After Qixi Festival, it rained for several consecutive days, and the weather gradually became cooler.

In the courtyard of the Grand Tutor’s mansion, the pond was covered with fallen flowers. Inside the room, Qi Yutai paced back and forth irritably.

Except for showing his face once at the Ministry of Ceremonies, he hadn’t left the house for several days.

After falling ill again, Qi Qing feared he might have an accident and directly requested leave from the Ministry of Ceremonies. Qi Yutai was confined to the mansion, unable to take a single step out.

Trapped in the mansion all day, and at this time, his drug addiction flared up.

When a person is anxious and irritated, their craving for cold food powder is always magnified. However, everything in the mansion was well-ordered, and even his desire to drink alcohol was prevented – his recently recovered body couldn’t handle strong liquor.

The room was filled with the rich fragrance of lingxi incense, making Qi Yutai even more agitated.

The door made a soft sound as someone entered carrying medicine.

Qi Yutai looked at the newcomer.

The female medical official placed the medicinal soup on the small table beside the couch and spoke calmly: “Young Master Qi, it’s time to take your medicine.”

Qi Yutai sneered: “I won’t take it.”

Lu Tong nodded: “Minister Qi instructed that you must take your medicine on time.”

Father, always father!

Qi Yutai’s anger flared, but he didn’t dare disobey. He abruptly picked up the bowl and drained the medicinal soup in one gulp.

Seeing him finish the medicine, Lu Tong walked to the table and opened her medical kit: “Time for acupuncture, Young Master Qi.”

Besides taking medicine daily, he also needed acupuncture, which annoyed Qi Yutai.

He had deliberately tormented the female medical official, making difficulties for her and forcing her to repeat the same tasks over and over, but she always maintained a serene expression and complied with everything, as if she wasn’t angered by it at all.

This disappointed Qi Yutai.

Qi Qing had promised that after the palace grand ceremony, Lu Tong would be at his disposal, so before the ceremony, he couldn’t truly harm her.

He had to appear clear-headed at the Tianzhang Platform ceremony.

Silver needles pierced his skin one by one, bringing a tingling, itchy sensation. Qi Yutai heard the person behind him speak.

“Young Master Qi must remember to take medicine on time daily, change your undergarments every half day, avoid alcohol and excessive thinking, sleep before the hour of xu, eat light meals…”

“Stop talking!”

Qi Yutai suddenly interrupted. A silver needle went askew due to his agitation, making him hiss. Veins bulged on his forehead as he cursed: “If you say one more word, I’ll cut out your tongue!”

Sudden silence fell behind him.

Qi Yutai’s head throbbed painfully.

Every corner of the room was arranged according to Qi Qing’s preferences. Nothing he wanted to do was permitted, and even lighting a stick of incense had to follow his father’s preferences.

Having fallen ill twice now, freedom seemed impossibly distant. He felt as if he would be imprisoned in this narrow room for life, and the mere thought was terrifying.

And there was always someone constantly reminding him.

The maids and guards in the corner of the room glanced over but remained silent.

“Minister Qi cares for you, which is why he attends to every detail,” Lu Tong said slowly, gently inserting a needle into the back of his neck.

“This humble official’s parents died early and was adopted by kind people. However, I was mischievous in childhood and often gave my adoptive father headaches. My adoptive father would scold me severely, but afterward would secretly buy toys and sugar buns to comfort me.”

She suddenly spoke of old times, as if making casual conversation.

“My adoptive father never once praised me, but later I learned from others that he often boasted outside, saying his daughter was clever and intelligent.”

These words sounded particularly grating to Qi Yutai, who sneered: “Are you showing off?”

Lu Tong said: “There are no parents in the world who are not right. Minister Qi is strict with you because he truly loves his son. It’s precisely because he takes pride in you that his demands are stricter than others.”

Takes pride in him?

Qi Yutai almost laughed.

Qi Qing had never praised him, whether at home or outside, always finding fault with his shortcomings.

He knew he wasn’t as brilliant and outstanding as Qi Huaying, unable to bring honor to the Grand Tutor’s mansion, like an indelible stain on the family. Qi Qing looked after him everywhere not out of a father’s care for his son, but from worry that he would cause trouble again and bring problems to the Grand Tutor’s mansion.

His father despised him.

The gentle tone in her voice made Qi Yutai’s pain more acute, and he spoke with sinister intent.

“Lu Tong, you don’t think that by killing my dog and becoming the Qi family’s dog yourself, you can live in peace, do you?”

He mocked: “To be the Qi family’s dog, you need to see if you’re qualified.”

A moment of silence followed.

She asked: “From your pulse, I can see traces of previous cold food powder consumption?”

Qi Yutai was startled but quickly relaxed, smiling contemptuously: “What, do you want to report me to the authorities?”

“Cold food powder is toxic. Long-term use damages the body. You should quit as soon as possible.”

It was fine not to mention it, but once brought up, Qi Yutai’s expression grew even darker.

Because of the Fengle Tower fire, his use of cold food powder had been reported to the Emperor by censors. Although the Grand Tutor’s mansion had suppressed it without incident, this matter had led to extensive searches of food establishments and taverns throughout the capital. For a long time to come, traces of cold food powder would likely be impossible to find in the capital.

No one dared to risk it.

Thinking of cold food powder, that tingling sensation in his abdomen returned, and his throat felt as if a hungry insect was opening its mouth wide, waiting for delicious food to fall from heaven.

“Cold food powder is made from stalactite, sulfur, white quartz, purple quartz, and red stone. Its medicinal properties are harsh and hot. Although it temporarily brightens the mind after consumption, prolonged use can be fatal.”

Lu Tong continued acupuncture at a steady pace.

“When I practiced medicine in Sunan, I once encountered a wealthy household where a father and his three sons all secretly consumed medicinal powder. Before being discovered by authorities, the wealthy patriarch died on the spot from drinking cold wine after taking the powder. Strangely, his two sons survived and behaved normally.”

“Cold food powder is extremely addictive and difficult to quit, yet these two were unaffected. I was curious at the time and later learned the reason through various channels.”

Qi Yutai raised his eyelids: “What reason?”

“Cold food powder is toxic. With their father’s death as a warning, the two brothers dared not continue using it, but they accidentally discovered a folk remedy.” At this point, Lu Tong paused before continuing: “Using realgar, lingzhi mushroom, poria, polygonatum, dragon scale grass…” She listed many ingredients, “crushed into mud, processed, dried, and ground into powder, this could achieve fifty to sixty percent of cold food powder’s effects.”

Qi Yutai was stunned: “Really?”

“Only fifty to sixty percent, but this was enough to temporarily relieve their addiction. The materials were simple and not difficult to obtain. The brothers could have servants buy the materials and make it themselves. Because of this, even after their father’s death when the brothers had no financial resources, they could persist for many years. This shows that medical theory and pharmacology are infinitely variable.”

“Impossible.” Qi Yutai looked skeptical: “If what you’re saying is true, why haven’t I heard of it all these years?”

“Even the Medical Academy’s library cannot record every medical case. Moreover, in all these years, I’ve only seen this pair of brothers use this prescription. Although this substance isn’t as toxically potent as cold food powder, long-term use can also be addictive. One small packet brings mental pleasure and clarity; two packets cause unbearable heat and rising blood qi; three packets… mental confusion, like consuming large amounts of cold food powder simultaneously, turning it into deadly poison.”

Qi Yutai listened with rapt attention.

“The way of medicine has myriad forms. I have only just touched the threshold; there’s still much to learn in the future.”

She withdrew the last silver needle and stepped back two paces.

“Young Master Qi, the acupuncture is finished.”

Only then did Qi Yutai come back to his senses.

Unusually, he didn’t deliberately humiliate or verbally abuse her as he had in the past, only sitting on the couch in silence.

Lu Tong looked toward the door.

Qi Yutai’s guards and maids stood by the window, occasionally glancing over.

She shouldered her medical kit and bowed her head as she withdrew.

Reaching the door, she stopped and spoke to the guards specifically arranged by Qi Qing to watch the courtyard gate.

“Young Master Qi’s mental state hasn’t fully recovered. To prevent accidents in the coming days, it’s best he doesn’t leave the mansion. Please watch him closely.”

The guards nodded in agreement, and only then did Lu Tong leave.

…

After noon, at the martial arts field.

On the archery range, horses galloped raising dust, arrows flew like lightning toward grass targets stuck in the sandy ground in the distance.

The palace ceremony wasn’t far off. Before the ceremony, there would be ceremonial processions and military displays, with the Palace Guard prominently featured.

Recently, all Palace Guard units had been frequenting the martial arts field.

Zhizi and four black puppies chased balls around the empty field. On the high platform at the other end, Pei Yunying stood watching as horses thundered across the field. The continuous “swoosh swoosh swoosh” of arrows cutting through air was followed by grass targets falling in response, immediately drawing cheers from the crowd.

Xiao Zhufeng was undoubtedly outstanding among the guards. Where his horse passed, grass targets were completely destroyed. Field judges hurried to record scores while young guards set up new targets for the second round of mounted archery.

After the final round, everyone dismounted and walked to tables under tents to drink from water bags.

The guards surrounded Xiao Zhufeng, laughing: “Deputy Commander’s mounted archery has improved again. At the Changle Pool displays, we’ll have no chance to show off.”

A guard beside him replied: “What do you need a chance to show off for? Want to strive for advancement? I’ve never heard of promotion through ceremonial displays.”

“Shallow! Am I that kind of person? I’m practicing mounted archery to perform for my sweetheart at the ceremony, so she can see my heroic bearing.”

“Sweetheart? Doctor Lu?”

At this, the young man distributing water bags under the tent paused.

Pei Yunying looked up, glancing at him calmly: “You like Lu Tong?”

The speaking guard scratched his head embarrassedly: “Sir, it’s not that I like her, but probably most of our Palace Guard unit likes Doctor Lu.”

This wasn’t false – the five hundred ducks at the General Commander’s mansion could testify.

An older married guard approached, gloating: “Don’t even think about it. You have no chance – Doctor Lu has a sweetheart!”

Pei Yunying’s expression shifted slightly: “A sweetheart?”

The married guard said boldly: “A few days ago on the Double Seventh, I accompanied my wife to Pan Tower to browse the Qiqiao market, and I saw Doctor Lu.”

He spoke mysteriously: “Doctor Lu was walking with a man, very intimately, and they entered the Qiqiao Tower for ‘Night of Cleverness Competition’!”

“I was too far away that day and only saw a back view. The man entered the building first so I couldn’t see him clearly. I wanted to follow and investigate, but I was afraid my wife would think I had wandering thoughts, so I gave up.”

He patted his chest: “But I can testify that Doctor Lu definitely wandered the Qiqiao market with a man – she’s taken!”

A young maiden would only go to “Night of Cleverness Competition” with her sweetheart. Lu Tong’s actions undoubtedly proved this point.

Hearing this, all the guards beat their chests and cursed whatever scoundrel had seduced the beauty. They then swore to use the investigative vigor of the Court of Judicial Review to find out which talented individual had preempted them under the noses of the Palace Guard’s five hundred ducks.

Xiao Zhufeng wanted to speak but hesitated.

This group seemed to have forgotten the past romantic rumors between their own commander and that female medical official.

Perhaps it was selective forgetting.

The first guard who had spoken squeezed up to Pei Yunying, ingratiatingly: “Sir, you’re quite familiar with the Medical Academy. Doctor Lu also regularly treats the young miss. Please be merciful and help us brothers – ask…”

“Who exactly is that bastard who wandered the streets with Doctor Lu and competed in Night of Cleverness?”

Pei Yunying looked at him and curved his lips: “Bastard?”

“Yes, yes, bastard.”

He nodded, removed his arm guards, tossed his water bag on the table, and walked unhurriedly forward. He walked straight to the black steed before the wooden post, mounted it, and only then dropped a single line.

“That was me.”

…

Evening sunset dyed the long street red.

In Renxin Medical Hall, Lu Tong sat in the back room reading a miscellaneous book. Miao Liangfang and Yin Zheng sat by the medicine cabinet – one reviewing the day’s medical cases, the other sketching flower patterns for a new handkerchief.

Slanted sunlight streamed through the doorway, illuminating the book pages and highlighting a passage.

“Silver shores stretch endlessly across, golden wind blows gently. Evening fragrance floats as five clouds fly. Moon sister grows jealous, frowning with curved brows.”

“Short nights are hard to retain, slanted rivers fade at dawn. Half sorrow, half joy marks this good time. One meeting adds to mutual longing.”

It was a poem titled “Nan Ke Zi – Qixi.”

Yin Zheng had left a half-read storybook on the table. Lu Tong, tired from reading prescriptions, casually picked it up and flipped through a few pages. Seeing this passage, she couldn’t help but become lost in thought.

Several days had passed since Qixi Festival.

Suddenly, Yin Zheng’s greeting came from the doorway: “Young Master Pei.”

Lu Tong looked up to see the young man walking through the golden shadows scattered under the plum tree.

Miao Liangfang rubbed his eyes, and Yin Zheng stood up first, smiling: “Young Master Pei, please sit. I’ll make tea.”

He didn’t stand on ceremony either, nodding with a smile and walking to Lu Tong’s side.

Lu Tong suddenly realized and instinctively wanted to cover the storybook with her medical text, but it was too late – he had already picked up the book.

Pei Yunying glanced at the characters on the book’s cover, his expression immediately becoming strange.

“The Romantic Young Master and the Beautiful Doctor…”

He looked at Lu Tong thoughtfully.

“You like reading this?”

The book’s title was easily misunderstood. Lu Tong coldly snatched it back: “It’s not mine.”

He raised an eyebrow: “Oh.”

Lu Tong emphasized: “It’s Yin Zheng’s.”

He hummed again, his tone still meaningful.

Lu Tong: “…”

This was impossible to explain clearly.

Miao Liangfang came around from behind the medicine cabinet, looking at Pei Yunying: “Why did Master Pei suddenly come?”

“To get Bao Zhu’s medicine. I happened to be passing by today, so I’m picking it up for her.”

Miao Liangfang said “oh” and stood without moving.

Pei Yunying smiled faintly, and Miao Liangfang finally understood belatedly, looking questioningly at Lu Tong.

“Xiao Lu, should I go home now?”

Lu Tong: “…”

Yin Zheng lifted the felt curtain and came out from inside, placing freshly brewed hot tea on the table. She smiled at Miao Liangfang: “It’s late. Master Du and A’Cheng have both gone home, and there’s nothing much to do in the shop. Master Miao, you should go rest. If anything comes up, I’ll find you at the temple entrance.”

Miao Liangfang glanced at Lu Tong again. Seeing her tacit agreement, he gave a few more instructions and left, limping with his cane.

After he left, Yin Zheng also went into the small courtyard, closing the wooden door to the back room. Pei Yunying sat down opposite Lu Tong.

“It’s not time to refill Bao Zhu’s medicine yet,” Lu Tong said. “Is the General Commander’s memory failing?”

“Your memory is the one failing,” he reminded her. “Did you forget about my thing?”

Lu Tong was puzzled: “Forget what?”

“The ribbon you promised to make for me at sister’s birthday?”

Lu Tong was startled and replied: “When did I promise to make one for you?”

He looked her over: “Seems like you haven’t even started.”

This person was being unreasonable.

Lu Tong reminded him: “General Commander, I don’t seem to have ever agreed.”

“Didn’t you say the Lu family motto is to repay even the smallest kindness?”

He smiled: “At least during the Night of Cleverness Competition, I helped you win the comb. Asking for one colorful ribbon isn’t too much, is it?”

It was fine not to mention it, but bringing up the Night of Cleverness Competition seemed to make blurry images gradually clear. Lu Tong’s heart stirred slightly, and she momentarily lowered her eyes without speaking.

The room was quiet for a moment.

Pei Yunying made a “tsk” sound and asked with a smile: “Are you feeling guilty and planning not to look at me anymore?”

Lu Tong immediately looked up, glaring at him.

He suppressed laughter and said: “I won’t tease you anymore. Let’s talk business.”

“I’ve arranged for someone to enter the Grand Tutor’s mansion. Among the guards in Qi Yutai’s courtyard, there’s one with a red birthmark at the corner of his eye – that’s my man.”

He said: “If you have trouble normally, you can seek his help. If you encounter danger, he’ll also find ways to keep you safe.”

Lu Tong was stunned.

She knew better than anyone how difficult it was to plant an agent in the Grand Tutor’s mansion. After all, even getting close to Qi Yutai had required enormous effort.

Yet Pei Yunying had done exactly that.

After a long silence, Lu Tong spoke.

“The Grand Tutor’s mansion is difficult to enter. Arranging someone inside isn’t easy. If something happens to me, your agent will be wasted too.”

She looked at Pei Yunying: “Is it worth it?”

Pei Yunying chuckled softly.

“Everyone in the Grand Tutor’s mansion is abnormal – they’re all crazy,” he looked at her, speaking calmly. “How could I dare leave my creditor alone in such a place?”

Lu Tong remained silent.

“Besides,” Pei Yunying changed the subject, “it’s not helping for free.”

“Next month is my birthday. I want to see the ribbon.” His tone was relaxed: “Third Miss Lu mustn’t go back on her word again. On my birthday, I’ll have Qing Feng come to pick you up.”

Lu Tong: “You…”

He raised his hand, drained the tea on the table in one gulp, picked up his sword and stood: “I still have official business. I must leave first.”

After taking two steps, he suddenly turned around and coughed lightly.

“The storybook…”

His gaze swept over the book covered by medical texts.

“…is quite interesting.”

With that, he left with a smile.

Lu Tong: “…”

Yin Zheng lifted the felt curtain and came out. Seeing Pei Yunying had left, she looked at Lu Tong: “Young Master Pei left so quickly? Won’t he stay longer?”

She spoke as if Pei Yunying was very familiar with the medical hall.

Lu Tong frowned.

“He’s not part of the medical hall, no need to be polite to him,” Lu Tong put away the storybook. “Next time don’t make tea either. Let him go thirsty.”

Yin Zheng burst into laughter, then sighed: “Did something happen between Miss and Master Pei? I always feel…”

Lu Tong’s heart jumped: “Feel what?”

Yin Zheng thought for a while before replying: “I feel Miss treats him somewhat differently now.”