No matter what, Lu Tong’s hard work these past days had finally paid off.

“Xianxian” became famous overnight.

Dai Sanlang from the temple entrance in the eastern district had transformed from a pot-bellied fat man into a sturdy and valiant handsome man in just over a month, attracting countless curious onlookers. When people saw Dai Sanlang’s current appearance, and after the silk shoe shop’s Madam Song added her own embellishments to the story, it became difficult for the Xianxian from Renxin Medical Hall not to sell well.

Every day, many people came to buy medicine seeking its reputation. Du Changqing was counting silver until his hands went soft, and even Dai’s Pork Shop became famous. Dai Sanlang even earned the beautiful nickname “Pork Pan An.” It was said that people coming to see him daily could form a line from the eastern district’s street head to the alley end.

This reputation also reached the ears of Madam Dong, wife of the Grand Court of Imperial Stud Minister.

At the Grand Court of Imperial Stud Minister’s residence in the capital.

Lu Tong packed up her medical box and said to the person before her: “Your pulse has improved greatly recently, and the coughing and wheezing rarely flare up. Young Master Dong, let me prescribe you a new formula. Take it according to the new prescription for half a year, and if nothing unexpected happens, you won’t need to take medicine anymore.”

Facing her, the youngest son of the Grand Court of Imperial Stud Minister’s family, Dong Lin, sat with his hands lowered, listening earnestly to Lu Tong while his face flushed slightly red.

Ever since she had accidentally saved Dong Lin once at Wan’en Temple, Lu Tong had established a connection with the Grand Court of Imperial Stud Minister. Later, when Bai Shouyi had the Medicinal Materials Bureau make things difficult for the medical hall, Lu Tong simply used the Dong family’s reputation to intimidate others. Madam Dong knew the whole story and didn’t interfere, clearly giving her tacit approval.

After that, Lu Tong came to the Dong residence every so often to treat Dong Lin. Madam Dong loved her son dearly, and seeing that Dong Lin’s lung disease flared up less and less, she was naturally delighted.

She lowered her head to write a new prescription, while Dong Lin sat at the small table, secretly lifting his eyes to look at Lu Tong.

Before the rosewood small table, the young lady sat slightly leaning forward, her cloud-like black hair braided and hanging over her chest, with only a cold-colored silk flower pinned at her temples. A strand or two of hair had accidentally slipped down, covering her eyes, which Lu Tong brushed behind her ear with her hand, making her slender, white neck appear even more elegant.

She wasn’t like those young ladies covered in pearls and jade, with powdered faces and rouged lips. She wore only a somewhat old deep blue cloth dress, had an oval face with moth-like eyebrows and bright white teeth, like a solitary plum blossom under a cold moon, possessing jade-like bones and icy skin.

Dong Lin looked on somewhat dazedly.

This young doctor who had saved his life was beautiful, with what seemed like a layer of silk rain-like sorrow gathered between her brows. This touch of sorrow made her appear particularly fragile, yet her gaze was like a stream beneath long peaks, hiding an invisible cold resilience.

When she raised her head, Dong Lin met that cluster of cold-colored brook water.

He silently reddened and turned his head away, not daring to meet her gaze.

But Lu Tong didn’t look away.

Until Dong Lin felt restless under her gaze and could no longer bear the silence, just as he was about to speak and ask, Lu Tong spoke.

She said: “Young Master Dong seems to have lost considerable weight recently.”

Dong Lin was startled.

Lu Tong looked at him and slightly furrowed her brow: “But I see your pulse hasn’t changed…”

When Lu Tong first met Dong Lin at Wan’en Temple, he was still somewhat plump, which also aggravated his lung disease. However, seeing him today, he had lost much weight, making even the brown robe he wore appear somewhat too loose.

“No, no, no,” before Lu Tong could ask further, Dong Lin spoke first, saying quietly: “I didn’t lose weight due to illness, I… I…” He seemed to find it difficult to speak, and only after a long while continued: “I used the new medicinal tea from Miss Lu’s medical hall.”

Lu Tong paused: “Xianxian?”

Dong Lin nodded embarrassedly.

Lu Tong said nothing.

Dong Lin felt somewhat guilty.

Lu Tong was beautiful, and Dong Lin had already fallen in love with her at first sight during that encounter at Wan’en Temple.

He had inquired about her background. Lu Tong was from out of town, had no relatives in the capital, and was currently a medical woman at Renxin Medical Hall. With such family background, she couldn’t become the wife of a Grand Court of Imperial Stud Minister, and even becoming a concubine might not receive Madam Dong’s approval.

But how could external matters obstruct a young man’s heart? Dong Lin liked Lu Tong but feared his strong-willed and sharp-tongued mother, worried that she would discover his feelings. So he had his servants regularly help and support Renxin Medical Hall, often going there to buy medicinal materials and such.

Some days ago, Renxin Medical Hall released a new medicinal tea called Xianxian. Dong Lin also had people buy back many portions, originally intending to support the medical hall’s business. Who knew that before long, this medicinal tea would inexplicably become famous, said to be extremely effective.

Dong Lin remembered that doctors had previously said his constitution would benefit from losing some weight, so he tried using it on himself with some skepticism. After some days, it actually worked, and everyone in the residence said he looked like he had lost a whole size.

Seeing Lu Tong’s thoughtful expression, Dong Lin feared she might glimpse his true feelings and quickly changed the subject: “However, Dr. Lu, I only used half a jar, and my mother used the rest… Could it be that my chronic illness cannot use this medicinal tea?”

Lu Tong came back to her senses: “That’s not it, but…” She looked at Dong Lin, “Madam’s figure is perfectly appropriate, why would she also need to use this medicinal tea?”

The figure of Madam Dong, wife of the Grand Court of Imperial Stud Minister, was far from needing medicinal tea.

Dong Lin smiled embarrassedly and glanced outside before saying softly: “Originally there was no need, but in a while, there will be the Summer Viewing Banquet in the capital, and all the madams and young ladies will attend. My mother… doesn’t want to be outdone by others at the banquet.”

Lu Tong understood: “I see.”

These madams and young ladies of the capital had such gatherings under various pretexts every few days. Those who truly wanted to gather naturally didn’t need such occasions. Eventually, such banquets became nothing more than competitions of elegance and beauty, or attempts to form alliances.

Just as they were discussing this, someone pushed the door from outside. Lu Tong turned to look and saw Madam Dong standing in the doorway. She first peered inside, then smiled: “Dr. Lu, how is Lin’er?”

Lu Tong stood up and handed the written prescription to Dong Lin: “Madam need not worry, Young Master Dong is fine.”

“That’s good.” Madam Dong beckoned to Lu Tong: “Dr. Lu has been busy for so long, come out for some tea.”

Lu Tong agreed.

Madam Dong never let her spend too much time alone with Dong Lin. Lu Tong understood that perhaps Madam Dong also feared she might take advantage of the medical consultations to develop something with her son.

She was particularly cautious indeed.

Lu Tong bid farewell to Dong Lin and walked with Madam Dong to the flower hall for tea. Madam Dong had servants bring today’s consultation fee, then smiled: “Lin’er has had very few coughing and wheezing episodes these days. We’ve also invited other court physicians to examine him, and they all say Lin’er’s condition has improved greatly. Dr. Lu, this is all thanks to you.”

Lu Tong replied gently: “Madam is too kind. Young Master Dong has heaven’s protection and his symptoms were mild to begin with. Even without me, given Young Master Dong’s constitution, he would have recovered on his own before long.”

Madam Dong loved hearing such words, and her smile became more genuine.

After some more idle chat, Lu Tong put down her teacup and said to Madam Dong: “Madam, this commoner has a favor to ask.”

“Oh?”

Lu Tong took out a small medicine jar from her medical box and handed it to Madam Dong. When Madam Dong received it and saw the two characters “Xianxian” written on it, she paused.

This was a jar of “Xianxian.”

She looked at Lu Tong: “Dr. Lu, what do you mean by this?”

“This is a new medicinal tea from our medical hall, called Xianxian.” Lu Tong made no mention of what Dong Lin had told her earlier, only explaining earnestly, “This medicinal tea can slim the body and reduce weight, especially effective for women.”

Madam Dong’s eyes flickered, her tone somewhat meaningful: “You want to give this to me?”

Lu Tong smiled: “If Madam wants to use medicinal tea, and I deliver it to your door, how could I be so stingy as to give only one jar?”

“Then what is this…”

Lu Tong lowered her head and spoke somewhat bashfully: “I thought that with Madam’s noble status, you surely know many high officials and dignitaries in the capital. If you could mention it briefly before these madams and young ladies, that would be the greatest honor for Renxin Medical Hall and this commoner.”

These words praised the Dong family’s status highly while positioning herself very humbly. Madam Dong was also pleased. She glanced at the medicine jar and smiled carelessly: “I thought it was something important, but it’s just this small matter. It’s just a few words of conversation. Since you saved Lin’er, I should help with this small favor.”

Lu Tong quickly stood to express her gratitude.

Madam Dong looked at her and suddenly thought of something, speaking as if casually: “However, Dr. Lu, for such a small matter, why don’t you ask Commander Pei for help?”

Lu Tong’s heart lurched.

She raised her eyes and met Madam Dong’s inquiring gaze directly.

Last time at Wan’en Temple, Madam Dong had argued with Lu Tong, and it was Pei Yunying who stepped forward to resolve the situation. At the time, Madam Dong seemed to have misunderstood the relationship between Pei Yunying and her, and unexpectedly brought it up again today.

Speaking of which, Madam Dong was arrogant and rude, and even the servants and guards of the Grand Court of Imperial Stud Minister looked down on commoners with disdain. Yet these days, everyone in the residence had been reasonably polite to Lu Tong, perhaps not only because she had saved Dong Lin’s life, but also because they thought she had a close relationship with Pei Yunying.

Pei Yunying…

Lu Tong thought to herself that since this Heir of Duke Zhaoning’s reputation was so useful, she might as well shamelessly borrow it once more.

She paused for a moment, then her smile suddenly became somewhat shy as she spoke softly: “The Commander’s Office is busy with official duties. How could I repeatedly trouble the Commander with such trivial matters?”

Madam Dong noticed she said “repeatedly.”

The implication was that she “troubled” Pei Yunying frequently?

Instantly, in Madam Dong’s eyes, Lu Tong’s originally shy smile immediately appeared to be an attempt to cover something up.

Indeed, if there truly was nothing between them, why would Pei Yunying step forward for this medical woman at Wan’en Temple? After all, that Commander was no easy person to deal with, and normally wasn’t the type to show tender concern for women.

If Lu Tong really was Pei Yunying’s woman… this was someone who couldn’t be offended.

Thinking of this, Madam Dong smiled and pulled her to sit down: “Dr. Lu is good in every way, just too polite… Speaking of which, at Wan’en Temple before, there was some misunderstanding between me and Young Commander Pei. Young Commander Pei didn’t take it to heart afterward, did he?”

Lu Tong smiled slightly and lied without changing expression: “No, how could that be? Young Commander Pei is magnanimous and wouldn’t get angry over such a small matter.”

“Really? Then when Young Commander Pei has time, he should come to the residence to sit. The master has long wanted to have a chat with him.”

“Certainly, I will definitely convey Madam’s message.”

…

“Achoo—who’s talking about us behind our backs?”

A loud sneeze suddenly rang out, shattering the cold silence of the Commander’s residence in the early morning.

It had rained all night yesterday, and a trellis of roses in the courtyard had been battered and scattered. The pond’s surface was like a mirror, with several bright fallen petals floating on it.

Inside the room, on a purple sandalwood table carved with dragons, sat a jade chess set.

Pei Yunying sat in a nanmu wood armchair, propping his chin on his hand, listlessly staring at the half-finished game on the table.

Duan Xiaoyan rubbed his nose as he walked in from outside, seeing this and saying: “It’s been a month, and you still haven’t solved this chess puzzle that Brother Zhufeng gave you?”

Pei Yunying hummed in response.

Xiao Zhufeng, Deputy Commander of the Tianwu Right Army of the Palace Command, was Pei Yunying’s close friend. He had a clean background, excellent character, and no bad habits. He didn’t love food or women, but loved collecting chess manuals from everywhere.

His own chess skills were terrible, so when he found a chess manual he couldn’t solve, he would drag Pei Yunying to help. Pei Yunying had no interest in playing chess, but Xiao Zhufeng’s stakes were always tempting. This time the stake was a silver cutting blade that Xiao Zhufeng had found outside, rumored to be incredibly sharp, able to cut jade like clay.

For this silver cutting blade, Pei Yunying could only work hard when he wasn’t on duty.

Morning sunlight shone through the window cracks, casting a hazy glow on his face. Pei Yunying picked up a jade-green chess piece from the jade bowl and gently placed it in a corner of the puzzle.

In an instant, the tangled and complicated puzzle suddenly became clear, and even dead positions found new life.

His eyes moved slightly.

It was solved.

Duan Xiaoyan stretched his neck to look: “You solved it just like that?”

Pei Yunying blocked his reaching hand: “Don’t touch it, wait for Xiao Er to bring the blade to exchange.”

“But we’ll have to wait until he’s off duty. Duan Xiaoyan curled his lip, “He rested long enough before, so now he has to make up the duty days. It’ll be several more days before he’s free.” After saying this, he sighed to himself, “Usually when on duty, I always feel there’s not enough time, but during rest days I don’t know what to do. It’s quite boring.”

Pei Yunying glanced at him: “Bored? Go to the training ground and practice archery.”

Duan Xiaoyan gasped and shouted: “Big brother, making people practice archery on rest days, is that even human? In this hot sun at the training ground, you might as well prepare some medicine for me in advance.” Speaking of the word ‘medicine,’ Duan Xiaoyan suddenly paused and looked up at Pei Yunying, “By the way, brother, did you forget something?”

“What?”

“Did you forget?” Duan Xiaoyan gestured frantically at him, “Last time at the Luyuan Pawn Shop on Qinghe Street, you helped Miss Lu pay the silver, and she said she’d repay the silver with medicinal tea. You didn’t forget, did you? That was fifty taels, almost worth two months of my salary!”

Pei Yunying was startled, thought for a moment, then said: “There was such a thing.”

“Aren’t you going to collect the debt?” Duan Xiaoyan reminded: “Even if you don’t lack silver, you can’t be so wasteful… I heard West Street is full of snacks and trinkets. Anyway, it’s still early today, why don’t we go take a look? If you don’t want the medicinal tea, I’ll take it back to honor my father, saving me from having to buy a birthday gift.”

He chattered on and on while watching Pei Yunying’s expression. Seeing that Pei Yunying still looked unmoved, he moved closer and drawled: “Brother—Yunying brother—”

Pei Yunying frowned and couldn’t help but raise his hand to block his approaching head. He looked at him, and Duan Xiaoyan looked back pitifully.

After a long moment, Pei Yunying sighed: “Fine.”

Suddenly having his request granted so easily, Duan Xiaoyan still couldn’t quite believe it: “Really? Why are you so easy to talk to today?”

“I happen to need to go to the eastern district anyway.” Pei Yunying stood up and casually picked up the long blade from the table, “It’s on the way.”