The Heir of Duke Zhaoning that Yin Zheng was fantasizing about was currently practicing mounted archery at the martial training ground.

At the foot of Mount Wangchun, poplar forests covered all four sides. It was spring now, with short grass and fat beasts. Banners fluttered on the mountain, long winds scattered the floating clouds, and sunlight spread across the long platform.

On the vast and spacious martial training ground, a silver steed came galloping like the wind.

The young man on horseback had his hair bound with a golden crown, wearing black python-patterned arrow sleeves. His bearing was outstanding and distinguished, dazzlingly superior to others. He carried a carved bow on his back, and as his horse’s hooves flew swiftly, approaching from far to near, he drew several long arrows from behind his back, leaned down to nock his bow, aiming at the grass target at the front of the martial training ground. Then the arrows shot forth like startling lightning. Only the whistling sound of arrowheads could be heard as the grass target was struck with perfect accuracy.

Cheers and applause from young men rang out: “Excellent!”

Duan Xiaoyan looked at Pei Yunying with eyes full of admiration.

The Heir of Duke Zhaoning, Pei Yunying, was born into wealth and noble honor. Old Master Pei had once assisted the late emperor in founding the dynasty, and the late emperor, remembering his meritorious service, personally bestowed upon him a noble title. By the generation of Duke Zhaoning, the Pei family had become even more prosperous. After Duke Zhaoning’s wife passed away, Duke Zhaoning requested that fourteen-year-old Pei Yunying be formally invested as heir.

Pei Yunying’s status was noble, and as the first wife’s only legitimate son, if he truly entered government service, Duke Zhaoning would certainly pave a smooth path for him. However, this young heir had a rebellious nature. After his mother passed away, he quietly left home without a word. When he appeared again, he had surprisingly become a palace guard of the Palace Guard Division.

People all said that Heir Pei benefited from his father’s influence, which was why he became Commander of the Palace Guard Division at such a young age—his promotion speed was simply too fast. But Duan Xiaoyan didn’t think so. Pei Yunying’s martial skills were among the very best in all of Shengjing. Moreover, four years ago on the night of the imperial feast, when His Majesty was attacked, Pei Yunying, who was still just a palace guard, protected him with his own body and nearly lost his life. If this could still be considered benefiting from family protection, then Duke Zhaoning’s magnanimity was truly admirable.

The swift horse moved like wind, flowing like 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 shoot, he suddenly saw an arrow shaft fly across horizontally, striking the bullseye.

Duan Xiaoyan was startled and instinctively turned around to look in the direction from which the arrow had come.

From the distance walked a young man wearing a dark green brocade robe. He was tall and handsome, with eyes as cold and stern as ice. This man held a longbow in his hand—the arrow just now had been shot by him.

Duan Xiaoyan called out: “Brother Zhufeng!”

The green-robed man was Xiao Zhufeng, Deputy Commander of the Right Army of the Palace Guard Division. A few days ago, during his rest period, he had gone to a neighboring county to inspect the organization of new troops. He should have returned to the capital several days ago, but had extended his stay by a few more days.

On the other side, Pei Yunying also turned and reined in his horse. Seeing Xiao Zhufeng, he couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows slightly.

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

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

Pei Yunying walked to the tree and casually handed the arrow quiver to Xiao Zhufeng. There were still some unused feathered arrows left in the quiver. He smiled as he looked Xiao Zhufeng up and down, teasing: “I heard you deliberately stayed in the neighboring county for several extra days waiting for the plums to ripen. Such painstaking effort.”

Xiao Zhufeng remained unmoved and spoke flatly: “I heard you confronted Lei Yuan of the Military Police Bureau under Baoxiang Tower and offended the Right Prime Minister.”

Pei Yunying sighed: “News travels fast.”

“Lu Dashan is also dead.”

“I know,” Pei Yunying lowered his head to remove the arm guards from his hands, his tone unconcerned. “To dare make a move in the Criminal Investigation Bureau—the audacity is quite remarkable.”

“The Military Horse Supervision case is of great importance. Your rash involvement in this matter means the Right Prime Minister will likely cause you trouble. You’d better be careful recently.” Xiao Zhufeng reminded him expressionlessly. “Perhaps you should take a few days of rest to avoid trouble, or go visit Grand Tutor Qi’s manor.”

Pei Yunying looked at him and said leisurely: “Why do I detect some gloating in your words?” He threw the arm guards he’d removed to Xiao Zhufeng. “You practice. I’ll leave first.”

Duan Xiaoyan was confused: “Hey, aren’t you going to practice a few more rounds?”

Pei Yunying lifted his chin: “Deputy Commander Xiao has returned, so I can relax for a couple of days.” With that, he was about to turn and leave.

“Wait.” Xiao Zhufeng called out to him.

“What now?”

“I left the plums at the entrance of the Guard Office. Remember to take them.”

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

…

The spring breeze blew gently, passing over the poplars of Mount Wangchun and also over the Bai family residence in Changxing Ward.

In the Bai residence, on a nanmu cloud-leg fine-toothed table, sat a teapot.

The tea set was a plum-painted purple clay tea set, the entire set arranged on the table, quite elegantly interesting. The tea tray held some sesame candy, black dates, and similar refreshments.

In the past, Bai Shouyi most loved to sit in front of the courtyard in his residence during evening time, brewing a pot of fragrant tea while admiring the courtyard scenery. However, recently he had lost the mood.

The reason was simple: ever since someone had caused trouble at the entrance of Xinlin Hall last time, Xinlin Hall had not opened for seven or eight days.

This matter concerned the medical hall’s reputation, so Bai Shouyi dared not act rashly. He only had someone deliver some silver to the officials at the Medical Guild to smooth things over, begging that this matter not be blown up further.

However, while the Medical Guild had suppressed the matter, the turmoil on West Street had not subsided.

Just as he was feeling troubled and restless, the felt curtain at the door was lifted, and a woman walked out.

This woman had a slightly plump figure and a somewhat broad face, with large eyes and a wide nose. She wore an apricot-yellow plain jacket, her long hair arranged in a bun.

This was Bai Shouyi’s wife, Tong Shi.

Tong Shi walked to Bai Shouyi’s side. Seeing that his brow still showed unresolved melancholy, she comforted him: “Is Master still worrying about the shop’s affairs?”

“How can I not worry?” Bai Shouyi’s face looked extremely unpleasant. “Wen You went to Xinlin Hall this morning, and there was a whole basket of rotten vegetable leaves thrown at the entrance. If this continues, when will we be able to reopen? We haven’t earned a single coin these past days!”

Tong Shi hesitated to speak.

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

Before marrying Bai Shouyi, Tong Shi’s family had also been in business. Usually when the Bai family encountered problems, Bai Shouyi was willing to listen to her suggestions.

Tong Shi sighed: “Master, in this matter Xinlin Hall was at fault first. Now blindly evading responsibility only delays time and damages the Bai family’s reputation. The urgent task is to reopen quickly and apologize to those common people. Place the blame on Zhou Ji.”

“Zhou Ji?”

Tong Shi spoke unhurriedly: “Say that Zhou Ji’s medical skills were inadequate, that he made errors when preparing medicine, and was then exploited by people with ulterior motives who spread false claims of miraculous effects in the marketplace. This way, the Bai family would at most be guilty of poor oversight. However…”

Bai Shouyi asked: “However what?”

“However, to appease those common people’s anger, silver will be needed for compensation. The silver earned in recent days will have to be given up, and not only that, we’ll need to compensate more to shut those lowly people’s mouths!”

Bai Shouyi was both shocked and angry, instinctively saying: “That’s quite a lot of silver!”

“I certainly know that. But right now, there’s no better solution.”

Bai Shouyi’s expression was gloomy.

His Xinlin Hall had suffered this ordeal, and everything they’d swallowed would have to be spit back out, while inadvertently serving as advertising for Renxin Medical Hall. How infuriating!

But… Tong Shi was also right.

They couldn’t destroy their future prospects for immediate small gains. Xinlin Hall absolutely could not fall here. Only by apologizing and compensating could they salvage some reputation.

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