In the back courtyard of the Bureau of Prepared Medicine, new medicines were brewing in clay pots. Accompanied by bubbling sounds, snow-white medicinal powder floated up and down on the water’s surface.

Lou Si looked at the woman before him, his face gradually turning ugly.

He had vaguely heard of Renxin Medical Hall’s “Spring Water Life” and its previous fame, but hadn’t paid it much attention. The Bureau of Prepared Medicine had seen plenty of good prescriptions from the Imperial Pharmacy—a prepared medicine from an obscure little medical hall wasn’t worth his special regard. The reason he had led people to smash Du Changqing’s shop was entirely because of the five hundred taels of silver Bai Shouyi had sent.

Bai Shouyi had personally come to his door, giving Lou Si five hundred taels of silver, hoping Lou Si could give Renxin Medical Hall some trouble.

Lou Si knew Bai Shouyi had coveted the Du family’s medical hall for a long time. Unfortunately, that Du Changqing was usually generous with money but stubbornly refused to agree on this matter. A few days ago, the two medical halls had even had some friction over the medicinal tea issue.

Taking people’s money to eliminate their troubles—as Medicine Verification Officer, Lou Si only needed to withhold his official seal, and Renxin Medical Hall couldn’t continue selling prepared medicines. It was just a matter of moving his finger, nothing significant to him.

When old Master Du was still alive, Lou Si and the Du family had some friendship. But now that the Du family had fallen, between five hundred taels of silver and Young Master Du’s face, only a fool wouldn’t know which to choose.

He had taken Bai Shouyi’s silver and come specifically to find fault—how could he seriously examine the medicinal tea’s quality and principles? Now facing Lu Tong’s unhurried questioning, he couldn’t answer a single point.

Lou Si’s eyes flickered: “I verify dozens of prepared medicine formulas daily—how can I remember the principles of every single prepared medicine clearly? Stop making unreasonable trouble.”

Du Changqing laughed angrily: “Listen to yourself—aren’t you just making excuses?”

Lu Tong said: “I see. I thought that an official pharmaceutical bureau like the Bureau of Prepared Medicine would record every prepared medicine verification process in their registers. After all, medicine verification is a major matter for medical halls. If one prepared medicine fails verification, the medical hall loses the right to continue selling other prepared medicines—isn’t that so, Officer Lou?”

Lou Si broke out in cold sweat.

This woman’s words were sharp and cutting, hitting the mark terrifyingly well. The medicine verification process naturally had to be recorded in registers—this he couldn’t deny. Moreover, one medicine failing didn’t mean the medical hall lost the right to sell other prepared medicines…

He stole a glance toward the screen. Others might not know, but Ji Xun from Hanlin Medical Academy couldn’t possibly be unaware.

Lou Si said vaguely: “Yes. Naturally recorded in registers, but the Bureau’s official records—how can they be casually viewed by you outsiders?”

Lu Tong nodded: “In that case, we have overstepped.” She turned and said to the Dong family guard Sheng Quan: “Big Brother Sheng has heard clearly—now the medical hall has no right to prepare and sell medicines. For Young Master Dong’s illness, we can only apologize for our inability to help.”

Lou Si’s heart tightened, and he quickly asked: “Wait, what does this have to do with Young Master Dong?”

Lu Tong looked at him, her gaze seeming mocking. She said: “I was ordered by Madam Dong to develop prepared medicines for Young Master Dong. Unexpectedly, the medical hall now lacks qualification to sell prepared medicines due to failing medicine verification. Thus, we naturally cannot treat Young Master Dong. If Young Master Dong continues to suffer from his illness and causes Madam Dong and Master Dong heartache, I should be blamed for my inadequate medical skills, unable to pass medicine verification at the Bureau of Prepared Medicine.”

“Develop prepared medicines for Young Master Dong?” Lou Si was somewhat skeptical. “Nonsense! Even if Young Master Dong is unwell, why would Madam Dong not use the imperial physicians in the palace and instead use a female doctor from a small medical hall?”

Lu Tong said nothing, only looking at Sheng Quan.

Sheng Quan had a violent temperament to begin with. Having already grown impatient listening to Lu Tong and Lou Si’s long exchange, he became even more furious hearing Lou Si’s evasive, vague responses. He snorted at him: “Since when do Madam’s decisions need your questioning? Young Master is seriously ill and needs Dr. Lu to prepare medicine. If Young Master’s treatment is delayed, can your Bureau of Prepared Medicine bear the responsibility?”

The servants of the Grand Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices had always been arrogant. Since the Bureau of Prepared Medicine was under the Grand Minister’s jurisdiction, Sheng Quan didn’t regard someone like Lou Si highly. His angry words startled Lou Si.

Lou Si looked at Lu Tong, his gaze uncertain.

The Grand Minister’s wife loved her son like life itself, extraordinarily protective and doting on Young Master Dong. Logically, if Young Master Dong fell ill, she would surely have someone request imperial physicians from the palace for peace of mind. How could she trust an unknown young female doctor?

However, Sheng Quan was Madam Dong’s capable guard—his words couldn’t be false.

What was really going on?

Seeing Lou Si’s expression change, Du Changqing struck while the iron was hot, sneering: “Officer Lou might want to carefully weigh how much your official hat is worth and whether it can withstand the Grand Minister’s household’s anger. If something really happens to Young Master Dong, see if you can continue as Medicine Verification Officer!”

He put on a full show of borrowing others’ power. Sheng Quan looked at him with displeasure, while Lou Si hurriedly said: “In that case, treating Young Master Dong is naturally the priority. Dr. Lu,” he turned to Lu Tong, “regarding the preparation and sale of medicines, I’ll grant you a few days’ extension.”

“I’m afraid that won’t work.” Lu Tong shook her head. “Young Master Dong’s illness requires careful, long-term care—it can’t be cured in a day or two. At minimum, he’ll need continuous medication for three to five years.”

Sheng Quan narrowed his eyes and urged: “Then set no time limit!”

Lou Si inwardly cursed. This female doctor was clearly using the Dong family’s influence to pressure him. But when under someone’s roof, one must bow one’s head. He could only force out a “fine.”

Lu Tong nodded to him: “By the way, today, due to Young Master Dong’s condition, Officer Lou didn’t follow proper procedures and relaxed the medical hall’s medicine-selling permissions. Outsiders might say Renxin Medical Hall is using power to bully others. To dispel this undeserved reputation, please have Officer Lou point out the problems with the ‘Spring Water Life’ formula afterward, so Lu Tong can improve the prescription. This way, Spring Water Life can pass verification, the medical hall can continue selling prepared medicines, and Young Master Dong’s treatment won’t be delayed—a win-win-win situation.”

She wouldn’t even concede the Spring Water Life matter. Lou Si felt stifled but, with Sheng Quan present, could only smile reluctantly: “Naturally.”

Lu Tong said to Sheng Quan: “Once the Bureau’s seal and contract are issued, the prepared medicine can be delivered to your residence.” She smiled at Lou Si: “We’ve disturbed you for quite some time today and won’t continue delaying your official business. Farewell.”

She left with Du Changqing and the others, leaving Lou Si standing alone with unspeakable grievances, watching their retreating figures without a word.

Ji Xun emerged from behind the screen.

Lou Si snapped back to attention and hurried forward: “Medical Officer Ji.” His heart was somewhat uneasy.

Ji Xun frowned slightly, his tone disapproving: “A mere medical hall, just because it has the Grand Minister backing it, can be so brazen?”

Lou Si breathed a sigh of relief. Ji Xun didn’t know about Bai Shouyi’s earlier bribery—he had only seen Lu Tong and Du Changqing using the Dong family’s authority to intimidate, hence his bias. He said: “Indeed! This subordinate is insignificant and couldn’t risk offending…”

He wanted to clear himself, but unexpectedly, Ji Xun looked at him and said coldly: “In one’s position, one should fulfill one’s duties. If you only fear superiors and act for convenience, the Bureau of Prepared Medicine probably won’t last much longer.” With that, he swept his sleeves and left.

Lou Si stood dumbfounded for a long while. Only when a young medicine clerk came to call him did he snap back to reality. He then flung his sleeve and cursed: “This time I’ve really become Pig Bajie looking in a mirror—not a person inside or out!”

…

After Lu Tong and Du Changqing returned to Renxin Medical Hall, Yin Zheng had already cleaned up the shop inside and out.

Sheng Quan had finished with the Bureau of Prepared Medicine and returned to the Dong household to report. Lu Tong had Du Changqing take A’Cheng home to rest properly. After a busy day, it was already evening. The doors of Renxin Medical Hall closed, and Lu Tong entered the inner courtyard, taking the sorted medicinal materials to the back kitchen.

Dong Lin’s lung disease required slow recuperation. Establishing a connection with the Dong family brought many benefits to Renxin Medical Hall now—at least the Bureau of Prepared Medicine would have some scruples.

Yin Zheng came in from outside and told Lu Tong: “Miss, I sent some to Master Cao earlier, plus our lodging fees at Wan’en Temple—we have forty-five taels of silver left.”

Lu Tong nodded.

Yin Zheng sighed: “I never noticed before, but coming to the capital, I realize money flows out like water.”

Lu Tong said: “Gathering information naturally costs quite a bit, and we’ll need to spend more money cultivating our relationship with Master Cao in the future.”

“Fortunately, Miss is clever,” Yin Zheng smiled. “Making this deal with Shopkeeper Du, splitting the prepared medicine profits fifty-fifty—once monthly income increases, we won’t be so tight on funds.”

After chatting with Lu Tong for a while, Yin Zheng went to sleep in the adjacent room.

Lu Tong fetched a basin of hot water and returned to her room. Sitting at the table, she rolled up her sleeves and saw on her right wrist, extending upward, a finger-length bloody scratch.

This was the mark left when the struggling Ke Chengxing had clawed her in the Buddha hall at Wan’en Temple.

She paid it little mind, soaking a cloth in water to clean the wound. From a drawer, she took out a small bottle and casually sprinkled some medicinal powder over the scratch. As she sprinkled, her movements slowed, her gaze becoming somewhat distant.

Earlier that day, in front of Wuhuai Garden at Wan’en Temple, that Marshal Pei had looked at her thoughtfully and asked: “Where did the wound on Dr. Lu’s hand come from?”

One sentence seemed to arouse his suspicion.

Though she had only met this Marshal Pei twice, and he had even helped her out of trouble, Lu Tong always felt this person wasn’t as gentle as he appeared. Moreover, at their first meeting under Baoxiang Tower, his domineering behavior toward the Military Commissioner’s people was overwhelming. Seeing Madam Dong’s fearful expression when she learned his identity today, this person was definitely not benevolent.

Being watched by Pei Yunying was not a good thing.

However…

Even if he suspected her, without evidence, he could only let it go.

Lu Tong collected her thoughts, put away the medicine bottle, pulled down her sleeve to cover the wound, closed the flower window, and stood up.

Now that Ke Chengxing was dead, no matter how many suspicious points this case had, once his crime of privately worshipping former dynasty deities was established, not only would no one interfere with the case, but the entire Ke family would suffer.

To protect himself and his family, Wan Fu would only confirm Ke Chengxing’s guilt. After all, only with Ke Chengxing dead and the entire Ke family ruined would no one care about these servants’ trivial matters, and the two thousand taels Wan Quan had embezzled would never be discovered.

As for others…

Lu Tong’s dark eyes reflected the candlelight, flickering on and off.

The desperate Ke family might place their last hope for salvation on Grand Tutor Qi’s manor.

But whether the Grand Tutor’s manor would help was another matter entirely.

…

Early the next morning, people from the Bureau of Prepared Medicine delivered the official contract, permitting Renxin Medical Hall to continue preparing and selling medicines.

However, the improved formula for “Spring Water Life” wasn’t sent along.

Du Changqing stood in the medical hall cursing: “What does that Lou guy mean? Hoarding Spring Water Life and not letting us sell it—what, he’s not even listening to the Grand Minister now?”

Yin Zheng passed by and couldn’t help but glance over: “Shopkeeper Du, the way you talk, it’s like you’re actually from the Grand Minister’s household.”

Du Changqing choked: “Little girl, what do you know!”

A’Cheng said: “Forget it, master. Let’s wait patiently a few more days.”

A’Cheng had rested for a night yesterday and applied some medicine to his face, which had improved considerably. His spirits were pretty good.

Lu Tong stood by the medicine cabinet, grinding supplementary medicine for Dong Lin. She heard Tailor Ge across the street and Old Niu the blacksmith next door chatting casually, saying that yesterday at Wan’en Temple’s Blue Lotus Festival, someone had secretly worshipped former dynasty gods and Buddhas. As a result, the gods manifested, and this person inexplicably fell headfirst into the release pond and died.

Yin Zheng’s eyes darted, and she immediately picked up a broom to sweep the dust in front of the door, asking Tailor Ge: “You’re kidding, right? Uncle Ge, we also went to Wan’en Temple the day before yesterday. We only knew something happened, but didn’t hear anything so supernatural.”

Tailor Ge slapped his thigh: “Girl Yin Zheng, would I lie to you? My wife went up the mountain to burn incense and stayed close to the accident site in the dharma hall—she saw it clear as day! Groups and groups of soldiers rushing in! They say when the man died, he looked like a ghost—probably saw the Bodhisattva manifest!”

He told the story vividly, drawing in even A’Cheng and Du Changqing. Neighboring vendors gathered to listen. Lu Tong kept her head down organizing medicinal materials, a flash of something strange in her eyes.

Rumors always became more outrageous with each telling.

Naturally, they also grew further from the truth.

It seemed Wan Fu’s account had gained most people’s acceptance. Even those who didn’t accept it didn’t want to be associated with the former dynasty.

Tailor Ge continued: “The Ke family was originally a good porcelain merchant household, but now they’re ruined. Those doing business with them also find it inauspicious and are withdrawing their business dealings. I think this family is finished.”

Auntie Liu from the candied fruit shop said: “Doesn’t his newly married wife’s family have officials? Our shop even delivered candied fruits to their old madam. Surely they won’t be completely finished.”

“What do you know,” Tailor Ge snorted with laughter. “That’s a young, beautiful new bride whose father is an official. Now that her husband is in trouble, they’re too busy distancing themselves. I heard the young Mrs. Ke went back to her parents’ home yesterday. Ai, couples are like birds in the same forest—when disaster strikes, they fly away separately!”

“I heard about this too.” Song’s wife from the silk shoe shop squeezed in. “The Ke family is now pawning household items for money to compensate business partners. No wonder—the Ke family only had Young Master Ke as their sole heir, and he left no children. With Young Master Ke gone, how long can Old Madam Ke hold on?”

Hearing this, Lu Tong paused in her movements.

Yin Zheng had already casually asked: “Really? Sister Song, do you know which pawnshop they went to? Maybe we could go treasure hunting and find some bargains.”

Hearing this, Sister Song laughed: “Girl Yin Zheng, there are good things, but how could you get bargains? No matter how far the Ke family has fallen, their clothing and possessions are still luxurious. I heard they took things to Luyuan Pawnshop on Qinghe Street in the south part of the city. If Girl Yin Zheng wants to look, you could go watch the excitement.”

Yin Zheng smiled: “When I get some free time, I’ll definitely go take a look.”

After more conversation, as the sun rose higher and West Street became busier, the shop vendors dispersed to their own businesses. Yin Zheng propped the broom against the wall and walked into the inner shop.

After the Bureau of Prepared Medicine permitted continued medicine sales and the official seal was issued, Lu Tong began preparing medicine for Dong Lin. Since the Spring Water Life formula hadn’t been returned, there were fewer customers during the day than usual.

Near noon, Lu Tong told Du Changqing: “Young Master Dong’s medicine pills are still missing several medicinal ingredients not available in our medical hall. I’ll go buy some elsewhere.”

Du Changqing said: “Just have A’Cheng go buy them.”

“A’Cheng’s injuries aren’t fully healed yet—he shouldn’t walk around so much.” Yin Zheng stuffed the table-wiping cloth into Du Changqing’s hands. “It won’t take much time. Shopkeeper Du needn’t worry.” With that, she pushed Lu Tong out the door.

Luyuan Pawnshop was on Qinghe Street in the south part of the city. Master Cao’s “Happy Building” gambling house was also on Qinghe Street. The day before going up Wangchun Mountain, Lu Tong had already had someone tell Master Cao to release Wan Quan after Wan Fu came down the mountain.

The best places to gather information in the capital were gambling houses and brothels. These two places were filled with a mix of people from all walks of life, making information gathering much easier. Master Cao was a businessman focused only on making money—there might be other uses for him in the future, so she needed to keep feeding him money for future returns.

After all, money makes ghosts push millstones.

Lost in thought, the two had already reached Qinghe Street and immediately spotted Luyuan Pawnshop.

This pawnshop was very large, occupying the width of three ordinary street shops and rising several stories. On dark wood, the characters “Luyuan” were carved in gold, extremely luxurious.

This was said to be the largest pawnshop in the capital. As soon as Lu Tong and Yin Zheng entered, a kindly-faced old shopkeeper came forward: “Miss, are you here to pawn something?”

Lu Tong said: “I want to buy something.”

The old shopkeeper paused, then smiled and asked: “Miss, are you looking to buy unredeemed items?”

Lu Tong nodded.

The old shopkeeper understood.

Pawnshops did business mostly with people who were tight on funds and came to pawn items for money. Among these, some who couldn’t afford to redeem their items or wanted to pawn for more money would choose “dead pawning.” There were also those who didn’t come to redeem items by the deadline, so the items became the pawnshop’s property. The pawnshop would mark up these old items for resale, sometimes finding buyers.

After all, among items left at pawnshops, there were often some good pieces.

The old shopkeeper asked Lu Tong: “Miss, what are you looking for?”

“I want to buy some jewelry.” Lu Tong said. “Do you have any?”

“Yes.” The old shopkeeper smiled. “What a coincidence—just yesterday the pawnshop received a batch of unredeemed jewelry, all in pretty good condition. If Miss is interested, I’ll have them brought for your inspection.”

Lu Tong nodded: “Thank you.”

“No trouble at all. Please wait here a moment, Miss.” After speaking, the old shopkeeper instructed a young assistant to go upstairs and fetch the items, while serving Lu Tong and Yin Zheng tea.

Lu Tong and Yin Zheng sat in the downstairs main hall waiting. Yin Zheng held her tea cup and whispered to Lu Tong beside her: “Miss, what exactly are you trying to get back?”

Lu Tong lowered her eyes.

“Nothing much, just a hairpin.”