“Miss, that Young Commander Pei is so frightening. He was clearly smiling, but why did he look like a King of Hell 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 won’t have discovered anything, will he?”

Lu Tong shook her head: “No.” 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, his whereabouts unknown. The Ke family’s new daughter-in-law had returned to her maiden home. When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter—the Ke family servants had either fled or dispersed. The only remaining Old Madam Ke had reportedly gotten into a scuffle with a servant woman who had stolen family property not long ago, accidentally fell to the ground, was carried back to her bed, and died within moments.

The ceramic Ke family, once favored by the Grand Tutor’s manor and extremely prosperous, had already fallen into ruin.

As a Palace Command Commander, even if Pei Yunying harbored suspicions about the Ke family matter, as long as he didn’t want to destroy his own future, he couldn’t actively involve himself in cases related to former dynasty associates and invite trouble upon himself.

This matter would pass.

Yin Zheng had been somewhat worried, but seeing Lu Tong’s unconcerned appearance, she gradually calmed down. She handed Lu Tong a cup of tea and asked quietly: “Miss, was your visit to the Dong residence today successful?”

Lu Tong hummed in response and took the tea from Yin Zheng’s hand, taking a sip.

The tea was clear and bitter, dispelling the summer heat. She closed the tea lid, put down the teacup, and gently rubbed her temples.

These past days, whether making Xianxian or having people spread rumors about “Pork Pan An” in the marketplace, she had only been trying to spread the fame of this medicinal tea far and wide, so it would reach the ears of interested parties.

For instance, the ears of Court of Judicial Review Detail Judge Fan Zhenglian.

The famous “Judge Fan” Fan Zhenglian of the capital was perceptive and strict in enforcing the law. It was also this Judge Fan who had convicted and issued a warrant for Lu Qian, making Lu Qian a prisoner that everyone wanted to catch.

She knew nothing about the Fan family. Master Cao was cautious and refused to sell official information, so to approach the Fan family, Lu Tong could only rely on herself.

She was just an ordinary sitting doctor at a medical hall. People like Fan Zhenglian usually sought treatment from court physicians at the Hanlin Medical Academy when they fell ill. She had no other opportunities.

Fortunately, Yin Zheng was capable and had managed to piece together some useful information from neighbors like Du Changqing. Fan Zhenglian’s wife, Madam Zhao, had a plump figure and desperately wanted a slender waist. So Lu Tong made “Xianxian,” and when this medicinal tea became famous throughout the capital and widely circulated among the wives and young ladies of noble families, perhaps Madam Zhao would learn of it.

The capital was vast—the entire population of Changwu County didn’t equal that of a hundred prosperous farming villages outside the capital’s outer city. Getting news to reach the ears of the intended person was full of coincidence and chance.

But she was very patient. If one day didn’t work, then two days; if two days didn’t work, then three days. Whether through unscrupulous means or trying elsewhere, in one or two months, one or two years, when one person was determined to approach 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 floated back to her ears.

“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.”

Summer Viewing Banquet…

All the madams and young ladies would attend. She wondered if Fan Zhenglian’s wife, Madam Zhao, would be present.

Today she had first misled Madam Dong with words, making her mistakenly believe in her relationship with Pei Yunying, then Nanny Wang had personally witnessed Pei Yunying coming to the medical hall entrance to find her. If nothing unexpected happened, Nanny Wang should report this matter to Madam Dong.

Madam Dong was determined to improve relations with Pei Yunying, so even if just to do Pei Yunying a favor, she would help by mentioning it at the Summer Viewing Banquet.

In Lu Tong’s heart, a long-absent sense of anticipation faintly arose. This anticipation was like the black beetle that Yunniang had placed on her wound years ago, writhing as it burrowed into her body, traveling through her limbs and bones, crawling under her skin with silent tremors.

Making one both yearn for and fear it.

She took a deep breath, suppressing that hidden tremor, and called the name of 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 cunningly: “Don’t worry, leave it to me!”

…

Lu Tong’s intention was that at the Summer Viewing Banquet, Madam Zhao might attend, and then Madam Dong could mention it casually, perhaps allowing “Xianxian” to establish some connection with the Detail Judge’s wife.

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

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

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

A woman in snow-blue gauze clothing sat in the pavilion of the small courtyard, with elegant brows and beautiful eyes, captivating in appearance—this was precisely Madam Dong, wife of Grand Court of Imperial Stud Minister Dong.

A young servant attending her brought clear tea and said quietly: “Madam, please wait a moment. Our mistress will be here immediately.”

Madam Dong nodded.

Master Fan Zhenglian was the current Court of Judicial Review Detail Judge, in his prime years, having risen extremely quickly over several years, which naturally elevated his wife’s status as well. Madam Dong had come today to deliver an invitation to Madam Fan.

After waiting about half an incense stick’s time, several maids in red and green clothing could be seen escorting a young woman gracefully approaching from the distance.

This young woman wore a peach-red gold-embroidered pipa-style long dress, her hair arranged like dark clouds, eyebrows like a new moon, wearing a golden filigree red ruby hairpin, with lustrous skin and bones, beautiful as a peach blossom, like a shelled lychee, enchantingly beautiful. She walked to Madam Dong’s side, wiping sweat with a water-green fruit-patterned handkerchief while smiling at Madam Dong: “Sister, have you been waiting long?”

This was Madam Zhao, wife of Detail Judge Fan Zhenglian.

Madam Dong studied Madam Zhao carefully.

Madam Zhao was very beautiful, with a new moon crowning her brows and spring peach gracing her face. She also had a charming name—Feiyan—which happened to be the same as that legendary enchanting beauty who brought ruin to kingdoms recorded in history books.

She knew her own beauty surpassed others and always looked at others with some pride. Usually, whenever she attended any occasion, she was unwilling to let others steal her spotlight. For instance, today wasn’t even for attending a gathering, yet she was dressed so elaborately.

Madam Dong smiled: “Not at all, I just sat down myself.” She had her maid present the invitation: “The invitation for the Summer Viewing gathering coming up—I came to deliver it personally.”

Madam Zhao showed some embarrassment on her face: “Thank you for making this trip, sister. I should have come to disturb you at your residence yesterday afternoon. But my husband was busy with official duties, and I waited at home until the lamps were lit before giving up.”

Madam Dong secretly rolled her eyes.

Before marriage, this Zhao Feiyan had been the daughter of a minor seventh-rank official, her family background truly not wealthy. Originally marrying Fan Zhenglian was considered a good match, but who knew her husband would somehow have such good fortune, his career path smooth and steady, becoming a Court of Judicial Review Detail Judge in just a few short years. Looking at this situation, he would continue rising.

With her husband successful in his career but her maiden family not prosperous, she could only be more cautious and careful.

Zhao Feiyan dressed herself particularly beautifully every day, following the three obediences and four virtues to the bone. She waited for Fan Zhenglian to finish work, accompanied him for meals, and when Fan Zhenglian handled official business, Zhao Feiyan would add fragrance with her red sleeves beside him…

Such behavior was sweet as honey to Zhao herself, but in Madam Dong’s eyes, she was a fool.

How unnecessary.

Madam Dong patted Zhao’s hand and sighed: “Master Fan having such a virtuous wife as you is his blessing.”

Madam Zhao smiled modestly.

“But didn’t you say before that Master Fan was taking leave this month? How is he still so busy?”

Madam Zhao spat: “It’s all trivial chicken and dog matters. I don’t know what the others at the Court of Judicial Review do—every day it’s as if they can’t function without him.”

Though her words were reproachful, her tone carried some pride.

This Fan Zhenglian was now the famous “Judge Fan” of the capital. Everyone said he was capable and had a clear reputation for detailed judgment. People all said that without Master Fan, the Court of Judicial Review couldn’t last a single day.

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

Everyone knew Fan Zhenglian loved beauty but cherished his reputation. Though he wouldn’t go so far as to keep mistresses outside, he couldn’t be called clean either. Those rumors about various singing girls and courtesans must be known to Madam Zhao too, yet she not only had to cover for her husband but also deceive herself.

Zhao Feiyan possessed the beauty of that legendary kingdom-destroying enchantress but had perfected virtuous wifehood to the extreme. One wondered what that historical enchantress would think if she saw her namesake descendant humbled to such a degree.

Just as Madam Dong was thinking this, Madam Zhao in front of her pulled at Madam Dong’s gauze clothing to examine it, praising: “Sister, this dress is truly beautiful.”

Madam Zhao loved beauty most of all. Usually, the fashionable dresses and jewelry popular in the capital, she always had to be the first to wear them. Madam Dong understood and smiled: “My son honored me with several bolts of gauze last month. Seeing the hot weather, I had them made into shirts and dresses. If sister likes them, I’ll have someone send a few bolts over later.”

Madam Zhao reluctantly touched Madam Dong’s sleeves for a long time before finally shaking her head: “Better not.”

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

Though Madam Zhao’s given name was Feiyan, she was completely different from that legendary beauty who could dance on a palm. Her figure was plump and full, which perfectly complemented her charming face—a beauty of pearl-round and jade-smooth perfection.

Unfortunately, Madam Zhao didn’t know how to appreciate her own beauty. Compared to this, she still preferred the slender, willow-like delicate beauty.

Especially these past few days, Fan Zhenglian had inadvertently mentioned several times a young lady under his command.

Madam Zhao had seen that girl—her appearance couldn’t compare to her own, but her waist was indeed slender.

Madam Zhao stared at Madam Dong’s snow-blue gauze, and suddenly said to Madam Dong: “However, I feel like sister has lost some weight recently?”

Madam Dong was startled.

“You really have lost weight—your chin has become much more pointed.” Madam Zhao looked Madam Dong up and down: “Could it be from recent overwork?”

Though these were words of concern, the woman’s eyes showed no worry, but rather some inquiry. Madam Dong understood.

Zhao Feiyan usually treasured her appearance and, being plump, paid particular attention to this aspect. Even gaining an inch around her waist would be treated as a great enemy. Now, on the surface she seemed concerned about her health, but actually wanted to find out how she had lost weight.

Madam Dong had originally intended to casually brush it off, but when the words reached her lips, she suddenly remembered something, paused, and then turned on a smile, leaning close to Madam Zhao and speaking somewhat mysteriously: “I won’t hide it from you, sister. I have indeed lost weight these days, but it’s not from exhaustion—I used a medicinal tea.”

“Medicinal tea?”

“That’s right, a medicinal tea called ‘Xianxian,’ from Renxin Medical Hall on West Street. This medicinal tea is quite hard to buy. If I didn’t have old connections with that sitting doctor, it would be difficult to find even one or two jars.” Madam Dong smiled as she answered.

“Xianxian?” Madam Zhao repeated the name several times, her eyes showing interest, but her mouth expressed disbelief: “Sister is deceiving me. How could there be such miraculous medicinal tea in the world?”

Madam Dong sighed: “Who would deceive you? That medicinal tea is genuine. I only used half a jar and saw considerable results. I heard it even turned a butcher into Pan An. Oh right, that ‘Pork Pan An’ is now chopping bones at the temple entrance in the eastern district. Every day, people coming to see him can form long queues. If sister doesn’t believe it, have someone go look and you’ll know if it’s true or false.”

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

The more she said this, the more Madam Zhao’s heart itched unbearably. She had already been intrigued by Madam Dong’s words and usually cared most about such things. Hearing this, how could she wait? She immediately had a maid go to the eastern district temple entrance to investigate.

After the maid left, Madam Dong chatted with Madam Zhao for a while more. Seeing that Madam Zhao was absent-minded, Madam Dong rose to take her leave.

After leaving the Fan residence and getting into her carriage, her attendant asked: “Madam, why tell Madam Fan about Renxin Medical Hall? Even if it’s to help Dr. Lu, if the young master’s condition becomes known…”

If Dong Lin’s lung disease became known to all the madams, it would create obstacles for his future marriage prospects.

“I naturally know that.” Madam Dong’s smile turned cold: “I just rarely see her interested in something, so I offered it as a favor.”

“That Lu Tong personally promised me she wouldn’t tell others about Lin’er’s condition. Once she leaks it… I can make her pay dearly.”

“Besides,” Madam Dong’s eyes moved, “I’m not entirely doing this to help her.”

Three days ago, Lu Tong had given Madam Dong a jar of medicinal tea, hoping she could promote it among the capital’s noble ladies’ circles. At the time, Madam Dong had casually agreed but hadn’t really taken it to heart. After all, actively admitting to using slimming medicinal tea wasn’t something worth boasting about.

But her thinking changed after Nanny Wang returned.

Nanny Wang, who had escorted Lu Tong back to the medical hall, reported that she had personally witnessed Pei Yunying waiting for Lu Tong at the Renxin Medical Hall entrance, and that they behaved intimately, talking and laughing together.

This made Madam Dong think more deeply.

At Wan’en Temple that time, Pei Yunying had helped Lu Tong out of trouble. Madam Dong had suspected their relationship then. Even when Lu Tong personally admitted her close relationship with the Heir of Duke Zhaoning, Madam Dong still harbored some doubt.

After all, one was a prominent, young, and accomplished noble youth, while the other was a common medical woman of low status who showed her face in public. Whether in identity or position, the gap was simply too great.

But Nanny Wang had seen it with her own eyes—it couldn’t be false.

Lu Tong and Pei Yunying had a private relationship.

Helping Lu Tong was helping Pei Yunying. This Palace Command Commander was currently favored by the emperor, and his father, Duke Zhaoning, held a high position in court. Unfortunately, this father and son appeared easy-going on the surface but were actually extremely arrogant and difficult to approach.

With Lu Tong as a connection, she wouldn’t worry about winning over Pei Yunying.

The attendant nodded as if understanding, then carefully spoke while watching Madam Dong’s expression: “Master Fan is currently just a Detail Judge, not even as high-ranking as our master. How is he worth such effort from Madam, even making a personal trip…”

“Shut your mouth.”

The attendant dared not speak further.

Madam Dong coldly glanced at her: “What do you understand?”

Though Fan Zhenglian’s current official position was indeed lower than the Grand Court of Imperial Stud Minister’s, her own husband had personally reminded her that Fan Zhenglian might have connections with the current Grand Tutor’s manor. Everyone knew that Grand Tutor Qi now held overwhelming power in court. Master Dong was worrying about lacking ways to curry favor with the Grand Tutor’s manor—with this connection, things would be much easier in the future.

That’s why Madam Dong periodically sent cosmetics and silk materials to Zhao Feiyan, thinking that since Zhao Feiyan loved beauty, she would cater to her preferences. Unfortunately, Zhao Feiyan had discerning taste and was picky about this and that, often making Madam Dong secretly roll her eyes.

Now that Zhao Feiyan was obsessed with having a slender figure, the medicinal tea from Lu Tong’s medical hall was like timely aid in snow. If it really worked, it would probably be more useful than anything else.

And having won Zhao Feiyan’s favor, with Zhao Feiyan’s pillow talk, her husband’s relationship with Fan Zhenglian could become even closer.

Madam Dong smiled slightly.

She didn’t want to be like Zhao Feiyan, constantly dressing herself up like a fairy to capture her husband’s heart. Helping men once or twice in their careers was more useful than beauty.

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