After the Dragon Boat Festival, the weather became increasingly hot.

The scorching sun in the capital blazed down on the earth, and ice cream stalls in the streets and alleys became lively again. Wealthy families, unable to bear the heat, took their entire households to mountain villas to escape the summer heat. The cool shade of trees in the mountains became a fine retreat for noble children.

The “Summer Hunt” arrived on the second rest day after the Dragon Boat Festival.

On the night before the hunt, Chang Jin received from Cui Min the list of physicians who would accompany the summer hunt into the mountains.

The suburban hunt was also considered an annual grand event for the noble children of the capital. When the former Emperor and former Crown Prince were alive, they personally participated in the hunts, which were part of the “military rites.” Besides guards, some physicians and medical workers from the Imperial Physician Academy and Imperial Medical Academy also accompanied them.

These were all people from wealthy or noble families. Hunting in the mountains inevitably involved scrapes and bruises, so having physicians accompany them to apply medicine and bandages also demonstrated the imperial family’s consideration and tolerance.

The list of physicians going to the mountains had been prepared from the beginning – ten people total. Besides several senior physicians from the Academy, a few newly appointed medical officials were also added, all young people from decent family backgrounds.

After all, accompanying the hunt was a face-saving good deed for physicians – such favorable treatment naturally went to more deserving people.

Chang Jin looked at the list in his hand and glanced unexpectedly at the person at the table: “Director, why is Physician Lu’s name suddenly added here?”

Chang Jin remembered clearly that Lu Tong’s name had not been on the previous accompanying list.

“Physician Wang suddenly caught a cold and fever, so Physician Lu is substituting.” Cui Min looked down at the medical texts before him and replied indifferently.

“I see.”

Chang Jin nodded. No wonder the list only reached him now – there must have been a last-minute personnel change. Lu Tong’s medical skills were good, and recently her reputation in the Academy had been rising due to curing Jin Xianrong. Having this opportunity to show her face before nobles would also benefit her future official assessment to become an internal physician.

It seemed the Director was gradually beginning to value Lu Tong.

Thinking this, he gratefully bowed to Cui Min: “Then this subordinate will first take the list to notify the physicians.”

Cui Min: “Go ahead.”

Chang Jin left the room. Another person entered from outside, watching Chang Jin’s retreating figure before closing the door and silently looking toward Cui Min, whispering: “My lord, the Qi family suddenly specifically requested Physician Lu to accompany the hunt. Are they really planning to make a move against Physician Lu at the hunting grounds?”

A few days ago, young master Qi Yutai from Grand Tutor Manor had someone send word to Cui Min that this year at the hunting grounds, Lu Tong must accompany them.

How could the Imperial Physician Academy dare not listen to the Grand Tutor’s son’s orders?

Moreover, Lu Tong was just a commoner with no status or background.

In fact, Qi Yutai arranging things so circuitously instead of directly taking action against Lu Tong was already somewhat unexpected.

After all, with his status, dealing with Lu Tong would be effortless.

Cui Min put down his brush: “Unknown.”

He didn’t care about Lu Tong’s life or death.

She was nothing but an ant.

His confidant continued: “Looking at the roster, the Director isn’t accompanying the hunt this year? Even Director Qiu from the Imperial Medical Academy is going.”

“Not going.”

Cui Min said: “Knowing there will be changes, one should naturally avoid suspicion. As for Qiu He…”

That old man was just too obsessed with pursuing advancement, wishing the Imperial Medical Academy could claim credit for everything. Little did he know that in this world, the more you do, the more mistakes you make, especially when dealing with those in high positions of power.

He had learned this principle from another person ten years ago.

“Let Chang Jin go in my place.”

He closed his eyes.

“He’s been showing excessive concern for Lu Tong lately.”

…

When Chang Jin delivered the list to the dormitory, Lin Danqing was sitting at the table applying face powder. Hearing this good news, she couldn’t even bother to spread the pearl and jade beauty powder evenly on her face before turning to look at Lu Tong, who was sitting at the table reading.

“Sister Lu, did you hear? Tomorrow you’ll accompany me to the hunt!”

Lu Tong looked stunned.

Chang Jin usually kept a stern face, but was finally infected by Lin Danqing’s excitement and couldn’t help showing a trace of a smile: “It’s because Physician Wang suddenly caught a cold that Lu Tong was called to substitute. It’s a rare opportunity – cough, you should buy some peaches and pears later to properly thank Physician Wang!”

After delivering this news, he went to other dormitories to notify the other physicians.

In the room with flickering lamplight, Lin Danqing was still excited: “Wonderful! I was originally thinking it would be quite boring to go to the hunting grounds by myself – having you as company is perfect!”

Lu Tong didn’t share her good mood.

Accompanying positions were highly sought after – it wasn’t strange for Lin Danqing to be on the list given her father’s years of service at the Academy, but for her own name to be included…

Lu Tong frowned slightly.

Something was wrong.

Such a noble grand event – why would it fall to a commoner like herself? One must know that all rosters ultimately passed through Cui Min’s hands.

Cui Min barely had time to suppress her – how could he give her an opportunity to get ahead?

When things go against normal patterns, there must be something amiss.

She kept her head down without speaking. Seeing this, Lin Danqing comforted her: “Why so serious? With the recent heat, just consider it going to the mountains to escape the summer. Those hunting are all princes, nobles, and young masters. The mountain forests have been swept in advance, and fierce beasts like lions and tigers have long been cleared out – at most there might be wolves or leopards. We’ll be waiting in shelters outside the forest with the escorts – there won’t be any danger.”

It sounded fine, but Lu Tong still felt instinctively uneasy.

Lin Danqing patted her shoulder: “Don’t be nervous, Sister Lu. The hunt is essentially just an opportunity to have fun on official business. Think about it – we get our salary while not having to stand guard, isn’t that better than staying at the Academy reading people’s faces?”

“Just put your mind at ease and follow me when the time comes. We’ll also get to see the sights.”

When it came to not working while on official business, Lin Danqing was always very enthusiastic.

Having said this, she quickly finished applying her powder and rummaged through boxes and chests, pulling out a bed full of snacks and treats to throw into the bundle spread on her bed. She didn’t look like she was going to accompany a hunt, but rather like she was going on a spring outing. She called to Lu Tong: “Sister Lu, you should also pack your things. There are many mosquitoes in the mountains – remember to bring insect repellent.”

Lu Tong stood up and returned to her inner room, opening the wooden cabinet. The upper level held many bottles and jars. She looked through them and besides insect repellent, selected five or six other bottles and jars to put in her medical kit.

When her gaze swept over the innermost layer of the cabinet, it suddenly stopped.

There, four palm-sized porcelain jars sat quietly, hidden in the cabinet’s shadows, gazing at her eerily.

Lu Tong looked quietly for a long time.

Going out to the mountains, she couldn’t put the porcelain jars in her medical kit, lest they break from jostling on the road.

Since entering the Academy, this was the first time she would be separated from her family like this.

She wiped those four porcelain jars with cloth a few times, pushed them back inside, then drew out that exquisite wooden hibiscus hairpin that gleamed coldly from the box, finally closing the cabinet door and locking it again.

“Father, Mother, Elder Sister, Second Brother—”

She murmured quietly, “I’ll be back soon.”

…

Summer nights grew hotter by the day.

Ice blocks were placed throughout the mansion, keeping out the heat and maintaining perfect coolness.

A figure hurried through Grand Tutor Manor’s fragrant courtyard, walking quickly down the corridor and pushing through a door into a room.

In the room, Qi Yutai reclined on a couch with two beautiful maidservants gently fanning him.

“Young master,” the newcomer entered and presented something to Qi Yutai, “Cao Huai from the Academy has delivered the item.”

Qi Yutai frowned as he glanced at what the person held, then smiled with satisfaction.

“Good. Go, let Qinhu familiarize itself with this.”

“Yes.” The servant acknowledged, but thinking of something, looked somewhat troubled: “However, if the young miss and master find out…”

Qi Yutai glared at him coldly, and the servant immediately fell silent.

“If you don’t talk too much, how would they know now?”

The servant dared not speak.

Qi Yutai sneered: “Sister is soft-hearted, and Father is pedantic, but how can I tolerate a lowly woman climbing over our Qi family’s heads?”

He sighed: “Sister lent me silver to fulfill my wishes, but I don’t have enough silver to repay her. Getting revenge for her counts as returning the favor.”

Having said this, he glanced at the servant: “If you dare tell my father, you know what the consequences will be.”

The servant trembled and quickly said: “Yes, young master.”

Under the dim moon, in another courtyard separated by a wall from Grand Tutor Manor, candlelight burned in the night.

An elderly man stood by the window, in black robes with white hair, bushy eyebrows and white teeth, quietly gazing at distant clouds.

Behind him, the door made a soft sound. The elder didn’t turn around, only calmly asked: “Are the young master’s things packed?”

The old steward stepped forward and respectfully answered: “Everything is ready. The manor’s best guards will accompany him, and the horses, saddles, and chest guards have all been checked, along with the young master’s hunting dog…”

After hesitating, the steward continued: “The young master specifically requested that female physician from the Academy accompany this hunt. Does the master not plan to stop this?”

Qi Yutai thought his actions were hidden from Qi Qing, but nothing in Grand Tutor Manor could escape Qi Qing’s notice. Sometimes he didn’t speak simply because he chose not to.

Like a kind father indulging a mischievous child, calmly watching his not-very-clever pranks.

“No interference.” Qi Qing said, “She’s just a female physician.”

He turned around, moonlight blocked behind him. The lantern on the table illuminated his face, casting that wrinkled, aged face in a greenish pallor, like an ancient corpse.

The prayer beads in his hands had been worn smooth and lustrous from his constant fingering.

He turned them several times, lowering his gaze and sighing as he spoke.

“It can also help Ying’er vent her anger.”

…

The first day of the sixth month was the capital’s “Summer Hunt.”

The Court Astronomer had observed the celestial signs in advance – the weather would be fine that day. Before dawn, Lu Tong joined Chang Jin and the other physicians in boarding carriages bound for the hunting grounds.

The hunting grounds were at Huangmao Ridge.

The mountain was thick with lush forests and beautiful trees. When the former Crown Prince was alive, he often spent summers here to escape the heat, staying until the end of August before beginning the autumn hunt.

Now that autumn hunts had been changed to summer hunts, it was more convenient for escaping the heat.

Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, quite a few people had already arrived. Lu Tong even saw Director Qiu He from the Imperial Medical Academy – an eighty-year-old man standing tremblingly under a long shelter, looking quite pitiful from the arduous journey.

Those who arrived first were mostly medical workers and physicians from the Imperial Physician Academy and Imperial Medical Academy, along with some servants and guards. The hunting party would arrive later, allowing these subordinates to prepare everything first.

In the past, when the former Emperor was alive, he especially valued the annual autumn hunt. Before departure, he would still offer sacrifices to heaven, with nearly ten thousand imperial guard troops following to review the army. However, in recent years his health had declined and he no longer participated in hunts. Without the Emperor’s presence, the entourage was much smaller, yet it still opened the eyes of Lu Tong, who was experiencing the hunting grounds for the first time.

Near the military camp at the mountain’s base, merchants had already gathered, setting up long shelters and cloth tents among the trees. From a distance, it looked like a marketplace had been erected in the forest, with merchants continuously arriving.

Seeing Lu Tong observe carefully, Lin Danqing proactively explained: “That’s the hunt market.”

Lu Tong: “Hunt market?”

“Some noble guests who come to hunt bring their family members. During the day they hunt in the mountains, at night they lodge in the camps. When evening comes and they come out to stroll, these tent stalls will sell hot cooked food and drinks and sweet broths – no worse than the night market at Jingde Gate. It’s quite interesting.”

She nudged Lu Tong’s arm: “How about it? I told you this trip would be worth your while, didn’t I?”

Just as she was speaking, the physicians ahead suddenly became noisy, with someone saying: “The hunting party has arrived!”

The hunting party had arrived.

Lu Tong looked in that direction.

A vast procession of people and horses appeared ahead, roughly several thousand strong. At the very front was an elegant blue carriage with turtle patterns carved on its body, accompanied by hundreds of ceremonial officials.

The blue carriage stopped at the hunting ground entrance. Everyone around hurriedly knelt to pay respects. Lu Tong also knelt with the Academy physicians, hearing Lin Danqing whisper beside her ear: “That’s His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The Crown Prince.

Lu Tong looked up toward the front.

A young man descended from the carriage – reasonably good-looking but somewhat thin, lacking any imposing presence. He raised his hand, signaling for everyone to rise. Lu Tong stood with the physicians, looking toward the carriage. Behind the Crown Prince were fine horses with riders also in gorgeous saddles and bridles – clearly not ordinary people.

“Those are the Second Prince, Third Prince, and Fourth Prince,” Lin Danqing whispered explanations to her.

The current Emperor Liang Mingdi had four sons and one daughter total. The princess was still young, and among the four princes, Crown Prince Yuan Zhen was born to the Empress, Third Prince Yuan Yao was born to Noble Consort Chen, while the Second and Fourth Princes’ mothers were only noble ladies who had died years ago.

Though the Crown Prince was born to the Empress, the Empress’s maternal family had gradually declined in recent years, while Noble Consort Chen’s backing – Duke Chen – had grown in influence. The crown prince position remained unstable, with open and covert struggles between the Crown Prince faction and Third Prince faction creating undercurrents in court.

Miao Liangfang had once mentioned these princes to Lu Tong, but this was her first time seeing them in person. Lu Tong looked carefully, silently memorizing each prince’s face.

The Second and Fourth Princes seemed to have no ambitions, appearing submissive, while Third Prince Yuan Yao had an arrogant expression and seemed to be in confrontation with the Crown Prince in their conversation.

Behind these men was another man, about thirty-something, wearing a precious blue brocade sleeve bamboo-patterned wide-sleeved robe. His features were quite good, and he smiled when speaking to anyone, appearing very amiable.

This person hadn’t ridden a horse but had taken a soft sedan chair, lifting the curtain to appear leisurely before everyone.

Lu Tong asked: “Is this also a prince?”

Lin Danqing followed her gaze: “This is Prince Ning.” She added quietly: “Prince Ning is His Majesty’s only surviving brother now.”

“Prince Ning?”

Lu Tong was somewhat surprised.

Prince Ning Yuan Lang was Emperor Liang Mingdi’s brother. After the former Emperor died, several princes also died successively. Besides Emperor Liang Mingdi, only this Prince Ning survived. Lu Tong had heard this person’s name but hadn’t expected him to look so young – only a few years older than the princes.

“Prince Ning is a good person,” Lin Danqing said. “Everyone in the capital says he’s a good-natured man. People have even seen him bargaining with vegetable sellers in the official lanes. It’s just that he has too many concubines, which inevitably depletes his constitution over time.”

Her old habit of diagnosing people flared up again, leaving Lu Tong speechless.

After the imperial family passed, came the young masters and sons from princely and noble houses.

Since these noble guests had wealthy families, their equipment was extremely gorgeous and luxurious. Each had robust horses with gold saddles and silver bridles. As for their riding attire, they sought out the finest materials and best tailors, wishing the whole world could see their martial bearing.

But people depend on clothes and horses on saddles – even with average looks, throwing all these precious things together still displayed the particular nobility that comes with wealth.

Especially impressive were the Dragon Guard cavalry following behind the princes and nobles. The cavalrymen rode fine horses in pitch-black imperial guard uniforms, each tall and handsome with extraordinary bearing, particularly eye-catching as they moved.

Lin Danqing watched with fascination, unable to help but exclaim in great admiration.

“Really quite good – much more handsome than the bean sprouts at the Academy. Too bad it’s so cool in the mountains that they wear such thick clothes with buttons fastened so tightly. Why not take them off and benefit everyone’s eyes?”

Her comment made the accompanying female physicians cover their mouths and laugh secretly.

Lin Danqing raised her eyebrows: “Did I say something wrong?”

A thin male physician nearby was quite displeased upon hearing this and said with a stern face: “Physician Lin, as a woman, should watch her words and actions.”

Lin Danqing was unconcerned: “You don’t understand. My family ancestor once said that physicians have parental hearts, and there’s also the saying ‘body, hair, and skin are received from parents.’ If that’s the case, I gave birth to them all. A mother looking at her sons – what’s wrong with looking a bit more?”

She smiled: “Not looking would be a waste.”

This advantage was quite brazenly claimed, leaving everyone speechless.

Lu Tong felt that when Lin Danqing spoke sometimes, she really seemed like the biological sister of Widow Sun from West Street, despite having different fathers and mothers.

Just as she was thinking this, the crowd ahead suddenly became noisy.

The female physicians who had been secretly laughing at Lin Danqing let out quiet cheers. Lu Tong looked up and couldn’t help but freeze.

Behind the long line of Dragon Guard troops, sudden hoofbeats arose.

Someone rode past on horseback, the wind stirring the forest branches and making the morning sun brighter.

The young man wore the same pitch-black imperial guard riding uniform as the other Dragon Guards, the outfit perfectly outlining the rider’s beautiful form like an agile cheetah. Today Pei Yunying wore no official hat, only a black gold-embroidered headband across his forehead, making him appear less refined but more spirited.

The guard was proud and noble, his golden whip brushing willows. Those pitch-black bright eyes, touched by forest sunlight, showed a jewel-like magnificent color. The young man’s indifferent urging of his horse and heroic bearing made hearts beat faster.

The love of beauty is universal – the female physicians ahead made the same admiring sounds as Lin Danqing had earlier.

Lin Danqing pursed her lips: “See, the most handsome one has arrived.”

Lu Tong steadied herself.

Pei Yunying truly had an exceptionally good appearance.

She wasn’t actually someone who judged by looks, but many times found herself unconsciously amazed by this person – not because of his appearance, but because of the unrestrained, carefree vitality wrapped beneath his warm or cold exterior.

It was enviable.

Lin Danqing beside her sighed: “With such a face, why have such skills? With such skills, why have such a face… truly a treasure of the mortal world.”

Lu Tong found this amusing and was about to speak when her gaze suddenly froze upon seeing someone behind the Dragon Guards.

Why was he here?