The next day at dawn.

Lu Tong woke early to wash and dress, changing into a lotus-pink narrow-sleeved cotton dress, then sat at the table to comb her hair.

In the wooden box at the corner of the table lay various silk flowers. She had no other jewelry – aside from her sister’s hibiscus hairpin, this was everything.

However, today there was an additional peony-patterned wooden comb in the box.

The prize comb from the “Night of Cleverness Competition” was much more delicate than what she usually used. While inconvenient for combing hair, it was perfectly suited to be worn as a hair ornament.

Lu Tong’s gaze fell on the comb in the wooden box. After a long moment, she reached out and picked it up.

The woman in the mirror, wearing no makeup, looked at her with hesitation.

She hesitated for a moment, then finally inserted the comb into her hair bun.

…

“Crash—”

A porcelain pot shattered to pieces in the room.

Qi Yutai had barely reached the door when the guards stopped him.

“Young Master, the Master instructed that you cannot leave for the next few days.”

Qi Yutai slapped him across the face: “What are you to dare stop this young master!”

The guard didn’t dare respond but didn’t move from blocking the door.

Qi Yutai looked agitated.

For several whole days, he had been confined to this room, unable to leave.

This was more torturous than being imprisoned.

The longer he stayed home, the heavier his drug addiction became. His heart felt as if it was blocked by a ball of fire that couldn’t be released. He wished he could immediately rush out and consume a packet of cold food powder to find relief.

Now that cold food powder was hard to find in the capital, a few days ago he had learned from Lu Tong about an alternative substance. Qi Yutai was skeptical and had originally wanted to have servants prepare the prescription Lu Tong mentioned for someone to test. However, the courtyard was now full of his father’s informants, and he couldn’t mobilize his father’s people at all.

He wanted to go out personally, but for some reason, the mansion’s surveillance of him had intensified in recent days – now he couldn’t even leave the courtyard.

Qi Yutai felt like his heart was being clawed by cats.

At the corner of the desk, lingxi incense burned quietly. The originally rich fragrance couldn’t calm him; instead, it made him more irritable. Qi Yutai grabbed the incense burner and hurled it toward the door with a loud “thud,” scattering ash all over the floor.

A pair of feet stopped in front of the incense burner.

Qi Qing stood at the doorway, his gaze sweeping over the mess on the floor, speaking calmly.

“What are you doing?”

Qi Yutai was startled: “Father?”

Qi Qing had come.

Qi Qing stepped forward, walking around the porcelain shards and incense ash scattered across the floor, entering the room and stopping in front: “What are you making a fuss about now?”

His father’s tone was flat, making Qi Yutai shiver.

But soon, agitation overcame fear, and he said: “Father, I want to go out.”

“No.”

“Why not?” Qi Yutai tried desperately to explain: “Father, look, I’ve been fine these past days, no mistakes… I haven’t been out for so long. I just want to go out for a walk, nothing else.”

“With the palace ceremony approaching, your illness isn’t fully recovered. It’s best to rest quietly in the mansion…”

“I’m not sick at all!”

Suddenly, Qi Yutai interrupted him.

Qi Qing paused.

Qi Yutai scratched his head, his expression full of agitation.

“I’m not sick at all,” he repeated. “That Lu woman and Cui Min both said I just had evil wind invasion and temporary shock. Why don’t you ever believe me?”

Both Lu Tong and Cui Min had told him this – he was just temporarily shocked, not truly mad.

Qi Qing looked at him, his tone still unquestionable: “No.”

No, no, no – “no” was what his father said to him most often.

With the lingxi incense scattered on the floor, the fragrance became even more intense. Qi Yutai felt anger filling his chest.

“Your injury isn’t fully healed. You can’t be disturbed casually, lest you be shocked again.”

“Stop making excuses!”

Qi Yutai could bear it no longer and roared: “Claiming to think of me – you won’t let me out not because you’re worried about my health, but because you’re afraid I’ll have an episode and embarrass the Grand Tutor’s mansion. You’re afraid I’ll become a stain on the Grand Tutor’s mansion and wish you could hide me away!”

The room fell deathly silent.

The guards and maids bowed their heads at the doorway, not daring to look this way.

Qi Qing still looked at him quietly, his gray eyes showing no emotion – cold, disappointed, completely indifferent.

Qi Yutai suddenly felt a surge of resentment.

It was always like this.

His father was always like this.

No matter what he said or did, no matter how big a disaster he caused, his father never showed anger or excitement, never shouted or scolded. He would only calmly criticize, then look at him with that disappointed gaze.

As if all his behaviors couldn’t stir any emotional response from the other party – he was just a dispensable decoration.

He was never like this with Qi Huaying.

He stepped back two paces and suddenly laughed bitterly.

Lu Tong had said that she was mischievous as a child, but while her father was strict with her, he would secretly boast about her to others.

The old man surnamed Yang in Mangming Village had a fool for a son, yet when his father mentioned him to others, he could still be proud.

Their casual remarks sounded particularly grating to his ears.

What he couldn’t obtain, he envied.

“Have you thought I was crazy since childhood?” Qi Yutai suddenly spoke.

Without waiting for Qi Qing to respond, he continued: “You’ve thought so since I was five years old, haven’t you?”

He hadn’t actually started having episodes five years ago.

It was earlier.

Qi Yutai vaguely remembered that his father had been very good to him before, but changed afterward. Qi Qing treated him with cold indifference, like a failed product that couldn’t be destroyed but didn’t want to be acknowledged, only kept in the mansion as a dispensable decoration.

No emotional investment, cold observation, to cover up disgust.

The servants in the mansion were tight-lipped about events from years past, but he was, after all, the Grand Tutor’s mansion’s only legitimate son. If he wanted to know, he could eventually learn something.

“I said the thrush would kill people, and you didn’t believe me. I said someone in Fengle Tower wanted to harm me, and you didn’t care.”

“Father, do you think from the bottom of your heart that I’m crazy, that everything I say is mad ravings!”

Qi Qing lowered his eyes: “You’re too agitated. You need to calm down.”

“I said I’m not sick!”

Qi Yutai shouted: “If you despise me, just kill me, like my mother – dead, she won’t embarrass the Grand Tutor’s mansion anymore—”

“Slap—”

A crisp sound rang through the room.

Qi Yutai covered his face, looking at the person before him in disbelief.

The old man’s gray eyes stared at him fixedly. The usually calm surface suddenly churned with waves. The rising anger made those eyes appear cold and sinister, causing Qi Yutai’s previous rage to turn to momentary fear and gradually calm down.

Qi Qing looked at him grimly, and Qi Yutai didn’t dare speak.

After a moment, Qi Qing turned around and said coldly: “Rest at the mansion. You’re not allowed to leave the courtyard even one step.”

He turned and left the room.

After leaving the courtyard, the steward who had been standing at the gate followed, saying in a low voice: “Young Master spoke carelessly in his anxiety today. Master, please don’t take it to heart.”

“He mentioned Shuhui…”

Qi Qing closed his eyes.

“Unfilial wretch.”

…

The maids in the room bent down to pick up the porcelain shards from the floor and cleaned the incense ash from the carpet.

Qi Yutai sat at the table, his brows dark with gloom.

His slapped face burned with pain – Qi Qing had used full force in that slap.

He touched his face, feeling vague marks gradually swelling.

Someone entered from outside. Qi Yutai raised his eyelids to see Lu Tong enter the room, placing her medical kit on the table. Her gaze paused when it fell on his face.

The swelling hadn’t subsided – anyone could see he had been slapped. In the entire Grand Tutor’s mansion, who dared lay hands on him was obvious.

Lu Tong lowered her head to open her medical kit. She asked nothing, which made Qi Yutai feel even more humiliated, convinced this pretentiously calm medical woman was secretly mocking him.

“Has Young Master Qi taken his medicine?” she asked.

“Smashed it.”

He always did this – when Lu Tong’s prepared medicine was smashed by him, she would need to brew another bowl. In the hot summer, waiting by the medicine furnace was an unpleasant task.

Qi Yutai enjoyed tormenting her with such trivial matters.

Lu Tong nodded without the slightest impatience: “I’ll brew another dose.”

The pleasure of tormenting others dissipated in her calm response.

Qi Yutai cursed silently. Regardless, Lu Tong could at least enter and leave the Grand Tutor’s mansion daily, while he was confined here – even a lowly commoner had more freedom than him.

Watching Lu Tong bend to take the silver pot from her medical kit, Qi Yutai suddenly had an idea.

He grabbed Lu Tong’s arm.

Lu Tong looked at him.

“You said last time you could find a substitute for cold food powder?”

“Yes.”

“You go make it, and bring it to me when it’s done.”

Lu Tong looked at him in surprise: “Young Master Qi, you’ve just recovered from serious illness. It’s not suitable to take other medicines.”

“Stop talking nonsense!”

Qi Yutai gripped her hand viciously. His actions were too rough, making Lu Tong frown slightly.

This uncomfortable expression actually made him feel momentarily pleased.

“Medical Official Lu, I might as well tell you,” he said coldly, “once you’ve entered the Grand Tutor’s mansion, it’s not easy to leave. Even if you cure me, as long as I’m unhappy, you’ll still die.”

“Don’t think that pleasing my father will keep you safe. Cui Min was once a dog under my father’s hand, and look at his miserable end now.”

He leaned close to Lu Tong, his tone casual: “Rather than pleasing my father, please me instead. If you serve me well and I soften my heart, perhaps I won’t make things difficult for you afterward. Otherwise…”

“I have plenty of ways to keep you in the Qi family forever, unable to live or die!”

The last sentence was suddenly vicious.

Lu Tong remained silent.

Qi Yutai stared at her fixedly.

After a moment, Lu Tong spoke.

“If Minister Qi learns of this, I’ll lose my life.”

Qi Yutai’s expression relaxed: “I won’t let him know.”

“Although this substance isn’t as toxically potent as cold food powder, it can only be taken in small amounts. If overdosed, there will still be endless consequences.”

“I know what I’m doing.”

The room grew quiet.

The guards and maids glanced over, seeing Qi Yutai gripping Lu Tong’s arm in what seemed like coercion, then unanimously turned away, pretending not to see.

Qi Yutai released her hand: “Have you decided?”

On the table, the newly lit lingxi incense was fragrant. In this thin blue smoke, Lu Tong lowered her eyelids.

“I’ll try,” she said.

…

After a busy morning at the martial arts field, when the small kitchen served lunch at noon, the guards ran particularly quickly.

When Pei Yunying returned from the martial arts field, Xiao Zhufeng had just moved two large baskets of arrows to the courtyard.

“Didn’t you go to the palace?” Pei Yunying asked. “Why are you back?”

Xiao Zhufeng patted the dust off his hands and entered the room without a word.

Seeing his manner, Pei Yunying’s expression grew serious. He followed him into the room and asked: “What happened?”

Xiao Zhufeng said: “The Crown Prince has been placed under house arrest.”

Pei Yunying paused.

“Someone tampered with the food and drink in Consort Chen’s palace. The drugged palace maid pointed to people from the Empress’s palace.”

“The house arrest was the Emperor’s decision.”

Pei Yunying sat down in a chair, thought for a while, then chuckled softly.

“At Huangmao Hill, both the Crown Prince and Third Prince were attacked simultaneously. Now only the Crown Prince is punished. With sons like these, His Majesty’s heart is truly biased enough.”

Xiao Zhufeng spoke: “The previous incident at the Grand Tutor’s mansion allowed His Majesty to push things along more quickly.” At this point, he looked at Pei Yunying: “For all this, we should thank your Doctor Lu.”

This mockery could no longer stir any reaction from the other party. Pei Yunying shrugged, unconcerned: “The timing is just right. Things at Qishui are almost ready too.”

With the military rebellion at Qishui, Emperor Liang had appointed someone as brutal as General Zhenwei to suppress it. Perhaps he truly wanted to quell the rebellion, or perhaps, with the capital about to face stormy weather, he wanted to drive away all potential variables and clear obstacles for the son he truly favored in his heart, ensuring safe passage.

Such devoted paternal love.

“I think at the latest, after the ceremony, there will be action in the palace,” Xiao Zhufeng nodded. “By then the Qi family will be useless, and you can give the Qi family as a favor to your lifesaver.”

“That won’t do,” Pei Yunying said. “You know perfectly well that when it comes to revenge, it’s more satisfying to do it yourself.”

Xiao Zhufeng sneered: “Pretentious.”

As they spoke, Duan Xiaoyan walked in from outside, carrying a porcelain vase and a large bunch of pink roses.

He placed the vase on a cabinet in the corner of the room, poured half a bottle of clear water from a pot, then carelessly stuck the roses to fill the vase. Stepping back two paces, he examined it for a moment and said with satisfaction: “Very good!”

Pei Yunying and Xiao Zhufeng looked at him, both frowning simultaneously: “What are you doing?”

“Attracting romance!”

Duan Xiaoyan explained excitedly: “When I went to West Street to get medicine earlier, I met the fortune-teller He Xiazi. He said our Palace Guard has too many men and excessive yang energy, which isn’t good feng shui for marriage matters.”

“He taught me a method – place a vase of flowers in the southeast corner of the room, change them diligently daily, and within three months, romance will surely come and my heart will be moved. Very effective!”

Pei Yunying was speechless and asked: “How much did you spend?”

“One tael of silver.” Duan Xiaoyan said urgently: “Brother, believe me, he’s definitely not a fraud. Very cost-effective, and he even gave me a blessed bracelet. Hey, Brother Yunying, I think you should go see him too. I heard he also has red talismans that, when worn on the body after being made, smooth the path of love and make the person you love fall for you. Aren’t you coveting Doctor Lu’s fiancé position? Why not get one too?”

“I already asked for all the brothers. He Xiazi said buying more gets a discount. If you like it, shall I buy one for you too?”

Pei Yunying’s face was expressionless: “Don’t do such things.”

“But…”

“You should buy one,” Xiao Zhufeng said seriously. “From what I can see, your romantic path is quite bumpy.”

“You should say that to yourself.”

Pei Yunying looked at him with a smile: “After all, you haven’t even found where the path is.”

“…”

…

In the evening, Lu Tong came out from the Grand Tutor’s mansion and returned to West Street.

Yin Zheng was sweeping fallen leaves under the plum tree at the entrance. Seeing her return, she put down the broom and called into the house with a smile: “Miss is back.”

Miao Liangfang was lying at the medicine cabinet counting newly received medicinal materials. Hearing this, he stretched his neck and reminded Lu Tong: “Xiao Lu is back? You’re early today. There’s food saved in the kitchen, including the red date cake you love.”

Lu Tong acknowledged this and was about to enter when Yin Zheng looked at her, her gaze falling on her hair, speaking with surprise as if discovering something: “Miss, why did you change your jewelry today?”

Miao Liangfang was startled, and A’Cheng also looked up upon hearing this.

Lu Tong had only one hairpin and usually used silk flowers made by Yin Zheng. Now there was a carved comb in her hair bun. Though not luxurious, compared to before, it was quite eye-catching.

Everyone praised it.

Lu Tong touched the comb, suddenly feeling a flash of discomfort.

Miao Liangfang’s eyes were full of affection as he smiled: “Very nice. Young ladies should dress up more. This styling makes you so spirited, like a fairy from temple paintings.”

“Oh,” Yin Zheng came closer to examine it, “strange, when did Miss buy this comb? I’ve never seen it before.”

Lu Tong never cared about decoration and wouldn’t actively buy jewelry or hairpins. Seeing her wear something new was naturally curious.

Lu Tong paused: “Lin Danqing gave it to me.” Then changed the subject: “Where’s Master Du?”

“He wasn’t feeling well and left early this afternoon,” A’Cheng said.

Lu Tong nodded and asked: “Master Du seems to be leaving early these past few days.”

Although Du Changqing wasn’t enthusiastic about watching the clinic before, he would usually wait until the sun completely set before leaving. But recently, he seemed busy with something – every time Lu Tong returned from the Grand Tutor’s mansion, Du Changqing was already gone from the clinic.

Even A’Cheng left later than Du Changqing.

Very unusual.

Lu Tong asked: “Is he sick?”

“Master Du is a grown man, not a child. How could he get sick so easily? Miss should take care of herself first.”

Yin Zheng smiled as she lifted the felt curtain: “I’ll go heat up the food in the kitchen. Miss, remember to come eat after you rest.”

Lu Tong hummed in agreement, but felt Yin Zheng’s attitude was somewhat strange today, so she looked at the two people in the back room.

“What happened?”

Miao Liangfang shook his head and sighed. A’Cheng pulled Lu Tong to the corner and spoke mysteriously: “Doctor Lu, don’t you know? The boss is heartbroken and has been recuperating at home recently, not wanting to come out and see people.”

“Heartbroken?”

Lu Tong was astonished.

These days she had been busy with Grand Tutor’s mansion affairs and had no time to pay attention to the clinic staff. She didn’t know when she had missed such big news.

Du Changqing was a man with no great ambitions but comfortable ease. Since Lu Tong had known him, his loves came and went quickly. To be locked away in his mansion, melancholy over heartbreak, showed how deeply the other party had hurt him.

Lu Tong asked: “Who hurt him?”

The young assistant glanced at the felt curtain.

Lu Tong was surprised: “Yin Zheng?”

When had Yin Zheng become entangled with Du Changqing again?

“A few days after Qixi, Xiao Du confessed his feelings to Yin Zheng.”

Miao Liangfang’s eyes showed sympathy. As he spoke, he sighed: “Two such good children – why didn’t Yin Zheng take a liking to Xiao Du?”

He Xiazi: Some mysticism, group purchase 20% off! (。)