Early September, three days past Cold Dew.

It had been a month since Lu Tong’s wedding. The early days of marriage were always particularly busy.

There were rituals of paying respects to elders, returning to the natal home, and social visits. After a month to reach “full moon,” the ceremonies could be simplified.

Lu Tong was someone who found ceremonial protocols tedious, and Pei Yunying would never deliberately cause her displeasure. So with a casual mention, all the post-wedding procedures for the new bride were omitted. During the several days of leave the Emperor had specifically granted, they either watered the hibiscus flowers in the manor or took carriages to Danqing Terrace to admire the new red maple leaves. The couple enjoyed several carefree days.

However, after the leave ended, each became busy with their own affairs.

After Yuan Ming’s ascension, he changed “summer taxes” back to “autumn hunts” as during the previous emperor’s time. Light cavalry would gallop about with crossbows, and all units would undergo inspection. Pei Yunying spent every day at the martial training grounds, sometimes working until late at night before returning home.

Lu Tong was also very busy.

Once autumn arrived and weather turned cold, more and more patients came to Renxin Medical Clinic for medicine. Perhaps because Lu Tong had once topped the Imperial Medical Bureau’s spring examination and served at the Medical Bureau for a period, when Lu Tong sat in consultation, there were far more patients than when Miao Liangfang held clinic. The reputation of the Hanlin Medical Bureau was always useful.

Early in the morning, the Medical Formulary Bureau was quite lively.

Lin Danqing lay half her body across the table, arguing with Ji Xun about a medicinal ingredient.

“Bupleurum, scutellaria, raw rehmannia, cornelian cherry, tree peony bark, white peony,” Lin Danqing pointed at the prescription on the table. “Adding this ingredient of self-heal spike would be gilding the lily – no good! Remove it!”

Across from her, Ji Xun frowned deeply, his tone calm but persistent: “Adding self-heal spike would be better.”

Lin Danqing was completely unyielding: “This patient has menstrual headaches. During menstruation, yin blood descends and gathers, chong qi becomes excessive, and chong qi together with liver qi rebels upward. Physician Ji, I am a woman and most understand gynecology – it absolutely cannot be added!”

Ji Xun pressed his temple.

Since the establishment of the Medical Formulary Bureau, such arguments occurred daily. It wasn’t just Ji Xun and Lin Danqing – when everyone compiled medical texts together, without distinction between civilian medical workers or imperial physicians, each physician had different medical practices and prescribed very different formulas. When opinions differed, arguing until faces turned red was common. Occasionally passersby thought the people inside were fighting.

When Lu Tong entered, what she saw was Ji Xun and Lin Danqing in confrontation.

Seeing her enter, Lin Danqing’s eyes brightened. She took three steps as two, rushing forward to grab Lu Tong’s arm and shake it: “Sister Lu, come look – isn’t this prescription better according to what I said, removing the self-heal spike?”

Lu Tong: “…”

This wasn’t selecting prescriptions – this was clearly being asked to judge.

She looked at both prescriptions and carefully chose her words: “Actually both are fine, each has its benefits.”

Hearing this, Lin Danqing was slightly dissatisfied, while Ji Xun sighed in relief and cast her a grateful look. He really wasn’t good at arguing.

“Never mind, let’s not discuss this,” Lin Danqing didn’t dwell on it, only asking Lu Tong: “Why did you come today? Didn’t you say you’d be sitting at Renxin Medical Clinic these days?”

Lu Tong replied: “Master Miao heard the Medical Formulary Bureau was compiling medical texts, so he organized some old prescriptions for me to bring.” She set down her medical bag and took out documents to pass over.

Ji Xun accepted them, saying: “Thank you.”

“Master asked me to tell you all that this endeavor benefits medical workers throughout the realm – a great virtuous act requiring no thanks.”

Ji Xun nodded, looking at Lu Tong.

After Lu Tong’s marriage, she came to the Medical Formulary Bureau less often. Several times when he was on duty at the palace, he missed her visits. This was the first time they’d met since Lu Tong’s wedding.

Compared to her time at the Medical Bureau, Lu Tong’s complexion was more rosy. She no longer looked as pale as before. In a sky-blue silk dress with her black hair like clouds, bright lips and white teeth, she showed vitality completely different from the past.

He suddenly remembered giving Lu Tong a willow-green dress in Jiangnan. Unfortunately, though the dress color was fresh and tender then, her life was bitter. Now wearing similar colors, she finally showed the vigorous life of early spring willows.

Ji Xun was silent for a moment, then said: “Let me check your pulse.”

Lu Tong extended her hand, letting his fingertips rest on her pulse.

After a moment, Ji Xun withdrew his hand, looking at Lu Tong with some amazement: “Your pulse is much better than before, more stable.”

Actually, Lu Tong had experienced attacks twice in the half year since returning from Jiangnan to the capital.

But these two episodes weren’t as frightening as in Jiangnan. Though she suffered some pain, fortunately her life wasn’t in danger. Ji Xun had said it was probably the old poison slowly leaving her body – the process might be somewhat arduous.

In future days, Lu Tong might experience attacks again, but when they came, it wouldn’t be descending into desperate abyss but another kind of hope, meaning her body was gradually healing.

Wounds always hurt when forming scabs, but she smiled much more now.

Lin Danqing said: “Sister Lu, there’s a celebration banquet at the Medical Bureau tonight to celebrate this year’s selected inner palace physicians. Let’s go together.”

Wei Jin hadn’t lied – the physicians who went to Jiangnan for epidemic relief indeed rose three levels through the special assessment. Chang Jin had already added Lin Danqing’s name to the inner palace physician candidates. If she passed the year-end assessment, Lin Danqing could become an inner palace physician.

For a new medical official, this was like flying advancement.

Lin Danqing was very satisfied herself. She had shown Lu Tong her plan: strive to become inner palace physician in one year, medical supervisor in two years, and surpass Chang Jin to sit in the bureau director’s seat in three years.

Lu Tong unhesitatingly expressed her support.

“Medical Supervisor Chang said yesterday he hadn’t seen you in a long time. Come along, and let him go to the pharmacy to get you some good medicinal materials.”

Lu Tong shook her head: “Not today. Master Miao is leaving, and I need to see him off.”

“Master Miao is leaving?” Both Ji Xun and Lin Danqing were surprised: “When did this happen?”

“He decided earlier but didn’t let me tell you all, and doesn’t want you to see him off.” Lu Tong smiled: “Master has his own considerations, so I didn’t say much.”

Hearing this, both Ji Xun and Lin Danqing felt somewhat melancholy.

After all, they had all attended the medical clinic celebration together. That old physician had considerable insights in medical theory.

Just then, horse hoofbeats sounded outside the Medical Formulary Bureau. A vermillion-wheeled carriage stopped at the entrance. The curtain was lifted, and someone sitting in the carriage waved at Lu Tong when she looked over.

It was Pei Yunying coming.

“Oh, Commander Zhuang is here to pick you up again?” Lin Danqing moved closer: “I heard that whenever he’s not on duty, he goes to West Street every evening to take you home. A perfectly good Palace Guard Commander has become West Street’s free patrol guard. Though I hear West Street’s security has improved greatly – households don’t even need to close their doors at night.”

She spoke teasingly. Lu Tong was speechless, only picked up her medical bag and hastily gave Lin Danqing a few instructions, finally saying: “I’ll go see Master Miao off first. I’ll come discuss the medical formulas with you next time.”

Lin Danqing waved: “Go, go. Also give Master Miao my regards for a safe journey.”

Ji Xun looked toward the door. The woman’s figure running toward the carriage was cheerful. When she reached the carriage, the man extended his hand to support her arm and pull her up. He then looked over and nodded slightly at Ji Xun in acknowledgment before lowering the curtain.

Ji Xun lowered his eyes.

They really looked like loving couple.

In the carriage, Lu Tong settled herself, and Pei Yunying handed her a cup of tea.

Lu Tong accepted the tea and sipped, asking: “Why did you come so early?” This was earlier than she had previously told Pei Yunying.

“No martial training today, nothing at headquarters. Besides, seeing Old Miao earlier means you can talk with him more.” Speaking of Old Miao, Lu Tong sighed inwardly.

Half a year ago, when Lu Tong first returned to the capital and resigned from her Medical Bureau position, Miao Liangfang had seemed to want to say something to her. Later, when her engagement to Pei Yunying was settled, Old Miao had hesitantly told Lu Tong his plans after working at the medical clinic for a year.

“Little Lu, I haven’t returned to Cloud Ridge in over twenty years. I don’t know what Miao Family Village looks like now.”

He tapped his disabled leg: “Previously I stayed in the capital because I harbored resentment and unwillingness, and had no face to return. Looking back now, it was truly foolish behavior.”

“Now past grievances are resolved, rights and wrongs settled. I want to go back and see, check on my family. Without news of me all these years, they must be worried. I plan to open another medical clinic in Miao Family Village. Miao Family Village can’t compare to the capital with its countless medical talents. I want to bring the medical skills I’ve learned in the capital back to Cloud Ridge, so the barefoot doctors of Cloud Ridge can save people like the physicians of the capital.”

“Little Lu,” he looked at Lu Tong, “I didn’t mention this before because the clinic couldn’t be without a consulting physician. But now that you’re no longer a Hanlin Medical Bureau official, and I see you’re devoted to medicine, I can rest assured.”

Lu Tong wanted to persuade him to stay but didn’t know how. Miao Liangfang had been away from home for over twenty years – the homesickness of a wanderer wanting to return, she understood better than anyone. She really had no reason to stop him.

It’s just that whenever facing farewell, she always found it hard to prepare.

This dejected mood was noticed by the person beside her. Pei Yunying put his arm around her shoulder, comforting softly: “Don’t be sad. It’s not like you’ll never see him again.”

Lu Tong: “Cloud Ridge is far from the capital. I think Master has made up his mind not to return. We might truly never meet again.”

“What’s so difficult about that?” He raised an eyebrow: “If you want to see him, we’ll just take a trip to Cloud Ridge in the future. We can tour along the way.”

Lu Tong looked at him sideways: “In the future? With Commander’s daily complicated official duties, I’m afraid we’d have to wait another forty or fifty years.”

Pei Yunying chuckled, his eyelids lifting slightly, his tone suddenly teasing: “Are you complaining that I’ve been too busy lately and neglected you?”

Lu Tong’s expression was blank: “Self-flattery.”

He nodded, speaking unhurriedly: “Right, after all I’m not a physician. I only know self-flattery, nothing else.”

The words were spoken seriously, but the tone was extremely suggestive, as if hinting at something.

Lu Tong: “…”

She was foolish to talk with this person.

At Nine Rivers’ bank, before the ferry crossing.

Yin Zheng and Du Changqing carried several full bundles to Miao Liangfang.

Originally, with departure imminent, Miao Liangfang’s eyes were misty with tears. Seeing these large, heavy packages, he held back his tears and stared: “Are you crazy? I’m going to Miao Family Village in Cloud Ridge – I have to walk dozens of li of mountain roads. I already have bad legs, and you want to break my other leg too?”

“They’re all worthless herbs,” Du Changqing said irritably. “Knowing your old bones can’t handle much, I specifically picked light ones. Don’t be ungrateful after getting a bargain.”

A’Cheng stuffed an oil paper bag into Miao Liangfang’s hands: “Uncle Miao, I went to Official Alley early this morning to buy braised chicken. It’s still warm – take it to eat on the road. The food on boats is expensive and not as fresh as in our capital.”

Miao Liangfang repeatedly said good, patted A’Cheng’s head, and smiled: “Stay well with your boss, read and write more. Take care of your boss in his old age.”

Du Changqing’s eyebrows twitched: “Are you cursing me? This young master will naturally marry and have children in the future. Why would I need this little rascal to care for me in old age?”

Miao Liangfang squinted, speaking meaningfully: “Oh, then when do you plan to marry? Do you have someone in mind?”

Du Changqing: “…”

Yin Zheng pretended not to see Miao Liangfang’s expression, turning to look behind her. Her eyes brightened: “Miss is here!”

Everyone turned to look. A vermillion-wheeled carriage stopped before the ferry crossing. The curtain lifted, and a woman jumped down from the carriage. Not minding the person behind her, she ran toward the group – it was Lu Tong.

She ran to the group and stopped, looking at Miao Liangfang: “Master.”

“Just waiting for you,” Miao Liangfang said cheerfully. “Why did you bring Young Master Pei too?”

Pei Yunying, who followed Lu Tong over, raised an eyebrow at this: “Don’t sound too unwelcoming.”

“Not at all, Commander is overthinking.” Miao Liangfang said: “You’re now West Street’s son-in-law…”

“West Street son-in-law” was a title that reportedly came from Widow Sun and Madam Song’s mouths. Because Pei Yunying’s daily trips to pick up Lu Tong were too conspicuous, women with daughters bestowed the title “West Street son-in-law,” saying future sons-in-law for their daughters should be found according to this model – handsome, caring, and serving at the palace. Of course, such men weren’t easy to find.

Seeing Pei Yunying’s stiffened expression, Miao Liangfang’s smile became even brighter.

He had once been quite afraid of this young Commander, always feeling the other’s gentle smile concealed some ill-intentioned blade. However, since Lu Tong and Pei Yunying’s marriage, this fear gradually dissolved, simply because Pei Yunying always compromised with Lu Tong, so everyone at the clinic fearlessly relied on Lu Tong’s protection.

Men with soft spots were much easier to handle.

Thinking this, Miao Liangfang saw Lu Tong open her medical bag and take out several books to hand to him.

“This is…”

“Master is returning to Cloud Ridge. I have nothing to give. Money on the road might attract bandits – too much would be unsafe.”

Lu Tong said: “I previously asked Medical Supervisor Chang and obtained several medical texts from the Medical Bureau – these are from the past ten years of Imperial Medical Bureau teachings. I don’t know if they’ll be useful to Master, so I brought them all.”

“Little Lu…”

Miao Liangfang gripped the medical texts tightly, his expression somewhat shaken.

Having served as a physician at the Medical Bureau, he naturally knew how precious these Imperial Medical Bureau texts were. Previously stored in the Medical Bureau’s medical library, even capital physicians couldn’t obtain them. This was why those few “refined preparations” he had casually thrown at West Street bookstalls were so treasured.

“Little Lu, thank you,” Miao Liangfang bowed formally to Lu Tong.

“Master need not thank me.” Lu Tong said: “Perhaps someday, medical knowledge will be shared – capital medical texts will spread to Cloud Ridge, and Cloud Ridge prescriptions will circulate in the capital. Then ordinary medical texts won’t be as ‘precious’ as before, and the world will have more people who help and save others.”

Miao Liangfang was stunned. Pei Yunying looked at Lu Tong – the woman’s expression was gentle, her tone calm, as if speaking of a reality not far off.

Miao Liangfang burst into hearty laughter: “What excellent ‘shared medical knowledge’! If such a day truly comes, it would be the fortune of all people under heaven!”

Lu Tong smiled: “It will happen.”

He wanted to say more, but from the ferry crossing, someone shouted twice in their direction. Yin Zheng said: “The boat captain is urging boarding. Master Miao…”

Partings always bring reluctance. Miao Liangfang looked at Pei Yunying, then pulled Lu Tong aside and whispered: “Little Lu, I’m entrusting the medical clinic to your care from now on. Little Du is stubborn but soft-hearted, easily deceived. I’m relieved with you watching over him. As for your husband…”

He glanced at Pei Yunying and lowered his voice to warn: “After all, he serves at the imperial court. He’s handsome too. You’re young and married him – don’t wrong yourself. Just as you said at the clinic before, if he changes his heart in future, divorce him. If he changes his heart, poison him with medicine – make it clean so no one finds evidence.”

Pei Yunying, who heard everything clearly: “…” He said dryly: “You might as well speak a bit louder.”

Miao Liangfang coughed lightly and stepped back two paces, looking at everyone: “Anyway, I’ve repeated my instructions many times. You’re probably annoyed. I won’t say more.”

“Seeing someone off a thousand li must end in parting. There’s no banquet that doesn’t end. Let’s stop here.” He turned, carrying his luggage aboard the passenger boat, waving at everyone. “Go back.”

There was no wind on the river. The boat captain, seeing the last passenger board, pushed off with his pole, rowing toward the distant riverbank. Birds flew about in all directions. The boat became a speck on the river, then just a blur among the high and low mountain colors along the riverbank, gradually becoming invisible.

A’Cheng rubbed his eyes.

Having spent cold winters and hot summers together at Renxin Medical Clinic, though West Street wasn’t prosperous enough, it had its own human warmth. When a family member left, it was always saddening.

“Cheer up,” Du Changqing looked at the dejected group. “Don’t look like you’re mourning. Do we still live or not? Do we still earn money or not? The medical administration is coming to inspect tomorrow. Today we still need to organize the medicine cabinet accounts. Don’t anyone think of slacking off. Let’s go, let’s go back…”

He led everyone back, taking one last look at the riverside before leaving without looking back.

Lu Tong and Pei Yunying walked behind. On the return journey, they didn’t take the carriage.

Along the riverside were vendors selling calligraphy and books. Passing by, a peddler sitting on the ground enthusiastically picked up several volumes and called to Lu Tong: “Miss, new story books on the market – want to buy a few to read? Guaranteed entertaining!”

Lu Tong shook her head and sighed. Pei Yunying asked: “Why the sigh?”

“Thinking of a story book I read last night.”

“Oh? What was it about?”

“About a couple who went through hardships to be together.”

“Isn’t that good?” Pei Yunying smiled: “Happy ending.”

“But I want to read more.” Lu Tong, led by his hand, spoke slowly: “Want to see how they live their ordinary days after, whether they have children, and later grandchildren everywhere, or even a hundred years later… I always feel it’s not enough. Why does it end right there?”

He laughed.

“Lu Tong,” Pei Yunying corrected: “Story books have endings, but stories don’t.”

She looked up. The person before her looked down at her, eyes full of laughter, lips curved charmingly. She was stunned for a moment, silently repeating this to herself, gradually feeling at ease.

Life has joy and sorrow, all flavors of sweet and bitter. Until the very end, no one knows the conclusion. Though there might be reluctance or attachment, one must always look forward.

The story wasn’t over yet. She still didn’t like farewells, but no longer feared them as before.

Pei Yunying said: “It’s still early. Before returning home, let’s go to Official Alley to buy food. I heard there are new flower cakes this year, many kinds you like.”

“Too many choices – don’t know what I like.”

“No matter. We have plenty of time – we’ll search slowly.”

She squeezed his hand: “Good.”

On the riverbank, leaves were half green, half yellow. The west wind dispelled summer heat. At the ferry dock, in the gentle autumn light, departing travelers and seeing-off friends composed farewell poems. Further away, the bustling calls of Official Alley market faintly reached them. The capital seemed changed, yet seemed unchanged.

The man and woman walking together held each other’s hands tightly, gradually disappearing into the bustling crowd.

This was the eighth day of the ninth month in the forty-first year of Yongchang, in golden autumn with high sky and clear air, fresh wind and white dew. Truly a beautiful time in the human world.

—End of Main Text—