Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, another ten days had passed.

On Luo Yueqiao Bridge, young girls in light summer garments began appearing morning and evening to sell jasmine flowers. The jasmine’s fragrance was elegant and sweet. Medical texts recorded that steaming jasmine to extract its oil for use as face cream and hair oil could both moisturize and promote hair growth while creating a bone-deep fragrance.

In the courtyard of the Imperial Criminal Court’s Chief Judge Fan’s residence in the capital, Madam Fan (née Zhao) sat before her mirror in her bedchamber, allowing the maid behind her to gently apply newly purchased jasmine hair oil to the tips of her hair.

As the hair oil settled on her hair ends, her originally fluffy black hair immediately became sleek and smooth, appearing even more delicate like silk satin. Looking at herself in the mirror, Zhao saw a beautiful woman with a face like peach blossoms and eyebrows like willow leaves—utterly enchanting and alluring.

Yet she frowned slightly, carefully examining her face from left and right, then reached out to touch her waist, asking the maid behind her: “Cui’er, have I gained weight recently?”

The maid laughed and replied: “Madam, you are beautiful as flowers and jade, perfectly graceful.”

Zhao shook her head: “No, I’ve definitely become more plump lately.”

These past days, Fan Zhenglian had been leaving early and returning late. When Zhao served him meals and attended to his daily needs, she often noticed Fan Zhenglian appearing absent-minded. Zhao had always worried that as Fan Zhenglian’s career advanced, his thoughts would gradually drift elsewhere. Now that Fan Zhenglian was acting strangely, Zhao naturally grew suspicious.

However, her people had secretly investigated but found no trace of any mistress. After much consideration, Zhao could only suspect that Fan Zhenglian had grown tired of her.

She gazed at the sun outside the window and sighed with some irritation.

The weather was getting hotter, and women’s clothing was becoming lighter and thinner. She had already changed into golden silk gauze, which had shimmering light on it, moving like ripples in sunlight when she walked—truly captivating.

But captivating as it was, such thin gauze would inevitably appear bulky unless one had a naturally slender figure.

Zhao was a voluptuous beauty. In cold weather, thicker fabrics could still conceal her figure, but when the weather turned hot and she wore thin clothing, she was always dissatisfied with her appearance.

Indeed, Zhao was particularly sensitive about her figure.

Perhaps it was because her parents had given her the childhood name “Flying Swallow,” which sounded light and graceful. Moreover, the historical figure who shared this name was famous for being so slender she could dance in someone’s palm. From childhood to adulthood, this name had been like a beautiful curse, constantly binding her heart.

Zhao was born very beautiful, but perhaps Heaven was cruel—as she aged, she gradually became rounder and more voluptuous. This wouldn’t normally detract from her reputation as a beauty, but when compared to her childhood name, it always seemed somewhat ironic.

Zhao found this frustrating. She wanted to live up to her name, wanted to have “a slender waist like those in the Chu palace,” but unfortunately, one’s body was inherited from parents, and some things were mysteriously stubborn. No matter how little she ate or how many medicines she tried, her limbs could never become as delicate and slender as the ladies in paintings—just as a peony could never become a lily.

Yet her husband Fan Zhenglian, having grown tired of peonies, now seemed interested in lilies.

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

As she pondered aimlessly, she remembered an old matter and called to her maid: “By the way, what happened to sending someone to buy ‘Xianxian’ from Renxin Medical Hall? Why haven’t they obtained it yet?”

Last time, when Madam Dong from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices Minister’s residence visited her home, she had mentioned during casual conversation that a medicinal tea had appeared in the capital with extremely good effects—even a butcher could become as handsome as Pan An after using it.

This was truly absurd, but Madam Dong spoke with such conviction, not seeming to lie, and since Zhao had been idle lately, she had someone investigate at the temple entrance in the eastern city. Upon inquiry, they indeed found a vigorous man selling meat.

The story of the pork-selling Pan An was actually true.

This made Zhao’s heart race with excitement, and she immediately ordered her servants to purchase some.

The maid replied: “The household purchaser said the resident physician at the medical hall keeps saying there’s no stock. Over these ten days, the purchaser has asked four or five times and returned empty-handed each time.”

Zhao paused in her movements: “Already gone four or five times?”

The maid nodded.

“What arrogance from this medical hall.” Zhao felt somewhat displeased. “Having gone once, they should know our household needs it. Any sensible person would have eagerly delivered it long ago. But they’re making our household’s people beg repeatedly—how presumptuous.”

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

The maid shook her head: “This servant has already inquired. The medical hall’s owner is an ordinary merchant, and the resident physician is a lone woman from out of town who came to the capital. The entire medical hall has only four people, including two working assistants.”

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

The long summer days made her heart restless, so she put away her smile and said coldly: “Send someone to the medical hall again, take my calling card, and tell her that this madam needs the medicine—she must deliver it within three days.”

“Yes.”

…

The Fan residence’s message arrived during the wei hour (1-3 PM).

Having passed the summer solstice, the days were even longer. Business for bamboo mat sellers on West Street was thriving. The streets rolled with heat waves, and no one dared go out at noon, each hiding in their dwellings, silently chanting “a calm heart naturally brings coolness.”

Du Changqing had bought fresh peaches from the fruit shop in Official Lane. After Yin Zheng soaked them in well water, they came out ice-cold. Cut in half with a knife, they looked like a young girl’s fresh, tender cheeks. One bite revealed crisp sweetness that moistened the mouth, very refreshing in the sweltering heat.

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

Must this be compared too? Yin Zheng couldn’t help rolling her eyes.

But Lu Tong smiled.

There were also peach trees on Falling Plum Peak, but the wild peaches on the mountain were sour and astringent, small in size, and bore only a few scattered fruits that were truly inedible.

Yunniang never picked those peaches, leaving them on the branches. In summer, occasionally birds would come to peck at them, though not many. If they were sweet peaches like these, Falling Plum Peak would probably be much livelier.

A’Cheng walked in from outside, handing a calling card to Lu Tong: “Miss Lu, the Fan family sent another card, requesting you deliver ‘Xianxian’ within three days.”

These past days, people from the Fan residence had come to buy the medicinal tea, but unfortunately, Xianxian had been out of stock during this period, and Lu Tong hadn’t finished making the new batch. So the Fan family came to urge her every few days, making everyone feel anxious.

Du Changqing spat out a peach pit and looked at Lu Tong suspiciously: “Dr. Lu, why have you been so slow making medicinal tea these past days? Is it because you don’t have enough silver for materials?”

Lu Tong reached out to take the calling card and put it away: “The medicinal tea is already finished.”

This was completely unexpected. Du Changqing was stunned for a moment, then said: “Then what are we waiting for? A’Cheng, tell them to come get it quickly!”

Lu Tong interrupted him: “Wait.”

“What now?”

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

Du Changqing held the peach pit, looking astonished: “Then what should we do? Are you planning to bear a rod and plead for forgiveness, visiting her personally?”

“Good idea.”

Du Changqing: “…”

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

…

It had been only an hour since Zhao’s people delivered the calling card when Renxin Medical Hall’s reply was immediately presented.

The maid Cui’er stood before Zhao, saying in a low voice: “…The medical hall’s resident physician is waiting outside the manor gate. Besides delivering medicine, she wants to see Madam personally, perhaps knowing she’s offended someone and wanting to apologize in person.”

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

“Should Madam see her?”

Zhao frowned, thought for a while, then said: “Let her wait at the manor gate for a quarter-hour first, then have her come see me.”

Lu Tong and Yin Zheng waited at the Fan residence gate for about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense before a maid finally arrived unhurriedly to lead them into the manor.

This show of authority was obvious enough. Lu Tong didn’t say much, just followed the maid with Yin Zheng into the courtyard, observing the surroundings discreetly as they walked.

The Fan residence was enormous.

She had thought the Ke family’s mansion was already quite spacious, but the Fan residence was even more luxurious than the Ke family’s. Springs, rocks, forests, pavilions, and towers—everything was exquisitely refined.

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

According to the information Uncle Cao had gathered, Criminal Court Chief Judge Fan Zhenglian had originally come from a minor official’s household. About six or seven years ago, he was granted the status of a presented scholar and served as magistrate of Yuan’an County.

Fan Zhenglian served as county magistrate for three years. Due to his excellent case handling and resolution of several long-standing wrongful convictions, he gained the support of local people. His reputation reached the emperor’s ears, who specially promoted Fan Zhenglian’s position and transferred him back to Shengjing.

In just a few years, Fan Zhenglian had risen from a small county magistrate to become a Ministry of Justice secretary, then assistant minister, and now Criminal Court Chief Judge—truly unlimited in his prospects.

More importantly, Fan Zhenglian had an excellent reputation. The people called him “keen-eyed and impartial in upholding the law,” earning him the nickname “Judge Fan the Blue Sky.”

No wonder when Lu Qian came to the capital to file his complaint, he had first sought help from Fan Zhenglian’s household.

Seeking help from a “Blue Sky” official who “investigated every injustice” sounded perfectly reasonable. Moreover, Lu Qian had spent years in Changwu County—for common people facing injustice, seeking an official to uphold justice was natural.

However…

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

Unless Fan Zhenglian’s wife had brought a substantial dowry, but Fan Zhenglian’s wife, Zhao Feiyan, came from a background similar to Fan Zhenglian’s before his promotion.

Fan Zhenglian presided over Shengjing’s criminal justice system. If someone were to bribe officials, they would naturally manipulate cases.

Moreover, with the Grand Tutor’s Manor’s power, they need only say a word—without even sending money—and subordinates would handle matters properly.

As she pondered, the leading maid stopped at a flower hall and said: “Miss Lu, we’re here.”

Lu Tong looked up.

In the sweltering summer heat, the bamboo curtains in the flower hall were half-rolled. On an ornately carved wooden imperial concubine couch, a young beautiful woman reclined gracefully.

This beautiful woman wore a rose-purple gauze garment with large sleeves. Her face was like a silver moon, her lips like red lotus. Atop her head was loosely inserted a red jade and pearl gold hairpin that trembled gently with her movements, displaying countless charms that could soften any heart.

Lu Tong understood—this was Fan Zhenglian’s wife, Madam Zhao.

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

No one responded for a long while.

Zhao was also studying Lu Tong.

She had already heard from servants that Renxin Medical Hall’s resident physician was a woman, though when she first heard this news, Zhao didn’t think much of it.

Few women practiced medicine. Apart from medical women in the Imperial Medical Academy within the palace, most medical women in civilian medical halls and pharmacies came from impoverished families with no choice but to earn a living.

Otherwise, what well-bred family’s daughter would willingly show her face in public and humble herself serving others?

Zhao had expected to see a grey-faced, cowering, impoverished woman. Who knew the reality would be so different? When Lu Tong and Yin Zheng stood before her, Zhao was greatly surprised.

The pretty girl on the left holding a medical box was a medical hall assistant, appearing even more clever than her personal maid Cui’er.

As for the one on the right…

Zhao frowned.

This woman was much younger than expected, appearing only seventeen or eighteen years old, quite beautiful, with a graceful figure. Her fog-black hair was braided into twin plaits hanging obediently on her chest. The light green dress she wore seemed either too large or she was too slender, appearing somewhat loose, further emphasizing her delicate beauty—too weak to sustain fine silk.

She wore no jewelry or hairpins, only fresh jasmine flowers adorning her hair. The jasmine’s fragrance made the young woman appear even more bright and elegantly refined, bringing to mind that poem—

“Ice and snow for features, jade for form, soft feelings suited for beside locked windows,

Fragrance noticed when returning from sweet dreams, flowers blooming upon the beauty’s head.”

She was a beauty.

“You are the medical woman from Renxin Medical Hall?” Zhao finally spoke.

“Yes, Madam.”

“Stand up.”

Only then did Lu Tong and Yin Zheng rise.

Zhao stared at Lu Tong, her expression displeased.

She had always placed great importance on appearance. She could allow women to be smarter than her, but didn’t like seeing women more beautiful than herself.

This medical woman had some beauty, and there was a subtle scholarly air about her eyes and brows, making her appear refined and elegant. Standing in the flower hall, if one didn’t know she was a resident physician, she could pass for a young lady from a scholarly official family just by appearance.

And her slender figure…

It was truly enviable.

Zhao suppressed the subtle jealousy 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, handing them to Zhao’s personal maid.

The maid brought the bottles to Zhao. The bottles were decorated with pink paper labels painted with pomegranate petals—this was “Xianxian.”

“When people from Madam’s residence came to buy medicinal tea, unfortunately the previous batch had sold out. This commoner has been improving the formula recently. Before verifying the formula’s effects, I dared not casually deliver it to Madam, lest it harm Madam’s precious body.”

“Now Xianxian has an improved formula, but having delayed Madam’s time, this commoner feels deeply ashamed, so I came personally to ease Madam’s concerns.”

Zhao frowned: “Ease my concerns?”

Lu Tong looked up: “Did Madam have people buy our medical hall’s ‘Xianxian’ to slim her figure?”

“Nonsense!” Zhao denied without thinking: “Why would this madam need such medicinal tea of unknown origin?”

Lu Tong remained silent.

Zhao’s expression was unpleasant.

She was extremely proud of her appearance but particularly sensitive about her figure. The medical woman’s words were clearly aimed at her sore spot—how could Zhao give her a pleasant expression?

Before she could continue speaking, the person before her spoke gently again: “To be honest with Madam, although ‘Xianxian’ has quite a reputation in Shengjing and users all praise it, in fact, what can best slim one’s figure in our Renxin Medical Hall is not ‘Xianxian.'”

Hearing this, Zhao was startled and instinctively asked: “Then what is it?”

“This.”

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

On the long cloth, golden needles were clearly arranged.

Zhao asked puzzledly: “What is this?”

“This commoner has learned golden needle acupoint therapy. If Madam wishes to slim her body, medicinal tea only provides temporary effects and ultimately treats symptoms rather than root causes. If supplemented with golden needles, not only would the effects be doubled, but it could also nourish the skin and preserve eternal youth.”

“Preserve eternal youth…” A flash of interest appeared in Zhao’s eyes.

What woman in the world didn’t hope for eternal youth, especially someone like Zhao who valued appearance as much as life itself? Every day she worried about keeping her husband’s heart, fearing that one misstep might let those little vixens outside steal his soul. Lu Tong’s words struck right at her heart.

She looked at Lu Tong: “Is what you say true?”

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

Zhao snorted: “You wouldn’t dare.”

She stared at Lu Tong’s face and dress, unable to hide her excitement. If this medical woman spoke truly, if she could become as slender and delicate as this woman, wearing thin gauze clothing, wouldn’t she be like a fairy? Her husband’s bewitched heart might soon return to her.

Thinking of this, Zhao smiled charmingly and said to Lu Tong: “In that case, I’ll give you this opportunity. You will perform acupuncture on me. If it truly has results, this madam will reward you handsomely. But if you dare deceive me…”

Her smile suddenly vanished: “Do you know the consequences of deceiving the wife of a Criminal Court Chief Judge?”

Lu Tong replied respectfully: “This commoner wouldn’t dare.”

Seeing Lu Tong’s obedient appearance, Zhao seemed quite satisfied. Just as she was about to continue speaking, a maid outside suddenly announced: “Master has returned—”

Zhao’s face lit up with joy. Ignoring Lu Tong in the flower hall, she rose and hurried outside, saying: “Why did you return so early today?”

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

Lu Tong looked up.

It was a middle-aged man of about forty, perhaps even younger. This man wore a gauze cap and round collar, golden belt and black boots—truly imposing in bearing. He had thick eyebrows and straight eyes, a yellow beard, and quite intimidating eyes.

This person should have been a very dignified official, but unfortunately he was short in stature with a portly build, making him look like a big-bellied yellow weasel dressed in official robes. Standing beside others, he resembled Beauty and the Beast.

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

The man saw Lu Tong in the hall and paused: “This is…”

Lu Tong took one look and lowered her head.

Fan Zhenglian.

This was the person who had imprisoned Lu Qian and convicted him—that Blue Sky official beloved by the people, Criminal Court Chief Judge Fan Zhenglian.