At night, the lights in the inner shop came on.

West Street was peaceful. Yin Zheng locked the medical hall’s main door and carried a lamp back to the courtyard. Upon entering the room, she saw Lu Tong sitting by the couch, packing clothes.

Cui Min was already imprisoned, and Lu Tong was temporarily suspended from her position. However, Qi Yutai was still mad and bedridden. Starting tomorrow, Lu Tong would enter the Grand Tutor’s mansion to treat Qi Yutai.

Lu Tong packed very slowly, folding each piece of clothing neatly, along with several velvet flowers Yin Zheng had newly made for her. Watching this, Yin Zheng suddenly felt somewhat sorrowful.

“Miss,” she said softly, “tomorrow you’ll go to the Grand Tutor’s mansion. The Qi family are all difficult people, and there are many of them. It won’t be easy to act. Why don’t I go with you?”

Lu Tong shook her head.

“The Qi family is different, with people watching everywhere. You going would be of no help and would only burden me.”

These words were rather blunt, and Yin Zheng said nothing.

Lu Tong finished folding the bundle and turned to get her medicine chest, placing some common medicines inside it.

Cui Min’s imprisonment had happened faster than expected.

The Grand Tutor’s mansion had acted very cleanly and decisively.

Previously, with the Grand Tutor’s mansion backing him, Cui Min would have been difficult to bring down. Now that the Grand Tutor’s mansion was personally taking action, it was actually better.

Qi Qing had asked Lu Tong whether Miao Liangfang wanted to return to the Medical Academy. As long as Miao Liangfang was willing, he could still return to the Deputy Director position.

But Miao Liangfang had refused.

“Little Lu, I’m old.” Miao Liangfang leaned on his walking stick, his expression showing unprecedented peace as he smiled at her. “I no longer have any grand ambitions in my heart. In the future, I only want to be content with my lot, accept fate peacefully, and honestly work as a sitting physician.”

“There’s a verse that says it well: ‘Whether ascending to high mountains and springs, or living in poverty with simple fare, I’ve seen through the worries of both official and prisoner status.'”

“What of wealth? What of nobility? In leisure, there’s joy in leisure itself. Heaven and earth form a vast and boundless pot!”

His refusal was very firm.

Lu Tong didn’t force him.

People have different aspirations, and the same person’s choices twenty years ago and twenty years later might be completely different.

Yin Zheng watched her organize the medicine chest and couldn’t help speaking again: “Miss, I’m still worried. At least in the Medical Academy you have Medical Officer Lin and Medical Officer Ji to help, but in the Grand Tutor’s mansion you’ll be alone. How about… asking Young Master Pei for help?”

“What would I ask him for?”

“Young Master Pei has many subordinates! I’ve read in novels that those princes and generals always have several all-capable guards under them. Ask him to assign one to you, hidden in the Grand Tutor’s mansion. If you’re in danger, they could protect you.”

Lu Tong was silent for a moment, then said: “Those novels are too ridiculous. You should read fewer of them in the future. The Grand Tutor’s mansion has strict security, unlike the Medical Academy. It wouldn’t be easy for him to arrange someone inside.”

“Moreover,” Lu Tong closed the medicine chest, “I already owe Pei Yunying too many favors. If I owe more, I’ll soon be unable to repay them.”

“If you can’t repay them, just give gifts,” Yin Zheng persisted. “Taking someone’s hand makes it short – if we give him generous gifts, surely he wouldn’t refuse to help after receiving them.”

“Miss, do you know what Young Master Pei usually likes? We could ask Shopkeeper Du to advance some silver and pool money to buy expensive gifts. It would be best if it were his birthday – when is his birthday?”

Lu Tong paused.

She really didn’t know this.

“My birthday is one month after my sister’s, August 19th. Are you planning to celebrate it for me?”

A man’s voice suddenly came from behind. The two looked toward the sound and saw Pei Yunying standing in the doorway, looking at Lu Tong with leisure.

Lu Tong frowned: “How did you get in?”

He smiled, glancing outside with some disdain. “This medical hall indeed isn’t as heavily guarded as the Grand Tutor’s mansion. I knocked at the door for a long time with no response, and fearing something had happened to you, I came in.”

Lu Tong was speechless.

At the front of West Street, Tailor Ge’s four-year-old son had recently started attending school. He wasn’t doing well with his studies, so every night there was a cacophony of the child crying, parents scolding, and general chaos that drowned out everything else. One really couldn’t hear someone knocking at the door.

Yin Zheng’s gaze circled between the two, then she smiled and stood up: “Young Master Pei has arrived. I’ll go to the kitchen to brew some hot tea.” With that, she quietly left the room, closing the door behind her.

Pei Yunying entered the room and sat down at the round table, placing a bamboo basket from his hands on the table.

Lu Tong asked: “What’s this?”

“Jasmine fragrance cakes.”

Lu Tong’s eyes flickered as she looked at him: “From Shiding Pavilion?”

Pei Yunying hummed: “I was passing by and they happened to have some left over, so I bought a box.”

Lu Tong fell silent.

The jasmine fragrance mixed with the pastry’s sweet syrup gradually emanated a sweet aroma from the bamboo basket, particularly enticing in the night.

He glanced at Lu Tong: “It’s just a box of fragrance cakes, not expensive. Why do you have that expression?”

Lu Tong collected her thoughts: “It’s already past midnight, and the Marshal is still wandering around. Haven’t you heard about the principles of rest and calming the spirit?” She reminded him, “Staying up late can kill you.”

Pei Yunying laughed, not particularly concerned: “If I die, I die. All people must die eventually.”

Lu Tong: “…”

Seeing her speechless, he smiled instead, though his tone became somewhat serious: “You’re going to the Grand Tutor’s mansion?”

“Yes.”

“How did you end up going to the Qi family?” Pei Yunying paused before continuing: “I thought you wanted to use Cui Min’s hand to kill Qi Yutai.”

A problematic prescription given to a petty person who plagiarized prescriptions – killing two birds with one stone.

Lu Tong lowered her eyes: “Dying unknowingly would be too easy for him.”

Pei Yunying’s brow moved: “You’re entering the Grand Tutor’s mansion to poison him?”

“No,” Lu Tong said, “I will cure him.”

In the dim lamplight, her voice was calm.

“Madmen don’t receive punishment; only lucid people are held accountable. At least before he dies, he should be conscious.”

Pei Yunying frowned slightly.

The woman sat at the table, eyes lowered as she stared at the medicine chest before her, her black hair and white dress like a lightly sketched ink painting.

As if she might vanish at any moment.

After a moment of silence, he reminded her in a low voice: “Qi Qing isn’t a fool. Since yesterday, he’s had people go to Southern Su to investigate your background.”

Lu Tong looked up.

“I’ve had people handle it, but even if they can’t find anything suspicious, Qi Qing already suspects you. Previously, he already had people investigate the Lu family of Changwu County once.”

“Qi Qing is very perceptive.”

The room was quiet for a moment.

Lu Tong actually smiled.

“I know.”

She said: “When he came to Renxin Medical Hall earlier, he already tested me once. Even if he investigates Southern Su, he won’t find anything – at most it will prove what I said was true.”

“Qi Qing knows I have ulterior motives, but he has no choice because only I can save Qi Yutai. In his eyes, I’m a lowly commoner who’s too clever for her own good, audacious enough to dare make deals with high families. He looks down on me, which gives me an opportunity.”

Pei Yunying stared at her: “After entering the Grand Tutor’s mansion, what do you plan to do?”

“Attack strength with strength, separate the close with closeness, scatter crowds with crowds. I have my own methods.”

“But you alone are too dangerous.”

“Marshal,” Lu Tong said, “in this world, some parents kill and commit arson for their children, some children seek revenge for their parents. It’s fair.”

“Revenge has always been dangerous.”

“This time is different.” Pei Yunying looked at her, his eyes smiling but his tone unusually grave. “You going to the Grand Tutor’s mansion is placing yourself alone in danger. He could strike at you at any time. If something happens to you, no one around can save you.”

“I’ll have someone infiltrate the Grand Tutor’s mansion to support you,” he said.

At these words, Lu Tong was stunned.

By some strange coincidence, the words Yin Zheng had said earlier suddenly floated through her mind.

“I’ve read in novels that those princes and generals always have several all-capable guards under them. Ask him to assign one to you.”

So those ridiculous-sounding novels were actually true?

Pei Yunying really did have all-capable guards?

She was lost in thought until the person in front of her waved his hand before her eyes, bringing her back to awareness.

“No need,” she steadied herself and said, “I can handle it myself.”

Pei Yunying looked at her for a while, then suddenly spoke: “Are you forgetting something?”

“What?”

“You’re my creditor. You can order me around at any time.”

He looked up at Lu Tong. “As long as you ask, I’ll do it.”

Lu Tong paused.

The bright lamp on the table illuminated his face. The young man’s eyes were jet black, like the deep night outside the capital’s windows, quietly gazing at her.

A serious tone, gentle eyes.

As if even if she made the most absurd request right now, he would agree without hesitation.

The flame in the oil lamp on the table flickered gently, and Lu Tong’s heart also swayed gently.

Sweet fragrance drifted slowly with the wind – the aroma of jasmine flower cakes.

She suddenly lowered her eyes, tightening her grip on the medicine chest strap. When she raised her head again, she had assumed a composed expression.

“Life-saving grace is precious, and favors should be used where they matter most. In the future, I’ll have more important matters to ask the Marshal’s help with. When that time comes, I won’t be polite with the Marshal.”

Pei Yunying’s eyes flashed: “What matter?”

“It’s not convenient to tell you now. When the time comes, the Marshal will naturally know.”

He looked Lu Tong up and down: “So mysterious.” Still worried, he asked again, “Is your plan to deal with the Grand Tutor’s mansion reliable? Do you really not need help?”

Lu Tong shook her head.

“The Marshal has also heard the saying: ‘Don’t say the searing hand can be hot; in an instant the fire dies and even ashes are extinguished.'”

She smiled slightly: “When things reach their extreme, they reverse; when evil reaches its extreme, it must perish. Some people have reached the time when they should perish.”

…

When leaving Renxin Medical Hall, it was already deep night.

The crying sounds from beating children at the temple entrance had completely ceased, and there wasn’t a single person on West Street. Pei Yunying returned to the Marshal’s mansion, where Xiao Zhufeng was preparing to leave.

Seeing him return, Xiao Zhufeng asked: “So late – where did you go?”

Pei Yunying ignored him and only called Qing Feng over, instructing: “Send one of the agents we prepared for the Qi family inside.”

Qing Feng was startled and nervously asked: “Sir, are we moving ahead of schedule?”

“No.”

After a pause, Pei Yunying said: “Tomorrow Lu Tong enters the Grand Tutor’s mansion to treat Qi Yutai. Secretly protect her.”

“…”

Qing Feng accepted the order and left.

Xiao Zhufeng looked at him with hesitation, finally sighing.

“If His Highness knew about your current state, he’d definitely regret pulling you into this.”

“…You don’t look very calm right now.”

Pei Yunying ignored him, his lowered eyelashes showing some gloom in the lamplight.

Although Lu Tong said she didn’t need help, he still couldn’t feel at ease.

Her entering the Grand Tutor’s mansion alone was like a sheep entering a tiger’s den.

Simply…

More nerve-wracking than him going into danger alone.

…

The next day was clear.

In the Grand Tutor’s mansion, banana trees cast shadows by the window. A young woman sat beneath the window, wearing thin silk and a glittering pearl skirt, holding a book and staring blankly outside.

The maid Qiangwei beside her brought in a plate of pastries, smiling: “Miss ate little at breakfast. The kitchen made jasmine fragrance cakes that Miss used to love. Would Miss like to try some?”

Qi Huaying glanced absently and shook her head slightly.

Qiangwei exchanged looks with the maid beside her, both looking somewhat troubled.

Qi Huaying’s brow was tightly furrowed.

The Qi family had been quite unlucky recently.

It seemed that since the Huangmao Ridge hunt began, there hadn’t been a single joyful event.

First, the night watch guards at Huangmao Ridge became connected with the Grand Tutor’s mansion, causing Qi Qing to be repeatedly targeted at court. Then Qi Yutai encountered the great fire at Fengle Tower, was startled and lost his soul, and the entire Rouge Alley saw him in a mad frenzy. Rumors gradually spread outside saying Qi Yutai had gone mad, though fortunately he gradually regained consciousness later.

However, before he had been conscious for many days, Qi Yutai had fallen ill again. The Grand Tutor’s mansion’s courtyard was filled daily with the bitter smell of medicinal soup. Fearing complications, Qi Huaying rarely left her quarters anymore.

With her heart troubled, her appetite wasn’t good, and no matter how the kitchen varied the preparations, Qi Huaying continued to grow thinner each day.

“How is brother today?” she asked the maid beside her.

Qiangwei shook her head. “This morning he still couldn’t recognize people.”

Qi Huaying sighed.

“I don’t know what father is thinking. When Academy Director Cui got into trouble, he didn’t help at all.”

Cui Min had gotten into trouble two days ago.

Qi Huaying was also surprised when she learned of this.

Qi Yutai had always been treated by Cui Min. A few years ago when Qi Yutai was injured, and last time during the Fengle Tower fire, it was only after Cui Min came to treat him that Qi Yutai regained consciousness. Even if Cui Min had faults, at least now he was Qi Yutai’s savior and shouldn’t be imprisoned at this time.

Without Cui Min, the Medical Academy’s most skilled physician now should be that young master from the Ji family. However, father had never been close to the Ji family, and Qi Huaying had heard of the other’s reputation for integrity and uprightness. If it were an ordinary illness it would be fine, but this was madness.

She asked: “Qiangwei, do you know who the new medical officer treating brother is?”

Qiangwei hesitated, then replied softly: “Actually… this servant just passed through the courtyard and saw that new medical officer.”

Qi Huaying looked at her suspiciously: “Who is it?”

“It’s… Medical Officer Lu, Lu Tong who previously killed the young master’s beloved dog.”

Qi Huaying was stunned.

“What?”

…

Under the long corridor, Lu Tong was following a guiding old woman forward.

Summer was nearly over, flowers bloomed in profusion. The Grand Tutor’s mansion’s gardens were exquisite, with pavilions, terraces, and ponds all arranged elegantly, yet not overly luxurious. At first glance, the gates were refined and the chambers clean and bright.

The old woman led Lu Tong into a courtyard and stopped outside the door, gently knocking a few times: “Medical Officer Lu has arrived.”

The door opened, and Lu Tong entered carrying her medicine chest. As soon as she entered, something snow-white flew toward her face. With quick reflexes, she dodged to the side. The object lightly grazed her forehead, causing a slight sharp pain.

Qi Yutai’s terrified scream suddenly rang in her ears: “Let me go—”

The next moment, she heard a woman’s cry: “Brother!”

A woman in rich clothing rushed in from outside the door, about to charge toward Qi Yutai but was stopped by several people in the room. The nearest maid urgently said: “Miss, you mustn’t! The young master is still ill and might hurt you.”

“Brother’s hands are injured!” The woman’s voice was anxious, but she stopped trying to rush forward.

Lu Tong looked ahead.

Several servants were restraining the frantic Qi Yutai. Medicinal soup was scattered and broken on the floor, and someone was taking away porcelain shards from Qi Yutai’s hands. He had apparently broken the medicine bowl, and Qi Yutai’s fingers were cut. Someone was now bandaging them. Lu Tong touched her stinging forehead and glanced at a piece of porcelain at her feet.

Just now, Qi Yutai had thrown this at her.

She looked again at the woman gazing concernedly at Qi Yutai.

This should be Miss Qi, Qi Huaying.

Since that hurried glimpse at Baoxiang Tower, this was Lu Tong’s first time observing this Miss Qi up close. It appeared that Qi Huaying and Qi Yutai had deep sibling affection – no wonder at Huangmao Ridge, Qi Yutai had stood up for his wronged sister.

After a pause, Lu Tong stepped forward: “Leave two people to help me restrain Young Master Qi. The rest should leave first. I need to examine Young Master Qi.”

Her voice was calm, and Qi Huaying looked at her.

Lu Tong calmly allowed her scrutiny.

“But with only two people in the room, what if something happens?” Qi Huaying asked.

Before Lu Tong could respond, a short, elderly steward in the room spoke first.

“It’s fine.” He walked before Lu Tong and bowed slightly, his manner very respectful. “The master instructed beforehand that everything should follow Medical Officer Lu’s directions.” He gestured to those behind him, and except for two guards beside Qi Yutai, everyone else bowed and left the room.

The porcelain shards on the floor were also cleaned up.

“Miss should also return for now,” the old steward smiled.

Qi Huaying looked worriedly at Qi Yutai, then at Lu Tong, before saying nothing and leaving.

“Medical Officer Lu,” the old steward looked at Lu Tong again, “when the young master falls ill, he’s like a child. If there’s anything inappropriate, please be understanding.”

Lu Tong said she didn’t dare.

“Then,” the old steward bowed, “we entrust the young master to your care.”

He withdrew, and the room door closed again.

Lu Tong turned to look at Qi Yutai.

Qi Yutai was being restrained by the two people beside him, looking at her with eyes full of terror.

“Don’t come over!” he screamed, kicking his legs desperately, his voice shrill and strange. “Don’t come near—”

Lu Tong looked at him gently.

“Don’t be afraid, Young Master Qi.”

She smiled: “I’m here to cure you.”

…

Night gradually deepened.

In the study, the lamplight was dim.

The old steward entered and walked behind the person at the desk, saying softly: “Master, the young master has gone to sleep.”

Qi Qing nodded: “Good.”

He said nothing. The steward spoke proactively.

“During the day, after Lu Tong entered the room, she examined the young master’s pulse and symptoms, changed his prescription, then brewed medicine and performed acupuncture… She was dedicated and earnest. The two guards watched throughout and found nothing amiss.”

Having an unfamiliar medical officer enter the Qi family to treat Qi Yutai was always dangerous.

Though Cui Min’s medical skills weren’t refined, the Qi family had kept him for many years – he was an obedient dog.

This newly arrived wild hound was different.

Unknown background, unknown origins, even unclear purposes – some vigilance was always necessary.

Therefore, the guards in the room were carefully selected. If she dared attempt anything against Qi Yutai, blood would immediately splatter.

“Did the young master show any improvement?” Qi Qing asked.

“…No.”

Qi Qing sighed.

“Let’s observe further.”

He looked at the dark prayer beads in his hands and closed his eyes slightly.

“Keep watching her.”

“Yes, master.”

…

The bed curtains were drawn, and the person on the couch breathed evenly.

Lu Tong sat on the threshold outside the room, head lowered as she ate.

The food delivered in the evening had gone completely cold by late night. When Qi Yutai was having an episode, she couldn’t rest for a moment, only finding brief opportunities to eat, like now when the frenzied Qi Yutai had fallen into exhausted sleep and she could finally sit down to rest.

The Grand Tutor’s mansion’s food was exquisite, but when cold, the taste became strange.

She swallowed carefully, ignoring the scrutinizing gazes of the guards in Qi Yutai’s room behind her.

The steward said that ill Qi Yutai was like a child – this was beautifying it. Ill Qi Yutai was like a demon, or perhaps he was already a devil.

She had to constantly face this person’s panic and ravings. Sometimes during acupuncture, Qi Yutai would suddenly wake up. Men were naturally stronger than women, and the two guards in Qi Yutai’s room, perhaps fearing they might hurt him, didn’t use their full strength when restraining him.

Brewing medicine, feeding medicine, acupuncture, comforting…

Now Lu Tong understood why the usually steady and shrewd Cui Min, after Qi Yutai’s episode, would also panic and lose his usual composure. Why after the Fengle Tower fire, in just a few days, Cui Min’s hair had grayed considerably.

Little sleep, much worry, mental exhaustion, physical fatigue – ordinary medical officers would find it difficult to bear such torment.

She quickly finished eating, and a maid took away the bowls and chopsticks, leading her to a side room to wash. The Grand Tutor’s mansion wanted her to watch over Qi Yutai all night, in case he had an episode during the night.

Lu Tong briefly washed and applied a thin layer of medicinal powder to the wound on her forehead where Qi Yutai had grazed her during the day. When she returned to the room, a maid had already prepared bedding for her.

The small bed was placed near the room’s door – an extremely low couch. If Qi Yutai woke during the night, she could immediately check on him, yet not be too close lest she harbor ill intent beyond the guards’ ability to prevent.

Lu Tong got on the couch and pulled up the covers.

The Qi family’s arrangement, having her share a room with Qi Yutai and other men, was sacrificing her reputation. Future marriage prospects might become difficult.

However, she didn’t care about this.

Lu Tong turned over and touched the flower hairpin in her hair.

The hibiscus flower and leaves were delicate, standing gracefully clean in the darkness, like fresh snow.