When Xinglin Tang developed Chunyang Sheng this time, they had hoped to strike a blow against Renxin Clinic. Instead, things went against their wishes, and they truly lifted a stone only to drop it on their own feet.

After the scholars and commoners created that scene at Xinglin Tang’s entrance, the shop remained closed for eight or nine consecutive days.

When Acheng returned with news, he said Bai Shouyi had been hiding in his residence these days, not daring to step outside his front or back door, fearful of getting spat on again.

Hearing this good news, Du Changqing’s earlier frustrations vanished, and his voice grew noticeably louder than usual.

Coming in from outside, he happened to see Lu Tong sorting new medicines and cleared his throat: “This time Xinglin Tang reaped what they sowed, thanks to Doctor Lu’s deep… I mean, clever thinking. You’ve helped our Renxin Clinic get revenge, and I, as the owner, am very moved. The owner won’t forget your kindness – when monthly payments come, I’ll increase your salary.”

Hearing this, Yinzheng immediately pulled Acheng aside and said, “Acheng and I both heard that, Manager, you can’t go back on your word.”

“Don’t worry.” Du Changqing waved his hand grandly, then looked at Lu Tong curiously and asked, “But Doctor Lu, although this incident started because that old fool tried to copy others, you’re no pushover either. Just by having a few people stir up trouble, you made Bai Shouyi suffer such a setback. Bai Shouyi isn’t easy to deal with, yet you handled it so calmly. These tactics don’t seem like something an ordinary young lady would know.”

He moved closer to Lu Tong, suddenly exclaiming: “Could it be that you’re a young miss from some wealthy family, secretly running away to experience life as a commoner?”

Lu Tong’s movements paused.

Yinzheng desperately tried to signal Du Changqing with her eyes.

Du Changqing missed Yinzheng’s hints and, seeing Lu Tong’s silence, continued speculating: “Come to think of it, you and Yinzheng came to the capital, yet your parents aren’t worried? I’ve never seen you write letters, they…”

Lu Tong interrupted him: “My parents are no longer here.”

Du Changqing froze.

Yinzheng couldn’t bear to watch.

Du Changqing’s face grew awkward as he stammered: “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to… I didn’t know…”

“It’s fine.” Lu Tong continued sorting medicine tea, her movements skilled and completely unaffected.

As Du Changqing watched, he scratched his eyebrow and carefully asked: “Since your parents are gone, why did Doctor Lu come to the capital alone? You know it’s not easy for two young ladies to make a living alone away from home. With your medical skills, why not find a clinic to make and sell medicine locally? Making a name in the capital isn’t an easy thing.”

His words were true.

Lu Tong’s eyelashes flickered slightly.

Sometimes Du Changqing seemed foolish, but other times he was exceptionally shrewd. The story about following her master’s dying wish might fool others, but Du Changqing probably wouldn’t believe it.

She thought for a moment, then said: “I came to the capital to look for someone.”

“Look for someone?” Du Changqing’s expression changed, “Who? A lover?”

Yinzheng rolled her eyes and was about to speak when she heard Lu Tong say: “That’s right.”

This stunned even Acheng.

“That’s impossible!” Du Changqing blurted out without thinking, “Doctor Lu, although you’re not gentle enough in personality, don’t know how to act coy, rarely smile, and often make people nervous, your appearance is quite impressive. Just speaking of looks, you’re a delicate, pitiful beauty. What heartless man would have such poor taste to make such a pretty lady search thousands of miles for him?” He suddenly startled, “You weren’t deceived, were you?”

“No,” Lu Tong replied calmly. “I have a token.”

“What use is a token? It’s not as reliable as property deeds or shop fronts.” Du Changqing was very concerned about this matter and asked urgently: “Tell me the name of the person you’re looking for! I know quite a few friends in the capital. We can have them help search, and when we find him, we’ll settle accounts with that heartless fellow.”

Yinzheng looked bewilderedly at Lu Tong.

Lu Tong thought for a moment, then casually said: “I don’t know his surname or given name. He saved me by chance on the road. He said he was a young master from a wealthy family in the capital and gave me a token, saying that when I came to the capital, he would come find me.”

Du Changqing listened in amazement: “So you insisted on practicing medicine at my clinic to make a name in the capital, hoping that man would hear your name and come find you?”

He had already thought up the reason for Lu Tong, so she had no reason to deny it and simply nodded.

Du Changqing let out a long sigh: “I knew you were deceived! Doctor Lu, have you been reading too many opera scripts? When someone saves you on the road, nine out of ten claim to be from wealthy families, and the tenth is usually an official’s illegitimate son who’s fallen on hard times. If he truly intended to find you, why not tell you his name and family directly, instead of making you search thousands of miles? I bet that token he gave you is either fake jade or a worthless broken ring.”

Lu Tong remained silent, seemingly agreeing.

Du Changqing looked at Lu Tong with exasperation: “I thought you seemed so clever usually, how could you be so foolish in this matter? That person must have been some pretty boy with rouge lips and a fair face who bewitched you.

“Let me tell you, handsome young men like me are all useless pretty faces, specializing in deceiving young ladies like you!”

His words tarred everyone with the same brush. Yinzheng couldn’t stand it and argued: “You can’t say that! Remember that Commander we saw last time? He was exceptionally handsome, carried himself nobly, and was incredibly skilled in martial arts. He couldn’t be just a pretty face, could he?”

Hearing this, Lu Tong’s expression changed slightly as she remembered that person’s forceful questioning in the rouge shop, and her movements paused briefly.

Du Changqing snorted with laughter: “He’s the heir of Duke Zhaoning – how can you compare others to him?”

Lu Tong asked: “The heir of Duke Zhaoning?”

“Yes, Duke Zhaoning was famous for his looks in the capital back then, and his first wife was also of ethereal beauty. With such outstanding parents, naturally, their son would be handsome.” At this point, Du Changqing’s expression became somewhat resentful, “He was born into a noble and wealthy family, so he could rise quickly at such a young age. Becoming Commander of the Palace Guard in his early twenties – even if he is just a pretty face, he’s embroidered with jeweled flowers, and his pillow is made of gold thread with taotie patterns and jade ruyi. How can we common folk compare?”

Yinzheng looked at him: “Manager Du, why do you sound so bitter? Could it be that you’re jealous?”

“Who’s jealous?” Du Changqing’s face changed as he protested indignantly, “Except for my lower birth, my looks are not far behind his! If only I had been born in Duke Zhaoning’s mansion, the Palace Guard Commander position would have a different occupant now.”

Yinzheng smiled forcedly: “…You’re certainly confident.”

Embarrassed by Yinzheng’s teasing, Du Changqing couldn’t maintain his composure. After hurriedly lecturing Lu Tong a few more times about not being deceived by men, he tried to cover his embarrassment by pulling Acheng to the back room to inventory medicines.

After Du Changqing left, Yinzheng moved closer to Lu Tong: “Miss, those absurd stories about searching for someone earlier – Manager Du believed them so completely, could he be a fool?”

Lu Tong said: “Three parts truth and seven parts lies – naturally he couldn’t tell the difference.”

Yinzheng was startled: “Could it be that what Miss said was true? Is there such a young master from a wealthy family whom you saved?”

Lu Tong smiled but didn’t answer.

Seeing her response, Yinzheng didn’t pursue the question further, only looked up at the sky and sighed: “If it’s true, I hope he’s a young master from a noble family. He doesn’t even need to offer marriage – just giving more silver as a reward would be enough.” She was quite practical, “Best if he’s someone of the Palace Guard Commander’s status. When we saw that Commander last time, his brocaded fox fur clothes were extremely valuable. To repay a life-saving debt, he would surely give a thousand gold pieces.”

As she spoke, she started laughing, “Then we could add several more jeweled hairpins to Miss’s dowry.”