Time passed quickly.

Entering August, the rain continued without end, and in the blink of an eye, Mid-Autumn Festival had passed again.

Commander Manor, however, was very busy.

The ceremonial festival was imminent. The various palace guard units and cavalry commands trained daily, preparing for the imperial review in ten days. Even on the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15th, the palace guards doubled their manpower to guard all the inner gates.

The palace security was stricter than ever before. Some court officials speculated this was related to the treacherous rebellion in Noble Consort Chen’s palace.

Added to this, Crown Prince Yuan Zhen claimed illness and hadn’t appeared at court for several days, causing rumors to gradually spread.

At Commander Manor, it happened to be raining, making the training grounds wet, so the guards had a rest day from training.

In the courtyard, plane tree leaves had been beaten down by the rain all over the ground. Duan Xiaoyan entered hurriedly carrying a bamboo basket on his back. As soon as she came inside, she shook off the rainwater, set down her umbrella, and lifted the oilcloth covering the bamboo basket—

With a “whoosh,” all the resting guards surrounded her.

The bamboo basket was full of triangular red talismans, with some cloth scraps tied into peach blossom branches and bead strings mixed in. Duan Xiaoyan wiped his sweat and put his hands on his hips, saying, “Line up, line up, one at a time.” He also swatted away a guard’s reaching hand, displeased: “They’re all the same, what’s there to pick!”

These were peach blossom attraction charms and bead strings personally blessed by the Fox Fairy Maiden from He Xiazi’s shop on West Street. The more you bought, the cheaper they were. Duan Xiaoyan had volunteered to buy them for all the palace guards, finally negotiating a price that satisfied both parties.

The noisy voices drifted into the room along with the rain sounds. Pei Yunying glanced toward the door, his brow slightly furrowed.

“Getting more and more unruly.” He said coldly, “You should manage them.”

Xiao Zhufeng sat at the table holding a cup of hot tea. Hearing this, he said, “Manage what? You bought one yourself.”

His gaze swept across Pei Yunying’s desk.

Beneath the thick pile of military documents, a corner of red was faintly visible.

Pei Yunying smiled: “Didn’t you buy one too?”

Xiao Zhufeng: “…”

He silently pushed the wooden drawer further in.

Both fell silent for a moment.

“She hasn’t come to Commander Manor for half a month,” Xiao Zhufeng lowered his head and took a sip of tea. “Did you two have a fight?”

“No.”

“Then you have no chance.”

Pei Yunying was displeased: “Are you sick?”

Since that rainy day, he and Lu Tong hadn’t seen each other for half a month.

Palace affairs were busy. Emperor Liang Ming seemed determined to punish the Crown Prince this time. His intention to change the heir apparent was well understood by court officials. The Crown Prince’s faction and Duke Chen’s faction were like fire and water. The Emperor had sent troops away from the capital toward Qishui several days ago. Whether intentionally or not, Emperor Liang Ming often summoned him for late-night conversations.

When he left the palace it was already very late. Sometimes he wanted to go to West Street, but feared that going too late at night would disturb her rest. Hearing reports from spies at Grand Tutor Manor that Lu Tong was doing well these days and that Qi Yutai was behaving properly, he temporarily didn’t go to see her.

After working several consecutive night shifts, matters at hand were finally settling down, freeing up two days of leave.

“I’m worried for you,” Xiao Zhufeng stood up and walked to the window, looking at the rain falling under the eaves. “After all, there’s still the former fiancé Ji Xun.”

“That’s just your speculation.”

“He’s a gentleman with noble character.”

Pei Yunying scoffed: “So what if he’s a gentleman? In her eyes, he’s no different from dead pig meat buried under a tree.”

Xiao Zhufeng said, “You’re very confident?”

“Of course. I’m different from you. You like to silently bless others, but for me, liking means possessing.”

The young man’s smile faded. “Never mind that she and Ji Xun have nothing between them. Even if they did, if she really liked Ji Xun, I would…”

Xiao Zhufeng: “You would what?”

“…I would break them up.”

Xiao Zhufeng was speechless, then said, “So today you deliberately avoided your birthday at home just to meet with her?”

Pei Yunying glanced at him: “If you want to see my sister, go yourself. Using me as an excuse – can you manage it or not?”

Xiao Zhufeng ignored him: “Are you going to confess your feelings to her?”

“Now isn’t the right time.”

Pei Yunying’s eyes moved slightly as he spoke indifferently: “She’s focused on revenge and has no time for distractions. It’s better to take things gradually.”

Xiao Zhufeng looked at him for a long while, set down his tea cup, and spoke with contempt.

“Can you manage it or not?”

…

Outside the door, the rain grew heavier.

Lu Tong came out of the room and picked up the umbrella from the corner.

Seeing this, Du Changqing lazily waved at her, “Go early and come back early.” His gaze also caught sight of Yin Zheng behind Lu Tong, his expression stiffening. He quickly lowered his head to fiddle with his abacus, avoiding her eyes.

After being melancholy for over ten days, the heartbroken Du Changqing had returned to the medical hall, appearing as if nothing had happened, still scolding people as usual each day, but would involuntarily reveal a trace of resentment at certain moments.

As if he was truly very sad.

In comparison, Yin Zheng was much more composed and natural.

Yin Zheng saw Lu Tong to the door, noticing that Lu Tong had again pinned the wooden hibiscus hairpin as usual. “Eh?” she said curiously, “Why haven’t I seen Miss wear that comb these past few days?”

Although the wooden comb wasn’t luxurious enough, when worn in Lu Tong’s hair it added to her delicate beauty. But it seemed she hadn’t seen it for some days, and it wasn’t in Lu Tong’s dressing case either.

Lu Tong said, “It broke, I’ve already thrown it away.”

“Ah?” Yin Zheng felt sorry. “What a pity, it was quite pretty.”

Lu Tong seemed not to have heard her words, lowered her head and got into the waiting carriage at the door. “I’m leaving.”

…

When Lu Tong arrived at Grand Tutor Manor, Qi Yutai was discussing the Tianzhang Platform ceremonial festival with someone Qi Qing had sent.

With all the officials and ceremonial guards present at the palace ceremony, and with rumors about Qi Yutai’s madness having caused quite a stir recently, he needed to appear publicly at this ceremony to refute the rumors.

Grand Tutor Manor took this very seriously.

The steward was explaining to Qi Yutai about the ceremonial robes and procedures for the festival day. Qi Yutai impatiently slapped away the document in the steward’s hand: “It’s not the first time going. What’s there to prepare?”

The steward wanted to persuade him further, but looking up, he saw Lu Tong following a maidservant to the doorway. So he stepped back and bowed to Lu Tong: “Physician Lu.”

Lu Tong nodded, placed her medical box on the table, and indicated for Qi Yutai to sit down so she could take his pulse.

After taking his pulse, the old steward asked, “Physician Lu, how has the young master been lately?”

“His pulse is stable, with no signs of discomfort.”

Only then did the old steward feel relieved.

“Alright, alright, hurry up and get out,” Qi Yutai said irritably. “I’ll read the documents.”

The old steward glanced once more at Lu Tong, then politely withdrew.

As soon as the steward left, Qi Yutai eagerly reached out toward Lu Tong.

Lu Tong paused: “Let’s do the acupuncture first, Young Master Qi.”

The golden needles pierced the skin, causing an itchy pain, while the itching in his heart was thoroughly relieved. Qi Yutai covered his nose with his sleeve, his nostrils flaring under the wide sleeve as he poured a pot of hot tea down his throat, letting out a comfortable sigh.

Exhilarating.

It was truly exhilarating.

Daily acupuncture was the moment he most looked forward to.

The substitute powder for Cold Food Powder that Lu Tong made greatly satisfied his drug addiction, preventing him from going mad while confined to the manor. He was obsessed with this substance, unable to extricate himself, making it the only comfort in Grand Tutor Manor now.

Moreover, this powder wasn’t as potent as Cold Food Powder, not causing impulsive loss of composure after taking it. Therefore, after half a month, no one had noticed anything wrong, not even the other physicians Grand Tutor Manor had consulted.

This was also its only drawback.

Weak potency meant it wasn’t satisfying enough, like scratching an itch through a boot, or stopping just at the crucial moment, leaving one unsatisfied.

Qi Yutai licked the oil paper that had wrapped the medicinal powder, cleaning off the last speck of powder, and spoke dissatisfied: “Lu Tong, can’t you give me more medicinal powder? Such a tiny bit each time – are you treating me like a beggar?”

Lu Tong put away the golden needles: “Young Master Qi, this medicinal powder is toxic in excess. The current dosage is best for your health.”

Qi Yutai sneered: “Are you doing this on purpose?”

Lu Tong didn’t bring him medicinal powder every day when she came for acupuncture.

Sometimes she felt the guards and maidservants in the room were watching too closely, or felt his pulse showed changes, so there would be no medicinal powder that day.

She was very cautious, which was why no one had detected anything for so long.

But Qi Yutai was left hanging, constantly feeling restless and anxious.

“It won’t be long before the grand ceremonial festival,” Lu Tong said. “Grand Tutor has said that before the ceremony, there can be no accidents.”

“So you want to use this to control me?”

Qi Yutai looked her up and down, showing a frivolous smile.

“Don’t worry, as long as you make the medicinal powder well, after the ceremony, I can guarantee to make you my concubine.”

“You just need to please me.”

Lu Tong seemed not to hear his insulting tone, calmly packed up her medical box, and said, “This official will take her leave first.”

Qi Yutai pursed his lips in boredom, watching her slender figure disappear into the rain with an umbrella.

She was very cold.

But somehow made one want to conquer her.

Previously, Qi Yutai only wanted to kill her, to avenge Qin Hu and his sister. Now he had a better idea.

He wanted to break her proud spirit, see her cold gaze submit beneath him. A highly skilled female physician from the Medical Academy, ultimately wagging her tail and begging for mercy in his backyard – more exciting than subduing a vicious dog like Qin Hu.

He touched his chest, the lingering effects of the medicinal powder making his heart surge.

Who told her she was a commoner?

Fortunately, she was a commoner.

…

Lu Tong left Grand Tutor Manor and turned into the alley at the end of Grand Tutor Manor’s long street. Usually, if there was nothing else, the carriage Du Changqing had hired would wait for her there.

The rain continued endlessly, the carriage waiting quietly under the eaves.

Lu Tong walked closer with her umbrella, and when she saw clearly who was on the horse in front, she couldn’t help but pause.

Qing Feng sat in the driver’s position wearing a bamboo hat. Seeing her arrive, he pushed his hat up and said, “Physician Lu.”

Lu Tong looked toward the back of the carriage.

As if knowing what she was thinking, Qing Feng quickly said, “My lord isn’t in the carriage. He went to the palace at noon and told me to come pick you up first.”

Seeing Lu Tong unmoved, he reminded her: “Today is my lord’s birthday.”

August 19th, Pei Yunying’s birthday.

Last time when he came to the medical hall at night, he had mentioned it, and later he had hinted many times asking her for a birthday gift.

Lu Tong asked, “So, what do you want with me?”

Her expression was too indifferent. Qing Feng was stunned for a moment before answering: “My lord requests Physician Lu to meet him. He’s waiting for Physician Lu at Danfeng Platform.” He added, “My lord should have mentioned this to Physician Lu before.”

Lu Tong gripped her umbrella tightly. Rainwater dripped in lines from the umbrella surface. She spoke with a calm tone: “I’m very busy today, I need to make medicine.”

“This…”

Qing Feng thought for a moment: “This subordinate will first send Physician Lu back to the medical hall. After Physician Lu finishes her work, I’ll take Physician Lu to Danfeng Platform.”

Lu Tong wanted to refuse, but when the words reached her lips, she changed her mind, said nothing, and bent down to get in the carriage.

The carriage raced all the way back to West Street, stopping at the entrance to West Street. Lu Tong got out of the carriage and went straight back to the medical hall.

Du Changqing and A’Cheng had gone home first. After raining for most of the day, the medical hall had no patients. Miao Liangfang also left by dusk.

Yin Zheng closed the medical hall door and lifted the felt curtain. The small courtyard windows faintly revealed orange light. She entered the room and saw Lu Tong sitting at the table seriously grinding medicine.

“Miss,” Yin Zheng asked, “I just saw a carriage at the medical hall entrance. The driver looked like Guard Qing Feng… is he looking for you about something?”

“Nothing important,” Lu Tong concentrated on grinding medicine. “Don’t worry about him.”

Yin Zheng said “Oh” and glanced at her, then spoke gently: “Last time when Young Master Pei came to the medical hall, he said his birthday was August 19th. Today is August 19th. Did he come to ask you to celebrate his birthday?”

“No.”

Yin Zheng stood still and continued on her own: “Actually, Young Master Pei is quite good. Although he’s from a noble family, he doesn’t look down on commoners.” She looked out the window. “It’s already dark and raining so heavily. Spending his birthday alone must be quite lonely.”

Lu Tong’s medicine-grinding motion paused. After a moment, she lowered her eyes: “I don’t want to go.”

Yin Zheng sighed.

“Miss, don’t make things difficult for yourself.” She didn’t try to persuade further, only saying, “It’s cold, rest early.”

Yin Zheng left the room. Lu Tong still kept her head down, as if she hadn’t noticed, seriously pounding the herbs in the mortar, as if between heaven and earth, only the task before her was most important.

Time slowly passed, night gradually deepened. The various neighbors on West Street returned to their homes. Not half a word could be found on the long street, only the urgent wind and rain outside the window, the cold air attacking.

After an unknown amount of time, Lu Tong put down the medicine hammer and looked up at the water clock on the table.

It was almost midnight.

…

“It’s almost midnight.”

At Commander Manor, Xiao Zhufeng stood by the window, staring at the night rain outside.

The night rain was vast, drops striking the plane tree leaves below, bringing autumn’s chill.

Duan Xiaoyan shivered, awakening from a brief beautiful dream, glanced at the water clock on the table, then looked outside.

“Brother Yunying still hasn’t come back?”

Xiao Zhufeng shook his head.

They had agreed he would return after celebrating his birthday to sort through new military rosters. It was almost midnight now, his birthday was almost over, but there was no sign of him.

Duan Xiaoyan rested his chin on his hand: “Are they getting along so well that he doesn’t want to come back?”

“Wake up,” Xiao Zhufeng said. “Stop dreaming.”

Duan Xiaoyan was speechless.

Actually, at noon, Pei Yunying had already been waiting. Who knew that while Lu Tong was at Grand Tutor Manor, something urgent came up at the palace, so he had to return to the palace again.

By the time Lu Tong returned to West Street it was already evening. Qing Feng sent word that Lu Tong seemed very busy and had gone back to make medicine first.

“Sigh,” Duan Xiaoyan sighed. “Physician Lu is really something. What time couldn’t she make medicine? Why does she have to make medicine on Brother Yunying’s birthday? In such heavy rain, waiting must be quite difficult. My brother wouldn’t still be waiting now, would he?”

Xiao Zhufeng said indifferently: “He wouldn’t.”

“Really?”

Xiao Zhufeng looked out at the autumn rain. After a long while, he spoke.

“Pei Yunying is very particular and very proud.”

Xiao Zhufeng said: “On the surface he seems to cherish women, but actually he has no patience with people. He won’t take initiative, and even less will he wait for people.”

“If he arranges to meet someone at the hour of the Dragon, he’ll leave if they haven’t arrived by the hour of the Snake.”

Duan Xiaoyan was stunned.

Xiao Zhufeng closed the window, keeping all the cold air outside.

“He’s not someone who waits patiently.”

…

The rain grew heavier.

Between heaven and earth was a continuous “rustling” sound.

When the carriage wheels rolled over wet ground, they threw up splashing water. The wheels rolled over the small road and stopped in front of a tea house. After a long while, the carriage curtain was lifted, and Lu Tong stepped down from the carriage holding an oil-paper umbrella.

Danfeng Platform bordered the mountains. In autumn, the mountains were covered with red like fire. Now it wasn’t yet time for the maple leaves to turn red, and with the rain, looking into the distance, the mountains were dark and heavy, like spilled ink in silent darkness.

The lights in the tea house had been extinguished.

Lu Tong lowered her eyes.

Qing Feng had waited in front of Renxin Medical Hall for a long time. Lu Tong had Yin Zheng tell him that she was very busy tonight and wouldn’t go to Danfeng Platform.

Yin Zheng went out several times. The last time was around the hour of the Snake, when she told her: “Miss, the carriage has left.”

Qing Feng had left and didn’t appear again afterward.

This was good.

Pei Yunying should have also returned from Danfeng Platform.

He should go celebrate his birthday with Pei Yunshu, with Bao Zhu, with Xiao Zhufeng and Duan Xiaoyan, with all his relatives and friends, and perhaps a lover in the future, but it shouldn’t be her.

He shouldn’t wait for her.

In front of Danfeng Platform, it was pitch black, with only a few dim lanterns hanging under the eaves. She had heard Du Changqing say that on clear nights, this place was hung with flower lanterns throughout the trees, bright and brilliant. Today the weather wasn’t cooperating, and it was already deep into the night, so all the flower lanterns were extinguished and the tea house owner had also closed up.

Lu Tong’s heart was completely calm.

She walked to the tea house entrance and suddenly froze.

The pattering rain continued, the tea house had almost completely extinguished its lights, but one window showed a faint glow. That wooden window was open, and by the window stood a person, quietly listening to the rain.

Hearing movement, he looked up.

Lu Tong suddenly stiffened.

On this cool autumn night, with remaining lights and rain sounds, Lu Tong stood outside the window, rain streaming down her umbrella like notes. He stood inside the window, his features like a painting, like smoke and dreams, suddenly bringing to mind an old verse.

Outside the window, banana plants; inside the window, a person. Clearly the leaves drip upon the heart.

She stood dazed, but he gently smiled.

Pei Yunying looked at her, his crimson robes bright and dazzling. In the rainy night, the warm lamplight fell on him, his beauty surpassing jade and crystal.

Those jet-black eyes gazed at her, bright laughter on his lips.

“I thought you weren’t coming anymore,” he said.