The heir of Duke Zhaoning whom Yinzheng had been fantasizing about was at that moment practicing horseback archery at the training grounds.

At the foot of Mount Wangchun, surrounded by white poplar forests on all sides, it was springtime. The grass was short, the game well-fed, and banners flew on the mountain as long winds scattered the floating clouds, with sunlight spreading across the training grounds.

On the vast, open training field, a silver steed came galloping like the wind.

The young man on horseback wore a golden crown binding his hair and a black dragon-patterned robe with arrow sleeves, his outstanding bearing dazzlingly distinctive. With a carved bow across his back, as his horse galloped swiftly, he drew several long arrows from behind, bent to nock them to his bow, and aimed at the straw target at the front of the training ground. His arrows flew like lightning, and the sound of arrowheads striking rang out as they hit their mark.

Young voices raised in cheers and applause: “Excellent!”

Duan Xiaoyan’s gaze was full of admiration as he looked at Pei Yunying.

Pei Yunying, the heir of Duke Zhaoning, was born into wealth and nobility. Old Master Pei had assisted the previous emperor in founding the country, and the emperor, mindful of his merits, personally bestowed a title. By Duke Zhaoning’s generation, the Pei family had grown even more prosperous. After Duke Zhaoning’s wife passed away, he requested that fourteen-year-old Pei Yunying be named heir.

Though Pei Yunying’s noble status and position as the first wife’s only son meant his father would surely pave an easy path for him if he entered official service, this young heir was rebellious by nature. After his mother’s death, he quietly left home, and when he next appeared, he had already become a Palace Guard.

People said Young Master Pei only became Commander of the Palace Guard at such a young age because of his father’s influence, that his promotion was too rapid. But Duan Xiaoyan didn’t think so. Pei Yunying’s martial skills ranked among the top two in the entire capital. Moreover, four years ago at the imperial banquet, when His Majesty was attacked, Pei Yunying, then just a guard, had protected him with his own body, nearly losing his life. If even this could be attributed to family influence, then Duke Zhaoning’s magnanimity was truly admirable.

The horse galloped like the wind, moving like flowing clouds. The young man’s expression remained unchanged as he again drew a long arrow from his back and nocked it to the bowstring. Just as he was about to release, suddenly an arrow shaft flew across, striking the target’s center.

Duan Xiaoyan started, instinctively looking back toward the direction the arrow had come from.

A young man in a dark green brocade robe approached from the distance, tall and handsome, with features as cold as ice. He held a long bow – that arrow had been his.

Duan Xiaoyan called out: “Brother Zhufeng!”

The man in green was Xiao Zhufeng, Deputy Commander of the Palace Guard’s Right Army. He had been on leave these past few days, checking on the new military preparations in the neighboring county. He should have returned to the capital several days ago but had delayed his return.

On the other side, Pei Yunying also turned his horse, raising his eyebrows slightly upon seeing Xiao Zhufeng.

He dismounted and walked toward Xiao Zhufeng, asking as he went: “When did you return?”

Xiao Zhufeng tightened his sleeves and replied: “Last night.”

Pei Yunying walked to the tree, casually handing the quiver to Xiao Zhufeng. There were still some unused arrows inside. He smiled as he looked Xiao Zhufeng over, teasing: “I heard you stayed extra days in the neighboring county waiting for the new plums to ripen – how considerate of you.”

Xiao Zhufeng remained unmoved, speaking coolly: “I heard you confronted Lei Yuan of the Military Police at Baoxiang Tower, offending the Right Minister.”

Pei Yunying sighed: “News travels fast.”

“Lü Dashan is also dead.”

“I know,” Pei Yunying lowered his head to remove his arm guard, his tone unconcerned, “To dare act in the Criminal Court – quite bold indeed.”

“The Military Stables case is significant. Your rash involvement will likely cause trouble with the Right Minister. You’d better be careful these days,” Xiao Zhufeng reminded him expressionlessly. “Perhaps you should take a few days’ leave to lie low, or pay a visit to Grand Tutor Qi’s mansion.”

Pei Yunying looked at him and drawled: “Why do I hear a hint of schadenfreude in your words?” He tossed the removed arm guard to Xiao Zhufeng, “You practice. I’ll take my leave.”

Duan Xiaoyan asked bewilderedly: “Hey, won’t you practice a few more rounds?”

Pei Yunying tilted his chin: “Deputy Commander Xiao has returned, allowing me to relax for a couple of days.” With that, he turned to leave.

“Wait.” Xiao Zhufeng called after him.

“What now?”

“I left the plums at the guard office entrance. Remember to take them.”

Pei Yunying paused, then smiled and patted his shoulder: “Thanks.”

…

The spring breeze that swept through the white poplars of Mount Wangchun also swept through the White family mansion in Changxing District.

In the White residence, a pot of tea sat on a fine-toothed nanwood table with cloud-pattern legs.

The tea set was a purple clay set with plum blossom designs, arranged completely on the table, quite fashionable. The tea tray held snacks like maltose candy and black dates.

Previously, Bai Shouyi had loved to sit in front of his courtyard in the evening, brewing a pot of fragrant tea while admiring the courtyard scenery. But lately, he hadn’t been in the mood.

The reason was simple – since people had caused trouble at Xinglin Tang’s entrance, the shop hadn’t opened for seven or eight days.

With the clinic’s reputation at stake, Bai Shouyi couldn’t act rashly. He had only sent some silver through intermediaries to the medical guild officials, begging them not to let the matter grow larger.

However, while the medical guild had been placated, the turmoil on West Street hadn’t subsided.

As he was fretting, the felt curtain at the door was lifted, and a woman walked in.

The woman was slightly plump, with a somewhat broad face, large eyes, and a wide nose, wearing a plain apricot-yellow lined jacket with her long hair in a bun.

This was Bai Shouyi’s wife, Madam Tong.

Madam Tong walked to Bai Shouyi’s side and, seeing his brow still furrowed with worry, consoled him: “My lord is still troubled by the shop’s affairs?”

“How can I not be troubled?” Bai Shouyi’s expression was extremely unpleasant, “Wenyou went to Xinglin Tang this morning – there was a basket full of rotten vegetables thrown at the door. At this rate, when can we reopen? We haven’t made a single coin these days!”

Madam Tong seemed to want to speak but hesitated.

Seeing her like this, Bai Shouyi frowned and asked: “Do you have any ideas?”

Before marrying Bai Shouyi, Madam Tong’s family had also been in business, and usually, when the Bai family had problems, Bai Shouyi was willing to hear her suggestions.

Madam Tong sighed: “My lord, in this matter Xinglin Tang, was wrong first. Continuing to evade responsibility now only wastes time and further damages the Bai family’s reputation. The urgent priority is to reopen quickly and apologize to the common people. Blame Zhou Ji.”

“Zhou Ji?”

Madam Tong spoke unhurriedly: “Say that Zhou Ji’s skills were inadequate and he made mistakes in preparing the medicine, which was then exploited by people with ulterior motives to spread exaggerated claims in the marketplace. This way, the Bai family’s only fault would be failing to supervise properly. However…”

Bai Shouyi asked: “However what?”

“However, to calm the anger of the common people, we’ll need silver to smooth things over. The silver earned these past days will have to be given up. Not only that, we’ll need to compensate even more to shut those lowborn people’s mouths!”

Bai Shouyi was both shocked and angry, instinctively saying: “That’s no small amount of silver!”

“Of course I know that. But right now, there’s no better option.”

Bai Shouyi’s expression darkened.

His Xinglin Tang had suffered such misfortune – everything they’d taken in would have to be spat back out, while they’d inadvertently promoted Renxin Clinic. How could he not be resentful?

But Madam Tong was right.

They couldn’t destroy their future for immediate profit. Xinglin Tang absolutely could not fall here – only by apologizing and paying compensation could they salvage some of their reputations.

He gritted his teeth and said: “We’ll do as you say.”