The night wind swept over the camp, carrying the floating wine fragrance from the night market everywhere.

Lu Tong was in a trance for a moment.

Seventeen.

It seemed like no one had called this name for a long time.

Since Yunniang left, no one had ever called her this way, making her suddenly feel as if she was still in the thatched cottage on Luomei Peak in southern Su, never having left.

Lu Tong stared blankly at the silver ring in his hand. After a long time, she finally came to her senses.

“How is it in your possession?”

“Zhizi found your medical box and accidentally broke it.”

He gazed at Lu Tong. “Rather than asking this, shouldn’t you ask me something else?”

After a moment of silence, Lu Tong finally spoke.

“Ask you what? Ask why you appeared at the execution ground in southern Su five years ago? You know I never inquire into others’ private affairs.”

These words were quite heartless.

He clicked his tongue, his dimples faintly visible at the corners of his mouth. “Why speak so distantly? After all, you and I could be considered old friends reunited.”

Lu Tong remained silent.

Since he had seen this silver ring, he must have guessed that she was the person who had saved him in southern Su years ago.

Pei Yunying propped his head with his hand, tilted his head to look at her, the corners of his mouth slightly raised. “Had I known you and I would meet again, that day in the ruined temple, I should have removed your face covering.”

After a pause, Lu Tong retorted: “But I was afraid the Commander would silence me.”

“That’s something I should be saying to you.” He raised an eyebrow, put down the silver ring in his hand, and asked with a smile: “My lifesaver, how have these years been for you?”

After a long silence, Lu Tong said: “Not bad.” Then asked: “And you?”

He nodded, his tone relaxed: “I’m doing well too.”

Both fell silent for a moment.

In the deep silence of night, he sat across from her, wearing a crow-blue silk robe that accentuated his devastatingly handsome features. When he smiled at her, perhaps due to the warm lamplight, even his stern eyes held a moment of tenderness.

Lu Tong lowered her brows: “Aren’t you afraid?”

He was startled: “Of what?”

“I’m a thief who steals corpses from execution grounds.”

Lu Tong turned to look outside the tent, where fires blazed heavily at the river bridge night market.

She spoke indifferently: “I killed Qi Yutai’s dog. Didn’t you see? Those people now don’t dare look at me.”

The gray dog’s corpse had been dragged down the mountain along with everything else. It probably died too horribly, falling differently in everyone’s eyes. Who knows what Qi Yutai might have added to embellish the story. When the several physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy came to the tent to deliver medicine to her, their expressions had changed, their gazes faintly revealing fear.

They were afraid of her.

Pei Yunying said: “A little.”

Seeing Lu Tong look at him, he smiled nonchalantly again. “But it’s natural for debtors to fear their creditors. It has nothing to do with anything else.”

Lu Tong’s heart stirred.

The young man was elegant and extraordinarily handsome, his words spoken in a casual tone as if teasing at will, yet his expression was particularly gentle, like an illusion shrouded in moonlight.

Noticing her gaze, Pei Yunying’s lips curved: “Even if I’m remarkably good-looking, Dr. Lu needn’t stare for so long.”

Lu Tong: “…”

For some reason, she suddenly remembered what Lin Danqing had said to her earlier in the Imperial Medical Academy dormitory.

“The Empress Dowager intends to arrange a marriage for Young Master Pei, and the one she’s chosen is the young lady of the Qi family!”

Without reason, Lu Tong suddenly felt somewhat displeased, looking away and saying sarcastically: “Lord Pei is indeed exceptionally beautiful. Without some good looks, how could you catch the eye of the Grand Tutor’s daughter?”

He had been smiling while listening to Lu Tong speak, but was startled upon hearing this: “What did you say?”

“I heard you’re going to be the Grand Tutor mansion’s prized son-in-law.”

Pei Yunying frowned: “Where did this rumor come from?” Then said: “Don’t ruin my reputation. If I planned to marry into the Grand Tutor’s family, I’d be crazy to come save you.”

Lu Tong looked at him seriously: “Maybe you want to use my head as a pledge of loyalty.”

Pei Yunying: “…”

He looked at her for a while, then sighed: “You really know how to accuse others first.”

“Flies don’t bite seamless eggs. If Lord Pei conducted himself properly, he wouldn’t attract bees and butterflies.”

“I attract bees and butterflies? Don’t conduct myself properly?”

He was astonished and spoke incredulously: “Dr. Lu, I helped you, and instead of thanking me, you’re slandering me?”

Lu Tong turned to face him: “The reason I was plotted against and injured by Qi Yutai was because of the Commander. Not seeking compensation from the Commander is already generous—where does the Commander get the face to ask for my thanks?”

“Because of me?” Pei Yunying’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

Lu Tong snorted, thought for a moment, and finally told him everything about encountering the Qi family carriage at the Imperial Medical Academy gate and what Qi Yutai had said when fighting the vicious dog at Huangmao Hill.

Finally, Lu Tong said coldly: “Just because you attract bees and butterflies everywhere, you made Qi Yutai fight for his sister’s honor. Now Qi Yutai hates me, and it will be difficult for me to approach him again in the future. Lord Pei,” she said angrily, “you’ve completely disrupted my plans.”

She was usually calm, and even when angry, she kept it hidden under her cool exterior, never showing it as obviously as today.

Perhaps because this undeserved disaster had indeed affected her future plans, making her angry, or perhaps…

Or perhaps being bitten by the dog had made her somewhat irritable.

Pei Yunying lowered his head, pondered for a while, and said: “So that’s how it is.”

“Qi Yutai’s dog was killed by me. When we return to the city, he can easily find an excuse to make me leave the Imperial Medical Academy. Cui Min previously treated Qi Yutai and could easily find reasons. If I leave the Imperial Medical Academy, revenge becomes a distant prospect.”

This accusation was full of resentment.

Pei Yunying looked at her: “It’s my fault.”

Lu Tong paused.

She hadn’t expected him to admit his mistake so quickly, so quickly that it made her seem somewhat aggressive.

“Leave this matter to me,” he said readily. “You won’t leave the Imperial Medical Academy, and Qi Yutai won’t be able to trouble you for now.”

Lu Tong became alert: “What do you plan to do?” Then suddenly thought of something and looked at him sharply: “You and I are already unclear as it is…”

Pei Yunying chuckled: “After tonight, rumors about you and me will fly everywhere anyway. Are you still afraid your fiancé will be displeased?”

Seeing Lu Tong not responding, he smirked: “But I guess he probably doesn’t mind much.”

“What do you mean?”

Pei Yunying raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over the silver ring on the table.

Lu Tong suddenly realized.

Pei Yunying actually thought that “fiancé” was himself?

She said expressionlessly: “It’s not you.”

“Oh?”

Pei Yunying rested his cheek on his hand, speaking casually: “Young and promising, noble family background, working in the palace, very busy. Dr. Lu also owes him a life debt. A golden boy and jade girl, a perfect match. This trip to the capital is to fulfill the marriage contract…”

Lu Tong suppressed her anger: “Shut up!”

His dimples were now brilliantly dazzling, and he sighed leisurely: “From Shopkeeper Du’s description, I thought the fiancé he mentioned was me.”

Lu Tong’s head throbbed.

After all this time, this person could still remember Du Changqing’s nonsense at Renxin Medical Hall. How detestable.

“Of course not.”

Lu Tong gathered her spirits and said with a cold smile: “People working in the palace—you could kill dozens with one medical box. Young, promising, noble young masters are not rare in the capital either. As for life debts, I sit in the medical hall year-round treating patients. I save so many lives coming and going that I can’t even keep track—are they all my fiancés? The Commander should be more careful with his words.”

Pei Yunying stared at her for a long time, then suddenly burst out laughing.

He sighed: “Dr. Lu, this is the first time I’ve heard you say so much.”

Lu Tong glared at him without speaking.

He shook his head helplessly: “I was just teasing you. Getting so worked up—be careful that anger harms your health.”

“However, this ‘fiancé’ identity would be quite convenient for your revenge. If you’re willing, I could also help…”

“No need.” Lu Tong interrupted him.

Pei Yunying paused.

“You don’t need to help me with anything. After what just happened, and you having said those words in front of the Crown Prince, even if the Qi family is displeased, they won’t act now.”

Her fingertips touching the bowl’s rim were ice-cold, and that coolness made Lu Tong more alert.

She spoke quickly: “I’m going back to West Street to recuperate for a while. I happen to have other matters to handle. If Lord Pei truly wants to help me, just make sure there are no unnecessary disturbances during this time, whether from the Qi family or anything else. Give me more time.”

Pei Yunying stared at her steadily.

Her lips were pale, her expression weak, yet her attitude was very determined.

Stubbornly refusing all help.

Pei Yunying moved his lips, wanting to say something more, but suddenly stopped when he glimpsed the scars on her wrist.

Those were scratches left when Lu Tong fought the vicious dog. Even after applying medicinal powder, they still looked jarring.

After a moment of silence, he said: “Alright.”

“What you’re worried about won’t happen. The Qi family absolutely won’t dare drive you out of the Imperial Medical Academy, nor will it delay your revenge. During this time, stay at the medical hall and recover well.” He looked at Lu Tong. “If there’s trouble, have someone come to the Commander’s mansion to find me.”

Lu Tong paused slightly, unconsciously tightening her grip on the medicine bowl.

Was he getting addicted to backing people up?

Pei Yunying didn’t notice, only lowered his head and took out a medicine bottle from his chest: “Scar removal medicine from the palace. Last time you wouldn’t accept it, you’ll accept it this time, right? Consider it paying back these years’ interest.”

Voices could be heard faintly outside the tent—Lin Danqing, who had gone to buy food, was returning.

Pei Yunying stood up: “There are many people here with prying eyes. It’s inconvenient for me to stay long. I’ll have someone send your medical box later. Oh,” he paused and continued, “when Zhizi recovered your medical box, the white jade inside was broken. Duan Xiaoyan took it for repair and will return it to you in a few days.”

Lu Tong: “No need.”

“Zhizi broke it, so naturally the Palace Front Division should compensate.”

“Besides,” he smiled, “I saw that jade pendant was of good quality, with warm luster. It should be something you treasure.”

“The craftsman Duan Xiaoyan found has excellent repair skills. Dr. Lu can rest assured—it will be completely undetectable.”

After saying this, he lifted the tent flap and bent down to walk out.

Lin Danqing just happened to come in from outside. Seeing it was him, she was also stunned. After watching him walk away, she turned back and asked Lu Tong: “Why did he come again?”

Lu Tong remained silent, picking up the medicine bottle from the table.

The medicine bottle was exquisite, with a narrow body and stopper carved from a small piece of red wood.

Lu Tong was slightly startled.

Immortal Jade Skin Cream.

She looked toward the tent.

This person…

Had actually sent the same medicine as Ji Xun.

…

After leaving the camp, Pei Yunying returned to the horse field below the hunting ground.

As soon as he left the tent, the earlier warmth and smiles instantly disappeared, as if removing a mask, his expression becoming calm and cold.

All the guard escorts and cavalry had already left with the Crown Prince’s group, leaving only a few scattered teams of horses at this location. Seeing this usually bright commander with a face full of malevolent gloom, they all dared not speak much and quickly avoided him.

Xiao Zhufeng was standing by the horses re-fitting the reins. Seeing him arrive, he continued his hand movements without looking up: “The hero returns?”

Though he usually loved mockery, he still restrained himself somewhat. Today, perhaps because he was particularly annoyed, his words were especially cutting.

“This rescue of yours has completely disrupted His Highness’s plans. The Qi family was already displeased with you, and the teacher can’t hide it either…”

He yanked the reins, his tone impatient: “Couldn’t you just bear with it?”

Pei Yunying stood to one side, watching him fit the reins on the horse.

“Xiao Er, do you remember I told you that five years ago in southern Su, I was being hunted and a little girl saved me?”

Xiao Zhufeng’s hand holding the reins suddenly stopped, and he looked up at him.

“She’s the one who saved me.”

The night mountain wind was cool, making the distant lights in the river bridge water sway back and forth.

After a long silence, Xiao Zhufeng spoke: “So you saved her because of this?”

Pei Yunying didn’t speak.

Repaying life-saving grace with a spring—the Palace Front Division guards often had this saying on their lips, joking and repeating it to those they saved.

But his saving her wasn’t for this reason.

He thought of the moment he saw Lu Tong during the day.

She stood among a crowd of powerful nobles, covered in blood with a pale face. Though her clenched knuckles had turned white, her eyes remained coldly indifferent, refusing to show any weakness.

Like a wounded beast fighting off hyenas alone, covered in scars.

She would rather die than surrender.

At that moment, he had an intuition that if Lu Tong had really knelt before the Qi family’s vicious dog in front of everyone today, some things could never be made right again.

Actually, even without that silver ring, even if she weren’t an “old friend”…

In such circumstances, he couldn’t stand by and watch.

“What now?” Xiao Zhufeng asked. “Offending the Grand Tutor’s mansion early—this is big trouble, and your Dr. Lu will also be in danger.”

With Qi Yutai’s narrow mind, it would be hard for him not to move against Lu Tong, and Lu Tong was just a female physician from the Imperial Medical Academy.

Pei Yunying said: “Starting today, I’ll have people watch the Grand Tutor mansion’s movements. After that, I need to enter the palace.”

“So impulsive?”

Pei Yunying remained silent.

“Forget it, it’s already much better than I expected. At least you had restraint today. I was worried you might kill Qi Yutai in a rage.”

Pei Yunying interrupted him: “You guessed right. I did want to kill him.”

Xiao Zhufeng paused.

The young man’s expression was ice-cold, killing intent gradually gathering in his dark eyes.

At that time, Lu Tong was surrounded by everyone, covered in wounds. He had almost couldn’t restrain himself from drawing his sword to finish this person.

If Yuan Zhen hadn’t been present, if he hadn’t feared bringing her trouble, even if it would alert their enemies, he would have had to kill Qi Yutai today.

Xiao Zhufeng studied his expression.

“Even if she’s your lifesaver, why do you become irrational whenever it concerns her?”

Xiao Zhufeng said: “This isn’t your style.”

The forest at Huangmao Hill was quiet, clouds scattered over the mountain peaks, and a bright moon shone on the mountainside, giving the night scene a layer of melancholy.

Pei Yunying didn’t speak.

Why was he different from before whenever he encountered her? Why did he lose control when something happened to her? Why did he become so angry seeing her humiliated?

Clearly, over all these years, he had long become iron-hearted…

People must experience trials to grow—he had always followed this rule, treating himself and others this way.

Yet when it came to her, he felt reluctant, reluctant to see her drenched by cruel worldly circumstances, reluctant to see her crash headlong into the wall without looking back.

In the distance, lights clustered at the market, and the dark shadows of intertwining branches before him swayed in the wind, casting mottled patterns on the person beneath the tree.

The young man lowered his eyelids.

“I want to know too.”

Why…

She alone was different.

…

Summer nights in the capital were always hot.

The clouds dispersed, and the clear light was full. A breeze came, slightly bending the two clumps of green bamboo in front of the courtyard.

By the pool in the courtyard, a figure stood quietly, his full head of white hair reflecting a cold color under the silver moon.

The pool water was clear, completely reflecting the entire moon. When fish food was scattered, colorful koi competed to surface for food, and the faint light was broken into stars.

As the last grain of fish food was thrown in, someone hurried across the small bridge, stopped a few steps behind the old man, and said in a low voice: “Master, the young lady has already retired.”

Qi Qing nodded.

Qi Huaying had been in low spirits these past days.

She declined all flower appreciation and banquet invitations, showed little interest in outings and spring excursions. The Grand Tutor mansion had only this one precious daughter, and Qi Qing had invited young ladies who were usually close to Qi Huaying to the mansion to chat with her and relieve her boredom, but Qi Huaying remained listless. She even went to bed early at night.

Anyone with eyes could see that the young lady had something on her mind, but no one knew why the Grand Tutor’s daughter, who could have anything she wanted, was troubled.

“How was the hunting ground?”

Today was the summer hunt, and the imperial family and officials all went to Huangmao Hill for hunting. He was too old to attend such occasions, but Qi Yutai still had to accompany the guard escort.

“I was just about to tell you about this,” the steward bowed his head. “Master, the hunt was suspended, and the Crown Prince’s group has returned to the palace.”

“Suspended?”

The steward lowered his head and related in detail the incident of both the Crown Prince and Third Prince encountering accidents.

After listening, Qi Qing pondered for a moment and said: “It seems the other side can no longer hold back.”

The steward dared not speak. Qi Qing asked again: “Has the young master returned?”

“He’s almost home, but…”

“Speak.”

“Master, Qinhu is dead.”

This time, genuine surprise appeared on Qi Qing’s face as he turned around.

“Dead?”

“There seemed to be some trouble at the hunting ground. The physician surnamed Lu killed Qinhu. She should have been held accountable, but Commander Pei stood up to defend her, so…”

He didn’t dare continue, and silence fell all around.

The eldest young master had taken Qinhu to the hunting ground and arranged things with the Imperial Medical Academy beforehand, all to vent anger for Qi Huaying at the hunting ground. In the end, it backfired—not only was Qinhu lost, but he also lost face in front of everyone.

A dog’s life was a small matter, but the Grand Tutor mansion’s reputation was important. Moreover, from the beginning, the Grand Tutor mansion had favored this marriage with the Pei family.

“Useless thing.”

Qi Qing closed his eyes, his expression showing some disgust: “Can’t even handle such a small matter.”

“Master, about the Pei family…”

The Qi family had repeatedly invited the heir of Duke Zhaoning to their mansion—Pei Yunying couldn’t fail to see the deeper meaning. His father Pei Di was tactful enough, but unfortunately had no control over this son and couldn’t make decisions for Pei Yunying.

Originally, Qi Huaying didn’t resist this marriage, but now Pei Yunying was entangled with some common physician woman and had even brought it into the open. This marriage couldn’t continue.

“Pei Di has raised a fine son.”

Qi Qing smiled, his cloudy eyes reflecting the clear pool water, showing a hint of gray-white.

“Truly a newborn calf unafraid of tigers.”

He said: “What a pity.”