good.

Both publicly and privately, she didn’t want Pei Yunying to become Qi Qing’s son-in-law. Otherwise, before old debts were settled, new grudges would be added.

Lin Danqing didn’t know her inner thoughts and just stretched: “Even the Grand Tutor’s daughter has her misfortunes—she can only choose one man in her lifetime, so of course she has to choose carefully. It’s not as good as being commoners like us.”

“Not as good?”

Lu Tong was confused: “Can commoner women choose many men?”

She had only heard of men having three wives and four concubines. She had stayed at Luomei Peak for many years—could it be that in the Liang Dynasty now, women could also have three husbands and four favorites?

Lin Danqing laughed dryly: “There aren’t so many people watching, just handle it yourself. My family’s wise ancestor once said, never give up an entire garden for one flower. Of the three thousand weak waters, I’ll take three thousand sips to drink—how could one sip be enough?”

Lu Tong was speechless.

She coughed lightly, and seeing the thick stack of medical texts on Lu Tong’s table, asked curiously: “Isn’t the Medical Office’s clerk examination still half a year away? Why are you starting to study so hard so early? Living in the medicine preparation room every day, you’re working too hard.”

Lu Tong lowered her eyes, reaching out to open a medical text and bringing the oil lamp closer.

“Want to make some new medicine,” she said.

…

The summer night was stuffy.

When Qi Yutai returned to the mansion, the courtyard lamps had just been lit.

Although Qi Qing hadn’t confined him now, to prevent him from causing trouble, he had to return home before the dog watched every day.

Today he had secretly left the mansion, and just shaking off his father’s people who were monitoring him had been quite troublesome.

Qi Yutai walked down the jade steps with his outer robe loose. In the darkness, his eyes gleamed brightly, his usually yellowish face showing an abnormal flush. His inner collar was slightly open, looking completely different from his listless appearance of the past few days.

A cool breeze blew past, and Qi Yutai narrowed his eyes in comfort, feeling as if he was walking on clouds, floating in ethereal happiness.

A few hours ago, he had secretly gone out and taken the Cold Food Powder.

Finally getting relief after days of restraint, Qi Yutai had satisfied his craving. His heart felt extremely content, the residual fire had dissipated, but his mind became increasingly excited after the pleasure, wanting to do something for no reason.

He had just walked into the courtyard when he saw someone leading a hunting dog passing by. The dog was huge and agile like a small bull, intimidating at first sight, and was raising its head to catch the bloody raw meat that the servant was throwing from a bowl.

Qi Yutai stopped in his tracks.

The servant also saw his master and hurriedly bowed: “Young Master.”

Qi Yutai was in a good mood and smiled as he looked at the hunting dog: “Tiger Catcher has grown stronger.”

The hunting dog seemed to know Qi Yutai was talking about it and suddenly turned its head, revealing rows of white teeth. The blood from the raw meat it had been chewing mixed with saliva dripped everywhere, making it as fierce as a wild wolf.

Qi Yutai was also startled.

But soon, this fear was replaced by satisfaction.

“Not bad,” he said approvingly.

Tiger Catcher was Qi Yutai’s beloved dog, tall and fierce, its savage nature undiminished from years of being fed raw meat. Every year during the hunt, Qi Yutai would bring Tiger Catcher to the hunting grounds.

He wasn’t good at horsemanship and archery, and it was only through Tiger Catcher catching some prey each time that he avoided being privately mocked by the nobles.

He valued this dog highly and had specially invited someone to raise it. At first, not knowing the hunting dog’s fierce nature, the previous servant who raised Tiger Catcher was bitten to death, and only then did they change to this beast trainer from a foreign tribe who said he could train wolves into dogs. Sure enough, after just a few years, he had trained Tiger Catcher into a good dog that obeyed Qi Yutai’s commands.

The dog trainer watched his expression: “These days, I’ve been taking Tiger Catcher hunting daily at the western farm to prepare for the hunt. Today it bit off a farmer’s child’s ear…”

Qi Yutai most enjoyed hearing about Tiger Catcher hurting people, as if the more fierce the evil dog was, the more it showed its master’s intimidation. Hearing this, he smiled and said: “Good, you’ve done well in training the dog. A reward!”

He made no mention of the farmer’s child whose ear was bitten off.

After all, they would give silver—silver that those commoners couldn’t earn in decades. In a way, those commoners were the ones who profited.

The dog trainer continued: “It’s just that when we returned to the mansion, the young lady learned of this matter and was quite unhappy.”

Qi Yutai dismissed this: “Sister is just too soft-hearted.”

If she weren’t so soft-hearted, how could she let a commoner medical woman ride over her head, secretly hurting while not letting him take action, making him as her brother feel heartache?

Thinking of the medical woman, Qi Yutai suddenly felt something stir in his heart, his gaze falling on the hunting dog before him.

In the night, the hunting dog was growling as it lowered its head again to eat the raw beef from the silver bowl. Its sharp teeth chewed the bloody mass of meat, the “crunch, crunch” sound making one’s heart tense in the night.

He stared at that mass of meat for a long while, as if seeing some other scene through the sight before him, his expression gradually becoming strange.

After a long time, Qi Yutai spoke.

“Tell me, if I want Tiger Catcher to bite whoever I want it to bite, can that be done?”

The dog trainer was startled, then said: “Of course, Young Master.”

After a pause, the servant looked up and tentatively asked: “Who does Young Master want Tiger Catcher to bite?”

Qi Yutai didn’t speak.

The night wind was like a damp, stuffy net, making the bloody smell on the ground even more sinister.

After a while, Qi Yutai turned around.

“Come,” he said to the dog trainer. “I have something to tell you.”