“Miss, that young Lord Pei is frightening. Though he was smiling, why did he look like Yama from the palace?”

After Pei Yunying left, in the medical hall, Yin Zheng carefully approached Lu Tong and asked in a low voice: “When he mentioned the Ke family matter, he hasn’t discovered anything, has he?”

Lu Tong shook her head: “He hasn’t.” After a pause, she added: “Even if he has, there’s no evidence.”

The Ke family had completely fallen. The only witness, Wan Fu, had left the capital with his wife and children many days ago, whereabouts unknown. The Ke family’s new bride had returned to her maiden home. When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter—the Ke family servants have either fled or dispersed. The only remaining elder Mrs. Ke had reportedly gotten into a scuffle with a servant who was stealing family treasures, accidentally fell, and after being carried to her bed, passed away within moments.

The once-flourishing porcelain house of Ke, formerly favored by the Grand Tutor’s manor, had fallen into complete ruin.

As Commander of the Palace Guard, even if Pei Yunying harbored suspicions about the Ke family matter unless he wanted to destroy his prospects, he couldn’t actively interfere in cases involving people from the previous dynasty and bring trouble upon himself.

The matter would pass.

Yin Zheng had been somewhat worried, but seeing Lu Tong’s unconcerned demeanor, gradually calmed down. She handed Lu Tong a cup of tea and asked softly: “Miss, did things go smoothly at the Dong manor today?”

Lu Tong made an affirmative sound and took the tea from Yin Zheng’s hand, taking a sip.

The tea was clear and bitter, driving away the summer heat. She closed the tea lid, set down the cup, and gently rubbed her brow.

These days, whether making Xianxian or having people spread rumors about the “Handsome Pork Seller” in the marketplace, it was all to spread the name of this medicinal tea far and wide, reaching the ears of those who needed to hear it.

Such as Fan Zhenglian, the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court.

Fan Zhenglian, the famous “Honorable Fan” of the capital, was known for his keen judgment and strict enforcement of the law. It was also this Honorable Fan who had convicted and issued an arrest warrant for Lu Qian, making him a fugitive hunted by all.

She knew nothing about the Fan family, and Old Cao was too cautious to sell information about officials. To get close to the Fan family, Lu Tong had to rely on herself.

She was just an ordinary resident physician at a medical hall. Families like Fan Zhenglian’s usually sought treatment from Imperial Academy physicians—she had no other opportunities.

Fortunately, Yin Zheng was capable and had managed to piece together some useful information from their neighbor Du Changqing’s gossip. Fan Zhenglian’s wife, Lady Zhao, was full-figured and wished for a willow-slim waist. So Lu Tong had created “Xianxian,” hoping that when this medicinal tea became famous throughout the capital and widely circulated among the ladies of noble houses, perhaps Lady Zhao would hear of it.

The capital was vast—the entire population of Changwu County didn’t match even the prosperity of the farmsteads in the capital’s outer city. Getting a piece of news to reach the intended listener’s ears was full of coincidence and chance.

But she was patient. If one day wasn’t enough, then two; if two days weren’t enough, then three. Whether through any means necessary or finding alternative methods, over months and years, when one person was determined to get close to another, they would always find a way.

Lu Tong’s fingers unconsciously traced the raised patterns on the teacup.

Dong Lin’s words from today echoed in her ears.

“In a while, at the capital’s Summer Viewing Banquet, all the ladies will attend. My mother… also doesn’t want to fall behind others at the banquet.”

Summer Viewing Banquet…

All the ladies would attend—would Fan Zhenglian’s wife, Lady Zhao, be there?

Today she had first verbally misled Madam Dong to misunderstand her relationship with Pei Yunying, then Mother Wang had witnessed Pei Yunying coming to find someone at the medical hall. If all went as expected, Mother Wang should report this to Madam Dong.

Madam Dong was eager to improve relations with Pei Yunying—even if just to do him a favor, she would put in a good word at the Summer Viewing Banquet.

In Lu Tong’s heart rose a long-forgotten sense of anticipation. This anticipation was like the black beetle that Yun Niang had placed on her wound years ago, wriggling and burrowing into her body, crawling through her limbs and bones, sending silent shivers across her skin beneath.

It made one both eager and fearful.

She took a deep breath, suppressing that secret trembling, and called to the person beside her: “Yin Zheng.”

“What is it, Miss?”

Lu Tong looked at her: “I want to know when the capital’s Summer Viewing Banquet begins?”

Yin Zheng blinked, then smiled slyly: “Leave it to me!”

…

Lu Tong’s original intention was that at the Summer Viewing Banquet, Lady Zhao might attend, and if Madam Dong happened to mention it, “Xianxian” might establish a slight connection with the Chief Judge’s wife.

But Madam Dong moved much faster than Lu Tong had imagined.

Three days later, at the Fan family residence in the capital.

The mynah bird hanging outside the wing room had been making noise in its cage since early morning.

In the courtyard pavilion sat a woman in ice-blue gauze, with fine brows and eyes, strikingly beautiful—this was Madam Dong, wife of the Director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments.

A serving boy brought clear tea and said softly: “Please wait a moment, Madam. Our lady will be here shortly.”

Madam Dong nodded.

The master of the Fan household, Fan Zhenglian, was currently the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court, in his prime years. He had been promoted extremely quickly in just a few years, and his wife’s status had risen accordingly. Madam Dong had come today to deliver an invitation to Madam Fan.

After about the time it takes to burn half an incense stick, several maids in red and green accompanied a young woman who approached with graceful steps.

This young woman wore a peach-red dress with gold embroidered pipa patterns. Her hair was coiled like dark clouds, brows like new moons, and she wore a gold filigree ruby coronet. Her skin was luminous, as beautiful as a peach blossom, like peeled lychee in its alluring beauty. She walked to Madam Dong’s side, wiping her sweat with a water-green handkerchief decorated with flowers and fruits, and smiled at Madam Dong: “Has elder sister been waiting long?”

This was Lady Zhao, wife of Chief Judge Fan Zhenglian.

Madam Dong studied Lady Zhao.

Lady Zhao was very beautiful, with crescent moon brows and a face like spring peach blossoms. She had a charming name, Feiyan, sharing the name with the bewitching beauty recorded in history books who had brought disaster to the nation.

She was well aware of her beauty and always regarded others with a hint of pride. Normally, whenever attending any occasion, she was never content to let others steal the spotlight. For instance, today, though it wasn’t even a gathering, she was dressed so elaborately.

Madam Dong smiled: “Not at all, I just sat down.” She then had her maid present the invitation: “I’ve personally brought you the invitation for the upcoming Summer Viewing Banquet.”

Zhao showed some embarrassment: “Thank you for taking the trouble, elder sister. I should have visited your manor yesterday afternoon. But my husband was busy with official duties, and I waited until lantern-lighting time, only to have to give up.”

Madam Dong secretly rolled her eyes.

This Zhao Feiyan had been the daughter of a seventh-rank minor official before marriage, her family background truly unremarkable. Her marriage to Fan Zhenglian had been well-matched at the time, but who knew her husband would encounter such good fortune, his career advancing smoothly—in just a few short years, he had become the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court. By the looks of it, he would continue to rise.

When a husband’s career flourishes but the wife’s family isn’t prominent, she can only be more cautious and prudent.

Zhao Feiyan dressed herself with particular beauty each day, following the three obediences and four virtues to the bone. She waited for Fan Zhenglian to return from work to dine together, and when Fan Zhenglian handled official business, Zhao Feiyan would sit beside him adding incense to the lamp…

Such behavior might be sweet as honey to Zhao, but in Madam Dong’s eyes, she was just being foolish.

How unnecessary.

Madam Dong patted Zhao’s hand and sighed: “Lord Fan is fortunate to have such a virtuous wife as you.”

Lady Zhao smiled modestly.

“But didn’t you say earlier that Lord Fan was supposed to be on leave this month? How is he still so busy?”

Zhao spat: “It’s all trivial matters. Who knows what the others at the Criminal Court are doing—it’s as if they can’t function for a day without him.”

Though her words were complaining, her tone carried a hint of pride.

This Fan Zhenglian was now the capital’s famous “Honorable Fan,” known for his capable handling of affairs and reputation for clear judgment. Everyone said the Criminal Court couldn’t last a day without Lord Fan.

Hearing this, a flash of mockery crossed Madam Dong’s eyes.

Everyone knew Fan Zhenglian was fond of beauty, though he was mindful of his reputation. While he didn’t keep mistresses outside, he was far from clean. Lady Zhao must have known about those rumors of various affairs, yet she not only had to cover for her husband but also deceive herself.

Zhao Feiyan bore the same beauty as the legendary femme fatale but had taken virtuous conduct to the extreme. One wondered what that enchantress from the history books would think, seeing her namesake reduced to such a humble state.

As Madam Dong was thinking this, Zhao before took hold of Madam Dong’s gauze clothing to examine it, praising: “Elder sister, this dress is truly beautiful.”

Zhao was most fond of beauty, always the first to wear whatever clothes and ornaments were fashionable in the capital. Understanding her meaning, Madam Dong smiled and said: “My son gifted me several bolts of gauze last month. I thought with the hot weather, it would be perfect for making dresses. If you like it, I can have some sent over later.”

Zhao lingered over Madam Dong’s sleeve for a long while before finally shaking her head: “Better not.”

It wasn’t that Zhao was too shy to accept; rather, this gauze wouldn’t look as good on her as it did on Madam Dong.

Though named Feiyan (Flying Swallow), she was quite different from that legendary beauty who could dance on one’s palm. She was full-figured and plump, which complemented her lovely face perfectly—a beauty of rounded jade and pearls.

Unfortunately, Zhao didn’t know how to appreciate her beauty, preferring instead the slender beauty of willowy figures.

Especially these days, as Fan Zhenglian had casually mentioned a subordinate’s daughter several times.

Zhao had seen that girl—though her looks couldn’t compare to her own, her waist was indeed very slim.

Zhao stared at Madam Dong’s ice-blue gauze, and as she looked, suddenly said to Madam Dong: “But I feel elder sister has gotten thinner recently?”

Madam Dong was startled.

“You have gotten thinner, your chin is much sharper.” Zhao looked Madam Dong up and down, “Could it be from recent exertions?”

Though the words showed concern, there was no worry in the woman’s eyes, only curiosity. Madam Dong understood.

Zhao Feiyan treasured her appearance and was particularly conscious of her full figure, treating even an inch of increase in her waist as a major crisis. Now she appeared concerned about Madam Dong’s health but was trying to discover how she had lost weight.

Madam Dong initially thought to brush it off, but as the words reached her lips, she suddenly thought of something and paused. Then, breaking into a smile, she leaned closer to Zhao and said mysteriously: “To be honest with you, I have indeed gotten slimmer lately, but it’s not from exhaustion—it’s from a medicinal tea.”

“Medicinal tea?”

“Yes, a tea called ‘Xianxian’ from Renxin Medical Hall on West Street. This tea is quite hard to obtain. If not for my old connection with their resident physician, it would be difficult to get even one or two jars,” Madam Dong replied with a smile.

“Xianxian?” Zhao repeated several times, her eyes showing interest though her words expressed doubt: “Elder sister must be teasing me. How could there be such an effective medicinal tea in this world?”

Madam Dong sighed: “Why would I tease you? The tea is genuine. I’ve only used half a jar and already seen results. They say it even turned a butcher into Pan An. That ‘Handsome Pork Seller’ is now chopping bones at the East City Temple entrance. People queue up daily to see him. If you don’t believe me, send someone to look and you’ll know if it’s true or false.”

“However, this tea is rare, and I only got one jar. Even if you want some, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a while.”

This only made Zhao more eager. Her interest had already been piqued by Madam Dong’s words, and as she always valued such things, how could she wait upon hearing this? She immediately ordered her maid to go investigate at the East City Temple entrance.

After the maid left, Madam Dong chatted a while longer with Zhao, noticed her distraction, and then took her leave.

Once back in her carriage, her servant asked: “Madam, why did you tell Lady Fan about Renxin Medical Hall? Even if it was to help Doctor Lu if others learn about the young master’s condition…”

If word of Dong Lin’s lung condition spread among the ladies, it would hinder his future marriage prospects.

“I know what I’m doing,” Madam Dong’s smile turned cold. “It’s rare to see something she likes, so I’m just doing her a favor.”

“That Lu Tong promised me personally she wouldn’t tell others about Lin’er’s condition. If she leaks it… I can make her suffer the consequences.”

“Besides,” Madam Dong’s gaze shifted, “I’m not just helping her.”

Three days ago, Lu Tong had given Madam Dong a jar of medicinal tea, hoping she would spread the word of it among the capital’s noble ladies. At the time, Madam Dong had agreed casually, not taking it to heart—after all, openly admitting to using slimming tea wasn’t something to boast about.

But her thoughts changed after Mother Wang’s return.

Mother Wang, who had escorted Lu Tong back to the medical hall, reported that she had seen Pei Yunying waiting for Lu Tong at Renxin Medical Hall’s entrance, and the two had appeared intimate, chatting and laughing together.

This made Madam Dong think twice.

At Wan’en Temple at that time, Pei Yunying had helped Lu Tong out of trouble, and Madam Dong had suspected their relationship. Even when Lu Tong personally admitted to having a close relationship with the Marquis of Zhaoning’s heir, Madam Dong maintained some doubts.

After all, one was a noble youth from an illustrious family who had achieved much at a young age, while the other was a common female physician who worked in public—the gap in both status and position was simply too great.

But Mother Wang’s eyewitness account couldn’t be false.

Lu Tong and Pei Yunying were having an affair.

Helping Lu Tong meant helping Pei Yunying, and this Commander of the Palace Guard currently enjoyed imperial favor, while his father, the Marquis of Zhaoning, held a high position in court. Unfortunately, though this father and son appeared approachable on the surface, they were extremely proud and difficult to get close to.

With Lu Tong as a connection, winning over Pei Yunying wouldn’t be a concern.

The servant nodded with partial understanding, then carefully observed Madam Dong’s expression and ventured: “Lord Fan is currently just a Chief Judge, not even equal to master’s position. Is it worth madam’s effort to personally visit…”

“Silence.”

The servant dared not speak further.

Madam Dong gave her a cold look: “What do you know?”

Though Fan Zhenglian’s current position appeared lower than the Director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments, her husband had personally hinted to her that Fan Zhenglian might have connections with the current Grand Tutor’s manor. Everyone knew that Minister Qi currently wielded immense power in court, and Lord Dong had been worried about lacking ways to curry favor with the Grand Tutor’s manor. With this connection, future dealings would be much easier.

That’s why Madam Dong frequently sent cosmetics and silk fabrics to Zhao Feiyan, knowing her love of beauty and catering to her preferences. However, Zhao Feiyan was particularly discerning, picking faults with this and that, often making Madam Dong roll her eyes in private.

Now that Zhao Feiyan was obsessed with achieving a slim figure, the medicinal tea from Lu Tong’s shop was like sending charcoal in snowy weather—if it worked, it would probably be more effective than anything else.

Winning Zhao Feiyan’s favor meant she could whisper in her husband’s ear, bringing Lord Dong and Fan Zhenglian’s relationship closer.

Madam Dong smiled slightly.

She had no intention of being like Zhao Feiyan, constantly dolling herself up like a seductress to keep her husband’s heart. Helping a man’s career was more useful than beauty.

The lady lowered the carriage curtain, leaned back, closed her eyes, and said: “Let’s go.”