When Lu Tong returned to West Street from the noodle shop, she could see candles lit in the Renxin Medical Hall from afar.

Yin Zheng muttered: “At this hour, why hasn’t Shopkeeper Du gone home yet? Usually the shop would be closed by now.”

Du Changqing was lazy. When Lu Tong first came to the medical hall, he had pretended to be diligent for a few days, but later he would arrive only after full daylight and leave early before evening. This made some new customers think Lu Tong was the owner of the medical hall, while Du Changqing was just an assistant who would eventually be sold off.

Lu Tong and Yin Zheng walked over. As they approached, they saw several people standing at the entrance of Renxin Medical Hall, apparently talking.

Lu Tong called out “Shopkeeper Du,” and Du Changqing, who had been speaking sideways, turned around. Upon seeing her, his eyes immediately lit up and he rushed over like seeing a lifeline: “Dr. Lu, you’re finally back!”

Before Lu Tong could speak, she heard an unfamiliar voice from beside Du Changqing: “Cousin, who is this…”

Lu Tong looked up.

Two young women were still standing by the shop—one dressed as a maid, the other delicate and refined, wearing an apricot-yellow double-breasted light gauze dress with dark floral patterns. She was hiding half-timidly, half-curiously behind Du Changqing, staring at her.

Du Changqing cleared his throat: “This is our medical hall’s resident physician, Dr. Lu. Dr. Lu,” he said to Lu Tong, “this is my cousin, Xia Rongrong.”

Lu Tong nodded slightly, and Xia Rongrong quickly returned the greeting.

Du Changqing gestured for Lu Tong and Yin Zheng to walk a few steps inside, until they reached a spot where Xia Rongrong couldn’t hear, then whispered to Lu Tong and Yin Zheng: “That… Dr. Lu, for the next period, Rongrong and her companion might need to stay with you.”

Lu Tong asked: “Why?”

“She has no relatives in Shengjing—she only knows me. Since I’m a man and we’re both unmarried, she can’t stay at my residence. It would look improper if word got out.”

Yin Zheng said: “If she’s Shopkeeper Du’s fiancée, living together would be natural. Why worry about it, Shopkeeper Du?”

“Who said she’s my fiancée!” Du Changqing nearly jumped up. His voice was too loud, causing Xia Rongrong to look their way.

Du Changqing gave her a reassuring smile, then turned back to lower his voice to Lu Tong and Yin Zheng: “…She’s my great-aunt’s daughter. These convoluted family relationships are hard to sort out—after my mother died, this is the only branch of relatives we still keep in touch with.”

“Her family is poor. Previously, she’d come to Shengjing every few years, and I could give her some spending money. Now that the old man’s gone and I barely have enough for myself, I can’t give much. She probably plans to stay in Shengjing for a few days before going back. I thought since you’re all women, it would be convenient for you to live together.”

Yin Zheng seemed to understand: “She’s here to freeload?”

“Why put it so harshly?” Du Changqing was displeased. “Which family doesn’t have a few poor relatives? Besides, we see each other once every few years—helping out won’t kill me.”

Yin Zheng sighed: “Shopkeeper Du, your soft heart is a good thing, but I think your cousin might not be after just a little financial help.”

“Look what you’re saying,” Du Changqing disagreed. “If she’s not after money, could she be after this young master’s person? Don’t think so poorly of people!”

Yin Zheng: “…”

Lu Tong interrupted their argument: “It’s fine for Miss Xia to stay here. There are three empty rooms in the back courtyard, and one on the outside is still available. Have Miss Xia clean it up to live in.”

Du Changqing immediately beamed: “Dr. Lu, I knew you were the most reasonable.”

He rushed to the front to give detailed instructions to his cousin Xia Rongrong. Yin Zheng could only shake her head and went to clear out the miscellaneous items from the outer room to make space for the master and servant.

After giving his instructions, Du Changqing left, seemingly unwilling to stay a moment longer. Xia Rongrong and her maid busied themselves with laying out clean bedding. Lu Tong wasn’t naturally sociable and wouldn’t initiate conversation with Xia Rongrong.

She sorted out the medicinal materials needed for tomorrow as usual, then returned to her own room.

Outside the window, the night was deep. A delicate crescent moon hung among the branches, casting weak, pale cold light.

Lu Tong walked to her desk and sat down, taking out paper and brush from the wooden drawer.

Yin Zheng was boiling water in the kitchen. Lu Tong sat at her desk, lifted a sheet of writing paper, and dipped her brush in ink.

Today she had seen Fan Zhenglian, Wang Chunzhi, Liu Zixian, and Liu Zide. The only regret was not seeing Uncle Liu Kun.

However… she had also gained some unexpected information.

Liu Zide was going to take this year’s autumn examinations, which was truly thought-provoking.

After all, the Liu brothers had mediocre talent and were careless and superficial. That Liu Zixian could pass was already miraculous—what gave Liu Zide the confidence to try?

Lu Tong didn’t believe her two cousins had spent the unseen years burning the midnight oil in devoted study.

She put brush to paper, writing down the names Liu Kun and Fan Zhenglian.

Logically, Liu Kun should have met Fan Zhenglian.

According to what Ke Chengxing’s servant Wan Fu revealed, after Lu Rou died, Lu Qian had visited the Ke family, argued fiercely with them, and left unhappily.

Perhaps at that time, Lu Qian had already sensed something suspicious about Lu Rou’s death.

If Lu Qian had found some evidence and brought it to file a complaint with officials, for Lu Qian who knew nothing about Shengjing, choosing to seek help from Fan Zhenglian, who had a “Blue Sky” reputation, was logical.

But Fan Zhenglian wasn’t as impartial as rumored. Fearing the Grand Tutor’s Manor’s power, he might have wanted to destroy the evidence.

Lu Qian sensed something wrong and escaped in the chaos. Then Fan Zhenglian fabricated charges and had Lu Qian hunted throughout the city.

With nowhere to turn, Lu Qian could only hide in Liu Kun’s home—after all, in all of Shengjing, only the Liu family could be considered the Lu family’s old relatives.

Lu Qian thought Liu Kun was still the trustworthy uncle from Changwu County, never imagining that when benefits were sufficient, even relatives could betray.

Liu Kun sold out Lu Qian.

Lu Tong’s brush tip trembled, and a large drop of ink seeped from the tip, spreading into dark traces on the paper.

She drew a line between Liu Kun and Fan Zhenglian.

Liu Kun offered Lu Qian as a pledge of allegiance to Fan Zhenglian, and in return, Fan Zhenglian gave Liu Kun certain benefits.

Was it that noodle shop on Sparrow Street?

No, even though the shop had a good street location and refined renovations, Lu Qian’s case involved the Grand Tutor’s Manor—was the Grand Tutor’s Manor worth only a noodle shop?

Besides, Liu Kun wouldn’t be so short-sighted.

Liu Kun must have sought much more. Moreover, since Lu Qian hid in the Liu house, Liu Kun might not have been unaware of Lu Rou’s case. Why didn’t Fan Zhenglian eliminate the root and remove such a huge threat as Liu Kun? Wasn’t he afraid Liu Kun might turn against him someday? After all, only dead men could keep secrets.

Unless…

Liu Kun had something compromising in Fan Zhenglian’s hands.

And this leverage was big enough that Fan Zhenglian could be certain Liu Kun would never dare use it as blackmail.

What could Liu Kun have that would fall into Fan Zhenglian’s hands?

For such a noodle-selling merchant, he was insignificant in a chief judge’s eyes—unless it concerned his licentiate son.

Licentiate son…

Lu Tong’s eyes flickered.

That’s right!

Liu Zixian passed the autumn examinations, Liu Zide was about to take the autumn examinations, and Fan Zhenglian… had also started his career through imperial examinations, becoming magistrate of Yuan’an County and beginning his smooth official path.

Autumn examinations…

If Liu Kun’s betrayal of Lu Qian was the price for his son’s success, then in Liu Kun’s eyes, it was all worth it. Fan Zhenglian wouldn’t need to worry about Liu Kun revealing the inside story, unless Liu Kun was willing to destroy his beloved son’s future.

However… if her speculation was true, the examination fraud in Liang Dynasty’s autumn examinations was truly rampant and shameless.

Lu Tong’s brush tip paused.

Or perhaps Fan Zhenglian’s own presented scholar status was also ill-gotten, otherwise how could he handle Liu Zixian’s case so expertly? It seemed Liu Zide would follow the same pattern in a few months.

She needed to find out about Fan Zhenglian’s scholarly abilities back then.

However, as Fan Zhenglian was a court official, Uncle Cao’s side was probably afraid of causing trouble and was always stingy with information about officials. Moreover, to avoid suspicion, she couldn’t directly request it.

Lu Tong wrote “Yuan’an County” above Fan Zhenglian’s name.

Fan Zhenglian’s rise began in Yuan’an County. It was said that when he served as magistrate there, his achievements were outstanding, prompting the emperor to specially transfer him back to Shengjing.

She needed to find out which “famous” cases Fan Zhenglian had handled in Yuan’an County.

The door opened, and Yin Zheng entered carrying a basin of hot water.

Lu Tong put down her brush, took the paper she had written on, and burned it over the candle flame.

Yin Zheng handed her a wrung-out cloth and gestured toward the window: “The light is still on up front.”

She was referring to Xia Rongrong and her servant.

Lu Tong thought she wanted to return to her own room and wiped her face with the cloth while saying: “They won’t be staying long.”

Yin Zheng said: “Miss, you don’t really think like Shopkeeper Du that Miss Xia is here to freeload, do you?”

“Isn’t she?”

“Of course not.” Yin Zheng got up to make the bed. “Those freeloading relatives wish they could dress as poorly as possible to get more money. How could they be like Miss Xia? The fabric of her dress is newer than yours. And that agate bracelet on her hand costs at least twenty taels of silver.”

Yin Zheng turned around: “What poor freeloading relative dresses so well?”

Lu Tong was unconcerned: “So?”

“Women dress to please those they love,” Yin Zheng continued making the bed. “It’s probably for Shopkeeper Du. I think she’s really after Shopkeeper Du himself.”

Lu Tong nodded: “She’s Shopkeeper Du’s cousin. If they really reach the point of discussing marriage, they’ll naturally be inseparable.” At this point, Lu Tong paused and looked at Yin Zheng questioningly: “Are you unhappy because you like Shopkeeper Du?”

“Of course not!” Yin Zheng was startled, stopped making the bed, and quickly denied: “How could I like Shopkeeper Du?”

Seeing Lu Tong nod, Yin Zheng sighed: “I don’t have prejudice against Miss Xia, but Miss, what you’re planning—one careless moment and it could all be exposed. We live here, and usually it’s fine with few people, but now with Miss Xia and her companion, I’m always afraid… afraid something might go wrong.”

So that was her concern.

Lu Tong smiled: “It’s fine, we’ll just be more careful.”

…

When Lu Tong and Yin Zheng were discussing Xia Rongrong, in the neighboring room, Xia Rongrong’s lamp was also still burning.

Xia Rongrong sat on the edge of the bed in her undergarments, her hair loose, looking somewhat worried.

The maid Xiangcao stood behind her, combing her long hair with a wooden comb, asking: “Miss has already seen your cousin young master, why are you still so troubled?”

Xia Rongrong shook her head: “Father and Mother sent me to the capital with the intention of having me marry Cousin.”

“Previously, Cousin wrote that Master Du had passed away, but he didn’t mention in his letter that of Master Du’s estate, only this broken medical hall remains!” Xia Rongrong grasped Xiangcao’s hand. “Since this is your first time meeting Cousin, you wouldn’t know, but I can tell that Cousin’s food, clothing, and expenses are all inferior to the past. Clearly he’s fallen on hard times.”

“I… Father is still waiting for me to enter the Du family and bring him to the capital. What should I do now?”

After speaking, Xia Rongrong couldn’t help but sob quietly.

Xia Rongrong’s mother and Du Changqing’s mother were relatives.

This family connection was truly thin, but for Du Changqing, who lost his mother young, this branch was his mother’s only remaining family. He loved hearing Xia’s mother talk about his mother’s past.

Xia Rongrong didn’t dislike Du Changqing.

Du Changqing was the Du family’s only son, and Master Du doted on him, willing to spend money on him. When Xia Rongrong visited Shengjing with her parents as a child, this cousin was always generous with them.

Moreover, Du Changqing was good-looking, and though somewhat spoiled, his character wasn’t bad—he could barely be considered a good match. So when her parents hinted at her marrying Du Changqing, Xia Rongrong didn’t object internally.

Her parents had thought well: Du Changqing was Master Du’s darling, so when Master Du died, he would surely leave Du Changqing substantial property. Xia Rongrong and Du Changqing were childhood sweethearts, and Du Changqing was soft-hearted. Once Xia Rongrong married into the family, she would be a proper wealthy wife.

So Xia Rongrong had brought only Xiangcao as her maid to the capital, thinking that with time, the cousins would naturally develop feelings. Since Du Changqing had no parents, when the time came, the Xia elders could arrange the marriage.

Who knew she’d receive such devastating news upon arriving in the capital—Master Du’s estate had been squandered by Du Changqing down to just this small medical hall.

This was far from what she’d expected!

Without money, Du Changqing was no longer attractive.

Xiangcao consoled her: “Miss, don’t be sad. Though your cousin young master isn’t what he used to be, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. Having a residence and shop in Shengjing, where every inch of land is precious, puts him ahead of many people.”

“Besides, no one knows exactly how much wealth Master Du left your cousin young master—maybe he’s hiding it. Just…” Xiangcao hesitated.

“Just what?”

“Just that Dr. Lu next door—you need to be careful of her.”

Xia Rongrong was puzzled: “Careful of what?”

“What ordinary family has such a young resident physician, and a woman at that?” Xiangcao reminded her. “Don’t blame this servant for being suspicious, but your cousin young master always liked flirting around. If he’s already keeping a woman before marrying… then you should think carefully about this marriage.”

“You’re saying Dr. Lu and Cousin…” Xia Rongrong hesitated. “That can’t be, can it?”

“You never know someone’s heart from their face. This servant is just worried you’ll be deceived. But since we’re staying here for a while anyway, we might as well watch them closely and see if there’s anything suspicious.”

Xia Rongrong thought carefully for a long while before finally nodding decisively: “Alright, let’s do as you say.”