Seeing this, Zhao in the flower hall supported Fan Zhenglian while turning back with a smile: “This is the resident physician from the medical hall, Dr. Lu.”

Fan Zhenglian nodded, his gaze lingering on Lu Tong’s face for a moment.

A young and beautiful medical woman was hard not to notice.

Seeing this, Zhao pressed her forehead with her hand, feigning weakness: “Husband, I’ve been feeling somewhat unwell lately, so I asked Dr. Lu to come examine me.”

“Feeling unwell?” Fan Zhenglian was indeed drawn to attention, turning to ask with concern: “Where do you feel uncomfortable?”

“Perhaps it’s because of the hot weather…”

Zhao walked into the house with Fan Zhenglian while turning back to give Lu Tong a meaningful look.

Lu Tong understood, packed up her medical box and withdrew from the flower hall with the maid.

Zhao’s maid escorted them to the Fan residence gate, arranged the time for Lu Tong’s next visit, then departed.

Looking at the Fan residence gate that had closed again, Yin Zheng felt somewhat indignant, complaining in a low voice: “The people at the Fan residence are really stingy. They claim to be court officials, took the medicinal tea without paying a single coin, no consultation fee, not even a cup of tea.”

“I wonder if later when Miss treats Madam Fan with acupuncture, she’ll still be a penny-pincher, wanting something for nothing?”

Du Changqing might be stingy, but he had never shortchanged Lu Tong’s monthly wages.

Lu Tong turned around: “It doesn’t matter, I wasn’t doing it for the consultation fee anyway.”

Today she had visited the Fan residence and established a relationship with Fan Zhenglian’s wife Zhao—she had already achieved her purpose. Moreover, she had seen Fan Zhenglian with her own eyes.

This Master Fan wore very particular clothing, and seeing the luxurious residence and arrogant servants, Lu Tong’s doubts were somewhat resolved.

Lu Tong walked forward carrying her medical box, and Yin Zheng pulled her back: “Miss, the road back to the medical hall is that way.”

Lu Tong looked into the distance: “It’s still early, let’s go to another place.”

“Where?”

Lu Tong said: “To see my relative in the capital.”

Uncle Cao’s information about officials was limited to avoid causing trouble, but for common people without background, they could investigate everything thoroughly.

Yin Zheng’s silver was sufficient, so the information obtained was detailed.

According to intelligence from Happy Tower, when Lu Qian was wanted by the authorities in Shengjing, the government searched everywhere without success. Finally, it was through someone’s tip-off about Lu Qian’s hiding place that the authorities tracked him down.

The person who informed on Lu Qian was named Liu Kun.

Liu Kun…

Lu Tong’s eyes flickered.

Speaking of which, she had once called him “Uncle” too.

“Let’s go.” Lu Tong said to Yin Zheng.

The two left the Fan residence entrance and walked in another direction, not noticing that across from the Fan residence, someone had stopped and was thoughtfully watching their departing figures.

“Sir, is something wrong?” someone beside him inquired.

The man came back to his senses, looked again at the distant figures, and said in a deep voice: “Nothing.”

…

“Liu’s Noodle Shop” was located on a prime spot on Sparrow Street in front of the Imperial Ancestral Temple in Shengjing.

In front of the noodle shop was a huge iron pot, with steaming hot air rising from it along with appetizing aromas. A cook stood at the entrance putting noodles into the pot. Not far from the cook, beside a wooden cabinet, leaned a plump woman. Seeing Lu Tong and Yin Zheng, the woman put on a smiling face and warmly greeted them: “Are you two young ladies here for noodles? There are seats inside!”

Yin Zheng responded and entered the shop with Lu Tong to sit down. Once seated, Yin Zheng looked around and couldn’t help whispering to Lu Tong: “Miss, this noodle shop is quite large.”

Lu Tong’s gaze fell on the teacup on the table: “Yes, very large.”

In such a bustling market, rent for the prime location would certainly be expensive. Even if the noodle restaurant was very profitable, supporting such a shop would not be easy.

Moreover, the tables, chairs, and decorations in this noodle restaurant were obviously very refined.

The shop assistant who came to wipe the table pointed to the wall: “What would you two like to eat?”

Lu Tong carefully studied the menu for a long time before saying: “One bowl of stir-fried eel noodles.”

Yin Zheng also spoke up: “One bowl of silk chicken noodles.”

“Coming right up!” The assistant took his towel and went to greet new customers entering the door. Lu Tong looked up, silently watching ahead.

From this direction, she faced the noodle shop’s entrance. That chatting woman had her back to Lu Tong, talking with regular customers beside her. The woman wore a sapphire blue brocade dress with floral trim, the fabric brand new, with a heavy pure gold bracelet on her wrist that made her whole person appear radiant.

Yin Zheng followed her gaze and quietly asked Lu Tong: “Do you know her, Miss?”

Lu Tong: “My aunt by marriage.”

Yin Zheng was somewhat surprised and was about to speak when the assistant brought over two bowls of noodles. The fragrant noodle bowls distracted Yin Zheng’s attention, and she unconsciously said: “Smells so good.”

The stir-fried eel noodles were served in a deep blue enamel bowl. The bowl was large and deep, the noodles thin and chewy, with eel strips covering the entire bowl. A large spoonful of red-hot oil was poured on top, creating an appetizing aroma.

Lu Tong picked up chopsticks without speaking.

Wang Chunzhi’s best noodle dish was stir-fried eel noodles.

So much time had passed that Lu Tong could barely remember this aunt’s appearance and voice, only remembering that her stir-fried eel noodles were very fragrant.

In those days when the Lu family was poor, Lu Qian often took Lu Rou and Lu Tong to catch yellow eels by the fields. The caught loaches were put in baskets and brought home, and neighboring Wang Chunzhi would stir-fry the yellow eels. Everyone got a big bowl of stir-fried eel noodles. Those were Lu Tong’s few memories of abundant delicious meals.

She called Wang Chunzhi “Aunt” and Liu Kun “Uncle.” Liu Kun’s temperament was completely different from her father’s. Her father was rigid and stern, while Liu Kun was kind and affable. He would lift her high to sit on his shoulders and would secretly give her candy when her father punished her to face the wall and reflect.

Wang Chunzhi and Liu Kun had lived in Changwu County for many years. Until Lu Tong was seven, Liu Kun borrowed fifty taels of silver from her father, taking his wife and children to the capital to do business. From then on, they lost contact.

Later, when plague struck Changwu County, Lu Tong went up the mountain with Yunniang. Seven years passed in a flash, and Lu Tong herself had almost forgotten she had such relatives. Who would have thought she’d hear this familiar name again from Uncle Cao’s people?

So she wanted to come see this “distant relative” who had informed on the authorities—the same person who had once cooked stir-fried eel noodles for her on summer evenings.

Wang Chunzhi didn’t recognize Lu Tong, which was natural, since Lu Tong had changed greatly from before.

As for Wang Chunzhi…

Lu Tong lowered her head and silently took a bite of noodles.

This aunt no longer had her past simplicity—she was older but much more prosperous.

Steam rising from the noodle bowl blurred Lu Tong’s vision, while from ahead came Wang Chunzhi’s conversation with regular customers.

“Proprietress, the autumn examinations will be here soon. Your young master will surely pass this year’s autumn exam!”

Wang Chunzhi laughingly pretended to hit him: “How can you be so sure he’ll pass? How many names appear on the exam list each year? This is Zide’s first time taking the exam—it would be good enough if he can finish it properly. What are you daydreaming about?”

“Proprietress, why be so modest? We all know your two sons are promising. The eldest passed two years ago, so the youngest certainly won’t be lacking. When the young master passes, don’t forget to treat us to drinks!”

This flattery made Wang Chunzhi beam with joy, eagerly agreeing as if Liu Zide’s success was already a foregone conclusion.

Lu Tong’s hand holding chopsticks paused.

Liu Kun and Wang Chunzhi had two sons—Lu Tong’s cousins Liu Zixian and Liu Zide.

However…

In Lu Tong’s memory, these two were not scholarly material at all.

She picked up another strand of noodles but didn’t put it in her mouth. The spicy aroma from the bowl gradually rose, making Lu Tong’s cheeks flush pink.

Lu Tong’s eyes darkened.

Liu Kun’s two sons, eldest son Liu Zixian and youngest son Liu Zide, were Lu Tong’s cousins.

Unlike her uncle and aunt, Lu Tong actually didn’t much like these two cousins.

These two had arrogant personalities and were habitually incompetent but ambitious. When in Changwu County, to avoid work, they often dumped their tasks on Lu Qian. Lu Tong was dissatisfied with this, but Lu Qian was good-natured, thinking that since they were brothers, doing a bit more work was fine—no need to be petty.

However, Lu Qian’s tolerance didn’t earn gratitude.

Lu Qian studied at the academy with these two brothers. Liu Zide was even two years older than Lu Qian, yet Lu Qian was much better at scholarship than the Liu brothers. Perhaps out of jealousy, Liu Zixian disliked Lu Qian and was always sarcastic in his speech.

Yet this very cousin, whose scholarship was mediocre and whose essays were a mess, had actually passed the autumn examinations two years ago and become a licentiate. After passing further assessments, he might be able to take a local post.

Although one should view people with fresh eyes after three days, this change seemed too dramatic.

As for second cousin Liu Zide…

Lu Tong remembered he couldn’t even write his own name clearly.

Now Liu Zixian had already passed, and Liu Zide was also taking this year’s autumn examinations. Looking at her aunt’s manner, though she tried hard to conceal it, her expression couldn’t hide her confidence.

Confidence in Liu Zide’s essays?

Hardly likely.

The Liu family previously only knew how to make money and eat. Now they’d truly struck gold—both brothers passing examinations. Were they really so capable? Yet there were countless talented scholars in this world. Someone as talented as Scholar Wu from the fresh fish market, who had studied hard for over ten years, still failed the examinations.

Moreover, the time when Liu Zixian passed the autumn examinations two years ago…

Calculating it, it was shortly after Lu Qian was arrested.

Outside, Wang Chunzhi continued chatting and laughing amid everyone’s flattery about “the eldest son becoming an official, the youngest son also becoming an official.” Lu Tong pondered alone until Yin Zheng’s sound of putting down chopsticks interrupted her thoughts.

Seeing Yin Zheng put down her bowl, Lu Tong said: “Let’s go when you’re finished.”

Yin Zheng nodded, wiped her mouth, then looked at the noodle bowl in front of Lu Tong, asking puzzledly: “Won’t Miss eat some more? The noodles have gotten cold.”

Cold noodles had clumped together, and the fragrant aroma had dissipated.

“No.”

Lu Tong glanced down at the noodle bowl and stood up.

“These noodles no longer taste like they used to.”

…

Inside Shangjin Gate, the evening air at the Palace Guard Commander’s residence was filled with the aroma of rice porridge.

Duan Xiaoyan squatted on the ground, dumping the noodles from his bowl to a black dog in the courtyard.

The black dog had an agile build and well-proportioned muscles. Its fur was like shining black satin, sparkling with tiny scales in the sunset—a beautiful hunting dog, though its eating posture wasn’t very elegant.

As soon as Pei Yunying entered from outside, this was the scene he saw. After a moment of silence, he spoke: “Why are you feeding it again?”

Duan Xiaoyan looked up, first calling “Brother,” then excitedly said: “Brother, look, hasn’t Zhizi lost a lot of weight recently? Dr. Lu’s medicinal soup is really amazing.”

Pei Yunying glanced at the black dog: “It wasn’t fat to begin with.”

“Brother, you just spoil her.” Duan Xiaoyan patted the dog’s head. “Zhizi is a Palace Guards Division dog, representing our division’s reputation. Besides, she’s a girl, and girls should naturally be more slender to be beautiful.”

“Since when does the Palace Guards Division’s reputation need to be represented by a dog?” Pei Yunying laughed and scolded, walking straight into the courtyard.

Seeing him go in, Duan Xiaoyan remembered something and got up to shout: “Oh right, the Deputy just came back and seemed to be looking for you.”

Pei Yunying entered the division and first went to the military records room. After putting away the military roster in his hands and exiting the room, he was blocked at the door by Xiao Zhufeng.

“You’re back early.” Pei Yunying walked toward the quarters, with Xiao Zhufeng following behind.

“I took people to the Military Horses Division today.”

Pei Yunying: “How did it go?”

“Lei Yuan is dead.”

Pei Yunying entered the room: “As expected. The Lu Dashan affair implicated many people. With several of the Military Horses Division’s operatives in my hands, they’re naturally busy eliminating witnesses.”

Xiao Zhufeng turned to close the door: “Lu Dashan’s case involves the Crown Prince. Now that the Military Horses Division and Criminal Justice Division are implicated… the Crown Prince probably already has the Grand Tutor’s Manor’s support.”

“Don’t worry,” Pei Yunying smiled, reaching to unbuckle his sword from his waist. “This imperial city is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. It’s not over yet—victory and defeat are still uncertain. Why are you nervous?”

Xiao Zhufeng paused, then continued: “There’s another matter.”

“What?”

“Today I saw Dr. Lu at Criminal Court Chief Judge Fan Zhenglian’s residence. She came out of the Fan residence.”

Pei Yunying’s motion of removing his sword paused.

Xiao Zhufeng reminded him with a wooden expression: “The female doctor we met at Wan’en Temple before—you helped her out of a predicament, but she didn’t want to acknowledge you.”

Pei Yunying laughed in exasperation: “Which eye of yours saw that she didn’t want to acknowledge me?”

“Both Duan Xiaoyan’s and my four eyes saw it.” Xiao Zhufeng asked: “Aren’t you curious about her purpose in visiting the Fan residence?”

“Honestly, a bit curious.” Pei Yunying placed his sword on the table and sat down in a chair. “This Dr. Lu seems to dislike the powerful and wealthy, finding them extremely distasteful. When officials come to buy medicine, she makes them beg repeatedly. Her personally visiting the Fan residence is unexpected.”

“I don’t believe she has no ulterior motive.”

Xiao Zhufeng asked: “Should we have someone watch her?”

Pei Yunying smiled: “No need. The division has been busy lately—we barely have enough people. Don’t waste manpower.”

Xiao Zhufeng said “Oh.”

Pei Yunying then changed his mind: “Actually, go tell Duan Xiaoyan to have someone watch the Fan residence and also pay attention to Lu Tong’s movements in and out of the Fan residence.”

Xiao Zhufeng gave him a meaningful look.

Pei Yunying picked up a paperweight from the table and threw it at him, laughing: “Don’t misunderstand. I just think that since Fan Zhenglian has secret dealings with the Grand Tutor’s Manor, we might be able to extract quite a bit of information from his residence.”

“As for that Dr. Lu…”

He tapped the table with his fingertip, speaking thoughtfully: “Fan Zhenglian is a court official, not an ordinary merchant. If something happens, it will inevitably trigger official investigation. Moreover, the Fan residence keeps guards.”

“…Even if she’s extremely bold, she surely wouldn’t dare kill someone in an official’s residence, right?”

This story is purely fictional. Don’t give dogs diet pills, and humans shouldn’t eat them either. Exercise is the best way to lose weight!