Time flew swiftly, and another ten days passed.

Young girls in light garments began selling jasmine flowers morning and evening on Luoyue Bridge. The jasmine’s fragrance was elegant and sweet. Medical books recorded that jasmine oil, extracted through steam distillation, could be used for facial creams and hair oils, both moisturizing the hair and perfuming the skin to the bone.

In the capital’s Criminal Review Court Official Fan’s residence, in the bedchamber, Madam Fan née Zhao sat before her mirror, allowing her maid to gently apply newly purchased jasmine hair oil to her hair ends.

As the oil touched her hair tips, her originally fluffy black hair immediately became sleek, appearing even more silky smooth. Zhao looked at herself in the mirror – the beautiful woman had a face like peach blossoms and eyebrows like willow leaves, truly stunning and alluring.

Yet she slightly furrowed her brow, carefully examining her face from different angles, then reached out to feel her waist, asking the maid behind her: “Cuier, have I gotten fatter lately?”

The maid answered with a smile: “Madam is beautiful as jade, very graceful indeed.”

Zhao shook her head: “No, I must have become more plump recently.”

These days Fan Zhengxian left early and returned late. When Zhao attended to his meals and daily needs, she often saw him looking distracted. Zhao had already been worried that as Fan Zhengxian’s career advanced, his thoughts might gradually drift elsewhere. Now that Fan Zhengxian was acting unusually, Zhao naturally had suspicions.

However, when her people secretly investigated, they found no traces of any mistress. After much thought, Zhao could only suspect that Fan Zhengxian had grown tired of her.

She looked at the sun outside the window and sighed irritably.

The weather was getting hotter, and women’s clothing was becoming increasingly thin and light. She had changed into golden silk gauze, which had a subtle sheen, moving like ripples in sunlight when she walked.

But though it was alluring, such thin gauze would inevitably appear bulky unless one was naturally slender.

Zhao was a voluptuous beauty. In cold weather, clothing could still conceal something, but in hot weather when dressed thinly, she was always dissatisfied with her figure.

Yes, Zhao was particularly sensitive about her figure.

Perhaps it was because of the given name “Feiyan” (Flying Swallow) her parents had chosen for her in childhood – just hearing it suggested lightness and grace. Moreover, that notorious imperial consort of the same name was famous for being so delicate she could dance on one’s palm. From childhood to adulthood, this name had been like a beautiful curse, always binding her heart.

Zhao was very beautiful, but whether by heaven’s cruelty or not, as she grew older, she became increasingly round and voluptuous. This didn’t detract from her reputation as a beauty, but when compared to her given name, it always felt somewhat ironic.

Zhao also felt annoyed about this. She wanted to “live up to her name,” and wanted “that slender Chu palace waist,” but unfortunately one’s body and skin come from one’s parents, and some things were peculiarly stubborn. No matter how little she ate or how many medicines she took, her limbs could never become as thin and delicate as those ladies in paintings, just as a peony could never become a lily.

Yet her husband Fan Zhengxian, having seen enough peonies, now seemed interested in lilies.

Zhao thought coldly that this world always demanded more from women.

As she thought aimlessly, she recalled something and called her maid: “Oh right, what about the ‘Xianxian’ we sent people to buy from Renxin Medical Shop? Why haven’t they bought it yet?”

Last time when Madam Dong from the Court of Imperial Entertainments visited, she had mentioned in casual conversation that a medicinal tea had appeared in the capital, extremely effective – even a butcher could become as handsome as Pan An after using it.

This was nonsense, but Madam Dong spoke with such conviction, not seeming to be lying. Moreover, Zhao was rather idle lately, so she sent people to investigate the temple entrance in the east city. Upon asking, they indeed found a handsome man selling meat.

That story about the pig butcher Pan An was true.

Thus, Zhao became extremely interested and immediately sent servants to purchase some.

The maid replied: “The household buyers said the shop’s resident doctor keeps saying they’re out of stock. Our buyers have gone to ask four or five times over these past ten days, but always returned empty-handed.”

Zhao’s movements paused: “They’ve already gone four or five times?”

The maid nodded.

“This medical shop certainly puts on airs,” Zhao felt somewhat displeased. “Having gone once, they should know our household needs it. Anyone sensible would have eagerly sent the items over by now. But they’re just a tiny medical shop, yet they make our household’s people beg repeatedly – how ignorant of proper conduct.”

After a pause, Zhao asked again: “Does this medical shop have any powerful backing?”

The maid shook her head: “Your servant has inquired – the shop owner is an ordinary merchant, and the resident doctor is an orphaned girl from outside the capital. The entire shop has only four people, two of whom are working assistants.”

Zhao sneered: “Indeed, only country folk would be so ignorant of proper etiquette.”

The long summer days made her feel irritable, so she withdrew her smile and said coldly: “Send someone to the medical shop again with my calling card. Tell them this madam requires the medicine, and they must deliver it within three days.”

“Yes.”

…

When the Fan residence’s card arrived, it was the afternoon hour.

Past the summer solstice, the days grew longer. The business of selling bamboo mats flourished on West Street. Heat waves rolled through the streets – no one dared to go out during midday, each person hiding in their dwellings silently reciting “peace of mind brings natural coolness.”

Du Changqing returned from buying fresh peaches at the fruit shop in the official alley. Yin Zheng soaked them in well water, then took them out ice-cold. Cut in half, they looked like young maidens’ pink cheeks, fresh and tender. One bite was both crisp and sweet, making the mouth water – very refreshing in the intense heat.

“How is it, Doctor Lu?” Du Changqing fanned himself with a bamboo fan, looking at her proudly: “Aren’t our capital’s peaches better than those from your hometown?”

Even this need comparison? Yin Zheng couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

But Lu Tong smiled.

There were peach trees on Luomei Peak too, but the mountain’s wild peaches were sour and astringent, small in size, sparsely bearing just a few fruits, really impossible to eat.

Yun Niang never picked those peaches, letting them stay on the branches. In summer, occasionally birds would come to peck at them, but not many. If they had sweet peaches like these instead, Luomei Peak would probably be more lively.

Acheng walked in from outside, handing a card to Lu Tong: “Miss Lu, the Fan family’s people have brought another card, requesting you deliver ‘Xianxian’ within three days.”

These past days Fan residence’s people had been coming to buy the medicinal tea, but coincidentally these days Xianxian was out of stock – Lu Tong hadn’t made new tea yet. So the Fan family sent someone every few days to urge them, making people anxious.

Du Changqing spat out his peach pit with a “pah” sound, looking sideways at Lu Tong with suspicion: “Doctor Lu, why have you been so slow making medicinal tea these days? Is it because you don’t have enough money for materials?”

Lu Tong reached out to take the card, putting it away: “The medicinal tea is already made.”

This was unexpected. Du Changqing was also stunned for a moment before saying: “Then what are we waiting for? Acheng, tell them to come get it quickly!”

Lu Tong interrupted him: “Wait.”

“What now?”

“Madam Fan seems very angry. Just sending the medicinal tea probably won’t be enough to calm her anger.”

Du Changqing held the peach pit, looking surprised: “Then what should we do? You’re not planning to apologize in person and visit their home, are you?”

“Good idea.”

Du Changqing: “…”

Lu Tong stood up: “We must show our sincerity.”

…

It had been barely an hour since Zhao’s people sent the card when Renxin Medical Shop’s reply was immediately presented.

The maid Cuier stood before Zhao, speaking softly: “…the medical shop’s resident doctor is waiting outside the mansion gate. Besides delivering medicine, she also wishes to see Madam in person, perhaps knowing she has offended and wanting to apologize face to face.”

Zhao held her tea, her contempt growing stronger: “Now they know to be afraid.”

“Does Madam wish to see her?”

Zhao frowned slightly, thought for a while, then said: “Let her wait at the gate for a quarter-hour, then bring her in to see me.”

Lu Tong and Yin Zheng waited at the Fan residence gate for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn before a maid finally came leisurely to lead them inside.

This show of authority was quite obvious, but Lu Tong said nothing, simply following the maid into the residence with Yin Zheng, discreetly observing their surroundings as they walked.

The Fan residence was extremely large.

She had thought the Ke family mansion was already quite spacious, but the Fan residence was even more luxurious. Springs, rocks, woods, pavilions, and gazebos – exquisite attention to detail could be seen everywhere.

Lu Tong’s gaze paused on a ruby bonsai in the garden, then lowered her head, her expression meaningful but unclear.

According to the information Lord Cao had investigated, Criminal Review Court Official Fan Zhengxian originally came from a minor official’s household. About six or seven years ago, he was granted the title of co-presented scholar and appointed as the magistrate of Yuan’an County.

Fan Zhenglian served as a magistrate for three years, gaining popular support for his excellent handling of cases, including resolving several long-standing injustices. His good reputation reached imperial ears, and His Majesty specially promoted Fan Zhenglian’s rank, calling him back to the capital.

In just a few short years, Fan Zhenglian rose from a mere county magistrate to become a Bureau Director in the Ministry of Justice, then Vice Minister, and now to his current position as Criminal Review Court Official – truly a meteoric rise.

More importantly, Fan Zhenglian’s reputation was excellent. Common people said he was “discerning of the smallest detail and upholding the law without bias,” earning him the honorary title “Upright Fan.”

Perhaps this was why when Lu Qian came to the capital to file his complaint, he first sought help from Fan Zhenglian’s office.

Seeking help from an “upright official” who “investigates every injustice” seemed perfectly reasonable. Moreover, Lu Qian had lived in Changwu County his whole life – it was natural for common people to seek official intervention when faced with injustice.

However…

Lu Tong lowered her eyes. How could a truly upright and honest official have such a luxurious residence? Even with Fan Zhenglian’s current salary, maintaining such a mansion would not be easy.

Fan Zhenglian’s wife had brought a rich dowry, Fan Zhenglian’s wife Zhao Feiyan came from a family of similar status to Fan’s before his promotion.

With Fan Zhenglian presiding over the capital’s Zhao Prison Criminal Court, if someone wanted to bribe an official, they would only need to manipulate case details.

Moreover, with the Grand Tutor’s power, just a word would suffice – no money would even need to change hands for subordinates to handle matters appropriately.

As she was contemplating this, the maid leading the way stopped in front of a flower hall, saying: “Miss Lu, we’ve arrived.”

Lu Tong looked up.

In the summer heat, the bamboo blinds in the flower hall were half-rolled up. On an intricately carved precious wood daybed lounged a young beautiful woman.

This beauty wore a rose-purple gauze-patterned wide-sleeved dress. Her face was like the silver moon, her lips like a red lotus. In her hair was loosely pinned a red jade droplet gold ornament that swayed delicately with her movements, displaying countless charms that would make anyone’s heart soften at the sight.

Lu Tong understood – this must be Fan Zhenglian’s wife, Lady Zhao.

She and Yin Zheng stepped forward, properly greeting Lady Zhao: “This commoner Lu Tong pays respects to Madam.”

For a long while, no one responded.

Zhao was also observing Lu Tong.

She had already heard from servants that Renxin Medical Shop’s resident doctor was a woman, though when first hearing this news, Zhao hadn’t thought much of it.

Female doctors were rare. Besides the medical women in the palace’s Imperial Academy of Medicine, female doctors in common medical shops were mostly those forced to make a living due to family hardship.

Otherwise, what daughter from a good family would willingly come out to face the public and humble herself serving others?

Zhao had expected to see a dusty, timid, impoverished woman, but reality proved otherwise, which was why she was so shocked when Lu Tong and Yin Zheng stood before her.

The pretty girl on the left holding a medical box was the shop’s assistant, appearing even more clever than her maid Cuier.

As for the one on the right…

Zhao frowned slightly.

This woman was much younger than she had imagined, looking no more than seventeen or eighteen, quite beautiful, with a light and graceful bearing. Her misty black hair was braided into two plaits, hanging docilely over her chest. Her light green dress and skirt seemed either too large or perhaps the woman herself was too thin, appearing somewhat loose, making her features appear even more delicate and fragile.

She wore no ornaments or hairpins, only fresh jasmine flowers adorning her hair. The jasmine fragrance made the young woman appear even more elegant and refined. It made one think unbidden of that poem—

“Ice and snow from her face, jade makes her form,

Tender feelings should stay beside the locked window frame,

Fragrance noticed when waking from pure dreams,

Flowers bloom above the beauty’s head.”

She was indeed beautiful.

“You are the female doctor from Renxin Medical Shop?” After a long while, Zhao spoke.

“Yes, Madam.”

“Rise.”

Only then did Lu Tong and Yin Zheng stand up.

Zhao stared at Lu Tong, her expression somewhat displeased.

She had always placed great importance on appearance, and while she could tolerate women being smarter than her, she didn’t like seeing women more beautiful than her.

This female doctor had some beauty, and between her brows was a subtle scholarly air that made her appear weak and elegant. Standing in the flower hall, if one didn’t know she was a resident doctor, just looking at her, one might believe she was a young lady from a scholarly family.

And then there was her slender figure…

It truly aroused jealousy.

Zhao suppressed the subtle envy in her heart and said coldly: “I hear you wanted to see me.”

Lu Tong reached out, and Yin Zheng quickly handed over the medical box. Lu Tong opened it and took out three snow-white porcelain bottles, passing them to Zhao’s maid.

The maid brought the bottles for Zhao to see. The porcelain bottles were decorated with pink paper labels showing several pomegranate flower petals – it was “Xianxian.”

“When your household’s people came to buy the medicinal tea earlier, unfortunately, the previous batch was sold out. I have been improving the formula recently, and before verifying the effects of the new formula, I dared not carelessly send it to Madam, lest it harm your precious person.”

“Now Xianxian’s formula has been improved, but having delayed Madam’s time, I felt very anxious, so I came personally to help ease Madam’s worries.”

Zhao’s brows furrowed: “Ease my worries?”

Lu Tong raised her head: “Did Madam have your people buy Renxin Medical Shop’s ‘Xianxian’ to slim?”

“Nonsense!” Zhao denied without thinking, “Why would I need such dubious medicinal tea?”

Lu Tong fell silent.

Zhao’s expression became somewhat ugly.

She was extremely proud of her appearance but particularly sensitive about her figure. The female doctor’s words had undoubtedly struck her sore spot – how could Zhao show a pleasant face?

Before she could speak further, the person before her spoke again in a gentle voice: “To be honest with Madam, although ‘Xianxian’ is quite famous in the capital and all who have used it praise it, in fact, at our Renxin Medical Shop, the most effective thing for slimming isn’t ‘Xianxian.'”

Hearing this, Zhao was stunned and unconsciously asked: “Then what is it?”

“This.”

As Lu Tong spoke, she had already taken out a long cloth from the medical box.

On the cloth, golden needles were arranged.

Zhao asked puzzled: “What is this?”

“I have studied acupuncture. If Madam wishes to slim down, medicinal tea only works temporarily, ultimately treating the surface but not the root. If supplemented with acupuncture, not only will the effects be doubled with half the effort, it will also nourish the skin and body, preserving beauty.”

“Preserving beauty…” A flash of interest appeared in Zhao’s eyes.

What woman in the world doesn’t hope to preserve her beauty forever, especially someone like Zhao who viewed appearance as life itself? Every day she worried anxiously about keeping her husband’s heart, fearing that one careless moment would let some little fox spirit outside bewitch him. Lu Tong’s words had struck right at her heart.

She looked at Lu Tong: “Are you speaking the truth?”

Lu Tong nodded: “I dare not deceive Madam.”

Zhao snorted: “You certainly wouldn’t dare.”

She stared at Lu Tong’s face and clothes, unable to hide her interest. If what this doctor said was true, if she could become as slim and delicate as this woman, wearing thin gauze clothing, wouldn’t she be like an immortal? Perhaps her husband’s wandering attention would soon return to her.

Thinking of this, Zhao smiled charmingly and said to Lu Tong: “In that case, I’ll give you this chance – you may perform acupuncture on me. If it truly works, I will reward you well, but if you dare deceive me…”

The smile vanished from her face: “Do you know what happens to those who dare deceive the wife of the Criminal Review Court Official?”

Lu Tong respectfully said: “I wouldn’t dare.”

Seeing Lu Tong’s obedient manner, Zhao seemed quite satisfied. Just as she was about to speak further, suddenly a maid came to report from outside: “The master has returned—”

Zhao’s face lit up with joy. Disregarding Lu Tong in the flower hall, she rose to go meet him, saying as she went: “Why has he returned so early today?”

Lu Tong and Yin Zheng stood in the flower hall, only hearing footsteps moving outside, accompanied by Zhao’s solicitous greetings, as someone walked into the flower hall.

Lu Tong looked up.

It was a middle-aged man about forty, or perhaps younger. This man wore a gauze cap and round collar, with a gold belt and black boots, truly cutting an imposing figure as he moved. He had thick eyebrows and straight eyes, a yellow mustache, and quite an intimidating gaze.

This man should have been an impressive official, but unfortunately, he wasn’t tall and was rather corpulent, making him look like a pot-bellied yellow weasel wearing official robes. Standing next to others, he was like the beast to their beauty.

Compared to Lady Zhao, he looked more like someone who needed to take that medicinal tea.

The man’s steps faltered when he saw Lu Tong in the hall: “This is…”

Lu Tong only looked once before lowering her head.

Fan Zhenglian.

This was the people’s beloved “upright official,” Criminal Review Court Official Fan Zhenglian, who had imprisoned and condemned Lu Qian.