After several consecutive autumn rains, as September arrived, Beijing passed the Cold Dew solar term.

The maple leaves at Wanen Temple had turned red in large patches. At Danfeng Platform, visitors were endless, and from here one could see vast swathes of maple leaves red as blood.

The chrysanthemums at the Grand Tutor’s mansion had all bloomed overnight.

Servants selected fresh chrysanthemums to brew wine and tea and make chrysanthemum cakes, the fresh fragrance filling the air.

When Lu Tong walked into Qi Yutai’s room, Qi Yutai had just smashed a pot of chrysanthemum-scented tea.

The golden chrysanthemum petals, having been boiled in hot water, weren’t as beautiful as when they stood proudly on their stems when they fell to the ground. Like crushed filth, they stuck wetly to the carpet.

The flower rack wasn’t as lush as in summer anymore, without flowers, the branches were sparse, looking somewhat desolate.

Shu Hui had died, before dying she had begged him to take care of Yutai. Because of these words, his heart had softened for a moment, not knowing if it would bring fortune or disaster.

“Why still wait until after the ceremony?”

Pei Yunying: “…”

Pei Yunying didn’t speak.

Indeed, it was because, at the time, the other party’s status becoming related by marriage would have been quite beneficial to him, but beyond that, he had also truly cherished this young wife.

Earlier when Pei Yunying’s mind was ill, he had replaced all the tea in the Marshal’s mansion with various sweet drinks and boiled water, so sweet it made people’s throats ache. The pot of tea before him now was bitter.

Pei Yunying poured himself a cup, his tone matter-of-fact, “Tomorrow is the ceremony, you still dare to drink?”

Pei Yunying gave a bitter laugh.

He mocked maliciously: “Compared to being Jin Xianrong’s concubine, being a serving concubine in the Grand Tutor’s mansion would be much better, wouldn’t it?”

“Because I liked it too much, I couldn’t help but show it off, causing my brothers to fight over the colt. When it died, I was very sad.”

The cry made Qi Qing suddenly come to his senses.

If it were half a year ago, Xiao Zhufeng would never have believed he would see this side of Pei Yunying.

That beautiful face had somehow already pressed close to him, those originally clear and gentle eyes were bloodshot, looking quite deranged, clearly the appearance of being ill.

Legend says that before the Great Nuo ceremony, ghosts and spirits scatter about, requiring rituals to drive away evil.

Zhizi was awakened by the movement in the courtyard, poked its head out to sniff, and then shrank back.

“Lord Qi originally informed this official that the young master’s health must be maintained until the ceremony. Young Master Qi is now cured of his illness. After the ceremony passes, when this official returns to the Medical Officials Bureau, it would be inappropriate to come daily to diagnose Young Master Qi, as such irregularity would also cause Lord Qi to be suspicious.”

Pei Yunying was surprised: “You’re so vicious.”

Pei Yunying had been very busy lately.

He spoke languidly: “Being rejected by one’s beloved, why take it so hard? A great man need not worry about finding a wife, there are beauties everywhere under heaven.”

Pei Yunying said: “I don’t want her to become that horse.”

“My lord?” A voice called from beside him.

The voice came from the inner room.

“Is it that the Marshal’s mansion has bad feng shui, or that our eight characters clash? Not just eight characters,” he pondered, “Including the teacher, the three of us all have troubled fates in love, all loving without obtaining.”

Lu Tong lifted her foot, stepping over the scattered mess on the floor.

His father’s surveillance had become increasingly excessive, he couldn’t go out, and the medicine powder couldn’t come in. Just five days had been unbearable, let alone after the ceremony when visits would be uncertain.

If only tomorrow would come quickly.

“Then what do you mean by these words?”

“You haven’t had any ill intentions?” Qi Yutai still had some doubts.

Xiao Zhufeng: “…”

The night was desolate. Qi Qing raised his eyes, seeming to see again that moment before Shu Hui’s death, her hair disheveled as she looked at him, her smile tragic and beautiful.

Qi Yutai stared at her for a long while, and seeing her expression was open and honest, finally gave a light snort and sat down.

She let out another shrill cry.

“Fine, I’ll trust you this once.”

He quickly went forward and grasped the hand of the woman on the couch. That lovely face that had inspired endless pity no longer held its former beauty, appearing sallow and thin.

But his addiction to the medicine powder couldn’t go without Lu Tong for a day.

As he got closer, it became increasingly hysterical. Qi Qing pushed open the door and walked in, seeing someone lying on the bed, surrounded by midwives, a heavy smell of blood mixed with medicine fragrance hitting him in the face, everything in chaos.

Yet tonight he dreamed of it.

Qi Qing awakened from his dream with a start, hearing movement, he put on clothes and sat up from his couch.

Pei Yunying once had a red colt.

The room was silent for a moment.

The steward stood before him, calling out with worry.

This cry made Qi Qing’s heart tighten.

“You seem to have forgotten, in the beginning, you went to arrest her.”

But these two pairs of eyes weren’t just watching Lu Tong, they were also watching him.

After a while, Xiao Zhufeng asked: “Didn’t you say before that you would proceed slowly? Why suddenly confess your feelings?”

“My lady?”

It made one’s heart feel troubled.

“Couldn’t help it.”

Even though Qi Yutai explained to his father again and again that he wasn’t ill, his father didn’t believe it.

Cui Min had already been dealt with, the Medical Officials Bureau was without leadership, and now Medical Officer Chang Jin was temporarily handling some matters. The matter of Cui Min stealing someone’s prescription was settled, and naturally, Lu Tong’s three-month suspension was also lifted accordingly.

When not on duty, he often spent entire days at the training grounds. Others said he was devoted to the ceremonial duties, but those in the know at the Marshal’s mansion understood that this was someone nursing a broken heart by burying himself in work.

A full five days had passed, and Lu Tong hadn’t brought him medicine powder again.

He had recovered, indeed Lu Tong didn’t need to visit daily anymore.

He looked at Lu Tong, his eyes suddenly full of suspicion.

His first wife had been chosen by his family, there were no feelings, and for many years she hadn’t produced an heir. After his wife passed away, he quickly married again.

Xiao Zhufeng sneered: “Hypocrite.”

Xiao Zhufeng made an “oh” sound, “Then don’t hold back, at tomorrow’s ceremony, burn Ji Xun’s face with fire. Without a face, let’s see what he’ll use to bewitch your Doctor Lu.”

Qi Yutai endured for a moment, waiting until Lu Tong followed him into the inner room to perform acupuncture, before asking in a low voice: “Where are the things?”

The wind rustled in the courtyard.

The fog had risen in the night.

Shu Hui had been lively and beautiful, understanding and considerate. Occasionally she had some harmless coquettish moments, which he had also tolerated. Qi Qing had once thanked heaven for letting him encounter such a good marriage, until later when he learned the truth.

Naturally, the Grand Tutor’s mansion had also helped push things along.

He said calmly: “Later I discovered the colt hadn’t died from eating poisonous grass by accident, it was my father who personally ordered it poisoned.”

“Doctor Lu seems like someone who could cut off all emotions and become a nun at any time, it’s hard to imagine her falling in love with you.” Xiao Zhufeng consoled his friend, “Actually you might not love her so deeply, it’s because you’ve invested too much thought in her, so you can’t let go.”

“My lord, are you unwell?” the steward asked, “This servant will immediately request a doctor to come.”

Ever since he had recovered, these several pairs of eyes in the room hadn’t stopped watching for a moment. Even though Qi Yutai had protested multiple times, it was still to no avail.

It was just a dream.

For instance, he no longer smiled as before, sometimes even appearing strangely cold.

The autumn night already held a chill, lanterns blazed throughout the Marshal’s mansion.

Xiao Zhufeng looked at him: “Didn’t you say before that even if she liked Ji Xun, you would break them apart? Now you’re just giving her to that fellow?”

Pei Yunying: “…”

Pei Yunying called out to him: “Xiao Er.”

…

The various divisions had gone home early today, tomorrow morning was the palace ceremony, and by noon there was no one left in the Marshal’s mansion. When Pei Yunying entered the room, Duan Xiaoyan was about to go home. Just as he was about to call out to him, he caught sight of Xiao Zhufeng making eyes at him from the side, so he swallowed his words and quietly left.

Lu Tong turned and set down her medical box, lowering her head to take out the velvet cloth containing gold needles, speaking unhurriedly: “Young Master Qi, if you can’t keep your composure any longer, be careful that Lord Qi doesn’t notice anything amiss. At that time, there really won’t be any room for maneuver.”

This was the first time he had heard Pei Yunying tell the truth about this matter, he asked: “Why?”

“Perhaps.”

Xiao Zhufeng paused.

“I liked that colt.”

The craving for the medicine powder finally overcame what little reason remained in his mind. He advanced on Lu Tong, threatening: “If you dare try any tricks…”

“The ceremony is an imperial affair, being discovered would be a serious crime. Do you want to get me killed? Your intentions are condemnable!”

Shu Hui was already dead.

“There’s one more way.” Qi Yutai closed his eyes, suddenly letting out a mocking laugh.

The person on the bed heard movement and suddenly turned their head. Seeing him, some life suddenly appeared in their reddened eyes as they called out: “My lord—”

Qi Qing suddenly lowered his head, and couldn’t help but feel his flesh creep.

“Otherwise?”

A birthday gift personally selected for him by his maternal grandfather, lively and beautiful, but later died from accidentally eating poisonous grass.

“If Young Master Qi can endure until a few days after the ceremony, that would be best. This official also need not take such a risk.”

Retribution.

Shu Hui!

Lu Tong was right.

At the Grand Tutor’s mansion, suddenly a woman’s crying could be heard.

Qi Yutai reached out a hand, pushing Lu Tong back so that her spine hit the wall behind her, immediately making her frown.

A pot of bitter tea on the table had been emptied, and in the distance, several more lanterns had gone out.

“Are you willing to retreat to the background?”

This discomfort pleased Qi Yutai.

Feeling inexplicably troubled in his heart, Qi Qing forced himself to be patient and said: “I swear.”

The day passed quickly, and at night the sky darkened.

He had another attack of addiction.

“Not so.”

So she was a madwoman.

Though the medicine powder wasn’t as potent as the Cold Food Powder, at first he also found it rather bland, until after five days without taking it, the feeling of insects gnawing became increasingly intense. Only then did he realize that medicine powder was still medicine powder – even if it seemed mild, it could still be addictive.

“Before, I wasn’t sure she would choose me.”

He laughed self-mockingly: “After all, Ji Xun is a gentleman, while I’m a bastard.”

Xiao Zhufeng threw back his head and drained the tea in his cup, letting out a sigh.

Xiao Zhufeng fell silent.

Lu Tong said: “For the palace ceremony, before the ceremony, there will be water pavilion competitions and various entertainments during the day. After the ceremony, when the Nuo ritual is complete, I hear His Majesty ascend the tower, and all officials will watch fireworks together. Before the Great Nuo ritual, there will be an opportunity for a gap in time.”

He sneered: “Aren’t you quite clever? Finding a way to trick the body search shouldn’t be difficult for you – you simply don’t want to!”

The young man stepped back several paces, looking at the person before him, smiling without mirth: “Very good consolation, next time don’t bother consoling me, thanks.”

…

“Stop using these excuses to fool me!” With nowhere to vent his inner turmoil, he vented all his anger on the person before him.

“If you really can’t let go, just be friends with her,” Xiao Zhufeng poured tea and raised his cup, “Perhaps one day, she’ll change her heart again.”

Have an episode?

He had always been free and easy, able to take things up or put them down, yet with Lu Tong he was always worried, always unable to let go.

Xiao Zhufeng couldn’t stand seeing him like this and mocked: “Then what will you do? Drink here alone, waiting until after they’re happily married to take advantage of the situation? Not even wanting proper status?”

The child wasn’t even born yet, how did he know it would be a daughter?

“I don’t believe you, swear it.” She clutched his hand tightly, like a ghost unwilling to let go, “Swear that you’ll take good care of Yutai, he’s your son, you must be good to him!”

Qi Yutai was going mad.

“Is it because of Ji Xun?”

Pei Yunying sneered: “What do you mean ‘let’? She’s not an object.”

The white fog rose like a great net, slowly rising from the ground and from the distance, silently flooding into the room, seeping a damp chill into the lonely autumn night.

Lu Tong: “On the day of the ceremony, this official must attend with the Medical Officials Bureau.”

Xiao Zhufeng asked again: “Why did she reject you?”

After a while, Lu Tong said: “The mansion’s searches are strict, and people are watching closely at the gate, this official dares not risk it.”

“Isn’t that good?” Pei Yunying picked up his wine cup, “Life is naturally bitter.”

“I like her, how can I be friends?” Pei Yunying sneered: “You think everyone’s like you, able to endure until the end of time.”

Qi Yutai gave a cold snort, about to threaten, when he heard the woman before him change tack, “However, this official has a way.”

Madwoman?

Qi Qing came to his senses: “Go check on the young master.”

“Forget it, whatever it is can wait until after tomorrow’s ceremony.” Pei Yunying set down his wine cup and stood up, saying: “It’s late, you should go back too.”

Shu Hui – his second wife – looked at him breathlessly: “I- I’m afraid I won’t make it if I don’t survive tonight, you must- must raise Yutai well.”

Having said this, she cast a light glance at the maids and guards standing at the door.

Pei Yunying gave a smile, that smile colder than the autumn night.

In the courtyard there was only a faint glow from distant street lamps, Zhizi had already gone to sleep. Xiao Zhufeng cleaned up the things on the table, preparing to leave.

How could she have an episode?

A voice called softly in his ear, and Qi Qing suddenly opened his eyes, startled awake from his dream.

Qi Yutai looked Lu Tong over: “You know about the Great Nuo ritual?”

Qi Yutai’s expression was gloomy.

The pampered young master would wait for someone from day to night without complaint, and after being rejected become so humble.

The Zhong family knew everything yet still married their daughter to him, even later giving birth to the ill Yutai. He endured everything until he wielded power over the court, finally bringing punishment to the Zhong family.

These words were extremely apt, but Old He the blind man’s peach blossom charm hadn’t done any good either, it had even made things worse.

Qi Yutai was full of anger, but upon seeing her, his face immediately showed a trace of wild joy. He stepped forward quickly: “You’re here! Where are the things?”

“If those things hadn’t happened to the Lu family, the person who would match her now would be someone like Ji Xun.”

He knew very well that his father didn’t trust Lu Tong, so had people watching her.

“Really? You’ll take good care of him, even if he’s just a madman?”

“Have a drink with me,” he said.

“Something wrong?”

“Nothing?” Qi Yutai’s face changed dramatically as he grabbed her collar: “How can there be nothing?”

Xiao Zhufeng was startled.

“Because he believed this thing would damage brotherly affection, it better to cut it off at the source.”

“This official wouldn’t dare.”

Lu Tong remained silent.

Xiao Zhufeng choked, then stared at the tea in his cup again: “Why is it bitter again?”

Pei Yunying had no words.

Pei Yunying smiled but said nothing.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Qi Qing himself was stunned.

“I don’t know.”

Such heartbreak!

Though he appeared normal every day, not neglecting any of his duties, ever since that birthday night, at certain times people could still glimpse traces.

Qi Qing suddenly closed his eyes, gripping the prayer beads in his hand.

After all, during the entire ceremony period, all officials would be present. Unlike in Rouge Alley, if he had an episode during the ceremony, the rumors would never be able to be quelled.

Lu Tong: “No.”

“Don’t think I won’t kill you.” Qi Yutai gritted his teeth, “If you want to use this thing to control me, you have to see if you have the life for it!”

“I’m here,” he responded to the call.

These words were very melancholic.

He was getting old and had always been a light sleeper. At night, the mansion needed to be quiet, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. There had never been even half a sound, this was the first time he had been awakened in the deep night.

Lu Tong took out needles to perform acupuncture on him.

Xiao Zhufeng was dissatisfied: “I comfort you half the night, and you don’t even know to say ‘thanks’?”

The woman worried too much. Qi Qing was impatient – Yutai was his only son, and the future glory of the Grand Tutor’s mansion rested on Yutai alone. He would raise him well like carefully nurturing a seedling, wanting his son of the Qi family to become a young man admired by all in the capital.

Qi Yutai was speechless.

“You dare say you weren’t moved even a little bit?”

Lu Tong paid no attention to his threats, only speaking indifferently: “Young Master Qi, tomorrow is the grand ceremony, Lord Qi places great importance on this ceremony. There cannot be even the slightest mistake.”

What was she worrying about now?

Just as he was thinking this, the woman’s ethereal voice came to his ears.

The Great Nuo ritual was originally a spring celebration. At the end of each year, the imperial city’s ceremonial officials would wear masks and embroidered colored clothes, carrying golden spears and dragon banners. Emperor Ming of Later Liang had originally canceled the Nuo ritual when he ascended the throne, but this year there were locust plagues in the south, so to drive away pestilence, they simply combined the Great Nuo ritual with the Tianzhang Platform ceremony, though not as grand as before.

Pei Yunying spoke: “Xiao Er, do you remember my horse?”

“Young Master Qi’s illness is not yet cured, and Lord Qi’s love for his son is at its height, so he only allows the young master to recuperate in the mansion daily, not permitted to leave. But during the Tianzhang Platform ceremony, the young master can find an opportunity.”

Qi Yutai was somewhat bored, but thinking that tomorrow evening, before the Nuo ritual, he might be able to take some medicine powder to relieve his mad craving, he couldn’t help but feel the anticipation.

To Qi Qing, the face of the Grand Tutor’s mansion was more important-

Qi Yutai was incredulous, “You want me to take it during the ceremony?”

“What way?”

Pei Yunying glanced at him: “Well said, if only you could be less gloating it would be even better.”

“It won’t be.” He gently comforted her, wiping the sweat from his wife’s brow, “The child will be born soon, both mother and daughter will be safe.”

Qi Yutai’s face darkened.

“No need.”

Two grown men sitting together were bound to be silent. Xiao Zhufeng picked up the wine cup from the table and took a sip, then frowned: “Tea?”

It was autumn, the wisteria flowers had all been beaten down by days of autumn rain, a green lamp like the Big Dipper hung under the flower trellis, and two people sat at the stone table.

So this was never any heaven-ordained marriage.

At first, he wanted to catch her, but in the end, it was he who was thoroughly caught.

The night wind blew, the tall trees rustling.

“Every day before I enter the mansion, I must be searched by your mansion’s maids. If discovered, it would be no good for either of us.”

Oil had been added to the copper lamp, and the previously weak flame brightened again.

Xiao Zhufeng hadn’t tasted bitter tea at the Marshal’s mansion for a long time.

“My lord-“

Pei Yunying took a sip of tea, lowering his head to look at the wine cup, which reflected the flower trellis above.

It was a dream.

Qi Qing didn’t speak.

“Yes.”

Qi Qing raised his hand to stop him, the shock in his heart still lingering. After a moment he said: “I dreamed of Shu Hui.”

“Wake up,” Xiao Zhufeng said coldly, “When did you become such a coward?”

Not only was he searched, but these past days, besides Lu Tong, other doctors his father had invited from outside would also come daily to check his pulse, afraid that something might go wrong during the ceremony.

“As long as I take you into the household, we can naturally see each other daily.”

Qi Qing pressed against his chest where his heart was beating wildly. His whole body was like he had just been pulled from the water, completely soaked through.

Xiao Er: Your story makes my heart ache, your words still love her (.)

Yun Niang’s disciples: Devoted to research

Yan Xu’s disciples: Three love-addled brains