The Medical Officials’ Academy lit up with fire during the night.

The commotion outside gradually grew louder, waking both people sleeping in the room.

Lin Danqing groggily climbed up from the couch, lit a lamp, and saw shadows moving outside with people whispering.

“What’s happening?” Lu Tong also put on her clothes.

“I don’t know.” Lin Danqing rubbed her eyes and got out of bed, pushing the door open. “I’ll go take a look.”

Lights gradually brightened in the courtyard as more and more medical officials ran out from the residential quarters, holding candles and discussing in low voices. The older medical officials dressed properly, shouldered their medical boxes, and hurried out, heading to unknown destinations.

Lin Danqing spoke with several medical officials under the trees for a while, then returned with her candle to the doorway, telling Lu Tong: “There’s a fire in Yanzhi Alley.”

Lu Tong paused: “A fire?”

“Yes. It started at Fengle Tower. I’ve heard people mention Fengle Tower before—it’s an entire wooden wine house. When it burns, it’s quite serious.”

“They’re all going to examine the injured, but they didn’t ask us new medical officials to go along, so there probably aren’t many casualties. I remember when there was a fire at the Jingde Gate during the Lantern Festival, the entire Medical Officials’ Academy was mobilized.”

“Speaking of which, there have been several fires since summer began. We should be more careful with fire in our daily lives to avoid burning…”

She rambled on, but seeing Lu Tong only gazing into the distance without speaking, she couldn’t help saying: “What’s wrong? Are you daydreaming?”

Lu Tong came back to her senses: “It’s nothing.”

She took the candlestick and smiled faintly: “Fire and water show no mercy—we should indeed prepare early.”

…

The great fire that blazed in Yanzhi Alley that night was quickly extinguished.

But the rumors and gossip born from the fire spread rapidly throughout the entire capital.

The fire had started at Fengle Tower in Yanzhi Alley. Fortunately, the fire tower was nearby, and there happened to be two fire stations close by. The fire was discovered early and extinguished in time. Except for the top floor pavilion that was almost completely burned to ash, everything else was fine. Most fortunately, no one lost their lives—only a few drunk customers were overcome by smoke and suffered minor injuries.

Actually, calling them minor injuries wasn’t quite right—there was one particularly special casualty at Fengle Tower.

When this casualty was rescued, his mind was already unclear. He kept claiming to be the Grand Tutor’s mansion young master, appearing mad and foolish, behaving improperly, grabbing people nearby and crying about orioles killing people. No matter how you looked at him, he didn’t seem like a normal person.

The alley was full of idle pleasure-seekers—how could they not be interested in such entertainment? Before Fengle Tower’s fire was even extinguished, the news that Grand Tutor’s residence Young Master Qi had been frightened into madness had already spread throughout the capital.

At the Grand Tutor’s mansion.

Dawn light was dim, gauze curtains concealed the figure on the couch, people came and went in the room, thick medicinal fragrance wafted from within, intermittently mixed with scolding and wailing.

“Bang—”

Immediately followed by piercing cries: “Father, save me—the orioles are killing people—”

Qi Huaying stood at the door listening to the commotion inside, her face pale as paper.

Last night in the deep hours, Qi Yutai had been brought back to the mansion.

When he returned home, his mind was unclear, snot and tears mixed together, his face full of panic and terror, blackened by smoke and fire.

Qi Yutai had his incident at Fengle Tower.

He had left without guards, and except for his servant, no one knew who he was. Later, when Fengle Tower caught fire, in his madness he revealed his identity in front of everyone.

But at that time he was raving mad, so no one believed him at first. Only later when people saw the luxurious carriage tied at the door did someone go to the Grand Tutor’s mansion to report, and the mansion learned of this disaster.

Qi Yutai seemed to have gone mad.

Qi Huaying’s eyes were red-rimmed.

Qi Yutai had gone to Fengle Tower to take “cold food powder.”

The siblings had always been very close, and she had long known her brother had this problem. In the past, she had openly and secretly advised him many times, but ultimately couldn’t withstand Qi Yutai’s pleading and gave him money to buy the powder.

If she hadn’t given Qi Yutai those bank notes a few days ago, he wouldn’t have gone to Fengle Tower, wouldn’t have encountered this fire, wouldn’t have met with this undeserved disaster.

Qi Huaying gripped her skirt tightly, tears falling.

Inside the room, Qi Qing sat beside the couch.

Qi Yutai was struggling too violently, making it difficult to feed him medicine. They had no choice but to have servants temporarily tie up his hands and feet.

With all four limbs bound, Qi Yutai lay on the bed, eyes wide open, struggling desperately, his screams sharp and piercing.

The old steward stood with lowered head, unable to help feeling secretly alarmed.

About five years ago, Qi Yutai had suffered an episode once before, but it hadn’t been as severe as now. Then he’d only been somewhat confused in speech but could still remain calm, unlike this current delirium and madness.

This time was more erratic than the last. The mistress had also been in such a state back then…

The old steward shivered and heard Qi Qing speak: “Is everything at Fengle Tower properly arranged?”

“Everything has been discussed, but the incident happened so suddenly, with too many people present…”

The news of Qi Yutai’s madness had already spread. Yanzhi Alley was full of wine customers and mixed crowds—many people had left, going to other places, flowing like fish into broader streams. Though indistinguishable in the sea, they scattered this news everywhere.

The Qi family could silence one person’s mouth, ten people’s mouths, but couldn’t silence a hundred mouths, especially when these hundred would quickly become a thousand, ten thousand, endlessly multiplying.

This matter was troublesome.

Qi Qing closed his eyes.

A warrior’s blade and a scholar’s brush are both instruments of killing. Moreover, the brush kills people faster and more viciously than the blade by a hundredfold.

Qi Yutai’s screams gradually subsided—he was finally exhausted from struggling. The freshly brewed medicine hadn’t been brought yet. Qi Qing sat quietly, his eyes full of weariness, like an aging, decrepit father.

Qi Yutai turned his head, facing Qi Qing directly.

His expression was confused, his gaze scattered like a newborn infant’s, covered with a thin layer of tears. The red marks on his face were still fresh. Without his usual impatience and feigned respect, he looked like a harmless, innocent child.

“Father.” He suddenly called out.

Both people in the room were startled.

Had he awakened?

Qi Qing leaned forward, staring at him and softening his voice: “Yutai, do you recognize me?”

“Father, save me.”

Qi Yutai looked at him timidly, speaking with a frightened expression: “Someone wants to kill me.”

The old steward lifted his head in surprise.

Qi Qing gripped Qi Yutai’s hand slightly tighter, speaking calmly: “Who wants to harm you?”

Qi Yutai swallowed.

“A man.”

He shuddered: “A… man I don’t know.”

…

While the Qi family was shrouded in gloom, the court was quite lively.

The rumors from Yanzhi Alley spread quickly, soon reaching the Imperial City.

Grand Tutor held high position and great power, with disciples throughout the court and countryside. Lower-ranking officials couldn’t openly discuss the Qi family’s affairs, but the Third Prince’s faction seized the opportunity to kick them while they were down.

In court, the Crown Prince said mildly: “Rumors are flying, but the truth is not yet known. The Grand Tutor has high moral character and recommends worthy people for the nation. Officials should be clear and prudent—why learn from gossiping women, unable to distinguish black from white?”

Third Prince Yuan Yao smiled: “The Crown Prince speaks truly. This matter is simple—just have that young master from the Qi family come out and prove his mind is clear and behavior normal, and the rumors will naturally collapse without attack.” After speaking, his gaze swept around the assembled officials, showing a sudden realization: “Ah, I almost forgot—the Grand Tutor took leave today.”

Grand Tutor Qi had claimed illness today and hadn’t attended court.

The Crown Prince’s expression was grim.

Yuan Yao gloated.

Prince Ning, standing to the side, blinked and slowly yawned.

Before Emperor Liang Ming could speak, a censor stepped forward, saying that early this morning on his way to court, someone had blocked his sedan chair. Yesterday’s Fengle Tower fire had prompted someone to report that Grand Tutor’s son Qi Yutai had secretly taken cold food powder at Fengle Tower.

At these words, the assembled ministers were in uproar.

When the previous emperor was alive, he had strictly forbidden the entire nation from taking this substance. Anyone discovered using it would immediately be charged with a crime.

Unfortunately, this censor was famously upright in court.

On the dragon throne, Emperor Liang Ming listened calmly, his expression showing neither joy nor anger.

“High moral character, recommending worthy people for the nation?”

Yuan Yao took in the Crown Prince’s embarrassed expression and smiled mockingly.

“The Grand Tutor indeed protects the nation and its people, governing with clarity and quiet—but… perhaps court affairs are too complicated, leaving no time even to educate his son?”

“If he governs his family thus, how can he govern the nation? Or perhaps the Grand Tutor, now past sixty, is no longer capable!”

He stepped forward, looking toward the emperor on his high seat.

“The Shenzi says: ‘If the ruler abandons law and judges matters by personal inclination, then equal achievements receive different rewards, and equal crimes receive different punishments. This is how resentment arises.'” Yuan Yao bowed: “I ask Your Majesty: officials should not favor relatives, and law should not omit loved ones.”

“…Investigate this matter thoroughly.”

…

A court session with everyone harboring ulterior motives.

Those who argued argued, those who slandered slandered, those watching the show said nothing, though they yawned dozens of times.

Regarding whether Qi Yutai had actually taken cold food powder, Emperor Liang Ming had already sent people to investigate quickly. But setting aside the cold food powder matter, the Qi family’s son going mad at Fengle Tower was already a known fact to everyone.

In a dark room, firelight flickered on bronze eagle stands.

Xiao Zhufeng followed closely behind Pei Yunying, walking down long stone steps until they reached a low table in the corner.

Someone sat before the low table. Xiao Zhufeng stepped forward and called out “Teacher.”

Yan Xu raised his eyes. The court session had ended, and all departments had returned to their positions, but Fengle Tower’s fire had burned away not only the Qi family’s previously pristine reputation, but also the court’s long-stable situation.

Such fire rumors, if they had occurred before, absolutely couldn’t have stirred up such great waves. Perhaps it wasn’t that the Grand Tutor’s mansion was less powerful than before, but that the Third Prince’s faction had risen to prominence.

And Emperor Liang Ming…

In the quiet firelight of the room, Yan Xu narrowed his eyes, his hawk-like gaze fixed tightly on Pei Yunying.

“The Fengle Tower fire—did you orchestrate it?”

“How could that be?”

Pei Yunying spoke seriously: “These past few days I’ve been busy organizing new military compilations and haven’t even left my door. Don’t make false accusations.” After speaking, he nudged the person beside him: “Isn’t that right, Xiao Er?”

Xiao Zhufeng coughed lightly: “That’s correct, I can testify. This matter indeed has nothing to do with him.”

Yan Xu studied the person before him with a stern expression.

The young man let him examine him with open, frank eyes, his expression quite innocent. His upright and selfless appearance made one feel ashamed, as if even suspecting him had become a sin.

He reminded one of his mother.

Yan Xu suddenly withdrew his gaze.

Pei Yunying blinked.

The man looked away, speaking coldly: “Yuan Yao won’t miss the chance to attack the Grand Tutor’s mansion. Don’t act rashly these days—observe quietly and wait for changes.”

“No.”

Yan Xu and Xiao Zhufeng both looked at him.

Pei Yunying spoke methodically: “Right now Yuan Yao is trying hard to ‘win me over,’ and I’ve just ‘made enemies’ with the Grand Tutor’s mansion. To show loyalty, I should naturally spare no effort and take this opportunity to kick them while they’re down, so His Majesty, the officials, and the Third Prince can see my sincerity.”

Firelight swayed, the room was completely silent.

Yan Xu stared at Pei Yunying with inscrutable depth for a long while, then suddenly laughed coldly: “Pei Yunying, all this circuitous scheming—it’s not for that Lu-surnamed medical woman, is it?”

He had an epiphany: “Good idea, killing two birds with one stone.”

Yan Xu laughed in anger, his tone turning grim: “Reckless fool.”

But Pei Yunying remained calm and composed.

“Isn’t this what teacher taught me years ago: repay kindness, forget grievances. Repaying grievances is short, repaying kindness is long.”

He spoke sincerely: “I dare not forget teacher’s instruction for even a moment.”

His casual, insolent manner was obviously irritating. Yan Xu flew into rage, grabbing a paperweight from the table and hurling it at him, but he dodged aside.

Yan Xu said: “Get out!”

“Oh.” He responded leisurely, walked two steps, then suddenly remembered something and turned back.

“Teacher will have to speak for the Crown Prince these days while opposing me. Why not give me another punch now to make our opposition for our respective masters seem more earnest?”

Xiao Zhufeng lowered his head without speaking.

Yan Xu gritted his teeth: “Scram.”

He raised his eyebrows and responded with regret: “Alright then.”

…

After court affairs reached the Medical Officials’ Academy, the busy daytime gained some additional interest.

By evening of the summer solstice, strong winds suddenly arose before the heavy rain.

A patch of green swayed back and forth outside the window, rustling. The strong wind made people feel cool and refreshed.

Medical officials were collecting clothes drying in the courtyard while quietly discussing how if this rain had fallen on Fengle Tower a few nights ago at midnight, perhaps the recent court situation would be quite different.

Lu Tong closed the wooden window.

Chang Jin’s little daughter had contracted smallpox, so he had taken leave from the Medical Officials’ Academy. With no one managing the medical records pavilion, the new medical director had Lu Tong temporarily take over Chang Jin’s duties.

New medical records were sorted by category into proper positions, official medical records were arranged by department and rank, imperial medical records were locked and couldn’t be opened by ordinary people… Medical records also needed to be taken out regularly for cleaning and airing, damaged or incomplete ones needed repair. After examining and checking scroll by scroll, it was already very late.

The noisy laughter and chatter of medical officials outside had disappeared at some point. Lu Tong glanced at the water clock—it was nearly midnight.

She extinguished the lantern, leaving only one oil lamp, and was preparing to close the door and return to the residential quarters to rest when suddenly she heard light knocking.

“Knock knock—”

The sound was very soft, coming from the window.

Lu Tong steadied herself, took the lamp and walked to the window, hesitated a moment, then reached out to push open the window.

As soon as she opened the window, a bamboo tube gently touched her cheek, ice-cold and carrying some lingering chill.

Pei Yunying’s face appeared from behind the bamboo tube.

The strong pre-rain summer wind was blowing the tree branches outside every which way, and rain seemed imminent, yet his expression was calm, holding a bamboo tube in his hand, looking refreshed.

Through the window, Pei Yunying stuffed the bamboo tube into Lu Tong’s hands.

“What is this?”

“White lotus flower dew.”

The young man leaned against the window outside, smiling: “With the fire in Yanzhi Alley, the sweet drink carts in the city were gone all night. I saw this passing by the alley entrance—drink it sparingly.”

The Fengle Tower fire had doubled the fire tower personnel, and patrol guards worked day and night patrolling everywhere, not allowing hot food and drink carts to wander around. This strict situation would probably continue for some time—maybe until summer ended.

Lu Tong didn’t stand on ceremony with him, accepting the bamboo tube and tasting it. The liquid was ice-cold and slightly sweet, with a faint lotus flower fragrance. After drinking a little, even her lips and teeth carried the floral scent.

“How is it?”

“Not bad.” Lu Tong glanced behind him.

“Qing Feng is keeping watch outside.” Pei Yunying’s lips curved up. “Don’t worry.”

The Medical Officials’ Academy’s guards were practically useless. If one day the Palace Front Division people wanted to come in and commit some crime, the entire Medical Officials’ Academy could be corpses growing cold before anyone discovered it.

Thinking this to herself, Lu Tong withdrew her gaze: “Come in and talk.”

He was startled.

“What?”

Pei Yunying said: “The door is locked—how can I get in?”

When she came to organize the medical records, she had locked the door from inside. Actually, locking the door was because she remembered last time when organizing the medical records vault, someone had brazenly barged in through the main door at night.

Lu Tong turned around, holding the white lotus flower dew and walking inside, speaking lightly: “Use the window then. It shouldn’t be difficult for the Marshal anyway.”

Pei Yunying: “…”

She had only walked two steps toward the door when there was a light sound behind her, and Pei Yunying had followed.

Lu Tong paused.

She hadn’t expected he’d actually come through the window.

Seeing her look over, he raised his eyebrows and smiled, saying provocatively: “Indeed not difficult.”

Childish.

This person seemed to be in a good mood today. Lu Tong placed the oil lamp on the table and asked Pei Yunying: “Why did the Marshal come?”

“To tell you good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?”

“The bad news.”

“The Qi family will suppress Qi Yutai’s matter. Don’t look at the current rumors and disturbances—they’ll subside before long. The Fengle Tower cold food powder incident will ultimately be blamed on someone else.”

This wasn’t surprising. With the Qi family’s methods, they would never just sit and wait for doom.

Lu Tong asked: “Then what’s the good news?”

He smiled, his dimples clearly visible: “The good news is that Qi Yutai is still quite mad and won’t recover quickly. So for now, he has no way to go out and ‘prove’ himself.”

Just as Yuan Yao had said in court, for Qi Yutai to prove his mind was currently clear and that the madman at Fengle Tower was just someone impersonating him, he only needed to appear once before everyone, and all matters would be easily resolved.

But this was precisely what the current Qi Yutai found most difficult to do.

Someone with dementia couldn’t control their fright, anger, laughter, or tears. The Grand Tutor’s mansion was too busy hiding him—how could they voluntarily expose him to public view?

And the more they concealed, no matter how many excuses they used, it became another form of tacit admission.

Pei Yunying smiled: “Going in such a big circle just to drive him mad.”

He looked at Lu Tong: “Since that’s the case, why not simply burn him to death? Aren’t you afraid he’ll recover and be like releasing a tiger back to the mountain?”

Lu Tong was silent for a moment.

The lotus flower fragrance lingered around her nose, especially refreshing on a summer night. She lowered her eyes: “There’s a fire tower near Yanzhi Alley, and two fire stations within a li. Once a fire starts, it will be extinguished no matter what.”

“But if I used other methods to kill him, it would inevitably leave traces. The Grand Tutor’s mansion wouldn’t let it go, only involving more trouble.”

“This isn’t releasing but constraining. I have my own methods.”

Pei Yunying looked at her for a while, then nodded lazily: “Exhaust his strength, diminish his fighting spirit, scatter then capture, victory without bloodshed…”

He curved his lips: “So it’s not releasing a tiger back to the mountain, but playing cat and mouse. I’m becoming more and more curious—how exactly does Dr. Lu plan to deal with the Grand Tutor’s mansion?”

The chamber was quiet, flames flickering. The young man leaned against the bookshelf with arms crossed, his dark floral brocade robe with linked pearl patterns clear and neat. When he tilted his head and smiled at her, those dark eyes became even brighter in the firelight, as if genuinely puzzled.

Lu Tong didn’t pick up his thread of conversation. After pausing, she looked up at him: “Thank you for this time, Lord Pei.”

“The warrior’s sword and the scholar’s pen…” — from “Leisure Notes”