After the Minor Full solar term, the rains in Sheng City became more frequent. The water beneath Luoyue Bridge rose deeply, and after the Silk Festival, “silkworm women boiled cocoons and processed silk thread.” As new silk entered the market, business at the neighboring tailor shop and silk shoe shop gradually flourished.

The morning and evening winds grew cool. Du Changqing, having reduced his clothing too drastically, caught a cold and rarely visited the medical shop these days. Business at the clinic was quiet, and without “Spring Water Life” to sell, there were very few patients.

Acheng returned from the market with bitter greens – during the Minor Full season, eating bitter greens was beneficial for qi and lightening the body. Lu Tong cleaned and prepared the vegetables in the clinic while listening to the idle chatter of vendors from West Street.

In these conversations, the Ko family’s porcelain business in Sheng City was occasionally mentioned.

It was said that the Ko family’s pottery business in Sheng City had fallen on hard times lately.

The Ko family’s patriarch had mysteriously drowned at Wan’en Temple. When government officials investigated, they found no evidence and concluded it was a case of drunken drowning. Those with discerning eyes could see that Ko Chengxing’s death was related to his private worship of the previous dynasty’s statues, which officials deliberately overlooked.

After this incident, families who previously did business with the Ko family came calling. Since the Tai Shi Manor’s birthday celebration, the Ko family has built connections with several officials through the Tai Shi Manor’s relationship. Now that it involved the previous dynasty, who would dare risk their official positions? They all withdrew their orders from the Ko family.

When Ko Chengxing recently married Lady Qin, the Ko family matriarch transferred household management rights to Lady Qin to curry favor with her father. Now that Lady Qin had angrily returned to her maiden home, the Ko matriarch discovered that unknowingly, Lady Qin had spent large sums of money supporting the Qin family, leaving the account books in complete disarray.

With no choice, the Ko matriarch had to pawn their properties to pay debts, leaving little of their decades of savings. The household fell into chaos – servants scattered and fled, some running away with valuables. The Wan Fu family, who had served Ko Chengxing for many years, also quietly left the city one night without farewell.

Lu Tong wasn’t surprised by this news. Wan Fu was a clever person. When Lu Rou got into trouble, Ko Chengxing kept him close specifically because of his discretion. Wan Fu wasn’t greedy. Ko Chengxing’s death was ultimately connected to him – now that the government had stopped investigating if he didn’t take this chance to flee, he might face consequences if old matters were brought up later. Better to leave with his family while the Ko household was in chaos.

What slightly surprised Lu Tong was the Tai Shi Manor’s reaction.

When the Ko matriarch’s family fell into decline and had nowhere to turn, she had secretly visited the Tai Shi Manor once, presumably hoping for help. However, she couldn’t even get past the front gate.

Lu Tong had thought the Tai Shi Manor would extend help to the Ko family since the Ko matriarch held leverage regarding Lu Rou. Unexpectedly, the Tai Shi Manor showed no fear at all. Thinking about it later, since Lu Rou died at Ko Chengxing’s hands, even if this matter were revealed, it wouldn’t benefit the Ko family. The Tai Shi Manor naturally had nothing to fear.

However…

Daring to visit the Tai Shi Manor at such a sensitive time – regardless of whether the Ko matriarch intended it as a threat – the outcome wouldn’t be good.

After finishing cleaning the last bunch of bitter greens, Yin Zheng walked in from outside the shop.

Acheng was sweeping at the entrance. Yin Zheng walked to Lu Tong’s side and said in a low voice, “Miss, I’ve gotten news about the Fan family.”

Lu Tong looked up.

Yin Zheng lowered her voice further: “Criminal Investigation Official Fan was promoted once in September the year before last.”

Lu Tong was startled: “Promoted?”

In September of the 37th year of Yongchang, three months after Lu Rou’s death, according to what Wan Fu had said then, Lu Qian had already arrived in the capital, met with the Ko matriarch, and somehow became a wanted criminal by the authorities.

Was Lu Qian’s imprisonment related to the promotion of Criminal Investigation Official Fan Zhenglian?

Yin Zheng continued: “The Criminal Division indeed had a case in September the year before last. The division’s officers mentioned that someone first sought to meet Fan Zhenglian to report on an official, but later somehow the informant became wanted for household robbery. Master Cao’s people said there was a city-wide manhunt at the time, causing quite a stir. The suspect was well-hidden but was eventually turned in by their relative who chose justice over family ties, revealing their hiding place to authorities. Miss,” Yin Zheng hesitated, “Do you have any relatives in Sheng City?”

Hearing this, Lu Tong was also puzzled and shook her head: “No.”

The Lu family had few relatives. If they truly had family connections in Sheng City, perhaps Lu Rou wouldn’t have been so isolated and bullied to such an extent.

“I’ve already asked Master Cao to continue investigating who this relative was, but Master Cao says matters involving officials are difficult to look into, and as for the money…” Yin Zheng sighed, “The money for investigating this time came from Master Du’s funds for making new medicine. These past few days he’s been sick and hasn’t noticed, but if he finds out we’ve spent most of the money and still haven’t produced anything, who knows how angry he’ll be…”

Just as she was speaking, Lu Tong suddenly stood up, lifted the felt curtain, and walked inside.

Yin Zheng was startled: “Miss, where are you going?”

Lu Tong answered: “To make new medicine.”

Acheng followed behind with his broom, asking curiously: “Didn’t you say this morning you didn’t know what new medicine to make?”

“Now I know.”

…

The Commander’s Manor was located inside Xijin Gate at the southwest edge of the Imperial City, backed by a large training ground. Summer sunlight blazed, and the parade ground radiated heat.

But the underground prison was cold and chilly.

Dim torches flickered on the walls, and from deep within the cells came occasional screams of agony.

In an inner torture chamber, six people were chained to an iron rack. Two men in black stood before the rack, and with a “splash,” two buckets of salt water were thrown onto those on the rack, immediately triggering a chorus of screams.

Directly facing the rack, someone sat in a heavy wooden chair. A young man in dark archer’s clothes held iron tongs, casually stirring the branding irons in the fire basin at his feet.

Torture implements lay scattered around, knives, needles, and iron tools gleaming with a dark, cold light. Someone’s voice rang out, filled with suppressed pain and anger: “Pei Yunying, if you’re going to kill me, do it quickly. Why drag it out?”

“How could I do that?” Pei Yunying smiled: “Now that you’re here, how could I let you die easily?”

His iron tongs stirred in the fire basin a few times, the black jade and green turquoise ring on his finger reflecting a hint of emerald, like a clear stream. In a moment, he picked up a branding iron.

He walked to stand before the person who had spoken.

All six prisoners had been stripped naked, their eyes bound with cloth and locked to the iron rack, with hardly an unmarked patch of skin left on their bodies. After torture, being doused with chili salt water – without exceptional willpower, most would confess after the first round of torture.

But not everyone fears pain.

He stood before the speaker, tilted his head to examine him, and then suddenly pressed the red-hot branding iron against the man’s chest.

A sizzling sound rang out.

The smell of burning flesh suddenly filled the air as hoarse howls echoed through the cell.

The man’s chest had already been tortured, and before the old wounds could heal, new ones were added – how could it not be painful? Pei Yunying’s expression remained indifferent, impossible to read for joy or anger. His hands didn’t loosen at all as the branding iron pressed tightly against the other’s chest as if trying to burrow into his flesh and melt into his bones.

The burning stench filled the surroundings, and screams echoed long through the dungeon. Unable to see, the blindfolded prisoners found the eerie atmosphere even more terrifying.

After a long while, amidst the screams, the prisoner on the far left finally broke: “…I’ll talk.”

“Shut up!” The man being tortured was startled upon hearing this and shouted despite his pain: “You dare…”

The next moment, a flash of bright silver, and the shout cut off abruptly.

Pei Yunying sheathed the sword at his waist. If not for the fresh blood on the ground, it would seem the act of drawing his sword and killing had not come from his hand.

The person on the rack hung their head, blood gurgling from their throat, already silent.

In the suffocating silence, he turned his head, dropped the iron tongs, and looked at the one who had just offered to talk, smiling as he spoke: “Now, you may speak.”

The cell was quiet for a moment.

The prisoner was blindfolded – not knowing was more terrifying than knowing. Though unable to see what had happened, they could guess something from how the person who had just been warning them was now completely silent. Fear showed on their face as they spoke trembling: “…it was Official Fan.”

“Oh?” Pei Yunying raised an eyebrow, “Fan Zhenglian?”

“Y-yes,” the prisoner nervously said: “The day Horse Inspector Lu Dashan died, the Criminal Division’s men had received orders from the Official beforehand. Official Fan knew about Lu Dashan’s death.”

Pei Yunying smiled slightly: “Indeed.”

He turned, accepted a handkerchief handed over by someone beside him, and lowered his head to carefully wipe the blood that had splattered on his hands. Finally, he walked out the door.

The guard behind him followed: “Master.”

Pei Yunying stopped: “Did you hear just now?”

Before the guard Qing Feng could speak, someone else hurried over from ahead – a person dressed as a servant. This servant walked up to Pei Yunying, paid his respects, and then respectfully spoke: “Young Master, I come on the Master’s orders. Next month is the Master’s birthday, and he misses you. He requests that you return home for a gathering.”

Qing Feng stood behind Pei Yunying, not daring to speak.

Everyone knew that Pei Yunying and the Duke of Zhaoning didn’t get along. Several years ago after returning to the capital, he simply bought a residence outside and never stayed overnight at the Pei family home except for annual memorial services at his late mother’s shrine.

At the mention of the Pei family, there was no familial warmth in their master’s eyes, only disgust. It seemed the Pei family’s servant would return empty-handed once again.

Indeed, hearing this, Pei Yunying replied without hesitation: “No time.”

The servant wiped his sweat and smiled: “Young Master hasn’t seen the Master in so long, and the Master’s health hasn’t been good lately. He hopes that Young Master…”

“Do I need to repeat myself?”

The servant froze.

This Young Master’s moods were mercurial – seemingly gentle but ruthless, his temperament far less mild and courteous than the Second Young Master. Even someone as domineering as the Duke of Zhaoning couldn’t control this son, let alone a mere servant like himself.

The servant nodded repeatedly and fled in panic.

Pei Yunying stared at his retreating figure, his eyes as dark and deep as the dungeon’s shadows, showing neither joy nor sorrow.

Qing Feng asked: “Master, how should we handle those in the prison?”

Having obtained the desired information, the interrogation was over.

“People trained by the Criminal Division have hard mouths but soft bones.”

He said: “Keep the one from earlier. The others are useless – kill them.”

“Yes.”

…

“Miss, the two grass carp that Sister Song from the silk shoe shop next door gave us are belly-up, and we’ve finished removing their scales…”

“The rest is useless, kill them,” Lu Tong said.

“This…”

Yin Zheng looked at the two dying fish in the wooden basin with some hesitation.

The vendors along West Street all had good neighborly relations. Previously, when Du Changqing and Acheng managed Renxin Medical Shop, they couldn’t be bothered to interact with the surrounding vendors. After Lu Tong and her companion arrived, things changed somewhat.

Yin Zheng was sweet-tongued and observant, often sharing affordable fruits and snacks with neighbors. People naturally reciprocated, and since she was pretty and likable, she gradually became familiar with people from all the small shops on the street, occasionally receiving gifts in return.

These two large grass carp were Sister Song’s return gift.

Sister Song had handed the two grass carp to Yin Zheng, instructing her: “Miss Yin Zheng, take these two grass carp back and make soup to nourish your miss’s health. Doctor Lu is too thin, like paper – I’m afraid a gust of wind might blow her away!”

Yin Zheng brought the grass carp back, and before she could decide whether to steam or braise them, Lu Tong had already taken a small knife and scraped off the scales, saying she needed them for medicine.

The fish, stripped of their scales, floated belly-up on the water’s surface, appearing near death.

Yin Zheng stood motionless until Lu Tong looked up and asked: “What’s wrong?”

“…Miss,” Yin Zheng spoke hesitantly, “I don’t know how to kill fish.”

In the flower house, she had learned singing, dancing, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but never learned to cook. She had barely learned some cooking skills after following Lu Tong, just enough to cook food through. As for bloody tasks like killing fish, she stayed far away from them.

Lu Tong glanced at her, stopped grinding medicine, stood up from the stone table, took a knife, carried the wooden basin to a corner of the courtyard, and squatted down. She grabbed one grass carp and slammed it onto the cutting board. The already listless fish stopped moving after the impact. Lu Tong swiftly cut open its belly and removed the internal organs.

Yin Zheng watched in amazement.

“Miss, you even know how to kill fish.” Yin Zheng brought her a small stool to sit on and sat beside her, resting her chin in her hands as she watched, unable to help express her admiration, “You seem quite skilled at it.”

Lu Tong scooped water from the jar with a gourd ladle to wash away the blood from the fish, then grabbed the other grass carp, cut open its stomach, and said while looking down: “I used to kill often when I was in the mountains.”

“Ah?” Yin Zheng was stunned for a moment before realizing, “Was it because you needed to collect medicinal ingredients?”

Lu Tong continued her work without stopping, and after a long while, made an “mm” sound.

Yin Zheng nodded: “I see.” She looked at the fresh blood on Lu Tong’s hands and swallowed, “It’s just that all the blood is quite frightening.”

Lu Tong remained silent.

Actually, she could not only kill fish but was also skilled at handling other wild animals, though not for medicinal ingredients – most of the time, it was just to fill her stomach.

Yun Niang was particular about food and loved cooking. She insisted on using accumulated winter snow melt for brewing tea, making dumplings shaped like precise chess pieces, and creating twenty-four seasonal varieties of stuffing for a single batch of wontons.

Unfortunately, Yun Niang spent too little time in the mountains.

Yun Niang often went down the mountain, sometimes for half a month at a time. Sometimes the remaining grain in the mountains could last a while, but sometimes Yun Niang forgot to leave food, and Lu Tong had to go hungry.

At that time, she had just arrived at Luomei Peak and couldn’t even find the path down the mountain. The first time she was so hungry that she felt dizzy, and she found an injured mountain sparrow in front of the house.

After much internal struggle, young Lu Tong finally roasted that sparrow.

When she was with the Lu family, she was timid and spoiled, rarely doing any work, and getting frightened even by bees and snakes. However, when people are starving, they can’t afford to be afraid – they can only be driven by hunger.

Lu Tong still remembered how she felt the first time she ate a roasted sparrow.

She was inexperienced and clumsy then, not even knowing that birds needed to be plucked and gutted. She just put it whole over the fire to roast, burning it black, thinking it was cooked. When she bit into it, blood seeped out.

Lu Tong burst into tears with a “wa,” the bloody taste rising in her throat. She wanted to vomit, but her hunger reminded her there was no other food. So she had to endure the nauseating blood taste and swallow that charred sparrow bit by bit.

That was the most painful meal Lu Tong had eaten since birth.

However, after that day, she began to realize something. On Luomei Peak, to survive, one couldn’t always rely on others. She gradually learned to make hunting traps, was able to catch small rabbits, and learned to process these wild animals cleanly, making jerky to store in case of future food shortages.

When Yun Niang returned and saw her, she was very surprised that she was still alive. Seeing the jerky hidden in jars, she looked at her even more strangely.

“Not bad,” she said to Lu Tong, “So far, you’ve survived the longest on Luomei Peak.” She leaned close to Lu Tong, smiling oddly, “Maybe you’ll even survive to leave the mountain.”

Maybe you’ll survive to leave the mountain.

Lu Tong lowered her eyes.

Later, Yun Niang died, and there was no one else left on Luomei Peak. She did make it to the end, surviving to leave the mountain.

However…

That child who once cried while eating roasted sparrows was probably gone forever.

The grass carp suddenly thrashed its tail, splashing water on her face with a cool spray. Lu Tong came back to her senses.

The fish had been completely gutted but still had the strength to move. Lu Tong wiped the water from her face as Yin Zheng got up and took the two cleaned grass carp to the kitchen, smiling: “That’s done now. How would you like the fish prepared, Miss?”

“Whatever you prefer.”

“Then I’ll steam them.” Yin Zheng said. Her cooking was mediocre, but fortunately, Lu Tong wasn’t picky about food.

Just as Yin Zheng put the fish on to steam, Lu Tong called her inside. Upon entering, she saw a thick stack of paper laid out on the table by the window.

“This is…” Yin Zheng picked up a sheet of paper and was startled.

The paper was beautiful, a light pink color that gave off a faint floral fragrance when held close. Writing on such paper would be enchanting just to look at.

Ink and brushes were already prepared. Yin Zheng looked at Lu Tong in confusion.

“The new medicine is almost ready,” Lu Tong said. “I need your help.”

“Do you need me to write something?” Yin Zheng realized.

The previous “Spring Water Life” had become popular in Sheng City so quickly not only because of Manager Hu’s help at the flower viewing party but also because of the poetry Yin Zheng had wrapped around the medicinal tea. Sheng City had many scholars and literary people, and those who appreciated tea were often refined – seeing the name “Spring Water Life” made them willing to spend money for its artistic appeal.

It was all about presentation.

However, this paper looked different from what they had used for Spring Water Life. It was more like the kind of floral stationery used for love letters or poetry between young ladies.

“What would you like me to write?” Yin Zheng asked.

Lu Tong thought for a moment: “Do you know any good phrases to describe a lady’s graceful beauty?”

“I do, but…”

“Write those,” Lu Tong said.